Julie Moran

Never laughed so hard!

Revisado: 02-26-25

Fantastic combination of fun, intelligent writing and brilliant narration by R.C. Bray. I jumped right into the next book in the series and it picks up right where this one leaves off. You won't be disappointed if you purchase or spend a credit on this one. Worth it!

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Fun!

Revisado: 06-19-24

Not sure about the voice for Hadrian-- he sounds too old-- but this is a fun listen!

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Loads of fun!

Revisado: 03-11-24

Only one complaint: it was over too soon. Seriously, the pace flies and the narrator is awesome!

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Hard pass

Revisado: 02-26-24

I mean, if you like talking cats and nonsensical writing, this is for you. It was NOT for me. Not in this lifetime. Even Euan could save this one.

The lack of background information, the plot pausing and starting more often than a YouTube video, the things you saw coming from a mile away, the lack of characterization, the romance aspect of the book feeling like a contractual obligation between the Hero(ine) and literally the only age-appropriate member of the opposite sex in the book, and the talking cats, culminated to a very unenjoyable slog to get through.

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Narration & Writing Style cost this one

Revisado: 03-09-23

I like the ideas this book presents, I like the main character and hero, Asher--I've always been a sucker for a hero. And I like the characters, good guys and bad that he comes in contact with. So why only 3 stars?

Where this book, well, the entire series, really, suffers is twofold: first, highly stylized writing that gets in the way of good action sequences, and second, narration that has very little ability to distinguish one character voice from another. The latter has long been my complaint with regard to Mr. Brand, It became most problematic in the later series by Mr. Quaintrell; The Echoes Saga. In the Echoes Saga there are a LOT of characters and when there are 3 or more in a scene, the confusion over who is speaking is frustrating at best. I gave up in that series at about book 3. It was irritating and makes me hesitant to listen to anything Mr. Brand narrates. So far, because this series has a smaller character count, it's been easier.

That has long been my beef with Steven Brand's narration. But I've listened to other books, mainly the Bladeborn Saga by TC Edge, which, thanks to superb writing, rises above Brand's narration.

But I digress. With regard to this series, when it comes to writing good action, you have to let readers visualize what the characters are doing and to convey motion and speed, keep the wording and phrasing short. However, the stylized nature of this series makes that utterly impossible. I'm not sure if it would throw one out of the story by dropping the style in favor of improved function but might be worth a try, run it through some beta readers to see if that works.

Anywho. I doubt very much I'll get back into the Echoes Saga but I will definitely finish the Rangers Archives. Because, well, Asher. *sighs happily*

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Nothing new here

Revisado: 01-04-22

As much as I loved the first book, this one was just more of the same. Nothing new really happens. Seemed it could have been much shorter. We get to see Talia's journey a bit more but it's mostly castle politics and I found that a bit boring. As for Mr. Kenny's narration, for the first time ever, I got a little confused with some of his character voices. Not sure what happened. Holt and Ash got a little confusing.

I also think we spent a bit too much time with bad guys, and that dragged a bit. Left me feeling unsatisfied at times, I found my mind wandering and reading faster to get to a good part only for the main heroes to always fail. Frustration.

This one definitely suffered from lack of purpose for our main characters.

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No "Book 2" lag here. It's all killer, no filler.

Revisado: 01-04-22

Lets just get this part out of the way: Brand is a terrible narrator. Giving his performance 2 stars is very kind on my part.

Anyway, many times a second book in a series suffers from mid-story lag, but this one doesn't do that. Not even in the slightest. Loved the second book even more than the first and I'm itching to read the third book. Well done Mr. Edge. Overall would have been 5 stars but Brand really makes that part difficult. I can't help but wonder how much better it would have been with the likes of Collin Mace at the helm. Just a suggestion. I wouldn't even mind if you changed narrators mid-stream for Mace to take it on.

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Brand. Really?

Revisado: 11-05-21

I got through it, because I enjoyed the story. But I am not sure I will continue since it seems Brand is IT for this series. I'll give it a try... maybe I just need to get used to him.

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Brand is the worst

Revisado: 11-05-21

I truly don't get the appeal. His diction is dreadful. His character voices are terribly limited- I can't tell one from another, About the best he can offer is a slightly higher pitch for female characters, but that's it. And there is not vocal inflection when the description of a voice is, for example, "Low and guttural" ... he just blows through the line as if that descriptive doesn't matter.

I seriously don't get the appeal. The story here is really better and would be much improved with someone better at narration. I could literally name about 10 or 15 male narrators who would fit the bill better than Brand. I see something he's narrating now and I pass it by, and that annoys me. But I don't want to waste money on a product I KNOW will irritate me to no end.

Mr. Quaintrell's story deserves better than this.

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Brand is still horrible but!

Revisado: 10-25-21

This story, thanks entirely to the skill of the author, out shines the awfulness that is Steven Brand’s questionable “skill” as narrator.

When Brand mentions Sir Elyon it sounds like Cirelion — he tends to slur his words quite a lot, and that is just the beginning of my dislike for his narration. His very limited, nearly nonexistent library of character voices is another issue I have with him. Many a book I have passed by the when this man’s name is associated with it. Thankfully, a friend spoke highly of this story to the point I took a chance. I’m glad I did!

The story can get very dark at times, and characters you think you will hate, you will end up liking. The magical works isn’t so all encompassing that it overshadows the story: it’s used more as a backdrop for great character interactions.

I can’t wait to read the next book!

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