Narrator: Lauren Fortgang
Unabridged
8 hrs. 55 min.
Available Now
Source: tbr pile
Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.
Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves her life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.
Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha… and the secrets of her heart.My thoughts:
I kept hearing how wonderful this story was and I was wanting to read it. However, I was able to find the audio by Lauren Fortgang whom I've never hear narrate but I have been told she was wonderful. That was correct. Lauren's voice is perfect as Alina and I loved her pronunciation of all the Russian words. It helped me to easily slip into this world. One I was reluctant to leave by the end of the story.
I do warn those that hate love triangles... there is one brewing within these pages. However, it isn't one that makes your eyes roll, but makes sense. There is a clear winner and one that will make you swoon. However, the other one won't leave you willingly so you know there is more to that story. You will also love the villain in the story. His characterization is such that you are never certain of his motivations even when you feel that he is totally figured out. I love that in a villain and it makes the tension in the story so much better.
Oh there is so much I want to talk about with the book. It was one that was hard to put down (or turn off in this case) but I don't want to spoil it for anyone. If you are looking for a fantasy book that isn't too heavy handed with great worldbuilding, this one would be great to start. I recommend the audio especially for this book because you can hear the words as they were intended and not mangle them in your head (I know I do that! LOL). I give this audio 5 stars. I really enjoyed my time here and I can't wait to listen to the next one. In fact, I do hope the Lauren voices all 3 books in the trilogy.
It's great to know that even if we have a love triangle it was ok. I hear so many great things about this book, I should definitely try it one day.
ReplyDeleteYou so need to try this one Melliane! You will love it.
DeleteI listened to this one on audio, and while there were things I didn't much care for (like the dreaded love triangle), overall it was a great read, and I agree that the narrator added much to it. I have yet to read the remaining two, but I'll probably choose the audio again.
ReplyDeleteI am also going for the audio too! :)
DeleteI don't mind love triangles because I've come to accept that they are never going away, but they need to be properly executed, and from your review I gather that that was the case in this instance, so good stuff. Thanks for keeping your thoughts spoiler-free; I haven't gotten to this one yet!
ReplyDeleteIt was a well done triangle. I rarely like them but it didn't bother me here.
DeleteLauren also does the narration for my Elemental Assassin series. I always get so many nice comments about her narration, and she's a really nice person too.
ReplyDeleteI know! I plan on listening to the whole series on audio one day. :D
DeleteI actually wound up not liking either of the love interests (at least, not as love interests for our girl) but this triangle was so well done, that it didn't really bother me, as 99% seem to do (especially when they're just thrown in there to create tension! *grinds teeth*)
ReplyDeleteWell, I do think there was a clear winner in this book, but I hear that changes. I usually don't like them either, but now I'm curious.
DeleteYAY!!!!!!!! I'm so glad you loved this one too Melissa! And I definitely think hearing some of the Russian pronunciations would have been helpful when first getting into this world. I'm pretty sure what I said in my head is not anywhere close to being correct:)
ReplyDeleteI loved her pronunciations! I think this is one you would enjoy on audio.
DeleteHearing lots of good things about this, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Love the cover.
ReplyDeleteI think you would enjoy this series.
DeleteLove this series so much. I have the third book that I need to read ASAP!
ReplyDeleteI so need the next 2!! :)
DeleteI only liked this one but got more into the story with Book 2. I think that's when the story took off for me. Glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteOh sweet! I was worried about the slump. Glad to hear it doesn't happen!
DeleteI need to read this series! I had avoided it because of the love triangle but I hear it's not that awful. (I'll be the judge of that!! lol)
ReplyDeleteKaren @ For What It's Worth
Well, in book 1 it isn't awful. :) I don't know about the others yet.
DeleteI bet it was cute. You are one of the reasons I wanted to try her as narrator. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm often in such a hurry to read a book that I never wait for the audiobook but then reading audiobook reviews like this one make me want to re-read them immediately. I'm so glad you enjoyed this, Melissa, and the audio edition seems fantastic. I'll definitely have to check it out! :)
ReplyDeleteLove triangles are just so SIGH
ReplyDeleteI loved these books (and the love triangle) but have yet to listen to it on audio (but you make it sound so good!) I recommend continuing on with the series since it just gets SO GOOD! Lovely review :)
ReplyDeleteOh yay! I'm still trying to get into audio. She sounds great! I'll have to look hers up :)
ReplyDeleteOkay, you're pushing me to FINALLY read this,. I doubt I'll do audio, but I kind of tempted to now.
ReplyDeleteYAY! I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed this and I can't wait to hear what you think of Siege & Storm! I really want to redo this series on audio and I have loved Lauren Fortgang in the past but I'm even more excited about the audio now that you're a fan. Lovely review!
ReplyDelete