Cinders

Beguiling, Surprising Delight !!

Revisado: 05-18-18

I have enjoyed this book so much that I cannot bear the fact that now I have finished !! I wanted this classic to go on forever and ever. Both the story and the narration are an absolute delight !

I was carried along, loving each twist and turn, constantly surprised by the marvelous characters and the gradual unfolding of the heroine's adventure. I even became so addicted to this entrancing story with its equally entrancing narrator that more than a few times, I added an extra hour to my exercise routine just so I could listen a little longer before returning to the real world!! Now THAT is a first for me, after a whole decade of Audible books.

I am now buying the other two books by this author which are available on Audible. I just wish that Melody Grove, who narrated this story with such perfection, were the narrator of the other two….. but having just bought those, I now need to give the other narrators a chance. Kudos to Tracy Rees, the author-- Ms Rees, you enchanted me and you made me laugh. I think Jane Austen would find you a kindred spirit. Cheers and thanks.

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Loved Downton Abbey? Fall in love all over again!

Revisado: 04-23-17

I would listen to Juliet Stevenson narrate the phone book, but luckily this is a fascinating, engrossing, dare I say mesmerizing story by the great Julian Fellowes. Twists and turns worthy of Dickens, but all set in the mostly upper/middle class society of London (with a few below stairs characters to provide a contrasting counterpoint). Could not put this one down, if one can say that about an audiobook. Grabbed me and never let me go. You really can't miss with this book !!!! Entrancing !! And Juliet Stevenson is not simply a superb narrator worthy of TEN stars, she also manages to create all manner of characters in this read, both male and female, aristocrats and merchants and maids and butlers, without once missing a beat. What an extraordinary performance, worthy of the marvelous material. Great marriage of a wonderful story with a brilliant performance.

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Brilliant book !! Astonishing and luscious.

Revisado: 04-23-17

I have been an Audible fanatic for a decade now, and I can honestly say that this is the most beautifully written and beautifully narrated book in my entire Audible library.

Gorgeous writing and mesmerizing story telling. Kudos (indeed, laurel wreaths) to both author and narrator. This is fiction so insightful into the human heart, written with such remarkable delicacy in such indelible prose that it will stay with me for a very long time.
I love historical fiction, but this is not my usual time period !! What an unexpected delight.

Thank you Audible, and thank you Madeline Miller and thank you Frazer Douglas. WOW.

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PALMYRA !!!! and Rome….. and even the Persians...

Revisado: 04-23-17

This is marvelous historical fiction. Highly recommended for history buffs, not to mention those of us who never got to see Palmyra before ISIS reduced her ruins to total rubble. I must add that in addition to loving the writing, I enjoyed the narrator very much, and the only reason he didn't get a 5 instead of a 4 is because of the Scottish accent he used for a Syrian. Otherwise, a truly grand listen.

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Marvelous historical fiction !!

Revisado: 04-03-17

I love historical fiction and read (& listen to) mountains of it, and my focus for the past 8 years has been the so called "Middle Ages," particularly the 1300's and 1400's. Despite all the many titles of this genre that I have voraciously consumed over the years, the two books of the Arrowsmith Saga, of which this is the first volume, blew me right out of the water !! After listening to both this title and Book Two ("The Venom of Serpents") on Audible, completely captivated by every single word in a way that rarely happens to me, and in addition (as the icing on the cake, as if any were needed) seduced by the brilliant narrative skill of R. D. Watson, I am so besotted that I am actually going to buy both BOOKS and hold them in my hands and peruse them in the form in which they were first created, namely on paper. But these two audiobooks are both simply stellar, and I highly recommend them to anyone who loves history, anyone who loves the Brits, anyone who loves historical fiction, and indeed anyone who enjoys a tale spun so intricately that Dickens comes to mind--- except that here we have not only great, inventive, engrossing, extraordinarily creative writing, but also a fascinating look at a distinct period of history, complete with kings and knights and churls and priests and historical figures like, of all people, Wycliffe !! Love, violence, greed, heroics, a great work of art, sudden twists of fate, it's all here-- a true roller coaster ride !! Hang on tight !!

Well I could go on and on but ……... just buy this pair of audiobooks and have a whale of a time listening to them !!

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Enthralling, riveting historical fiction

Revisado: 04-03-17

I love historical fiction and read (& listen to) mountains of it, and my focus for the past 8 years has been the so called "Middle Ages," particularly the 1300's and 1400's. Despite all the many titles of this genre that I have voraciously consumed over the years, the two books of the Arrowsmith Saga, of which this is the second volume, blew me right out of the water !! After listening to both Book One (The Nectar of Angels) and Book Two (this title) on Audible, completely captivated by every single word in a way that rarely happens to me, and in addition (as the icing on the cake, as if any were needed) seduced by the brilliant narrative skill of R. D. Watson, I am so besotted that I am actually going to buy both BOOKS and hold them in my hands and peruse them in the form in which they were first created, namely on paper. But these two audiobooks are both simply stellar, and I highly recommend them to anyone who loves history, anyone who loves the Brits, anyone who loves historical fiction, and indeed anyone who enjoys a tale spun so intricately that Dickens comes to mind--- except that here we have not only great writing, but also a fascinating look at a distinct period of history, complete with kings and knights and churls and priests and historical figures like Wycliffe !! Love, violence, art, sudden twists of fate, it's all here. Well I could go on and on but ……... just buy this pair of audiobooks and have a whale of a time listening to them !!

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Absolute enchantment !!

Revisado: 07-20-15

This novel, as narrated by the extraordinarily brilliant Sarah Woodward, unexpectedly ranks as one of my five favorite audiobooks of all time. I am a fan of Georgette Heyer as an author of historical fiction, but this particular story is almost an entirely different genre, despite being set in an age of horse-drawn conveyances. In this delightful romp of a book, Ms.Heyer somehow balances the insights of Jane Austen with the wit of Oscar Wilde !! Simply marvelous. I was on the edge of my seat for the entire time, and wish that Sarah Woodward could narrate every book I ever listen to for the rest of my life. (Audible, take note, since I see only this one novel on the list of works narrated by her, at least on your website-- all else is poetry or plays). With thanks to both author and narrator, and with fervent prayers that they may be "married" again on another project like this one--which alas seems most unlikely since Ms.Heyer left this earth forty years ago…. nonetheless, hope is the bird with feathers !! This is a classic-- fabulous fiction, surprising, entertaining, and completely satisfying in every possible way.

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Engrossing ride with the Norsemen !!

Revisado: 03-30-15

I love historical fiction, but usually stick with stories of medieval kings and queens rather than with the violent tales of the blood and gore encountered in the "shield wall"-- but Bernard Cornwell first hooked me with his "Saxon Chronicles" and I have now read (listened to) all of the books in that series -- hence tried this one and very much enjoyed it. Excellent narrator, absorbing story, never a dull moment…. I plan to go on and read the next two volumes in this series, which to my great relief I see are also available on Audible. It's nice to be so caught up in the listening experience and know that there is more to come !!!

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Brilliant Historical Fiction

Revisado: 02-24-15

Would you try another book from Patricia Bracewell and/or Heather Wilds?

I am a true lover of history and historical fiction. Patricia Bracewell, in my opinion, is one of the two most engrossing, fascinating and accomplished authors of historical fiction living today (the other being Bernard Cornwell). Bracewell's first book, "Shadow on the Crown" was so enthralling that I may never get over it !! After listening to the audio version of "Shadow on the Crown," which I obtained on Audible, I bought the hardcover book so that I could revisit the narrative any time I wanted without picking up my headphones. That is a first for me, and speaks to the remarkable quality of Bracewell's writing and the seduction of her narrative gifts. I would not only "try" but would DEVOUR any book from Ms. Bracewell's brilliant pen. However if I can possibly manage it, I will never again buy any audiobook narrated by Heather Wilds.

What other book might you compare The Price of Blood to and why?

Patricia Bracewell's first book, "Shadow on the Crown"-- the first of three volumes, Ms. Bracewell has announced, a trilogy about Emma of Normandy-- brought Emma across the sea at a young age from Normandy to England, to be married to the then King of England, AEthelred (this was circa 1000 AD, for those who are not already steeped in medieval English history). It's silly to "compare" these two books, but since they are sisters, one picking up where the other left off, naturally I think of them in tandem, like two thoroughbred horses. Nothing else compares !!

How could the performance have been better?

I don't want to malign this narrator, but her performance is lifeless. I highly recommend that anyone who loved Bracewell's first book (whether they listened to it on Audible, as narrated by the marvelous Katie Firth, or bought the hardcover or paperback, or read it on Kindle) do themselves a favor and buy /read this second book in ANY format except the audio.

Did The Price of Blood inspire you to do anything?

The Price of Blood in audio format inspired me to buy the hardcover version of the book ! Even as narrated in the Audible version--without passion and without apparent understanding of the content-- this is still a great book, and I found the story so gripping that I managed to lose an expensive glove in 25 degree weather ! I knew from listening to the audio version that I wanted to revisit the book in a context which would do it justice--who wants to eat a fantastic five course gourmet dinner in a coffee shop?

Any additional comments?

Patricia Bracewell's well researched and yet imaginative story had me from "hello" in her first book, "Shadow on the Crown" (narrated on Audible by the incomparable Katie Firth, for a truly synergistic union of author and narrator). In "The Price of Blood" Bracewell takes her heroine, who is surely one of the first strong women in recorded history, from being young and untried to being a force in her own right. If you love historical fiction, don't miss either of the first two volumes of Bracewell's trilogy about Emma. And if the narrator's talents (or lack thereof) will affect your experience of the book, then when it comes to "The Price of Blood" please buy the hardcover or wait for the release of the paperback (or get the book on Kindle). Both books are more than well worth your time and attention; don't let the narrator of the second book detract from your experience of Patricia Bracewell's prose.

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Wonderful narrative for medieval history buffs

Revisado: 07-23-14

I have long been fascinated by the Cathars, the sect which the Roman Catholic Church not only proclaimed heretical but eventually snuffed out completely with the simple expedient of burning its adherents at the stake. I have read several books about the so-called Crusade ordered by the Pope against these peaceful people who considered themselves Christians, but this is the first which actually clarified for me some of the Cathar beliefs. When I began to listen, I thought the narrator's voice and even his prose were a bit slow and old fashioned to hold my interest, but soon it became apparent that both were perfect for this story. Both author and narrator (one and the same) clearly made a great effort not to taint the narrative with condemnation of the persecutors of the Cathars.

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in wars of religion (of which we seem to have plenty even today), medieval history, religious thought, freedom of speech and religion, and the awful deeds done in the name of the Roman Catholic Church during the days of the Inquisition. Until I read this book, I was not even aware that the Inquisition extended beyond Spain, but here we are in Languedoc, a region now considered part of France. I also was not previously aware of the complicated politics which underlay this appalling (and successful) attempt to completely extirpate all faithful believers who called themselves Cathars, a rather quiet and humble sect which the Pope was worried might undermine the supremacy and authority of the Catholic Church. This is an eye opening and at times terrifying story, told with grace and simplicity.

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