Avid listener

Took a bit of patience, but worth it

Revisado: 02-12-23

I recall this book having a number of contradictory reviews and I didn’t know what to expect. I also think some people gave up on the book and didn’t clarify that in their review.

I agree with a number of people on difficultly tracking what’s going on... It took me about 5 hours to start getting the characters down. As others mentioned, characters have similar sounding names, which is made more difficult when the story bounces between various groups.

Couple critiques on the narrator 1) I don’t feel he really assigned voices to characters in the first challenging five hours (this improves), and 2) he doesn’t really build momentum in the story (for lack of a better term). I recall thinking at one point that he reads a fight scene pretty similarly to a quiet stroll in the woods… I caught myself wishing it was Michael Kramer on more than one occasion, BUT overall the narrator is very pleasant to listen to and once I was more engaged in the story, those things mattered less.

Last thought - I recall a couple reviews saying, “this is a coming of age story” and something else about whininess… the book follows more than one character. I mean, yes, a younger character has a couple annoying moments - as most younger humans do at some point in their lives - but this is a 20 hour book, and that review leads me believe the reviewer didn’t read (er, listen to) the whole thing.

If you’re looking for a ton of magic, this might not be your book, but if you’re good with general high level fantasy and a good story (and you’re ok persevering a bit) I’d say give it a try. Especially if you listen to a ton of books and are looking for good content (not necessarily your next all time favorite book). I promise it gets A LOT easier to follow and inevitably you become more engaged.

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esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Easy listen

Revisado: 01-13-23

I feel like the character depth has improved relative to the Keeper Chronicles, but I could be misremembering. I listen to audiobooks while doing various activities (mainly chores, driving, not sleeping, etc) and this was an easy listen - a little slow to start, but it’s a trilogy, and I’m ok with that in order to establish a decent foundation (and help with emotional attachment to the characters).

These were an easy purchase for me. I downloaded the trilogy prior to 60 hours of traveling knowing it was a safe play. I didn’t end up listening - but it’s one of those where I liked the first series enough that something would have to go seriously wrong in book one for me not to continue the trilogy, I listen to a ton of books, so it’s always nice to find consistent authors (and series’ and longer books - check, check, and check)

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As always, phenomenal

Revisado: 12-14-22

I don’t know how to write a review for this that doesn’t spoil anything. This book was great and I now appreciate why Michael J. Sullivan said he was so excited about it (likely author’s note before the book). It’s also great to have a strong female lead. I become so emotionally attached to these characters - I could escape into this universe forever, if given the chance. If you’ve read the other books, I’m not sure why you’re even reading reviews. If you haven’t… I wouldn’t start here

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Cliffhanger (but I’d prefer that to less content)

Revisado: 11-27-22

Editing my original review. I wasn’t aware books 4-6 are essentially one long story. That was a bit jarring, and if the ending of book 5 is similiar, it seems the three books could be combined on Audible. Granted, I’ll just buy book 6 before I’m done with 5 if I’m going to be without service when I finish (so I can continue the story).

Basically the ending is a cliffhanger — I thought I was going to get another chapter, but I got the end credits. It made me think of how tv shows end in a way that compels you to immediately start the next eoisode. I was fully intending on reading all the books; it’s more that I wanted a more natural stopping point because I struggle with time management. And now it’s 3am and there’s a very high chance I’m going to start book 5 when I should not be doing that haha

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Second book committed me to the series

Revisado: 08-21-22

I ended up liking the first book, but I wasn't fully engaged, and (obviously) didn't know how the series would evolve. For the sake of transparency, I'm writing this with the benefit of hindsight, after having read the entire series.

I personally found the second book to be much better than the first. I'm not sure exactly what it was, but I didn't feel I could consistently connect with the character in the first book. It's like there was almost an air of dispassion - but maybe that was the intent. Anyway, the character continues to grow, as tends to happen with time and good authors, and I'm happy I stuck with it.

If you don't like the second book, I'd be shocked if you ended up enjoying the series. That said, there's more adventure and a wiser main character, so who knows.

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Happy I stuck with it!

Revisado: 08-21-22

I'm not sure if I found this book because I was searching for Kate Reading, or if I came across it on a review. Either way, I had recently found my new favorite author, consuming more than 500 hours of their content. It's hard to pivot from a journey like that to a new author and series.

I had a hard time engaging with this book at first. I started the book, then stopped, then resumed, then pivoted, then restarted. On the second start, I completed the series. The first book is my least favorite in the series, but that's not to say it's bad. It's actually pretty good; it just starts a bit slow, because character development. That said, I'm writing this after completing the series.

I love Kate Reading's take on the character, per usual, and appreciated the academic lens in which this book was written. As a self defined nerd type - though more of a generalist - I agree with other reviewers that the story is a unique and refreshing take on fantasy. I'd say try the second if you're on the fence. If you hate the first book, the series probably isn't for you, but A for effort.

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Glad I gave it a chance

Revisado: 08-20-22

In my eyes, great narration can elevate what I might otherwise deem an average book, if reading, to a spectacular book, when listening. I actively seek out Kate Reading and Michael Kramer for this reason. If you’re accustomed to, and enjoy, their narration, you’ll be unsurprised to hear they crush it again.

Ultimately whether or not you like this book will depend on what type of listener you are and what you’re looking for. I tend to seek out longer books, given my consumption rate, and five books for one credit was worth it here.

Would recommend for those looking for a "good enough" listen; are looking for fantasy, but don’t need a complex, well developed magic system or world building. The plot is predictable, and yes, convenient, but that didn't bother me as there was enough action to keep me interested. You also need to be fine with primarily first person narration. That took me a little bit to get used to, but it works; that’s how you get the character "depth" in this story.

There was enough character depth and development for me - I can’t make it through long reads with shallow characters - but no, the book doesn’t delve into complex philosophical issues (eg., morality), and character growth isn't a key focus (or I'm just older than the target market).

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Appreciated more after Oathbringer

Revisado: 03-27-22

The first time I attempted Edgedancer was my first listen of The Stormlight Archive, in the “proper order” (after Words of Radiance and before Oathbringer). I didn’t get far and returned it.

I’m one of those who didn’t like Lift’s interlude in Words of Radiance; admittedly, I skipped ahead. I ended up liking Lift later in the series, and the second time I listed to The Stormlight Archive, I listened to the entirety of Lift’s interlude in Words of Radiance. I proceeded to repurchase Edgedancer (sorry, Audible) and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Edgedancer provides useful background on Darkness and explores Lift’s powers; I understand why people recommend reading before Oathbringer, but I wouldn't say it's critical.

Lift is young and, frankly, I found her to be obnoxious at this point in the series my first time through. I was also fine missing some of the complexities of the magic system. By my second read, I wanted to invest time on Edgedancer, and learning more about Lift's background led me to really appreciate and enjoy her character.

If you're not a fan of Lift, I'd say skip Edgedancer for now. You can always come back to the Novella if you feel you’re missing pieces in Oathbringer.

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Slow build, as expected with 45hr listen. But love

Revisado: 11-08-21

I ended up really enjoying this book, but I'm not sure whether I would've enjoyed it as much reading it. I'm impatient, and I find myself unintentionally skimming details when I read, which I don't do with audiobook. Though I do multitask with audiobooks, so maybe it's the same.

Point being, this is a long book. It’s not that there’s unnecessary attention to detail or tangents (dare I say like in A Song of Ice and Fire; though I got through 4), but there’s a lot of foundation building; in retrospect, important character development. I also couldn't keep the locations straight at first; didn't realize until my second reading there's pdf attachments for the audiobook.

Anyway, I originally picked this book because it’s narrated by Kate Reading and Michael Kramer; I wanted a fantasy series; and I wanted a long book… I tend to engage in light multitasking while I listen to audiobooks (e.g., walking the dog, yard work, laundry, commute), but I’m not actually good at multitasking and have to rewind a lot because I miss something important (or “come to” and don’t know what’s going on). That didn’t really happen with this book until the last third. That said, I plan to google key points because I’m going to proceed with the series.

Update: I've now read this book, and the Stormlight Archive, twice. Also proceeded to read all cosmere books. I appreciate how Sanderson places nuggets of information across various books, though I wish I had a better memory. I'm not going to change my original rating - 5 overall, 5 performance, 4 story - but I'd give the story a 5 now.

If you're new to Sanderson and you read more of his books or continue this series, you'll eventually learn he has a cult following. Subsets of said cult following have strong opinions on how you should approach the series and cosmere collection; whether you can read without absorbing everything, etc. Here's my take - do what you want.

This was the first Sanderson book I read, and it ultimately led me to the cosmere. Yes, you might miss some references, but we have this thing called Google and there are literally websites dedicated to this stuff (be wary of spoilers). If you truly engage with the series, you probably won't mind returning to various topics or re-reading a book. I still don't understand all the intricacies of the magic system, but I don't feel I need to - this is still my favorite series, and Sanderson one of my new favorite authors.

As I increasingly read more fantasy, I'm surprised by how little character development occurs in some books. I love Sanderson's ability to create complex characters and weave in philosophical questions for consideration. I know that's not for everyone, but it draws me into and connects me with the story. I felt a weird sadness when I finished the currently published books in the series. I didn't want the books to end - honestly they may have been too consuming. Or that's hyper focus at work. Either way, I'm waiting very impatiently for the next book.

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