The Will of the Empress
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Narrated by:
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Tamora Pierce
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By:
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Tamora Pierce
About this listen
Tamora Pierce returns to the world of Circle of Magic for this smashing novel, which brings the four young mages back together as teens.
Suspense! Court intrigue! Romance! Fights! All the things that you love about Tamora Pierce's books are here in abundance.
©2006 Tamora Pierce (P)2006 Full Cast AudioListeners also enjoyed...
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Deborah Harkness’s sparkling debut, A Discovery of Witches, has brought her into the spotlight and galvanized fans around the world. In this tale of passion and obsession, Diana Bishop, a young scholar and a descendant of witches, discovers a long-lost and enchanted alchemical manuscript, Ashmole 782, deep in Oxford's Bodleian Library. Its reappearance summons a fantastical underworld, which she navigates with her leading man, vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont.
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Editorial reviews
Full Cast Audio works closely with Pierce to transfer her novels to audio productions. So it's no wonder that this audiobook is a superb result of this partnership. The four characters from the Circle of Magic series, Sandry, Tris, Briar, and Daja, have lost their magical connection, and only through a diplomatic junket to the Empress Berinene's court do they reforge their friendship. At first, one questions the choice of Pierce to narrate since she has a slightly sibilant sound and speaks too slowly, but listeners soon realize that her pace differentiates dialogue from description. The young actors portraying the friends are well cast, and the empress is convincing as a charming yet controlling ruler.
Critic reviews
"A delightful page-turner." (KLIATT)
"How well word-mage Pierce understands what her audience wants, and how ably she provides it in this epic postscript to her two Circle quartets....A standalone tour de force, this will gratify Circle devotees and ensnare new readers for the series." (Booklist)
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- Length: 14 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
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The first book in a bold new fantasy romance series by New York Times best-selling author Kerrelyn Sparks. Luciana grew up on the Isle of Moon, hidden away because of her magical powers. But when her father arrives, he offers her a choice: remain on the island or return with him and marry the Beast of Benwick in order to save their legacy - and her father's life.
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Wonderful tale, narrator did not do the story much justice.
- By Sonja on 03-26-17
By: Kerrelyn Sparks
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Cold Magic
- By: Kate Elliott
- Narrated by: Charlotte Parry
- Length: 17 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
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The Industrial Revolution has begun, factories are springing up across the country, and new technologies are transforming the cities. But the old ways do not die easy. Cat and Bee are part of this revolution. Young women at college, learning of the science that will shape their future and ignorant of the magics that rule their families. But all of that will change when the Cold Mages come for Cat. New dangers lurk around every corner and hidden threats menace her every move. If blood can't be trusted, who can you trust?
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Absolutely Brilliant Fantasy!
- By bluestatereader on 08-14-13
By: Kate Elliott
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The Cutting Edge
- Part One of A Handful of Men
- By: Dave Duncan
- Narrated by: Mil Nicholson
- Length: 12 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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Beautiful Queen Inos married the loyal stableboy Rap and made him her king. They were very much in love, and they lived happily ever after. Fifteen years went by. Rap and Inos were comfortable, secure, and truly happy, raising their family in the little backwater kingdom of Krasnegar, well removed from the hurly-burly of great affairs.... But in far-off Hub, the old Imperor's health - and, some said, his sanity - deteriorated inexorably. The borderlands were seething....
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High expectations
- By Ryan M. Kelley on 04-08-14
By: Dave Duncan
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The Pillars of the World
- Tir Alainn Trilogy, Book 1
- By: Anne Bishop
- Narrated by: Erik Synnestvedt
- Length: 14 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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The youngest in a long line of witches, Ari senses things are changing for the worse. For generations, her kin have tended the Old Places, keeping the land safe and fertile. Now, she finds herself torn between the world of mortals and the world of Fae, who ignore what occurs in the mortal world, for the roads between the two lands are vanishing into thin air.
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Just can't finish it
- By John on 02-02-11
By: Anne Bishop
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The Innocent Mage
- By: Karen Miller
- Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne
- Length: 20 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
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"The Innocent Mage is come, and we stand at the beginning of the end of everything." Being a fisherman like his father isn't a bad life, but it's not the one that Asher wants. Despite his humble roots, Asher has grand dreams. And they call him to Dorana, home of princes, beggars, and the warrior mages who have protected the kingdom for generations. Little does Asher know, however, that his arrival in the city is being closely watched by members of the Circle, people dedicated to preserving an ancient magic.
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Heroic Fantasy well written
- By Bruce on 03-29-12
By: Karen Miller
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The Sword-Edged Blonde
- By: Alex Bledsoe
- Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
- Length: 8 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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It should have been a case like any other: a missing princess, a king willing to pay in gold for her return. But before he realizes it, private investigator Eddie LaCrosse, a slightly shopworn sword jockey with a talent for discretion and detection, is swept up in a web of mystery and deceit involving a brutally murdered royal heir, a queen accused of an unspeakable crime, and the tragic past he thought he'd left behind.
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No Redeeming Qualities
- By MightyMite68 on 09-27-20
By: Alex Bledsoe
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Quatrain
- Twelve Houses, Book 0.5
- By: Sharon Shinn
- Narrated by: Eva Wilhelm
- Length: 12 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
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Sharon Shinn's Twelve Houses books have fascinated fans and critics alike with their irresistible blend of fantasy, romance, and adventure. Now in Quatrain, she weaves compelling stories in four of the worlds that fans love in "Flight", "Blood", "Gold", and "Flame".
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Lovely set of novellas, description needs updated
- By Lindsay C. on 09-25-20
By: Sharon Shinn
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Trade Winds
- By: Christina Courtenay
- Narrated by: Cathleen McCarron
- Length: 12 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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Sweden, 1732. Strong-willed Jess van Sandt knows only too well that it's a man's world. She believes she's being swindled out of her inheritance by her stepfather and she's determined to stop it. When help appears in the unlikely form of handsome Scotsman Killian Kinross, Jess finds herself both intrigued and infuriated by him. In an attempt to recover her fortune, she proposes a marriage of convenience.
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Fabulous narrator
- By Britgrrl on 02-08-19
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Flamecaster
- Shattered Realms
- By: Cinda Williams Chima
- Narrated by: Kim Mai Guest
- Length: 13 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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Adrian sul'Han, known as Ash, is a trained healer with a powerful gift of magic - and a thirst for revenge. Ash is forced into hiding after a series of murders throws the queendom into chaos. Now he's closer than ever to killing the man responsible, the cruel king of Arden. With time running out, Ash faces an excruciating choice: Can he use his powers not to save a life but to take it?
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an ironic find
- By avery on 04-08-16
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The Cabinet of Wonders
- The Kronos Chronicles: Book I
- By: Marie Rutkoski
- Narrated by: Lorelei King
- Length: 7 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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Petra Kronos has a simple, happy life. But it's never been ordinary. She has a pet tin spider named Astrophil who likes to hide in her snarled hair and give her advice. Her best friend can trap lightning inside a glass sphere. Petra also has a father in faraway Prague who is able to move metal with his mind. Petra's life is forever changed when, one day, her father returns home - blind.
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It was okay
- By Robbin Sutherland on 05-29-12
By: Marie Rutkoski
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Add 3rd and 4th book please!
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Narration does not fit the story
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What listeners say about The Will of the Empress
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Mia
- 08-21-19
Great book; spurred to comment by other reviews
I wasn't initially going to write a review on this book. As a staunch fan of Tamora Pierce and especially the Emelan universe, it is an absolute treat to listen to the author, herself, read the book as the primary narrator with the members of Full Cast Audio reading the dialogue. (Bruce Coville is a fantastic reader and author!) If you are a Fierce fan, you should give this series (Circle of Magic quartet, Circle Opens quartet and Circle Reforged quartet) a listen. Her cadence and enunciation is endearing (and you get the proper name pronunciations without scouring Google). It's like listening to her in person with only a little sprinkle of her sense of humor.
As the headline reads, I wasn't going to comment on this book, but some of the other reviews really inspired me to use my (online) voice. At least one reviewer mentioned that "Bride Kidnapping" was overused in this novel. I can't disagree more, and not just because bride kidnapping is STILL actively practiced in certain cultures RIGHT NOW. Thankfully, it's considered a sex crime in most nations.
No, the biggest reason that bride kidnapping isn't overused is voiced by Briar in the content of this book.
His voice was heavy with contempt. "You think a strong woman can always beat this? I call it rape, in any country."
Tammy wasn't just talking about traditional bride kidnapping practiced throughout our own history. She's straight up talking about rape. With a (properly) negative lens. In young adult FANTASY fiction. IN 2005! 12 YEARS before the #metoo movement went viral. I'd honestly be surprised that Scholastic OK-ed the book, if it wasn't already printing a lot of non-fantasy fiction in the YA field at the time.
By no means do I think that people are not entitled to think this premise was used too often in the book. Everyone should have their own opinion. Most of these types of reviews have 4-5 stars, anyway, despite the lack of enthusiasm for the recurring theme.
As an aside: I thoroughly enjoy anyone who criticizes the main narrator as being an unpracticed voice actress. I certainly hope that Tamora Pierce continues to focus on writing, rather than improving vocal delivery. I like her delivery just fine.
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Overall
- Stephanie
- 04-10-11
Great Audio Book
I love Full Cast Audio, and the way they have different actors for each character. It's perfectly cast and each voice is dynamic and understandable. It's very fun to listen to!
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- Kira Bonnice
- 06-20-15
Tamora Pierce Fangirl
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I would, very much. First off, I loved the full cast. It made it much easier to envision the characters and the world they were in. I love all Tamora Pierce books, and I had already read this one, but it's one of my favorites and I loved hearing it read aloud by the author.
What other book might you compare The Will of the Empress to and why?
Any of her other books. I can't think of others offhand that are similar.
What does Tamora Pierce bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
It's the author of the actual book, for one. She's not alone, of course. There are voice actors for all of the characters. I also loved the music. You can tell she's very passionate about her content.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
I was really looking forward to the moments when the four finally came together and really used there magics together. I don't want to get spoilery but the end was awesome.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Lalaith Feanaro
- 02-03-23
Full Cast Audio brings the Circle to life
Will of the Empress is my favorite book and the full cast audio team brings it to life in a way that transcends my own imagination. The voice actors for the characters in the circle books are so quintessentially them that they are the voices in my head when I read the books. I regularly listen and re-listen to this book time and again. Please do not tell my giant "to read" pile....
I try to hide my inability to move on from the hold the Circle books have on me from the new books I'm seeing.....
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Overall
- Lacey
- 03-17-11
Full Cast Phenomenon!
I have long been a Tamora Pierce fan, but this was the first audiobook I purchased from her collection, and I was not let down. Each of the voices was a perfect match for the character. This is a wonderful production, and I cannot imagine that anyone who is a fan of Tamora Pierce's books (or even someone new to the series) could be disappointed.
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5 people found this helpful
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- Rosey Waters
- 09-14-10
For once it works
I think because I listened to the previous series when I as younger, I was more okay with there being a cast of readers, instead of just one, so I actually enjoyed the many many voices.
I do love this book quite a bit, and the story is, as always, like comfort food for me. Tamora Pierce is just such a classic these days that it's wonderful going back to it.
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- Gina S.
- 07-28-24
Mastery Over Shifting Perspectives
This is another example of Tamora Pierce’s delightful writing. The full cast team contributed to the joy of listening to a book I read multiple times as a teen. I wish we could see more of the Circle of Magic universe, but it’s bad for you to get everything you want, right? ;)
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- Amazon Customer
- 09-13-18
Listen to the whole thing in two days
The story was good, I wish there was a little more action, and a little more character development on Sandra’s character.
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- SNRKFAN
- 01-23-22
awesome
I loved it I'm not picky about genres. I read it while reading I couldn't put it down. it pulls you in throughout the whole series.
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- PrinceofMermaids
- 03-09-19
full cast audio delivers another stunner
this was amazing! full cast audio is incredible, and this next step in the lives of the circle opens characters is everything I was hoping for!
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