The Warden

The Warden, Book 1

De: Daniel M. Ford

Narrado por: Lindsey Dorcus

A Recommended Reading List Pick for Locus and a Best Science Fiction & Amazon Fantasy Editors' Pick

A Reactor Magazine Best of the Year Pick

800 miles between your local necromancer and a glass of wine…

There was a plan.

She had the money, the connections, even the brains. It was simple: become one of the only female necromancers, earn as many degrees as possible, get a post in one of the grand cities, then prove she’s capable of greatness. The funny thing about plans is that they are seldom under your control.

Now Aelis de Lenti, a daughter of a noble house and recent graduate of the esteemed Magisters’ Lyceum, finds herself in the far-removed village of Lone Pine. Mending fences, matching wits with goats, and serving people who want nothing to do with her. But, not all is well in Lone Pine, and as the villagers Aelis is reluctantly getting to know start to behave strangely, Aelis begins to suspect that there is far greater need for a Warden of her talents than she previously thought.

Old magics are restless, and an insignificant village on the farthest border of the kingdom might hold secrets far beyond what anyone expected. Aelis might be the only person standing between one of the greatest evils ever known and the rest of the world.

For fans who have always wanted their Twin Peaks to have some wizards, The Warden is a non-stop action adventure story from author Daniel M. Ford.

©2023 Daniel M. Ford (P)2024 Dreamscape Lore

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Captures an endearing fish out of water vibe in this pleasantly romantic fantasy about the importance of supporting one’s local necromancer. . . . The charming misfit cast is the highlight here. Readers who enjoy the maturing mages and heroes of Robin McKinley and Melissa Caruso will find another youngster on the rise to cheer for in these pages." (Publishers Weekly)

the relationships

5/5 Except the last 3 chapters. Felt like they should belong in book 2.

It Grows

Started this book being genuinely worried it would become a DNF. At first there just seemed to be little plot and I could tell the author was going more for humor to fill this void but the way the narrator delivered it just came across deadpan. I honestly fell asleep the first three nights I tried to get past the beginning chapters. So it was a pleasant surprise when I nearly pulled an all nighter on the 4th night just wanting to hear more.

It’s well worth it once the plot gets rolling and doesn’t let up. When this happens, the characters also start to become very charming as you get to know them. I went from being remarkably apathetic to the whole lot to being excited every time the MC interacted with the village bumpkins and rough adventurers. There is also some great queer rep in this book with the beginnings of a sapphic romance for the bi representing MC plus established romances for queer side characters.

The narrator does grow on you as well. Humor is still delivered roughly. I dunno if it’s the tone it’s delivered in or what but could definitely see some lines I’d laugh at if I’d been reading them vs what I heard while listening to them instead. But that’s really my only criticism about it. If audible allowed partial stars I would’ve removed the tiniest sliver rather than a whole one for it.

Overall I’m really glad I picked this one out and cannot wait for the second book’s audible release.

Not what I hoped for…

“You know, there’s more to necromancy than raising the dead” is a sentiment you can always tell is a red flag.

If you like “subverting expectations” instead of getting what was sold to you, you’ll probably have a better time than me.

The chemistry was weird

I found it difficult to care about this story overall. Could be gayer. The MC literally insta-loved with her lady, but all the chemistry in this book was with another person, and it was so weird! Maybe they're a thruple in the next book? The flashbacks to lectures/class during tense moments? Holy smokes, way to shatter the tension every dang time. So much heavy handed exposition. I listened to the end and I honestly don't know what was going on, because it was so mingled with past exposition and I was barely giving a fluff... This felt like a chore, and while there was interesting stuff sprinkled in, it was so dry that I can't find it in me to continue. If you liked it, I'm glad it found it's audience.

Should have read it instead of listening to it.

I've been having a hit or miss time of finding a good book to listen too. Most of my recent audio title purchases I should have saved my money. I think The Warden should have been one that I read instead of listened too. I understand that it takes time to build a character and the author wants to give insight on why a character chooses an action but I didnt feel like the narration of the past was "smooth". I was really hoping to like this series but I dont think I will finish it.
Just not for me.