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Justin

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Incredible world-building Dwarven fantasy you can't pass up

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-27-25

Let me start out with saying there is a disappointing amount of Dwarven books out there which is why I was so excited to try this one. I was expecting a half baked story by someone that doesn't understand what talent is. In the first chapter, I knew I couldn't be more wrong. I have yelled - both a victory cheer and angrily, laughed, and felt gut punched throughout this entire book, it's THAT level of impactful and engaging. Also, I wrote this to have no spoilers. That was not easy.

The Crippled King is a book I found by chance and figured I'd go ahead and try. This was one of the best book decisions I've ever made. From the beginning, the world building paints you a picture perfectly paced and that writing talent continues through the entire book, yet it's never boring or too much because again, the pacing of it is beautiful. While there is action, the beauty in this book is the building.

Too many books have main characters or heroes that have too much work out for them too often, and without enough struggle. Most authors want to baby their main character, build an arc of success and victory that's all too easy and common. I bet one just popped into your mind when your read this. Yet McMaken created Naen to suffer in ways you'll feel along with him, love him at times and hate him at others. Naen is fallible in the most utterly best way that gives him and adds so much more depth to the story, his path, and in his world.

McMaken takes obvious knowledge of the Dwarven race we know and somehow makes new but familiar and brings to life what can only be defined as an absolute must read. It's a book you'll read again. It sticks with you. I seriously can't wait to continue reading the rest of the series. If the other books are even half as good, they'll still be some of the best Dwarven fantasies, and books in general, that I've read. Which is kind of a lot of books.

Speaking of bringing the book to life, the narrator Peter Noble? This man brought so much to the reading of this book without overdoing it. He was absolutely the best choice for narrating this book and I'm stoked he reads the rest. He lends so much to this book, I've spent 15 minutes trying to find the words to describe and finally I've given up because I don't know how. 10/10.

Seriously. Get this book.

All hail Broken Spear, King of the Cripples!

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Andy Serkis was amazing

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 08-24-24

I've been eyeing these audiobooks for a while. I drive a lot for work and like listening to books, I've been wanting to go through them again, but with 3 little kids... not exactly an option.

The Lord of the Rings is one of the most incredible world-building stories, period, and to do them clear justice is hard, but Andy Serkis absolutely nailed it, from beginning to end. I couldn't have read it better in my head or aloud if I tried.

An incredible story (still and always), wonderfully performed, and seriously looking forward to listening to the rest by Serkis.

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Tungdil and The Dwarves

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 12-07-23

While I'm largely a fan of immersive audiobooks, The Dwarves appears to be the exception. I have the physical copy of the books but wanted the audiobooks, as well. The Dwarves is a familiar race with a familiar feel, yet with its own story and life. There is a degree of cliche but considering you're looking at a race of Dwarves, you know what to expect. At least it takes a portion of the cliche to own it properly. Markus Heitz did a great job at keeping it his own while successfully building a literal Dwarven empire.

The characters are impossible to be indifferent towards, you feel something towards each one which is great.
They all fit perfectly into the story and help the plot drive along, yet not at an overwhelming pace where you miss everything, while also not at a pace that leaves you skipping forward 30 seconds because it is so slow.
There is a degree of detail that consistently keeps you aware of the setting.

I appreciate the overall story and writing as well as its nuances and differentiations. I can confidently recommend The Dwarves, especially if you're a fan of dwarves anywhere, including LOTR. Referencing back to the point of familiarity, if you're even remotely fond of the dwarves in LOTR and want even more exposure to dwarves in general, this is a perfect fit as it brings you deep in the inner-working of dwarves and more.

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Review doesn't reflect opinion

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 08-31-23

I tried this out of curiosity and gave it an honest go, listening for a solid few hours. I wanted something different from what I normally listen to, and while the story was good, it wasn't for me. A good background sound but I'd miss the entire story. Given the quality of everything with this, it wouldn't be fair to review it poorly just because I didn't care for it, so 4 stars seems fair. I probably should've started Warhammer books with a different series. But truly, if detailed lore is your thing (isn't that why we're all here anyway?) and you like W40k, it'd be fair to listen. Just not my cup o' tea.

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Worth It

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 08-22-23

I was hesitant at first considering its origins but I should have known better than to question Drew Karpynshyn's writing. On top of that, Marc Thompson only adds to the awesomeness. Again. Definitely worth the read and will read again.

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Good story

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 06-27-23

The entire production was well done. Had a rocky start that quickly took a turn into a story worth listening to. While it does have a relative stop-and-go with the flow of the story, it is one I'd happily listen to again. Mace was portrayed wonderfully and I appreciated his personal struggles with the Force coming to light (pun not intended). The best part is that the entire story itself follows itself so rather than jumping here and there, you always know where you are.

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Piqued my interest

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-26-23

Others have said it's like a western... I don't get the True Grit or Tombstone vibe (old ones, not remakes), so I don't agree with that. I DO however think this is a really good book and adds another layer of likability to Obi-Wan, and the entire time, you're like, "lol, yea, that's just like Obi-Wan"

The story has some slow spots that feel out of sync with the rest of the story, but that's purely my opinion, although it isn't nearly bad enough to be a problem - just a preference. Even still, Kenobi is a pretty lively book with its own shares of underhanded betrayal that makes you wanna slap the corresponding character(s).

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Totally worth it

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-26-23

I went into it a little hesitant - the sample of Sam isn't a great one (there are much better parts in the book that should be used instead), so if you weren't caught by the sample, try it, anyway. Sam will pull you in and bring this story to life, making it feel so real. When the writing and narration are both great, books like these become ones you'll happily listen to again and again.

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*standing ovation*

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-24-23

Loved it. Informative. Easy to get into and stay into. The worst part about it? It ended. Best part? I can do it again.

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Expected more

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
2 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 03-18-23

I can appreciate the logistics of the story but I wasn't expecting Maul to end up as a supporting character in his own story. For a bit during it, I forgot it was even about Maul. Focused so much on everyone else. But it was still decent, one time read.

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