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The Crippled King
- The Dwarves of Ice-Cloak, Book 1
- By: A. Trae McMaken
- Narrated by: Peter Noble
- Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
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The life of a dwarven prospector is one of shame, loneliness, and a constant battle for survival. Striking it rich is the only way for Naen to keep his bones from bleaching in the sun without heritage or memory. When riches finally fall into his hands, he encounters a group of indentured servants fleeing from a vengeful master.
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The Dwarven fantasy you've been waiting for.
- By Thorrin Jonsson on 11-06-24
- The Crippled King
- The Dwarves of Ice-Cloak, Book 1
- By: A. Trae McMaken
- Narrated by: Peter Noble
Incredible world-building Dwarven fantasy you can't pass up
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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The Fellowship of the Ring
- Lord of the Rings, Book 1
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Andy Serkis
- Length: 22 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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In a sleepy village in the Shire, a young hobbit is entrusted with an immense task. He must make a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ruling Ring of Power - the only thing that prevents the Dark Lord Sauron’s evil dominion. Thus begins J. R. R. Tolkien’s classic tale of adventure, which continues in The Two Towers and The Return of the King.
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Perfection.
- By Perilous Moo on 09-17-21
- The Fellowship of the Ring
- Lord of the Rings, Book 1
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Andy Serkis
Andy Serkis was amazing
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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The Dwarves
- By: Markus Heitz, Sally Ann Spencer
- Narrated by: Matthew Wolf
- Length: 22 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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For countless millennia, the dwarves of the have defended the stone gateway into Girdlegard. Many and varied foes have hurled themselves against the portal and died attempting to breach it. No man or beast has ever succeeded. Until now...Abandoned as a child, Tungdil the blacksmith labors contentedly in the land of Ionandar, the only dwarf in a kingdom of men. Although he does not want for friends, Tungdil is very much aware that he is alone - indeed, he has not so much as set eyes on another dwarf. But all that is about to change.
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Welcom to Girdlegard
- By Rhonda L. B. on 04-28-13
- The Dwarves
- By: Markus Heitz, Sally Ann Spencer
- Narrated by: Matthew Wolf
Tungdil and The Dwarves
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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Soul Hunter
- Warhammer 40,000
- By: Aaron Dembski-Bowden
- Narrated by: Andrew Wincott
- Length: 13 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
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The Night Lords were once among the most potent forces of the Imperium, Space Marines who used fear itself as their weapon. Now, cast adrift from the Emperor's light and hunted as heretics after their monstrous betrayal, the Night Lords clad themselves in symbols of death and fight the Long War, bringing pain and terror to all who worship the corpse-god of Terra. A summons from Warmaster Abaddon sends these rebels on a dangerous journey that leads inexorably to a conflict with the Emperor's chosen warriors, the Blood Angels.
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Damn it
- By Grae Sheely on 11-22-19
- Soul Hunter
- Warhammer 40,000
- By: Aaron Dembski-Bowden
- Narrated by: Andrew Wincott
Review doesn't reflect opinion
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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Star Wars: The Old Republic: Revan
- By: Drew Karpyshyn
- Narrated by: Marc Thompson
- Length: 10 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
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There’s something out there: A juggernaut of evil bearing down to crush the Republic - unless one lone Jedi, shunned and reviled, can stop it. Revan: Hero, traitor, conqueror, villain, savior. A Jedi who left Coruscant to defeat Mandalorians - and returned a disciple of the dark side, bent on destroying the Republic. The Jedi Council gave Revan his life back, but the price of redemption was high. His memories have been erased. All that’s left are nightmares - and deep, abiding fear.
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Did you play Knights of the Old Republic?
- By Ryan on 11-18-11
- Star Wars: The Old Republic: Revan
- By: Drew Karpyshyn
- Narrated by: Marc Thompson
Worth It
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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Shatterpoint: Star Wars Legends
- By: Matthew Stover
- Narrated by: Sullivan Jones
- Length: 14 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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The jungle planet of Haruun Kal, homeworld of the legendary Jedi Master Mace Windu, has become a battleground in the increasing hostilities between the Republic and the renegade Separatist movement. The Jedi Council has sent Depa Billaba - Mace’s former Padawan and fellow Council member - to Haruun Kal to train the local tribesmen as a guerrilla resistance force. But now the Separatists have pulled back, and Depa has not returned.
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Buy this audiobook!!!!
- By Big D on 06-15-21
- Shatterpoint: Star Wars Legends
- By: Matthew Stover
- Narrated by: Sullivan Jones
Good story
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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Kenobi: Star Wars Legends
- By: John Jackson Miller
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 13 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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Tatooine—a harsh desert world where farmers toil in the heat of two suns while trying to protect themselves and their loved ones from the marauding Tusken Raiders. A backwater planet on the edge of civilized space. And an unlikely place to find a Jedi Master in hiding, or an orphaned infant boy on whose tiny shoulders rests the future of a galaxy.
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"The Rifleman"... with a Lightsaber
- By Troy on 08-27-13
- Kenobi: Star Wars Legends
- By: John Jackson Miller
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
Piqued my interest
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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Shadow Hunter
- Star Wars Legends (Darth Maul)
- By: Michael Reaves
- Narrated by: Sam Witwer
- Length: 10 hrs
- Unabridged
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After years of waiting in the shadows, Darth Sidious is taking the first step in his master plan to bring the Republic to its knees. Key to his scheme are the Neimoidians of the Trade Federation. Then one of his Neimoidian contacts disappears, and Sidious does not need his Force-honed instincts to suspect betrayal. He orders his apprentice, Darth Maul, to hunt the traitor down.
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More Legends recordings, please.
- By brian on 08-02-22
- Shadow Hunter
- Star Wars Legends (Darth Maul)
- By: Michael Reaves
- Narrated by: Sam Witwer
Totally worth it
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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Star Wars: Darth Plagueis
- By: James Luceno
- Narrated by: Daniel Davis
- Length: 14 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
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Darth Plagueis: one of the most brilliant Sith Lords who ever lived. Possessing power is all he desires. Losing it is the only thing he fears. As an apprentice, he embraces the ruthless ways of the Sith. Darth Sidious: Plagueis’s chosen apprentice. Under the guidance of his Master, he secretly studies the ways of the Sith, while publicly rising to power in the galactic government, first as Senator, then as Chancellor, and eventually as Emperor. as Chancellor, and eventually as Emperor.
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See Episodes I-III in a whole new light!!!
- By kalei on 11-09-12
- Star Wars: Darth Plagueis
- By: James Luceno
- Narrated by: Daniel Davis
*standing ovation*
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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Star Wars: Maul
- Lockdown
- By: Joe Schreiber
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 12 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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It's kill or be killed in the space penitentiary that houses the galaxy’s worst criminals, where convicts face off in gladiatorial combat while an underworld gambling empire reaps the profits of the illicit blood sport. But the newest contender in this savage arena, as demonic to behold as he is deadly to challenge, is fighting for more than just survival. His do-or-die mission, for the dark masters he serves, is to capture the ultimate weapon: an object that will enable the Sith to conquer the galaxy.
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Maul + Prison = Too Much Fun
- By Troy on 01-28-14
- Star Wars: Maul
- Lockdown
- By: Joe Schreiber
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
Expected more
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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