A Crucible of Souls

The Sorcery Ascendant Sequence, Book 1

By: Mitchell Hogan

Narrated by: Oliver Wyman

When Caldan’s parents are brutally slain, he is raised by monks and taught the arcane mysteries of sorcery. Vowing to discover for himself who his parents really were, and what led to their violent end, he is thrust into the unfamiliar chaos of city life. With nothing to his name but a pair of mysterious heirlooms and a handful of coins, he must prove his talent to earn an apprenticeship with a guild of sorcerers.

But he soon learns the world outside the monastery is a darker place than he ever imagined, and his treasured sorcery has disturbing depths.

As a shadowed evil manipulates the unwary and forbidden powers are unleashed, Caldan is plunged into an age-old conflict that brings the world to the edge of destruction.

This is an updated recording from the original 2014 edition, also performed by Oliver Wyman, which matches the current reissue of the print book.

©2013 Mitchell Hogan (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Critic reviews

• Winner of Best Fantasy Novel, 2013 Aurealis Awards

"For a debut novel this is more than a little impressive. Characters are vividly drawn, multi-layered, and in one or two cases, compelling. Hogan joins with the new wave of fantasy authors in his use of morally ambivalent characters, distinct and tight points of view, believable world building, an intelligible magic system, and some edgy, gritty content." (D.P. Prior, author of The Nameless Dwarf)

Easy going story but very entertaining!

Kind of what I was expecting from the other reviews. No major plot twists, but a great story with very good character development and enough mystery surrounding them to keep you wondering. Good fight scenes and wonderful take on magic and sorcery. narrator is a bit over the top at times, but highly recommend this for a young adult to adult. Not too gruesome, not very graphic, or much language some find offensive.

Comfortably Familiar

It does bear some similarity to some familiar fantasy works, and I see the Kin Killer comparisons, but reminds me more of Goodkind/SoT... That being said, it's good fantasy, if a bit formulaic and derivitive... The story starts strongly, and while moving into the meat of things, paces well... Caldin is a nice hero, even if he alternates between clueless naive and perceptive beyond his years... You'll root for him regardless... Some wonderful secondary characters like the human lie detector, Lady Felice, and that creepily mystical serial killer come shopkeeper;). More light fantasy than visceral... Excellent narration that brings settings and characters alive... Better than a lotta the standard fantasy fare out there, if not good as some...

Narrator makes fender characters sound annoying

The narrator's impressions of female characters are ridiculous and contrived.

The story is interesting and entertaining but not mind-blowinf.

Good Start to a Series

This first book started quickly, and kept me engaged throughout the series. Character writing is good, and the story keep me attentive. Classic good vs. evil, love, innocent young character for the lead.

Oliver Wyman does a great job getting you into this story. Individual characters are handled well and not blurred. His voicing for each is distinct. He really brings this series alive.

If you aren't familiar with Mitchell Hogan, as I wasn't when I started this series, take a chance on these books. You won't be disappointed.

Amazing Book

I cant wait to listen to the next book. I highly recommend this book. Very exciting AND suspenseful.

Good story with lots of promise for the series

Interesting story and characters. I really found the magic system interesting and I'm looking forward to how it'll develop in the next book. Narrator was good overall, but I found his female voices to often sound very childlike and a bit annoying which distracted from the listening experience.

liked it

loved the story. a bit slow at parts romance need to be a bit less shy. maranda knows what's up.

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. WELL WRITTEN AND WELL NARRATED.

I love it. I am so glad I got this series in the recent "3 books for 2 credits" promotion. The pace of the story line was action all the way. Oliver Wyman is one if my favourite narrators. I will be continuing book two and I hope Mitchell Hogan will continue to write more books soon.

New author for me and I really enjoyed it

Will definitely get the next book in the series. Excellent listen. The narrarator, Oliver Wyman, did a wonderful job.

Slow but interesting

It was pretty well written. It's a bit slow going, but still interesting and fun. I felt like his ability to craft animals that could move and do things really progressed fast. I'll probably get the second book.