A Many-Threaded Tapestry

Destiny's Crucible, Book 9

By: Olan Thorensen

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

The future of Anyar is being woven with threads spread across the planet. Secrets revealed, coalitions to form, an implacable enemy to resist. One thing is certain: once again, the future of Anyar has taken a new turn.

Those myriad threads contribute to a tapestry whose final mosaic remains obscure. An enigmatic alien race scattered five human castaways across the planet Anyar, far enough apart that they should never meet. The planet itself is a mystery. How is it already inhabited by humans when they did not evolve there? Castaway Joseph Colsco, now known as Yozef Kolsco, gradually finds himself at the center of resistance to an empire with ambitions to rule the world by any means necessary: Narthon.

He has studiously kept secret his origin despite questions about his innovations introduced centuries early for Anyar's civilizations. Now, he is not alone with his secret. Three other castaways find their way, on their own or not, to join him on the island nation of Caedellium. Joy at the latest arrival is severely tempered by learning castaway Robin Kelly had been held by Narthon and revealed everything Yozef had kept secret. Unable to discern Narthon's intent, he is forced to decide to whom and whether to reveal the secret: family, friends, colleagues, and potential allies in resisting Narthon. The new events complicate an already over-burdened life. Yozef is a prime motivator in forging a coalition to drive back the Narthani tide. Will revelations dash those plans? What will be reactions to the revelations?

©2024 Olan Thorensen (P)2024 Podium Audio

Too much to do about nothing

Many books of this series were great listens. Not this one. This one I actually had to stop and take multiple breaks throughout. I couldn't wait for it to be finished. Very repetitive and not making any sense. He has gotten so far away of why this series is good. Hoping not to wait more then a year to be disappointed again.

Complex Alignment of Old Adversaries and Surprises

The saga moves forward several major steps with knowledge of the Amerikan’s origins being available to a select few among Caedelli and Narthani. Adversaries and forces under Yozef Kolsko, Okan Akuyun and Sadek Hizer once again prepare to square off and concentrate attention on future major battles for control of the continent of Landolin. Yozef continues to grow as a leader of the Caedelli with a few twists and also brushes off his blade-fighting skills. As Yozef advances as a builder of military alliances with his usual moments of angst, Mark Kaldwel’s military creations continue to alter the magnitude of destructive power that can be targeted against Narthani military forces. Okan Akuyun continues to rise in the Narthani army while retaining his admirable leadership skills and empathy for those he commands. To this mix is added a new, surprising participant.

You have done us wrong!

I feel like this book should have been longer. Or at very least the following book should be out shortly.
Waiting a year makes one move on and forget.
Also, the narrator has begun slacking off… I can hardly distinguish between some characters at times. Then again, he has probably also waited so long and has forgotten.
Anyway, I have really enjoyed his series, just feel a bit jilted with the length of this one.

recap

the book spending a little too much time on retelling what happened in all the other books. other than that it's a bridge to bigger things.
I would also call it the tapestry of tying up lose ends.
hope the next book gets written a little faster than this one, especially because of that cliffhanger ( I have 2 options in mind)

Outstanding story

Nine books in and it’s still great! I can’t recommend this series enough. I’m glad that the story ended in such a way that it looks like book ten is on the way. I appreciate that each book is about twenty hours give fantastic value for your credit.

Click... click click... click click click

Another great entry to the series. Has been long awaited.

Love the narrator. My only wish is that Mr Davis really needs to work on consistent character voices and place name pronunciations. This has been a problem in the last three books. Different characters sound entirely different than they have in previous books. Even at one point in this book one of the Yosef's kids suddenly sounds like a gruff old man briefly. Gaya has been the same voice for the entire series but now he has lost the accent he's had the entire time.

Otherwise no complaints.

Best series I’ve ever read or listened to

Olan Thorensen is an amazingly talented author. This whole series should be at the top of the best seller list.
The story telling is fantastic. And the narrator superb!

Really enjoyed a lot of the places the story went, but left me wanting more.

But in the end, it left really without advancing. The story much further. I would’ve liked to have seen more of a resolution. This whole book seemed like a set up for the next book

Ending leaves me wanting more

Now I have to wait another year or so for another book. Love this series. My favorite

A Bit of an Over Correction

I always felt the best part of previous books in the series was the day to day "slice of life" chapters that illuminated character's reactions to the newcomers ideas and inventions. It seems this feedback may have reached the author as nearly half this current novel is "slice of life", delivering a the most day to day interactions than any other book in the series. While I appreciate the effort, and after experiencing the story, it now feels like it was too much day to day and not enough action or moving the story forward. Thinking back, it feels like the day to day was more administrative, rather than delving deeper into the personal lives and stories of the people around the main characters. I would still highly recommend the book, but this one didn't completely capture the magic of the first four books. The Wandering Inn by Pirateaba is probably the best slice of life series I've ever listened too. If this series incorporated that level of storytelling during the times it moves away from the action and focuses on the characters, it would top of my list.

All this being said, Book 9 is a solid 4 stars and sets the series up for some great storytelling to come. Especially with the various AI characters that are minimally introduced, but must be destined to play a big part in future stories.