Arcanym

By: Jamie M. Samland

Narrated by: Timothy Andersen

Elvan, eldest of House Galmoth, is content to stay in and always eager to jump into character. Someday, he will find a facade that suits him, one that meets his mother's expectations of him. He's spent the last two years playing investigator, raking through ledgers to clear his mother's name while ignoring his family business and noble House crumbling around him. When the last servant quits, Elvan is forced back into the world and must choose between continuing his fruitless investigation and saving his home from the collectors.

On his last lead, he meets Drace, a lonely shopkeeper who sweeps him away on a flight from the royal inquisitors, who is the same man that arrested Elvan's mother.

They dive deep into the kingdom of Spheris, shrouded by the smog of rising industry, lit by the flicker of gas lamps. Here, the magic users must practice their art in secret, away from the eyes of the crown.

After discovering their intertwined pasts, Elvan and Drace forge forward, uncovering the plot that led to his mother's exile, but who can they go to when the guilty ones are at the highest level of power?

Can they dodge the inquisitors and questionable motivations of Elvan's sister, the Duchess, long enough to bring the crown to justice? Or will they fall to the same fate as Elvan's mother?

Elvan will have to prepare for his greatest role yet: Himself.

©2023 Jamie Samland (P)2023 Jamie Samland

Great listen as always

A classic Samland! Always a good read (listen)! He has wonderful character development and world building

Quirky, but interesting choices

I received this audiobook for free. I had no idea what to expect going into the story.

There were some unusual quirks on the narration where echos were used to simulate thoughts. At first it through me off because I didn’t catch that’s what it was. Once I realized, I actually rather enjoyed it.

The story itself, while a fairly standard hero journey of sorts, manages to get me to think about it even when I wasn’t listening to the story. I’ve only ever read one other queer based book, so wasn’t sure what I would get going into this story. But I was pleasantly surprised by the journey the characters made and enjoyed following their story to the end.

Fantastic Listen

I loved this audiobook. The narrator did such a nice job with the story and the characters. It was easy to feel like you were teleported right into the story.

Elvan's character was instantly endearing. You find yourself rooting for him against the crown, his family, and his own bumbling lack of confidence. Drace was also a charming character, with a refreshing blend of flirtatious sexiness and sweet vulnerability.

The plot is filled with mystery, intrigue, magic, and romance. I think it has a little something for everyone. My only complaint is that once the ball really got rolling, the story was over quickly, leaving me wishing for more!

Great story

Got the audible 48 hours ago and I'm almost done with it great story, Love the characters. The sister reminds me of my sister I feel like the author took some notes from her

also love the romance that the two main characters built together reminds me of my husband

also shout out to the voice actor, great narrator and great voice