City of Light

The Zin Series, Book 1

By: Darren Deegan

Narrated by: Stevie Marie

Young adult fantasy adventure based on the author's love of Celtic mythology. Ideal for listeners who love Taran Matharu, and Sarah J. Maas. The story follows a young woman, Selene, who, along with her band of thieves, collides with a mysterious immortal race. Together they work to subvert a plot that would see the kingdom enslaved.

An orphan who seeks a family

A thief who strives for good

A warrior who dreams of peace

In the bustling city of Eitane, where wealth and opportunity await all those who seek it, Selene sets out with the Thieves Guild on a daring heist. Good or bad, they do not know, but together they believe they can achieve anything. That is, until one of them is taken.

In the quest to track the kidnappers, Selene and her chosen family of thieves, realise their hunt leads down a far more treacherous path. A path which leads Selene to discover something about herself that she could not imagine.

Darkness is cast over the kingdom of Emeer. An ancient evil approaches. With venerable alliances forsaken, the lands are no longer safe.

Can fate draw together an unlikely group of heroes to save the kingdom?

©2019, 2023 Darren Deegan (P)2023 Darren Deegan

Swords and Sorcery

A fun story of thieves and magic. The mc is coming into her powers part of the way through and although strong isn't crush any and all. Its a pretty easy listen with great narration.

A Predictable YA Fantasy

Loosely based on Irish Myth and Legend, the City of Light tells a story from two PoV; a young girl on the wrong side of the tracks and a government stooge that allows the reader to “check-in” with the rulers of the city. The narration/performance was fair if somewhat choppy. The narrator struggled a lot with male character voices and the fits and starts tempo highlighted an odd emphasis now and again. Still, she managed to avoid the breathy wonder voice and up tick lilt at the end of each sentence that drives me nuts … so over all I could still enjoy the experience. The story itself was mostly teen drama … taking nearly half the book before it actually got interesting with some action (it took that long to get to the main plot hook of a heist gone wrong). There is an undercurrent of kidnapped children that was barely explained in the second half encounters and of course there are several anticipated reveals with few surprises. Over all that makes it an average fantasy for me with a sub-par narration.

I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

#CityOfLight #TheZinSeries #FreeAudiobookCodes

Ready for the next book!!!

Good book with great story and characters. I could use a little more world building though.

Good story, didn't care for the narration

Interesting characters and storyline that had plenty of action. Overall I liked the story but did not care for the narration on this audiobook.

A Great Read

Another new author I found in my library. I definately would like to see more from this series. A well written story that has peeked my interest.
We meet a young woman, Selene from the busy city of Eitane. Selene has no family and along with her friends are trying to execute a robbery with The Thieves Guild during the parade on the kings birthday. They are also excellent fighters and skilled thieves. There has been a recent string of children being kidnapped in the city and when one of the group is taken, they vow to get him back. As they search they keep having interactions with some sort of mysterious race. Selene knows they aren't normal because of words spoken in a scuffle with one of them. As they search for answrs and missing children, Selene is cornered by the mysterious men and they intend to take her. She is saved by a strange woman and then Selene learns about her past, the reasons for the kidnapping and the magic that she herself holds within.
Simply an intriguing read.

Great listen

This is a story you have to pay attention to or you will miss details. I love thé idea of her being an orphan in the guild of thieves and then finding out more about herself. I was saddened by the deaths of certain characters - meaning I was well invested!

interesting story

good read enjoyable narration starts slow but starts to pice up overall a good read

Kept me going

I loved the story. did not like narrator so much. kept pausing in between words and stilted.
The story though is so good. magic, love, danger, excitement all this and more. Loss and finding families.

Easy to listen to and well written

It was an interesting listen. I enjoyed the story and hope that Selene will see a brighter future in the next book. The time set in this story would probably be similar to medieval times in Europe. Story was intriguing and I was interested enough to want to add the others to a future reading list. There is minor language and a bit of sexual content that isn’t explicit so a teen would probably not understand much of it unless they had personal experience. Stevie Marie’s use of different accents in her voice made the characters come to life in a way that I could visualize a cockney or hilt to the different voices.

Not for Me

I really wanted to get into this one because I love YA fantasies and mythologies. Unfortunately I couldn't, I can't just sit and listen I need something where I can put it on and do something else. while being able to follow the story. There is a good chance though you will like it if you like Young Adult Fantasies with action, and magic.