Mythborn I: Rise of the Adepts

Fate of the Sovereign, Book 1

By: V. Lakshman

Narrated by: Michael Kramer

Apprentice assassin Arek Winterthorn has a power even he himself doesn't understand. Unable to cast even the simplest of spells, he can still disrupt the magic of others with a single touch. Arek's master, Silbane, is ordered to use that power to close a gate between their world and one inhabited by demons. This will save their people, but potentially at the cost of Arek's life.

Thus begins an epic quest brimming with betrayals, plot twists, violence, and intrigue. Silbane and Arek will fight relentlessly in battles and skirmishes against mages, dwarves, elves, and even dragons, but their true adversary may be each other. In the end, they will be faced with the ultimate question: What sacrifice is too great for the good of their people and their world?

With non-stop action, an intricate mix of powerful magic and deadly martial arts, Mythborn brings to life a world filled with creatures and gods from legend crafted by the designer of the award-winning Elder Scrolls: Arena and martial-arts master, V. Lakshman.

©2003, 2004, 2005, 2017, 2018 Mythborn Media, LLC (P)2003, 2004, 2005, 2017, 2018 Mythborn Media, LLC

The split tale

I like most science fantasy work. Creating a book is a daunting task, but there are formulae for creating a bad one. One of my biggest pet peeves is when an author starts with a main character and then adds sub characters and then for no obvious motivation than to stretch the number of pages, splits the group into smaller groups and sends each on a separate story line. This is especially infuriating when the story lines are incongruous. My second peeve is flash backs. Too many flashbacks toss the story arc into disarray. Literally every other chapter in this tale is a flashback and to compound this the flashbacks ARE NOT RELATED! Start at the begining, work your way through the middle and wrap it up at the end. Is that too hard to do? I know ADHD and even I can't muddle up a story line this badly. Mr Kramer saves this fiasco.

Worth a listen

It's an interesting enough story, with enjoyable characters. Michael Kramer is amazing. I could listen to him read a physics book, and might even learn something. He's just that good. He makes this story pop for me.

Somewhat ok

I found the first couple hours of this book were pretty ok. The middle was a little more exciting. The last few hours were so so boring. If you enjoy robert Jordan style of writing then this book will be enjoyable.

the whole series

if you like not being able to predict what the next page will bring or who's a good guy and who's not then this is for you.
3 books in and I STILL have no damn idea which side is the GOOD side. it's bonkers. antihero left and right! and Kramer is awesome, like always.

Exceptional book 1!

I really enjoyed book one. Great story line and Michael Kramer did an exceptional job narrating the book! Highly recommended!

just read the stormlight series

I won't mention names but, you'd be better off listening to The stormlight series by the same narrator. seems to be the same story.

Angst Teenager, Magic, Battle and a Quest!

Mythborn: Rise of the Adepts is the first audiobook in the Fate of the Sovereign Series. The author V. Lakshman’s has created a high fantasy world that’s so engrossing until the end, it will leave you wanting to immediately start the second book. I think this is an epic series you’ll want to keep your eye on. Lakshman’s writing is very well done.

The story begins at the end of a devastating battle and the listener is quickly drawn in by Michael Kramer’s narration and Lakshman’s writing. This historic battle shapes the entire world the listener is introduced to. The world building is a bit complicated so I’d recommend sticking with it even if you’re confused a bit at first. It’s definitely worth it.

This fantasy revolves around apprentice Arek Winterthorn who has a very different kind of … power? He could be described as being anti-magical. He has the ability to nullify other people’s magic. Being young he also is dealing with the anxiety and low self-esteem that can plague someone who is very different from his peers and who’s skills are contradictory to the norm. Right before he is to take a test and hopefully become an Adept, Arek is taken on a quest by his teacher. A quest that will make use of Arek’s special ability to nullify magic. Lakshman’s writing lets you see how the complicated journey of growing up can affect the choices people make later on in their lives. He crafts his story carefully and slowly but never does it drag.

I’m not a big fan of Michael Kramer’s voice but I also realize I’m probably in the minority in that opinion. However, I wanted to give him another try and I easily finished this audiobook without any problems. I recognize that Kramer is most certainly a skilled voice actor. His voice just isn’t my cup of tea. However, if you like Michael Kramer’s voice then you will definitely love the combination that is Lakshman and Kramer. At the time of this writing only the first audiobook is available but here’s hoping the skilled Kramer can narrate the rest. Lakshman’s writing definitely deserves the professional skills of a great narrator.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author/narrator/publisher.
Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog.
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Very well written

One of those you can't put down till it is done. (im) Patiently for book two and three.

Good fantasy- creative premise

I’ll be excited to see where this goes. I’m in for the long run, I think.

A Fantastic Start of an Epic Story

V. Lakshman dives onto the Audible scene with a big splash; so much so that I've already marked him as one of a limited number of top-tier writers in the Fantasy genre. His mastery of writing is almost immediately apparent, what with his carefully orchestrated unveiling of the many interesting characters providing each with an interesting backstories that weave in seamlessly to the grand story arc. Then, Michael Kramer narrating the story takes a lot of will to put on pause to do other essential tasks such as work and sleep.

I especially enjoyed the mixture of characters of various age categories playing substantial roles from adolescents destined for obvious yet unknown grand destinies to adults and elders of both pure and questionable morals. In finishing Book 1 I am left with mixed feelings. Disappointed that his following books in the series have yet to make it to Audible but thrilled to see that there are two others in the wings.

If you're a fantasy lover, get this book but ... watch out for the dwarven, they're about as ruthless as characters get.