Once There Were Heroes

A Time of Dragons, Book 1

By: Philip C. Quaintrell

Narrated by: Steven Brand

The Gods are dead. In their absence, there can be only chaos, only war. And they are not all that has faded from the world of Verda...

Once there were heroes. Brave men and women who showed their quality to be above the rest. Those whose deeds earned them the heart of a dragon. Those whose courage and strength resonated with the unborn, who, in their eggs, can wait thousands of years for a warrior worthy of them.

These heroes rose up on young battlefields and defended the weak and oppressed across all of Erador. They did so because they were inspired. They had only to look up and see.

Dragons Riders!

The last noble warriors in the realm. Only heroes can embolden the ordinary. For centuries, millennia, the Dragon Riders galvanized generation after generation, adding Riders to their ranks and birthing dragons from their eggs.

But there are no more heroes. War with the Andarens is like nothing the Riders, nor the armies of Erador, have ever faced. In the place of heroes, there are only soldiers now. Fodder for the machine of war.

This time of twilight is set to be the crowning hour of the dark when the light is losing its grip. There are those who have been waiting, biding their time in the shadows while the heroes of Verda die out. They worship something ancient, something forgotten by myth and legend, something evil.

It falls on a few to keep back that darkness. A few who must rise without inspiration and prove themselves worthy.

©2023 by Philip C. Quaintrell (P)2024 Podium Audio

Great read!

Great story and characters. If you have read Echoes of Fate series you will def enjoy this. You can listen to this w/o having read the other books.

can't wait for the next book

the best book I've listened to in a very long time. the story moved along with a lot of action, twists and turns, all told by who I think is the best narrator steven brand.

Total Package

It’s got the magic of fantasy. It’s got the races of fantasy, humans, dwarves, elves and much more. The monsters, I’ll try not to spoil the surprises there. A page turner of epic fantasy, with a start to a great adventure that I’m sad I found so quick because book 2 is not out yet…ill try to cope by reading previous books from this author I guess.

Amazing story telling

From start to finish, this audiobook delivers an enthralling narrative that kept me hooked throughout. The storytelling is exceptional, weaving a tale of transformation and triumph that captivated my attention from the very beginning. What truly elevates this audiobook is the remarkable narration, which is hands down the best I've ever encountered. Each character and scene is brought to life with precision and passion, making it an unforgettable listening experience. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a riveting story with impeccable narration. I honestly really love this book and cannot wait for the next one

Fantastic

Couldn’t stop listening, the narrator is by far my favorite of all. The characters and building of the story are far better then what I was expecting. Although this author has pumped out some pretty amazing books this has the potential to be top 10.

Awesome listen

Love all of it and ready for more. Can’t wait for the next one. Hope it is fulfilling as the other books are.

amazing

he never fails to impress. another great book. I'm excited for book 2. the characters and story development keep you sucked in.

complex

this entire book is a prelude. the complexity of bouncing back and forth in the time line was handled extremely skillfully. the character development was detailed and well thought out. there are classic fantasy tropes highlighted with some new nuance that adds spice to the story overall and I am honestly impressed. the pacing varies and takes dedication to keep up with, but it may just be worth it if the author continues in this vein. well done on all counts.

Great start threads going into the past and future love it as I have ALL your books

For some reason, the box is asking what I disliked and I can’t say I disliked any of it really a great book definitely going somewhere forward and back

A Quaintrell Classic

Diving back into the world of Verda has become one of my favorite things to do. Steven Brand delivers another great reading of the story. So many new things introduced in this story, and many new characters, and some very familiar names I didn’t expect to hear and experience their stories play out. I am beyond excited for the next chapter to unfold with the second book!