Preserving Hope

The Aliomenti Saga, Book 2

By: Alex Albrinck

Narrated by: Todd McLaren

Will Stark has been sent on a mission to save the life of a young woman named Elizabeth. He does not know who is threatening her or why. He knows only that failure is not an option, for it will mean three of the most important people in his life will cease to exist.

Will finds himself in a unique medieval village constructed deep in a forest, its residents prosperous and healthy to an unnatural degree. Their leader, a man named Arthur, weaves an alluring tale: that the supernatural abilities long thought the realm of myth or magic are real, that they can be developed with the correct usage of certain foods to enthrall the villagers and enrich and empower himself. The only issue is that the villagers have no idea what concoction will trigger those abilities. They must test. And the villagers have put that responsibility on one young girl - against her will.

Will makes his mark on the village in the woods, increasing their prosperity and helping to introduce innovations decades or centuries before their time. Yet Arthur, in his desperate need for power and control, will sabotage everything to retain his total control of the village - even if it means sacrificing his own daughter's life.

©2012 Alex Albrinck (P)2016 Tantor

Good saga in my opinion

I really enjoy this saga. I read it a few years ago and started thinking about it again and decided to get the audioboik for my commute to work. one thing I had happen though is chapter 24 and 25 are switched from the book so it makes the story a little less immersive for a couple chapters (it might just be my download though but not sure)

This one is both intriguing and painful at times…

This one kept my interest but it is slightly painful. The way people treat each other was just sad. Especially a child… makes me so very grateful to have had a mother who loved and cared for me. Sacrificing so much for me…

The storytelling is still great and the innovation of the MC applying his future knowledge to help make people’s lives better. The MC is a genuine joy to read about. I also love the strength and character of a young Elizabeth. Her tenacity and passion to try and bring the village out of their deplorable mentality is admirable.
The emotional and dramatic aspects are written well and feel VERY real. Will’s pacifistic approach to things is a bit frustrating at times so be warned…

Finding out about the lore/origin story of the original village from which the Aliomenti rise is also interesting.
The plot twists and bombs dropped still blow me away!

The narrator continues to give a great performance and bringing the characters, that I enjoyed years ago when I read it, to life!

I enjoyed it enough that I ended up jumping into the next one and had to come back to leave a review for this one.

Historical inaccuracies and small plot holes

So far: 5 chapters in and there are some small issues i have with this book:

1. English spoken in England in the 11th century =/= English spoken now. Its not only small words and arrangements but the entire language. When did Will learn this language?
2. Written English in the 11th century =/= written English now so how did Will suddenly learn it? Is he secretly a major middle ages England history buff?

chapter swap found

chapter's 25 and 26 were swapped on the recording. adds a little confusion, but not too much to totally ruin the books.