Shapechangers

Chronicles of the Cheysuli, Book 1

By: Jennifer Roberson

Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

Shapechangers.

They were the Cheysuli, a race of magical warriors gifted with the ability to assume animal shape at will. For centuries they had been allies to the King of Homana, treasured champions of the realm. Until a king’s daughter ran away with a Cheysuli liege man and caused a war of annihilation against the Cheysuli race. Twenty-five years later the Cheysuli were hunted exiles in their own land, feared for their sorcery, their shapechanging.

This is the story of Alix, the daughter of that ill-fated union between Homanan princess and Cheysuli warrior, and her struggle to master the call of magic in her blood, and accept her place in an ancient prophecy she cannot deny.The Song of Homana. For five long years the land of Homana had been strangling in the grasp of a usurper king - its people ravaged by strife, poverty and despair; its magical race, the Cheysuli, forced to flee or face extermination at the hands of their evil counterparts, the sorcerous Ilhini. The time had come for Prince Carillon, Homana's rightful ruler, to return from exile with his Cheysuli liege man, free his land from the evil domination of the tyrant Bellam and his villainous magicians, restore the Cheysuli to their rightful position of grace, and claim his birthright. To do this, he would not only have to raise an army, but overcome the fear and prejudice of an ignorant population and answer the call of a prophecy he never chose to serve!

©1984 Jennifer Roberson O'Green (P)2014 Audible Inc.

decent story with a dry narrator

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend, Jennifer Roberson writes very colorful and unique worlds. Her characters are very well thought out and dynamic.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Duncan, despite a very terrible event in his past, he is not bitter, though he has every right to be. He Understands that certain events happened and that to correct the mistakes will take a lifetime of work.

Finn Is also a favorite, though he first appears as a villain, he is actually very empathetic and is choking on the thought of being forced to a certain destiny..

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Bronson Pinchot?

Stephen Bel Davies or Rene Chambliss

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

when she has to decide whom she wants to spend her life with. Duncan the man she is physically attracted to , Carillon her first love, or Finn the man she cannot stand to be around.

Any additional comments?

If story is told through the female perspective, the narrator should be female, or not as "stodgy" sounding. The narrator make the female sound like she is a dumb girl.

Ruined by Narrator

What did you like best about Shapechangers? What did you like least?

I have read the entire series and sooooo wanted to enjoy the audio version...so sad.

Would you be willing to try another one of Bronson Pinchot’s performances?

NO! Worst of all narrator's in my collection of books.

Love the book, not a fan of the narration

I've read this series before and love it but was not crazy about the narration. I read Alex as strong willed, brave, and independent but the narration made her sound whiny and annoying. As for the story, I love it!

Outstanding!

I read this series many years ago and loved it but I was doubtful it could be voiced well enough to keep me entranced once again. My doubts were pushed aside as Pinchot kept me enthralled daily during my work commute. The voices he brought to each character breathed life into each one and pulled me in with it. Well done Mr Pinchot! Now please. May I have some more?

I have waited forever for Cheysuli on Audible!

Would you listen to Shapechangers again? Why?

I will absolutely listen to this again, after I listen to all the other books in the series!

What did you like best about this story?

This is a novel that I have loved since it first came out many years ago, yet in some ways it seems even more appropriate today. Life often isn't fair but there is always hope. This theme seems to be interwoven throughout the series, wrapped up in a story that grabs you by the feels.

Jennifer Roberson is one of my favorite authors and I was thrilled for her series to be available on Audible. Keep 'em coming!

What about Bronson Pinchot’s performance did you like?

Everything! I never have trouble telling characters apart when he's the narrator, and he doesn't just read the story, he throws himself fully into it.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes it was, and I was frustrated that I had to stop listening and go to work.

Any additional comments?

If you love well written fantasy with shape shifters and feisty heroines, spend a credit and get this book. In fact, spend all your credits and get the whole series! I'm going to.

Easy to ignore.

Even crafting and cleaning I found my eyes rolling
at the whining heroine. The stupid behavior that doesn't get her killed. Loved the new approach to shape changers.
But they should dye out .if there go ing to let everyone walk
All over them. Didn't care to finish. Won't get next book.
Even for free.

The narrator really hurt the story

The story itself is good. However, the reader, Bronson Pinchot, was horrible at the main character's voice. He did well with most of the men, and I was able to distinguish one from the other most of the time. However, when speaking in the protagonist's voice, a woman, even though she was written as a strong, capable woman, the voice he used for her was so wispy and fairy-like that it threw me off throughout the book.

Why the whine

Fun story with interesting characters.
Good strong easy narration.

Huge complaint-
Why, why, why must the strong female character almost always speak with a whining, tearful, pleading voice? It is irritating and becomes hard to listen to.

Very annoying protagonist

Goodness gracious, what an aggravating portrayal of headstrong stupidity in character combined with feminine physical weakness. She never seems to learn to behave in any reasonable manner. The created world is interesting in many ways, but the girl is like an anti-Mary-Sue and made me so frustrated.

Loved it! Great series!

Love this series! Great fantasy book!. Loved the reader making each character come to life!