The City of Thieves

Warden of Fál, Book 3

By: Kyle Alexander Romines

Narrated by: Matt Addis

Years ago, when violent purges plunged Dún Aulin into chaos, Warden Esben Berengar was sent to restore order by any means necessary. He did so with such brutal efficiency he became known throughout Fál as the High Queen’s Monster.

All is not forgiven.

When the hunt for a mysterious enemy leads Berengar back to Dún Aulin, an old friend’s request thrusts him headfirst into danger. In the Ceremony of the Cursed Blade, the sword used by the Lord of Shadows in his conquest of Fál will change possession, and it’s up to Berengar to keep the blade from falling into the wrong hands.

To do that, he’ll have to survive vengeful goblins, bloodthirsty monster hunters, Leinster’s powerful Thieves Guild, and worse.

Much worse.

©2019 Kyle Alexander Romines (P)2020 Kyle Alexander Romines

Esben Berengar is back :)

My return to Fal after quite a while has been a very entertaining one; I just love the series and Esben Berengar has become one of my favourite characters: ambiguous, secretive, with so many layers to his personality that you discover yet another one with every next book...
This time Berengar has to come back to the city which has no love for him; on the contrary, it seems that everyone there wants to see him dead. They call him the Queen's Monster - but sometimes it takes a monster to kill other monsters... And sometimes the Monster turns out to be the most humane among humans...

Berengar is one of the most complex characters I've met in the fantasy genre. He's ambiguos, brutal and cruel on the surface and surprisingly deep, compassionate and loyal when you look behind his mask of the Queen's Monster. He's surrounded and accompanied by a whole bunch of characters who are as surprising, as devious, as secretive as he is himself.

The plot is equally complex; on the surface it's a tale of Berengar trying to save a kidnapped king and recover a stolen powerful rune while making sure a magical artifact doesn't fall into the wrong hands, but underneath this fantasy adventure it's also a tale of what ails the modern world: corruption and abuse of power, racial prejudice, broken aliances and general distrust towards (and even hate of) everything that is different from what we consider "normal" or "civilized"...

As for the interpretation of the book, the series couldn't have a better narrator. Mr Addis does a fantastic job, bringing not only the characters but the whole story to life. I especially like the voice he gives Berengar - his deep, growling baritone matches the strong warrior exceptioanlly well. It's a wonderful interpretation of the tale.


DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

I want more!!!

I loved the continuation of the true/real enemy and the open ending for another book

My Favorite!!

The 3rd book in Kyle Romines' fantasy series is so special! I really enjoyed it and finished it so quickly. Nothing like Covid to keep me cuddled up on the couch with the latest release from my favorite author!! The City of Thieves is a great standalone, but in combo with the others in the series, is like icing on a cake! The new characters in Berenger's realm were a real treat, especially the fairy who adds tons of personality to the story and relationships, which I love. Entwining the new with the older characters from the previous books, gives depth to the world Romines created, and makes me feel like I'm within the story-if you know what I mean. Morwen is such a highlight for me; but Azzura is an equally delightful, and compelling scene stealer!! It was impossible to predict what she'd do or where she'd turn up next!! Both challenged Berenger is realistic ways that give him more depth and develop new interest for the reader. Even though the relationships are what draws me into the story and give me the most reward for my time-investment; the plot, action, and suspense are so well developed in all of Romines' stories, City was special to me-and I cannot wait for the next book in the series. Thanks again to Matt Addis for making the story come ALIVE in a beautifully epic and poetic way! I'm convinced no one could have read this series more perfectly! Very highly recommend the Warden of Fal series! I see the author has a new series of novellas out, "The Tales of Fall;" I'll be purchasing those next while I wait for the 4th installment!

Book 3 in this Fantasy 'Detective' Series

The City of Thieves is another great installment in this great Fantasy 'Detective' Series. Berengar and Morwyn return and their chemistry continues to grow stronger. The story progresses nicely and you get even more backstory and what makes Berengar the way he is even as you see him continue to change because of his relationship with Morwyn. There are great new characters as well and the detective and fantasy aspects are still there as well and are done extremely well.

The narration by Matt Addis is again done superbly and really brings all the characters to life. There are so many cool little side characters and storylines but they all come together very cohesively.

I don't know if it is just me but I find some similarities in a good way between Berengar and another detective from a different book series the Cormoran Strike Series(The Cuckoos Calling, The silkworm, Career of Evil, Lethal White) . They are both smart very tough badasses who are gruff but definitely have a softer side and that side is especially brought out by their side kicks. I think that the fact that this is a Fantasy series first but has a pretty strong detective/mystery aspect to it works so well.

If you liked the first two books you should definitely get this one since it is probably the best in the series so far, I can't wait for what comes next.

"Please note I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

Amazing character dynamics

Esben Berenger is the main character we’ve all been waiting for. He is a champion that you can’t help but root for. He is tough, brutish, extremely powerful/capable, and yet surprisingly kind and fatherly. His relationship with Morwen, the light-hearted optimist, is a delight to read. The plot, tone, and dialogue are all awesome. Romines hit it out of the park with City of Theives. Can’t wait to read the next one!

Bazinga

Another great book! Kyle Alexander Romines is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I've finished the first three in the Warden of Fál series. Matt Addis is the perfect choice to narrate these. He does a great job and has different voices for various characters. I am looking forward to more of Warden Berengar's adventures. I see there is a fourth book in the series on Kindle and hope it comes to audible soon. Before the Warden of Fál series I'd only read The Hobbit. I am now a fan of this genre and am increasing my collection. I am planning on relistening to this entire series again.

Disclaimer: I've been listening at 2x speed for so long anything else sounds like slow motion. My enjoyment of the narrator is based on my listening speed. I only leave 5 stars for books I've listened to multiple times.

I requested this book from the author, narrator, or publisher in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Warden Berengar The Queens Amazing Monster!

I was so excited to be offered another opportunity to journey with Berengar and Morwen some more! They make the perfect pair! I was gifted this book for my most humble thoughts, which are that I just really enjoy this series! As the battles raged and the plot thickened I worried for both main characters all the way through this read! They accomplished so much greatness and suffered so much pain for it but its all of those things that make them such great characters. Skillfully written this story will make you laugh and if you're like me cry a little, then be overjoyed. Matt Addis brought these characters to life in the best of ways and made me stay up well past bedtime to listen to just a little more lol! If you are reading my review then let me highly recommend you also read the series. I am certain you will enjoy them as much as I do.

Solid story. Very good. Gimme more!

This series is just getting better and better. There are bigger stakes and bigger monsters, and you better believe nobody is who they claim to be. Berengar is asked to preside over one ceremony, simple, right? Well... not when it's Berengar, who seems to attract complicated plots that need uncomplicated solutions - his might and his axe. Morwen is still soldiering on, trying to keep Berengar from killing absolutely everybody, "because it's easier". He is the hero that Dun Aulin deserves :)

Matt Addis is brilliant, as always. Oh my. Love that voice.

Awesome book!

This awesome story is just what my adrenaline craving body needed. It's packed with edge-of-your-seat action right from the very beginning! I swear if I had been any closer to the edge, I would have fallen off my chair!
In this third novel in the Warden's of Fál series, the paladin-like Warden Berenger is back again with his trusty battle axe, his wolfhound (Faolán), and his new young friend Morwen, a magician whom he'd helped in the previous book, the Blood of Kings... I'm not sure if Morwen was aware of how hard it might be to travel with The Bloody Bear, but it was fun to see her manage to prove herself, sometimes going toe to toe with him when needed!
And, Berenger has his greatest challenge ever, when by the High Queen's order, he has to go back to Dún Aulin, the city that gave him the title of Bloody Bear, and made him feared throughout the lands. As for the city dwellers? they have a long memory, and there are plenty that seek revenge... Berenger and Morwen have to step lively if they want live long enough to see another day!
Grab the audio version, and let Matt Addis tell you a wild story...

Fun fantasy

I received this book for free though the review is left of my own accord.

The Warden and co continue to be entertaining. This isn't what I would call epic fantasy, but there is enough world-building and character growth from book to book to appease me. The addition of Morwen as as part of the team gives food balance with Berenger. she is his opposite on nearly everything.

The story is fun and went into directions I did not expect. I also enjoy that the creatures and enemies in this series continue to be mostly familiar things that have been around in our own folklore for hundreds of years.

If you enjoy fantasy books, give this series a shot. It's good fun.