The Hero and the Crown

By: Robin McKinley

Narrated by: Roslyn Alexander

Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Newbery Medal Winner, 1985

Uncertain of the past, Aerin-sol, daughter of King Arlbeth, decides to forge her own future by challenging the lashing tongues of the dragon’s fire. Aerin’s proficiency as "the Dragon-slayer" sets her on a quest for the stolen Crown of Damar, believed to be in the hands of rebellious northerners who threaten to destroy the Damarian people and their home forever.

©1984 Robin McKinley (P)1992 Recorded Books

Just as enchanting as I remembered.

This story was one of my favorites growing up and I was afraid it wouldn't be the same listening to it now but I was pleased to be wrong. All the parts I remembered - the old warhorse, the dragon fighting, the immortal man in the mountains, and the ending of finding peace with a dual existence were just so detailed...and pulled at me with the same emotional resonance (if not more) as when I read them in middle school.

Oh, I just adore Robin McKinley and Roslyn Alexander was a very able narrator.

I look forward to going on to the Blue Sword next!

Not the actress I would have cast to read

Loved this book for many years. I was 14 when I found it- my first taste of healthy feminism, The reader isn’t horrible but also not GREaT- she does not capture through voice emphasis the different characters and events. I have read this one aloud to multiple audiences over the years and know some phrases by heart and maybe that is why I feel this way.

I've read this book literally over 200 times!!!

this is my favorite book and has been since i was in the 5th grade.

10/10

occasionally difficult to follow the time line, but other great reads are that way too (see Mists of Avalon, lol)

I love a good female lead!!

I love a good female lead and this book has been a favorite for many years!!

My favorite book

I've been reading this book for decades and always come back. A wonderful fantasy world.

longtime favorite

Any additional comments?

I've had a paperback copy of this since the 80's. I love this book - it's the sort you can re-read and revisit. I was excited to see it in audible format - because hearing the book often gives a different perspective.I'm not sure I would have chosen the narrator. She was great - but didn't quite match the story. Aerin is a young woman and the narrator is an adult. I think I would have preferred a younger voice to match the protagonist.Again, the narrator did a lovely job - but I had a little disconnect between the voice and the tale. I'd still recommend the book - in any format - to lovers of fairy tales.

This Newbery Award Winner is Timeless...

This has long been my favorite book. The story is Timeless. Robin McKinley deserved her award. You will enjoy this book no matter your age. I love the fact that the hero is a heroine!

Spoiler: Already favorite book of all time.

So as the above suggests, this is already --has been for 25+ years-- my favorite book of all time. It is my go-to memorized childhood happy place to almost to a laughable degree.

And it all started with this audiobook recording.

My mom and I listened to this book in the ole mini van and... I was in love with every little bit of it.

My fan-girl infatuation may just be due to how much the main character influenced me as a tween, how I suddenly had a glimpse of the sort of woman I'd like to become.

But I don't think that's the only reason.

To me, Aerin Sol is still one of the most real, most human, and most... COMPLETE (?) protagonists I've ever met. She is withdrawn yet fearless, proud yet self-doubting, a savant who often fails, but above all she is brave. But it isn't a brash show of a lack of fear. She is brave in the true sense: Being afraid and doing it anyways.

Obvs I can lay it on thick all day, but this book (and the other in the series, The Blue Sword, coincidentally my 2nd favorite book? Or a tie... hah...) is a jewel. Not just for the robust and invested characters, but for the lush and totally engrossing world, for the tangible yet fantastical magical and social systems, and for the skill, pacing, and simple engaging pros themselves.

Frankly, I am amazed that these works aren't more well-known.

So do yourself a favor and try this. And then give copies to young women who are tired of the Princess in Love trope and crave a girl as dynamic and brave as they are.

Also, there is none of the other --but just as trite-- "but she's a girl doing a man's job!" trope that is almost as obnoxious these days. She isn't a Girl, she is a Young Person who is also female. You know, like actual people.

Oh, and a note to the folks who have qualms with the narrator: While I can see your point (a bit nasal, quite raspy, probably smokes... a lot) I gotta disagree that she is anything less than brilliant. For this story, about a very real-imagined protagonist, I felt I was being read to by an old aunt who had seen some stuff in her time. And probably smoked a lot. It's an odd choice at first, but give it a chance and you'll realize that it WORKS.

Nostalgia Read

I first read this in 4th grade and it was so lovely to revisit it as an adult! Wonderful performance.