The War with the Mein

Book One of the Acacia Trilogy

By: David Anthony Durham

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Leodan Akaran, ruler of the Known World, has inherited generations of apparent peace and prosperity, won ages ago by his ancestors. A widower of high intelligence, he presides over an empire called Acacia, named after the idyllic island from which he rules. He dotes on his four children and hides from them the dark realities of traffic in drugs and human lives on which their prosperity depends.

Leodan hopes that he might change this, but powerful forces stand in his way. A deadly assassin sent from a race called the Mein, exiled long ago to an ice-locked stronghold in the frozen north, strikes at Leodan in the heart of Acacia while the Mein also unleash surprise attacks across the empire. On his deathbed, Leodan puts into play a plan to allow his children to escape, each to his separate destiny. And so his children begin a quest to avenge their father's death and restore the Acacian empire, this time on the basis of universal freedom.

Acacia is a thrilling work of literary imagination that creates an all-enveloping and mythic world that will carry readers away. It is a timeless tale of heroism and betrayal, of treachery and revenge, of primal wrongs and ultimate redemption. David Durham has reimagined the epic narrative for our time.

©2007 David Anthony Durham (P)2007 Tantor Media Inc.

Critic reviews

"Enthralling, literate and increasingly suspenseful." (Kirkus)
"Sprawling and vividly imagined....Durham has created a richly detailed alternate reality leavened with a dollop of magic." (Publishers Weekly)

Much Fun

The first place I look for something to listen to is in Audible's fantasy section. The longer the book the better I like it, with one condition. If the words bosom or cleavage appear say, 1000 times or more, tedium sets in. Listening to Acacia I did not hear either of these words. Not once in the 29 hours and 29 seconds required to complete the book. In and of itself, this makes the book worth purchasing but Mr. Durham has taken his listeners far past other authors who's writing I can only judge as sophomoric in comparison.

At first, I was concerned that the book was going to be difficult to finish. Looking back the reason was simple. It is unlike any of the epic tales I have yet read. It is difficult to articulate how it is different but if I must put it in one word, it is quality. Like most books in the genera I am familiar with, Acacia seems to jump from character to character telling each of their stories. I have always found this frustrating, a bit like having to wait till after the break to see if a contestant is smarter than a fifth grader. Acacia is different. Yes I felt frustrated when a story was suddenly stopped to return to a different character. What I found refreshing was that within no more that three sentences, my frustration disappeared and I was eager to continue listening.

I must congratulate Mr. Durham. This book is in a league of it's own. Much fun. Should you read this sir, I have one other comment for you. Get back to your computer and continue working on book two. It can not arrive too soon.

Very Enjoyable -Great Characters

Very enjoyable listen. Great Character development. The author leaves you with a cliff hanger at the end of each chapter wanting more and having to continue to find out what will happen next.

Slow and Boring...

Sorry but, this was like walking into a conversation already going and wasnt for me to hear, and I had no idea what they were talking about. I was only able to get 1/3 of the way of part 1. Maybe if the reading was done by a different narrator, it would have kept my attention. As it was, my mind kept wandering. Perhaps I will give it another try another time. One good point..... NO PROFANITY!! WOW!! At least in the 1/3 of part one that I heard.

Decent, but with major problems

Would you try another book from David Anthony Durham and/or Dick Hill?

At this point not likely.

Would you recommend The War with the Mein to your friends? Why or why not?

Not really.

Any additional comments?

This book is...meh. Its not bad--a few of the characters are compelling, some of the plot is decent, the narration is fine. But it has too many problems to be good.

Lets start with Deus Ex Machina--why do so many fantasy and scifi writers fall back on this to solve problems? Its bad writing 101, among the first things I teach my students not to do.

The book also features a number of bad fantasy cliches among the characters. Worse, it mirrors GoT in too many ways. With only minor spoilers: Oldest son who rallies an army to avenge betrayed father, middle daughter who is beautiful and captured by enemy, younger daughter who becomes swordsman, younger son who goes and lives with outlaws and eventually becomes a leader.

The image work isn't great either.

If you read and write a lot, I'm guessing you'll feel similarly. I'd say this is better for young adult audiences who don't have as much experience or context.

Acacia is Satisfying Fantasy

Acacia builds on itself like a great pan of lasagna, one layer at a time. Your focus is constantly changing, and thus, your interest constantly stimulated. Action, intrigue, character development, it's all there. You'll enjoy listening to this one too, though the narrator's voice gets a bit whiny when he tackles the female character's lines, but overall, he brings the book to life in an enjoyable way.

Very good fantasy book

I notice there are some complaints below that there are no clear-cut "good" and "bad" characters. Well who wants such a bland form of fantasy? David Anthony hasn't penned the best fantast novel ever here, but it's very good listening. Recommended to fans of the genre.

Good story, but audio problems.

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

The book as a whole is well written, some parts drag a little, but recover.

What aspect of Dick Hill’s performance would you have changed?

The audio sometimes fails to maintain the volume... The narration can trail off, becoming almost impossible to hear, even at max volume.

Good Characters and Politics

I listended to this after listening to The Song of Ice and Fire to satisfy my fantasy itch and it did the job. Characters are good and the story takes some unexpected turns. I like the way it is written particularly in moments of action or battle.

Superb- better than George RR Martin!

Better than George RR Martin- and don't confuse this with a "knock off" or an attempt to imitate Martin anymore than Martin tried to imitate Tolkien or Jordan.

Sparse dialogue (that seems to bother some) that I appreciate much more than the sometimes turgidity of Jordan and other. Story moves along- the interplay of characters (mainly the children of the murdered King) and complex political-economic background makes the entire story read like historical fiction with some low level magic and myths in the background. I enjoyed the performance and learning about the world (and it politics) as much as I enjoyed the story and characters (super).

I am surprised that Durham does not have the incredible following Martin has. Stumbled on his works almost by accident after I stopped listening to Dancing with Dragons (what a waste of time and money on my part) by Martin.

Highly recommended. As good or better than anything out there!

World building at its finest!

This series really took me for a ride. I could not predict the outcome much as I tried.