Yorien's Hand

The Minstrel's Song, Book 3

By: Jenelle Leanne Schmidt

Narrated by: Benjamin Fife

The years of Oraeyn’s short rule have been peaceful, but now ominous nightmares plague his sleep and cling to him during his waking hours. When two of his most trusted advisors disappear without a trace and not even the power of dragons can locate them, the fell promise of the king’s nightmares becomes reality.

From the furthest reaches of the world, an ancient enemy stirs. Stretching beyond his crumbling prison walls, this foe seeks to bring life to the darkest of shadows. His army marches towards Aom-igh with deadly intent, threatening all Oraeyn holds dear.

Aided by dragons, and with the warrior Brant and Princess Kamarie at his side, Oraeyn must journey into the wilds of a forgotten realm. Trusting in the wisdom and skill of the enigmatic minstrel, Kiernan Kane, the companions race against time in search of Yorien’s Hand, a relic that may hold the power to save them all.

©2016 Jenelle Leanne Schmidt (P)2021 Jenelle Leanne Schmidt

A REALLY GREAT STORY

REALLY GREAT STORY FULL OF HUMOR, ADVENTURE AND ROMANTIC DRAMA.
STORY HAS THE FEAL OF AN ALLEGORY
THE NARRATOR IS GREAT AND EASY TO FOLLOW.

MUST HAVE SERIES,GOOD VALUE,GREAT Y.A FANTASY SAGA

MUST HAVE SERIES,GOOD VALUE,GREAT Y.A FANTASY SAGA, 13 hour of non stop clean adventure with characters you will come to love. Wizards, magicians, dragons, unicorns, strong women and courageous boys/men all drawn together in an invisible web that has something to do with the travelling minstrel. I do admire the authors well written story, she held my attention easily, the characters are so real and easy to empathise with. The narration of the audio book was fantastic. I recommend you start this 4 book series at book one so you can know the history behind the kingdoms and their peoples.
RECOMMENDED FOR AGES OVER 10 TO 90.

Weaker than previous two

I keep wondering what rating I would give this book if I didn't have the first two volumes in mind. Five stars? It's not bad, it just definitely feels weaker than the previous ones.

Just... this was a book slow to start with, catching us up with the characters. And that's fine. But as the book went on, I couldn't quite shake the sense that it didn't feel like much was happening even as plenty of things were definitely happening in the plot.

Finally, as I wondered more than halfway through the book why it hadn't gripped me the way the previous ones had, I asked myself "How many of the characters have actually gone on a development journey in this book."

Oraeyn is the only returning character who really has a proper arc and... well... I have mixed feelings about the ending twist. I won't say more, and I can't say the result is bad, but I find myself wondering why there had to be a twist.

That's not to say there weren't character moments I didn't love. It's sweet to see how they've grown offscreen and how the main characters of the first book have paired off with each other. It's just more of the focus is on world-building and plot events than character growth, and that's not to my taste.

The book ends with a cliffhanger, contrary to the complete ending of the first book... actually, the more I think about it, the more I realize there's a lot left hanging when it comes to certain character's fates. Incomplete and wanting is how I think I will describe this one.

Fife's narration remains excellent as always, no complaints on that front.

Hands down great

This is a great series. The world building is wonderful. I love the characters and the interaction within. The flow from book to book is cohesive and you don't get lost in the story even after a while in between books. The narration is well done with no confusing characters.

Epic Battle!

This series is incredibly underrated. It is epic! I'm not even sure what to compare it to. It's like Prydain, but with a much larger scope and cast, Narnia but more complex, Lord of the Rings but for younger readers. I don't know how to give it justice. But the world that Jenelle has built is fantastic. There are dragons and minstrels, mermaids and sorcerers, kings and high kings, villains, and other great evils. This book was focused on an epic battle spanning multiple countries, revisiting old friends and older legends, and solving mysteries while hinting at greater ones to come. And what adventures to be had in this world! I can't wait to see where book four takes us.

I received a free copy of the audiobook from the narrator who did such a stupendous job with this novel (and all the complicated pronunciations) that I felt swept into this grand tale and I have reviewed it willingly.

So Good & Hard to Put Down!

These books just get better with each one. Book three brings back many of the characters from the first book that I loved and with more depth. The further I got into this book, the harder it was to put down... In fact I'm now writing this review at 1:15am after finishing it. This series is perfect for any age (clean enough for all but probably 3rd grade & up) that loves large book fantasy sagas like The Lord of the Rings, Fablehaven, The Five Kingdoms, and The Beyonders. They really need to be read in order to get the most out of them and I will absolutely be reading them again. It wrapped up nicely and wasn't really left on a cliffhanger hanger but there definitely was some heavy foreshadowing. I'm really looking forward the where the story goes in the next book,

The narrator does a phenomenal job as always (if not even better on this one)... the maniacal laugh totally got me! It was perfect! He really is one of my favorite narrators, the voice differentiation, accents, and overall acting is all top-notch.

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

Gripping

An ancient evil arises … Will they be able to overcome their doubts, and become all they are meant to be? And what will be the cost? I loved this audiobook - the narration was top-notch, and the plot drew me right in. It was difficult to stop listening! I received a free copy of this book, with no obligation.

Another great story!

This third installment in the Minstrel's Song series was just as lovely a read as the first two. Filled with excitement, drama, and fantastical creatures, it's a story you don't really want to end. And the narrator is still great! 🙂

Compelling Third Installment in YA Epic Fantasy

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.


Yorien's Hand picks up a couple years after the end of The King's Warrior. If you are new to the series, explanations are given to catch you up on what you missed - but the first two books are each excellent in their own right and help set up this new quest. You can start here and enjoy a wonderful tale - but I think certain beats would strike harder with the additional investment. Once again Jenelle Schmidt packs a lot of punch into the book. This is a complete story unto itself, but it does continue from the events of book 1 and certain events and themes from book 2. It also nicely sets up future book(s.)


An ancient evil has risen and its time to get the band back together again - with some new faces to add to the cast. Each character gets their chance to shine and I love seeing how their relationships (romantic and friendly) have built up during the years. The author is developing quite the world and mythos - particularly as we learn more about the magic and mythological beings that inhabit the world.

There is death and action violence but this book is appropriate for pre-teens and up.

Benjamin Fife gives another commanding performance - both as narrator and voicing the individual characters. He is easy to listen to and he gives beings like dragons powerful, booming voices which is always appreciated.

I look forward to seeing what's next for the denizens of this world.

Book three, but okay to read second.

The true second book, Second Son, is a prequel. This makes Yorin's Hand the true sequel. So if you enjoyed King's Warrior, and want to continue the story of those characters, you have my permission to skip book two and read this book.

If I have one complaint, it's that the bad guy isn't as rounded out as the one in the first book was. Grimdorack is generic evil. Sauruman to the main Sauron, if you will.

But we get more Dragons in this book, so I guess it evens out.

I really liked Kamarie in this book, I was afraid her character would have been lessened after the events of the first book, but she is as stubborn and insistent as ever. Not taking no for an answer.

Be warned that like most epic fantasy it features a lot of POV characters. Maybe more than the first book, if that's possible.

Thankfully Benjamin Fife I'd a seasoned narrator who is good at distinguishing between characters. He does the voices beautifully and is very good at reading description. He is quickly becoming one of my go to narrators.