Dreams of Steel
Chronicles of the Black Company, Book 5
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Dreams of Steel
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Narrated by:
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Rachel Butera
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By:
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Glen Cook
About this listen
Croaker has fallen and, following the Company's disastrous defeat at Dejagore, Lady is one of the few survivors - determined to avenge the Company and herself against the Shadowmasters, no matter what the cost. But in assembling a new fighting force from the dregs and rabble of Taglios, she finds herself offered help by a mysterious, ancient cult of murder--competent, reliable, and apparently committed to her goals.
Meanwhile, far away, Shadowmasters conspire against one another and the world, weaving dark spells that reach into the heart of Taglios. And in a hidden grove, a familiar figure slowly awakens to find himself the captive of an animated, headless corpse. Mercilessly cutting through Taglian intrigues, Lady appears to be growing stronger every day. All that disturbs her are the dreams which afflict her by night--dreams of carnage, of destruction, of universal death, unceasing....
Listen to more in the Black Company series.©1990 Glen Cook (P)2010 Audible, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 6,426
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 5,528
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Some feel the Lady, newly risen from centuries in thrall, stands between humankind and evil. Some feel she is evil itself. The hardbitten men of the Black Company take their pay and do what they must, burying their doubts with their dead - until the prophesy: The White Rose has been reborn, somewhere, to embody good once more. There must be a way for the Black Company to find her....
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4 out of 5 stars
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Hard Boiled Morally Ambiguous Epic Fantasy
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,438
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It is one of the most well-known and well-loved fantasy epics of the twentieth century: the story of Elric, emperor of the dying kingdom of Melniboné. For a hundred centuries the Melnibonéans have ruled from the Dragon Isle of Imrryr. Now, after years of corruption and decadence, Elric’s amoral cousin Prince Yyrkoon, the brother of his beloved Cymoril, sets his eyes on the Ruby Throne. Elric must face his treacherous cousin not as a warrior but as a sorcerer king once again in league with the ancient gods of Melniboné, the Chaos Lords, and thus sealing his inexorable fate.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Skip the first chapter, it's not Moorcock.
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By: Michael Moorcock, and others
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The Swordbearer
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- Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 100
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 90
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 91
A young boy's dreams of glory and war turn into a bitter nightmare as his father's kingdom is overrun by an invading army. Lost and alone in the woods, he finds an ancient sword that promises him the ability to claim his vengeance. As he begins to take that vengeance, he comes to realize the price that the sword will demand of him. Enemies soon become allies and strange bedfellows abound as the prophesies of an age swirl into chaos.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Glen Cook novel pays homage to early Elric stories
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A Shadow of All Night Falling
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- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 107
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 97
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Story4 out of 5 stars 97
Across the mountains called the Dragon's Teeth, beyond the chill reach of the Werewind and the fires of the world's beginning, above the walls of the castle Fangdred, stands Windtower. From this lonely keep the Star Rider calls forth the war that even wizards dread, fought for a woman's hundred-lifetime love. A woman called Nepanthe, princess to the Stormkings…
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5 out of 5 stars
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Nothimg like Black Company-good in a different way
- By Zap Rowsdower on 10-02-21
By: Glen Cook
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The God Is Not Willing
- Witness, Book 1
- By: Steven Erikson
- Narrated by: Emma Gregory
- Length: 23 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 646
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 575
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Story5 out of 5 stars 576
Many years have passed since three warriors brought carnage and chaos to Silver Lake. Now the tribes of the north no longer venture into the southlands. The town has recovered and yet the legacy remains. Responding to reports of a growing unease among the tribes beyond the border, the Malazan army marches on the new god’s people. They aren't quite sure what they're going to be facing. And in those high mountains, a new warleader has risen amongst the Teblor.
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1 out of 5 stars
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I tried. Pre-record with a new narrator!
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By: Steven Erikson
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Doomstalker
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- By: Glen Cook
- Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky
- Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 59
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 50
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 51
The world grows colder with each passing year, the longer winters and ever-deepening snows awaking ancient fears within the Dengan Packstead, fears of invasion by armed and desperate nomads, attack by the witchlike and mysterious Silth, able to kill with their minds alone, and of the Grauken, that desperate time when intellect gives way to buried cannibalistic instinct, when meth feeds upon meth.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Be ready for an adventure
- By Dann Marks on 01-13-15
By: Glen Cook
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The Black Company
- Chronicles of The Black Company, Book 1
- By: Glen Cook
- Narrated by: Marc Vietor
- Length: 10 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 6,426
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 5,528
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 5,530
Some feel the Lady, newly risen from centuries in thrall, stands between humankind and evil. Some feel she is evil itself. The hardbitten men of the Black Company take their pay and do what they must, burying their doubts with their dead - until the prophesy: The White Rose has been reborn, somewhere, to embody good once more. There must be a way for the Black Company to find her....
-
4 out of 5 stars
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Hard Boiled Morally Ambiguous Epic Fantasy
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- Volume 1: Elric of Melnibone, The Fortress of the Pearl, The Sailor on the Seas of Fate, and The Weird of the White Wolf
- By: Michael Moorcock, Neil Gaiman - Foreword
- Narrated by: Samuel Roukin
- Length: 24 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,438
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,226
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,225
It is one of the most well-known and well-loved fantasy epics of the twentieth century: the story of Elric, emperor of the dying kingdom of Melniboné. For a hundred centuries the Melnibonéans have ruled from the Dragon Isle of Imrryr. Now, after years of corruption and decadence, Elric’s amoral cousin Prince Yyrkoon, the brother of his beloved Cymoril, sets his eyes on the Ruby Throne. Elric must face his treacherous cousin not as a warrior but as a sorcerer king once again in league with the ancient gods of Melniboné, the Chaos Lords, and thus sealing his inexorable fate.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Skip the first chapter, it's not Moorcock.
- By Ted C. on 02-17-22
By: Michael Moorcock, and others
-
The Swordbearer
- By: Glen Cook
- Narrated by: Jeremy Arthur
- Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 100
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 90
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 91
A young boy's dreams of glory and war turn into a bitter nightmare as his father's kingdom is overrun by an invading army. Lost and alone in the woods, he finds an ancient sword that promises him the ability to claim his vengeance. As he begins to take that vengeance, he comes to realize the price that the sword will demand of him. Enemies soon become allies and strange bedfellows abound as the prophesies of an age swirl into chaos.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Glen Cook novel pays homage to early Elric stories
- By Meower on 08-06-18
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- By: Glen Cook
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- Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 107
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 97
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Story4 out of 5 stars 97
Across the mountains called the Dragon's Teeth, beyond the chill reach of the Werewind and the fires of the world's beginning, above the walls of the castle Fangdred, stands Windtower. From this lonely keep the Star Rider calls forth the war that even wizards dread, fought for a woman's hundred-lifetime love. A woman called Nepanthe, princess to the Stormkings…
-
5 out of 5 stars
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Nothimg like Black Company-good in a different way
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By: Glen Cook
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- Length: 23 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 646
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 575
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 576
Many years have passed since three warriors brought carnage and chaos to Silver Lake. Now the tribes of the north no longer venture into the southlands. The town has recovered and yet the legacy remains. Responding to reports of a growing unease among the tribes beyond the border, the Malazan army marches on the new god’s people. They aren't quite sure what they're going to be facing. And in those high mountains, a new warleader has risen amongst the Teblor.
-
1 out of 5 stars
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I tried. Pre-record with a new narrator!
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- Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 59
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 50
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 51
The world grows colder with each passing year, the longer winters and ever-deepening snows awaking ancient fears within the Dengan Packstead, fears of invasion by armed and desperate nomads, attack by the witchlike and mysterious Silth, able to kill with their minds alone, and of the Grauken, that desperate time when intellect gives way to buried cannibalistic instinct, when meth feeds upon meth.
-
5 out of 5 stars
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Be ready for an adventure
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 101
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Story4 out of 5 stars 100
For four thousand years, the Guardships have ruled Canon Space - immortal ships with an immortal crew, dealing swiftly and harshly with any mercantile houses or alien races that threaten the status quo.But now the House Tregesser has an edge: a force from outside Canon Space offers them the resources to throw off Guardship rule.
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For over 40 years, Glen Cook has been among the most well-known, influential, and widely respected authors in science fiction and fantasy. Through classic series such as The Black Company, Garrett P.I., the Dread Empire, Starfishers, Darkwar, and more, his gritty, down-to-earth style left an indelible impression on his listeners around the world, forever shifting the genre landscape and carving out his place as a pioneering icon.
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superb collection of stories
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The Shadow of the Torturer is the first volume in the four-volume epic, the tale of a young Severian, an apprentice to the Guild of Torturers on the world called Urth, exiled for committing the ultimate sin of his profession - showing mercy towards his victim.
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Finally in audiobook!
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Minalan gave up a promising career as a professional warmage to live the quiet life of a village spellmonger in the remote mountain valley of Boval. It was a peaceful, beautiful little fief, far from the dangerous feudal petty squabbles of the Five Duchies, on the world of Callidore. There were cows. Lots of cows. And cheese. For six months things went well: He found a quaint little shop, he befriended the local lord, the village folk loved him, he found a sharp young apprentice to help out, and, best yet, he met a comely young widow with the prettiest eyes.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Terrific Book! A great adult fantasy series.
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Great book, lame deal!
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It is 200 years since the deity known as the Absolved went mad and destroyed the Kingdom of Alnachim, transforming it into the Execration, a blasted wasteland filled with nameless terrors. For decades, desperate souls have made pilgrimage to the centre of this cursed land to seek the Mad God’s favour, their fate always unknown. Now a veteran warrior known only as Pilgrim, armed with a fabled blade inhabited by the soul of a taunting demon, must join with six others to make the last journey to the heart of the Execration.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Check the length of this book 1st
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What listeners say about Dreams of Steel
Highly rated for:
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- David
- 08-25-16
Worst narrator ever
On the one hand it was nice having the "Book of Lady" read by a woman. On the other hand the narrator was a chore to listen to. Her pronunciations of Dejagore for example, did not match the previous narrator and she pronounced it at least 3 different ways during the course of her read.
Her male voices sounded like 13yo girls. Her voice for Croaker was utterly repulsive.
All in all Rachel Butera completely ruined what was my second favorite book the the series. If I never again have to hear her voice it shall be too soon.
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12 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kaiser
- 10-17-18
No Marc Vietor, No purchase.
I love reading, but I listen to books when I'm too busy to sit down with a hard copy. That being said, I will not buy another Black Company book that isn't narrated by Vietor. Those i'll purchase and read when I have down time...Such a shame...Rachel Butera was obnoxiously bad. Returned it as fast as I could. Absolutely love Cooks books though. Why fix something that's not broken?!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 08-02-21
Performance could've been better.
Just not the same as the previous books. Rachel But era is good but some times she just didn't portray the rest of the characters as well as she did Lady. Still an interesting novel though. Good plot despite leaving us hanging without a proper settlement.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- R Myers
- 04-22-19
loved it
A great book seeing different points of views. the struggle foe the black company is real!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- John
- 12-28-17
It was good!
I was worried to listen through this one because of other reviewers, this was just as good as the others in the series. I thought the narrator did a good job and it made sense to have a female reader as this addition to the series is mostly from a female perspective.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Gary Lazereyes
- 07-07-24
Terrible reader puts blemish on book
I can't get a good feel on the book since the reader so ineptly spoiled the material. emphasizing the wrong words. Awkward, abrupt, dramatic Shatner readings on single lines. No distinction in voice between characters, well aside from one. The above put me to sleep more than not. 5 stars for background noise.
Again, although I've listened to the book twice now, I can't remark on the book itself since I can't recall much. But much is covered since I'm lost completely starting the next book.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- DDTAN
- 11-20-12
Good Listen
Would you try another book from Glen Cook and/or Rachel Butera?
No, after listening to Marc Vietor for the last 4 books, it was tough getting used to Rachel Butera's narration.
Who was your favorite character and why?
The Lady because the whole book was concentrated mostly on her.
What three words best describe Rachel Butera’s performance?
Contrary, flimsical, valley.
Was Dreams of Steel worth the listening time?
It was a decent listen mostly due to Glen Cooks excellent ongoing story of the Black Company.
Any additional comments?
I feel Rachel Butera was not the right voice for this kind of story. This is gritty and dark fantasy; Rachel's voice didn't do the story justice because it was to nonchalant, there was an air of levity her voice brought to moments that needed a more serious and dire approach, which I did not feel that from her.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Cameron
- 08-30-19
The narrator was horrendous.
the previous narrator did a wonderful job of dustigusing character voices. this one however was cringeworthy at best. 40+ year old warriors and wizards had the voice of a pubescent teen with their nose plugged. She attempted to add in laughs where the narrative placed them, but they sounded so forced and pitched so wrong I physically was pained.
It's awesome tha they casted a woman narrator for the perspective of The Lady, but their choice was not a good one.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- William
- 05-18-19
Good story shit voice
Coming from the last audio book to this voice actor is intolerable. She is horrific. Ruins the whole book. Re-record with Siri
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- bigtruck
- 05-18-17
Narrator fine; plot fail
Since every other review complains about her, I'll start with Butera's narration.
It's ... okay!
By which I mean, her Lady and Soulcatcher are fine; her Croaker is terrible; minor characters are hit or miss.
Her Croaker is no worse than Vietor's atrocious Soulcatcher, and while many people seem to love Vietor's Croaker, I found it one-note and boring after four books.
Butera's Lady is a bit one-note, too, but her tone seemed appropriate for a character who is basically semi-sociopathic, unable to empathize and so old she's become blasé about matters of apocalyptic importance. Her Soulcatcher and Frogface were fun.
As for the story, it seemed like Cook started writing at page one and either ran out room or time before what should have been the conclusion.
Spoilers ahead!!!
What should have been the emotional and narrative climax of the book — Naryan's betrayal of Lady — incomprehensibly takes place off screen, at the very end of the book, described second-hand in an epilogue! WTF.
I actually enjoyed much of the plot, and the internal exploration of Lady who has always been my favorite character in the series. I was looking forward to seeing how she'd handle motherhood, then finding out what she'd given birth to, and the Deceiver's real game. Instead, she slept through it, and we get a few lines of exposition in place of a climax.
The culmination of the book's secondary plot — Soulcatcher's confrontation with Longshadow's assassin — at least happens live, but it's also a let down. Soulcatcher isn't even really involved in the chase, and Frogface has basically no trouble with it. This arc is still more satisfying that Lady's, and I enjoyed that (like every Cook character who lives long enough) Soulcatcher became a little sympathetic by the book's end.
But still, it's baffling that the book's two main and most interesting character got such rushed climaxes, and so much time was wasted on one-dimensional plot-movers like Swan and the royal siblings.
I get that this is a middle book in a long arc, and much of it is setup for subsequent novels. But Book 4 was basically all setup for this one, and the long journey is turning into a bit of a slog without compelling arcs in between.
If I keep going it'll mostly be because Jonathan Davis is voicing the next installments. Forget the Butera-Vietor debate; Davis's narration of Book 5 was the only inspired performance in the series to date.
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