Mr. J. Pile
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Elminster: The Making of a Mage
- Forgotten Realms: Elminster, Book 1
- By: Ed Greenwood
- Narrated by: John Pruden
- Length: 14 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,630
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 1,476
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,475
In ancient days, sorcerers sought to learn the One True Spell that would give them power over all the world and understanding of all magic.... The One True Spell was a woman, and her name was Mystra - and her kisses were wonderful. It is the time before Myth Drannor, when the Heartlands are home to barbarians, and wicked dragons rule the skies. In these ancient days, Elminster is but a shepherd boy, dreaming of adventure and heroics. When a dragon-riding magelord sweeps down upon him, though, the boy is thrust into a world of harsh realities, corrupt rulers, and evil sorcerers.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Absolutely Horrible Narrator
- By Cesar on 12-03-13
- Elminster: The Making of a Mage
- Forgotten Realms: Elminster, Book 1
- By: Ed Greenwood
- Narrated by: John Pruden
had some good moments but ending was meh
Reviewed: 09-18-22
After about 30 years I finally got around to reading this. I feel a lot is lost in the voice acting which doesn't pause, making some of the most significant battle moments hard to digest. The end was fine (predictable) but felt a bit like a teenager's imagination of what a "perfect relationship" would be. Overall, I am glad to have knowledge of the background of the famed Elminster.. but could have probably got the same info from the Forgotten Realms Wiki. I probably will not continue the series.
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Song of the Saurials
- Forgotten Realms: Finder's Stone, Book 3
- By: Kate Novak, Jeff Grubb
- Narrated by: Kristin Kalbli
- Length: 11 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 218
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 198
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 198
High fantasy adventure takes a turn with mystery in the final title in the Finder’s Stone Trilogy by Jeff Grubb and Kate Novak. When the Harpers judged the Nameless Bard responsible for the death of his apprentices, they sentenced him to exile and obscurity. Now the Harpers are reconsidering their decision, but with the arrival of the monster Grypht, Nameless’ new trial dissolves in a string of disappearances and murder. It is up to the bard’s friends, Alias the swordswoman, Akabar the mage, Dragonbait the paladin, and Ruskettle the thief, to prove one enemy is behind all the chaos - the ancient evil god, Moander the Darkbringer.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Meh
- By Hayley on 02-10-24
- Song of the Saurials
- Forgotten Realms: Finder's Stone, Book 3
- By: Kate Novak, Jeff Grubb
- Narrated by: Kristin Kalbli
Solid ending to the trikogy
Reviewed: 06-12-21
Alias is back in this 3rd book of the trilogy that brings back the main storyline from the first book while introducing more about the background of Dragonbait's people.
Some unexpected surprises and subtle nods to interesting philosophical questions related to topics introduced in the first two books (Is it okay to date your ex's clone?)
First book is still the best of the series, but this one is worth the listen and makes me want to go back and read more past titles from the Forgotten Realms universe.
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The Wyvern's Spur
- Forgotten Realms: Finder's Stone, Book 2
- By: Kate Grubb, Jeff Novak
- Narrated by: Kristin Kalbli
- Length: 11 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 265
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 244
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 243
High fantasy doesn’t get better than this - revisit the classic Forgotten Realms in this 2nd book of the Finder’s Stone Trilogy by veteran authors Kate Novak and Jeff Grubb. More than a hunk of junk, the Wyvern’s Spur has moldered in a crypt for 15 generations until now. The Wyvernspur family’s powerful heirloom has been stolen, and grand wizard and patriarch Drone Wyvernspur is the first to fall to the ancient item’s curse. The family fool, Giogi, is left to find it, but even recovering the spur cannot guarantee his clan’s safety. Fortunately, the famous halfling bard Olive Ruskettle and a mysterious and talented mage named Cat are willing to help.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Comic Relief (Enjoy Mat Cauthon you'll like this!)
- By Christian B on 02-25-13
- The Wyvern's Spur
- Forgotten Realms: Finder's Stone, Book 2
- By: Kate Grubb, Jeff Novak
- Narrated by: Kristin Kalbli
Fairly Good Followup
Reviewed: 05-30-21
This is a fairly good followup to Azure Bonds, focusing on one of the books primary characters (Olive) and a minor character turned main character (Jiogi).
Alias is mentioned a few times, but this is as might have been expected, a continuation of the Finder Stone which ends up in Jiogi's hands at the end of the 1st book.
Significantly more slapstick and love story elements than the first. A bit less "adventure" but plenty of good D&D monsters to be battled.
There is further mystery introduced to the questions started in the first book which are not brought to a conclusion in this one. Enough so that I am interested in starting the third soon.
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Azure Bonds
- Forgotten Realms: Finder's Stone, Book 1
- By: Kate Novak, Jeff Grubb
- Narrated by: Kristin Kalbli
- Length: 14 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 461
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 423
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 423
Her name is Alias, and she is in big trouble. She is a sell-sword, a warrior-for-hire, and an adventuress. She awoke with a series of twisting, magical blue sigils inscribed on her arms and no memory of where she got them. Determined to learn the nature of the mysterious tattoo, Alias joins forces with an unlikely group of companions: the halfling bard, Ruskettle, the southern mage, Akabar, and the oddly silent lizard-man, Dragonbait.
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5 out of 5 stars
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A Gift That's Kept on Giving
- By Got My Book on 06-22-16
- Azure Bonds
- Forgotten Realms: Finder's Stone, Book 1
- By: Kate Novak, Jeff Grubb
- Narrated by: Kristin Kalbli
A Taco Bell 5-Star
Reviewed: 05-21-21
If you are reading reviews on this book before you buy it, then I already know you are going to enjoy this book. It is a solid Forgotten Realms fantasy book with a an unfolding mystery surrounding a set of unique characters.
In addition to sword fights, magic spells, monsters, and the unfolding adventurer's tales, the book will immerse you in what it would be like to live in the Forgotten Realms as you overhear gossip, attend weddings, rub shoulders with the public, and catch glimpses of the thoughts of nobility and merchants.
It also has subtle nods to D&D campaign flavor as characters check for coin and magic items after encounters.
Just like a trip to Taco Bell, you know what you are getting. This book is not high class literature and it is unlikely to win prestigious awards... but if you're in the mood for a Bean Burrito, some Mexi-Fries, and a Baha Blast.. well, this will leave you satiated.
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4 people found this helpful
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Norse Mythology
- By: Neil Gaiman
- Narrated by: Neil Gaiman
- Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 69,786
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 62,477
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 62,193
Neil Gaiman has long been inspired by ancient mythology in creating the fantastical realms of his fiction. Now he turns his attention back to the source, presenting a bravura rendition of the great northern tales. In Norse Mythology, Gaiman fashions primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds; delves into the exploits of the deities, dwarves, and giants; and culminates in Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods and the rebirth of a new time and people.
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5 out of 5 stars
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A Comedy-Tragedy of Gods Giants Dwarfs & Monsters
- By Jefferson on 02-24-17
- Norse Mythology
- By: Neil Gaiman
- Narrated by: Neil Gaiman
Norse mythology plain and simple
Reviewed: 05-08-21
This was my introduction to classic Norse mythology, and I have learned I am not a fan of classic Norse mythology.
However, I am a fan of Neil Gaiman and I learned something.. so giving 4 instead of 3 stars.
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Canticle
- Forgotten Realms The Cleric Quintet Book 1
- By: R. A. Salvatore
- Narrated by: Victor Bevine
- Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,457
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,296
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,304
High in the Snowflake Mountains sits the Edificant Library, a place of scholarly study for priests, bards, and others. Now from the hidden vaults beneath the library a devastating curse is unleashed, and a young cleric must battle the terrifying creatures set loose by a malevolent, consuming essence that's been released, before his own brethren turn against him. Cadderly must put his studies to the test and enter the catacombs far below to save his brothers and himself.
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5 out of 5 stars
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loved it
- By Josh Collins on 03-17-17
- Canticle
- Forgotten Realms The Cleric Quintet Book 1
- By: R. A. Salvatore
- Narrated by: Victor Bevine
Good Story Deeply Embedded im Forgotten Realms
Reviewed: 04-28-21
This was an OK story by Salvatore. Not his best work, but it is deeply embedded in Forgotten Realms mythos, dipicting clerics and undead, wizards and imps, dwarves, druids, and monks... all centered around an ancient library. This focus on familiar themes and hearing the author's approach to the lore was enjoyable for me.
Unfortunately, I found unusual mistakes by an otherwise high quality performance to be distracting.
This includes:
* occasional strange pauses that place emphasis on the wrong words ("..it curved around her neck [pause] and shoulders.")
* missing pauses at "dinkas transitions", making it difficult to realize the setting or point of view has changed
* use of unusual pronunciation ("it was a culmination of his lived experiences" pronouncing lived with a hard i.)
These minor but unusual mistakes were a distraction and took away from the story flow and an otherwise strong performance by Bevine.
This is the first book of a trilogy. And while I did enjoy listening, I am not particularly motivated to listen to the continuation of the story.
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4 people found this helpful