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A Shadow on the Glass

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A Shadow on the Glass

By: Ian Irvine
Narrated by: Grant Cartwright
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About this listen

 Once there were three worlds, each with their own human species. Then, fleeing out of the void came a fourth species, the Charon. Desperate and on the edge of extinction, they changed the balance between the worlds forever. Karan, a sensitive with a troubled heritage, is forced to steal an ancient relic in repayment of a debt. It turns out to be the Mirror of Aachan, a twisted, deceitful thing that remembers everything it has ever seen. At the same time, Llian, a brilliant chronicler, is expelled from his college for uncovering a perilous mystery. Thrown together by fate, Karan and Llian are hunted across a world at war, for the Mirror contains a secret that offers each species survival, or extinction ...©1998 Text copyright Ian Irvine (P)2010 Bolinda Publishing Classics Epic Epic Fantasy Fiction Fantasy
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Critic reviews

"Irvine's series opener promises a grand-scale epic fantasy that features a pair of unusual heroes and a complex world rich in history and variety. For most fantasy collections." (Library Journal)
"Compelling ... this stands out as a worldbuilding labour of love with some truly original touches." (Locus)
"Irvine has built a history and wonderful culture for his vivid world. His first novel vibrates with originality." (The West Australian)
"Ian Irvine is a great find! ...Complicated, and compelling." (Kate Elliott, author of King's Dragon)
“Arguably the most inventive fantasy author to emerge in recent years, Irvine can now consider himself comfortably ranked next to the works of Robert Jordan and David Eddings and, more appropriately, the mighty Anne McCaffrey. Formidable!” (SFX)
"Award-winning actor and narrator Grant Cartwright's semi-voiced reading captures the emotional edge of the hatreds and fears that motivate each character. He has a wide range of accents and voices which he uses effectively to convey the nuances of this complex tale." (SoundCommentary)
"In the first of the View from the Mirror quartet, Llian tells as his graduation story, the “Tale of the Forbidding.” Thus, he has become a chronicler, but his new ending to the tale has raised suspicions that he has uncovered dangerous truths. He is sent by his master on a quest that leads to a perilous journey. The pace of this story is uneven, but Grant Cartwright keeps it moving even when it lags. Cartwright, like Llian, is an engaging storyteller who shows enthusiasm for the events that unfold. As narrator, his characterizations of the numerous characters (of the human race and others) are resourceful." (AudioFile Magazine)

What listeners say about A Shadow on the Glass

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Profile Image for Caroline Owen

Brilliant

This book is brilliant.. An epic read with all the right elements of an adventure! I one hundred percent recommend it

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Clare

compelling and fascinating

I liked the cover for this book as it reminded me of something. It turned out that I had read this book about 5 years ago. This was not a disappointment though as the narrator has one of the best voices I have heard in a long time for an audio book. It is also a great story in its self and as always in books it nice to finally know how the names are pronounced I will definitely get the rest in the series on audible even thought I have read them as it is such a compelling book.

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7 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for E Groom

Good solid start to an enjoyable series

What made the experience of listening to A Shadow on the Glass the most enjoyable?

I read the books years ago and know that I enjoy Ian Irvine's writing. I didn't know if I would like the audiobook but it was actually very satisfying. The narator's interpretation of the text gave an added dimension to the experience. I know that I will complete the series....

Who was your favorite character and why?

Karan....of course. Altho I got quite cross with her occasionally.

Which character – as performed by Grant Cartwright – was your favourite?

see above..

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Profile Image for Mr J G Whitehead

More than a mirror, more than simple fantasy

What did you like most about A Shadow on the Glass?

The World created by Ian Irvine is sprawling, sets the scene and introduces you to the complex world of Santhanar one of the three world. A fantasy of epic proportions. Characters with real depth and history. I really sense of foreboding is installed for the upcoming books.

What other book might you compare A Shadow on the Glass to, and why?

Mt first foray into the sprawling grand fantasy. Closest I can think in similarity are the space operas of Ian Banks just on the scale of things. Unfortunately showing my lack of reading in this area

What does Grant Cartwright bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Grant brinks a power to emotional outburst of the characters, i real sense of frustration and viciousness to those that need it. His voice gives you more time to really imagine and see the world.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Do you know the Histories? the Great Tales? ...are you sure

Any additional comments?

A world that I've read all of the books set within it. deep and dark

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Profile Image for Emily

amazing book

I loved this book and thought the person reading it was great. not much could have been better

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Profile Image for StuartJAtkinson

Epic

An epic and enthralling fantasy. One of my favourite novels of all time stumbled upon in the charity shops of Robin Hoods Bay, England.

I am always amazed by the depth of the world and subtlety of the magic, things lost in the new TV age. Every time I listen to or read this series again I find a new subplot, place of interest or small character to understand and consider.

It is rare I am able to reread books as I have an idetic memory but Ian Irvines books are rich enough that I can and I love them for it.

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2 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Wendy

wonderful listen and good story

fabulous narrator and a good story. Will definitely get the next book it was a pleasure and Ihaving had books ruined because of poor narrator this narrator is simply outstanding.

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Profile Image for Wayne

Slow start but really grows on you

Great book as I said the book took time to really get going but once it did it is a brilliant read

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Profile Image for paul cook

fantastic story!

amazing story . great characters and was q pleasure to listen to it on audible after reading it 5 times already !

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Profile Image for John

Good book and excellent narration

I read this book about 10 years ago. I also read book 2 and half of book 3. I dercided to start again from the beginning and also decided to go for the audio book. The book itself is very good & I don't read many books, let alone a number of books in a series. The thing that made this audio book even better was the narration. The first thing I always do now when looking for an audio book is to listen to the sample and read reviews of the narration. As far as I am concerned the narration is a very big part of the book. No matter how good the story is, if the narration is monotone and boring you simply woin't finish the book.

So yes you guessed it. As far as I'm concerned the narration in this series is first class. Grant puts on the voices of a wide range of charachters which adds greatly to the reading.

I would highly recommend this book and the narrator.

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6 people found this helpful