Be Careful What You Pray For!

A whirlwind of scheming gods and mortals seeking either to go toe to toe with their deities or desperately trying to survive in a world sundered by their joint abuses. Wyrd Gods adds a whole new spin not just to the usual Fantasy novel tropes but also to our myths and legends of old.

Thrown into this pandaemonium are two beings, one a god who used to be human and one a dryad from another time. At odds with each other yet with their fates and their very beings inextricably entwined, they struggle for the dominance of self as they also strive to make sense of the world they find themselves in (at once familiar and yet terrifyingly changed). The implications of their situation may be further reaching than either could guess...

Fast paced, witty and sharp, this adventure is a must listen for anyone who is a fan of mythology (classic or contemporary) and has ever had an argument with that voice in their head and not been sure exactly who came out on top!

Having read the book first I can say Sarah Kempton's narration fits the tone and rythm of the text perfectly, her characterisations are identifiably engaging and she hits those points of wry humour and introspection with accurate subtlety.

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2 people found this helpful

good story of mixed mythology

was an enjoyable listen but inaccurate pronunciation of Greek names was annoying , will probably read the next one

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Not so Wyrd, but Awesome

I already knew the book was very good (read it last year), but Sarah's talent elevates its quality even higher! It's a must listen for anyone that loves fantastical and mythological stories (with an acute sense of humour)!

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must read (or listen!)

what a great book! love the description of the worlds as well as the characters. the way the story develops, submerging you into the character's life stories, as well as their surroundings, makes it magical (wish I was there! but in some way, I was and it was beautiful) cannot wait for the next one!

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A mischievous take on mythology

Engaging from the beginning and entertaining throughout, Psyche's journey through the Norse Underworld is an intellectual workout with an emotional payoff and plenty of sarcasm along the way.

Sarah Kempton's narration fits the narrative perfectly.

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Wyrd & Impressive

I’ve tried a few different audiobooks, but nothing’s kept my attention for the full span. I’m much better at taking in stories by the written word. Wyrd Gods broke that cycle and kept me coming back for more. A combination of Imaginário’s writing style and Kempton’s impeccable narration make this a definite go-to if, like me, you’ve struggled in the past.

I’ve always been intrigued by the complex deity structure of the old worlds and that complexity shines through here. This is not a story you can just glaze over or scan, there is a depth which needs to be concentrated on, and that is what makes this so consistently intriguing. There are a lot of characters, many of them you probably know of, but unless you’re highly-researched, there will be new deities to keep track of. In the audiobook version, Kempton’s varying accents and nuances really do help with this.

Although much of the lore and characters are borrowed, Imaginário has managed to make this world unique, especially in the way she amalgamates the different god systems. The characterisation is brilliant – particularly impressive are the fractured psyches of our MC(s) and how these are managed from a first-person perspective.
What more can I say? If you’re into your Greek, Roman, Norse or any other system involving flawed and interesting gods, look no further. If you’re into speculative fiction or fantasy, this has you covered and I highly recommend you give it a try.
Wyrd Gods shows a mastery of imagination which any reader should revel in and any writer should aspire to, if they can overlook the jealousy.

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Mythology-inspired and character-driven fantasy

I have read all the other reviews which describe and praise this audiobook perfectly. Hence I am trying to work out what my review can constructively add.

Let’s start with the author - Susana Imaginario (great name) You can tell instantly that Susana is an intelligent, skilled and creative writer who is brilliant at dialogue. There are hints of Pratchett, Gaiman and Robert Aspin in her work. Please note I say hints, Susana writing style and voice is all her own.

The greatest praise I can give Susana is that I can see ( or is that hear) her work being dramatised and read on Radio 4 or Radio 4 extra . It’s that good and that high of a standard.

Which leads me onto the narrator Sarah Kempton. This is the first time I have heard Sarah, and I could instantly see why Susana picked her to do the narration. Sarah not only enhances the story she brings it alive. Is there any better feedback for a narrator?

If you like your fantasy to be hack and slash , then this is not the audiobook for you. If you like your fantasy, intelligently written, character driven and full of Mythology (though not quite in the way you would imagine) then download it now and treat yourself to a wonderful ( and moderately guilt) indulgence.

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Gods and goddesses abound intriguingly

I admit to having already read three of the books in the Timeless series, of which this is the first. Life is short and you can only read so many books in a lifetime, so re-reading doesn't happen often - after all you know the story from first time.

Such is the complexity and cleverness of the set-up Susana Imaginario uses in this series that the reader will be changing allegiance, thinking of a solution only to find something different is a better answer and feeling frustrated and satisfied at the same time. The main character is a goddess trapped in a mortal body and this book follows her passage through the world of conflict between gods, mythical beings and mortal races both emotionally and geographically. Who can she trust? Who will help and who will hinder? Will gods and creatures live up to their reputations? Will good or evil prevail? Who is good and who is evil? These are just some of the questions that drive this story with a pleasing pace.

I give fair warning that this is adult science fantasy with several sex scenes included and swearing too. The sex is part of the story arc and sensitively as well as graphically described.

What pleased me most on this experience of it was spotting the clues and relevance of characters and scenes which come into play in later books. I admire the overall plan and do urge you to read or listen to this book first in the series.

The other enhancement is Sarah Kempton's narration which clearly distinguishes characters by use of UK regional accents and I had no trouble knowing when male or female characters were speaking. Her understanding of their backstory and personality brought them to vivid life. As this is a wide range of entities and the narration was also clearly apart from the dialogue, this is an admirable achievement. I am pleased to see that she will also be narrating the next in the series.

I suspect you will be listening to this again when you have followed the stories through the others in the Timeless series. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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First audio book , brilliant.

Really enjoyed listening to this book, but I want to learn much more. A new twist on figures from Norse mythology.

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great book

ive read the book and now the audio book. the voice actor is great and really gives an immersive experience.
i recommend this book and looking forward to the next one!

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3 people found this helpful