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Kingdom of Shadows

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Kingdom of Shadows

By: Barbara Erskine
Narrated by: Charlie Norfolk
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About this listen

Gorgeous repackage of Barbara Erskine’s first novel, blending history, family legacy and contemporary passion

In a childless and unhappy marriage, Clare Royland is rich and beautiful – but lonely. And fueling her feelings of isolation is a strange, growing fascination with an ancestress from the distant past. Troubled by haunting inexplicable dreams that terrify – but also powerfully compel – her, Clare is forced to look back through the centuries for answers.

In 1306, Scotland is at war. Isobel, Countess of Buchan, faces fear and the prospect of untimely death as the fighting surrounds her. But passionate and headstrong, her trials escalate when she is persecuted for her part in crowning Robert the Bruce, her lover.

Duncairn, Isobel's home and Clare's beloved heritage, becomes a battleground for passions that span the centuries. As husband Paul's recklessness threatens their security, Clare must fight to save Duncairn, and to save herself from the powers of Isobel…

©2021 Barbara Erskine (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Romance War & Military Marriage War
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What listeners say about Kingdom of Shadows

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The uUncertainties of Time

Who are we in essence?
Kingdom of Shadows cleverly probes many aspects of being.
Yet leaves them mysteriously incomplete.
Thankfully!

I'm no expert, but this fascinating story, which is well read, successfully keeps one gripped to the end.

Thank you Barbara Erskine.

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A good book but too long

I really enjoyed the historical side to the story. But honestly got sick to death of Clares current world pathetic behaviour. Difficult to rationalise that the two were related.

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Compelling listen

This is my first Barbara Erskine novel and wow what a find. The narrator was top notch.
Kept me awake for several nights listening. I am now on my third BE book and i would definitely recommend this book and so far all the books i have of her. Sit back, listen and enjoy ++++++

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Excellent narration

In my opinion one of the best Barbara Erskine novels.
The story is very well presented here, and the narrator is very skilled.

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Wonderfully exciting

I'm so glad this book was obtained by Audible. I think it's the best Barbara Erskine book by far. The excitement and action starts very quickly, and goes on until the very end. The book is read very well by Charlie Norfk, who brings all the characters
to life, with her great voice range. I highly recommend this book.

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The amazing narrative

I adored the story kept me awake at night and had me crying and scared in equal measure

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Pronunciation

For information for the narrator- Fraserburgh is pronounced Fraser-Borough not Fraserburg …. It’s annoying when you live locally . 😉

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A story to get sucked in to

Give me a bit of history with a love story and youve got me hooked. A little bit drawn out but I enjoyed hearing about parts of the UK and some history around events. Ending was rather swift but that can be forgiven for all the build and backstory fill ins.

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Captivating

This book, so Beautifully written and beautifully narrated.
Thank you for creating such an amazing novel.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Gripping if dated: some dodgy pronunciation

I’ve always reckoned this was Barbara Erskine’s 2nd best book, with Lady of Hay as her best, so was pleased to find it finally recorded. It is a surprise to realise how much time has passed and attitudes changed, Clare’s subservience to her husband would seem irredeemably wet in 2024, and as for the attitudes of the men… I’m not knocking the narrator, who sounds young (that is an assumption based purely on her voice) but who may not have been the best choice for a story set partly in Scotland. But that’s not her fault. Somebody booked her without checking if she could cope with the place names.

But why oh why, when so much of the story takes place in Scotland, was there nobody in the studio who knew how place names are pronounced, or at least had the common sense to check? She managed brilliantly with the Dewar of the Coigreach, no mean feat, but struggled with contemporary places. A couple of examples, Brechin seems to have moved into Wales as part of the Brecon Beacons. The latter part of Fraserburgh is pronounced here like iceberg, yet she coped with Edinburgh. And it’s not just places either, e.g Beauchamp becomes Bow-sham. Quite a few, basic but intensely irritating, which interrupts the flow of the story.

This happening more and more with narrators and sometimes it seems Audible just wants a conveyer belt of products without bothering much about details like their wider knowledge.. I’m sorry, I don’t want to be harsh but narrators unfamiliar with place names / pronunciation should be given editorial and production support, not just left to guess.

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