Dreams of beyond the Wilds

Beautifully written and exquisitely narrated, this is one of those books for which I wish there was an additional star of special merit to be given.
The reader is introduced to Indra, a trusted servant in the House of Saffron, which lies within the Sovereign City. The Sovereigns lead a life of indolence and wealth, a matriarchal society, with servants to do their every bidding or suffer harsh and immediate punishment. But to be a servant in the City is a position much sought after because these favoured ones are able to take food and medicines back to their families, provisions much needed in the villages of the Outliers. Every day, Indra and her friend make the journey to and from the City, facing ferocious beasts and the even more dangerous men of the Fortis, the tribe surrounding the City walls who also provide the guards.
Saffron, Indra's mistress, is considered to be one of the kinder Soveriegns, but within the City things are changing and life is becoming more difficult for the Outliers working there.

Told in the first person by Indra herself, narrator Grace Sylvan becomes the young woman as she tells of her life, her fears and her remeberances, good as well as bad. And of the times of shame she encounters, her feelings of guilt and those of love. Read with a gently accented voice, Ms.Sylvan reads with a delicacy, every sentence beautifully intoned and reflecting the text. It is a remarkable performance which further breathes life into this already well characterized woman.
I would be remiss if I did not also mention the excellent world building of this novel, plus the images of the lands within which it is set are vividly painted into the reader's mind's eye. Stunning.

I was very fortunate in being freely gifted a complimentary copy of The Outliers, by the rights holder, at my request via Audiobook Boom. Thank you so much. I understand that this is the first in a series and very much hope that the next book will soon be brought out in Audio. If it matches the quality of this book, it will be well worth waiting for.

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Love the story!

I absolutely love everything Kate L. Mary does, and this novel is no exception. She is able to capture the listener with well-developed characters and worlds. The class system brings my thoughts to present time, and it is scary to imagine that it might become a reality at some point. Indra is a strong young woman who is easily relatable seeing that she still has her flaws, just like everyone else. All in all, I strongly recommend this audiobook and everything else by this awesome author.

If I have to complain about something it will be that I don't really feel that the narrator did the book justice. She feels older than Indra, in the way she sounds and portrays the characters. I also found it quite difficult to hear the difference between the characters. However, she has a lovely, soothing voice which I think would be perfect when it comes to storytelling and fairytales. Keep in mind that this is my personal opinion, and you might love the way she narrates!

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a world a new

kate L Mary doesn't disappoint. she created a post apocalyptic world that is filled with three classes of people. There are the top spoiled fat tier, the guards for them, and those who serve them. she creates a story you can taste, touch, and smell as you listen. take an adventure by listening today.

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Enthralling Listen

I would say that I am veracious reader and listener and get through a few books/ Audio books a week. I have eclectic tastes which range from Jeffrey Archer to Stephen King, My main genres are Fantasy and Sci-fi.

I contacted the author on social media who very kindly gave me a copy of the book.

This book had me captured immediately and I found myself needing to listen to it when ever I can I even connected it to my TV so I could listen to it whilst Zwifting.

As ever when reviewing an audio book the narration can make or break even the best of books. I had not heard of Grace Sylvan before listening to this audiobook she has a very distinctive voice and I couldn't place the accent but she really brings the characters to life and draws you into the world that Kate L Mary has created. The recording is high quality with no background noise or pauses between recording session.

So onto the actual book this is billed as a Saga and if the first book is anything to go by it is going to be amazing. This story is set in a post apocalyptic dystopian future with a caste based system. Kate L Mary creates a vivid world which came alive as I listened, I haven't felt as taken into a world since Brandon Sanderson Stormlight Archives. The language is detailed without being over complicated the names and characters are introduced in a way which are easy to follow.

The story is told from a first person perspective and you can really feel and empathise with the main character and those around her in a way which is rare in most books.

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Old World Post Apocalypse Problems... new Century.

I received this book via a free promo code and this is my voluntary review.

****TRIGGER WARNING: RAPE****

When some awful WW3 style conflict destroys the world... the remainder of the human race has become Sovereign (your typical blue blood snobby 1%) and Forties (those who live outside the gates protecting the Walled Cities inhabited by Sovereigns... probably close to what would have once been soldiers, fighters or guards to protect their settlements from threats in the past only now its mutated giant animals) and Outliers.. those who live on their own terms outside the cities... but are now treated like indentured servants. Families from her village have been bound to a Sovereign family, inheriting their parents roles within the households, often mistreated and under threat of new legislation which would give them slave status and make them even more vulnerable to Sovereign abuse.

She is from the Winta Tribe, one of several such tribes which rarely mix outside the walls even though inside the Cities they all share a lowly status.

This is how Indra became a house servant in the Sovereigns household, her time hasn't been easy.. shes been beaten, treated like chattel, and her mistresses son has abused her in the past, even forcing other maids like her out of service when he has made them pregnant. The furies of the Sovereigns are not her only problem... Forties Guards regularly abuse their position, and use tormenting the Outliers as sport.

Asa is a Forties guard who comes to Indras rescue one afternoon, even though he is above her in the twisted Caste System. The kind where outlier children have their hands cut off if accused of theft, where guards strip search women with impunity, where masters of their houses routinely abuse their position for carnal purposes. Indra's compliant nature only comes because she has the maturity to adapt like water, she does what she can to survive.

New laws are being passed every day, each more humiliating than the last, and now accommodations are being built to keep the worker outliers imprisoned in Forties village Indra knows they are running out of time. After another enduring a violation to protect her by the cruel son of her Mistresses House and an even greater loss... she begins to give more serious consideration to the realization she's had that Outliers, as scattered as their tribes were.... greatly outnumbered both the Forties and the Sovereign.

My only comment would be that the Narrator's accent was a little grating at first but the story is so good I had to kept going.

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This is oone hell oof a book

On the surface this seems to be totally predictable but it is not. Sure there are some elements in it that are cliche but overall I think it’s one of the better novels in its genre reflecting prejudice and overcoming suffering. indeed, becoming stronger because of the suffering that goes on throuughout this book. I need to read the second book just to see what happens next.

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Absolutely loved it!

I can honestly say this was one of the best audiobooks I have listened to! I had not previously heard of this author but was fortunate to be given a free review copy at my request. I have voluntarily left this review and the opinions expressed are my own.

The characters are very well written and I really enjoyed the narrator. Some reviewers seem to not like the narrators accent but I think it really added to the story! I felt totally immersed in the dystopian world and really felt for the characters. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

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1 person found this helpful

A strong start to another impressive saga

I think this is about the third book now I have read/listened to by Kate L Mary and she is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors. The cover intrigued me and Is beautiful in it's own right. The novel was slow to begin with but this is where Kate L Mary builds the world and concept into the readers mind and I urge everyone to stay with the story .I adore that the main character is such a strong female and that this strength has been built from pain and life experience. As a reader you are drawn into Idra's story from the very beginning. Such a strong and powerful debut to what I can foresee as being another gripping collection. I was given this book by the author / narrator in exchange for an honest and unbiased review

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1 person found this helpful

Grabs your attention from beginning to end.

I love this book as it has everything from love, grief, greed, segregation, slavery, honour and strength against all odds. The devastating affect when a race has too much power. The author has a fantastic way of drawing the listener in and the narrator did a brilliant job of bringing the main characters to life. It' is a most have...you wont regret it.

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Interesting Concept....

I’m loving the characters in this book and the narrator has done an awesome job in drawing me into the atmosphere of the backdrop.
I like that there's scope for the series to go in many different directions as from book one there have been many doors left ajar. I found myself tearing up in the isles of Tescos at a certain part of the book in pure identification... I had to go sit down!!! powerful stuff.
Kate. l. Mary has an uncanny way of getting me to listen to different types of post apocolytic / dystopian novels that don't contain a zombie and have me loving them. She's an educator.
I can't recommend this book enough if your looking for a twisty ride with a not so predictable GPS. 10☆

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