Fantastic narration by Vikas Adam.

Forget the comparisons…..read/listen for the pure art of storytelling.
You will not be disappointed.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Very similar to NOTW, but it has its differences.

The similarities between NOTW and the first binding are massive. It does have its variations, but the overall story arc of his younger self is almost identical. If you liked NOTW, personally I’d give it a listen because you will enjoy, although you will be constantly comparing it. The end of the book does lead you to think the second instalment is going to be different.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Glorious Narration

First up, the narration. Vikas Adam is devine. The characters both male and female, young and old were clear and discernable without being cliché. He gives each character life and form, his accents were absolute perfection. It's a smooth almost soothing listen for such a long story. First class performance.

The story. There are really very few original story arcs in the fantasy genre. They usually follow similar lines in one way or another. That's why something so unique as Patrick Rothfuss’ ‘Name of the wind’ series stands out so much. I went into this trying to give the benefit of the doubt and not compare the two, but after a while it was struggle. There really are too many "similarities" here that it's almost impossible to ignore which is such a shame because I don't think it was the intention.

It's good story, it really is. Sadly because NOTW is so popular and loved this isn't getting the credit it's due. If the format could have been changed to be less copy, more nod, then I think it would be getting better reviews, but relying on a cultural twist to differentiate it isn't enough. It feels far too much like the same story in a different dress sometimes. Which is a shame, because it could be a wonderful story on its own with it without the similarities.

I have read and listened to both now and honestly, I really liked it. I recommend you give it a go and enjoy it for what it is, a colourful engaging and sometimes heartbreaking beginning to what I hope becomes a more original story as it goes. Give it a chance.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

slow, good, silar

slow to start, but then gets good. quite a lot of similarities to another well known series, but enjoyable nonetheless!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

seems a bit familiar

Really enjoyed the story, but painfully similar to Name or The Wind which was a bit distracting,

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Good writing but needs to use his own ideas

I tried but couldn’t finish this. I found it very derivative from Patrick Rothfuss’ ‘Name of the wind’ series even down to the protagonist being socially unacceptable, time with theatre folk, street living, aiming for acceptance at the ashram (read arcanist university) and an enigmatic girl turning up. Even the magic described used similar mind beliefs alar/folding and binding/sympathy. Patrick did it better and created more believable characters. Narrator was good.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

9 people found this helpful

Beautifully Written

A overall really good book with good foreshadowing done by the real time characters.
A lot of people and me including will compare it to The Name of the Wind. It has similarities but also really is its own book. And a good book at that. This is what I hope the first book in a long series.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Got 30 hours in and gave up

It's like Name Of The Wind if it was written by a much worse author. I don't think it's plagiarism like others just not good

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Fantastic debut

Phenomenal fantasy debut that takes clear inspiration from Patrick Rothfuss’ The Name of the Wind but still stands on its own completely. I had a fantastic time with the characters, plot, worldbuilding and themes of storytelling and “the making of a legend”.
My only two complaints are the length that definitely could’ve benefited from another round of editing, as well as the narration of the audiobook. Although the narrator did an overall decent job I really didn’t like the voice he put on for the female characters, especially Eloine. In fact it made me dislike her character, which obviously wasn’t the intended effect.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

could not finish this one.

All legends are born of truths. And just as much lies. These are mine. Judge me for what you will. But you will hear my story first.

I buried the village of Ampur under a mountain of ice and snow. Then I killed their god. I've stolen old magics and been cursed for it. I started a war with those that walked before mankind and lost the princess I loved, and wanted to save. I've called lightning and bound fire. I am legend. And I am a monster.

My name is Ari.

And this is the story of how I let loose the first evil.

My comments:

I could not get into this one, the thought of reading another 40 or so hours I just could not face. Got a couple of hours in however could not see where the story was going and i'm not a fan of the stories within stories format. I would not have even got as far as I did if it were not for trying it due to a book club. Don't like not being able to finish a book however this one was just not for me. I did however like Viccus Adam the reader, never had him before however he did a grate job with the different voices for the characters again. People have told me this book does get better so might try it again in the future.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!