Christine
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To the Sun
- The Circle of Ceridwen Saga, Book Eleven
- By: Octavia Randolph
- Narrated by: Nano Nagle
- Length: 15 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 57
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 56
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 56
On Gotland Sidroc wakes from a disturbing dream; one of his sons, Hrald or Yrling–perhaps both–are in trouble. Both are in far-off Angle-land, and beyond his reach. Eskil the Svear sails to the island, offering Sidroc a rare opportunity to gain untold riches, with equal risk to life for those joining the venture. Edwin, Lord of Kilton, returns empty-handed from his search for a bride, while his brother Ceric knows true delight with his young wife Dwynwen, the Princess of Ceredigion.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Fabulous narration to a great book
- By Krista on 10-25-24
- To the Sun
- The Circle of Ceridwen Saga, Book Eleven
- By: Octavia Randolph
- Narrated by: Nano Nagle
Awesome as Always!
Reviewed: 09-18-24
To the Sun is another fantastic addition to not only my all time favorite series, but my all time favorite story. Octavia Randolph is such an incredible author that her writing goes beyond story telling. Her writing is a work of art. Octavia paints such vivid descriptions that encompass all of the senses transporting one to Europe in the Middle Ages. I actually feel as though I’m there watching the story play out as a bystander!
Every book within The Circle of Ceridwen saga is a masterpiece and To the Sun is no exception. I was thrilled to hear there will be more books to come.
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1 person found this helpful
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Medea
- A Novel
- By: Eilish Quin
- Narrated by: Gail Shalan
- Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 71
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 66
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 66
Among the women of Greek mythology, the witch Medea may be the most despised. Known for the brutal act of killing her own children to exact vengeance on her deceitful husband, Jason, the leader of the Argonauts, Medea has carved out a singularly infamous niche in our histories.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Disappointing
- By Christine on 08-06-24
- Medea
- A Novel
- By: Eilish Quin
- Narrated by: Gail Shalan
Disappointing
Reviewed: 08-06-24
I hate to give a book a lesser rating when it is likely based on opinion & unmet expectations rather than the quality of the book itself. I understand this book is based on mythological characters. However, I was under the assumption the characters would be portrayed in a more realistic manner.
In this story, the characters maintained their mythological attributes which made it very unrealistic & unrelatable. Additionally, there was witchcraft & sorcery woven throughout as well as references to otherworldly creatures. I don’t mind some elements of witchcraft in historical fiction because I realize these practices were not uncommon throughout history, but here it all seemed very farfetched.
Again, this might be an entertaining story for those who enjoy books based on mythology & fantasy, but it simply wasn’t my cup of tea. All that being said, I would like to add that the narrator was superb!
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13 people found this helpful
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Jezebel
- A Novel
- By: Megan Barnard
- Narrated by: Perdita Weeks
- Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 149
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 140
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 140
When Jezebel learns she can't be a king like her father simply because she’s a girl, she vows never to become someone’s decorative wife, nameless and lost to history. At fifteen she’s married off, despite her protests, to Prince Ahab of Israel. There, she does what she must to gain power and remake the dry and distant kingdom in the image of her beloved, prosperous seaside homeland of Tyre, beginning by building temples to the gods she grew up worshipping. As her initiatives usher in an era of prosperity for Israel, her new subjects love her, and her name rings through the land.
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5 out of 5 stars
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I came for Perdita and stayed for the story...
- By John A P on 09-09-23
- Jezebel
- A Novel
- By: Megan Barnard
- Narrated by: Perdita Weeks
Interesting Take On a Biblical Classic
Reviewed: 07-28-24
From start to finish this story had me hooked. Megan Barnard reimagines the story of Jezebel and offers a more sympathetic and complex character. Barnard’s account offers real world issues, such as the realities that could befallen a pre-arranged marriage not rooted in love, and post partum depression, to explain the actions of a notoriously evil and lecherous woman. Perdita Weeks does a superb narration. She is among the best I’ve ever heard. If historical fiction is your thing then you should definitely give this one a listen.
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1 person found this helpful
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The Wolf Den
- Wolf Den Trilogy
- By: Elodie Harper
- Narrated by: Antonia Beamish
- Length: 12 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 159
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 145
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 145
Sold by her impoverished mother. Enslaved in an infamous brothel in Pompeii. Determined to fight for her freedom at all costs. . . . Enter into the Wolf Den.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Such a good story
- By Amazon Customer on 10-14-24
- The Wolf Den
- Wolf Den Trilogy
- By: Elodie Harper
- Narrated by: Antonia Beamish
Mesmerizing!
Reviewed: 07-10-24
I haven’t enjoyed a book series this much since The Circle of Ceridwen saga. Transfixed by the captivating storyline & stellar narration, I couldn’t put it down.
I basically listened to this series straight through as each book flowed into the next maintaining its grip the entire way through.
The descriptive narrative transported me back to Pompeii bringing alive the sights, sounds, and the smells of the ancient city. I felt as if I was a bystander watching the story play out before me.
If historical fiction is your thing, The Wolf Den series is sure to please.
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River God
- Ancient Egypt, Book 1
- By: Wilbur Smith
- Narrated by: Mark Meadows
- Length: 28 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 395
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 332
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 334
Taita is a humble slave, an expert in art, poetry, medicine and engineering as well as keeping important secrets. He is the most treasured possession of Lord Intef. Yet when Intef's beautiful daughter, Lostris, is married to the Pharaoh, Taita is commanded to follow her and swiftly finds himself deeper than he ever could have imagined in a world of deception and treachery. But outside the palace, the great kingdom of Egypt is divided and in even greater danger. Enemies threaten on all sides, and only Taita holds the power to save them all....
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4 out of 5 stars
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Abridged
- By LM on 04-01-19
- River God
- Ancient Egypt, Book 1
- By: Wilbur Smith
- Narrated by: Mark Meadows
Intrigue & Action
Reviewed: 04-29-24
A great story based in ancient Egyptian times that offers romance, palace intrigue, & plenty of battle action. There’s something in it for everyone. I was captivated in the first chapter.
The only part of the story that turned me off were the numerous graphic descriptions of animals suffering whether it be in battle or during a hunt. It was a realistic portrayal of ancient war in a time of hand to hand combat & horse drawn chariots, but I could do without the lengthy & gruesome depictions hence the 4 star rating for story.
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Water Borne
- The Circle of Ceridwen Saga, Book 10
- By: Octavia Randolph
- Narrated by: Nano Nagle
- Length: 15 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 113
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 99
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Story5 out of 5 stars 99
Set high upon its seaside cliff, the hall of Kilton is racked by inner turmoil. Ceric, on the margin of sanity, finds strength and even bliss returning to him. But it is not without price, as his young brother Edwin, Lord of Kilton, grasps for a possession he never fully won.
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5 out of 5 stars
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fantastic story and collection
- By Missy L on 04-11-23
- Water Borne
- The Circle of Ceridwen Saga, Book 10
- By: Octavia Randolph
- Narrated by: Nano Nagle
Incredible As Always
Reviewed: 05-03-23
Another awesome book by Octavia Randolph!
Each book in the series is as good if not better than the last.
Nano Nagle provides a stellar narration once again
A wonderful series which I highly recommend!
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2 people found this helpful
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Blackberry and Wild Rose
- By: Sonia Velton
- Narrated by: Esther Wane, Shiromi Arserio
- Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,288
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,176
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,173
In 18th-century Spitalfields, London, Esther Thorel, wife of a master silk weaver, rescues Sara Kemp from a brothel. She thinks she is doing God's will, but her good deed is not returned. Sara quickly realizes that the Thorel household is built on hypocrisy and lies and soon tires of the drudgery of life as Esther's new lady's maid. As the two women's relationship becomes increasingly fractious, Sara resolves to find out what it is that so preoccupies her mistress.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Surprising !
- By RueRue on 08-22-19
- Blackberry and Wild Rose
- By: Sonia Velton
- Narrated by: Esther Wane, Shiromi Arserio
Wow! Just Wow!
Reviewed: 10-21-22
Fantastic book on so many levels!
Interesting & complex characters, great narration, great ending…..
Great story through & through.
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Stonehenge
- 2000 B.C.
- By: Bernard Cornwell
- Narrated by: George Guidall
- Length: 17 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4 out of 5 stars 270
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 236
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Story4 out of 5 stars 234
Four thousand years ago, three brothers grow up in a land that is now Britain. One becomes a warrior, ruthless in his pursuit of gold and power. One is a mystic who sees visions of the future and hears the gods speak to him. Between them stands Sagan, the gentle brother who will dedicate his life to building a temple he hopes will bring health and peace to the land.
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1 out of 5 stars
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A Total Diappointment.
- By JOANNE on 05-18-15
- Stonehenge
- 2000 B.C.
- By: Bernard Cornwell
- Narrated by: George Guidall
Enthralling!
Reviewed: 08-10-21
I have never read historical fiction based in a time so long ago. This story, based on one of the most fascinating prehistoric landmarks in Europe, had me captivated from the start. I have always enjoyed the storytelling of Bernard Cornwell, and this one meant all my expectations. George Guidall’s narration was superb. I hope to hear more from him in the future. I highly recommend!
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2 people found this helpful
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Sidroc the Dane: A Circle of Ceridwen Saga Story
- By: Octavia Randolph
- Narrated by: Nano Nagle
- Length: 16 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 462
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 421
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 419
A discarded child fated to become a powerful Jarl - here is the story of Sidroc. Fate guides the path of his father, Hrald, to his meeting with the woman whose son would help change the face of ninth-century Angle-land. An ever-growing rivalry between Sidroc and his cousin Toki defines the boys' early years. Their young uncle, Yrling, knows success as a raider in far-off Angle-land, and trains his nephews in the ways of the warrior. Ahead of them is the perilous crossing of the North Sea, which stands between them and the plunder they seek.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Oh, to be a character in this book!
- By KarenW on 06-03-18
- Sidroc the Dane: A Circle of Ceridwen Saga Story
- By: Octavia Randolph
- Narrated by: Nano Nagle
Tugs at the Heart
Reviewed: 02-24-20
The story of Sidroc is both heartbreaking and promising. One cannot help but feel for Sidroc, as his entire life was met by one challenge after another. Most pivotal was the disfiguring wound on his face inflicted by his cousin during his boyhood. Tragic as his childhood was, Sidroc had a unique way of viewing life, and despite his Viking tendencies to battle and pillaging, he treated others with a kindness one would never expect to find in such a character. The immoral acts he committed were pretty much excused by his innermost character traits, and one would likely find themselves routing for him to come out on top. The story was so good, I found myself not only listening to kill time sitting in traffic, but every time I had a free moment. I finished at record speed! Another aspect of this audiobook that deserves mention is the fantastic narration. This narrator is easily the best I’ve ever heard. Finally, the author does such a good job in painting the scenes that you’d almost feel like you were transported back to the days of Sidroc! The only complaint I would have is the way in which the story ended so abruptly, and there was such an open conclusion. I realize that the story will continue on in book one of the series, so all is good. I have already bought the entire series, so I’m ready to go!
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The Lost Queen
- A Novel
- By: Signe Pike
- Narrated by: Toni Frutin
- Length: 17 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,614
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 2,390
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,379
In a land of mountains and mist, tradition and superstition, Languoreth and her brother Lailoken are raised in the Old Way of their ancestors. But in Scotland, a new religion is rising, one that brings disruption, bloodshed, and riot. And even as her family faces the burgeoning forces of Christianity, the Anglo-Saxons, bent on colonization, are encroaching from the east. When conflict brings the hero Emrys Pendragon to her father’s door, Languoreth finds love with one of his warriors. Her deep connection to Maelgwn is forged by enchantment, but she is promised in marriage to Rhydderch, son of a Christian king.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Lost no more!
- By Beckersly on 09-13-18
- The Lost Queen
- A Novel
- By: Signe Pike
- Narrated by: Toni Frutin
Interesting Times
Reviewed: 12-16-19
Every aspect of this audiobook was fantastic! I thoroughly enjoyed the narrator, as she does a wonderful job bringing the unique personalities of the characters to life. The combination of the excellent writing, along with the fine narration, provide the listener the ability to easily paint rich mental imagery that not only enhance the story, but makes one feel they are in that moment, smelling the smells, feeling the elements, and hearing the sounds of sixth century Scotland. I am so happy to have been introduced to Languoreth, this lost but legendary queen. I have always been fascinated with the Druids, so it was nice to have finally read some historical fiction centered around this culture and these times. I look forward to reading the other books in this trilogy.
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