A King's Ransom Audiobook By Sharon Kay Penman cover art

A King's Ransom

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A King's Ransom

By: Sharon Kay Penman
Narrated by: Emily Gray
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This long-anticipated sequel to the national best sellerLionheart is a vivid and heart-wrenching story of the last event-filled years in the life of Richard, Coeur de Lion. Taken captive by the Holy Roman Emperor while en route home - in violation of the papal decree protecting all crusaders - he was to spend fifteen months imprisoned, much of it in the notorious fortress at Trefils, from which few men ever left alive, while Eleanor of Aquitaine moved heaven and earth to raise the exorbitant ransom.

For the five years remaining to him, betrayals, intrigues, wars, and illness were ever present. So were his infidelities, perhaps a pattern set by his father’s faithlessness to Eleanor. But the courage, compassion, and intelligence of this warrior king became the stuff of legend, and A King’s Ransom brings the man and his world fully and powerfully alive.

©2014 Sharon Kay Penman (P)2014 Recorded Books Biographical Fiction Genre Fiction Political Tearjerking
Vivid Characters • Engaging Storyline • Brilliant Performance • Meticulous Research • Compelling Storytelling
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Enjoyed the tale and found the narrator very good. I am a fan of the author, so was very please to listen to the story.

Great story and narration

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Enjoyed the whole series.
Not a fan of the narrator. Voice sounded like it was faked husky sounding.

Enjoyed the series

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Loved this story and narration was well suited. Richard the Lionheart came to life! Bravo!

Enjoyed immensely!

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Emily Gray gives a wonderful performance. Bringing characters to life and making the high drama of court real. I recommend this book and its prequel: Lionheart. 5 stars for both books.

Great Book!

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Loved this sequel! The characters are all well worked into the story line and really come to life. Even with the constant battles, multiple locations, I was captured in the story through out. The author brings the characters to life so vividly you can't help feel their struggles, joys and frustration. Lionheart was a true warrior. If you love history, especially the Angevin dynasty, this books for you.

Heart felt battle of life

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Penman never fails to bring the past to rich and vivid life! Incredible story, brilliantly researched, and beautifully executed. The narrator does a great job with voices but seriously needs to brush up on her Middle English pronunciations... it's enough to drive you to distraction, listening to her mispronounce "certes" every second sentence. And Audible left out the Afterword AND the Author's Note! for shame. it's like skipping the dessert after a good dinner! it's a good thing i already own this on paper so I can go read those.

stunning story

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Would you consider the audio edition of A King's Ransom to be better than the print version?

NO. Penman's writing is so crisp, so clear, so colorful. This is the first audio of hers I've listened to and I was disappointed. King Richard sounded like Thurston Howell III on painkillers and Richard's queen Berengaria's voice was so simpering and insipid I wanted to scream every time she had dialogue.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Joanna of course.

Would you be willing to try another one of Emily Gray’s performances?

No thank you.

Who was the most memorable character of A King's Ransom and why?

Eleanor of course. What an amazing woman she was!!!

unfortunate narration

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I read Here Be Dragons many years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the series. I'd love to hear it in Audible since Diabetes is affecting my sight these days. In the meantime, this series will have to be revisited.

So glad the story was finally written.

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This author does lots of research then presents the facts in novel form. This means there is distortion do to adding personality. So you will learn a lot of history in an enjoyable way, but there is some bias on who is the hero and who the bad guy.

Educational

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What made the experience of listening to A King's Ransom the most enjoyable?

The relationship King Richard and his mother had, so touching!

Who was your favorite character and why?

King Richard, because he was such a warrior and Protector of England.

Which character – as performed by Emily Gray – was your favorite?

Queen Eleanor

Who was the most memorable character of A King's Ransom and why?

Joanna, she was so kind to everyone.

Any additional comments?

I was disappointed that Bengaria was not spoke off in the end.

Absolutely AMAZING!!!!

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