House of Eight Orchids Audiobook By James Thayer cover art

House of Eight Orchids

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House of Eight Orchids

By: James Thayer
Narrated by: Will Damron
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In 1912, John Wade and his brother, William - children of the American consul - were kidnapped off the street in Chungking, China, and raised in the house of Eunuch Chang, the city's master criminal. Twenty-five years later, John is the eunuch's most valuable ward, a trained assassin and swindler, and William has become a talented forger.

On the brink of World War II, China is in chaos. When William betrays Eunuch Chang and escapes to central China, a place of ferocious warlords and bandits, John begins a desperate search to save his brother, while Eunuch Chang hunts them both.

©2016 James Thayer (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved. Crime Thrillers Historical International Mystery & Crime Mystery Thriller Thriller & Suspense Fiction China Crime Suspense Exciting
Excellent Writing • Captivating Storyline • Masterful Narration • Rich Historical Detail • Unique Premise • Perfect Tone
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I almost don't know where to begin. I enjoyed this book but it sure was not what I expected it to be.
I expected a high tension lots of action kind of book. What this is is a book about a grown man who along with his brother was kidnapped in China when he was a 5 year old child, his brother was 2. They were then raised by their abductor as his sons, a man who dealt with the seedier side of life in Chunking. He learned to be an assassin and his brother a forger. About the time the protagonist (John) turned 29 he became disillusioned with his "adopted " father and tries to escape but of course things go very wrong. The remainder of this book deals with him trying to rescue his brother and retribution against the man who stole him and then raised him as his own into a life without morals which he realizes are is not what he wants and that he actually has an innate sense of ethics that he would like to explore.
The fact that it takes place during WWI almost has no bearing on the story except that in a few instances different members of the military help him after he has proven himself not to be a threat to them. However when reading it it almost sounds timeless and any date or assistance could have been used.
This book is well written and moves along at a good pace but high action it's not.
Will Damron does a great job narrating. I would definitely listen to other books narrated by him.
I purchased this book on sale for $4.95 and if you read this review while it is still on sale I would HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you purchase this. However I do think it is also good enough to be worth a credit.
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Good but not what I was expecting...

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I fully enjoyed listening to this book. The story held my interest and I was very pleased with the performance. I have been reading my books i with the Kindle and really was able to see the books story as it was really sad to me.

Like going to the movies

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This is so close to having the ability of a true story! I was hooked on every word. So freaking intense! The weirdest part, I only cried at the very end, well almost the end. Never leave a man behind!

Intense!

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Fairly good character development. Good story. Entertaining listening. History and action. Looking forward to sequel.

Good listen.

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Great adventure story with a mix of eastern culture and pre WWII history at the core, some very action-packed characters you both love and love to hate. Will Damron is masterful. Sadly, no more of James Thayer in audiobooks.

A wonderfully exotic adventure

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Absolutely the best book I've read (listened to) this year! Will Damron's narration was some of the best I've ever listened to. James Thayer's story is unique and memorable. His words are so descriptive it's like watching a movie in your head.

Couldn't put this down!

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I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Kept my interest all the way. Highly recommend the author and narrator

Loved it!

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Slow in the beginning but definitely worth it, I was left wanting to hear more!

Power through the beginning but happy at the end.

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This is my first book by this author and I really appreciate how he is graphic without being gross. The story deals realistically with a brutal time in China and how we are shaped by our environment to think and act in certain ways yet it is important to question what is truly right. The characters are real and the story compelling.

Compelling listen

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Brother love ❤️ and loyalty in China. Kidnapped brothers make good students. Ownership trumps family among thieves and soldiers until one is seduced by beautiful star of the Silver Screen of the Orient

Very good

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