The Dark Thorn
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Narrated by:
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Nick Podehl
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By:
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Shawn Speakman
About this listen
Beneath the streets of Seattle, a long-forgotten war is about to be renewed...Richard McAllister, a spiritually destitute homeless man and Knight of the Yn Saith, protects one of seven portals linking his world to that of Annwn, where the fey Tuatha de Dannan of antiquity have been relegated by a long-running religious war. Unknown to Richard though, powerful forces are aligning against him and all he stands to keep safe.
In the wilds of a discarded world, Philip Plantagenet, son of Henry II, moves to claim a birthright nine centuries in the making, one that drives him to eliminate the Tuatha de Dannan - at any cost to both worlds. In the halls of Vatican City, Cardinal Vicar Cormac Pell O'Connor schemes to control the Heliwr - the Unfettered Knight - one who possesses the great power known as the Dark Thorn.
The three men are on a collision course with history - and their futures. For in the wilds of Annwn, death comes as easily as magic. Haunted by a past he can't forget and a knightly responsibility he can't shun, Richard is drawn into levels of machinations - and two worlds - far darker than any he has prepared for.
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By: Christie Golden
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Fatemarked
- The Fatemarked Epic, Book 1
- By: David Estes
- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
- Length: 19 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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They are the fatemarked. Misunderstood. Worshipped. Hated. Murdered at birth. Their time to step into the light has come. An ancient prophecy foretold their coming, the chosen few who will bring peace to a land embroiled in a century of mistrust and war. When kings start dying, that hope and belief swiftly turns to fear. Roan Loren is one of the fatemarked, but has hidden his mark of power his entire life, fearing the damage it might cause to those around him. A great evil is coming. He can't hide anymore.
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Written to fit an ideology, not the story it tells
- By znidarsic.blaz on 04-30-18
By: David Estes
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The Well of Eternity: Blizzard Legends
- World of Warcraft: War of the Ancients, Book One
- By: Richard A. Knaak
- Narrated by: Ramon De Ocampo
- Length: 12 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
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In the first chapter of this epic trilogy, the outcome of the historic War of the Ancients is forever altered by the arrival of three time-lost heroes: Krasus, the dragon mage whose great power and memories of the ancient conflict have inexplicably diminished; the human wizard Rhonin, whose thoughts are divided between his family and the seductive source of his now-growing power; and Broxigar, a weathered orc veteran who seeks a glorious death in combat.
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Be aware!
- By Anonymous User on 10-29-20
By: Richard A. Knaak
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Akiri: The Scepter of Xarbaal
- Akiri, Book 1
- By: Brian D. Anderson, Steven Savile
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
- Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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Akiri is a blistering new heroic fantasy novel from the multiple award-winning international best sellers Brian D. Anderson and Steven Savile who have come together to create the first adrenalin-filled standalone novel in Akiri's tortured world. Can one betrayal can save a kingdom? Will two destroy it?
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Buy this story!!!
- By wlantz on 11-02-16
By: Brian D. Anderson, and others
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New Spring
- The Wheel of Time Prequel
- By: Robert Jordan
- Narrated by: Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
- Length: 12 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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For three days battle has raged in the snow around the great city of Tar Valon. In the city, a foretelling of the future is uttered. On the slopes of Dragonmount, the immense mountain that looms over the city, a child is born, an infant prophesied to change the world. That child must be found before he can be killed by the forces of the Shadow.
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Read it after reading others in the series
- By Stacy Fair on 12-13-07
By: Robert Jordan
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Song of the Dragon
- The Annals of Drakis: Book One
- By: Tracy Hickman
- Narrated by: Phil Gigante
- Length: 15 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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Once Humans had a magical alliance with Dragons. Now they and the other races have been enslaved by the Rhonas Empire – the elves – and can’t even remember the world the way it used to be. But thanks to the intervention of one determined dwarf and the human slave warrior known as Drakis, all of that is about to change.
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Narrator is outstanding
- By Youngstafel on 09-02-11
By: Tracy Hickman
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Elseerian
- The Chronicles of Lumineia, Book 1
- By: Ben Hale
- Narrated by: Derek Perkins
- Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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The assassination of heroes was once a warning... for an invasion that nearly destroyed the world. Nations were slaughtered, cities were erased from existence, and defending armies were crushed into oblivion. In weeks, all life stood on the verge of extinction. But the end did not come. Instead the black horde vanished, leaving terrified survivors... and rumors. As the centuries passed the holocaust faded into legend, and finally myth. Across the southern sea a gifted young man is completing his training.
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Loved this book!
- By Andrew Stone on 10-06-13
By: Ben Hale
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Echoes of the Fourth Magic
- By: R. A. Salvatore
- Narrated by: Lloyd James
- Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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Jeff "Del" DelGuidice was proud of his assignment to the research submarine the Unicorn. But his mission had barely begun when the vessel was sucked into a mysterious undersea void where time stood still - before being propelled forward through the centuries. The crew surfaced in a strange, magical world changed forever by nuclear holocaust. Here a race of angelic beings had taken pity on the remnants of humankind, offering a chosen few a precious second chance.
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Good but not exceptional
- By Robert on 03-20-10
By: R. A. Salvatore
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Ascension
- The Trysmoon Saga, Book 1
- By: Brian K. Fuller
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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Gen was a bard's apprentice, his nimble hands meant for the lute and his voice for a song. Then the half-mad and completely bored Shadan Khairn invaded Gen's village to winter there and start a war. He shoved a sword in Gen's hands and tormented his body, shaping a bard into a warrior to be killed for sport. As the days of torture pile up like the snow, Gen searches for death. But the day is at hand when the shattered shards of the world will knit together again, and the world's slain god will be reborn.
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Fantastic Epic Fantasy
- By Andrew Stone on 05-14-15
By: Brian K. Fuller
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Age of Oracles: The Complete Trilogy
- Age of Oracles, Books 1–3
- By: Ben Hale
- Narrated by: Kate Reading
- Length: 35 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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With all of magic at her command, Alydian is born to power. She and the other oracles serve the people, guiding kings and commoners with their ability to know the future. Yet despite Alydian's power, she cannot foresee the coming betrayal, for a rogue mage lurks in their midst and plots an alliance with the mighty guild of Verinai. Under the guise of benevolence, the Verinai offer their magic to all, while their expanding reach is noticed by none—except the Soldier.
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A good series
- By Jes_074 on 10-09-24
By: Ben Hale
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Rhapsody
- Child of Blood
- By: Elizabeth Haydon
- Narrated by: Kevin T. Collins
- Length: 30 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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Rhapsody is a woman, a singer of some talent who is swept up into events of world-shattering import. On the run from an old romantic interest who won't take no for an answer, Rhapsody literally bumps into a couple of shady characters: half breeds who come to her rescue in the nick of time. Only the rescue turns into an abduction, and Rhapsody soon finds herself dragged along on an epic voyage--one that spans centuries and ranges across a wonder-filled fantasy world.
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Good story! Terrible narration.
- By CharmY2K on 04-30-15
By: Elizabeth Haydon
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Amber Magic
- Haven Series, Book 1
- By: B. V. Larson
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 5 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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The humans have no magic and are hunted for sport, but that is about to change. War is coming.... The Sun Dragon spawned nine lesser dragons which devoured their parent for the power the elder possessed. These young dragons fought for choice bits of the Sun Dragon, but each only managed to eat a portion, thus giving them specific powers. Over time, these foul dragons were hunted down and slain by heroes of old.
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Not Undying Mercenaries Thats for sure
- By John on 10-21-15
By: B. V. Larson
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Dragons of the Dwarven Depths
- The Lost Chronicles, Volume 1
- By: Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman
- Narrated by: Sandra Burr
- Length: 15 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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The companions believe they have slain the evil Dragon Highlord Verminaard. They have rescued the refugees from Pax Tharkas and taken them to a valley in the Kharolis mountains.
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Loved the book. Loathed the narrator.
- By Customer on 06-02-15
By: Margaret Weis, and others
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Pools of Radiance
- Forgotten Realms: The Pools, Book 1
- By: James M. Ward, Jane Cooper Hong
- Narrated by: Teresa DeBerry
- Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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The book of the Official Advanced Dungeons and Dragons computer game.
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Return of a Favorite
- By Christopher on 01-11-13
By: James M. Ward, and others
What listeners say about The Dark Thorn
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Amber Campbell
- 03-18-14
Wonderful Mix of Mythology with Fantasy
If you could sum up The Dark Thorn in three words, what would they be?
An outstanding read/listen
What other book might you compare The Dark Thorn to and why?
The Iron Druid Series, not in a similar way, other than the fae mythology both authors use in their stories. The Dark Thorn has a darker take on the mythology, that intertwines with a hidden side of catholicism. The Iron Druid series has a lighter take on the mythology, and brings in the mythologies of other cultures, including Christian.
How could the performance have been better?
I was not impressed with the narrator. I felt his performance was very bland and though it worked for one or two characters, the fact that it was maintained throughout every character and the descriptions and narrations left me wanting more. Several times I wished I had just read my copy instead of doing the audiobook, but with my drive to and from work, the audiobook was better.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
I did not want to listen to this all in one sitting because of the narrator. Not until the end did I feel a push to listen to it as long as possible, and that was because the story just held me so much that I didn't want to leave the world.
Any additional comments?
The Dark Thorn has a grim, dark setting, but it is believable and one I wish I could visit again very soon. I can't wait to read more by Shawn Speakman, but if the narrator is the same for his future works, I will choose to go with the book.
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- Glenn / Jenny
- 11-02-22
A book well worth your time.
The author is a great guy who obviously pours his heart into his work. The book if full of plot, world development and great characters. Don’t let any time go by. Give your imagination the great opportunity it deserves!
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- ted stevens
- 07-14-15
Excellent new Author
Excellent Book for a new Author Shawn has great charactor development, wonderful story telling will read his other books he puts out big fan
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- Kindle Customer
- 03-08-15
Don't like how this review is set up.
Great read hard to put down or turn off. Good story full of the unexpected .open there will be a sequil.
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- Jacob P
- 11-14-17
story was good, dialogue was awful
it wasn't a bad story, but the dialogue was unbelievable and constantly the me out of the story. narrator was awesome though.
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- Mel S.
- 03-08-16
Enjoyable, but nothing groundbreaking
I liked this story, and it has a lot of promise. It wasn't anything particularly special, but it was an enjoyable read, hence 3 stars. It feels a lot like older fantasy story, where the language is more formal and the interactions feel rigid and constrained by expectation, and I think that is where the book fell flat for me. For some characters, that type of language made sense: the residents of Annwn are from an older time and society when that type of embellished speech would be more popular, but Richard and Bran are from present day America, and Bran even grew up on the streets, but they use the same overly formal language which felt contrived and pulled me out of the story. I believe this is Shawn Speakman's first novel, so I am interested to see how he develops as an author, as the story itself is complex and very promising. Therefore, I found this book perfectly passable, and am interested to see how the series develops.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Better pictures
- 10-18-21
Good book, last 6 hours made up for a slow start.
The first 11 hours or so didn't have a whole lot going on. I didn't really care about the characters all too much. However, after hours of character building the last six hours was fast paced action with sorrow, and triumph feeling as the cherry on top. Surprised some of the main characters were killed. Richard cared nothing for the girl who poured her heart to him. I wish there was something more to it as it built they might be a point of contention between Brand and Richard.
With that said Nick Podehl voice acting was top notch. He's my number 1 voice actor with Luke Daniel's a distance 2nd. I wish there was a part 2 to this book now that character building is out of the way. Anywho, well written, a 4.5 out of 5.
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- GLENNO
- 02-17-14
Really great!
I so enjoyed the short story by Mr. Speakman in the Unfettered anthology that I decided to listen to this novel too. I was not disappointed.
Any fan of the Merlin television series should love this book, though this story is set in modern day.
The reader portrays each character well and helps you see that movie in your head (always a goal of mine).
Richard McCallister protects the secret Seattle portal between our world and Annwn--the world to which all of the fey creatures (fairies, leprechauns, centaurs, and the like) had long ago been transported to protect them from extinction. The Knights protecting the portals use magical items but so do the forces of evil on both sides of the portal. Without giving anything away, some of those magical items are ones that you are probably familiar with. 'Nuf said.
The book is full of action and adventure as a small group tries to reunite the fey creatures to battle the forces of evil. Any war in Annwn threatens both worlds. In the meantime, the forces of evil are also after Richard and another character he is trying to protect. Can evil turn these two or bend them and/or their weapons to their nefarious purposes?
Which creatures are on which side (if either)? Can war be averted and, if not, can good triumph? Which men of our world are simply trying to protect the portals and which really have their own agenda? Can the two worlds be saved?
A minor disappointment for me that these knights are supposed to be Knights of the Word here on our side as defined by a certain church (i.e. the Word of God). But when people try to defend their actions in the name of the Word, no one actually uses any of the actual Word to refute them. That would have been fun!
That's a small objection though and it did not prevent me from giving this book 5 stars. I couldn't stop listening and that's one sign of a great book. I look forward to the next one!
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4 people found this helpful
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- Brad Gardner
- 07-08-14
Was not for me
Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?
Was this book time well spent? Well, seeing I was listening to it while doing other stuff it is kinda moot. The problem I had with the book is there was very little character development or world development. I'm still not sure if this was the first book or not.
Any additional comments?
I would have like to have know more of the books world the relationship between the fay and the church. I guess I was very lost within the first 6 chapters and started to wonder why I should care about these people.
The plot was OK, and the reading was good. All in all I wouldn't recommend unless you don't care to know the characters,
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- Lisa
- 03-12-14
Don't let The fact Podehl read it influence you!
What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?
The main character was nothing short of God Awful!
Would you ever listen to anything by Shawn Speakman again?
Never ever ever ever
Which scene was your favorite?
None. Couldn't make it through it.
What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?
Annoyance. The author made all of the characters so distasteful they ruined a pretty fair storyline.
Any additional comments?
Hard to slog through this - I bought it because I love these types of stories and I love Nick Podehl as a reader... but this abomination of a main character... ugh... was there ever a more disrespectful, unpleasant, and utterly unlikable character ever created?
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7 people found this helpful