
The War with the Mein
Book One of the Acacia Trilogy
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Narrated by:
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Dick Hill
About this listen
Leodan hopes that he might change this, but powerful forces stand in his way. A deadly assassin sent from a race called the Mein, exiled long ago to an ice-locked stronghold in the frozen north, strikes at Leodan in the heart of Acacia while the Mein also unleash surprise attacks across the empire. On his deathbed, Leodan puts into play a plan to allow his children to escape, each to his separate destiny. And so his children begin a quest to avenge their father's death and restore the Acacian empire, this time on the basis of universal freedom.
Acacia is a thrilling work of literary imagination that creates an all-enveloping and mythic world that will carry readers away. It is a timeless tale of heroism and betrayal, of treachery and revenge, of primal wrongs and ultimate redemption. David Durham has reimagined the epic narrative for our time.
©2007 David Anthony Durham (P)2007 Tantor Media Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
"Sprawling and vividly imagined....Durham has created a richly detailed alternate reality leavened with a dollop of magic." (Publishers Weekly)
At first, I was concerned that the book was going to be difficult to finish. Looking back the reason was simple. It is unlike any of the epic tales I have yet read. It is difficult to articulate how it is different but if I must put it in one word, it is quality. Like most books in the genera I am familiar with, Acacia seems to jump from character to character telling each of their stories. I have always found this frustrating, a bit like having to wait till after the break to see if a contestant is smarter than a fifth grader. Acacia is different. Yes I felt frustrated when a story was suddenly stopped to return to a different character. What I found refreshing was that within no more that three sentences, my frustration disappeared and I was eager to continue listening.
I must congratulate Mr. Durham. This book is in a league of it's own. Much fun. Should you read this sir, I have one other comment for you. Get back to your computer and continue working on book two. It can not arrive too soon.
Much Fun
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Very Enjoyable -Great Characters
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Slow and Boring...
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Would you try another book from David Anthony Durham and/or Dick Hill?
At this point not likely.Would you recommend The War with the Mein to your friends? Why or why not?
Not really.Any additional comments?
This book is...meh. Its not bad--a few of the characters are compelling, some of the plot is decent, the narration is fine. But it has too many problems to be good.Lets start with Deus Ex Machina--why do so many fantasy and scifi writers fall back on this to solve problems? Its bad writing 101, among the first things I teach my students not to do.
The book also features a number of bad fantasy cliches among the characters. Worse, it mirrors GoT in too many ways. With only minor spoilers: Oldest son who rallies an army to avenge betrayed father, middle daughter who is beautiful and captured by enemy, younger daughter who becomes swordsman, younger son who goes and lives with outlaws and eventually becomes a leader.
The image work isn't great either.
If you read and write a lot, I'm guessing you'll feel similarly. I'd say this is better for young adult audiences who don't have as much experience or context.
Decent, but with major problems
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Acacia is Satisfying Fantasy
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Very good fantasy book
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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
The book as a whole is well written, some parts drag a little, but recover.What aspect of Dick Hill’s performance would you have changed?
The audio sometimes fails to maintain the volume... The narration can trail off, becoming almost impossible to hear, even at max volume.Good story, but audio problems.
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Good Characters and Politics
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Sparse dialogue (that seems to bother some) that I appreciate much more than the sometimes turgidity of Jordan and other. Story moves along- the interplay of characters (mainly the children of the murdered King) and complex political-economic background makes the entire story read like historical fiction with some low level magic and myths in the background. I enjoyed the performance and learning about the world (and it politics) as much as I enjoyed the story and characters (super).
I am surprised that Durham does not have the incredible following Martin has. Stumbled on his works almost by accident after I stopped listening to Dancing with Dragons (what a waste of time and money on my part) by Martin.
Highly recommended. As good or better than anything out there!
Superb- better than George RR Martin!
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World building at its finest!
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