King of Ashes (The Firemane Saga #1)

The story takes place in a world called Garn, which is divided into five kingdoms: Ithrace, Roldem, Kesh, Queg, and Isles. The story begins with the destruction of the kingdom of Ithrace, which is burned to the ground by a mysterious group of assassins known as the Dread. The only survivor of the attack is a young boy named Hatu, who is rescued by a group of traveling performers.

Hatu is taken in by the performers and raised as one of their own. He grows up to become a skilled acrobat and performer, but he also possesses a unique ability to communicate with animals. Hatu is unaware of his true identity and the fact that he is the last surviving member of the Firemane family, the rulers of Ithrace.

Meanwhile, in the kingdom of Roldem, a young man named Declan is training to become a blacksmith. He is the son of a wealthy merchant, but he has always been more interested in working with his hands than in business. Declan is also unaware of his true identity, but he soon discovers that he is the illegitimate son of King Donte of Roldem.

As Hatu and Declan grow up, they both become embroiled in the political machinations of their respective kingdoms. Hatu is recruited by a group of rebels who are fighting against the Dread and the other kingdoms, while Declan is drawn into the court of Roldem and becomes involved in the power struggles between the king and his advisors.

The two storylines eventually converge as Hatu and Declan discover their true identities and become embroiled in a larger conflict that threatens to engulf all of Garn. The Dread are revealed to be working for a powerful sorcerer named Kaspar, who is seeking to gain control of the five kingdoms and become the ultimate ruler of Garn.

King of Ashes is a classic epic fantasy novel that is filled with political intrigue, action, and adventure. The world of Garn is richly imagined, with detailed descriptions of the various kingdoms, their cultures, and their histories. The characters are well-developed and engaging, with Hatu and Declan both being sympathetic protagonists who are easy to root for.

The audiobook is narrated by David Thorpe, who does an excellent job of bringing the story to life. Thorpe has a deep, resonant voice that is perfect for epic fantasy, and he does a great job of differentiating between the various characters and their accents. His pacing is also spot-on, keeping the story moving at a brisk pace without ever feeling rushed.

One of the strengths of the audiobook is the way that Thorpe is able to convey the emotions of the characters. Whether it’s Hatu’s confusion and fear as he discovers his true identity, or Declan’s frustration at being caught between his loyalty to his father and his desire to do what is right, Thorpe is able to capture the nuances of the characters’ emotions and make them feel real.

Another strength of the audiobook is the way that it brings the action scenes to life. Feist is known for his epic battle scenes, and Thorpe does an excellent job of conveying the chaos and violence of these scenes. Whether it’s a pitched battle between armies or a one-on-one duel between two characters, Thorpe is able to make the listener feel like they are right in the middle of the action.

Overall, King of Ashes is an excellent audiobook that is sure to appeal to fans of epic fantasy. The story is engaging, the characters are well-developed, and the world of Garn is richly imagined. David Thorpe’s narration is top-notch, bringing the story to life in a way that is both engaging and immersive. If you’re a fan of epic fantasy, then King of Ashes is definitely worth checking out.