Shadows of Ivory

Godforged Chronicles, Book 1

By: Bryce O'Connor, TL Greylock

Narrated by: Kate Reading

An undying king. A relic of rune-carved bronze and ivory flames. A war for powers only a god could fathom.

In the centuries since rising up against a cruel, twisted dynasty, the Seven Cities have done much to move past their horrid histories, the memories of ancient monarchs who once fed on the life and blood of their own people. Those with a talent for magic are no longer hounded and slain. The lands beyond the Cities are safe, spared the atrocities the Alescuans once wrought upon them. For 300 years, there has been peace.

Then Eska de Caraval, head of the prestigious Firenzia Company, finds herself framed for murder.

Soon hunted for the strange bronze disc she most certainly did not steal, Eska is forced to pit both wit and blade against all manner of adversaries who would eagerly see her dead. An assassin in the shadows. A monster in the deep. A rival looking to burn her alive. From sword and fang and flame Eska must defend herself, struggling all the while to prove her innocence and unravel the mysteries of a dangerous artifact.

But unbeknownst to Eska and her enemies, the cruelest of those tyrants of old is stirring in his grave.

©2020 Wraithmarked Creative, LLC (P)2020 Tantor

Slow due to character building

The book was slow moving at first. wasn't sure if I would like it or not. I continued to listen to the character development and the world development. About halfway, I started to really get into the storyline. Now that the stage has been set, I am looking forward to the next book. I know its going to be action packed.

Not a fan of the narrator.

I wasn’t able to listen past the first few chapters. Nick Podehl and other narrators like him set a standard bringing each character to life. I’ll have to buy the book.

A bit too much stage setting

The story is a bit plodding; which I don't mind on it's own, but there aren't enough good characters to keep it interesting along the way. There's a lot of attention given to people, places, and culture of the modern and historical world, but they often play very small if any roles in the overall plot, and I found it very difficult to mentally track all the names and locations. Several times I confused two characters or thought they were the same person.

The book definitely began to pick up in the last 30% or so, and I was enjoying it more and more. However the ending was quite unsatisfying, and, like most of this book, felt like it was all just setup for the next installment.

I haven't decided if I'll continue the series or not. It seems a shame not to after so much foundation has been set, but I'm tempted to just cut my losses and move on.

The saving grace, however, is Kate Reading. She makes anything enjoyable to listen to and gives a stellar performance here as always.

very slow

Great reader(kept picturing shallan though for about 3 hrs) story it's self is very slow moving and nothing seems to have been accomplished. I kept expecting the image on the giver to make an appearance throughout the story... as well as just more to happen.

great story. reminded me of lies of locklemora

not like the thievery part but the focus on conversation and mystery and cleverness.

I was absolutely in raptured and it was a great joy of a story