Sword of Draskara

Casters of Syndrial, Book 2

By: Rain Oxford

Narrated by: J. Scott Bennett

Nathan is settling back into his old life as best as he can. His mysterious girlfriend and new writing career do not dampen his determination to get his brother back. When Thoth summons him and tells him to retrieve a magical weapon that can kill a god, Nathan has a condition. Despite Thoth’s warnings, Anubis agrees to bring back Luca, but there is a price for magic, and Nathan may not be willing to pay it when the time comes.

Nathan and Luca are back on Syndrial for another dangerous adventure. Getting the sword of Draskara will be a perilous challenge as they face the god of Kradga. Even with their combined skills, they will need the help of powerful allies.

©2017 Rain Oxford (P)2018 Rain Oxford

Interesting series development

This book was better than the first book in the series.

I like the way Ms. Oxford weaves in some of her character's from her other series. It's like visiting old friends.
You don't have to read the other series to know what is going on in this series but they are worth the read.

Can't wait for the next one.

I love J. Scott Bennett's narration. He has a wonderful voice.

This is a promotional copy and this is my personal review.

Awesome sauce!

The one liners were great! I loved all of the cultural references (especially the snickers one). Great book and aweaome narrator.

Picks up right where book one left off

Nathan is regretting his choices that he made at the end of the first book, and has made a deal to rectify his past judgements. Is this a good idea? It certainly doesn't seem that way. We return once more to a briliantly crafted world in which names of all types carry power, and the gods of Egypt are real. After the emotional gut punch at the end of book one you might expect a breather, but Oxford doesn't slow down at all.

Most sequels drag and do not live up to their predecessor's success, but Sword doesn't do that at all. It takes and builds on the momentum from the first novel and continues fly along at breakneck speed, dragging the reader along on its twisty path. One thing I'll say about Oxford, he isn't afraid to make you think you are on one path, only to reveal that you have been on another all along. His writing style is quick and hits you emotionally like a blast from young Mike Tyson. I cannot wait for book 3!

Bennet continues to prove his talant. His reading style really meshes well with Oxford's writing, and you won't be able to think any one else could ever narrate these stories. He has quickly become a favored narrator for me.

In search for a magical sword...

The second adventure of Nathan and Luka in the world of Syndrial is again full of twists and unexpected meetings with characters who will surprise you... It takes us from place to place so we learn more about Syndrial and its culture and peoples. We also learn more about Nathan himself and about his relationship with his brother, and we discover that not what you want but what you need is the most important thing in life.

The book in general is very good, however, there are instances where there seems to be a bit too much of a description instead of action, which in turn slows down the pace at times. Ms Rain also plays with literary tropes and genres a bit, introducing characters such as Alice with her cat and vampires, and while I like the character of Alice and her version of Cheshire cat, the vampires kind of clashed for me here - the trip into the paranormal in that so-far clean fantasy world just didn't work for me. But other that that, it's a sound, good, engaging adventure book.

The narration by Mr Bennett is again very good. The characters are recognizable, acting is well-done, and the pace of his reading is just right.

DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Better than the first!

Definitely for adults, if you’re under 18, sorry this isn’t appropriate for you just yet.

Story is great, good twists that keep you wondering what else could possibly go wrong. I enjoyed this book better than the first installment even though it’s even less appropriate for younger readers. If you enjoyed the first book the second is much better paced and enjoyable as long as the profanity is not off-putting for you.

Parents: not for under 18. Lots of profanity with the Fbomb being the primary favorite. There are a handful of “shower scenes” and a sex scene. Gore per usual with magical world war books.

Narrator is good with his cadence and his voices are better defined this go round. A job well done.


—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.