Earthbound

Of Earth and Sky Duology, Book 1

By: Katee Stein

Narrated by: Magnus Carlssen

Every oath holds power.

In a land where the Earth spawns terrible beasts capable of moving through all but stone, the Sky bestows power to those bound by Oaths.

As earthbound creatures invade, bringing with them chaos and whispers of a coming war, protector and Overseer Tehran fights to keep his people safe. After losing his best friend to the beasts and with the stability of the region deteriorating, Tehran heads to the Capital to plead for support from the Order of the Sky.

When his friend’s widow stows aboard the transport, determined to hold the Order accountable for the death of her husband, Tehran’s plans are derailed. Torn between upholding his responsibility as an Overseer or honouring his friend’s memory, Tehran must either choose the Oaths that have forged him or trust new bonds to guard the fate of the Mercurial.

©2024 Katie Stein (P)2024 Katie Stein

I don’t have words and I’m not okay

I need book two immediately please! What have you done to me Katee? I need answers as soon as possible.

Narration is fantastic!

If The Stormlight Archive and Dune had a love child, it would probably sound a lot like Earthbound. The world is full of weird magic, heavy oaths, and political tension, and the way it unfolds in audio made everything feel even more intense and immersive.

Magnus Carlssen absolutely nailed the narration. His delivery gave the story the kind of gravity it needed without ever feeling too slow or stiff. He reminded me a bit of Michael Kramer, which is a huge compliment in my book. Every POV felt distinct and emotionally grounded, and the pacing made it easy to stay locked in.

The story follows three main characters: Tehran, Knox, and Emilia. They’re not always easy to root for, but they’re layered and fascinating, and the relationships are messy in a way that feels real. The magic system, rooted in words and oaths, is eerie and clever, and the lore in this world is just begging to be explored more in book two.

Also, if you’re into stories where the world feels frayed at the edges, the monsters are terrifying, and the stakes are both political and personal, this is one to try in audio. The vibe is heavy but not overwhelming, and the narration gives it the right amount of weight and atmosphere.

Wonderful worldbuilding

I was gifted this audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review! I LOVED this book. I will admit that certain characters drove me absolutely crazy, but I still found myself unable to put this book down.

I laughed, I cried, I raged… and I came out absolutely in love with the world Katee has created (and Knox). Cannot wait for book 2!

perfect sci-fantasy

A genius blend of sci-fi and fantasy with beautiful relationships, loveable and real characters, with gut-wrenching suspense. If you want Dune with the vows required by the Jedi order, this must be read.

Great fantasy book

I haven't read a fantasy book in ages, so when Earthbound caught my eye I decided to pick it up and I was not mistaken! It's a captivating adventure of love, honor, and oath. I am definitely waiting for the second book because I want to know how the story ends.