Compendium

Artifacts of Lumin, Book One

By: Alia Luria

Narrated by: Shiromi Arserio

On the heavily forested planet of Lumin, the Network has slept, dormant, for over 600 cycles. Only a select few remember that it resides beneath the crust of the planet, waiting, and for those who do, the battle for Lumin's future has raged in the shadows.

When Mia Jayne's path crosses with an ancient volume in the Archives of the Order of Vis Firmitas, this ancient battle moves from the shadows into the light. Compendium opens up a world of knowledge, and, for the first time since arriving at the Order, Mia has the key to reclaim the freedom she has lost. To do so, she must choose between her conscience and her heart. Conceived against an ailing world of fantastical beauty where long-lost technology tips the balance between extinction and survival, Mia must remember that there is always a choice, and that makes all the difference.

©2015 Alia Luria (P)2015 Alia Luria

Slow read.

Characters in the book were good but too much descriptions on everything else. This book stands alone. If this writer has another book in this series I would not purchase it because that book would be too wordy too. Liked the story line.

A wonderful read!

This was such a good book! I loved the combined organic/machine powered by the elder trees. The Compendium is an extraordinary book with lots of surprises. The narration was excellent!

Great Writing + Wonderful Narration = Amazing!

Any additional comments?

I’m a sucker for beautiful writing and this book has beautiful writing in spades! Couple that with a fantastic narrator and you have audio book gold! Compendium had me hooked from the beginning. The characters are relatable and engaging, the world is intriguing and beautiful (I long for it to become a movie so I can see it in full color), and the story is unique and compelling! I so enjoyed getting to know the planet of Lumin and the people who are fighting for its future. I can't wait to find out what Mia and the Order do next! If you're looking for your next great listen - this is it!

Technology & it's Loss from a Fantasy Perspective

Real Rating = 3.5*

SERIES INFO: This is Book #1 of the “Artifacts of Lumin” series. According to the author, “There are currently four books planned in the Lumin series, plus a prequel novella. Compendium, Ocularum, Clavis and Shillelagh. Ocularum is still being written. I hope to have it out by the end of 2016, but that timeline is only an estimate as of right now.”

Although it is made clear that the main character is an adult, I am classifying this as a YA since it reads like one. Of course, we don’t know when someone becomes an adult on Lumin.

CHARACTERS:
Mia: She makes some poor choices, but I’m not sure what they expected based on her circumstances and upbringing, and the way they speak to and treat her. We don’t get any explanation in this book as to why she has a special ability to hear the trees (which no one believes). I do wonder why, having a book that knows so much, she doesn’t ask it for more actually useful information about things.

Cedar: A really like him despite some of his decisions. I’m not sure he was in a position to do anything different.

Mia & Cedar: No overly gorgeous characters, no instalove, no love triangle. That makes me very happy. I hope they are able to make it work if they actually give a relationship a chance.

Cornelius: A loveable old librarian; I am happy to hear there may be more of him in the next book.

PLOT:
I know that some people have complained about the slow start; but I would have preferred to have seen more of Mia’s normal life before it changed. It could have given us a greater understanding of the current level of “technology,” and could have given the readers a greater investment in the fate of her father.

For the most part, I don’t like alternating narratives from different time periods; but since this didn’t last the entire book, I like the way it further established the “families.”

There was one twist that I wasn’t at all surprised by, but I’m very suspicious by nature. And I felt that one character’s complete change of attitude could have used more explanation or maybe just a bit more discussion and development.

The responsible members of the Order try to pin all the errors on Mia. I disagree, they made a number of very foolish choices and some downright cruelly wrong decisions. When will (fictional) people learn that jerking someone around and playing games with them isn’t the best way to earn their loyalty? Trust is a two way street.

NARRATION: I like her accent and mellow voice. / I would have liked a touch more emoting, especially during action scenes. / Speed was good. I actually listened on regular speed (rather than my usual 1.25) / Male voices were acceptable (though Cedar’s voice is not at all “deep” as described)

I COULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT: 1(?) swear / all the secrets (it’s a current pet peeve of mine)

MY RATINGS:
--Narration: AVERAGE
--Enjoyment: AVERAGE
--Re-readability: AVERAGE

I received this book free in return for an honest review, courtesy of Audiobook Jukebox.

Loved the setting and a fun story.

What made the experience of listening to Compendium the most enjoyable?

The setting is great, I loved the whole nature-tech/sci-fantasy feel of it. Almost like Avatar (the movie) world thousands of years in the future but with humans, not Navi. It is a great read for Numenera fans like myself (though it is not based on this).

What did you like best about this story?

The wonderful blend and balance of nature and technology, the fun characters I couldn't always predict. I also enjoyed the exploration of loyalty, selfishness and consequences the book goes into.

Did Shiromi Arserio do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Yes, she did. However her reading style never truly grabbed me, it was good, but it didn't help the story in any way. I can't put my finger on what it was lacking but there is room for improvement.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The encounter between St Claire and Mia in the lunch room. That must have been horrible for everyone involved.

Any additional comments?

I'm stealing the world for my campaign

Original world

But I felt condescended to. This is best classified as YA fantasy.
The concept of the universe in which the story takes place is fascinating, unique and offers lots of possibilities but for me, this wasn't the strongest opening for a series.
The lead pfotagonist is a fully realized, flawed but likeable young woman, thrust out of the life she's always known and suddenly sent to seek any possible way to save her father's life. At least, that was what she was told...

compendium review

I received this in exchange for honest and unbiased review. The book is a good listen when you are not distracted. Thank you for the rewind button on my kindle. I had to listen to the beginning a few times because I got confused, plus my kids were bothering me, even with headphones on. This is a good book to read.