The Shadow of the Lion

By: Dave Freer, Eric Flint, Mercedes Lackey

Narrated by: Richard Ferrone

Length: 38 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Adventures in an other-worldly, new-age Venice

It is the year 1537. The great winged lion stares over a Venice where magic thrives. The rich Venetian Republic is a bastion of independence and tolerance. Perhaps for that reason, it is also corrupt, and rotten with intrigue.

But for the young brothers, Marco and Benito Valdosta, vagabond and thief, Venice is simply home. They have no idea that they stand at the center of the city's coming struggle for its very life. They know nothing of the powerful forces moving in the background. They have barely heard of Chernobog, demon lord of the north, who is shifting his pawns to attack Venice in order to cut into the underbelly of the Holy Roman Empire. All Marco and Benito know is that they're hungry and in dangerous company: Katerina the smuggler, Caesare the sell-sword, Montagnard assassins, church inquisitors, militant Knights of the Holy Trinity, Dottore Marina the Strega mage...and Maria. Maria might be an honest canaler, but she had the hottest temper a boy could find.

Yet, among the dark waters of the canals lurk far worse dangers than a hot-tempered girl. Chernobog has set a monster loose to wreak havoc on the city. Magic, murder, and evil are all at work to pull Venice down. Fanatical monks seek to root out true witchcraft with fire and sword. Steel-clad Teutonic knights, wealth traders, church dignitaries, and great princes fight and plot for control of the jewel of the Mediterranean.

And somehow all of these, from thieves to mages to princes, must gather around Marco and his brother, Benito, under the shadow of the great winged lion of Venice.

©2002 Mercedes Lackey, Eric Flint, and Dave Freer (P)2019 Recorded Books

Great story, sub par near ration

It’s really a shame. I don’t know how the process works with deciding who gets to narrate a certain book, but in this case, in my opinion, it was a failure. Perhaps they assumed because the narrator‘s last name is Italian he would do well? I have family in Venice I’ve been there hundreds of times over 50 years so I know where of a speak. He doesn’t pronounce any of the Italian names properly and a half of the words are also miss pronounced. For non-Dash in Italian speakers, who might not know this, they probably think it’s exotic. For one who speaks Italian, however,It really bogs down the story and attracts and is not able to be overlooked. Happy reading

Trying too hard for intrigue

This was long and had too many side stories. It tried too hard for intrigue and to me, it failed. Just before I was able to get into a story line, it switched to another story line preventing me from growing attached to a character or their plight. Instead, I had to take notes because I kept forgetting which character was doing what and to which family they belonged. It felt more like homework rather than enjoying an author's story. I like to listen when doing housework or in the car. At times, this was distracting and frustrating instead of enjoyable. This book got confusing at times and that detracted from the complete story. I think this would have been better divided into 3 or 4 different books focusing on certain characters. Toward the end, I just wanted it to be over.

I only got this book because it was connected with Mercedes Lackey and I'm not sure how much she was able to participate since I enjoy her books, but I didn't enjoy this one.

A long book of Gamer and Fantasy Cliche's for Kids

Another kid's book about prostitution, murder, slavery, and coming of age without any of those nasty hormones. They are thieves running on the rooftops of Venice. NO!!!!! We meet part of the cast of American Gods and "The Goddess" as well as some Catholic Katherine Kurtz style magic. We hear more slang from every imaginable era except for Plague Era Venice then any editor should have allowed even in what has got to be a book written for pre-puberty kids. It goes on and on and on and on and nothing important seems to happen. It is like Gilligan's Island.... Sexy girls running around but everyone sleeps in separate beds. It isn't bad... it is just not for adults or well read intelligent kids. I bought it because Mercedes Lackey's name was on it. Oops.