Once you start it, you won't be able to switch it off!
How does it compare to similar audio books?
Excellent
How does it compare to audio works by the same author?
Excellent
Advantages:
Fast paced, exciting tale which is very well thought out
Disadvantages:
None if you've got the second book ready !
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
*** The Plot ***
Our story begins with Asher, youngest son of an Olken fisherman. As the youngest son, Asher has a dream, and he has travelled to the great city of Dorana with high hopes of making his fortune. He has planned to run away and make enough money to buy a boat of his own so that he and his father will not have to worry about money any more.
Asher has some reservations. These people from Dorana are a race apart from the Olken whom he has grown up with. These are no lowly fisherman; they are fancy, well-off Doranen with magical abilities. What need would these people have to employ him?
Then Asher becomes aware of excitement building in the crowded market place - the prince is coming! Asher wonders at their anticipation; he has of course heard of Prince Gar the Magickless. To be without magic in this wondrous nation seems to him to be something to be ashamed of. Still, Asher lingers for a while and the prince's horse is very near him when suddenly it is startled and rears up. Barely thinking, Asher rushes to the scared animal and struggles to calm it. Whilst Gar is thanking Asher, who is quite abrupt in his responses, a young woman suggests that Asher might be usefully employed in the royal stables. Asher is hired.
What Asher does not know is that this woman, Dathne, and Matt who runs the stables are more than they appear to be. They are part of a mysterious Circle who believe in a great prophecy that will affect the very existence of Dorana, and Dathne who is a seer is convinced that Asher is the Innocent Mage who will save them.
A few months after Asher has settled into his new life at the stables, much to Asher's surprise Gar appears and tells Asher he is to attend court at the Justice Hall with him that afternoon. After Asher has watched the court proceedings, Gar asks his opinion of the final decision. Impressed with Asher's grasp of the matter and his own thoughts of what the decision should be, Gar offers him a different job. He wants Asher to be his assistant, to move into the Tower and to be given a new appointment of Olken Administrator. Gar likes Asher's forthright way of speaking, and the way that he is not in awe of the prince, or cowed by the people in the court.
This decision ruffles a few feathers. Darran, the prince's private secretary, and his assistant Willer are not impressed. Asher with his rough, abrupt manner is very different to the deferential Darran, and poses a definite problem. Added to this, Asher's first dealings with the politics of Dorana bring him into conflict with the influential Conroyd Jarralt. Hints of danger start to appear…
Meanwhile the prince has troubles of his own. His sister Fane is being trained in Weather-working. When she is older she will inherit this task from her father. This should have been Gar's role, had he not been born without the magical ability required. His parents were given the unusual chance to bear a second heir to carry out this task. Despite himself Gar envies his sister what should have been his birthright.
The Weather-worker must control the weather in Dorana and protect Barl's wall. Fane is still young and is still learning the skills she needs from Durm, the master magician. Then disaster strikes - the king Borne becomes ill and is unable to carry out the required weather-working. Should Durm carry out this task, which would be a very political decision, or should the not yet fully trained Fane attempt this? The very walls of Dorana, and the protection they give the city, are threatened. Both Gar and his new adviser, and now good and trusted friend Asher, have important decisions to be made. What should be done and what of Asher's unknown destiny? Will Dorana fall, or can the innocent mage save this land?
*** The Characters ***
Asher - born a fisherman with no frills and fancies, Asher says what he thinks, and has at first little respect for anyone who does not work with their hands to earn their living.
His forthright manner aside, Asher has a sense of justice and good moral values. He is a rough cut diamond that needs polishing, but has value within him. I liked Asher a lot, although I was sometimes embarrassed for him. He is not always grateful, but begins as a young man and we see him grow up in many ways. I certainly began to care about his destiny and what was to become of him.
Prince Gar the Magickless - it is so hard not to feel sorry for Gar, his whole life and birthright stolen from him at birth. He is such a good, righteous man and yet has few real friends, if indeed any. His assistant Darran cares about his master, but his respect for him creates barriers that prevent him from ever being a true friend.
The arrival of Asher is a breath of life to Gar. Here is someone who will tell him what they truly think. They do become firm and trusted friends, and it is so good to see Gar become happy at last. When Borne becomes ill, everything falls to Gar to make the decisions that will either save or destroy Dorana. This is such a responsibility for him to bear.
I would say that although Asher is the "main" character, Gar is the one who really tugs at the heart strings. I really cared desperately about Gar, and what would happen to him.
Miller has put everything into building these wonderful characters and she herself cares "desperately" about them - her own words.
*** My Opinion ***
This is a wonderful book, and it is just the first of a series.
It took me no time at all to become involved with this tale. It is well thought out, and paced with perfection. The political intrigues, the hints at Asher's destiny - all are intertwined with the ordinary day to day life of the main characters.
All of the characters are given true life; they are not just shallow individuals. All show their weaknesses and their strengths. Their inner desires, and at times their petty deviousness, all are laid bare before us. Gar and Asher are both so likeable, even though their inadequacies are so clear. They are real people, with their own problems and dreams. I challenge anyone to read this and not care what happens to both of them, not to mention the fate of Dorana itself.
There is so much to this tale. Miller has truly built an incredible world, and the prophecy haunts everything. You will learn so much more about Barl's wall and the needs of Dorana, and will become completely involved in this story.
Although there are only two in the series at the moment, Miller promises that there is more to come of this Kingmaker Kingbreaker series. I for one can't wait!
I have to admit that the very day I finished this first book in the series, I went to my favourite bookstore to find the next book. I have since bought the only other book by Miller that is released in the UK so far.
Karen Miller has her own website at www.karenmiller.net. I was so impressed with her books that I left a message in her guestbook, and was pleasantly surprised to receive a very nice personal reply from Karen herself. What a lovely lady!
This is of course not an audio book as much as Ciao seems to be obsessed with this category..
You can buy this from Amazon for £5.19 which I think is excellent value. It is also available from their Marketplace from just 99 pence! I may say I paid the full whack of the marked price of £7.99 for both the second in this series and the other available book; this was because I couldn't wait for even the speedy delivery that Amazon offers. I would certainly recommend buying both Kingmaker Kingbreaker books at the same time to avoid having to wait!
Evaluate this review
How helpful would this review be to someone making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
