AudioBook Review In Winter’s Shadow: Down the Long Wind #3 by Gillian Bradshaw

AudioBook Review

Carrying the story forward, the story is now told by Gwenhwyfar or Guinevere as more commonly known. Bradshaw has managed to bring us to the end of days for Camelot, with the final battles, the death of Mordred, Gwalchmai’s death and her own roles and guilt for her part.

Again managing to re-invent the story of King Arthur using Bretonized forms of the names and presenting unique perspectives on the events, with points of view that were left untold or unimagined in the originals, Bradshaw has managed to neatly pull all of the threads together and wrap this series with a conclusion that is both refreshing and satisfying. 

What stands out prominently for me is Bradshaw’s ability to present her characters in a way that both feels unique yet holds true to their own internal dialogue as they explain, tell and share their parts of the story.  From Gwalchmai’s guilt about his lost love, to the very well-reasoned and completely real sense of ‘what is right’ that Gwenhwyfar presents as she wraps up the series, this reads as if the characters are real and palpable, giving readers the ability to commiserate, empathize, learn from and enjoy each person as they appear.

Narration is again provided by Nicole Quinn who manages to present the arcane and archaic place and character names with a smoothness that never falters. That is a quality of major importance, as the names and places are often tongue twisters, and the flow of the story would be greatly impacted if the pronunciation faltered or varies.  Additionally, her narration of the many moods of Gwenhwyfar, and the addition of simple adjustments in accent, tone and pace as she presented the other characters not only were easy to distinguish, but added to the enjoyment and impact of the story.  Touches of Wales and Scotland, as well as a bit of the ‘Northern’ accent all add to the story, and her seamless transitions in this well-produced performance are a wonderful addition.

 Stars: Overall: 4 Narration: 5 Story: 4 

I received a copy of this title from AudioBook Jukebox for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Title: In Winter's Shadow
Author: Gillian Bradshaw
Narrator: Nicole Quinn
Series: Down the Long Wind #3
Published by Landmark, Sourcebooks
Format: Audiobook
Pages: 321
Length: 13 Hours: 4 minutes
Source: AudioBook Jukebox
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Purchase Now: Amazon ♦ Audible ♦ Barnes&Noble♦ BooksAMillion♦ iTunes♦ Kobo♦Amazon UK ♦ Publisher
View at: Goodreads
Rating:  

About The Book

Arthur Pendragon strives to unite a fragmented empire as his bastard son threatens to tear down the king, his queen, and their bravest champions. From the sudden death of innocence to a perilous campaign that strikes at the very heart of the empire, this third and final book of the acclaimed trilogy by Gillian Bradshaw offers the reader a front-row seat as Arthur's dream and his kingdom collapse around him.

About Gillian Bradshaw

Born in Arlington, Virgina, Gillian Bradshaw grew up in Washington, Santiago, Chile and Michigan. She is a Classics graduate from Newnham College, Cambridge, and published her first novel, Hawk of May, just before her final term. A highly acclaimed historical novelist, Gillian Bradshaw has won the Hopwood Award for Fiction, among other prizes. She lives in Cambridge with her husband and their four children.

Website • Goodreads

AudioBook Review Kingdom of Summer: Down the Long Wind #2 by Gillian Bradshaw

AudioBook Review: 
http://iam-indeed.com/audiobook-review-kingdom-summer-long-wind-2-gillian-bradshaw/

Everyone is somewhat familiar with the Arthurian legends and the story of the King and the Knights of the Round Table.  Far from a very familiar feel, although presenting many of the characters in a new and different way, Gillian Bradshaw has retold the familiar story with several new twists, all unique and refreshing, that make for a wonderful story.

In the start of this story we are told of Gwalchmai’s (Sir Gawain) is starting a quest to find a long lost love that he wronged, Elidan.  Used to set up the story Gwalchmai’s distraction and rather dry retelling of the history leave us with only his perspective, and while his regret is evident I most certainly would have appreciated seeing the events in real time, rather than in this retelling.

Gwalchmai’s travels bring him to stay with Rhys’ family, where dazzled with the knight and the possibility of more, he asks to sign on as his servant.  From here, the story starts to gain traction with Rhys gaining in confidence and knowledge as the story unfolds.  Particularly apt is Rhys’ ability in narrating the story, presenting information with his own observations, often spot on.

Unlike any other Arthurian Tale that I have read, this story manages to present a twist to the story that makes it feel very plausible and real.  The world of Arthurian Britain is described with great detail and beautiful prose – sure to please history fans.  There are two love stories here, that conceivably be stretched to three if the early infatuation and fascination that Rhys had with Arthur’s warband could be counted.  A brief love soon cleared of its shine as Rhys is quickly learning the consequences of all actions.

Narration is provided by Nicole Quinn who aptly manages the often twisted pronunciation of names and places, many carrying the feel of the often-unpronounceable Welsh.  Her own accent, and lack of great pretention in presenting the various characters, her smooth transitions and seamless transition from prose to poetic are easy to listen to and present the story with flair.

Layered with description, imagined history, danger, sorcery and the classic good versus evil conflict that fuels the story of Arthur, this is a wonderful twist on the familiar story.  Best read after Hawk of May to have the full understanding, I thoroughly enjoyed this tale.

Stars Overall: 4  Narration: 4 Story: 5

I received a copy of this title from AudioBook Jukebox for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Title: Kingdom of Summer
Author: Gillian Bradshaw
Narrator: Nicole Quinn
Series: Down the Long Wind #2
Published by Landmark, Sourcebooks
Format: Audiobook
Pages: 288
Length: 10 Hours: 50 minutes
Source: AudioBook Jukebox
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Purchase Now: Amazon ♦ Audible ♦ Barnes&Noble♦ BooksAMillion♦ iTunes♦ Kobo♦Amazon UK ♦ Publisher
View at: Goodreads
Rating:  Flames 

New Audible review - Desiree

Desiree at Audible

VictoriaBinghamton, NY, United States09-10-14

"Wonderful performance for a fascinating story"

What made the experience of listening to Desiree: The Bestselling Story of Napoleon's First Love the most enjoyable?

The story is wonderful. I knew how it was going to end more or less, but found myself totally involved in the story and characters. Loved the history from a woman's perspective. Sure the battles are mentioned and described, but briefly and only so you can understand their impact on the characters' lives. Loved the lavish detail on hair, makeup and clothes. She is after all a silk merchant's daughter. In contrast to most portrayals of women of the 18th century, the main character is so much more sophisticated, intelligent, complicated, flawed and intuitive then normal history ever gives women credit for, yet remains feminine. This is in contrast to some strong modern female characters who seem to swear, drink, and fight like a man and only indicate femininity by admitting to a love for chocolate.

What about Nicole Quinn’s performance did you like?

Amazing performance! Each character had a unique voice that fit the personality of the character. Even minor characters voices suggest inner character (or lack of it). Then, even while doing these voices, Nicole Quinn would add the most subtle emphasis to a word or intonation that would hint at the inner motivations of the character.

To Recapture a Rake: A Hephaestus Club Novella

Available now!  Click here

A reluctant rake and a ruined woman with nothing to lose are a perfect match in this delightful comedy of manners from Christine Merrill....

Vincent Wilmont, the Earl of Blackthorne, makes a point of living up to his reputation as a rake, even though his heart isn't quite in it. Indeed, his heart rests with Caroline Sydney, the ruined woman who'd gone to his bed in passion after she'd rejected his cool-headed offer of respectable marriage. A year later, she's cast him off, humiliated him in front of all of London society, all because he made the damn-fool mistake of telling her he loved her.

Women.

Blackthorne's public humiliation earns him admittance into the Hephaestus Club, a secret brotherhood of societal rejects, and there he swears never to marry, putting money down on the oath. When the wager provides a motivation for a smart, if skint, gentleman matchmaker to cash in, Blackthorne and the fiery Miss Sydney find themselves the starring players in a romantic farce filled with duels, declarations, and passionate trysts as they rocket down a path toward a horrifyingly respectable future as man and wife.

©2014 Christine Merrill (P)2014 Christine Merrill