Any additional comments?
As the favourable reviews from others indicate, this story is a good introduction to a series about dragon hunters. The characters were well-described and the story ended with pieces in place to carry forward to the next installment. I wouldn’t call it a stand-alone book, since we were left with unanswered questions and a band of companions that haven’t yet become cohesive.

There were two main reasons why I didn’t give the story a higher rating. First, I found that the first third of the book dragged action-wise. I understand that in a multi-part series, the author has latitude to provide rich context and character development. However, part of me kept wondering who the ‘novices’ were and when we’d be introduced to them – so I was starting to get restless as the book progressed. Second, I didn’t particularly like or empathize with any of the characters in the story. Well, I started to like them but then they’d do something or say something that would make them less likeable to me. By the end of the book, I didn’t like the heroine at all. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the beginning of a longer character-development arc that spans the entire series, though. By the time the series ends, I’ll become quite attached to the characters (the ones who are still alive, anyway!). The likeability of characters is purely a subjective thing, however. The other reviewers seemed to like the characters just fine, and I can understand why – Goldfarb writes great dialogue and all of the characters have good points as well as flaws. I’d certainly be willing and interested to read the next books in the series, so I can find out what happens to them!

This is the first time I’ve heard Travis Baldree narrate and I think he did a great job! I generally didn’t have any difficulties distinguishing the characters as the story progressed and I think that his pacing and many of his voice characterizations were particularly excellent. I’m always appreciative of male narrators who don’t exaggerate falsetto voices for female characters, so I’m glad that Travis didn’t do this.

“I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”