I’m writing this review so people who value a great listen do not pass this book over – I feel the book summary does not do it justice – and you deserve this book (series), it’s worth the credits and time. It is cleaver, bridges genres, rises above the level of “simple entertainment” and oddly, sometimes deeply… meaningful. The narrator is fantastic!
I wasn’t sure what kind of story I was listening to when I started the book – and then, after a few chapters – I still wasn’t sure, but the protagonist (Lindon) started growing on me – in a few more chapters, I wanted to reach into the book and “help him” – now somehow I find myself in the middle of book 3, not remembering when I had purchased book 2, still not sure of the series genre and excited when I get time to listen so I can cheer him on – “Go Lindon – you can do IT!”
If I had read in the summary the world as I’m going to describe it, I may not have given it a chance – so please do yourself a kindness and don’t pass this over because it’s not something you are “into”. To relate it to books I’ve read, it’s like Iron Druid Chronicles (Kevin Hearne) grabbed a few chapters from each book of the Stormlight Archives (Brandon Sanderson) and wrapped it in an anime world.
Lindon, the protagonist, is the ultimate underdog – kind, humble, unskilled, naive and appreciative for what he has. But like most underdog stories, he’s not interested in becoming “more” for prideful reasons, he does so accidentally, as he explores the simple curiosities of the world around him, surprised every time he has surpasses an expectation place upon him. And in the merit world he lives in, where those that have the most skill (magical) are valued, and he is judged to have none, the expectations are low and so is the value placed upon him.
Then, when he learns his world is a minuscule whimsy caught in the currents of an even greater world, lived in by unthinkably powerful entities, and those he cares about are going to meet a catastrophic end in a 40 year future, he sacrifices himself and a happy 40 year life which he learns he could live, to try and turn this tide. The future is uncertain – but there is a chance… a small chance.
He sets off on a long, difficult, painful journey to help those who he cares about, even though they believed him of no value. He is not the best person, or the right person – he just is a person who is commitment to try.
“What is the hardest step, the next step,..”
This book is wholesome and should be listened to by all ages. The narrator is great at voices and brings the characters to life. The adventure is crazy and fun.
EDIT: I just finished book six. 1 thru 6 in row! WOW – Will Wight is an imaginative genius, incredible builder of worlds, and now one of my favorite authors. I have over 150 books in my audibles library and this series is easily in my top 10.
Travis Baldree is an incredible narrator – the type of you search through the books he’s narrated hoping to discovering another great listen. He is perfect for this series.