*I was given this free review copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
It’s been a while since I’ve listened to Andrew Tell. I’ve enjoyed his stories in the past and glad I got to one with his narration. Andrew did not let me down. He voices the story clean and clear through out. He tells the story of Lei and Fang in a way I don’t know it’s being narrated. This is credit to Ryan’s writing as well since I can see the fights as the characters are experiencing them.
We start with a prologue that tells there is something coming, but the news doesn’t make it back to the monastery. We learn a little about Lei, and how he’s not part of the monastery anymore, along with his angry feelings toward his brother. This prologue is important as it sets the stage for Lei and his brother’s relationship. But it also connects the trouble that’s coming to our characters.
We get the chapters from Lei or Fang’s eyes. It’s easy to know who we are with as each chapter starts with naming them in the first sentence. The story is very straight forward and of a simple feel with the characters. We know what they want and what they are to do. Lei just wants to be left alone, but his life takes a turn when his brother dies. Lei experiences more than he expected and comes to have a respect for some things in life. Fang wants to please his Master.
Both men have a grudge against the Monasteries and monks. But it’s what you do with that grudge and how you act on it that makes a difference. The two men have a few things in common, though the end results of their time with the Monastery is different. That end result is what formed the person they become. This is an interesting story of how what you life through influences your responses.
I enjoy the neat and orderly writing of Ryan’s. I find the story is easy to follow and things are not overly hidden in the story. The feel of an oriental influence in the story is strong and very nice to read/listen to.
If you enjoy fighting, this book is for you. We are in the head of one of the fighters as they battle. You can see the fight and what’s happening to the area around them.