MAGE THRONE PROPHECY

Mage Throne Prophecy by James Haddock
Narrated by Daniel Wisniewski
Genre: fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobook

About Mage Throne Prophecy:

A routine physical shows Captain Ross Mitchell has a flesh-eating virus that specifically targets the brain. Prognosis says he'll be a vegetable by week's end. Having survived numerous incursions in combat around the world, Ross decides he's not going out like that. He drives a rented corvette into a cliff face at over 200 MPH. The fiery impact catapults him toward the afterlife. Instead of finding the afterlife, he finds himself in a different body with an old man stabbing him in his chest. He fights free, killing the old man before passing out. He wakes to find he's now in the body of Prince Aaron, the 15-year-old second son of the King. In this medieval world, the Royals are Mages. The old man who was trying to kill him was a Mage "Vampire". Instead of blood, the old Mage was trying to steal Ross/Aaron's power, knowledge, and in this case, his body. When Ross/Aaron killed the old Mage, his vampire power was transferred to him. He now has the memories, knowledge, and powers of the old Mage. Ross/Aaron must navigate this new environment of court intrigue with care. His older brother, the Crown Prince, hates him. His older sister has no use for him. The King sees him as an asset to be used, agreeing to marry him to a neighboring Kingdom for an alliance. Before the marriage takes place, the castle is attacked. Someone is trying to kill him but is finding it most difficult. Where Mages fight with Magic, Ross/Aaron fights with magic and steel. It's hard to cast a spell with a knife through your skull or your throat cut. As Ross/Aaron travels with his fiancée toward her home for the marriage to take place, they are attacked at every turn. Someone doesn't want this wedding to happen. Ross/Aaron has had enough of people trying to kill him. With Aaron's knowledge and Ross' training, they take the offensive. The Kingdom will never be the same.

Source: Info in the "About Mage Throne Prophecy" was taken from amazon on 10/04/2024.

Buy Link(s):

 

My Thoughts:

Wonderful stand-alone fantasy!

This is the "fifth" story that I have read of this author's work. So, I am already an entrenched fan. Just as I am an entrenched fan of Daniel Wisniewski, as he seems to be the one reading most of James Haddock's books. Being a die-hard fan of both James and Daniel, most of what I am going to say here is probably just fan-girling. But that does not preclude the fact that this book is wonderful, indeed!

The end kinda took me by surprise, though! Bravo!!

I am fervently hoping for more books in King Aaron's world!

Quantitative Evaluation:

Story telling quality = 5
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 4.5
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 5
World building = 5
Cover art = 4
Pace = (9 hrs and 25 mins listening time)
Plot = 4
Narration = 5

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 cherries

The Author

About James Haddock:

My first career was as a Warrant Officer in the US Army, I am now retired with 22 years of service under my belt. Moving into the next phase of my life, I am a full-time author and RV'er. After seeing everyone else's Country during my first career, we decided to see our own. My wife and I enjoy traveling to see the wonders of America.

I love reading and watching Sci-Fi books, television shows, and movies. To think, "what if" and "why not." I am a pantser writer, I'll get an idea, or see a photo and think, "that would make a great story!". Writing as a pantser, to me, is like reading a new story. I have no idea where the story is going to end up. Writing the way gets me excited to pick up a pen; I look forward to writing each time, and can't wait to write many more.

www.jameshaddock.us | facebook | instagram | amazon | goodreads

The Narrator

About Daniel Wisniewski:

Audio book Narrator, Character Voices, Baritone, Bass, Tenor, Heroes, Villains, Dark, Bright, Young, Old, Comedy, Tragedy, Accents, Dialects.

I am a New York based actor who has performed across a variety of platforms both domestically and internationally. I am also a graduate of Ithaca College with a BFA in Musical Theatre, have studied and worked as a dialect coach, have access to a professional grade studio, and am an experienced editor. When not performing, I can usually be found either leading my friends on a DnD campaign or playing in one myself (usually as a dashing Half-Elf bard or brazen Half-Orc fighter).

www.danielwisniewskiactor.com | twitter | facebook | instagram | youtube | linkedin | goodreads

FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.

STONECUTTER'S SHADOW

Stonecutter's Shadow by James Haddock
Narrated by Daniel Wisniewski
Genre: fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobook

About Stonecutter's Shadow:

A coup has thrown the kingdom of Farshores into turmoil, and one of the Pretender’s first moves was to order mercenaries to invade the Mage District and put all its inhabitants, men, women, and children, to the sword. There is one survivor, Horace Stonecutter, the youngest son of the Stonecutter family. Though a member of a stone cutting mage family, his stone cutting gift had yet to manifest itself. Instead, he had a talent he first used playing hide and seek with other children. He discovered could hide “inside” shadows, and the other kids nicknamed him “Hyder”, because no one could spot him once he hid. Embarrassed to tell his family about this seemingly useless talent, he kept it to himself.

But his ability to hide saved his life when the soldiers came to kill his family. Though there was no love lost between him and his five elder brothers, he dearly loved his mother and the mercs killed her. That night vengeance — in the form of an enraged Horace — moved from shadow to shadow killing the attackers without mercy. After all, it takes no arms training to bury an axe in the back of an enemy’s head when attacking from deep shadow. Consumed with anger and a hunger for retribution, he journeys out to find who ordered the murder of his family. He owes someone a blood debt, and he wants to collect.

Along his bloody journey, he meets kings, princes, princesses, noblemen — and not so noble men. He learns that in troubled times few are to be trusted. Join him as he becomes a fully developed Shadow Mage and follow as his abilities and powers grow while he seeks to collect the blood debt he is owed. May God have mercy on his enemies — because he won’t.

Source: Info in the "About Stonecutter's Shadow" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58541311-stonecutter-s-shadow on 09/04/2024.

Buy Link(s):

 

My Thoughts:

A wonderful stand-alone fantasy from James Haddock!

This is my fourth "story" by this author. By now, I am already an entrenched fan of James Haddock. His stories reads, more or less, the same. But I never get bored with them!

The problem with that, is, household chores and other adulting responsibilities don't get done! Dang!!

I obviously don't read when I am in work. So when I pick this book up in the evening when I get home, I have a little momentary pause as I read because sometimes I get confused... was it this book that travels by wood road? Oh, no, that was Dale! That is the major draw back with reading similar books. Especially when they all kinda have the same "flavour" because they are all written by the same author.

James Haddock has never written a too stupid to live (tstl) character before. So, I was quite surprised to read it in this book. Luckily, it was only at the start, never to be repeated again. Thank g*d!!

The plot kinda became a tiny bit confusing towards the end. Which was the dream and which was true?? So did the Blood Bank actually got straightened out or was that just a dream? Did he have the magic energy dagger already by then??

I am an old Daniel Wisniewski fan, and again with this book, he did not disappoint!... Or, I am now used to his reading...

Quantitative Evaluation:

Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 3.5
Story itself = 4.5
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 4
World building = 5
Cover art = 5
Pace = (12 hrs and 10 mins listening time)
Plot = 4
Narration = 4.5

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 cherries

The Author

About James Haddock:

My first career was as a Warrant Officer in the US Army, I am now retired with 22 years of service under my belt. Moving into the next phase of my life, I am a full-time author and RV'er. After seeing everyone else's Country during my first career, we decided to see our own. My wife and I enjoy traveling to see the wonders of America.

I love reading and watching Sci-Fi books, television shows, and movies. To think, "what if" and "why not." I am a pantser writer, I'll get an idea, or see a photo and think, "that would make a great story!". Writing as a pantser, to me, is like reading a new story. I have no idea where the story is going to end up. Writing the way gets me excited to pick up a pen; I look forward to writing each time, and can't wait to write many more.

www.jameshaddock.us | facebook | instagram | amazon | goodreads

The Narrator

About Daniel Wisniewski:

Audio book Narrator, Character Voices, Baritone, Bass, Tenor, Heroes, Villains, Dark, Bright, Young, Old, Comedy, Tragedy, Accents, Dialects.

I am a New York based actor who has performed across a variety of platforms both domestically and internationally. I am also a graduate of Ithaca College with a BFA in Musical Theatre, have studied and worked as a dialect coach, have access to a professional grade studio, and am an experienced editor. When not performing, I can usually be found either leading my friends on a DnD campaign or playing in one myself (usually as a dashing Half-Elf bard or brazen Half-Orc fighter).

www.danielwisniewskiactor.com | twitter | facebook | instagram | youtube | linkedin | goodreads

FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.

HEARTWOOD MAGE

Heartwood Mage by James Haddock
Narrated by Daniel Wisniewski
Book 1 in the Heart Mage series
Genre: fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobook

About Heartwood Mage:

When they hanged mage Baron Homburg and his family for treason, they missed one of his sons. The fourth son, ten-year-old Dale, witnessed the execution of his family, and something inside him broke. Two things happened that day: one, Dale became a borderline sociopath, and two, his mage abilities manifested at almost full strength, especially his wood or forest magic. That night he used his new wood magic to hang the earl who ordered the killing of his family.

Now he has only one thing on his mind, killing all those involved in killing his family or seeing them brought to justice. But he also wants the inheritance of his father’s title and lands. The only person who can give him that is the king, so he must petition the king for restitution.

Before he can petition the king, he finds out that the king plans to kill him. Because if the kingdom finds out who’s responsible for the murder of the Homburg family, the minor nobles and landowners would revolt against the crown screaming for justice. Those guilty are the king’s greatest supporters, which he would have to hang. The king cannot allow that to happen.

Seeing that the nobility is against him, Dale goes into hiding and changes his name to Eric Heartwood. Eric begins killing his enemies rather than negotiating a peaceful settlement. Eric decides that since nobility doesn’t play by the rules or laws, neither will he.

But Eric has a lot to learn about people and their motives. It seems almost everyone will lie, cheat, steal, and even kill to get ahead in the world. So Eric follows suit, killing those who oppose him, until he meets a kindly merchant and his wife. They show him kindness, which tempers his blood lust, but not by much. Follow mage Eric Heartwood as his powers grow and he is confronted by enemies at every turn. He tries to reconcile what he feels is just and what society says is just. He finds that most times, it’s just easier to kill your enemies.

Source: Info in the "About Heartwood Mage" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199056952-heartwood-mag on 05/04/2024.

Buy Link(s):

 

My Thoughts:

I like the story. I like the premise. And the story telling quality is compelling. I know the story is a bit blasé. But this is a fiction book. I'm an escapist reader. I like my reads to take me away from reality. So they do not have to be totally truthful.

There are little plots and resolutions along the story. It follows our main protagonist as he adventures on to find love and betrayal. Happiness and pain. I think that the author is wrong in calling him a psychopath because he is capable of empathy. He is just neurodivergent.

Louise in A Game Of Ghosts by John Connolly is a sociopath. Bill in Tuesday's Child by Dale Mayer is a psychopath. And I think our hero is none of those.

Daniel Wisniewski has a deep bass of a voice and it suits our hero.

Quantitative Evaluation:

Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 5
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 4.5
World building = 5
Cover art = 4
Pace = (8 hrs and 17 mins listening time)
Plot = 4
Narration = 5

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 cherries

Books In The Heart Mage Series:

 

Meet The Author

About James Haddock:

My first career was as a Warrant Officer in the US Army, I am now retired with 22 years of service under my belt. Moving into the next phase of my life, I am a full-time author and RV'er. After seeing everyone else's Country during my first career, we decided to see our own. My wife and I enjoy traveling to see the wonders of America.

I love reading and watching Sci-Fi books, television shows, and movies. To think, "what if" and "why not." I am a pantser writer, I'll get an idea, or see a photo and think, "that would make a great story!". Writing as a pantser, to me, is like reading a new story. I have no idea where the story is going to end up. Writing the way gets me excited to pick up a pen; I look forward to writing each time, and can't wait to write many more.

www.jameshaddock.us | facebook | instagram | amazon | goodreads

The Narrator

About Daniel Wisniewski:

Audio book Narrator, Character Voices, Baritone, Bass, Tenor, Heroes, Villains, Dark, Bright, Young, Old, Comedy, Tragedy, Accents, Dialects.

I am a New York based actor who has performed across a variety of platforms both domestically and internationally. I am also a graduate of Ithaca College with a BFA in Musical Theatre, have studied and worked as a dialect coach, have access to a professional grade studio, and am an experienced editor. When not performing, I can usually be found either leading my friends on a DnD campaign or playing in one myself (usually as a dashing Half-Elf bard or brazen Half-Orc fighter).

www.danielwisniewskiactor.com | twitter | facebook | instagram | youtube | linkedin | goodreads

FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.

TEMERAIRE

The Book

Temeraire by Naomi Novik
Book 1 in the Temeraire series
Narrated by Simon Vance
Genre: urban fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobook

About Temeraire:

Aerial combat brings a thrilling new dimension to the Napoleonic Wars as valiant warriors rise to Britain's defense by taking to the skies . . . not aboard aircraft but atop the mighty backs of fighting dragons.

When HMS Reliant captures a French frigate and seizes its precious cargo, an unhatched dragon egg, fate sweeps Capt. Will Laurence from his seafaring life into an uncertain future –– and an unexpected kinship with a most extraordinary creature. Thrust into the rarified world of the Aerial Corps as master of the dragon Temeraire, he will face a crash course in the daring tactics of airborne battle. For as France's own dragon-borne forces rally to breach British soil in Bonaparte's boldest gambit, Laurence and Temeraire must soar into their own baptism of fire.

Source: Info in the "About Temeraire" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/891592.Temeraire on 27/08/2022.

Buy Link(s):

 

My Thoughts:

I am an old fan of this author and that is the main reason that this book got bought and read. Because I was looking for more of the Uprooted reading goodness! But, I don't know... maybe I was in a reading funk... or something... this book took a whole lot longer to read/listen to, even with the convenience of the audiobook format... The story telling quality just seems to be not on par with Uprooted...

There wasn't much of a plot really. This book being the first book in the series, is mainly an introduction to the world of Temeraire, establish the characters, fights to give it dramatic flair and that is it mainly. However, I bawled my eyes out in the middle of the night of the death of a beloved character that the author killed in chapter 12! I wanted to throttle the life out of Rankin!! And that,... shows us the quality of the story telling quality of this author. The ability to spin moonbeams and rainbows essentially out of nothing...

Now, Simon Vance is an old veteran of a narrator and it shows! And oh, he does autocratic British accent really well!!

Quantitative Evaluation:

Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 4.5
Writing Style = 4.5
Ending = 3.5
World building = 4.5
Cover art = 4.5
Pace = (10 hrs and 8 mins listening time)
Plot = 3.5
Narration = 5

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 cherries

Books In The Temeraire Series:

 

Meet The Author

About Naomi Novik:

An avid reader of fantasy literature since age six, when she first made her way through The Lord of the Rings, Naomi Novik is also a history buff with a particular interest in the Napoleonic era and a fondness for the work of Patrick O’Brian and Jane Austen. She studied English literature at Brown University, and did graduate work in computer science at Columbia University before leaving to participate in the design and development of the computer game Neverwinter Nights: Shadow of Undrentide. Over the course of a brief winter sojourn spent working on the game in Edmonton, Canada (accompanied by a truly alarming coat that now lives brooding in the depths of her closet), she realized she preferred writing to programming, and on returning to New York, decided to try her hand at novels.

Naomi lives in New York City with her husband and six computers.

www.naominovik.com | twitter | facebook | instagram | pinterest | tumblr | audible | amazon | goodreads

The Narrator

About Simon Vance:

Simon Vance is a stage, TV, and film actor who has narrated more than 200 audiobooks for which he has won multiple AudioFile Earphone Awards and Audie nominations. He has also been selected as an AudioFile Golden Voice. Formerly a BBC Radio newsreader in London, he now resides in Northern California.

simonvance.com | twitter | facebook | imdb | wikipedia | goodreads

FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.