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Heroes Die
- The First of the Acts of Caine
- Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
- Length: 22 hrs and 28 mins
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Summary
Audie Award Nominee, Fantasy, 2013
Renowned throughout the land of Ankhana as the Blade of Tyshalle, Caine has killed his share of monarchs and commoners, villains and heroes. He is relentless, unstoppable, simply the best there is at what he does.
At home on Earth, Caine is Hari Michaelson, a superstar whose adventures in Ankhana command an audience of billions. Yet he is shackled by a rigid caste society, bound to ignore the grim fact that he kills men on a far-off world for the entertainment of his own planet - and bound to keep his rage in check.
But now Michaelson has crossed the line. His estranged wife, Pallas Rill, has mysteriously disappeared in the slums of Ankhana. To save her, he must confront the greatest challenge of his life: a lethal game of cat and mouse with the most treacherous rulers of two worlds.
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Overall
- Mr. M. Edwards
- 16-01-13
Clever, violent and it has Caine.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I downloaded this title as I'd heard nothing about the author or the series before, which in itself is strange because I'm a voracious reader. Anyway, I took the chance and started listening.
Imagine my surprise then, that as the last few words of the book faded away in my ears, I came to the conclusion that this may have been one of the finest fantasy books I'd ever come across! The narration is simply sublime - every nuance of the characters is brought to life by Stefan's apparent understanding of their motivations.
The sci-fi/fantasy crossover is handled exceptionally well, as are the philosophical musings by the main players of the story (or should I say actors? :-), and the way that the plot unfolds. It might also be able to lay claim to one of the most badass main characters in fiction.
Note that it is brutally violent (seriously, if you are squeamish stay away), has morally realistic characters (there is no good or evil but merely the acts that men, and Gods, do) and some clever plotting that turns most fantasy tropes on their head. Even though is was written more than 10 years ago, it still feels fresher and does more to push the fantasy genre somewhere new than most current authors.
Do yourself a favour, if you fancy some fantasy and are fed up with the current lot (baring maybe Joe Abercrombie), try this out for size. And remember one thing, it's followed up by a block that manages to better it in almost ever way.
Happy ever after indeed!
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11 people found this helpful
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- 5fer
- 29-11-22
Pot burner
I had to be patient with this story it took some time to get into but in the end it was a good listen
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1 person found this helpful
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- MR A S PRINCE
- 04-05-18
Great story. Narrator has a really nice voice.
I just love the characters. I felt for every one. I got so into this book I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Megan
- 24-10-22
Hit the nail on the head.
I picked this book because the narrator is one of my favourites and was expecting an other predictable action story. Instead I was blown away. I don't often come across books where I end up fist pumping the air at the apex cos I never saw it coming. this book is smart, funny, unpredictable and an unexpected journey.
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- Victor
- 18-06-22
Wow. Read it
The twists, dialogue and descriptions pull you into these 2 worlds. Can't wait to start the next book.
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- Sam S.
- 07-09-21
amazing book and concept
Really great book for fans of hard fantasy and sci fi. only downside is the author isn't exactly prolific.
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- K lvt
- 27-07-21
Don't be put off by the cover
Great story, not sure what I was expecting but wasn't this. Kept me hooked throughout.
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- Matt
- 02-05-20
A different type of fantasy
I heard about this book on Reddit in a Game of Thrones topic. Similar fantasy/political series were asked for, and many were pitched. At the bottom, Acts of Caine was mentioned as a very different type of fantasy.
Its very true. I cant think of another book similar to this.
Its so different from the usual that I genuinely had no idea how it was going to pan out. Its not your usual good vs evil battle
The narration was top notch. All characters instantly recognisable, that clearly shows the narrators (Rudnicki) range
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- Arman
- 04-10-19
pleasantly surprised!
As soon as I heard "wake up"I assumed it works be some "it's all a game/dream" nonsense but this actually played very well. All events were interconnected and actually meant something and the story was solid. Far more enthralling than the terrible cover would suggest lol
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- Egidijus
- 08-10-18
amazing book. really draws you in
the change of subject between the science fiction the gruesome details of pain and the story telling this book is utterly amazing. suggested for everyone and anyone to listen.
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