Try free for 30 days

  • Goldenhand

  • The Old Kingdom, Book 5
  • By: Garth Nix
  • Narrated by: Heather Wilds
  • Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (124 ratings)

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
Goldenhand cover art

Goldenhand

By: Garth Nix
Narrated by: Heather Wilds
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.99

Buy Now for $26.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

The long-awaited fifth installment in Garth Nix's New York Times best-selling Old Kingdom series, for listeners who enjoy series by Rae Carson, Kristin Cashore, Scott Westerfeld, and Cassandra Clare.

Goldenhand takes place six months after the events of Abhorsen and follows the novella Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case, which is featured in Across the Wall.

Lirael lost one of her hands in the binding of Orannis, but now she has a new hand, one of gilded steel and Charter Magic. On a dangerous journey, Lirael returns to her childhood home, the Clayr's Glacier, where she was once a Second Assistant Librarian. There a young woman from the distant North brings her a message from her long-dead mother, Arielle. It is a warning about the Witch with No Face. But who is the Witch, and what is she planning? Lirael must use her new powers to save the Old Kingdom from this great danger - and it must be forestalled not only in the living world but also in the cold, remorseless river of Death.

©2016 Garth Nix (P)2016 Listening Library

What listeners say about Goldenhand

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    91
  • 4 Stars
    21
  • 3 Stars
    11
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    63
  • 4 Stars
    19
  • 3 Stars
    21
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    3
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    82
  • 4 Stars
    18
  • 3 Stars
    9
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

I always love an old kingdom book

This one was no exception, although I think perhaps you feel less tension than Abhorsen, it's pretty hard to make anything seem as serious as the world destroyer. I found the romance aspect of this book slightly rushed as well, but still enjoyable. The voice acting was not my favourite but it wasn't awful

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Zoe
  • 16-01-2020

Great story, difficult narrator

I love everything Nix writes, this is a lovely addition to Lirael's story.

I really struggled with the narration, having to come back to the book a few times. She declared her words through the book like each half sentence was it's own phrase, or like she was trying to put too much gravitas into her words. Every few word seemed to be emphasised 'like This to make the Words seem more Powerful' and it got old quick.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved the series

I love the story but its a different narrator to the others and sometimes she sounds disjointed and weirdly paced.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Not bad, but not sold on audio just yet

I love the Old Kingdom series, I've thoroughly enjoyed going back to this world again.

This was my first audiobook experience and I found it challenging, but convenient.
the narrator was quite versatile and did a good job of distinguishing characters whilst still keeping the flow to the story. I did struggle with the pace of reading, and struggled with some of the way words were pronounced. As you can imagine, don't mentally sound out or picture things the way they are interpreted by another.


Overall good story, I found Lirael a bit frustrating as a protagonist...but that's because I compared her to Sabriel, the much more confident, more established in her craft Abhorsen (even in the first book when their father died). It's a fine balance though, to be grieving, having grown up as an outcast and to have an intimidating older sister/queen must be hard.
I hope there's another Old Kingdom book one day. I love the world, the characters

Loved the story. Having audiobook meant I could listen during walks and the like, so I'll probably give it another go in future

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

okay

A great ending to a great series. It was wonderful to return to the Old Kingdom and see Lireal and Nicholas on their adventures. Lireal is maturing and still missing her beloved Dog- aw. But I loved the stand-alone Clariel so much that this continuation of the original story was just okay for me.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Hard to listed to!

The reading spoilt what was a good little book.
I don’t think I could sit through another robotic reading like that.
Life is too short!
Greg Taylor.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Robot

That was an amazing story. For the whole book it sounded like a robot talking though. Only negative I can find.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Goldenhand

beautifully narrated with distinct voices for different characters. a great continuation of the story I grew up reading. Best part was the battle towards the end of the book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

good listening

l like the story, characterisation and narrator. It was was to visulise this story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.