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Spellbreaker

Spellbreaker, Book 1

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Spellbreaker

By: Charlie N. Holmberg
Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden, Joel Froomkin
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About this listen

A world of enchanted injustice needs a disenchanting woman in the newest fantasy series by the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Paper Magician.

The orphaned Elsie Camden learned as a girl that there were two kinds of wizards in the world: those who pay for the power to cast spells and those, like her, born with the ability to break them. But as an unlicensed magic user, her gift is a crime. Commissioned by an underground group known as the Cowls, Elsie uses her spellbreaking to push back against the aristocrats and help the common man. She always did love the tale of Robin Hood.

Elite magic user Bacchus Kelsey is one elusive spell away from his mastership when he catches Elsie breaking an enchantment. To protect her secret, Elsie strikes a bargain. She’ll help Bacchus fix unruly spells around his estate if he doesn’t turn her in. Working together, Elsie’s trust in - and fondness for - the handsome stranger grows. So does her trepidation about the rise in the murders of wizards and the theft of the spellbooks their bodies leave behind.

For a rogue spellbreaker like Elsie, there’s so much to learn about her powers, her family, the intriguing Bacchus, and the untold dangers shadowing every step of a journey she’s destined to complete. But will she uncover the mystery before it’s too late to save everything she loves?

©2020 by Charlie N. Holmberg. (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.
Classics Fantasy Fiction Historical Romance Magic Users Crime Magic Wizardry

Critic Reviews

“Skillful vocal characterizations enhance this fantasy audiobook set in a magical Victorian Britain…While the plot is complex, both narrators evoke the sympathetic protagonists so convincingly that listeners will feel invested, as well as excited for the sequel.” --AudioFile magazine

“Those who enjoy gentle romance, cozy mysteries, or Victorian fantasy will love this first half of a duology. The cliffhanger ending will keep readers breathless waiting for the second half.” --Library Journal (starred review)

“Powerful magic, indulgent Victoriana, and a slow-burn romance make this genre-bending romp utterly delightful.” --Kirkus Reviews

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The story was great and the female narrator very good but the male narrator had odd intonation and inconsistent accents, which was very distracting. Also, I didn't understand nor appreciate the reason for two narrators. Please consider rerecording with only one narrator, and let it be Elizabeth Knoweldon.

Great story but why 2 narrators!? just need Elizab

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Great world building and interesting story. Just finished my third read through and finding it just as enjoyable.

loved it

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Great book. Both narrators were good. The male narrator seemed true to the character's station and didn't annoy me at all.

Enjoyable book.

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loved the characters.
storyline was fast paced and interesting.
well done to the author and voice actors, i cant wait listen to the next book in the series.

great book

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Loved this book, as always had to be patient with Charlie as the story always have a slow build up. But once it gets going it gets really good, thank you 🙏🏾. I thought the paper magician series was really but this is a close second!

A different magic world

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the story is engaging, the woman narrator is great. the male narrator is not in any way good. it sounds like he's forcing out the constipated words. If you have the time read the actual book instead.

the male narrator is so bad

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I enjoyed the story and the female narrator but found myself skipping through the sections with the male narrator. it was so irritating.

great story and one good narrator

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Storyline very good, narration excellent I really enjoyed this book good plot no swearing or sex scenes

Really enjoyed

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A good narrative, as per other of Holmberg’s novels. Likeable characters and pulls you along, good twists along the way. However, I rated this three stars for the story mainly as this is one of those books that effectively has been split into two, meaning you need to buy the next book to find out how the story ends. I do find that pretty frustrating and blatantly just an approach to get more money from readers/listeners. As a secondary annoyance, the male narrator used in some sections did not have a grasp of the Caribbean accents, which was really off-putting - luckily he only had a few sections and the female narrator was great (not sure why you wouldn’t use a Caribbean narrator given these accents were required).
Anyway, I did enjoy it for light listening while doing the gardening, and would have bought the sequel anyway. Just wish the first novel could have come to a more conclusive ending before going to a sequel.

Enjoyable, though need to read sequel for full story

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Dnfed 2 hours in. It seemed like an interesting story, but the narrator for the guy threw me off every time he spoke. The narrator for Elsie was great, wish the whole story was narrated by her. I might have to give it a try in physical format

interesting story

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