The Emperor's Blades cover art

The Emperor's Blades

Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, Book 1

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The Emperor's Blades

By: Brian Staveley
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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About this listen

Now includes special bonus content. Stay tuned after the audiobook to hear “The Last Abbot of Ashk’lan,” a short story by Brian Staveley.

The emperor of Annur is dead, slain by enemies unknown. His daughter and two sons, scattered across the world, do what they must to stay alive and unmask the assassins. But each of them also has a life-path on which their father set them, destinies entangled with both ancient enemies and inscrutable gods.

Kaden, the heir to the Unhewn Throne, has spent eight years sequestered in a remote mountain monastery, learning the enigmatic discipline of monks devoted to the Blank God. Their rituals hold the key to an ancient power he must master before it's too late.

An ocean away, Valyn endures the brutal training of the Kettral, elite soldiers who fly into battle on gigantic black hawks. But before he can set out to save Kaden, Valyn must survive one horrific final test.

At the heart of the empire, Minister Adare, elevated to her station by one of the emperor's final acts, is determined to prove herself to her people. But Adare also believes she knows who murdered her father, and she will stop at nothing - and risk everything - to see that justice is meted out.

©2014 Brian Stavely (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved. Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Military
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Great world building and pacing. Characters are deeply flawed in their own ways which is great.
Narration is good with great differentiation between the different character voices.
Finally, the story is great! Full of twists and intrigue!
I highly recommend this great book.

Excellent!

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I loved this audiobook. I haven't been gripped this much by a fantasy since the last book from Abercrombie. Brian Staveley creates a fascinating world, and strong characters with strong motivations that you really care about. Love the similes and metaphors too. I'm glad I got this book, and I will certainly be reading the next in the series.

Epic Grimdark

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Took me a few more chapters than I would normally like to get into it. Almost returned it in fact. But read reviews and decided to stick it out. Well worth it and couldn't stop listening in the end. Onto book 2 now.

Slow to start, but then you can't put it down

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love it . hard to stop listening to it . even when I had to read with my kids ..... I almost ran to my phone to continue

loved it

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Really addictive story, a fantastic distraction from life and very immersive. Would definitely recommend! Make sure you keep going after the first chapter.

Engaging, fantastic

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I had not read any other works by Brian Staveley but I will now! really enjoyed the story, while long it was well paced and it provides a vivid world and deep characters. the narration was the stand out for me, Simon Vance's reading was brilliant, drawing me into the story.

excellent tale, brilliantly narrated

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Great epic fantasy with unique characters that are interesting read about. Not the standard fantasy tropes either, these characters and situations are well developed with a fast paced plot. I loved it.

Fantastic book.

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Chose this based on reviews and wasn't disappointed. Loved the depth to which characters and the world were developed. The narration was excellent. I'm really looking forward to the next in the series.

such a world of depth

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really interesting ,extremely good characters and wonderful storyline. the story is extremely captivating. the audio voice is great to listen to and disappointed when it ended.

really great

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Thoroughly enjoyed it. The Narrator was excellent. Can't wait to listen to the next book.

terrific

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