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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 Military Fiction Fantasy
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What listeners say about The Emperor's Blades

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  • Overall
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    3 out of 5 stars

Finally done

I had trouble finishing this book. nothing pleasant ever seemed to happen. Just painful reading.

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2 people found this helpful

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must read

loved it. brilliant fresh world, compelling ideas and I'm has left me wanting more. I will definitely download the 2nd book. The narrator is equally good and really completes the story.

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

nice narrator and cleaver story.

Engaging the listener within the first chapter. Refreshing twist to the normal fantasy i read. would recommend to anyone who enjoys game of thrones style of narratives, shares the fragmented character story arcs and does so perfectly each character having their own interesting mystery.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent Book and Narration

This was my first Staveley book and it was excellent. This was also my first proper Vance book (apart from Dune, and that had loads of other narrators as well) and he was great. I'm going straight onto the 2nd book and hope the trilogy carries on in a similar, strong fashion. A few twists, but nothing mind-blowing. Some good action, but could have been bigger and bloodier. Good characters, likeable. The baddies could have been better. There was a bit of Harry Potter vs Malfoy going on, but... well, that particular pairing won't be an issue in following books :) All in all, book one was a great intro to the trilogy. On to book two!

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A good story and afer you get into it and work out

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Any additional comments?

I have bought the 2nd volume and am now beginning to listen to this. The reader is very good giving you time to take in all that is happening.

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Very much the first in a trilogy

This maybe the best and most frustrating first in a trilogy ever. Great story well told but distinct lack of any satisfaction as to the bigger themes in the book.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Checked the woke boxes

Great world building, I probably will read the second book and I will read this again. Had to f-ing substract a star. I wished at one point Kaden was more alpha towards Triste. Characters are religious. Good fantasy.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Quality fantasy...

A well written, well thought through and well narrated romp. Avoids cliches and keeps you guessing...most of the time. Well worth it. I'm on to number two!

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

I had no idea what to expect but am so glad I listened to this book. Everything is fantastic, the story, the twists the characterisation, the magic system. It's a simply outstanding fantasy piece. The only thing that threw me off a little was the head jumping in one of the chapters but it worked! Looking forward to reading more from this author and cant recommend this text enough!

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1 person found this helpful

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Beautiful

It was enjoyable. The first part of the story was slow. From the middle it became interesting. It was wonderful written and beautiful narrated.

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