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The Merlin Conspiracy
- Trick or Treason
- Narrated by: Emilia Fox, David Tennant
- Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins
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The Merlin Conspiracy
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Summary
A glorious fantasy novel from the award-winning author of the Chrestomanci series.
The story is narrated by two very different teenagers, who each inhabit two extraordinarily different worlds.
Arianrhod Hyde's world (or Roddy, as she prefers to be called) is very much the world of magic, pageantry and ritual. Not unlike Britain in King Arthur's Day, Roddy is daughter of two Court Wizards and therefore part of the King's Progress, travelling round the Islands of Blest and ready to take part in whatever ritual or ceremony is required, as it occurs. Presiding over all, the most important person is the Merlin, who is entrusted with the magical health of the Isles of Blest.
Nick Mallory's world is much more familiar – at least, it starts off being our own. But it soon transpires that Nick's not quite the ordinary 15 year old he seems, as he slips sideways into something he thinks is a dream – but in fact is another world entirely. Now, Nick's been on other worlds before (although never alone) but he's a confident type. Maybe a bit too confident…
In Roddy's world, the current Merlin expires and a new one takes his place. Yet something is wrong – the rituals have been upset and nothing is going the way it should. Roddy needs help, and certain powers indicate that Nick is to be the one to help her. And Nick is cool about helping her – in theory… but it's a bit worrying that she seems to mistake him for a magic-user.
Their stories unfold, side-by-side, each part leading into the next, and the Merlin Conspiracy thickens as the tales swirl around each other – twining, meeting and affecting each other, yet never completely combining until the very end chapters when all is finally revealed.
Compelling, howlingly funny in places, mind-boggling – this story will wow Diana Wynne Jones fans all around the world (and probably in other universes too).
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What listeners say about The Merlin Conspiracy
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- allyblue
- 24-02-23
Awful narration from Emilia Fox
The story, as with other DWJ books, is really engaging and funny. Forshadowing is used brilliantly here and my daughter couldn't wait to hear what happened next. We listened to it on a car journey and the whole family loved it. David Tennant's narration is perfect as usual. However, Emilia Fox is required to do two Welsh characters in this story and her accent is so offensively bad it's unlistenable. Cannot understand why an actor who can't do a Welsh accent at all was chosen for such a substantial Welsh part. Ruins every part of the story with those characters in. If the female narration was Kristin Atherton this audiobook would be perfect. Such a shame.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Mto108
- 29-02-20
Tennant great, story somewhat aimless
Possibly due to abridgement, the story felt slightly haphazard. I haven't read the print book so I'm not sure what was removed. Tennant's voice acting is awesome though, really enjoyable. Emilia Fox was less good in my view, but overall it was a fun middle grade fantasy with interesting world building.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jessica O'Brien
- 08-12-18
Always loved the story, narrators great but..
The main issue with this, is the fact that it is abridged. There's just a fair amount missing that leaves parts clunky and left me waiting for the parts I remember. I enjoyed the performances but I felt the parts missing. I just wished there was a full version.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Alexandra Wyatt
- 16-07-18
Great story.
A fantastic story, highly recommend for older children, young adults and adults alike!
Some of the accents/caracter voices were questionable at points, but still endearing.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Fes
- 10-05-13
Isn't this recording is Abridged NOT unabridged?
For someone who likes to listen to (and has read) the whole thing, to find out that this is an abridged recording NOT unabridged as listed above has been most disappointing (have a look at the HarperCollins site which clearly states this as an abridged version). This is most misleading of audible/amazon - I wouldn't have purchased it if the details were correct.
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20 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Caroline Brooks
- 14-02-22
Worst incidental music ever
A good book, but impossible to go to sleep to due to terrible surprise music popping up halfway through a chapter, with dings and synthetic cymbal clashing and fake horns blaring.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 10-07-18
A great Diana Wynne Jones + wonderful narration
Exciting and magical. This is one of my favourite Diana Wynne Jones books and the narrators, David Tennant and Emilia Fox narrate brilliantly. Tennant 's voice for the plummy Scottish lady elephant is so funny and endearing. The incidental music fits so well too. I could listen to it over and over again.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Dragon
- 05-03-15
Unlistenable
Despite the excellent narration, I just could not listen to this after several attempts. Something about the clunky writing style just brings me out in a rash, and the story did not seem to be going anywhere or to contain anyone interesting.
Some reviewers seem to love it though. Maybe this is just a personal reaction! I recommend a careful listen to the audio sample before you decide to buy.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- C. donald
- 14-02-19
great story well read , too much music throughout
loved the story as I love this author , the voices reading were great too . The only thing that let this down was the music , there was music at the end of every chapter this spoilt it for me :(
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