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  • The Emperor's Blades

  • Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, Book 1
  • By: Brian Staveley
  • Narrated by: Simon Vance
  • Length: 19 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,727 ratings)

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The Emperor's Blades cover art

The Emperor's Blades

By: Brian Staveley
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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Summary

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.

What listeners say about The Emperor's Blades

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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

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

  • Overall
    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

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

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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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Simon Vance one of the best to listen to. .

good story read by one of my favourite readers.
can't wait to listen to the next 2 books

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent, captivating, different

While the plot in itself at first seems a classic power coup, it is revealed to be much more than that. The story is captivating and the voice acting top notch.

The lore is very interesting and there are several unique aspects to the world. A recommended listen!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

listened all the way throughputs

found it a struggle a bit. made read as much of it as I could. interesting, enthralling at times. interesring

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An enjoyable setting of scene

Really enjoyed the story and performance. Characters well crafted and story is promising. Easy listen with good narration. I'm excited to see what else is in store.
Only criticism is maybe that there was a whole lot of scene setting and not a great deal happened, having said that I was gripped by the story and like the direction it takes. There is some conclusion which makes the end satisfying but leaves enough doors open to make me want to read more.
A really good start in my opinion.
Bring on the providence of fire!

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20 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An excellent first book in a fantasy series

Original plot, with excellent narration. A gripping story that leaves you keen to crack on with the next book in the series. Highly recommended to fans of epic fantasy with a more mature twist such as books by Joe Abercrombie

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19 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Thoroughly enjoyed !

well read, really enjoyed the story, lots of twists to keep you guessing & a preview of the next book at the end.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Very enjoyable

Great narrator and gripping story. Vivid depiction of the book's world and it's history. Looking forward to the next part.

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