My Take in Brief: I really enjoyed listening to this one, and plan to continue with the series. The characters make the story (as Shinn herself says in the opening intro), and the narrator made the audiobook. But I’m not feeling inspired to say much of anything about it. So I’m going to talk a bit about other reviews of it.
Series?: Yes, this is the first book in the Twelve Houses series. Click on the book cover above for more info.
Audiobook note: Jennifer Van Dyck’s narration is fantastic. If I continue with the series, I will definitely continue on audio with Van Dyck. I think this is the best audiobook I have heard in the third person except for Jim Dale’s Harry Potters.
Plot synopsis from Audible: “The fire mystic Senneth crosses the country of Gillengaria on a mission for the king, trying to discover if noble marlords from the Twelve Houses are planning an uprising. She is accompanied by the soldiers Justin and Tayse, two King’s Riders who are unswervingly loyal to the crown. Also on the journey are the shape-changers Kirra and Donnal, and a young mystic named Cammon who can practically read minds. It’s soon clear that not only are marlords planning a rebellion, but that they are being aided by Daughters of the Pale Mother, a fanatical religious sect that hates mystics. While Senneth can clearly take care of herself, Tayse finds himself unable to stop watching her – determined both to protect her and to uncover her secrets.”
