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The Empire's Ruin
- Ashes of the Unhewn Throne, Book 1
- Narrated by: Moira Quirk, Joe Jameson, Oliver Cudbill
- Length: 35 hrs and 33 mins
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The Empire's Ruin
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Summary
Brian Staveley, author of The Emperor's Blades, gives listeners the first book in a new epic fantasy trilogy based in the world of his popular series the Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, The Empire's Ruin.
Best of Summer 2021 - Polygon
The Annurian Empire is disintegrating. The advantages it used for millennia have fallen to ruin. The ranks of the Kettral have been decimated from within, and the kenta gates, granting instantaneous travel across the vast lands of the empire, can no longer be used.
In order to save the empire, one of the surviving Kettral must voyage beyond the edge of the known world through a land that warps and poisons all living things to find the nesting ground of the giant war hawks. Meanwhile, a monk turned con-artist may hold the secret to the kenta gates.
But time is running out. Deep within the southern reaches of the empire and ancient god-like race has begun to stir.
What they discover will change them and the Annurian Empire forever. If they can survive.
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Critic reviews
“Brian Staveley’s books are epic in every sense of the word. His characters are complex, his history deep, his plots rife with action and intrigue. He’s a giant in the genre, no doubt.” (Nicolas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld)
“If you loved Brian Staveley's Chronicle of the Unhewn Throne, then hang onto your war hawk, 'cause his new book, The Empire’s Ruin, returns to the world of the crumbling Annurian Empire in a spectacular way. Fans of Staveley's work, and those who enjoy epic fantasy outside the conventional mold, are going to unearth treasure.” (R.S. Belcher)
What listeners say about The Empire's Ruin
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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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mr. Francis S. Beadle
- 12-09-24
very enjoyable
It's a bit overwritten, but still absolutely loved it. Great characters and world building. interesting plot. If you enjoyed his others books you ought to enjoy this too.
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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
- j sankey
- 29-01-22
Pacey, action packed and a great sequel
If you loved the first three books, this is for you. Action packed story; yes, much has been reviewed about the introspection of one character, but I didn't feel it was as laboured as some said. I got past it. Narration by one actor is a bit too camp for me, but it's only part of the narrating, so perfectly tolerable. Loved this book; so thrilled the author added more to the original trilogy. I recommend it!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ruth Duffy
- 21-05-23
Review
Good story. I have listened to many audio books and have used the stars to rate but never written a comment but the narration on this book is absolutely terrible. One worse than the other.
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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
- Malkym
- 03-08-22
Caution
bad language from the start improves the great story line. Throughly enjoyed it now looking for the next in the series.
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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
- Daisy333
- 26-01-22
35 hours were not enough
The longest book I have ever listened to. It ended too soon! Loved every minute of it, didn’t get bored even once.
Looking forward to the next one.
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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
- Amazon Customer
- 10-08-22
Amazing
Another fantastic book! Desperate for the next one!
I believe this is the first of a new trilogy.
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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
- ContraMundis
- 16-06-22
best in the series; phenomenally good
loved it from start to finish. Riveting and beautifully written, it capitalises on the rich lore and wonderful characters in the previous books and connects threads that I truly thought were entirely separate.i don't generally leave reviews but I felt motivated to do so. read the series, then this one. You will not be disappointed.
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1 person 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
- J Smith
- 20-01-22
“You die or you don’t”
Loved all of Brian’s books so far and this is no exception!
Tons of action and hard fought storylines.
Really disappointed when it came to an end!Great narrators with some excellent pacing, atmosphere and character voices.
Took me a little while to get used to the switching of narrators though and unfortunately I didn’t find Oliver’s style as much to my liking as the others and found myself a little disappointed when it came around (hence only the 4 stars for performance!) but it wouldn’t stop me from listening again!
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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
- Cate
- 06-02-22
Started slow but so worth it...
I'm a big fan of Brian Staveley. I read his first trilogy and loved it. This book took me a little longer to get into but then I think that's to be expected - he's introducing two new POV characters and needs to build up a bit of history for them.
I think the pay off is very worth it. I loved both Gwenna and Ruc's stories very much. I was less sold on Akiil's story but I think that had to do with the narrator for this POV who I didn't feel was as good as the other two.
The story is interesting. I often wonder how the author will write his way out of corners he creates with hugely overpowered characters but, to his credit, he manages to every time and in a believable way no less!
I'll definitely be buying the next instalment.
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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
- Poppey
- 11-01-22
Save the Ones You Can
A brilliant follow-on from the Unhewn Throne. It is a story of survival in a brutal world, of vulnerability in a sea of cruelty. I am, however, somewhat disappointed in Gwenna, who seems to be on a journey of destruction followed by self pity. With Gwenna as your friend, you really don't need enemies.
Narration was brilliant and really added to the characterisations.
If you like fantasy, then this is fantasy at its best.
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