The Lord Of Stariel by A.J. Lancaster
Book 1 in the Stariel series
Narrated by Finty Williams
Genre: victorian fantasy / steampunk
Format: ebook & audiobook
Book 1 in the Stariel series
Narrated by Finty Williams
Genre: victorian fantasy / steampunk
Format: ebook & audiobook
About The Lord Of Stariel:
The Lord of Stariel is dead. Long live the Lord of Stariel. Whoever that is.
Everyone knows who the magical estate will choose for its next ruler. Or do they?
Will it be the lord’s eldest son, who he despised?
His favourite nephew, with the strongest magical land-sense?
His scandalous daughter, who ran away from home years ago to study illusion?
Hetta knows it won’t be her, and she’s glad of it. Returning home for her father’s funeral, all Hetta has to do is survive the family drama and avoid entanglements with irritatingly attractive local men until the Choosing. Then she can leave.
But whoever Stariel chooses will have bigger problems than eccentric relatives to deal with. Winged, beautifully deadly problems. For the first time in centuries, the fae are returning to the Mortal Realm, and only the Lord of Stariel can keep the estate safe.
Source: Info in the "About The Lord Of Stariel" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41838393-the-lord-of-starie on 25/11/2023.
Buy Link(s):
Hetta
My Thoughts:
The premise of a sentient land is very appealing to my fantasy geek self, thus this book got read!
This is my first A.J. Lancaster read and this author sure knows how to weave a story!
I've read a lot of fantasy books. Epic fantasies. Urban fantasy. Paranormal thrillers. And most of them have little to no plots. Especially the urban fantasy genre. However, this book not only have a plot, it is actually twisty enough to rival a crime fiction! Now, how is that for plot building in this genre!
I was impressed!
This is my first Finty Williams audiobook. She has the same deep voice as Lorelei King. I prefer softer voices like that of Therese Plummer. However, one cannot deny the fact that Finty has talent. Does not read with a singsong. And gives the lines just enough inflection to bring the story to life!
Quantitative Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 4.5
Writing Style = 4.5
Ending = 5
World building = 5
Cover art = 4
Pace = (10 hrs and 46 mins listening time)
Plot = 4.5
Narration = 5
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 4.5
Writing Style = 4.5
Ending = 5
World building = 5
Cover art = 4
Pace = (10 hrs and 46 mins listening time)
Plot = 4.5
Narration = 5
Books In The Stariel Series:
Meet The Author
About A.J. Lancaster:
Growing up in rural New Zealand, AJ Lancaster escaped chores by hiding up trees reading books. AJ wrote in the same way as breathing — constantly and without thinking much of it — so it took many years and accumulating a pile of manuscripts to connect this activity to ‘being a writer’. Along the way, AJ collected a degree in science, worked in environmental planning, and became an editor.
Now ensconced in a house with two cats and a wide variety of houseplants, AJ writes and indie publishes romantic, whimsical fantasy books. The Lord of Stariel is the first novel in the now-complete Stariel Quartet.
In 2021, AJ Lancaster received the Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best New Talent, New Zealand’s preeminent awards for science fiction, fantasy, and horror.
The Narrator
About Finty Williams:
Finty Williams was born in London in 1972, the daughter of actors Judi Dench and Michael Williams. She trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama and has appeared in many British films and theatre productions. She is the lead voice for the animated children's series Angelina Ballerina, and has narrated a number of audiobooks.
FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.
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