Audio Book Review: Obsidian Threads

Obsidian Threads

By:  Charlie Pulsipher

Publish Date:  November 24, 2014, Audiobook September 16, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 8 hrs 34 mins
Narrated By:  Keith Michaelson

Genre:  YA Fantasy

Series:  2nd in The Lost Shards series; Book 1 ~ The Crystal Bridge

Impression:  All come together and battle starts!

Synopsis:
Rho has awakened. Its acolytes will tear worlds apart to release their deity from its prison. Any hope of Rho's defeat lies with two people lost in a strange universe. Kaden and Aren must learn to harness all their unique gifts if they are to rival the god of darkness reborn.

They will not fight alone. A brilliant geneticist, a furry dwaro, two less than friendly elves, dragons, and a spunky red-haired computer stand with them. But if Kaden and Aren fail to reach their full potential, all of reality will be devoured until nothing remains but Rho.

First Sentence:
The twin gods Gathin and Erastin popped into existence on a cliff overlooking the forest far below, the scent of dragons faint.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Audible


My Thoughts and Summary:
*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review, at my request.

Rho is working his way lose on Ealdar to consume all that's here. All those living in this world are in danger. The four races, Sidra, Dwaro, Humans, and the ancients, and more must work together to save their world. Kaden is sent to one of the human kingdoms to see where the Prophet and Prophetess first arrived, in hopes of finding Aren. Aren stumbles across the king of the kingdom in search for Kaden, returning to his kingdom with him. Kaden and Aren are the key to stopping the dark god Rho with help from others. But how do you stop a god that devours everything? Omegaphil is now on the search to find out where James went, through a wormhole, in hopes of curing death.

I once again had the great pleasure of listening to Keith narrate this story. He's continued with the series, which is a bonus for us. Keith feels as he is part of the story and is the characters. He really yells when Kaden is in pain, along with other characters. By doing this he catches my attention and draws me back into the story. I do enjoy the tone differences and accents of each character as Keith slips into their character. For me this is a highlight along with talent in emotions shared through voice. I don't get lost on who's who and who's talking or acting in the story. I do have to laugh at times when I listen to Keith do the Dwaro speak. It's fun to listen to.

We start with a recap of The Crystal Bridge, bringing us back to where we left all the characters at on that big ending leaving us wanting to know.

Obsidian Threads dives right back in with exactly where everyone's left. It's quick moving like the ending of The Crystal Bridge. People were left in moments of need and danger and the story picks up with the same pacing to get them out of it. We hop each character along with new ones to see their predicament and what is happening. The story as a whole feels to be faster paced. We get shorter sections in each character's eyes, seeing them all come together, prep for battle, and the big battle be fought. There is a lot covered, learned, and happening. There is loss along with realizing there are many that were saved that wouldn't have been if there was nothing done.

The story holds to the large fantasy feel with different people in different places and point of view's we get. We meet new characters and get new views of the worlds. We see things from the human side at Ealdar, the humans that are so hated for what they've done to the Sidra and Dwaro, who we've come to know as they helped Kaden and Aren. Lyle, the king of the humans, comes into a very important rule in the story. The humans don't seem so bad at the view through Lyle's eyes. But I do understand why they would be looked at as they are from the other beings present.

We get to see humans with magic! There is a human, Taggers, that can work the true language of the land. There is another that's not as strong in magic but grows stronger from the darkness. Taggers is a neat character. It would be nice to see more of him in the future.

Rho is dark and powerful. He grows through this book and is a terrible foe in battle. He has his creatures, demons, and followers to help him. Oh heavens do we see all sorts of deranged creatures! It really brings the fantasy world to life. And the battle! Wow.

The side of the story from Omegaphil is interesting. There are things that are going on there, in search of the cure to death. But what happens to the characters there brings us to a new place in the story and world. In the end there is a big change in their landing. It almost feels as if it could be a big circle and explains a few things as to how the prophecy was started, along with who the spirit of Ealdar is. I like this connection.

We are left with a new twist in the story. It's not as big of a moment that I need the next book, but one that makes me curious to see where the author will go next. It left me with an Oooo feeling as my mind raced back to see if I could place it. I do look forward to the next story and the adventures of Kaden and Aren, and any others we have grown to know and enjoy along the way.