Audio Book Review: Sower of Dreams

Sower of Dreams

By:  Debra Holland

Publish Date:  July 19, 2011, Audiobook December 27, 2013

Format:  Audiobook - 11 hrs 9 mins
Narrated By:  Noah Michael Levine

Genre:  Fantasy Romance

Series:  1st in Gods' Dream Trilogy;

Impression:  Survival and finding love, even with all the loss one might have to life through

Synopsis:
On present Earth, Khan Laenser is on the run from a death threat and stumbles across a secret shrine in the desert. Inside the shrine, the goddess Withea sends him to the ancient world of Kimtair to reclaim the wasted land that was once a flourishing civilization.

When Princess Daria of Seagem spurns the marriage proposal of Thadis, the king of a neighboring country, he invades. Daria flees into the desert, only to fall pray to a marauding beast. when Khan rescues her, they join forces to defeat their enemies. But will his vow to the goddess and her royal responsibilities tear them apart.

First Sentence:
"Indaran," Daria called to her eldest brother.

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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.

Daria is blessed with the strong other sense where she can feel her family, others that think of her, and dream walk. Daria feel's danger awaits her if she goes to the neighboring, friendly country for the kings funeral. Thaddis, the prince now king, has plans for his future and they include Daria. Thaddis will go to the ends of the world to find Daria and fulfill those plans.

Khan over hears his half-brothers' plans of what he's going to do to Khan. Khan follows an old map of the desert to a city of ruins, and a portal to another world. Khan finds a new life on Kimtair, and a woman he could love. When the woman of his dreams shows up, their love could be stopped by his oath to his goddess, those hunting him, and those hunting her before the get to spend time together.

I listened to the audio version of this book. Noah tells the story in the accents and tones of each character. There are Middle Eastern accents present along with higher tones for different characters. The infliction of his voice fits the presence of the characters, such as King Iceros and others. There are dream moments present as it's an important part of Daria's abilities, and Noah narrates it in a softer tone so we know we are in the dream moments. There are emotions that become familiar to each character in his voice. He also yawns and a few additional vocal cues used through the story to bring the moments to life.

Thinking back through the story I realize we get a bit of everything. There's danger in both Daria's and Khan's lives and they have a goal that's not possible for one reason or another. But they also need to save themselves. The beginning feels slow as it sets the stage of the world. The sense that's part of the royal people we see. The sense of dangers and more. Then the dream threads that Daria has that she can visit with others in dreams. Along with meeting of the characters and memories of Indaran, the eldest brother of Daria's that was lost at sea on a mission he chose to go on.

The story is slower in the fantasy sense as it presents the problems and solutions with characters working together. This is to thread a relationship for them that is growing stronger. It's a story of finding love, even with all the loss one might have to life through.

The magic connection Daria and her family has is neat. It's something that's called a heart line. She knows that they are alive and connected with them. A power that thrums in them. They are connected to their God this way as well. But this magical connection grows with Khan as well. He feels it with his goddess and with Daria. It's interesting to see how it grows with the strength of their relationship.

This story is a light romance of Daria and Khan finding each other. We don't get into great depth of many gods here other than a few details on Daria's sea god and Thaddis's god. We do get a great view of the goddess Khan comes to serve.  The Gods seem to be very active in the lives of their people. However, Daria's god abandons them. She can't connect or talk with him as she was able to do. Khan has a Goddess that helps him, and he pledges his life to help care for her land. The Goddess is very active in helping him to do just that.

The name of the series, Gods' Dream Trilogy, is what I'm looking forward too. With the ending of this book, it feels as there is more to come.