The Shattered Crown: Steelhaven, Book Two Unabridged (Audio Download): Amazon.co.uk: Richard Ford, David Thorpe: Books

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Audio Download
Listening Length: 16 hours and 14 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Headline Digital
Audible.co.uk Release Date: 13 Mar 2014
Language: English
ASIN: B00IJ21ULE

Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)

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Blood oaths are sworn and broken in a city facing total annihilation as Richard Ford's epic fantasy series, which opened with Herald Of The Storm, continues. Heroes must rise...or the city will fall. The King is dead. His daughter, untested and alone, now wears the Steel Crown. And a vast horde is steadily carving a bloody road south, hell-bent on razing Steelhaven to the ground. Before the city faces the terror that approaches, it must crush the danger already lurking within its walls. But will the cost of victory be as devastating as that of defeat?

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Strong second entry 21 Mar 2014

By W.M.M. van der Salm-Pallada TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback

Last year I was quite taken with Herald of the Storm, the first book in the Steelhaven trilogy, so I was very much looking forward to this second instalment called The Shattered Crown. I liked the setting, the tone of the first novel, and the fact that there were many different flavours of type of story in the book. On the other hand I had some difficulties with the pacing and some of the characters. I was hoping that Ford would improve on the points I found lacking and keep everything I liked. And he did, mostly.

While in the previous book the seven viewpoint characters each had their own story arc for the most part, which only overlapped some of the time, the events of said book have conspired to clump the viewpoints together in fewer storylines. This clustering of the different viewpoints created a clearer movement in the plot, allowing the pace to pick up more and the narrative feel less jumpy; even if we are head-hopping, we don't hop storylines as often, so it seems more of a continuous whole. The story arcs are now mainly divided between the palace, the Greencoats, the Tower of Magisters and the underworld of Steelhaven. There is one significant viewpoint added, which is that of Regulus, former chief of the Sho'tana, a Southern mountain tribe. His is the outsider's view and an interesting extension of our view of the world Ford's created and of Steelhaven.

The characters I had some trouble with last time, mostly were better in this book, but unfortunately there is also a character that became decidedly less enjoyable than last time. Whereas I thought Rag and River could have been easily been omitted from the previous book, this time around Rag was vital and I loved her story line. River, however, is still seemingly peripheral to the story, which really makes me wonder what his role will be next book. The character that really disappointed me though was Waylian. While I still enjoyed his storyline, I found him a little too "Why me?" at times, which became wearing. The way Merrick and Kaira's story developed was really enjoyable and given an interesting twist, especially when they form a close rapport with Janessa. I liked the questions of duty and loyalty their storyline posed, while still having some of the funniest dialogues in the story. Janessa fulfilled her potential this time around by grabbing her destiny by the horns and wrestling it in the direction she wants it to take. That isn't to say she necessarily succeeds, but she felt more active and in control in The Shattered Crown, even if she keeps swinging between competent ruler and uncertain adolescent. I loved the rapport Janessa develops with Kaira and the way she decides to swing her own sword literally. Nobul storyline is fantastic, and reveals his very dark and mysterious past. He also forms the link between the Sho'tana and the rest of Steelhaven in a way that was quite compelling.

We see far more palace intrigue this time between Janessa, Merrick, and Kaira and their storyline. I liked the different guard divisions and their rivalries, the Skyhelm Sentinels, who provide the monarch's personal guard, and the Order of the Blood Knights, who are elite fighters. The legendary Wyvern Guard were kick-ass and I can't wait to see what happens with their story in the next book. The setting is once again firmly focused on the city of Steelhaven, though we catch more glimpses of the rest of the world and learn more about the different countries and the world's history through Nobul and Regulus' stories.

One question I was left with is who is Gelredida? Why isn't she one of the council when she's obviously quite powerful and she bullies them around anyway? And what about Amon Tugha, who and more importantly what is he, beyond the leader of Steelhaven's enemy? Is he a magic user too? There's much to be answered in the next book, not least whether there will be a city of Steelhaven at the end of it. The Shattered Crown is a strong second entry in the Steelhaven series and I can't wait for the conclusion of the tale.

This book was provided for review by the publisher. Read more ›

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A choice of allies 30 Jan 2014

By Paul Tapner TOP 500 REVIEWER VINE VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine Review (What's this?)

A fantasy novel. Second in a trilogy. That began with Herald of the Storm (Steelhaven: Book One) (Steelhaven 1) All about the city of Steelhaven, which faces threats both military based and internal.

This volume runs for three hundred and ninety one pages. It's divided into fifty four chapters. Plus a prologue and an epilogue. The lack of anything much in the way of exposition as to what went before means it's not a good jumping on point. So new readers should start with book one.

Those who have read that, read on.

As with said first book, this one contains strong language and some very brutal moments of violence.

When we left the story at the end of book one, River and Waylian both had missions. Merrick and Kaira had new roles. As did Rag. Nobul was still with the Greencoats. Janessa has to face up to new responsibilities.

Once again, the story focuses on the group of viewpoint characters that were introduced at the start of the series, with a different one the subject of each chapter.

Although

[mild spoiler]

one of them barely features. And one is added to their ranks. Regulus, a warrior of the Zatani people from the south of the realm. Who has brought a group of warriors with him on a quest for great honour. The first couple of chapters to feature Regulus could seem like clichéd noble warrior savage moments, but there's one gloriously evocative bit of scenery in his first chapter. And then when you realise where his storyline might go he starts to grab.

Meanwhile, as the threat of invasion draws ever closer and turmoil grips the city, it's leaders face stark choices for he fight ahead. Read more ›

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Last Guardians 1 April 2014

By Quicksilver TOP 500 REVIEWER VINE VOICE

Format:Paperback

Herald of the Storm was a one of the most pleasant surprises of 2013. I had few expectations but after a slightly over-long build up, it blossomed into a thrilling heroic fantasy with some of the finest characters I’ve encountered in fantasy fiction. I’m not sure I realised at the time of reading how much I had enjoyed it. When The Shattered Crown dropped through the letterbox, I was inordinately excited to find out what would happen next. I’m pleased to report that Ford has used the solid foundations of book one to support a phenomenal second instalment.

I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I don’t think I’ve found a fantasy book this exciting since discovering David Gemmell 25 years ago. Fantasy has evolved a lot since then and I think with The Shattered Crown, Ford probably eclipses Gemmell. Modern writers have to deliver a more rounded product. I used to joke that Gemmell books were all about ageing warriors, heavily outnumbered, making one last stand against the odds. (Actually this isn’t really a joke, that’s what they were about.)

Ford’s novel has an element of that. A dire force is descending on Steelhaven, and there is a veteran warrior waiting to come out of retirement to fight for the city, but there is so much more. As I said in my review of Herald, the key is in the characterisation. Gemmell’s were as two dimensional as they come. They swung swords and cussed a lot. Ford’s have greater depth. He’s created epic heroes with credible fragility.

The fate of Steelhaven is focused mainly around its new queen and her two new bodyguards. All three of these characters appeared in Herald, and they are a strong triumvirate. Merrick Ryder, a womanising squanderer has found the chance for redemption, but will he take it? The arrival of some new elite knights and a shadow from Merrick’s past threaten to push him over the edge. His internal struggles will decide whether a kingdom stands or falls. The two women form a bond; The taciturn warrior and the queen whose every decision is scrutinised. Should she marry for the money that is desperately needed to pay her armies, or wait for her doomed lover to return?

Other characters from Herald prove vital too. Waylian continues his apprenticeship as Ford’s magic system starts to take some shape. His mistress has seen and done things that turn the stomach, but she has Steelhaven’s interests at heart, doesn’t she? Ford leaves the reader guessing as to just what Waylian’s true potential may be and whether he’s right to implicitly trust his mentor.

Nobul Jacks, former soldier, blacksmith and now a policeman is a character that is pure Gemmell. It was the death of Nobul’s son that opened Hearld of the Storm, and he is driven by demons and wanted by powerful men. It’s a potent combination that leads him down dark pathways.

Finally there is Rag. I must confess to not being entirely convinced by her at first. Her flip-flopping between ruthless Guild member and street kid with a heart of gold, felt a bit convenient, but by the end of Shattered Crown I was converted. She’s a girl with nothing, and few prospects more likely than a knife in the back. Rag is an appropriate name as she is tossed on the capricious winds of treachery that blow through the criminal underworld. She is a chameleon, a survivor and the final piece of Steelhaven’s puzzle.

The novel’s strongest asset is its sense of impending doom. A dire army is descending on the city, and all plans and manoeuvres must be completed by the time it arrives. This gives the novel a great sense of urgency, far stronger than if the army had actually arrived. The unseen foe is far more menacing in the reader’s imagination. The sense of fighting a hopeless cause is The Shattered Crown’s strongest similarity with a David Gemmell novel.

The plotting in this book is much tighter than in the first and as a result it is a much slimmer tome. At under 400 pages The Shattered Crown is slight for a fantasy novel, but Ford achieves as much as many authors do with twice this length. Not a word is wasted. This an excellent book with excitement and intrigue in every chapter. There is still little resolution by the end and lots of threads are left untied. When I started reading Gemmell all those years ago, he’d already written half a dozen novels, so I had plenty devour. It’s a little early to be calling Ford the heir to David Gemmell, but I hope he hurries up with volume three so that I can continue the comparison. This is a fine follow up, from an exciting talent. Read more ›

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The Shattered Crown: Steelhaven, Book Two (Unabridged) [Audio Download]

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