Got My Book

This YA series is still going strong and still a favorite.

BOOK DETAILS:

The Assassin of Altis by Jack Campbell, read by MacLeod Andrews, published by Audible Studios (2015) / Length: 12 hrs 07 min

SERIES INFO:

This is book #3 of 5 (so far) in "The Pillars of Reality" series. The 6th (and final) book, The Wrath of the Great Guilds, will be published on 8/1/16. 

**This review contains spoilers for the previous book(s).**

SUMMARY:

Yes, that's right, this chronic series dropper has now given 5* ratings to all three of the first books in this series.

CHARACTERS:

Mari: In Book #2, she finally learned that she is "The Daughter" prophesied to fight the oncoming storm of civil war & social collapse. She still finds it difficult to accept the fact, but has accepted that something must be done. She also continues to struggle with jealousy and emotional outbursts, but never fails to call herself out on such behavior

Alain: He is getting better at fitting in and appearing normal. I love watching him learn how to do the simple things in life (such as purchasing train tickets):

"The Mage, who could walk through walls, foresee the future, and create heat out of nothing, had come back visibly proud at having successfully handled something that complicated."

But what I loved best about him in this book were the ways in which he acted as a true friend and partner to Mari, the ways he supported her and also pushed her to face things she didn't want to.

Mari & Alain: In the last book, Alain accidentally, but sincerely, "proposed."

"I would... What were the words you used? I would give you my promise now if you would like that."

But Mari battles her abandonment issues and her fears that she could turn out like her own parents. However there are important developments in their relationship in this book.

One of the themes is that together they can do things neither would be able to do alone.  That makes for nice opportunities for each to fail at things, and not be that character who succeeds at everything.

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I love Mari's best friend, Mechanic Alli, who we finally get to meet after just hearing about her in the past two books. She's the one who built the rocket launcher Mari used to kill the dragon in the last book. (Mr. Campbell, if you are reading this, I would be all over a spin-off series that follows the adventures of Alli & Calu.)

WORLDBUILDING:

About half of the book is spent in the Roman like "Empire" they entered in the previous book. The 2nd half takes us to some island nations. There aren't a lot of new things presented in this world, but we do find out some very important historical information.

PLOT:

The book starts with Mari & Alain bidding goodbye to the "Masters of Marandur" and beginning their attempt to escape from the sealed city. We get a good introduction to what happened in the last book as they now take the reverse journey.

The series continues to be an extended road trip across the world, but this time they take to the water as well. Although not before having another crazy train ride (poor Alain).

Most of the whole last 1+ hour is an extended action scene, which normally I wouldn't like. However it is combined with a lot of character introductions & interactions as Mari's core team begins to form and I really liked it.  The book has a very solid ending. I would say that it is also the end of part 1 of the series (where Mari is learning who she is and what needs to be done) and the next book starts part 2 (where they begin to do it).

HIGHLIGHTS / CAUTIONS:

• The escape from Marandur, starting when they reach the wall. I love the way they work together and each contributes.
• The whole section involving the Mechanic ship (esp - Alain swaggers, Alain takes on a task that Mari is distressed about, apprentice Midoka)

CAUTIONS: They stay at a hostel that some people use for illicit purposes.

NARRATION:

Character voices differentiated = Yes / Opposite sex voices acceptable = Yes / Accents good = Yes. He continues to do an amazing job of inventing fictional accents. I love the way he handled Mari's use of a false accent. / Phrasing, Pacing & Pronunciation = Good / Emoting (& non-Emoting) = Good / Speed = listened on 1.25, my usual

BOOK DETAILS:

The Assassin of Altis (Pillars of Reality #3) by Jack Campbell, read by MacLeod Andrews, published by Audible Studios (2015) / Length: 12 hrs 07 min Buy Now | +Goodreads

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