Kings of Paradise: Ash and Sand, Book 1 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Richard Nell (Author, Publisher), Ralph Lister (Narrator)

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A deformed genius plots vengeance while struggling to survive. A wastrel prince comes of age, finding a power he never imagined. Two worlds are destined to collide. Only one can be king.

Ruka, called a demon at birth, is a genius. Born malformed and ugly into the snow-covered wasteland of the Ascom, he was spared from death by his mother's love. Now he is an outcast, consumed with hate for those who've wronged him. But to take his vengeance, he must first survive.

Across a vast sea in the white-sand island paradise of Sri Kon, Kale is fourth and youngest son of the Sorcerer King. And at 16, Kale is a disappointment. As the first prince ever forced to serve with low-born marines, Kale must prove himself and become a man, or else lose all chance of a worthy future, and any hope to win the love of his life.

Though they do not know it, both boys are on the cusp of discovery. Their worlds and lives are destined for greatness, or ruin. But in a changing world where ash meets paradise, only one man can be king....

Listening Length

25 hours and 31 minutes
Author

Richard Nell
Narrator

Ralph Lister
Audible release date

Oct. 5 2018
Language

English
Publisher

Richard Nell
ASIN

B07HZ62G7K
Version

Unabridged
Program Type

Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length	25 hours and 31 minutes
Author	Richard Nell
Narrator	Ralph Lister
Audible.ca Release Date	October 05 2018
Publisher	Richard Nell
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B07HZ62G7K
Best Sellers Rank	#42,386 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #661 in Dark Fantasy (Audible Books & Originals) #2,133 in Epic Fantasy (Audible Books & Originals) #2,857 in Dark Fantasy Horror Fiction

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5

1,088 global ratings

5 star		59%
4 star		31%
3 star		7%
2 star		2%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from Canada

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Shea

Decent story

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on March 6, 2022

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Overall, this was a good read. I find some things distasteful, but that is personal preference. Would recommend it to someone looking for a fairly dark and gritty read.

Helpful

Scott M.

A great introduction to an interesting world and engaging characters

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on August 23, 2017

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The strength of this book lies in the world it has introduced to the reader. You can tell the author spent a lot of time fleshing it out, as the story takes place in a world that feels real, with real people living in it. The other strength of this book is the characters. The POV characters all come from very different backgrounds (or live in very different cultures) yet all of them are interesting and relatable. Relatable is an important word as the book is written in such a way that the heroes / anti-heroes / villains (the book is deep enough to allow the reader to make their own personal judgement), are all interesting characters, even if you find yourself not liking them.

The only con I have about this book (and it isn't much of one) is that the Ruka character is so interesting, so unique, and like none I have experienced before, I found myself almost wanting to skip over the other POV sections to get back to his story. This isn't to say the other characters are bad, not at all, it is just that the Ruka character in my mind is something special in this book, and shines above all the others.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Mark

Mind. Blown.

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on August 22, 2017

Verified Purchase

Mind. Blown.

Saw a few reviews from people, I wasn't sure what to expect. But I did not expect to sit here for hours reading and not eating or drinking until I finished this book. Epic is the only word I can think of. Not too many character POVs that might confuse some people which is always nice, but holy crap I'm sitting here just thinking about this book. Especially Ruka, I don't think I've ever read of a character like him. Such new an interesting view, I can't wait to read more about him. I honestly found myself reading other POVs maybe a little too fast because I wanted to get to Ruka again.

I want to rant about how good it is and what I loved about it, but anything I say would take away from the mystery of it. Pick it up, give it a chance. FTLOG try this book.

And author, keep up the work. I will now buy anything you write.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

JayA

Could not put it down.

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on June 13, 2021

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The story is pretty awesome and refreshing. I enjoyed it thoroughly and look forward to the next one for sure.

One person found this helpful

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Steven MacDonald

A Refreshing and Unique Take on the Fantasy Genre

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on August 23, 2017

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I'm quite impressed at how interesting and unique this book has been.

I've come and gone from fantasy novels over the years, sensing that the genre was stale and that the books weren't really different from one to the next. This has been a refreshing change. Right from the start it's clear that the author has spent a lot of time on the world and creating a different and unique experience. The characters inside that world feel alive and engaging and make the book tough to put down.

A really refreshing addition to the genre and one I would highly recommend to everyone.

Helpful

rick

I can't say enough good things about "

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on August 21, 2017

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You need to read this book.
I can't say enough good things about "Kings of Paradise." Great characters, great pace, great story arc - great reveal as it draws you in. I do not believe it is wise to give details / spoilers about a fantasy novel of this type as it would show too much of its craft.
As the blurb suggests it reminds one of " Game of Thrones" but with a unique voice, style and world.
I can't wait for the second book. I miss the characters already and what is happening.
You will not be disappointed.
Rick

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Angela H

A Rich and Engrossing World

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on June 16, 2018

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Richard Nell has created an incredibly rich and immersive world with complex and compelling characters. I was completely hooked and, despite its length, didn't want it to end! Definitely one of the best books I've read, full stop.
I'm not sure who's 'camp' I'm in - Ruka, Kale, or Dala's - but I've become invested in all three story lines and am definitely looking forward to seeing their stories interconnect and their characters continue to develop.
Hurry up and release the next book so I can start reading it, Richard!

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Great story and great writing

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on April 3, 2020

Verified Purchase

I loved this book and recommend it highly to any fantasy genre readers. It is at least as good as game of thrones and ten times the value, in my opinion, to the witcher series. Cant wait to read the next book. 6/5 stars, seriously.

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Frank A

A mixed package: 1/3 Grimdark, 2/3 Generic YA Fantasy

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 23, 2021

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This book is narrated from the perspective of three characters. The experience of this book drastically changes depending on each of them.

Ruka turns this book into a partially grimdark tale. From the onset, it limits itself on how dark it can get: as it comes to women, Ruka mysteriously decides to adhere to the setting's societal rule that "women shall not be harmed" even though he has no moral compass whatsoever, blasphemes the gods, wants to upturn the entire system on its head, craves for the wanton destruction of society, and generally breaks conventions. Not that convention though. To me, it seems the author wanted to find plot reasons to avoid writing too dark of a book, and it feels artificial/not well thought out. Nonetheless, Ruka's chapters are everything one would expect out of an interesting book of the genre genre, which were the highlight of this compound tale.

The other two parts are weak. You've seen the like done better in a million other books. They are your typical YA angsty fantasy of our teenage characters finding love at first sight though not being able to fulfill it while fighting misguided or outright "bad" people that are one-dimensional.

Prince Ratama is a teenage boy who has a perfect moral compass, is clearly the good guy you want to be rooting for. Yawn. Everyone going against him is clearly in the wrong, or a bad guy. He does everything better than everyone else because he's the chosen one. Clearly inspired by the likes of Name of Wind and similar books in the vain "teenage boy growing up being the most powerful character but slowly developing his powers" cliche, the author can't get enough of introducing him to some school or progression system where the GRRR BAD GUYS will try to do everything to keep him down but he's the chosen one, so... he'll progress despite everything. What a shock.

"Dala" is the author's attempt at saying that not all book is combat and there's some political intrigue. It's the weakest and most uninteresting part of it. Dala is poor, but that's just an anecdotal inconvenience: she's more attractive, smarter and better than everyone else. She's lived a sheltered life and suffered tragedy, yes, but while she's supposed to be cutthroat she's overall a goody-two-shoes and everyone going against her is morally bankrupt or a generic bully. Unlike the Prince, she does explore some morally gray avenues, but the author decides not to delve on the consequences in the same way one can eat a steak without seeing the animal slaughtered. Due to the societal rule of "women are untouchable" that exists in this world, sometimes it does not feel the character is in real danger which goes in stark contrast with the idea the author is trying to sell us that she's underpriviledged -- she's absolutely not. The love interest is a little more fleshed out than Ratama's, but not too much: it's whole point seems to be being Dala's attack dog. Lastly, it gets a bit weird how every character Dala meets or every time she's described we're reminded that despite modest clothing "dem curves tho;" yes, Mr. Author, we get she's a full grown woman, and there's no need to be reminded of that in every chapter.

I was on the fence about reading the next book, but luckily the author dedicated the last part of the book to its biggest selling point, Ruka, so I will apprehensively give it a try. Overall, there are good parts to the book, but as a complete package it's sometimes a chore to get to them.

2 people found this helpful

Kindle Customer

Five star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on August 29, 2021

Verified Purchase

Great book I liked the 3 pov. Enjoyed the world immensely. Each character had great moments. Looking forward to the next one.

Amazon Customer

Future fantasy classic in the making.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on September 27, 2019

Verified Purchase

Excellent fantastic fantasy first book in this series.

paulcoward812

High Quality Writing

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 17, 2021

Verified Purchase

1st Installment of a self published grim dark fantasy series; it came highly recommended and didn't disappoint;

Adam

Great book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 6, 2023

Verified Purchase

Loved the whole trilogy. Would recommend

See all reviews

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Kings of Paradise: Ash and Sand, Book 1 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

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Kings of Paradise: Ash and Sand, Book 1 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

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