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- Title: Forbidden Ground: A Death Before Dragons Story
- Author: Lindsay Buroker
- Narrator: Vivienne Leheny
- Length: 01:29:09
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 16/11/2020
- Publisher: Findaway Voices
- Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
As a travel writer who has wandered through countless landscapes, both real and imagined, I found myself instantly drawn to the audiobook version of *Forbidden Ground: A Death Before Dragons Story* by Lindsay Buroker, narrated by Vivienne Leheny. The story unfolds like a winding road through the Pacific Northwest, a region I’ve come to love for its misty forests and rugged coastlines. Buroker’s tale, with its blend of urban fantasy and mythical creatures, feels like a natural extension of the magic I’ve sensed in those landscapes.
Listening to this audiobook reminded me of a time when I was driving through the Atacama Desert in Chile, immersed in the magical realism of *One Hundred Years of Solitude*. Just as García Márquez’s words seemed to dance with the surreal desert outside my window, Buroker’s story feels perfectly suited to the audio format. Vivienne Leheny’s narration is rich and evocative, capturing the half-elf protagonist’s dry wit and the dragon Zav’s otherworldly presence with equal skill. Her voice, much like the grandmother I once listened to in Oaxaca, carries an intimate, storytelling quality that draws you in and keeps you hooked.
The story itself is a thrilling mix of action, humor, and mystery. Buroker’s protagonist, a half-elf assassin tasked with investigating a murder at the Oregon Vortex, is both relatable and larger-than-life. Her banter with Zav, the dragon who insists they’re just friends, is sharp and engaging, adding a layer of charm to the high-stakes plot. The eerie magic of the vortex, which pits the protagonist against her dragon ally, is vividly brought to life through Leheny’s performance. You can almost feel the tension in the air as the story builds to its climactic showdown.
One of the strengths of this audiobook is how seamlessly it blends the fantastical with the familiar. Buroker’s descriptions of the Pacific Northwest are so vivid they transport you there, while the magical elements feel grounded in a way that makes them believable. Leheny’s narration enhances this balance, her tone shifting effortlessly between the mundane and the mystical. It’s a listening experience that feels both escapist and deeply rooted in the real world.
That said, the story does have its limitations. While the plot is engaging, it occasionally leans into familiar tropes of the urban fantasy genre. The dynamic between the protagonist and Zav, while entertaining, feels a bit predictable at times. However, these moments are minor quibbles in an otherwise captivating tale.
For those who enjoy works like *Braiding Sweetgrass* by Robin Wall Kimmerer, which explores the interconnectedness of humans and nature, *Forbidden Ground* offers a different but equally compelling perspective on the relationship between the magical and the mundane. Buroker’s story, like Kimmerer’s, invites us to see the world with fresh eyes, finding wonder in the places we might otherwise overlook.
In conclusion, *Forbidden Ground: A Death Before Dragons Story* is a must-listen for fans of urban fantasy and mythical adventures. Vivienne Leheny’s narration elevates the story, making it an audiobook experience that’s as immersive as it is entertaining. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Lindsay Buroker or new to her work, this audiobook is sure to leave you eager for more.
With a storyteller’s appreciation for the magic of words and worlds, Marcus Rivera
Marcus Rivera
