Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Of Love & Legend
- Author: Vanessa K. Eccles
- Narrator: Vanessa K. Eccles
- Length: 01:11:48
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 29/01/2019
- Publisher: Findaway Voices
- Genre: Romance, Romantasy
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s something profoundly intimate about hearing an author narrate their own work – like being invited to a private fireside storytelling where every inflection carries the weight of personal creation. This was my immediate thought as I began “Of Love & Legend”, Vanessa K. Eccles’ Arthurian-inspired romantasy that unfolds with the lyrical quality of remembered legends. The audiobook experience becomes particularly special when the creator’s voice breathes life into their own words, and Eccles delivers this with a quiet intensity that reminded me of those storytelling evenings in Oaxaca I cherish.
“The Listening Experience: Voice as Enchantment”
Eccles’ narration style carries the cadence of someone revealing secrets rather than performing a text. Her voice has this quality of restrained passion that perfectly suits Guinevere’s journey – at times whisper-soft during the enchanted wood sequences, then gaining steel during moments of destiny. I found myself listening through headphones while walking through Central Park at dusk, and the way her delivery blended with the rustling leaves made the magical elements feel startlingly present. The production quality maintains this intimacy throughout, with no distracting background noise or uneven volume that sometimes plagues author-narrated works.
“Content & Themes: Chivalry Reimagined”
The story itself is a fascinating alchemy of Arthurian legend and contemporary YA sensibility. Eccles takes the familiar bones of Guinevere and Arthur’s romance but grafts onto them fresh thematic flesh. The ‘enchanted wood’ becomes more than setting – it’s almost a character in its own right, described with such tactile richness that I kept recalling my own childhood encounters with mysterious natural spaces. There’s a particular passage where Guinevere first touches Excalibur that Eccles delivers with such visceral intensity, I actually paused my walk to experience it fully – the way she voices that moment of destiny recognition gave me chills comparable to hearing García Márquez’s magical realism while driving through Atacama’s surreal landscapes.
What struck me most was how Eccles balances the ‘clean but zealous passion’ promised in the description. The romantic tension builds through suggestion and emotional intimacy rather than physicality, making it feel both timeless and refreshingly chaste by modern romantasy standards. Her narration captures this beautifully – you can hear the restrained longing in dialogue scenes that might have tipped into melodrama with a less nuanced performer.
“Structural Alchemy: Legend as Short Form”
At just under 3 hours listening time, this is a remarkably condensed narrative that nonetheless feels complete. The structure mirrors oral storytelling traditions where economy serves intensity. Eccles uses recurring motifs (the whispering woods, the sword’s gleam, the weight of secrets) like refrains in a ballad, creating cohesion despite the brisk pace. I’d recommend this format particularly for listeners who want Arthurian resonance without committing to multi-volume sagas.
“Critical Perspective: Where the Magic Wavers”
If I have any critique, it’s that certain secondary characters could benefit from more vocal distinction during dialogue-heavy scenes. While Eccles’ narration shines in introspective passages and two-character interactions, group scenes occasionally require extra attention to track speakers. The audio sample provided on the site gives an accurate representation of this style – if you respond well to that intimate, slightly hushed delivery, you’ll love the full experience.
“Comparative Legendarium”
For listeners who enjoy this, I’d suggest following up with Elizabeth Wein’s “The Winter Prince” (for another fresh Arthurian take) or Marissa Meyer’s “Heartless” (for similarly lush YA fantasy romance). Both offer that same blend of legend reimagining and emotional intensity, though neither has the distinctive advantage of author-as-narrator that makes “Of Love & Legend” so special.
“Final Verdict: A Whispered Spell Worth Hearing”
There’s magic in how Eccles uses her own voice to bridge contemporary romance conventions with ancient storytelling power. The audiobook format elevates the text into something communal yet personal – like hearing a favorite legend retold just for you. And the fact that it’s currently available as a free download makes this an effortless recommendation for romantasy enthusiasts and Arthurian admirers alike.
With wanderlust for stories old and new,
Marcus Rivera
