Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Pillars of Creation
- Author: Terry Goodkind
- Narrator: Jim Bond
- Length: 22:23:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 16/05/2017
- Publisher: Brilliance Audio
- Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s something magical about losing yourself in a sprawling fantasy epic, especially when it’s delivered through the intimate medium of an audiobook. ‘Pillars of Creation,’ the seventh installment in Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth series, is a labyrinth of dark magic, relentless danger, and profound human struggle. Published by Brilliance Audio, this audiobook experience, narrated by Jim Bond, transports you to a world where the stakes are as high as the tallest desert dune. As a travel writer who’s crisscrossed continents chasing stories, I found myself utterly captivated by the desolate landscapes and tormented souls Goodkind paints with his words.
The story unfolds like a dusty trail through uncharted territory. We follow Lauren, a young woman haunted by inhuman voices that have tormented her since childhood. Her quest to silence them leads her into a web of conquest and revenge, where her will is seized by forces darker than any nightmare. Meanwhile, series staples Richard Rahl and Kahlan Amnell venture into a strange, forsaken land, hunted by an unearthly predator as winter closes in. Goodkind weaves a tale of isolation and loss, with the Pillars of Creation themselves looming as both a literal and metaphorical battleground for the human soul. It’s epic fantasy at its most visceral, steeped in themes of destiny, sacrifice, and the fight for freedom.
Listening to this audiobook reminded me of a time when I was driving through the Atacama Desert in Chile, the driest place on Earth, with ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ playing through my speakers. The surreal desolation outside my window mirrored the magical realism of García Márquez’s words, and I felt a similar resonance here with ‘Pillars of Creation.’ Goodkind’s descriptions of barren lands and looming threats felt like they could have been inspired by the otherworldly expanses of the Atacama. You can almost feel the biting wind and hear the eerie silence of a world on the brink of annihilation. That personal memory amplified my connection to Richard and Kahlan’s perilous journey, making every step through their desolate terrain hit harder.
As someone who’s sat spellbound by oral storytelling in Oaxaca, where a grandmother’s voice could conjure entire worlds with a pause or a whisper, I’m always attuned to a narrator’s craft in an audiobook experience. Jim Bond’s performance in ‘Pillars of Creation’ is a mixed bag, but let’s unpack it. His voice carries a gravitas that suits the weight of Goodkind’s world – there’s a ruggedness to his tone that matches the harsh landscapes and brutal conflicts. When he narrates Lauren’s internal torment, you can almost taste the desperation in her struggle. His pacing often captures the tension of a tireless hunter closing in, a key element of the story’s dread. However, there are moments where his delivery feels a bit one-dimensional. The emotional depth of certain characters, particularly Kahlan’s fierce yet vulnerable nature, doesn’t always shine through as vividly as I’d hoped. I found myself longing for the kind of nuanced intonation that grandmother in Oaxaca used to breathe life into every word. Still, the audio quality itself is crisp, with no distractions, making for an immersive listening experience that fantasy fans will appreciate.
Diving deeper into the content, Goodkind’s storytelling in ‘Pillars of Creation’ is both a strength and a challenge. The novel stands out in the Sword of Truth series for focusing on new characters like Lauren, whose journey into the heart of darkness is as compelling as it is unsettling. The theme of battling inner demons – literal and figurative – resonates deeply, especially for someone like me who’s often wrestled with the unknown on solo treks through remote corners of the world. Goodkind’s ability to craft a relentless, unearthly threat keeps you on edge, a testament to his mastery of epic fantasy and science fiction elements. Yet, I must admit, the pacing occasionally stumbles. Some sections feel overly dense with exposition, slowing the momentum of what should be a breathless chase through a magical realm. For longtime fans of the series, the limited focus on Richard and Kahlan might be a disappointment, though I found Lauren’s arc a refreshing detour.
Comparing this to other works in the genre, ‘Pillars of Creation’ shares the epic scope of George R.R. Martin’s ‘A Song of Ice and Fire,’ with its sprawling conflicts and morally complex characters. However, Goodkind leans more heavily into philosophical undercurrents – questions of free will and the nature of evil – reminiscent of Robert Jordan’s ‘Wheel of Time.’ As an audiobook, it doesn’t quite reach the emotional heights of Patrick Rothfuss’s ‘The Name of the Wind,’ narrated by Nick Podehl, where every word feels like a melody. But for fans of dark fantasy and intricate world-building, this listening experience still delivers.
One of the joys of audiobooks is how they transform a solitary activity into a shared journey, and ‘Pillars of Creation’ excels in that regard. I’d recommend this to anyone who craves a deep dive into a fantasy saga where magic and menace collide. It’s perfect for long drives through stark landscapes or quiet evenings when you want to escape into a world of sorcery and survival. Newcomers to the Sword of Truth series might feel lost without prior context, so I’d suggest starting earlier in the saga. But for seasoned readers – or listeners – this installment offers a haunting detour worth exploring.
Reflecting on this audiobook experience, I’m struck by how it mirrors the journeys I’ve taken in real life. There’s a moment in the story where Lauren confronts the reality of her voices, and it reminded me of facing my own fears while lost in the Amazon, relying on nothing but instinct and stories from locals to find my way. Goodkind captures that raw, human struggle to understand the incomprehensible, and even with Jim Bond’s occasional flatness, the narrative still lands with impact. If you’re hunting for a free audiobook to dive into this epic fantasy, keep an eye out for deals or trials on platforms like Audiobooks.com – there’s nothing like experiencing this tale without cost to sweeten the adventure.
Until our paths cross again, amigos, keep seeking stories that challenge and transform you. Whether it’s through the pages of a book or the magic of an audiobook, let’s keep wandering through worlds unknown. This is Marcus Rivera, signing off with a heart full of tales and a road still ahead. ¡Hasta pronto!
