Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Temple of the Winds
- Author: Terry Goodkind
- Narrator: Dick Hill
- Length: 28:58:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 16/05/2017
- Publisher: Brilliance Audio
- Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
The first time I pressed play on Temple of the Winds, I was navigating the winding roads of the Andes, where the mist clung to mountain passes like the magical barriers in Goodkind’s world. There’s something profoundly fitting about experiencing an epic fantasy audiobook while traversing dramatic landscapes – the real and imagined worlds begin to blur in the most delightful way. Dick Hill’s gravelly narration became my traveling companion, his voice as steady as my four-wheel drive through those treacherous curves.
Goodkind’s fourth Sword of Truth installment finds Richard Cypher and Kahlan Amnell facing their most insidious threat yet – a plague unleashed by the Imperial Order. The narrative unfolds like the layers of an ancient temple, each chapter revealing deeper mysteries. What struck me most was how the story’s central dilemma – the impossible choice between personal happiness and universal salvation – resonated with my own travel experiences. I’ve sat with healers in the Amazon who faced similar moral quandaries when sharing traditional knowledge with outsiders.
Hill’s narration deserves special praise. His performance reminds me of those magical evenings in Oaxaca when the abuela would spin tales – he understands the power of silence, letting crucial moments breathe before delivering emotional blows. His Jagang voice is particularly chilling, a guttural growl that made me instinctively check my rearview mirror on those lonely mountain roads. Yet it’s his nuanced portrayal of Richard’s internal conflicts that truly shines – you can hear the weight of leadership in every hesitant pause.
The audio production enhances Goodkind’s vivid worldbuilding. When characters enter the Temple of the Winds, Hill’s voice drops to a reverent whisper that contrasts beautifully with the earlier battle sequences. I found myself turning down my car’s AC during these sections, as if the narration itself had chilled the air. The plague descriptions are so visceral – Hill’s delivery makes you feel the characters’ desperation as they cough and stagger through scenes.
As both a travel writer and fantasy enthusiast, I particularly appreciated how Goodkind’s world mirrors real cultural dynamics I’ve observed. The Imperial Order’s fanaticism echoes historical conquerors I’ve studied in my anthropological work, while the Midlands’ diversity reflects the beautiful cultural mosaics I’ve encountered from Marrakech to Mumbai. Some fantasy purists might find the philosophical digressions heavy-handed, but I welcomed them – they’re like the unexpected conversations with strangers that often become the highlight of any journey.
Compared to similar epic fantasy audiobooks, Hill’s performance stands alongside Michael Kramer’s Wheel of Time work, though with more raw emotional immediacy. The production quality matches Audible’s top-tier offerings, though I did notice occasional volume inconsistencies during quieter dialogue sections – minor quibbles in an otherwise masterful presentation.
For potential listeners, I’d recommend this audiobook for:
– Long road trips through dramatic landscapes (trust me, the miles will vanish)
– Fans of philosophical fantasy that engages with real-world moral complexities
– Anyone who appreciates narrators who become the characters rather than just reading them
Having now completed my third listen (once in Chile, once in Nepal, and now writing this in a Lisbon café), I’m struck by how Temple of the Winds improves with repetition – like returning to a foreign city and discovering hidden alleyways you missed the first time. The themes of sacrifice and responsibility gain new resonance with each visit, much like how travel changes meaning when experienced through different life chapters.
May your journeys – both literary and literal – be filled with equal parts wonder and wisdom,
Marcus Rivera
