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  • Paths of Alir

  • A Pattern of Shadow and Light, Book 3
  • Written by: Melissa McPhail
  • Narrated by: Nick Podehl
  • Length: 34 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (143 ratings)

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Paths of Alir

Written by: Melissa McPhail
Narrated by: Nick Podehl
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Publisher's Summary

Powerful beings from the fringes of Chaos have come to the realm of Alorin. Fate bends to their will, and their will is set upon Alorin's destruction. Alone in understanding the threat they pose, Alorin's Fifth Vestal, Björn val Gelderan, has launched a desperate plan to stop them: a "great game" played upon the tapestry of mortal life. Now, in Paths of Alir, Björn's Players have taken the field.

Along the lush Caladrian coast of Agasan, the truthreader Tanis d'Giverny returns to the place of his birth and finds mysterious and wonderful workings waiting for him. But the zanthyr Phaedor warns Tanis that ominous events lie ahead, and the lad soon wonders if even his mother's magical lessons will be enough to keep him alive.

In the dungeons of Tal'Shira, held prisoner by the Adept Inquisitor Taliah hal'Jaitar, Prince Trell val Lorian is facing a life of enslavement. Only two paths lie open before him: one means an eternity of torture fighting Taliah's attempts to break him; the other requires surrendering to her will. But can he really sacrifice everything he is to walk Taliah's path of twisted magic known as mor'alir?

In the snow-bound Castle of Tyr'kharta, Prince Ean val Lorian must choose to save his brother Sebastian or his loyal men. But to choose his men means leaving Sebastian to an eternity of enslavement; while rescuing Sebastian means abandoning his friends, and his honor along with them. Either decision will test Ean's newfound skills, as well as his conviction, for as the prince soon learns, once a man becomes a Player in the First Lord's game, not even death can give reprieve.

©2014 Melissa McPhail (P)2016 Podium Publishing

What listeners say about Paths of Alir

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A new love

I was already enthralled with this series after the first book, but the twists and turns in the story during the third instalment had me at the edge of my seat. Furthermore, the character development of Tanis, and the revelations at the end of the book had me falling completely in love with the character. Very great listen. I thoroughly enjoy listening to Nick Podehl.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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loved the book

Nick the Narrator absolutely killed it, he brings such life to the characters. cant wait to start the next one.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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splendid

great story, podehl is excellent as ever, had to listen twice to chapter 45 since it was so great

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  • sam
  • 2018-02-16

great story

adventure and magic combined with an amazing story. A twisting tail of well made characters.

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incredible

one of the best books I've ever had the pleasure of listening too. So many great moments that catch your heart strings. so many lines of wise wisdom. I would recommend this series to anyone

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Just.. WOW! Great series! Great narrator!

I'm struggling to find the words to express how much I've been enjoying this series. What an amazing story! It was completed intoxicating! And so beautifully told by Nick Podehl - the greatest narrator of all time!

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Such great writing!

Such great writing and amazing narration! I can't wait for the next book! Fantastic work!

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Overuse of Romance/Sex as Plot Device Ruins Great Fantasy

These novels could have been outstanding, but I can no longer bear them. I read 2 3/4 of them before I grew sick of the endless, insipid romance, or the overuse/misuse of sex as a mechanism to achieve goals lofty or otherwise. It seems each interesting character must have their entire personality subverted by a Great Love, usually one that is utterly nonsensical. Romantic love is a wonderful thing, to be sure, but it does not trump everything else and it shouldn’t be allowed to ruin otherwise exceptional fiction. It is possible for good and likeable characters to have motivation rooted on other values. It is possible for two characters to form a powerful bond without making love to do so. It is possible for an evil magic user to induce the worst possible torture without repeatedly raping their victim (thankfully, these rapes were man-on-man and woman-on-man, so at the very least I didn’t have to endure horrific scenes of women being raped).

For those who think they can listen to these parts of the story without going mad, here are some of the good parts. The system of magic is very cool. The generation of suspense in having characters discover their origins through trials and tribulations is captivating. The ethnic diversity is fabulous. The conception of various kinds of rebirth and immortality is imaginative and compelling. If all of this sounds like enough to keep you going through the tiresome BS, then I wish you the best. For my part, I will satisfy myself with some synopses and move on with something more worth my time.

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This book emphasized my problems with the series

There are too many kidnappings in this series. I liked the first book since it was original but after the second book and this book I had enough. I didn't even finish this one because it got too annoying. Like there are so many characters and perspectives why do all of them need to be captured some of them multiple times in the same book.

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