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  • Kings of Paradise

  • Ash and Sand, Book 1
  • Written by: Richard Nell
  • Narrated by: Ralph Lister
  • Length: 25 hrs and 31 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (32 ratings)

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Kings of Paradise cover art

Kings of Paradise

Written by: Richard Nell
Narrated by: Ralph Lister
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Publisher's Summary

A deformed genius plots vengeance while struggling to survive. A wastrel prince comes of age, finding a power he never imagined. Two worlds are destined to collide. Only one can be king.

Ruka, called a demon at birth, is a genius. Born malformed and ugly into the snow-covered wasteland of the Ascom, he was spared from death by his mother's love. Now he is an outcast, consumed with hate for those who've wronged him. But to take his vengeance, he must first survive.

Across a vast sea in the white-sand island paradise of Sri Kon, Kale is fourth and youngest son of the Sorcerer King. And at 16, Kale is a disappointment. As the first prince ever forced to serve with low-born marines, Kale must prove himself and become a man, or else lose all chance of a worthy future, and any hope to win the love of his life.

Though they do not know it, both boys are on the cusp of discovery. Their worlds and lives are destined for greatness, or ruin. But in a changing world where ash meets paradise, only one man can be king....

©2017 Richard Nell (P)2018 Richard Nell

What listeners say about Kings of Paradise

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The physical book is a better experience

4.25/5 for my overall rating.

The performance is good (although young Ruka really grated me, versus re-reading in the physical book it didn't). However the biggest problem is the start of each chapter should tell you the date, like the book does. The POV changes sometimes go back and forth in the sequence of things, so missing this verbally being said in this audio version is a critical problem. You ultimately can stick with it and be fine, but the material is elevated by simply having all of the information that the author intended with the physical book. Additionally, small nitpick but the chapter breakdown doesn't include the Part (1,2,3) breaks, or stating that Chapter 51 is the Epilogue, and Chapter 52 is a sample from Book 2. This doesn't affect my rating at all, just mentioning it as another thing different from the physical book.

for actual content, massive props to Nell for having a great idea and adding tons of nuance. One of the settings is practically fully Norse inspired, but has a matriarchal slant instead of patriarchal. The other setting seems Asian-inspired, on tropical islands. Both have grim yet different ways to survive. Both primary POVs have great supplemental POVs and you generally understand where other characters world views are coming from.

Excited for more, but will be continuing with physical only.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Ohi
  • 2021-06-04

Amazing! Richard Nell is a genius!

Grabbed me immediately and kept me engaged the whole time! This is everything I could possibly ask for in a fantasy book! Hopefully the sequels get made into audiobooks too. I’ve already ordered the next two books to read. AMAZING!!

Ps
Ralph Lister is great

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

great start

This was a great start to what i see becoming a good story and I can't wait to get tge next book

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Best fantasy novel in years

Came across this recommendation on a Reddit forum and I am so happy for it. This has quickly made it to my top 5 favourite series, up with the likes of Abercrombie. If you love fantasy I highly recommend giving this a try.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great narration for a great dark fantasy novel

I have read the kindle version of this book and highly enjoyed the novel, likely one of if not my favourite fantasy novels of all time. It isn't for the faint of heart, but the strong characters and well developed world have created a story that stands out in the genre.

I was pleasantly surprised by the audio book. The narrator is great, and it works just as well as an audio book as it did as a kindle book.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Grim

The author pulled no punches in this one, and I loved it - easy 5 stars all around.

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