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  • The Black Prism

  • Written by: Brent Weeks
  • Narrated by: Simon Vance
  • Length: 21 hrs and 26 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (708 ratings)

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The Black Prism cover art

The Black Prism

Written by: Brent Weeks
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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Publisher's Summary

In a world where magic is tightly controlled, the most powerful man in history must choose between his kingdom and his son in the first book in the epic NYT best-selling Lightbringer series.

Guile is the Prism. He is high priest and emperor, a man whose power, wit, and charm are all that preserves a tenuous peace. Yet Prisms never last, and Guile knows exactly how long he has left to live.

When Guile discovers he has a son, born in a far kingdom after the war that put him in power, he must decide how much he's willing to pay to protect a secret that could tear his world apart.

If you loved the action and adventure of the Night Angel trilogy, you will devour this incredible epic fantasy series by Brent Weeks.

©2010 Brent Weeks (P)2016 Hachette Audio

What the critics say

"Brent Weeks is so good it's starting to tick me off." (Peter V. Brett, New York Times best-selling author of The Desert Spear)
"Weeks manages to ring new tunes on...old bells, letting a deep background slowly reveal its secrets and presenting his characters in a realistically flawed and human way." ( Publishers Weekly
" The Blinding Knife is a wonderful work of high fantasy with engaging characters facing the perfect antagonists, set in a creatively-wrought and increasingly chaotic world brimful of imaginative magic and interesting politics. Weeks holds fast to the traditions of his genre while adding a compelling new flavor." ( The Ranting Dragon)

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Fantasy is an exciting and creative genre. Explore up and coming titles that will take you to far away lands! Inspire your creative side, discover new titles and spark your imagination. Try a new microgenre! Discover 5 genre-bending series that showcase fantasy's great diversity on our blog, Audible Explore.

What listeners say about The Black Prism

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

Awesome!

I've physically read this book previously and truly enjoyed it. I very much enjoy Brent Weeks' style and totally unique version of the fantasy epic tale. when i decided to purchase it on audible I was a bit apprehensive but i shouldn't have been. Holy moly what an excellent performance by Simon Vance! He has enough range to give each character a distinct speaking voice while narrating in an expressive tone. The battle scenes had me on the edge of my seat. Thank you Brent Weeks for giving us this amazing story which has completely captivated my imagination. Thank you Simon Vance for bringing this story to life in a while new way. And thank you Audible for just being generally awesome!

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15 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • DoM
  • 2020-01-03

This title made me buy more credits!

This title made me buy more credits; I really wanted more and more. Beware.

This is a review for the whole 5 books series since, let's be honest, that's what you probably want if you're looking at this.

I did not know Brent Weeks before, but it came as a recommendation from other B.Sanderson fans online.

In short:
+ Action packed
+ Magic system interesting and self-consistent.
+ Good breath of characters: From the heroic wannabe orphan to the super-munchkin guy. Young girl and Middle-life lady.
+ I liked how the author brought only a few character's perspective at a time. 2-3 in first book, 3-4 second and third, 4-6 in the rest. It makes it easy to read/listen => Good progression.
+ Simon Vance did a pretty good job. The only way this could have been improved is by teaming with a female narrator.
+ Some small plot twists here and there keeps the story fresh.

± For the most part, the "vilains" are also well done. There are a few whom's motivations are a bit harder to understand.

- My main complain is that B.Weeks starts to build a sort of "greater expanse" universe towards the 4th book. That falls short: It doesn't really add to the story, leads nowhere and kerfuffle with his magic system.

Overall, I'd five it 4.5*... but let's round up!

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent novel

Narrator really brought the story to life with his fantastic depiction of the characters and the story. Brent Week's has created a stellar beginning to this series as the characters are engaging and compelling. Couldn't turn the audiobook off until I had finished it all.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing book!!

Amazing book! From someone who listened to nearly 80 books so far this is one of the best series. The twists and turns had me hooked! Definitely recommend!!!

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

thrilling

great cadence in the voice. would recommend to everyone.
it feels like you are being tucked into bed and read to by your favourite uncle. complete with voices and soul.
I love it.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent.

This one kept me up listening later than I should have on work nights but I just could t help it. The narration and story were both 5/5.

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2 people found this helpful

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

Great start to a fantasy series

Very enjoyable! Looking forward to the next four books in the series, glad they kept the same narrirator for the whole series

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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First Rate

Amazing story. Fast paced but very intricate at the same time. Characters with real depth and complexity. Also, Simon Vance is, as always, pure genius.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Incredible

Fantastic writing and world building. Nobody writes complicated and flawed characters like Brent Weeks. Each terrible decision pulls you in as much as the next brilliant one.

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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

Gotta love Kip

Amazing characters, great story. Listen to all of them the end is so so so good I just finished the series for the third time and I don’t ever leave reviews but these books really deserves it.

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