Reviewed by Roberta
TITLE: Family Of Lies: Sebastian
NARRATOR: Cornell Collins
AUTHOR: Sam Argent
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 10 hrs & 4 mins
Release Date: February 23, 2016
BLURB:
Sebastian Orwell did the only thing a smart wizard could do when he stumbled upon the wounded Crown Prince: he healed him and dumped him in a tavern where he could continue not being Sebastian’s problem. Unfortunately, the prince isn’t content with being alive, and he hunts Sebastian down to thank him personally. Not only is Sebastian stuck with the prince’s unwanted affections, he’s also confronted by growing evidence linking the assassination attempt to someone from his father’s past.
Lord Orwell is a lot of things: thief, liar, drunk, and all around horrible father, but Sebastian knows he’s no murderer. In order to prove it, Sebastian has to keep the prince alive long enough to discover the truth—a task made considerably harder because the idiot prince prefers wooing Sebastian over securing his own survival. On top of everything, Sebastian needs to save the day without revealing his magical powers and the real reason he hides his appearance.
Sebastian had no intention of playing the hero, but whoever is stirring up shit in his country will pay for destroying his quiet life.
REVIEW:
I have to say that this book was such a wonderment of imagination. I liked that this book had the wonderful High Fantasy feel to it. I also like that this story is strong in its view of family. That even though they bicker and fight…they pull together when it’s needed.
Sebastian is this wonderful grumpy character. I really like that he’s this grumpy, brutally honest man who has no qualms telling it like it is. I like that he’s ALWAYS trying to do the best, not only for Prince Turren, but for his family as well. Sebastian is a good guy…who really wants a quiet, normal life and yet, he’s thrust into this “situation” that keeps getting beyond his control.
Prince Turren, I liked that he wanted Sebastian so much that he becomes focused in on him and him alone. I know that some people didn’t like the fact that Turren wanted Sebastian so much, but I really liked the fact that he chased him down. That he took the time to woo him (even when it drove Sebastian crazy). Turren isn’t stupid by in stretch of the imagination and that he wants Sebastian and isn’t afraid to show it.
There was a HUGE cast of characters in this story and I’ll admit…sometimes…I got confused as to who the hell they were. I’m not saying that they weren’t vital to the story, however, by listening to the story…lots of time…I didn’t know who they were and how the hell they fit in the story. That is my one MAJOR complaint about the story is that the cast was really HUGE and I kept getting lost.
I will say that Sebastian’s father…Lord Orwell…I’m not really sure how I feel about him. He’s very big on Family and that’s wonderful. But, Holy Hannah…this man just isn’t truthful about a damn thing and it seems that he’s ALWAYS working an angle and that got to be a bit annoying, however, it did add some angst to the story.
The villain in the story…well…it was interesting how you didn’t really get a feel for the guy until the last bit of the book and when he came on stage…what a dirtbag. He lived up to being the villain. The issue I have with him is that you didn’t really have an idea about him…he’s just so damn vague and then….BAM…he’s right in front of you.
Now, the narrator…Cornell Collins…I’ve not heard him before, however, I will say that I thought he did an Excellent job narrating this story!! I mean, to have such a large amount of voices that needed to be done for so many characters and to keep them up the entire time…over 10 hours…that was pretty damn Amazing!! Cornell is a narrator to watch for!! Splendid Job, Cornell!!
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