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The Codex of Her Scars (Sorcerers' Isle, Book 1)

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The Codex of Her Scars (Sorcerers' Isle, Book 1)

By: Derek Prior
Narrated by: Steven Pacey
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About this listen

"Even the broken will fight"

From the number one best-selling author of Legends of the Nameless Dwarf (fantasy book of the year 2012)

Centuries ago, the Isle of Branikdür was mysteriously abandoned by the ruling Hélum Empire. Ever since, rival clans have battled for supremacy at the bidding of their sacred sorcerers.

During the once-a-year armistice for the Festival of Proving, the gifted warrior Snaith Harrow aims to leave his mark in the fight circles before marrying his childhood sweetheart. But following a freak accident, he discovers a terrible secret about the girl he loves.

Tey Moonshine is a daughter of suffering, and she has fallen prey to the things that stalk the netherworld. Under the influence of a demon that hides within her marrow, she gouges a magical codex into her flesh, believing it will make her the greatest sorcerer the isle has ever known.

Maimed from his accident and no longer able to fight, Snaith is apprenticed to the clan sorcerer, Theurig, and Tey is sent away from the village.

As Snaith is thrust headlong into a sorcerer's world of misdirection and control, Tey must master the darkness that possesses her if she is to stand together with him against the coming storm.

For the ripples of forbidden magic have roused the sleeping might of the Hélum Empire.

War is coming.

A war the clans can never win.

And the fate of Branikdür lies in the hands of a warrior turned wizard and a deranged girl who grows more deadly by the day.

Sorcerers' Isle is a shocking tale of dark fantasy from international best-selling author D. P. Prior.

©2017 D. P. Prior (P)2018 Audible, Inc. Dark Fantasy Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Magic Magic Users Sorcery Scary War Warrior
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This is genuinely what I would term dark fantasy. The lead characters are marred by corruption and betrayal. This isn't a book for those who like to see noble heroes crusading against evil . . . though with the ending there's a hint that an element of that may yet emerge later in the series. From the start this is a cruel, cruel world to enter and as the story goes on the few lights that start lit either fade or are snuffed out. There is plotting, there is evil and there is betrayal, it's like the denizens of Macbeth have come back determined to ramp it up dis-satisfied with the mild-mannered, child-friendly offering that the bard penned for them all those years ago!

Of course a light you can't diminish is the magical spell that Steven Pacey weaves to illuminate any story. I've spent a lot of hours listening to him and he is without a doubt one of the very best. The level of darkness in this one means that the text doesn't suit him quite as much but he is still mightily impressive. He really isn't getting to do enough audiobooks for some reason whether by choice or otherwise. Seriously this is the kind of thing our senior politicians should be investigating rather than wasting time on all this EU nonsense! Our PM needs to get her priorities right and convene COBRA to see if the Russians are keeping Pacey away from our headphones!

Back, to the book. I think I've mentioned this is a dark book full of malice but it's also a well constructed one and it builds to a fantastically epic final few chapters which set the scene ahead for something to come that might just be a bit special in its own rather fitfully bloodthirsty way.

Spiralling Into Bloodthirsty Darkness!

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Have to say, this really took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting much from a title I'd never heard of, and one I just intended to be a stop-gap while I made my mind up what series to start next. It had been sitting in my wishlist for quite a while, and I don't even remember putting it there. So I gave it a listen. Gotta say, I'm glad I did. I liked the characters, and Steve Pacey is probably the best narrator in the game, so well worth it just for him alone! But the story and development was very compelling. It left me eager for the next installment, and surprisingly, there isn't one yet. I did a bit of Googling and found an explanation from the author, telling how he's been royally dumped on my the publication company, which has stalled the next installment. But don't let that put you off. It's well worth a listen, and the next book is on it's way apparently. I can't wait.

Where has this been hiding?

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I agree the narration was the icing on the cake for me, and the main reason I chose this book. The story was strong, some good premises and a convincing world, The female characters were strong and all the characters were through through and rounded - the main protagonists suitably floored - I enjoyed this a lot and will probably get the next one :)

A good listen, well paced, strong premises and great narration

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This is honestly the best Grimdark fantasy novel I've ever come across. Truly bleak and unforgiving, populated with loathsome characters and a Stygian plot that'll make your skin crawl. Be warned the depths of the human psyche this book ploughs is beyond Abyssal and into the Hadal zone. The main characters are broken, flawed and brutally realistic in their development. There are several psychological disorders presented "as is" and without apology which draws you further in as you watch the internal and external battles faced by each individual. The magic system is beautifully influenced by Shamanism (think of the "wounded healer" archetype) but also hints at malign sciences from an earlier civilization. The creeping pervasive horror cranks up with each chapter building to savage climax that leaves you hungering for book 2.

Steven Pacey's narration is superb. Each character easily distinguished and well presented. I was particularly fond of the necromancer Pheklus who was given a voice somewhat akin to the late Leonard Rossiter (it works unbelievably well).

This is an excellent opening book in what will be a phenomenal series.

A macabre fantasy masterpiece

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Searching for something to fill the grimdark void after finishing all the Joe Abercrombie books, I started looking through narrator Steven Pacey’s back catalogue and this caught my eye. Loved it. Liked the premise of the story and the narration is top tier.

Came here for Pacey, stayed for the story

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