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The Dark Defiles

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The Dark Defiles

By: Richard Morgan
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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Summary

 Compared to Michael Moorcock and Joe Abercrombie alike, Richard Morgan's fast moving and brutal science fantasy reaches its final volume as Ringil comes to his final reckoning and sees the world tipping into another war with the dragon folk. And, most terrifying of all, the prophecy of a dark lord come to rule may be coming true very close to home...

THE DARK DEFILES is a supremely fast moving 240,000 word epic. A massive yet tight story that both shines a light on some mysteries from earlier volumes and reveals deeper mysteries yet. We encounter the artifacts of an ancient race, learn the true story of the ghostly Dwenda and follow three old friends as they face their greatest test yet.

Read by Simon Vance

(p) 2015 Tantor, Inc©2014 Richard Morgan Classics Dark Fantasy Epic Fantasy Fiction Dragons
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Critic reviews

The Dark Defiles is best of the series. Morgan built a fascinating world, dirt and all, and populated it will heroes that were also real people. Morgan dissects the idea of hero and looks at it from every angle. Our three protagonists aren't anti-heroes they are just flawed. While they deal with their flaws they realize that in the end heroes don't get to live happily ever after.
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Loved this series, but if I am honest I am left slightly confused by this book. It feels unfinished, there are threads left hanging that need to be tied off and random, unnecessary revelations that leave me thinking "eh!!!!!" And not always in a good way.

This is a great read, well written, characters that live and breath and are not always easy to love. Ringil may be the hero, but there are times when he is cold bloodedly dispatching people that are difficult to read. In this series war makes monsters on every side. The world too is richly drawn though this is one place I really wouldn't want to wake up and find myself in.

My only problem is that the ending feels rushed. Revelation on revelation. Key players in the plot of the entire series that are only mentioned in the final pages, hidden secrets and unanswered questions. Ok, I am a fan of not always being given the answers, of making the reader work for some of them, but the defeat of the Dwenda leaves me feeling a little cheated.

This doesn't feel like the end...

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A nice conclusion to a great trilogy. If you love the first two this won't disappoint. Also Best narrator ever.

Bad tempered gods and bloody-minded heroes

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excellent narrator, complex story, good strong characters, gritty. would be hard to read as a stand alone book. overall very enjoyable.

good read

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This was my favourite of the trilogy. Not sure that's a common opinion but for me I just enjoyed the development of the trio. (Oh Egar - I'll say no more).

Keeping it brief, there's more swords, Mage play, dragons and Gods! All wrapped up in what I thought was some strong writing. The overall story arch is not vast but I think it's plenty rich.

Boy do I love the warrior dark mage angle! It's not perfect but it's definitely up there with my great reads (listen).

Enjoyed it!

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rich characters ; driving narrative ; a sinuously complex Tale very competently told by writer and teller alike

Outstandingly Epic

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