The Sound of Change cover art

The Sound of Change

The Bards and Dragons Saga, Book 2

 Preview

Get 30 days of Standard free

£5.99/mo after trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options

The Sound of Change

By: Steve D Wall
Narrated by: Steven Pacey
Try for £0.00

£5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for £22.43

Buy Now for £22.43

Summary

An action-packed flintlock fantasy book about guns, mages, bards, and dragons!

Ulric’s quiet life of exile has been turned upside down. Dellioph is unable to play his music or keep his secrets. Gali, having lost everything, teeters on the brink of despair. And they’re all being chased by dragons, which are nothing like the old stories.

Aari, Col, and Devo continue to pursue the evil sorcerer responsible for the dragons. But as Aari’s memories start to return, doubts come with them. What can she do next to Col, the Spirit of the Earth, and Devo, a hulking, strong fighter? She’s just a girl.

And back in the city of Quinport, Lyrrun of Dwy—who should be retired by now—is left to manage the fallout from the heist and to try to keep the Mastus family out of jail. But this forces him into the middle of a dangerous rivalry between chancellors.

If you listen closely, perhaps you will hear it. Change is coming.

©2025 Steven Wall (P)2025 Steven Wall Action & Adventure Epic Fantasy Magic Users Magic Fiction Dragons Wizardry
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_c
All stars
Most relevant
A really good book written very similar to Joe Abercrombie I really enjoyed it and The story had twist and times that I didn’t see coming. I totally recommend this book.

A great read

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
am lucky enough to have found this author. fast pace, narrative. superb characters. fascinating storyline and he's created the world which is intriguing, perplexing and mysterious. everything I'm looking for. Very similar storytelling technique to one of my favourite authors. Joe Abercrombie and I can't give this book kind of phrase

brilliant throughout

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
As a long standing Abercrombie and Pacey fan, I picked this saga up with high expectations when the first book was released. Having finished the second installment I am fully invested and thoroughly enjoying the characters, dialogue, the world building and direction of the story. All brought to life vividly by the masterful narration. Can't wait for the finale.

Wall is crafting an epic.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Words fail me… I went back and listened to the first book to remind what was happening… the second book is just as good as the first.. please don’t make me wait too long for the next instalment!!
Absolute masterpiece and storytelling by Steven Pacey is incredible!! (Again) I started listening to him with the first law trilogy and haven’t stopped since.. he has now opened me up to so many different authors I would of never even given a second glance to… and I’m so grateful 🙏

I didn’t want it to end!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
If you're a fan of Joe Abercrombie's gritty, character-driven grimdark fantasy, do yourself a favor and dive into The Sound of Change. This series blends flintlock-era action with magic, music, renegades, and dragons in a way that's refreshingly original and when narrated by the legendary Steven Pacey, it becomes nothing short of pure magic.
Wall's world-building shines in this second installment. Set on the frontier of a new, untamed continent, the story picks up the threads from The Way of Renegades with higher stakes and deeper emotional resonance.
Ulric, the exiled war hero haunted by his past, finds his hard-won quiet life shattered once more. Dellioph, the enigmatic sorcerous bard, faces an agonizing choice between his music and survival—his secrets unraveling in ways that hit hard. Gali, the fierce native leader fighting to save her people, stands on the edge of despair, while new alliances and betrayals pull everyone into a whirlwind of gunpowder-fueled battles, magical intrigue, and personal reckonings.
What sets this apart from typical fantasy is the thoughtful fusion of elements: muskets and flintlock warfare clash with bardic magic tied to music and emotion, dragons appear in unexpected, grounded ways (not your fire-breathing clichés), and the themes of change, exile, redemption, and cultural collision feel authentic and poignant. Wall doesn't shy away from dark moments—loss, sacrifice, and moral gray areas abound—but there's an undercurrent of hope and resilience that empowers the characters, reminiscent of Brandon Sanderson's optimistic heroism mixed with Abercrombie's sharp cynicism.
The pacing is relentless: action sequences crackle with tension (think powder smoke, clashing steel, and spell-song harmonies), while quieter character moments build real investment. The ensemble cast—flawed, compelling renegades who learn that their only true allies are each other—keeps you turning pages (or tapping "next chapter").
And then there's Steven Pacey. If you've experienced his work on The First Law or other top-tier audiobooks, you know he's a master. Here, he outdoes himself. Pacey's range is staggering: he gives Ulric a weary, gravelly depth that conveys every scar of the past; Dellioph's voice carries lyrical charm laced with vulnerability; Gali's determination rings with fierce authenticity. The magical bardic elements come alive through subtle shifts in tone, rhythm, and inflection—when music weaves into the magic, Pacey makes you feel it. He extracts every ounce of emotion, humor, and intensity from Wall's prose, turning a great book into an unforgettable listening experience. Quite simply, he's a gem who elevates every story he touches, and this series is lucky to have him.

If You Love Abercrombie, This One's Pure Enchantme

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews