THE STORMLIGHT ARCHIVE 1 The Way of Kings (1 of 5)

With sound effects and a full cast, this production certainly makes listeners feel they're at the center of this epic fantasy, exploring a world of temperamental skies, abandoned landscapes, powerful gemstones, and ceaseless fighting. Dylan Lynch drives the story as narrator with his keen ability to modulate his projection and tone, depending upon the mood of the scene. However, as a self-contained audio experience, the production falls short. Adapting this complex tale into five separate parts means that there's just not enough story in this first production to hold listeners. In seven hours, listeners are just barely getting to know the characters, and the ending provides no real enticement to continue on. L.E. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2016]