Well, that's not a bad start to a new posting! It's how audible.co.uk announced the release of the third volume of Ian C. Esslemont's 'Path To Ascendancy' series, itself, part of the much longer Malazan Empire series, which I've been involved in recording since the release of Night of Knives in April 2016. A quick calculation reveals that the entire story arc comes to 189.23 hours of narration and has, getting on for 1,000 character voices, so if these stories are your kind of thing, there's certainly plenty to listen to!
And so, without further ado, here are some details of this latest edition:
Kellanved's Reach
Path to Ascendancy, Book 3
The incessant war between the bickering city states of Quon Tali rages. So engrossed are the warring lords and princes in their own petty feuds that few notice that an upstart mage from Dal Hon has gained control of the southern seas. But some powers are alarmed.
And in the meantime, as Purge and Tali indulge in what seems like a their never-ending game of war, a mercenary caught up in the fight between the two states suddenly refuses to play along and causes all sorts of chaos. Simultaneously, a pair of escapees from Castle Gris make their way across this ravaged landscape of flame and butchery. Their intention: to seek out the legendary Crimson Guard.
And then there's Kellanved, who could not care less about any of this petty politicking or strategy or war. Something other and altogether more mysterious has caught his attention and he - together with a reluctant and decidedly sceptical Dancer - traverse continents and journey through the Realms in pursuit....
But this ancient mystery that has so captivated Kellanved is neither esoteric nor ephemeral. No, it is of an altogether darker and more dangerous hue. It involves the Elder races themselves and more specifically - certainly more alarmingly - the semi-mythic and universally dreaded Army of Dust and Bone.
Surely no one in their right mind would be so foolish as to embark on a journey from which none have returned? Well, no one except Kellanved, that is...
Returning to the turbulent early history of what would become the Malazan Empire, here is the third awesome chapter in Ian C. Esslemont's new epic fantasy sequence.
Length: 13 hours - 7 minutes
* * * * *
Once again, I find myself caught up in a very busy period of activity, preparing for and recording a number of projects this month, including an audio drama, three audio books and four more dramas in the week to come - starting at the crack of dawn tomorrow!
James Willaker has been working late. He's tired. It's been a long day. All that awaits now is a taxi home before bed.
Conversations with taxi drivers are a factor of London commutes, indeed of every city.
They can't have any importance. They can't change the world. They can't affect the future.
Can they?