Kellanved's Reach

Random House presents the audiobook edition of Kellanved's Reach by Ian C. Esslemont, read by John Banks. 

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

©2019 Ian C Esslemont (P)2019 Random House Audiobooks
 

Produced by Neil Gardner & Narrated by John Banks


* * * * *

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!

Two of the books are 'ongoing' in order to fit around my crazy schedule and I'm immensely grateful to the companies and colleagues involved in this process, for being so accommodating. Alas, one audio book project hasn't worked out, as we just couldn't find mutually convenient recording dates, which is a great shame. I lost out on nine audio books last year for that same reason; not enough time to record them.

One book started recording the week before last and continued through to last Wednesday. That project has now been suspended until late March in order to accommodate the latest book, which started recording on Thursday. It too has now been suspended until Friday, so that I can record the four drama stories mentioned above. We resume on Friday and record throughout the following week. Confused? Me too - almost...

So that lot should keep me out of mischief till the end of March, at which point, I shall start to focus on the next audio book project, which I'm very excited about and very much looking forward to. Sadly of course, I can't talk in detail about any of these projects until the various companies I'm working with, give their permission. All I can say at the moment, is that there's lots to look forward to over the next few months and I'll tell all as soon as possible! 

Just to round off this posting; a couple of days ago, I discovered that one of the four Doctor Who Short Trips I recorded back in 2012, was given a 'proper' release by Big Finish, in September 2018.

Here are the details and for the first time in relation to this recording, some 'official', rather than 'fan' artwork:

This Doctor Who: Short Trips Rarities title was first released as an exclusive title free to anyone subscribing to the Doctor Who Main Range. It is now also presented here for the first time as a general release.

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?

...all for now; more just as soon as it happens!