Shackled

This is a prequel to The Aldoran Chronicles, which I have not read yet. This is another one from audible that I saw under “free” and “fantasy,” which are two out of three of my favorite F words. I've also been intrigued with these prequels because of their length, as I'm looking for in between listens. 

The author does a fantastic job in this one of just smashing your face right into the world he's created. Similar to the last read by Terry Goodkind, these are prequels that seemingly dropped after their series already started. Therefore, you're not getting a lore dump or continuous world building. The author gets right to the point and tells a singular story. This once again worked really well for me. 

The story follows Ferrin, a talented blacksmith that uses his magical abilities to imbue his work with an additional something something (if you will). I enjoyed the way the character was built by the author in only 2.5hrs. He is brusque and brooding, quick to act yet not without thought. It's believable that he does everything he can for his sister. Although his name is not outright in the synopsis for book one, I can only imagine he has a prominent role in the series. 

Unlike reading Terry Goodkind's Debt of Bones (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4596638040), The Aldoran Chronicles currently only has an additional 3 books out (as opposed to Goodkind's like 11), so honestly I think I'm going to continue with it (at some point).