The Mark of the Tala by Jeffe Kennedy
Narrator: Cris Dukehart
Series: The Twelve Kingdoms #1
Published on: October 28th 2014
Genres: Fantasy
Length: 11 hrs and 4 mins
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
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Queen Of The Unknown
The tales tell of three sisters, daughters of the high king. The eldest, a valiant warrior-woman, heir to the kingdom. The youngest, the sweet beauty with her Prince Charming. No one says much about the middle princess, Andromeda. Andi, the other one.
Andi doesn't mind being invisible. She enjoys the company of her horse more than court, and she has a way of blending into the shadows. Until the day she meets a strange man riding, who keeps company with wolves and ravens, who rules a land of shapeshifters and demons. A country she'd thought was no more than legend--until he claims her as its queen.
In a moment everything changes: Her father, the wise king, becomes a warlord, suspicious and strategic. Whispers call her dead mother a traitor and a witch. Andi doesn't know if her own instincts can be trusted, as visions appear to her and her body begins to rebel.
For Andi, the time to learn her true nature has come. . .
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I know I don’t normally review audiobooks here, but since this was the only book in this series that is on audio. I’ll have to read the rest of the series, so I thought I would review them all in one place. The Mark of the Tala is the first book in the The Twelve Kingdoms series by Jeffe Kennedy. I met Ms. Kennedy at RT15 in Dallas and really wanted to read some of her books. I have read Petals and Thorns by her under a different pen name, and wanted to try this series next.
Andromeda is the middle sister. She never really stood out. Her older sister, Ursula, was quite the warrior and in training to run the kingdom when their father dies. Amelia is beautiful and has bards writing sonnets about her. Andi just wanted to ride her horses and fade to the background. They really don’t know their mother very well. She died giving birth to Amelia. Ursula is the only one who has any real memories and she was still young as a tween when her mother died.
Andi runs into a guy she has never met before while she is out riding. She is instantly drawn to him, but at the same time doesn’t trust him. She eventually learns that he is one of her mother’s people, the Tala. Andi and her sisters know almost nothing about their mother’s people. Their father forbade anyone to speak of them and any records of them destroyed. The Tala are known as “black witches”.
I loved Andi’s love for her horse, Fiona. I loved how she craved her horse and didn’t want to see her come to harm, but also knew that a horse is not as important as her people. It was a very difficult choice for her. It is something that would be very difficult for me as well. My animals are everything to me. I would have a hard time putting people in front of them as well.
I felt this was a very fun introduction fantasy romance series. I love the world that Ms. Kennedy has built. The characters are all very well developed. I want to learn more about all of them. I am a bit disappointed that this is the only book in the series that was put on audio. I would love to continue to series on audio, but I will continue to read the series, because I loved it so much.
Narration
Cris Dukehart does a great job with narration of this book. It is not the first book that I’ve listen to with her narration. She also does the Shifters Unbound series by Jennifer Ashley, which I started earlier this year. I think she does a great job. She handles both male and female characters with ease. I really enjoy her pace and tone. I do recommend her as a narrator.
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I’m Melanie and I live in Ohio. I have two horses and a dog. I’m an animal lover, avid book reader and audiobook listener. I like to live vicariously through fictional characters. I enjoy reading and listening to mostly fictional books in the paranormal genre, including Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance and Horror. My favorite paranormal creatures are shifters, doesn’t matter the flavor.
I do like this one 🙂 but yeah I read it in print, dunno how it sounds
blodeuedd recently posted…#FitReaders Check-In: November 6, 2015
I like this narrator. I had listened to her before. I’m excited to get to more of this series.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Demon from the Dark by Kresley Cole (@kresleycole, @petkoff, @SimonAudio)
Don’t you love it when a book you are reading features something you love in your personal life? Glad this one was good for you-I hope reading them is as satisfying for you as this one 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Review: Stroke of Midnight by Lara Adrian (@Mollykatie112, @lara_adrian)
I’m sure the story will be as good to read as it was to listen. I just have so much more time to listen than to read. I can get through so many more on my TBR if they are available on audio. I’ll be sure to make room for this series.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Demon from the Dark by Kresley Cole (@kresleycole, @petkoff, @SimonAudio)
This sounds really interesting, Melanie. And it’s neat that you had a personal tie with the story since you have animals. (you have horses, don’t you?) I met Ms. Kennedy as well and I’m thinking I picked up something from her but I haven’t read it yet. I’m wanting to pick up this series now, though. 🙂 I’m really curious about the Tala…
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…#TravelingtoTerminus Review ~ With Visions of Red Book 3 ~ Trisha Wolfe
Yes, I have two horses. I’ve been around them pretty much my whole life. I can’t imagine not having them. The Tala are really interesting. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Demon from the Dark by Kresley Cole (@kresleycole, @petkoff, @SimonAudio)
Oh I hope the rest go to audio. I usually catch up that way and this sounds so good! However, the horse issue gives me pause. Is it bad? I have no probs putting my animals in front of people, but then I’m not a leader. 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Dark and Wild Night by Christina Lauren
I don’t know if they will be on audio or not. I wish they would put more on audio too. The horse is threaten as leverage to get Andromeda to do what the other person wants.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Demon from the Dark by Kresley Cole (@kresleycole, @petkoff, @SimonAudio)
Sounds like a good introduction to the series Melanie, I love it when a character has a strong bong with an animal, and in particular horses… I’d like to see more of Andi and Fiona together!
Naomi Hop recently posted…No Kissing Allowed by Melissa West ~ Review & Swoon Thursday
Those two were interesting together. I can’t wait to see where the next book takes them.
Melanie recently posted…Spotlight and Review: Marked by an Assassin by Felicity Heaton (@felicityheaton)
I agree 100% with your review. I listened to this one and it completely drew me in. Great mythology and story… I hope you like the others. I really liked listening to it, but reading the books was equally as enjoyable. It helped hearing the names in spoken language before reading them!
Jen Twimom recently posted…Listen Up! #Audiobook Review: Dresden Files Part 1
Listening to fantasy is much easier because of the names, IMO. I think a lot of people shy away from fantasy because of the complex names. I’ve even heard people admit to this. I do like the stories and should read more of them than I do.
Melanie recently posted…Spotlight and Review: Marked by an Assassin by Felicity Heaton (@felicityheaton)
*perks up* well developed characters? oh you have my attention. Glad you enjoyed the audiobook!
Lily B recently posted…Interview with Entangled’s Author Jennie Marts and her new book Hidden Away
It is a fun book. I think you could enjoy if you read or listen. I can’t wait to get to book two.
Melanie recently posted…Spotlight and Review: Marked by an Assassin by Felicity Heaton (@felicityheaton)
I liked this book, I thought it was a solid 4 star read too, Melanie 🙂
kara-karina recently posted…Urban Fantasy Audiobook Review: Black Rook by Kelly Meade
I’m excited to get to the next book.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole (@kresleycole, @petkoff, @SimonAudio)