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The Outstretched Shadow Audiobook
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(3.01) - 5,131 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Kellen Tavadon, son of the Arch-Mage Lycaelon, thought he knew the way the world worked. His father, leading the wise and benevolent Council of Mages, protected and guided the citizens of the Golden City of the Bells. Young Mages in training—all men, for women were unfit to practice magic—memorized the intricate details of High Magic and aspired to seats on the council.
Then Kellen found the forbidden Books of Wild Magic—or did they find him? Their Magic felt like a living thing, guided by the hearts and minds of those who practiced it and benefited from it.
Questioning everything he has known, Kellen discovers too many of the City's dark secrets. Banished, with the Outlaw Hunt on his heels, Kellen invokes Wild Magic—and finds himself running for his life with a unicorn at his side.
Rescued by a unicorn, healed by a female Wild Mage who knows more about Kellen than anyone outside the City should, meeting Elven royalty and Elven warriors, and plunged into a world full of magical beings, Kellen both revels in and fears his new freedom.
The one thing all the Mages of the City agreed on was that practicing Wild Magic corrupted a Mage—turned him into a Demon. Would that be Kellen's fate?
Deep in Obsidian Mountain, the Demons are waiting. Since their defeat in the last great War, they've been biding their time, sowing the seeds of distrust and discontent between their human and Elven enemies. Very soon now, when the Demons rise to make war, there will be no alliance between High and Wild Magic to stand against them. And then all the world will belong to the Endarkened.
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"I like the way that magic works in this novel. Its strange to call it a more realistic form of magic, but I can't think of another way to describe it. Magic has to be based in something, there is work that must be put into it, and demands responsibility of the person who wields it. The many creatures within are also more realistic, living in families, tending their homes, etc. Finally, I love the portrayal of the elves! Their long lives make them often unable to connect with humans - its an interesting dichotomy. Great series!"
— Laurel (4 out of 5 stars)
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“The narrative speeds to the end, avoiding a jarring halt while leaving the reader satisfied and wanting to know more.”
— Publishers Weekly
The Outstretched Shadow Listener Reviews
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" This Book Has been Outstanding So far . A little long Winded In place's "
— Chris, 5/8/2016 -
" This fantasy book was a mixed bag for me. It felt too long and the pacing was uneven. It definitely dragged at times. I dislike clearly defined "good" and "bad" guys, and unfortunately there are few moral subtleties here. The "bad" guys were dreadfully written and I literally had to skip those chapters to avoid reading (yet again) how much they relish torturing their helpless victims. However despite all these flaws, I did end up enjoying the book and I wanted to know where the story would go in the next book of the trilogy. The world is fairly well developed, the characters have some interesting moments, and the writing style is adequate. Overall it is highly flawed but still has some merit for fantasy fans. "
— Karen, 2/11/2014 -
" I like the twist on magick this book takes. The wild magick theory intrigued me greatly, as well as the unique world. Good trilogy. "
— Anna, 2/8/2014 -
" An excellent beginning meanders into a slow, repetitive, and, for much of the book's middle, goalless narrative. "
— K.M., 2/1/2014 -
" I enjoyed this book, despite the triteness. I'm partial to fantasy fiction, anyway. "
— Okie, 1/31/2014 -
" I still love it with each reread. My only complaint is that the beginning shouldn't have been so slow! "
— Julia, 1/9/2014 -
" This book had a REALLY slow start, but I absolutely loved it!!! "
— Dmw0325, 1/9/2014 -
" This is just sheer pulp fantasy. You probably shouldn't start this series if you're older than 15 or 16. "
— Jimfinity, 1/9/2014 -
" I love this book. I've read it before. But I'm just not in the mood. I'm going to have to come back to this series. I think I'm to busy thinking about Inheritance... "
— Kim, 10/31/2013 -
" A long, but very rich and rewarding fantasy... "
— Peter, 10/7/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this trilogy of books, and actually am sad it is finished. I would have loved to find out more about how Kellan and Vestokia progressed and about the changes the high mages made in their city etc. "
— Lynnette, 9/18/2013 -
" When people don't know, they are happy as they can be where they are. But there are a few that know there is something different, and better if you look for it. But to start looking for it is the hardest part. Next hardest part is thinking that you've got something better now than you had than. "
— Kirstie, 8/23/2013 -
" Interesting book, I like it's system of magic so far. Nothing too groundbreakking or me, but I like the writing style and the mythos, I'll be reading a lot more mercedes lackey, and there is definitely a lot to choose from "
— Dragaeran, 11/29/2012 -
" One of my favorites. BEST Unicorn ever! "
— Hj, 12/26/2011 -
" Loved this book. I couldn't put it down. I love mercedes Lackey and how she draws you into her books. "
— Vandy, 7/4/2011 -
" I mainly recall this series started GREAT and kind of fizzled into mediocrity and mild annoyance. I'll probably someday reread it and see what I think then. "
— Aaron, 6/20/2011 -
" Wish I remembered more about this book ... I've got the second waiting to be read. "
— Ban, 4/15/2011 -
" A great introduction to an excellent fantasy series. A little slow to start, but it's worth the wait! Excellent character development. "
— Jen, 2/9/2011 -
" Loved this book. I couldn't put it down. I love mercedes Lackey and how she draws you into her books. "
— Vandy, 2/7/2011 -
" Too violent to read again. Compelling story and world mythology. "
— Caitlin, 11/11/2010 -
" Mages, Elves, and Demons.. Oh My! An enjoyable, fast paced adventure and coming of age story. I would recommend this to lovers of fantasy adventure ages 13 and up. "
— Laura, 10/18/2010 -
" Must Finish Reading Series, was a bit hard to get into but once I did it was hard to put it down! "
— Lacey, 10/12/2010 -
" I really liked this and am looking forward to the next one. "
— Barbara, 9/15/2010 -
" And yet another Lackey-created world! I'd love to chat with this woman...she must be incredibly fascinating. <br/><br/>Amazing tale of how fear can repress a society. "
— Kathy, 9/5/2010 -
" A cannibalistic scene early on just repulsed me so much I couldn't keep reading. "
— Julie, 7/22/2010 -
" I didn't like this book at first - being a budding fantasy reader I wasn't used to the words upon words upon words. However, the story grew on me as the action built and now I'm a big fan. #teamKellen! "
— Becca, 7/20/2010 -
" I still love it with each reread. My only complaint is that the beginning shouldn't have been so slow! "
— Julia, 7/12/2010 -
" Wish I remembered more about this book ... I've got the second waiting to be read. "
— Ban, 6/22/2010 -
" I mainly recall this series started GREAT and kind of fizzled into mediocrity and mild annoyance. I'll probably someday reread it and see what I think then. "
— Aaron, 5/5/2010
About the Authors
Mercedes Lackey is a bestselling American author of fantasy novels, including the Valdemar series, the Elemental Masters series, the 500 Kingdoms series, and many more. She also has written many stand-alone novellas and short stories.
Christopher Lane is an award-winning actor, director, and narrator. He has been awarded the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration several times and has won numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards.
About Susan Ericksen
Susan Ericksen is an actor and voice-over artist. She has been awarded numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards as well as the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. As an actor and director, she has worked in theaters throughout the country.