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Under Heaven Audiobook, by Guy Gavriel Kay Play Audiobook Sample

Under Heaven Audiobook

Under Heaven Audiobook, by Guy Gavriel Kay Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Simon Vance Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc. Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 13.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 9.75 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: March 2020 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781980090434

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

31

Longest Chapter Length:

57:22 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

02:00 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

37:50 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

12

Other Audiobooks Written by Guy Gavriel Kay: > View All...

Publisher Description

The award-winning historical fantasies of Guy Gavriel Kay have earned him international best-seller status and placed his books atop his fans' must-read lists. Under Heaven takes listeners to Tang dynasty China, where the son of an honored general has received an unheard of gift: 250 Sardian horses. But this is a prize men would, and will, kill for. "History and fantasy rarely come together as gracefully as they do in the novels of Guy Gavriel Kay."-Washington Post Book World

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"Yet another beautiful, haunting, melancholic book from Guy Gavriel Kay. With the one blip of Ysabel, everything he's written has been extraordinary. Like the Lions of al-Rassan and The Sarantine Mosaic, Under Heaven is an emotional look at the end of an age, through the eyes of characters who have come to love the time and place they inhabit."

— Tanglebones (5 out of 5 stars)

Under Heaven Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.875 out of 53.875 out of 53.875 out of 53.875 out of 53.875 out of 5 (3.88)
5 Stars: 8
4 Stars: 8
3 Stars: 6
2 Stars: 1
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very enjoyable read. Kay seemed to fall back to the style he used in _A Song For Arbonne_ so the pacing of this book felt very familiar. The last 100 pages felt a bit rushed, but that didn't detract from the experience in any great way. "

    — Phil, 2/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Always nice when you learn a bit about a historical culture by reading a fictional work :) "

    — Leani, 2/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " So far, this book is awesome! It gives you a taste of the political workings of the imperial Chinese. Also, it Kay provides the revered, but feared, fantasy of the supernatural, which only contributes to the delicacy of the story. Shen Tai is an awesome protagonist. Awesome book for anyone. "

    — Nicholas, 12/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Courtiers, wine, horses, poets and the pleasure district. It had it's moments, but this may not be my moment in history to read about. "

    — Carrie, 12/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " (Still reading, it's a challenge. Moves rather slowly in that it sets up a lot of exposition, both past and present.)' "

    — Lisa/Bluestem, 12/6/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " An epic set in ancient Japan. Complex and filled with cultural and political details as well as interesting characters. "

    — Elizabeth, 9/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Really good book! I have never read this author before, but I already have another of his books on my coffee table. There was a little mysticism, a lot of court intrigue, some romance, plenty of action. Very good. "

    — Julie, 9/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Difficult to put down, great story, seamless writing, fabulous detail without being boring or pedantic, complex characters and storyline are well-developed and hold the interest. Highly recommended. "

    — Gillian, 8/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A very interesting and moving look at a fictionalized (not too much though)Tang dynasty in China. Lots of great characters and events. Worth a read for sure. One of the best books I have read in a long time. "

    — Gerry, 7/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was not the most easiest read with all of the characters, and the setting but I loved it. Couldn't put it down until I finished it. I loved the main character Tai. "

    — Fourborne, 3/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Epic fantasy set in a Tang Dynasty analog. Excellent read!! "

    — Jared, 2/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I love his storytelling, more than I can say. Rich in the fabric of his created world, though always based in some historical reality (this time, Tang China), with every thread tied up at last. It's a glorious journey. "

    — GraceAnne, 1/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I loved this story probably because I love Chinese history. I felt as though I was getting an understanding of the culture of the Tang dynasty and reading a really good adventure as well. I will read more of this author. "

    — Pat, 11/6/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Fun fantasy/historical fiction based in 9th century China. Well written with strong character development. Plot is very strong as well and moves quickly making it great vacation reading. "

    — Martin, 2/24/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I would've given it 6 stars if I could! "

    — Hélène, 11/25/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Couldn't get interested, might try again.. "

    — Corien, 10/2/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Kay's novels are grand historical epics that emphasize honor, devotion, and truth in plot and characters. I am seduced each time. "

    — Darshan, 5/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Pacing was a bit slow, but I found the characters compelling. I actually missed them when I finished the book. "

    — Jessica, 5/5/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great read! This book had the best combination of historical fiction and magical realism. This author is definitely on my to read list. "

    — Pamh, 5/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This author never fails to entertain me. "

    — SueBell, 4/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Courtiers, wine, horses, poets and the pleasure district. It had it's moments, but this may not be my moment in history to read about. "

    — Carrie, 4/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " One of Kay's best - a return to Tigana/Song for Arbonne/Lions form. It could have been better - there is one plot point towards the end that I found inconsistent, but all in all excellent. "

    — Chip, 3/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Kay's latest book does not disappoint. His prose is beautiful, the subject thought-provoking, and the ending is satisfying. I really enjoyed his twist on T'ang China. "

    — Sarah, 3/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Started off really interestingly then tuned into a fairly ordinary "plotting and backstabbing at court" adventure. Unfortuntely the main characters weren't inteesting enough to make me care what happened to them so I didn't finish it. "

    — Sc, 3/1/2011

About Guy Gavriel Kay

Guy Gavriel Kay is the internationally bestselling author of numerous novels. He has been awarded the International Goliardos Prize for his work in fantasy literature, as well as the World Fantasy Award in 2008. He has twice won the Aurora Award, and in 2014, he was named to the Order of Canada, the country’s highest civilian honor. His works have been translated into more than twenty-five languages.

About Simon Vance

Simon Vance (a.k.a. Robert Whitfield) is an award-winning actor and narrator. He has earned more than fifty Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration thirteen times. He was named Booklist’s very first Voice of Choice in 2008 and has been named an AudioFile Golden Voice as well as an AudioFile Best Voice of 2009. He has narrated more than eight hundred audiobooks over almost thirty years, beginning when he was a radio newsreader for the BBC in London. He is also an actor who has appeared on both stage and television.