Of Blood and Bone by Nora Roberts Narrator: Julia Whelan
Series: Chronicles of The One #2
Published by Brilliance Audio on December 4, 2018
Genres: Dystopia
Length: 13 hours 42 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
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The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the epic Year One returns with a new tale of terror and magic in a brand new world.
They look like an everyday family living an ordinary life. But beyond the edges of this peaceful farm, unimaginable forces of light and dark have been unleashed.
Fallon Swift, approaching her thirteenth birthday, barely knows the world that existed before—the city where her parents lived, now in ruins and reclaimed by nature since the Doom sickened and killed billions. Traveling anywhere is a danger, as vicious gangs of Raiders and fanatics called Purity Warriors search for their next victim. Those like Fallon, in possession of gifts, are hunted—and the time is coming when her true nature, her identity as The One, can no longer be hidden.
In a mysterious shelter in the forest, her training is about to begin under the guidance of Mallick, whose skills have been honed over centuries. She will learn the old ways of healing; study and spar; encounter faeries and elves and shifters; and find powers within herself she never imagined. And when the time is right, she will take up the sword, and fight. For until she grows into the woman she was born to be, the world outside will never be whole again.
This story picks up years after the end of Year One. Fallon is now thirteen years old. She is due to go off for training to learn everything needed to lead and fight in the coming battle. Fallon has to leave her family and work with a really old wizard to train. She has a lot to learn. She quickly learns exactly how much she has to learn.
So, people are starting to not just survive, but thrive after the Doom virus decimated the population. People aren’t just human anymore; they’re elves, shifters, witches and fairies. There are also people who are 100% human. Some are willing to live along side of the people who are no longer human. Others are wanting to kill off anyone who isn’t 100% human.
There’s also a cult. Some people within the cult do have powers, but they don’t use their powers. They are pacifists and refuse to even protect themselves. They don’t eat meat and live in the forest, where they’re not getting enough food. Oh, and like a cult (or so it seems), the women have no power and are just used for growing the population. Girls start to have children as young as thirteen.
There’s a lot going on in this story (just like the first book). Early in the book, when we’re mostly following Fallon, it gets a little YAish. Fallon is a teenager and does what you expect from a fourteen year old who has a lot. She’s a bit petulant. But she does eventually learn to take more responsibility. She has a lot of pressure on her. She knows her fate is to fight a huge battle for humanity. Any child would have issues with that much on her shoulders.
I love that we get to spend time back in New Hope. I really missed them when Fallon’s mother had to leave in the first book. I did enjoy meeting Fallon’s younger brothers. They’re a great family.
This book only grew my love for this series. I will be eagerly awaiting book three. I’m not sure how many books are planned for this series, but I’m eager for every new book that comes out.
Narration:
Julia Whelan has done a great job with the narration of this book. There is a large cast of characters and she does a great job with all the voices. She has characters that are both male and female, along with young and old with everything in between. A great array of characters that she put great voices to go with the personalities. Her pace and tone for each scene was spot on as well. If you’ve never tried a Julia Whelan book, I highly recommend her.
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About Julia Whelan
Julia Whelan is a screenwriter, life-long actor, and award-winning audiobook narrator. She graduated with a degree in English and Creative Writing from Middlebury College and Oxford University. While in England, her flirtation with tea blossomed into a full-blown love affair, culminating in her eventual certification as a tea master. When not writing her own books, you can find her reading other people’s out loud into a microphone.
About Nora Roberts
Nora Roberts was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, the youngest of five children. She married young and settled in Keedysville, Maryland where she worked briefly as a legal secretary. After her sons were born she stayed home and tried every craft that came along. A blizzard in February 1979 forced her hand to try another creative outlet. She was snowed in with a three and six year old.
Born into a family of readers, Nora had never known a time that she wasn’t reading or making up stories. During the now-famous blizzard, she pulled out a pencil and notebook and began to write down one of those stories. It was there that a career was born. Several manuscripts and rejections later, her first book, Irish Thoroughbred, was published by Silhouette in 1981.
Nora met her second husband, Bruce Wilder, when she hired him to build bookshelves. They were married in July 1985. Since that time, they’ve expanded their home, traveled the world and opened a bookstore together.
Through the years, Nora has always been surrounded by men. Not only was she the youngest in her family, but she was also the only girl. She has raised two sons. Having spent her life surrounded by men, Ms. Roberts has a fairly good view of the workings of the male mind, which is a constant delight to her readers. It was, she’s been quoted as saying, a choice between figuring men out or running away screaming.
Nora is a member of several writers groups and has won countless awards from her colleagues and the publishing industry. Recently The New Yorker called her “America’s favorite novelist.”
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I started listening to audiobooks when a new book in a series was coming out and I wanted to get a refresher, but didn’t have time to read all the books (I think it was Anita Blake). I fell in love. I stayed with strictly re-reading books that I’d already read for a long time. I eventually tried an audiobook for something that I hadn’t read first and was hooked there too. Now, I listen to audio for both re-reads and first time. I have some series that I’ve given up reading and only listen. I try to get any many books/audiobooks from the library to help save on my budget. Books on CD and the newer digital downloads from the library really allow me to listen more. I then purchase my favorites (because who can wait in line for your favorite book??) and less mainstream books from Audible or some other online retailer.
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I loved this book, too, and also thought Whelan did an excellent job with such a wide range of characters. Great review, Melanie?
Thanks, Jonetta. I so enjoyed this story and Whelan’s narration. I can’t wait for the next book.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I just adore Julia Whelan, she does great with large casts of characters and her voice is so lovely to listen to. Not many narrators can handle large casts of characters and its pure talent for sure!!
I’m trying to remember if I’ve listened to Whelan on any other series and I can’t remember. She’s been great with this one. I agree that there aren’t a huge number of narrators who can handle a large cast.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
Year One is on my short list of things to read soon. I’ll have to try this series out.
It is a great series. I highly recommend it.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I own the audio for this and Year One. I just have to get it into the schedule for myself. Wonderful review!
I completely understand how that goes. I have several of those that I just need to get scheduled. 🙂
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
It’s been a while since I haven’t read a book by the author but I have many art home in my TBR pile
This is my first series with Nora Roberts. I need to pick up more.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I have the first book but haven’t had time to get to it yet. Glad you enjoyed this one.
I hope you enjoy the series as much as I have. 🙂
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I have both books on my phone… I need to get to them. They will be my first Nora books!
These were my first Nora Roberts too. I need to try more of her stuff.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I have the first book in this series in audio and have no clue why I haven’t made time for it yet. This sounds fabulous, Melanie. I can’t wait to start with it myself.
You’ll enjoy it for sure.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
Woot. I am enjoying this trilogy on audio. Whelan rocks 🙂
I didn’t realize it was a trilogy, but doesn’t surprise me either.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I really need to try her later books. They sound good
I need to try more of her stuff, for sure.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
It’s been years since I read one of her books but I used to really enjoy her writing. This sounds like a good story.
This series is my first from Nora Roberts, but will not be my last.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I haven’t read a Nora Roberts book before, I might have to fix that.
Good to see that the second book has continued to hook you to the series!
Glad to know that I’m not the only one late to the Nora Roberts party. I still haven’t tried any of her romance (though there is a bit of that here, but not the main part of the story). I need to try other stuff from her.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart