Author: Peter Koevari
Voice Actor: David Swanson
Legends of Marithia – Book Series Review by Susan Stradiotto
To preface this review, I will note that I selected this work as it seemed to be a complete series, it was on audio, it was performed by the voice actor who is working on my series: The Caeteran Tales, and I thought it would be a “Meaty Fantasy” To date, I have completed two of the three books in the trilogy, and the hook at the end of book 2 will likely push me to continue through the third. Although…there is a bit of a salty taste in my mouth after having read a couple of other reviews on Amazon and Goodreads where I learned that the 3rd book does not complete the series. (I shouldn’t be, because that’s how The Caeteran Tales go, but…I am.)
What I liked about Legends of Marithia
I enjoy fantasy, and this book had all the stuff I normally love from a character and species standpoint. It met most things on my checklist, with the exception of vampires.
Tangent warning
I suffer from vampire fatigue. Vampires in popular fantasy are so excessively done with variant after variant that I am tired of reading about them. I really want something fresh. They are beginning to fall into what I call the…
Zombie Zone
This is a tragedy really, because there are many good authors, stories, and movies out there that use these devices. I really wish I could get past the creature in order to enjoy the story itself! Now, my feelings about zombies are different than vampires. Zombies are just gross! Vampires have been scary and sexy and many other things (ahem…sparkly), but I have a new category now…
Fang Fatigue
Tangent done
The blurb claims to be a mixture of Underworld (loved), GOT (salivating), and Eragon (DRAGONS! need I say more?). I will give the author this much, I can really see Underworld within his story. Heck, Kassina is the evil form of Selene in my mind. And I will give him Eragon, so much so that I almost felt like some aspects strayed too close!
Game of Thrones? I simply don’t see it!
David Swanson, the voice actor, is amazing. He handles a wide cast of characters with ease and makes them really come to life. He is the reason I’ve continued through this story.
What could use improvement
There were instances where I felt violently ripped out of the story because the writing blatantly stepped outside of the action to tell me what someone was feeling. It just didn’t come off as natural.
Too light on worldbuilding. This claimed to be an epic fantasy. As such, I have expectations that align with many of the great worldbuilders: Tolkien, Rothfuss, GRRM, you get the point. I felt like the author was too busy putting in different races (elves, demons, vampires, dragons, golems, etc.) to focus on really bringing Marithia to life. This is probably my biggest woe with the work!
Another small complaint is sex for the sake of sex. When reading with my eyeballs, I can skim this and forgive the author. While listening, I do not have this opportunity. There were times when I was driving and I flat out rolled my eyes at certain phrases. It’s so often simply not necessary.
All-in-all
In the end, the story is fast paced and what I’d call devourable. So, even if there were too many creatures, the storyline was good, but the voice recording definitely saved the day!
Verdict: worth the time on audio.
Links to Legends of Marithia:
Legends of Marithia on Goodreads
*I’m unable to find the author’s website or author-focused social media.
If you’ve read these books, share your thoughts below in the comments!