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The Blacksmith Queen Audible Audiobook – Abridged

G. A. Aiken (Author), Mia Barron (Narrator), Jason Culp (Narrator),

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When a prophesy brings war to the Land of the Black Hills, Keeley Smythe must join forces with a clan of mountain warriors who are really centaurs in a thrilling new fantasy romance series from New York Times best-selling author G.A. Aiken.

The Old King Is Dead

With the demise of the Old King, there's a prophesy that a queen will ascend to the throne of the Black Hills. Bad news for the king's sons, who are prepared to defend their birthright against all comers. But for blacksmith Keeley Smythe, war is great for business. Until it looks like the chosen queen will be Beatrix, her younger sister. Now it's all Keeley can do to protect her family from the enraged royals.

Luckily, Keeley doesn't have to fight alone. Because thundering to her aid comes a clan of kilt-wearing mountain warriors called the Amichai. Not the most socially adept group, but soldiers have never bothered Keeley, and rough, gruff Caid, actually seems to respect her. A good thing because the fierce warrior will be by her side for a much longer ride than any prophesy ever envisioned.

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Product details

Listening Length	11 hours and 3 minutes
Author	G. A. Aiken
Narrator	Mia Barron, Jason Culp
Audible.com.au Release Date	27 August 2019
Publisher	Recorded Books
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Abridged
Language	English
ASIN	B07V3NY33T
Best Sellers Rank	88,322 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) 136 in Humourous Fantasy 279 in Dragon & Mythical Creatures Fantasy 1,237 in Humorous Fantasy

Customer reviews

5 star		78%
4 star		15%
3 star		4%
2 star		2%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from Australia

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Kind of seen all these characters before

Reviewed in Australia on 4 September 2019

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I've always been a big fan of Aiken/Laurenston. Although that love has started to wane in the last few years to like. Not a fan of the Crows books. Find the badger tales cool but sometimes too frenetic.

I re-read this authors works all the time - and that's probably where things begin to work against her. I recognise Beatrix in the crazy/cult jackal sister from the Pride series. And the never ending squabbling b/w Keeley and Gemma? Well, that device has appeared in way too many books to count.
There wasn't much new here, character wise. Worse I found all the women interchangeable because they were so damn similar in their thought patterns - Keeley, Gemma, Laila, and Keren (or whatever the cousin's name is) Sometimes I didn't know who was talking. Sadly most times it didn't appear to matter.

The plot was a little on the simplistic side. And with none of the joy and character development I have come to expect from this author - this was a negative that couldn't be ignored.
Worse, the romance. It barely rates being called one. These two hung out a fair bit. She rambles. He finds he is happy to listen to her - though he supposedly hates everyone else (please a little more character development of this dude would not have gone astray). But more time was spent on the squabbling siblings/women than the romance. Just through sheer proximity they end up having sex. They say I love you (say what now, twenty pages ago sex/relationship was completely off the table???)

I was happy to read this - but didn't love it, and occasionally found myself not liking it so much. 2.5 stars.
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3 people found this helpful

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One big, crazy family.

Reviewed in Australia on 31 August 2019

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The best way to describe Keeley Smythe........hmmm. I'd go with tall, muscular, super strong, adores her rather large family, an extremely talented blacksmith, lover of ALL animals, and she's just a LITTLE bit nutty. I think it's fair to say her whole family is nuts, which is partly why I enjoyed reading The Blacksmith Queen so much. This author loves to create fun to read, quirky characters.

Keeley is super protective of her family, so when it appears her younger sister Beatrix is the new chosen queen, Keeley will do all she can to protect her from those that would do her harm. Fortunately for Keeley, she has her sister Gemma, the *nun* by her side and also her fearless cousin Keran. AND a clan of centaurs. Yep - centaurs. Who incidentally also thought the Smythe family was insane at times due to their hilarious interactions.

This story did wrap up much quicker than I was expecting. It wasn't a cliffy ending, but I was swiping the page expecting more story when I realised it was finished (for now). I do wish it had been a little longer, but I am looking forward to seeing what happens with Keeley and her crazy family when the next book in the series is released.

One person found this helpful

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Ms Lynn Adlard

Another 6 Star read

Reviewed in Australia on 19 November 2019

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Brilliant just brilliant. A cast of loveable, stroppy, argumentative characters weaved into a rip roaring adventure.

Because I know I always enjoy books by G.A. Aiken I bought the audio version as well since it works out more affordable doing it this way.

Just loved the very ‘estuary’ accent that Louise Williams gave to the Smythe family it was absolutely perfect. Also enjoyed the mancunian and Yorkshire accents given to some of the other characters. I worry that the subtleties of British accents and where they place people in society may be missed by non British listeners but for me it enhanced my listening experience a hundredfold.

I thought that Beatrice had a flavour of Delores Umbridge from Harry Potter and the way Imelda Staunton played that sociopath.

I can see me listening to this book over and over when I’m walking or driving.

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Pauline T Dixon

The Blacksmith Queen

Reviewed in Australia on 30 August 2019

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This is such a wonderful read Keely a Blacksmith and her family remind me of a big boisterous Irish family who argue constantly but who would kill or die for you. The fact that one of her sisters is named the next queen and all the enemies they have to face makes keely step up to defend her on the way meeting up with Centaurs witches and dwarves then Beatrix tries to kill her sister when Keely is also named Queen is just the start of this fascinating story which leads to Keely named as the Blacksmith Queen and the adventure has just begun as Keely fights for her family and friends against overwhelming odds, can’t wait to see where this story goes next, I’m seeing a wonderful new series from an author who spins stories full of love laughter and fighting, looking forward to the next book already!

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ExodusDiva

Brutal and captivating and funny

Reviewed in Australia on 19 September 2019

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Love the Blacksmith Queen. I thought nothing could top Annwyl and the Dragon series but this one is standing strong alongside this series. Keeley is everything I admire about a heroine. She's strong, kind, unexpected and a allround family woman who has a pasdion for blacksmithing. She and her family are unwittingly dragged into a war that is gruesome, brutal and laced with humour. The supporting cast and creatures who are suprisingly adorable and deadly all help in supporting Keeley and her family. I loved the plot, the cast and the setting which has me excited for the next book. I highly recommend if your a fan of all of the above, G.A Aiken rocks.

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Top reviews from other countries

Old Romantic

Brilliant

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 October 2019

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Couldn't put it down. Loved the story. Highly entertaining with a human woman who is a Blacksmith from a long line of Blacksmiths. She is super strong and devoted to her family. She has a special affinity to animals and they trust her. On the death of the old king her life changes. She comes across soldiers killing a boy and saves him from them but more come. Coming to her aid are four people. She takes them all home. She is a happy soul. Content with her world. Her four people are Centaurs on a mission to take her sister to be confirmed as Queen. All unexpected for a simple farming family. Each character is amazing. They bicker with one another but their relationships are highly comical. The journey through Amichais' territory is full of adventure. I can't wait for the next book.

4 people found this helpful

Kindle Customer

it's a quarter past 4 in the morning!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 August 2019

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My eyes are gritty and I'm yawning and I've just finished a really brilliant book. I have read, enjoyed and laughed through every one of her other books (no matter which name she writes them under) and here's another one to keep me happy. This one isn't one of the laugh-out-loud, rollicking tales the other books are. This is a whole lot more. All of G A Aiken books are well written and full of strong characters. Of all of her book this one feels the strongest. The story holds you from the start. The characters are amazing and not the stereotypical ones more normal to fantasy books. Not everyone is perfect and not everyone is fully convinced, at first, then the story gels them together and off we go!
I hope she's got the next one ready. But then again what about the Dragon Kin, and what about the Badgers? Spoilt for choice and loving it!

3 people found this helpful

Midnawolf

A real riot of a book.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 September 2019

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If you've read the Dragon Kin books from this author then you know what your in for, if you haven't then your in for a real treat.

Keeley is a blacksmith with a large unruly family who finds herself at war with the dead kings princes who are after the crown. There is a prophesy that the next ruler will be a queen and it's one of Keeley's sisters and with the help of some soldiers called Amichai who aren't what they seem.

There's lots of creatures, bickering siblings, fighting and more bickering along the way and maybe the odd Dragon or Dwarf or demon wolves to keep things interesting.

All Keeley wants is to be a blacksmith but the fates have other plans for her, and she's not happy about it at all.

If you love a rip roaring story with a twist then you'll love this book and the author. Recommended.

Charlotte Pawson

Great fantasy world building

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 August 2019

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I have been an avid fan of our authors Dragon world for many years. This new fantasy set within the same realm in the Hill Lands with some of the same centaurs, mages and great central characters of a blacksmiths family keeps to the very high standard set by the Dark Lands of the dragon realm. You have strong independent women who can look after themselves and the strong bonds of family above all else. There is plenty of blood and gore but this is offset by the humour and great characters even down to the 4 year old sister with her own hammer. You will not regret choosing this book it will keep you entertained for hours then reread while waiting for the next instalment.

Elena Bettin

Absolutely brilliant.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 August 2019

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Another incredible story with a new set of charming characters by G.A. Aiken, which will hopefully intersect with the Dragon Kin world at some point (sooner rather than later, I would hope!).
For anyone who enjoys lots of action and intrigue, who is not afraid of gore and fights, who likes their heroines gifted with a healthy dose of humour, sarcasm and independence: no damsels in distress here, luckily. And the heroes are very likeable, too. Oh, and obviously some magical beings thrown in for good fun.
What’s not to like?
Eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

One person found this helpful

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The Blacksmith Queen Audible Audiobook – Abridged

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