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Dragonfly Falling

Shadows of the Apt, Book 2

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Dragonfly Falling

By: Adrian Tchaikovsky
Narrated by: Ben Allen
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Every hero must be tested . . .


Dragonfly Falling is the second book in the critically acclaimed epic fantasy series Shadows of the Apt by Adrian Tchaikovsky, author of the Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning Children of Time.

The Wasp Empire’s armies are on the move – and the city of Tark will be first to feel their might. Salma and Totho prepare for battle, alongside their Ant-kinden brethren. And within Tark’s walls, they’ll face a force greater than any Lowlander has ever seen. Stenwold Maker predicted this threat, and the Empire's secret service now deems him too dangerous to live. So he’s to be eliminated, and his beloved city of Collegium destroyed. For if this centre of learning is lost, it will crush Lowland resistance.

As the Empire's troops continue their relentless advance, their young Emperor pursues another, even darker goal. And his success would trigger a reign of blood lasting a thousand years.

Dragonfly Falling is followed by the third book in the Shadows of the Apt series, Blood of the Mantis.

The entire series is narrated by Ben Allen (Alien Clay). Listeners love the series in audio:

‘Fantastic narration that really got you to imagine this amazing world’

‘You get consumed into the world and its characters’

‘The characters are distinct with masterful accents’

‘The narration and sound design is jaw-dropping’

‘Ben Allen's narration was frankly phenomenal all the way through’

Action & Adventure Epic Fantasy Fiction Science Fiction Steampunk
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Critic reviews

Brimming with imagination
The Shadows of the Apt series is The Shadows of the Apt series is simply one of the best epic fantasy series out there
Super worldbuilding, great characters and extreme inventiveness
Epic fantasy at its best. Gripping, original and multi-layered storytelling from a writer bursting with lots of fascinating ideas
Full of sparking, speculative innovation (Stephen Baxter, author of the Xeelee Sequence, on The Doors of Eden)
Breathtaking scope and vision. Adrian Tchaikovsky is one of our finest writers (Gareth Powell, author of Embers of War, on Children of Ruin)
A joy from start to finish. Entertaining, smart, surprising and unexpectedly human (Patrick Ness, author of The Knife of Never Letting Go, on Children of Time)
All stars
Most relevant
this is not perhaps as good as the first one but it is a great and engaging read - involving us in more of the great and imaginative setting and Kinden's. In my view the only things that let it down where some very weak love interests that I wont spoil. overall though this is a very good book and well worth reading.

really solid fantasy

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Ben Allen reads this perfectly the story flows through him at ease and the characters are easy to differentiate

fantastic

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The first book is finding its feet and seems rather simplistic although it has very interesting ideas but now we get to see the vast complex world the author has imagined. His other novels regarding mutated insects give an insight into how life could be different if some genetics were different, a world where ‘humans’ could evolve from all their different forms make for a vibrant and diverse community of peoples and caricatures. Why not have people who’s ancestry was insect as well as ape!
The storyline ie expanding while individual characters are developing.
It is a great listen as the reader does a marvellous job accenting the characters and bring it excitingly to our ears. Very much looking forward to the next audiobook. Enjoy!

Better and better!

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Really enjoyed this, there were quite a few battles but it was nicely broken up with seeing both sides and moving to other POV characters. Looking forward to more of this!

Different to the first but just as enjoyable

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I enjoyed this much more; probably because I didn’t have to adjust to the “world building” necessitated by Book 1. Also, there is not as much duelling as the first although there is still quite a bit. Saying that, there is a lot of pitched battles but war is the setting. Really good character development, intriguing plots, fascinating new characters (Evil Artificer especially) and altogether a gripping story. The author really nailed this one so I’m so glad I stuck with this series after Book 1. Now on Book 3 as I must know what happens next. Last but not least, sensational narrator. It makes or breaks an audiobook and should never be taken for granted.

Better than the first

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