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The Dark Ability
- Narrated by: Vikas Adam
- Series: The Dark Ability, Book 1
- Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy
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Publisher's Summary
Exiled by his family. Claimed by thieves. Could his dark ability be the key to his salvation?
Rsiran is a disappointment to his family, gifted with the ability to Slide. It is a dark magic, one where he can transport himself wherever he wants, but using it will only turn him into the thief his father fears.
Forbidden from Sliding, he's apprenticed under his father as a blacksmith where lorcith, a rare, precious metal with arcane properties, calls to him, seducing him into forming forbidden blades. When discovered, he's banished, sentenced indefinitely to the mines of Ilphaesn Mountain.
Though Rsiran tries to serve obediently, to learn to control the call of lorcith as his father demands, when his life is threatened in the darkness of the mines, he finds himself Sliding back to Elaeavn, where he finds a black market for his blades - and a new family of thieves.
There someone far more powerful than him discovers what he can do and intends to use him. He doesn't want to be a pawn in anyone's ambitions; all he ever wanted was a family. But the darkness inside him cannot be ignored - and he's already embroiled in an ancient struggle that only he may be able to end.
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What listeners say about The Dark Ability
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Kel Ward
- 07-23-17
Decent but had potential to be grand
The story had so much potential. The world and the supporting characters were interesting. The main problem for me with it was the main character. He constantly second guesses his choices and indulges himself in self pity. And with all the second guessing of his choices you would think he would have some better plans. He was far to meek and soft for me through most of the book. By the last sixth of the book he had a little bit more of a backbone but still had undercurrents of the nauseating self pity. If you can get past this the book is amazing. Also was a pretty good performance. I will continue listening to sequels in hope of the main character evolving into more of a hero and less of the wimpy crybaby he seemed to be for so much of this first book. Like I said, this series has potential.
10 people found this helpful
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- P. C. Gardner
- 08-14-17
not good, even for YA lit
the main character was too obsessed with not becoming a criminal without thinking at all about the morality of his actions, it was as if the label bothered him more than what he was doing. I got really tired of him worrying about it. also, he didn't seem very smart.
5 people found this helpful
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- Ryan
- 01-10-19
boring and poorly written
a lot of the writing was extremely repetitive and didn't really move the plot forward at all. I found that I didn't care about the main character or any of the side characters and there was nothing redeeming about any of them. overall, I really, really struggled to finish this book and found myself rolling my eyes a lot at the dialogue and plot
3 people found this helpful
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- Joshua
- 08-04-17
tolerable but kinda painful
let me start by saying this is a review coming from someone in the military and is not forgiving of weakness.
However, my god, what a self loathing, cowardly, and stupid sack of potatoes the main character can be. I've seen rodents with more backbone. If it were the 21st century he'd def be an emo kid.
Aside from that, the story is entertaining and the premise/construct behind it is intriguing. The book is worth listening to if ur a touch patient..or sympathetic..whatever. the main character does get a slight bit more gusto right towards the end, so hang in there troopers.
After I skipped whole minutes of his self pitying, woe is me b.s., I am pleased with the ending and will get the next book. I have hopes after his trials and tribulations he will finally become more useful then a screen door on a submarine.
15 people found this helpful
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- P. G. McFinnigan
- 03-21-19
Meh
Vikas Adam does a pretty good job. That being said, I can't help but wonder if this book was narrated by someone with a bit manlier voice if the main character wouldn't sound like a walking vagina without a single working brain cell.
By far the whiniest main character I've heard in ages. And the choices made by the characters, all of them, are so obviously moronic that it takes a lot of employment out of the book. Plus some of the writing is just cliche garbage, but since it's YA fantasy basically, that can be forgiven to an extent.
But when combined with such an astoundingly stupid, whiny main character, your natural inclination to forgive is slightly dampened. The side characters aren't likable either. I'm on the second book because I stupidly bought them all, and I was hoping the main character would stop being so completely whiny. Maybe man up at least, since he's supposed to be a hard ass smith's son. But nope.
I don't recommend this series at all. Vikas Adam does good, but now I don't know if I'll be able to stop hearing the whine in his voice ever again. This series literally ruined Vikas Adam for me; no simple task.
If you don't like stupidity and whining, steer clear.
2 people found this helpful
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- Caro
- 08-02-17
Great Read......
I didn't think I'd like this book at first, but I decided to give it a go. By the end of the second chapter, I was a fan. This book is such a gem.
2 people found this helpful
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- mpr
- 02-24-19
great book
awesome book looking forward to the series. I. glad I picked it up. thank you
1 person found this helpful
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- Montzalee Wittmann
- 11-10-18
Must have book 2 now! Awesome book!
The Dark Ability
(The Dark Ability #1)
by D.K. Holmberg, Vikas Adam (Reading)
I really, really loved this book! It's a young adult fantasy about a world where people have certain abilities. Some of these abilities are considered dark by most. Our young hero has one of those abilities, he can jump from one place to another or 'slide'. This is his story as a teen as his cruel father disowned him, him finding his way, making friends and choices. It is full of interesting characters, exciting fantasy, wonderful world building, suspense, and even heartwarming moments.
I LOVED the narration too! This book was just so well rounded! I have to get book two!
1 person found this helpful
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- C. S.
- 10-03-18
Excellent & Entertaining
D.K. Holmberg’s The Dark Ability is an excellent beginning to an epic fantasy I can’t put down! This book is well written, entertaining, and keeps my attention longer than I have time to give it! I can’t wait for book 2!
1 person found this helpful
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- happyjo
- 09-28-18
Fantasy world
This book was really good! I enjoyed it so much that I am going to see if there is a book 2.
1 person found this helpful
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- Colin A. Mcgee
- 11-14-17
i was initially cautious but...
I'd read a mixed range of reviews around the book. however as I was drawn to the book and story I thought 'Well its only a book lets try it.' it proved a good choice for me. I enjoyed the early slowish development of characters and introduction into the new world.
I found it a pleasure to read and was interested in the next book very quickly. Almost finished the second book - (1 hour left and a long trip coming up) and bought the third book.
I have enjoyed the readers performance . The voices are just a little different which enables you to follow the main characters fairly easy without lots of over delivery. its been a pleasure to enter this world.
3 people found this helpful
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- David Hubble
- 07-29-18
New to the Holmbergverse!!!! Amazing!!!
Okay I should not be picky about the voice of the narration but Vikas Adam for me kept pulling me back to this amazing story from DK Holmberg (Sadly unlike alot of audiobooks). I admit it i'm noob and a total stumble onto the book and series, but all i'm going to say is I am hooked. Big TIME!!! The Wife is Hooked and well!!! we are churning through the next one!!
So if you are unsure about this book give it a go! As a professional metal smith Rsiren's story makes me feel at home and its nice to hear/see a new rogue in town! Definitely in the list next to my favourites from JRR Tolkien, Gail Z Martin and Patrick Rothfuss.
2 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 10-11-17
Moo review
Great book interesting concept main character had a good amount of back story but not to much enjoyed the read :) his ability is sick as
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- Tegan
- 08-12-17
Well written & performed
This is a great lite fantasy novel. A decent plot and a good performance from the narrator.
I would like to see the story line/plot expanded a little more in any further forays the author takes with the characters.