The Harrowed Half-Breed: A Tarnished Lands Story

Forgotten Woods Series, Book 1

By: P. A. Wikoff

Narrated by: Crystal Wikoff

Length: 3 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Magic has been slowly fading from the enchanted forest ever since the greedy humans invaded. The native folk were kind in sharing their homeland, but peace couldn't last forever. Conflict stirs while Barne, half human/half native, is stuck in the middle. Trapped between two worlds he must try and find himself before choosing a side. In a world where he never really belongs, Barne searches to find his smile using all means necessary. But there's a dark secret that holds his happiness hostage...

In a world of swords and sorcery, darkness and despair, nothing comes without a price.

About The Tarnished Lands: In the aftermath of the utopian regime that ruled for over a millennium, famine, chaos, murder, and deceit reign in leu of balance. The pendulum now swings in favor of disorder. The fierce strong-arm the weak, cowards lurk in the shadows like rats, and the wicked take everything that's left over. This is no longer a place for good intentions, this is a place of survival.

P.A. Wikoff, the author that brought you Feylin Lore: Reflections and Anthology of Scrolls: Short Stories, Poetry & Prose, now brings you this new series full of unique characters and adventure.

©2018 P.A. Wikoff (P)2018 P.A. Wikoff

Intriguing premise, but lacks a great execution

Note: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

I was drawn to this book by it's amazing cover and the quick synopsis read-up interested me immediately. I love stories that tackle the complex lives of characters that are are a product of two different species (in fantasy/sci-fi worlds obviously). It mirrors the lives of mixed race people in real life in many ways and it is very interesting to see that through a fantasy lens. However, I didn't find the book lived up to my expectations. The executions was a little lackluster and I never felt drawn in to the world until I was about 3/4th through. Given the short length of the book, I would have preferred the hook to be both stronger and faster. It wasn't bad though and I enjoyed the story once it grabbed me. I hope future books would flesh out the world a little more and give us more background on the characters.

WOW

I normally don’t enjoy books about orphans who become heroes. Actually, I avoid them.
But this half breed was so full of life, conflict, and morals I listened to it three or four times, just to make sure I WOULD REALLY follow a possible series. And honestly, I would eagerly pre-order it!
Not exactly for younger readers due to short torture scenes, it’s okay for older elementary school aged children.
I’m not ready to give other orphans who are learning of their heritage a try, but I’m completely satisfied with this one!
This is my voluntary review of an audiobook received for free.

A fantastically written and atmospheric story

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.*

4.7 rounded up.

This was a beautiful story from which many morals can be extracted.

The story, the narrator and how it was written made me smile through it, Bran's voice was the cutest thing ever and I certainly felt close to every single good character.

I would highly recommend this fantasy book if you want to get into a properly built world and even dream of meeting its well rounded characters!

I enjoyed it

Harrowed Half-Breed:

The Hallowed Half-Breed is it good short story. Without giving awake too much. I just want to say, you really feel sorry for Barn, from beginning to end. It's a perfect Greek tragedy.


This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Right in the feels

This is my second book with the Wikoffs and it left me wanting so much more of the story as any great book does. The characters were brought to life once again by Crystal's amazing narration. The complexities of the characters had me drawn in and immersed and almost got a few tears. I would definitely love to know more of Barnacles life and look forward to his further adventures!

Ooh, interesting

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Good:
• The book started well, and I wanted more!
• The narrator was a good choice and aided in immersion
• The setting was interesting and the descriptions were on point. I did have to go back and listen, but it wasn’t because of bad writing, more because I got distracted or just forgot, and the setting was important enough to need a review.

Not so good:
• Audio quality wasn’t what I’m used to. Not bad, and not about the voice. There were just some sounds that I think should have been cleaned up or something.
• I think the short format worked against the book. This would have been a better book for maybe twice the length, or at least… more. But it's only book 1, so we'll see about the second one.

Strange and Orignal Fantasy

I love the fantasy genre so the description on this one intrigued me. It's definitely original but also very strange and at times a bit hard to follow if you weren't completely focused. This is geared toward an older teen to the adult crowd in the writing style. My 10 yr old wanted to listen with me and was only able to get about an hour into the book before he gave up and said he was too confused (he reads teen level books) I think the social structure lost him. The narration on it was very well done and made the listening more fun.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Fantastic grimm fairy tale

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This was a rather short story, but wonderfully done. The story is put together really well written. The world building is some of the best I've experienced in such a short story. The story is a gritty, grimm fairy tale. The narration is also pretty good and really brings things to life in your mind. Well worth your time in my opinion.

Excellent Fantasy

Story opens well with excellent vocal pressure and clear annunciation throughout. Not a run-of-the-mill Fantasy. Listener is kept guessing as to outcomes of each situation.
I recommend this audiobook for ages 15 and older due to some violence.
I was given this audiobook for free and I freely give it my rating and opinion

Another winner by P.A. Wikoff!

This is the second audio book I've heard from this author.
The narrator, which was the same on his other book Feylin Lore: Reflections, did an excellent job. I can tell when different people are speaking without feeling like she is going overboard with inflections or voice changes. I feel like... well... I'm having a story read well to me.
The story, I'll be honest, is a little messed up. But in a way that grabs your attention and won't let it go until you know what path your being led down... then you willingly follow. The "Folk" get pretty screwed. lol
I really like the world that was created or inspired into being here. It feels unique. and that is seemingly more rare these days.
I really can't wait for book 2 to come out. I know it can't end like that for Barne!