Reviewed by Delene Vrey for Readers' Favorite

When an empire is faced with a vicious rebellion and the Emperor is killed, the Sorothian Magical Order offers their help in a mission that could change the tide of the war. Amendal Aramien has just returned from his adventure in the Melar forest to prove his prowess as a conjurer. He receives a mandated trip to the Abodine wasteland to aid Vaem, a Mindolarnian, on her quest to retrieve a precious tevisral hidden in a Crystal City. And so starts a rollercoaster of a ride. On the journey to Tardalim, a place so forsaken that it is called after the realm of eternal suffering, the ship is attacked by beasts from the deep sea. This sets the tone for the rest of the adventure. What makes the journey somewhat bearable is Amendal's pursuit of Faelinia. As Amendal and the few friends who are also part of the expedition fight for their lives, they face magic, betrayal, and new friends. What will become of them in the crystal labyrinth? What will be set free and what will happen to Amendal and his friends, especially when the voice in his head tells him he can trust no one? The Prisoner of Tardalim by Dan and Robert Zangari is a fast-paced fantasy adventure, a compelling read with many endearing characters and conniving and evil villains.

The Prisoner of Tardalim by Dan and Robert Zangari unfolds in the tradition of old stories. Filled with mayhem and unimaginable beasts, the authors have constructed an intricate and magical world where heroes are made and lost, where injustice is covered up, and alliances may be overthrown. The world and characters are real, and their actions and emotions are authentic. One feels the anger, sadness, and joy experienced by the characters. The novel explores themes such as truth and trust, betrayal, and revenge.

Michael Kramer shows his talent in this audiobook. As a veteran of fantasy audiobooks such as The Way of Kings, Mistborn, and many more, the narrator has the appropriate skill and creativity in his arsenal to bring the various characters to life and give each an authentic and original voice and demeanor. He succeeds in bringing out the fear and anger in the characters, and through his pacing of the narrative, he builds tension and conveys the characters' relief when they find safety. In the same way, he is successful in keeping a balance between the dialogue and descriptions. On all accounts, this is a successful and exciting narration of a fantasy of epic proportions. Well done!