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Publisher's Summary

Winner of the Aurealis Awards Best Science Fiction Novel 2013
Two years ago, something terrible was unleashed in an Australian mining town called Broken Hill. Thousands died. Few people know what really happened. Emily Ruff is one of them. She belongs to an elite organisation of 'poets': masters of manipulation who use language to warp others to their will. She was one of their most promising recruits until she made a catastrophic mistake: she fell in love.
Wil Parke knows the truth too, only he doesn't remember it. And he doesn't know why he's immune to the poets' powers. But he knows he needs to run. As their stories converge, the past is revealed, and the race is on for a deadly weapon: a word. Because the poets know that words can kill...
©2013 Max Barry (P)2013 Penguin Audiobooks US
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Critic Reviews

"Insanely good. Dark and twisted and sweet and humane all at once" (Lauren Beukes, author of Zoo City and The Shining Girls)
"About as close you can get to the perfect cerebral thriller: searingly smart, ridiculously funny, and fast as hell. Lexicon reads like Elmore Leonard high out of his mind on Snow Crash." (Lev Grossman, author of The Magicians)
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful
3 out of 5 stars
By Janie on 09-17-13

Brilliant & original, but, oh, dreadful accents!

As you can see by my ratings, the performance of this audio book did not go down well. In fact it soured me too it, in the end. The monstrously awful Australian accents for me spoiled what could have been an excellent read. Every time I heard these awful Aussie accents, I physically cringed. I agree with another reviewer who said that if you - the audio producer - cannot find a real Ausssie narrator then DON'T DO the ACCENTS AT ALL. Having said all this, I believe that if the book had been performed well it may well have rated 5 stars. It was a breath of fresh air finding something so original. The pace was fast and the thrills were there too. Recommended, if you can get past the accents.

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2 of 2 people found this review helpful

3 out of 5 stars
By Nathan on 07-19-13

Great story let down by terrible accent

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The story itself is pretty much perfect. Great pace and there's nothing I would change. The only thing is I would like to explore this world a lot deeper. There are some parts that seem a bit glossed over, but this doesn't hurt the story at all.

What did you like best about this story?

This story unfolds beautifully. Loved the drama that came from jumping between key points in time. It's really clever actually. Super rewarding as things fall in to place.

Would you be willing to try another one of Heather Corrigan and Zach Appelman ’s performances?

They are both excellent narrators but Heather Corrigan's appalling Australian accent was unbearable. I would listen to more performances by these two, as long as Heather stuck with her native accent. Zach's performance was flawless and engaging.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

This book should become a movie and sure I would go and see it, but like most cinematic appropriations- it won't compare to the book in terms of narrative.

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1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful
2 out of 5 stars
By T on 09-26-14

okay for teenagers (?) but I had to give up......

The title of my review is not meant to show disrespect to teenagers. However, the style of this book is probably more suited to a younger audience. Even so, the language used came across to me as a little patronising, but maybe this is a reflection of the differences between Australians (like the author) and Brits like my own teenagers. I found the narration/s competent but somewhat mechanical - the voices have appropriately varied tone and expression, which is good - but lacked feeling. I got this book on a BOGOF deal from audible and will be more careful with any such choice in future.

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1 of 1 people found this review helpful

4 out of 5 stars
By Miss on 07-09-13

Gripping

Would you listen to another book narrated by Heather Corrigan and Zach Appelman ?

I loved this book, perfect for audio, fast paced and original storyline, brilliant. Narration very easy to listen to & beautifully paced. Only criticism was appalling Australian accents mercifully kept to a minimum.

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1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful
2 out of 5 stars
By Kerrie on 01-14-18

Distracting accents

What disappointed you about Lexicon?

The Australian accents were really bad and seriously distracted from the story, not that it was a great story. The story was hard to follow in parts and there were serious flaws.

Has Lexicon put you off other books in this genre?

No

What three words best describe Heather Corrigan and Zach Appelman ’s voice?

They should have had Australians or not even bothered.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

the concept was interesting but the author didn't explore some of the more interesting concepts of the book,

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3 out of 5 stars
By Zabou on 06-19-17

Great suspensful story

Good story, entertaining and original. The performance is rather good as well and it's great to have two very different narrators. The Australian accent of the narrator lady though is ridiculous...

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