The Black Prism

Lightbringer Trilogy Book One

By: Brent Weeks

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 21 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

This fantastic new recording was released in September 2016 and comes from the acclaimed narrator of The Lightbringer series Simon Vance.

The start of a brand new trilogy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Way of Shadows.

Gavin Guile is the Prism, the most powerful man in the world. He is high priest and emperor, a man whose power, wit, and charm are all that preserves a tenuous peace. But Prisms never last, and Guile knows exactly how long he has left to live: Five years to achieve five impossible goals.

But when Guile discovers he has a son, born in a far kingdom after the war that put him in power, he must decide how much he's willing to pay to protect a secret that could tear his world apart.

©2010 Brent Weeks (P)2016 Little Brown Book Group

amazing

sometimes you just dont know who to root for, it's well written and perfectly performed, cant wait to listen to the next one.
oh and the twists

Unexpectedly amazing

Someone alert the media because there’s a giant hole in Dhaka. Created by my jaw. This has been sitting on my TBR for so, I’d taken it for granted. Take it from me, kids, don’t take ANYTHING for granted. Book 1, The Black Prism, is set in the world of Brent Weeks’ brilliantly-crafted Lightbringer books, a world dominated by a magic system based on light (duh!) and colors. Every person who can use magic is called a drafter, and the Prism is the only drafter who can split and use every single color in the rainbow, making him or her an emperor. This is not a hereditary title, however, and is a gifted granted by god (called Orholam). The current Prism is the new love of my life, Gavin Guile. But Gavin is not who he pretends to be. His entire life as Prism was a lie the size of which could literally destroy the world order.

There is so much to talk about here, but I promise to keep it as short as possible. First off, the magic system and worldbuilding. It’s thick, rich and layered like cake (or onions!), but it’s also presented so carefully that you are never overwhelmed. The color system is unique and utilized in a way that makes it seem almost plausible, and I loved how much variety and depth there was when it came to cultural and social diversity. Secondly, the plot. Take a hammer, change everything about it, and then slam it on your reading muscles, because the twists (yes, multiple) will leave you gasping. The beginning of every third of the book sets everything up, and then the last two paragraphs shatters everything into smithereens. And it’s BREAKTHAKING!

If Lightbringer is in your radar, and even if it’s not, read the first chapter. If you’re not hooked by then, then DM me, because I need to MEET THE PERSON WHO DOESN’T FALL IN LOVE WITH GAVIN GUILE.

Also, Kip is MINE. He’s a sweetheart, and adorable, and I will protect him with my life.

*scrambles for Book 2*

A colourful extravaganza!

The Black Prism by Brent Weeks is full of colourful magic, that sends people crazy when used too often, and turns them into colourwights. Gavin Guile is the prism the rarest of all magic users as he is able to use all colours of the spectrum. Kip is Gavin' s natural son. A brilliant narration by Christofer Jean.

Really cool and worth the credit!

Wasn't sure if I would like this series but it's going very well and I'm looking forward to the next one. Any fans of Sanderson or Rothfuss can happily spend a credit here

Good but not great.

Great world building, good character development, but the overall plot is a bit haphazard and feels rushed at times.

Great story, but not a fan of narrator

I find Simon Vance’s narration to be constantly pulling me out of the story. He just does not convey emotion well.

Wonderful story, charming & delightful characters

The story is so entertaining, filled with charming and delightful characters. I don't think I have enjoyed the characters so much in a long time. Its is amusing and exciting at the same time. And it is all brought to life by the brilliant narration of Simon Vance.

Better than expected!

As this is the very first audiobook I’ve ever listened to, I don’t have much to compare it with. However, the performance by Simon Vance was great; I did not lose concentration easily, as he did not drone on and on. This was also thanks to fantastic storytelling and world building by Brent Weeks!

Unexpected gem

This was the first novel of Brent Weeks I had read and I loved it. The magic concept and epic scale of the story had me from the beginning, I bought it as an audiobook to listen to on a nine hour road trip and couldn't stop listening till it had finished. It is not just the usual fantasy story of a young person finding their power to save a world that is falling but a full cast of equally important characters that you quickly come to care about and root for. I have listened to it twice now and I am hanging out for the final instalments in the light ringer series.

Excellent!

I absolute adore the magic system, the narration and the story. Slightly slow start, but good God does it pick up. Love it, love it, love it!