• Tempests and Slaughter

  • The Numair Chronicles, Book 1
  • By: Tamora Pierce
  • Narrated by: Ari Meyers
  • Length: 15 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,115 ratings)

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Tempests and Slaughter  By  cover art

Tempests and Slaughter

By: Tamora Pierce
Narrated by: Ari Meyers
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Publisher's summary

The new, highly anticipated Tortall Legend from Tamora Pierce, the number one New York Times best-selling author who is legend herself, is a must-listen for any fantasy lover!

Arram. Varice. Ozorne. In the first book in the Numair Chronicles, three student mages are bound by fate...fated for trouble....

Arram Draper is on the path to becoming one of the realm's most powerful mages. The youngest student in his class at the Imperial University of Carthak, he has a gift with unlimited potential for greatness - and for attracting danger. At his side are his two best friends: Varice, a clever girl with an often-overlooked talent, and Ozorne, the "leftover prince" with secret ambitions. Together, these three friends forge a bond that will one day shape kingdoms. And as Ozorne gets closer to the throne and Varice gets closer to Arram's heart, Arram realizes that one day - soon - he will have to decide where his loyalties truly lie.

In the Numair Chronicles, listeners will be rewarded with the never-before-told story of how Numair Salmalín came to Tortall. Newcomers will discover an unforgettable fantasy adventure where a kingdom's future rests on the shoulders of a talented young man with a knack for making vicious enemies.

©2018 Tamora Pierce (P)2018 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"Tamora Pierce's legions of fans will be not be disappointed with what could easily be mistaken for a full-cast performance of her long-awaited novel by narrator Ariadne Meyers.... Meyers ably provides a wide range of voices for the mages, beings, students, and gods, as well as a light, smooth narrative. Standouts are the three students; Enzi, the crocodile god; and the university's mages. Listeners will eagerly await the next installment." (AudioFile)

"Tamora Pierce creates epic worlds populated by girls and women of bravery, heart, and strength. Her work inspired a generation of writers and continues to inspire us." (Holly Black, number one New York Times best-selling author)

"Few authors can slay so effectively with a single sentence - I mean fist-in-the-air, shouting-at-my-book slay - as Tamora Pierce. All these years later, I still draw strength from her words." (Marie Lu, number one New York Times best-selling author)

What listeners say about Tempests and Slaughter

Average customer ratings
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I freaking loved this story!

I had had some trepidation about starting this book, in part due to the fact that I love Tamora Pierce... I know that doesn't make sense, but let me try to explain. Tamora Pierce hasn't done a new book in her Tortall universe in years, and not just a couple of years, but like 7 years... the last book was Mastiff, in the Beka Cooper trilogy. And here, she's going back to a character introduced in (I believe) her first and again in her second series, In (The Song of the Lioness) he showed up briefly, and then again in The Wild Magic quartet, which she finished up in 1988. I was really afraid that after all these years she would take this wonderful and mysterious character,  Mage Numair, and somehow "eff" it up for me, if it hadn't been for the assurances from my daughter (now a grown woman, who LIVED for these stories while she was growing up) I may never have read this book!
I FREAKING LOVED this story ... and Tamora Pierce finally chose to write a series from a male perspective, and I gotta say, she did it very well! I have to admit that I was also surprised by the fact that a woman was picked to narrate this story... I always thought the gender of the narrator was dictated by the protagonist. But I fell in love with Aria Meyers' narration, and realized that she was a perfect pick for the book!
I felt like Tamora Pierce made a huge nod, almost an homage, to another great author, T.H. White and his classic, The Once and Future King (this made me happy). I may be out in left field, but it's what I think...
With this story she took Numair and gave him a backstory about his training, where he found new friends, and started learning how to control his significant magic powers. This story is fantastic, and I strongly suspect the books to follow are going to be simply  amazing. I can hardly wait for the next book. Let's just hope that I don't have to wait too long!

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19 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great prequel

If you’re looking for an entry to the Tortall universe, this would be a good book. Great as a stand alone and not overly foreshadowed by the sequels. Numair is an awesome character, if a bit OP. I love the romance, and am already itching for future books in this series, since the main plot is unresolved.

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10 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
  • Ab
  • 02-27-18

it's good, then the story just goes flat

it starts out strong, the characters are amazing and Arram's classes are interesting. but then as the story progresses, ot just starts to bore me. also tjere is the unnerving discussions of arram's prepubescent morning wood as well. the build up to the climax is good, there are all these gods talking directly to arram, talking about how he has a destiny throughout the book. and you are expecting something amazing in the climax to start him on the path to his destiny. in reality the climax is very anti climatic, I felt slighted and it left me feeling as though the book was half finished. yes I do realize this is a series, but it didn't end right even though it tried. however the narrator is amazing.

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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wonderful

great origin story so far! I loved it so much. can't wait till the next one

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7 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

She did it again!

Another AMAZING addition to the Tortall universe. Tammy has done it again. I wish I could read it again for the first time. Numair is a character I felt has deserved his own series for years and I'm so happy to finally be able to read his story!

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Sad I finished and there is no more to read

Tamora Pierce did it again I am enthralled and want the next book to come out soon.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Couldn’t stop listening

Fantastically written. Beautifully performed! I forgot I was only listening to one reader and not an entire cast! I can’t wait for the next book!

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing book!

love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love love absolutely and completely entangled with this series

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Waited Impatiently

I am not sure about the person who read the book. In a previous series where we first meet Numair (Arram) his master Lindhall Reed wasn't a too old of a man. here the reader makes him sound like one.

This book also made me feel sorry for Orzone. being a prince can't be easy but you see the darkness in him already as a child.

it's great to hear of Numair's past and can't wait for the rest of the series! when i heard it was coming out, I got so excited!!!!

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3 people found this helpful

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amazing

I have been a longtime reader of anything Tamora Pierce. Even rereading everything a few times. she does amazing once again with her new series. The Narrator Ari Meyers was spectacular. she really gave everyone their own individual voice.

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2 people found this helpful