The Armourer's Prentices


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(3.8 stars; 6 reviews)

Set in the sixteenth century, two young boys are left orphans and are turned out of their home by their older brother, or, more particularly, his shrewish wife. John has taken over their father's position as verdurer, but what are young Ambrose and Stephen to do? Visit and seek counsel from their old and infirm uncle, who lives on charity after leading a military life? Or chase the dream of finding their ne'er-do-well maternal uncle, who has reputedly made his fortune in the king's court. - Summary by Lynne Thompson (11 hr 23 min)

Chapters

Preface 3:22 Read by Lynne T
The Verdurer's Lodge 25:17 Read by Lynne T
The Grange Of Silkstede 21:27 Read by Lynne T
Kinsmen And Strangers 27:37 Read by fiddlesticks
A Hero's Fall 18:36 Read by Elise C. Boucher
The Dragon Court 26:45 Read by Elise C. Boucher
A Sunday In The City 31:01 Read by Lynne T
York House 20:40 Read by Natalie Paula
Quipsome Hal 28:10 Read by Lynne T
Arms Spiritual And Temporal 20:01 Read by Lynne T
Two Vocations 37:28 Read by Lynne T
Ay Di Me Grenada 25:24 Read by Lynne T
A King In A Quagmire 28:59 Read by AlaynaMay
A London Holiday 26:46 Read by Lynne T
The Knight Of The Badger 24:46 Read by Adele de Pignerolles
Heave Half A Brick At Him 18:41 Read by Adele de Pignerolles
May Eve 27:02 Read by Esther ben Simonides
Ill May Day 30:36 Read by Esther ben Simonides
Pardon 37:07 Read by Lynne T
At The Antelope 39:23 Read by Lynne T
Cloth Of Gold On The Seamy Side 33:32 Read by Adele de Pignerolles
Sword Or Smithy 29:45 Read by Adele de Pignerolles
An Invasion 34:34 Read by Adele de Pignerolles
Unwelcome Preferment 31:48 Read by Adele de Pignerolles
The Soldier 24:38 Read by Lynne T
Old Haunts 9:50 Read by Esther ben Simonides

Reviews

Frustrating


(3 stars)

I rarely complain about narration, but this book was difficult to listen to. I enjoy historical fiction, but I really want to know what's going on in the book. Lynne T. did a very good job, but the other readers were either too fast, didn't enunciate, mispronounced far too many words, or were very high-pitched. When there is a single narrator, there are apps that can adjust for that person, but for multiple speakers it's impractical. There's a lot of great history happening in this book, and the author uses both an archaic and sophisticated vocabulary. I would love to hear it again with a single narrator.