The City Stained Red

The Bring Down Heaven Series - Book 1

The City Stained Red

By Sam Sykes
Unabridged
100% overall 3 ratings. Go to reviews
$36.00 $44.99
Save 20.0%
Quantity:
Add to wishlist
Monthly Membership

Monthly Membership

$12.99
  • Cancel anytime!
  • Memberships will renew every month
  • One credit every month on renewal
  • You can spend 1 credit every month to get an audiobook
window.theme = window.theme || {}; window.theme.preorder_products_on_page = window.theme.preorder_products_on_page || [];

“Sam Sykes does blood and noise in the liveliest tradition of contemporary fantasy, with all the brash vigor of youth, and with a sly, penetrating sensitivity all his own. Not many writers can give you fireworks and subtlety at the same time like he can.”

Scott Lynch, New York Times bestselling author of The Republic of Thieves, on the Aeons’ Gate series

Step up to the gates.

After years in the wilds, Lenk and his companions have come to the city that serves as the world's beating heart.

The great charnel house where men die surer than any wilderness. They've come to claim payment for creatures slain, blood spilled at the behest of a powerful holy man.

And Lenk has come to lay down his sword for good.

But this is no place to escape demons.

Ratings & Reviews

Review guidelines

100% of listeners recommend it of readers recommend it

Overall 100%

Based on 3 ratings

Listened to this one? Read this one?

Share what you thought and help others decide.

Sign in to write a review

3 reviews

  1. Rogue Writer
    Overall Liked it

    Clear Characters and High Action

    This is a story about confronting the past while trying to craft a future. This is also a story about what keeps people together, keeps them running in the same pack. As the human leader of a group of adventurers used to living hand to mouth, Lenk desires a life of security free of bloodshed. Convincing his mixed group – consisting of a renegade wizard, a dragonman, a werewolf-like shict, a thug/thief, and a healer priestess – to follow him into the grand city of Cier’Djaal to find a priest who owes them a lot of money, Lenk soon learns his plan won’t be that easy. In the meantime, he learns that he may have been manipulated to follow the priest into the city for some other purpose involving demons and a build-up to war. This audiobook is filled with clearly cut and well-distinguished characters. The different personalities and races of Oids are brought vividly to life by the masterful voicing of David DeSantos. The story seems to meander throughout the first part, but that reflects well the state of mind and spirit that each of the adventurers feel throughout the story. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the fantasy action genre.

    Helpful Report
  2. evil_sorceror
    Overall Liked it
    Verified listener

    I won't be hanging on the edge for the sequel

    This was not the best 20 hours of life spent. Not the worst. I made it all the way through. I might even buy the next one, but it won't be on my radar. As audiobook productions go, the narration is top notch and that was what drew me to the book in the first place. As stories go though, most of the characters are prefabricated, and a collected 8 or so chapters worth of gratuitous violence adds nothing to the plot. Things don't actually get going until about chapter 10 and there were points where I found myself gettting distracted by phone calls or other things and being able to leave the book going, then pick up 10 minutes later without feeling I'd missed very much. There is some great dialog and interaction and the ending isn't quite predictable. Very promising, but again, not compelling.

    Helpful Report
  3. Ben
    Overall Liked it
    Verified listener

    Interesting world

    I enjoyed the setting and the world building quite a bit. I would have liked the story as a whole better if any of the characters had liked each other. All of them seemed to be pissy and petulant, but had great back stories and abilities. I have to admit mixed feelings since everything but the character interactions were pretty great. Loved the voice acting by the narrator too. Overall a recommended title, maybe it would have been better if I had read the previous trilogy.

    Helpful Report