• The Black Prism

  • By: Brent Weeks
  • Narrated by: Simon Vance
  • Length: 21 hrs and 26 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (14,574 ratings)

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The Black Prism  By  cover art

The Black Prism

By: Brent Weeks
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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Publisher's summary

In a world where magic is tightly controlled, the most powerful man in history must choose between his kingdom and his son in the first book in the epic NYT best-selling Lightbringer series.

Guile is the Prism. He is high priest and emperor, a man whose power, wit, and charm are all that preserves a tenuous peace. Yet Prisms never last, and Guile knows exactly how long he has left to live.

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.

If you loved the action and adventure of the Night Angel trilogy, you will devour this incredible epic fantasy series by Brent Weeks.

©2010 Brent Weeks (P)2016 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Brent Weeks is so good it's starting to tick me off." (Peter V. Brett, New York Times best-selling author of The Desert Spear)
"Weeks manages to ring new tunes on...old bells, letting a deep background slowly reveal its secrets and presenting his characters in a realistically flawed and human way." ( Publishers Weekly
" The Blinding Knife is a wonderful work of high fantasy with engaging characters facing the perfect antagonists, set in a creatively-wrought and increasingly chaotic world brimful of imaginative magic and interesting politics. Weeks holds fast to the traditions of his genre while adding a compelling new flavor." ( The Ranting Dragon)

What listeners say about The Black Prism

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    11,222
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    2,700
  • 3 Stars
    475
  • 2 Stars
    107
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Performance
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    10,967
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    10,014
  • 4 Stars
    2,443
  • 3 Stars
    498
  • 2 Stars
    107
  • 1 Stars
    75

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Dope book

This book was dope. I need eleven more words. Necesito once mas palabras. yeeted. oof.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Story & Narrator

it started a little slow, bust as you get to know the characters the pace picks up.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

So much better now.

Simon is a king. This redone version is Soo much better than the last one. and it helps maintain coherency across the books.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very Nice!!

If you could sum up The Black Prism in three words, what would they be?

Very interesting dynamics

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Black Prism?

I can't say that I have a favorite moment in this book. I can say that I really enjoyed it (all of it). The character development is well done and dynamics are quite good. Predictable in an enjoyable way.

What does Simon Vance bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Simon Vance is one of the best readers for me. He adds great character to each portrayal. He reads with inflection and the listener is not only able to distinguish characters, but also understands the unwritten meaning behind the words so you have a better comprehension of relationships or situations.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did not have an extreme reaction to this book. I did really enjoy it though!

Any additional comments?

I am looking forward to listening to the next book from Mr. Weeks. Great choice in reader for a good book.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

I'm not sure?

Would you listen to The Black Prism again? Why?

No, it was a bit boring at points.

Would you recommend The Black Prism to your friends? Why or why not?

I will have to listen 👂 to book 2...lol

What does Simon Vance bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He brought 5 stars. He made the book as far as I'm concerned.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

A couple chuckles, but more yawning.

Any additional comments?

I'm hoping book 2 is better or it's going back!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great book better narrator

i ended up loving this book even more because of the narrator. characters are interesting and story is good.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Learnt some new vocabularies !Orholem's balls!

Loved every moment of it! Starting book 2 immediately! Picked up a number of new and favorite alternative curses..

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

hooked now haha

loved the book and now i am hooked. good story and creative concept. having fun moving on to the next book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

The plots twisty and wonderfully interlaced with new information and discoveries. The character development and depth reminded me of Brandon Sanderson. I look forward to reading the next book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Exciting story

The Black Prism was well written, well paced, and very imaginative. I thoroughly enjoyed Simon Vance's performance. His voices add incredible depth to the story, providing a dimension that only enhances the overall reader experience. The story is gritty and a bit profane in parts, definitely for adults. Lots of surprises as the story unfolds with the different parallel threads for the main characters. The main character, Kip, is an awkward, overweight teenager that is trust into one untenable situation after another and has to grow up quickly. His is such a likeable character. The magic is different from the typical fantasy genre and takes a little bit to wrap your head around but Weeks does a good job laying that out over time. The writer also does a good job developing the characters, who are flawed, conflicted, and dealing with difficult choices and the ends justifying the means, specifically the Prism, Gavin. The battle scenes are a bit graphic for my taste but the storyline is compelling. I am looking forward to the next book and continuing Kip's journey.

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