Review by Miche Arendse for Readers' Favorite (5 Stars) Princess Vayle by Timothy Swiss follows the story of two children, betrothed at birth, who must face perilous times to find happiness. After the death of the king and his loyal subject Sir Marticus, their surviving heirs were left in the care of Demetrius and Geralda respectively. Will these two fated children grow up and avenge their parents' deaths? Will they be able to come together and marry as their parents wished? Princess Vayle by Timothy Swiss is a riveting story with intricately woven subplots, and unique and interesting characters, and is just an amazing body of writing. Each character was written in such a way that you couldn't help but become attached or, in the case of most Pithranians, feel a deep sense of dislike. Swiss can draw the reader or listener into that world through his descriptions. I found myself able to picture every scene with ease and could see the story come to life within my mind's eye. This was such an amazing book that I will not forget it soon. The narration by Sarah Allyn Althen is one of the best I've heard thus far. Althen has a clear and calm voice but also has such a range when it comes to voicing different characters. It was always clear which character was speaking or narrating throughout the audiobook. I also really loved her ability to change between scene descriptions and characters speaking fluidly as it made the entire listening experience more immersive. End of review by Miche Arendse Princess Vayle is first novel in the Princess Tales Trilogy, followed by Tale of the Vanished Princess and Plea to the Warrior Princess. Princess Vayle presents an enthralling, epic medieval fantasy packed with romance and adventure. The audiobook is spellbinding, performed by a professional Chicago-based actor turned narrator. The evil King Dragus of Pithrania imprisons the only son of his slain royal adversary, placing the infant prince in solitary confinement with a deaf-mute, intending that Prince Zarkanis will never even learn to speak. But is Tonan of Shareen really deaf-and-dumb? What happens over the years that Zarkanis spends in a secluded cell with a mysterious caregiver whose real name is unknown to the Pithranian monarchy?And what about King Dragus's archenemy who pursued him to the surface of the earth from the underground world of Subterrania? Was the entire family of Sir Marticus and Lady Monica really massacred, including all five sons and the infant within Lady Monica's womb? Who is the beautiful baby girl with a golden lock of hair? Is she really the daughter of the lady-in-waiting who poses as her mother? Why is this baby girl granted royal status, and will she ever discover her true identity?Meanwhile, who is the renowned Bear King, and why is he so feared? And what about the Pithranian warrior, namely Ferando, who catches the eye of Marlda, Princess Vayle's dearest young friend? Can any Pithranian warrior be trusted? What happens when Ferando escorts Marlda and her father on a wintry camping trip? Can any three persons survive the attack of brutal Viking marauders?Interwoven romance, breathtaking adventure, and fantastic creativity woo the hearts of readers and listeners into a world of literary ecstasy-enter the world of Princess Vayle.
