Listening to the audiobook version of "Anvil of God: Book One of the Carolingian Chronicles" was a thoroughly engaging experience, marred only by some technical hiccups that cost what would otherwise be a 5 star rating. This historical novel, set in the 8th century during the tumultuous period following the death of Charles Martel, captivated me with its rich characters and intricate plotlines. However, Chapter 2 was missing which created a gap in the story, especially regarding the relationship development of Trudy, one of the central figures.

The narrative revolves around the lives of Charles Martel's children and his second wife, Sunni. Gleason masterfully portrays Carloman, Pippen, Gripho, Hiltrude (Trudy), and Sunni amidst the backdrop of medieval France and Germany. Sunni, a secretly pagan woman, cares deeply for her son Gripho, yet her affection extends to Charles' other children, albeit with a clear bias towards securing her son's inheritance.

As mentioned, the missing chapter led to confusion in the storyline involving Trudy. Her relationship with Odilo seemed to spring from nowhere, and her previous entanglement with Ansil remained unresolved. Despite this, the cohesion of the plot was mostly intact, and the depth and clarity of Trudy's narrative did not suffer.

While the novel attempts to cover the five individuals, three of which are men, the emphasis on the two female characters, Sunni and Trudy is a refreshing divergence from historical narratives that typically marginalize women's roles. Where often women were rarely given their own space in history, sometimes not even given a name, The prominence given to Sunni & Trudy in their tales are not only empowering but also emotionally compelling, making me root for their happiness amidst the chaos of their lives.

The character of Gripho stands out as a petulant, spoiled aspiring tyrant, whose poor leadership results in severe consequences. The novel doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of the time. Carloman's act of killing a child is a particularly shocking moment that underscores the brutal nature of the era. But I also found myself pondering the ages of the children involved in war, wishing for more details to enhance the impact of these tragic events.

The abrupt ending of the book was jarring, stopping with an incomplete thought that suggests the ending of the book is also missing. Despite the missing content, the character development and storytelling were so well-executed that I remained deeply invested in the fates of the characters. I was so invested in these characters I would frequently stop to excitedly or frustratingly share my opinions with my husband who would remind me these people have been dead for hundreds of years. The story skillfully navigates the complex web of religious and political strife, portraying conflicts in shades of grey rather than black and white.

“Anvil of God" is a gripping historical novel with rich character development and a compelling plot. The technical issue of the missing chapter & potentially missing ending was a significant drawback, but it didn’t overshadow the overall quality of the story. I eagerly look forward to the next installment, hoping for a smoother experience and more of Gleason's captivating storytelling.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #YetALittleWhilePublishing for the ALC/ARC I received in exchange for my truthful and honest review.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

I wanted to enjoy this more than I did. I think it was just too dense of material for me to casually listen to while working like I usually do with audio books. I would have gotten into it more as a physical copy I think. Overall still a good book, just not for me at this time.

A good book marvellously read. I'm not a great fan of audiobooks but this was actually enjoyable to listen to. Worth spending some time

I wanted to like this book. but there was just a disconnect for me. It was a personal thing. Its probably why it took me so long to write a review as well, I hate leaving low reviews.

Unfortunately, I only received the second chapter of Anvil of God by J. Boyce Gleason, so my review may not fully capture the essence of the entire novel. However, based on what I listened to, the story seems rich with historical detail and has much to offer.

Despite missing key information and context, Deborah Balm's narration was well done. She portrayed the emotions effectively, and her pacing was satisfactory. She brought a lot of life to the characters and the story.
I wish I could have experienced the whole book to provide a more comprehensive review. From what I heard, it shows promise and piqued my interest in the historical narrative.

Thank you to NetGalley and Yet a Little While Publishing for gifting me the audio excerpt ARC of this book.

This book was certainly educational about a time period in history I have never heard off. Well written, with the historical details woven in seamlessly into the political and religious conventions of the time period, the book kept you engaged. Each character has a role to play and their characters are definitely well developed.

The narration was done well and with so many players in the book, it was not hard to follow.

J. Boyce Gleason's "Anvil of God" immerses readers in the tumultuous world of eigth-century Europe, weaving a rich tapestry of political intrigue, familial conflict, and the enduring struggle between paganism and Christianity. Set in the year 741, the novel follows the powerful but ailing Charles Martel who, after a lifetime of military and political victories, faces the challenge of securing his legacy amidst the chaos of his impending death.

Gleason's wide understanding of the period shines through in his meticulous reconstruction of the political and cultural landscape of the time. His portrayal of the era is vivid and engaging, making the complexities of early medieval politics accessible and compelling. The novel's heavy-handed depiction of religious conflicts may pose challenges for readers. The portrayal of Christians as uniformly ruthless and pagans as inherently noble feels somewhat one-dimensional, detracting from the historical nuance that the book otherwise strives to achieve. Additionally, some scenes might be distracting given the frequent and explicit sexual content excessive, which could act as a distraction from the main narrative.

Despite these critiques, the audio version of "Anvil of God" remains a captivating story, particularly for those interested in the complexities of early medieval Europe. Gleason's narrative is fast-paced and gripping, seamlessly blending personal and political drama. The novel's strength lies in its ability to humanise historical figures, making their struggles and ambitions resonate with contemporary readers. The exploration of power, loyalty, and the human condition set against the backdrop of a crumbling empire makes it a standout in the genre of historical fiction. For anyone looking to delve into a story of familial strife, political intrigue, and the relentless quest for power, this series is a worthy addition to their reading list.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Yet a Little While Publishing, and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC in audiobook format and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.

If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads! #AnvilOfGod #NetGalley #LifeLongLearning

<i> Note: This review is based on an ARC copy </i>

Anvil Of God by J Boyce Gleason

Anvil of God is a historical fiction story, with romance, wars, and fighting over which God is the true God. This was a very quick story, but you quickly get drawn into the different points of view, easily following the multiple characters and prospectives. I enjoyed the narrator, quickly getting enveloped by the story and the narrator.

The drawback was the story was very short, but it keeps you interested and leaves you wanting more of this story. I enjoyed this story and will definitely check out more by this author and more in this interesting story. I was surprised at how much I actually enjoyed this, finding the descriptions and characters intriguing.

If you are looking for a quick historical fiction book , with a mix of spicey heat and fighting this is definitely for you.

The Anvil of God is a great depiction of the world of kings and the battles fought for power. I enjoyed the audiobook narrator and the plot was compelling. The characters were well formed and this was an entertaining book. I will be looking forward to reading Wheel of the Fates!

I was very pleasently surprised by this one. Usually, Im not a big reader of historical fiction and I tend to get lost, if there are too many characters involved and we have many different POV's to keep track of. But there was just something about the summary...
I am so happy I choose to pick up this audiobook. It was such a great story and I was hooked almost from the get-go and had such a hard time putting it down. I think I finished the audiobook in two days and I so want to go back to this universe and see more. I will definitly be keeping an eye on this author as well!
This book had made me hooked on trying to find other books of this genre and less afraid of picking up a book with many POV's in the future. Big thanks to the author for making this novel!

Thanks to #NetGalley, #YetALittleWhitePublishing, for the advance audiobook. The book description was much better than the actual audiobook. I didn’t find it particularly interesting. There was no real character development so I really had little to no empathy for what the battles, were wanting to accomplish, either side.Overall, I was disappointed. If I can’t say anything nice Dont say anything at all so I will stop.

This book is only the 2nd chapter. I don't know how to give an appropriate review of the book. The chapter I read was good but not captivating because I feel like I was missing something. I also wasn't too interested in reading further. Not sure my review is an accurate reflection of the entire novel.