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The Artifex and the Muse #1
The Voice In All
An action-packed, thought-provoking romantic fantasy set in a richly imagined world of myth and mystery
Sixteen-year-old thief Ava must set sail for the new world tonight to escape the life of servitude that awaits every child who comes of age in the temple city. All that stands between her and a life of freedom is one last job: stealing the pharmaka to pay for her passage west. She’s stolen from the mysterious priestesses countless times before. What could possibly go wrong?
On the other side of the temple city, sixteen-year-old field hand Dom bids a final farewell to the only home he’s ever known. The priestesses have promised he’ll find purpose in the life of hard labor that lies ahead of him, and he hopes they’re right. What other choice does he have?
When Ava’s path collides with Dom’s in the dark forest, they discover the stolen pharmaka has some unfortunate side effects. Like it or not, Dom and Ava are stuck with each other. But what possible future could exist for a girl who’s determined to escape her bondage and a boy who’s never imagined the possibility of freedom?
On the eve of their Calling Day, Dom and Ava’s first meeting sets in motion an adventure of mythic proportions, spanning millennia and bridging worlds. The Voice in All is Book One in the fantasy saga The Artifex and the Muse.
Sixteen-year-old thief Ava must set sail for the new world tonight to escape the life of servitude that awaits every child who comes of age in the temple city. All that stands between her and a life of freedom is one last job: stealing the pharmaka to pay for her passage west. She’s stolen from the mysterious priestesses countless times before. What could possibly go wrong?
On the other side of the temple city, sixteen-year-old field hand Dom bids a final farewell to the only home he’s ever known. The priestesses have promised he’ll find purpose in the life of hard labor that lies ahead of him, and he hopes they’re right. What other choice does he have?
When Ava’s path collides with Dom’s in the dark forest, they discover the stolen pharmaka has some unfortunate side effects. Like it or not, Dom and Ava are stuck with each other. But what possible future could exist for a girl who’s determined to escape her bondage and a boy who’s never imagined the possibility of freedom?
On the eve of their Calling Day, Dom and Ava’s first meeting sets in motion an adventure of mythic proportions, spanning millennia and bridging worlds. The Voice in All is Book One in the fantasy saga The Artifex and the Muse.
- GenresYoung Adult
329 pages, ebook
Published October 18, 2022
About the author
Audrey Auden
8 books32 followersIn all my fiction writing, I aim to explore humankind’s pressing social and sustainability challenges through engaging, thought-provoking, optimistic stories for young adult readers.
Fantasy fiction was one of my earliest passions as a child, and as an adult I’m a lover of all forms of speculative fiction. I became an engineer because that seemed the next best thing to magic, and I’ve spent over twenty years building useful products, leading mission-driven teams, and growing technology startups.
But as satisfying as it is to build things in the “real” world, there’s nothing quite as fun as building my own worlds from scratch. I’m pleased to share the result in the form of The Artifex and the Muse fantasy series, set in the world of my debut novel Realms Unreel.
To learn more about my books, please visit my author website at audreyauden.com, where I share everything from story soundtracks and illustrations to publishing updates and reflections on the writing journey.
Fantasy fiction was one of my earliest passions as a child, and as an adult I’m a lover of all forms of speculative fiction. I became an engineer because that seemed the next best thing to magic, and I’ve spent over twenty years building useful products, leading mission-driven teams, and growing technology startups.
But as satisfying as it is to build things in the “real” world, there’s nothing quite as fun as building my own worlds from scratch. I’m pleased to share the result in the form of The Artifex and the Muse fantasy series, set in the world of my debut novel Realms Unreel.
To learn more about my books, please visit my author website at audreyauden.com, where I share everything from story soundtracks and illustrations to publishing updates and reflections on the writing journey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
November 1, 2022
Rating: 4.5
As soon as I saw the cover of this one I knew I had to read it. Like seriously, isn’t this cover beautiful?? The story along with the world the author created is definitely a unique one and I say that in the best way possible. The story is extremely descriptive which works for world building and it’s nice because it never felt too wordy. I enjoyed the writing style and how it switched between third and first person at certain points following both Ava and Dom. My heart immediately hurt for Dom’s character. As soon as I read his first chapter I knew I would root for him no matter what decisions he made. One thing I often wondered while reading this was the true age of the main characters. They are supposed to be sixteen but some scenes/events made it feel as though they should have been older. But the dialogue along with the decisions they made did make them feel sixteen. I don’t think their age will bother most readers but it did puzzle me at times. However, none of that is a deal breaker and the more you get into the story the less you even notice it. I will say, I really enjoyed Ava and Dom together. They were both vulnerable and damaged characters who needed someone they could rely on. I love how they became bonded together and how that helped their characters grow. You can see a definite change in both characters by the end of the story. I also really loved seeing all of the strong female characters. The author did such a great job showing women in power and how fierce yet vulnerable they could be. Overall, I would definitely recommend this story. I could go on and on but this is a book you will want to experience for yourself. I went into this one blind and I think that's the way to do it. Read this one if you want something that will stick with you and will make you think deeper. This book was so good I read it in one sitting! I cannot wait to continue this series because I am so curious to see where these characters go from here.
Thank you so much to the author for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As soon as I saw the cover of this one I knew I had to read it. Like seriously, isn’t this cover beautiful?? The story along with the world the author created is definitely a unique one and I say that in the best way possible. The story is extremely descriptive which works for world building and it’s nice because it never felt too wordy. I enjoyed the writing style and how it switched between third and first person at certain points following both Ava and Dom. My heart immediately hurt for Dom’s character. As soon as I read his first chapter I knew I would root for him no matter what decisions he made. One thing I often wondered while reading this was the true age of the main characters. They are supposed to be sixteen but some scenes/events made it feel as though they should have been older. But the dialogue along with the decisions they made did make them feel sixteen. I don’t think their age will bother most readers but it did puzzle me at times. However, none of that is a deal breaker and the more you get into the story the less you even notice it. I will say, I really enjoyed Ava and Dom together. They were both vulnerable and damaged characters who needed someone they could rely on. I love how they became bonded together and how that helped their characters grow. You can see a definite change in both characters by the end of the story. I also really loved seeing all of the strong female characters. The author did such a great job showing women in power and how fierce yet vulnerable they could be. Overall, I would definitely recommend this story. I could go on and on but this is a book you will want to experience for yourself. I went into this one blind and I think that's the way to do it. Read this one if you want something that will stick with you and will make you think deeper. This book was so good I read it in one sitting! I cannot wait to continue this series because I am so curious to see where these characters go from here.
Thank you so much to the author for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 28, 2022
Although this was well done in general, a few factors kept it out of the Platinum tier of my Best of the Year list, which it otherwise nearly deserved.
Firstly, the genres. There are too many of them. It's mainly fantasy, and YA, but it's also post-apocalyptic and dystopian. Those last two are genres I usually avoid, but the premise seemed fresh enough that I gave it a go anyway, and was glad I did. The degree to which it's dystopian also comes into question in the course of the story, but I'd argue that a society that denies a whole demographic access to the arts and sciences is at least somewhat dystopian, regardless of how nice and well-intentioned the people who run it may be (and are we sure they actually are?).
Four genres would have been OK, but by the end it also seems to be cosmic, and maybe cyberpunk, and at that point it started to break down a bit for me. By the end of the book, we've had a lot more questions than answers. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger, as such, but it does go from a relatively straightforward fantasy post-apocalyptic YA dystopia to something a lot more complicated that I, for one, struggle to define, and while that may set up the series to be more than it would otherwise have been (if the author can pull it off), for this specific book I felt that less would have been more.
Something else that broke down a little for me was an element of the worldbuilding. In the society depicted, women (through, essentially, magical drugs) are more or less immortal, or at least unaging and very long-lived, but men live normal lifespans. The women engage in arts and sciences and run the society, while the men do the farming, hunting, gathering, essential crafts like smithing, and suchlike. Only a few women give birth to children, and there seem to be as many girls as boys.
This means that for the tech level depicted, the pyramid is the wrong way up. Our society is able to have fewer than half of its members involved in producing food, because of multiple technological breakthroughs, but the tipping point of fewer than half of, say, US adults being involved in agriculture came not much more than a hundred years ago. Unless there's tech we never saw in the book, the economics make no sense. That's a minor point, because it's background, rather than foreground, but it did bother me.
(Since I posted this review, the author has graciously responded to say that is very much something that's on her mind, and there is an explanation to come; she's also incorporated a few elements of that explanation into this book (involving the women growing some of the food), in response to my critique - which I guess makes me a quantum reviewer, affecting things by observing them. I'll leave the critique in place, because the changes - which I've seen - don't fully answer my issues, and I did have questions on first read, but please note that this isn't a result of the author's ignorance about how food works; it's just not her focus in this book.)
On the upside, even in the pre-release copy I received via Netgalley for review, the copy editing has few flaws, apart from the way the author punctuates when interrupting dialog with a tag. (You don't start the second part of a sentence with a capital if it's the same sentence, and if it's a different sentence, you don't follow the tag with a comma.)
The story itself, and the characters, engaged me, despite the usual YA thing of:
Adult: Don't do this thing! Bad consequences will inevitably ensue.
Young person: I accept that completely and it makes total sense.
[Young person then proceeds to do the thing, because it seems like a good idea at the time. Bad consequences mostly fail to ensue.]
I'm giving it a lot of critique, but that's partly because it engaged me enough to think deeply about it. It invited thought; it wasn't just made from box mix, it had some originality to it, and it was well executed and had the odd moment here and there of reflection that made a point with some depth. The flaws, while they did combine to lose it a fifth star, were individually minor enough that they left me still enjoying it, and overall I recommend it and look forward to reading a sequel.
Firstly, the genres. There are too many of them. It's mainly fantasy, and YA, but it's also post-apocalyptic and dystopian. Those last two are genres I usually avoid, but the premise seemed fresh enough that I gave it a go anyway, and was glad I did. The degree to which it's dystopian also comes into question in the course of the story, but I'd argue that a society that denies a whole demographic access to the arts and sciences is at least somewhat dystopian, regardless of how nice and well-intentioned the people who run it may be (and are we sure they actually are?).
Four genres would have been OK, but by the end it also seems to be cosmic, and maybe cyberpunk, and at that point it started to break down a bit for me. By the end of the book, we've had a lot more questions than answers. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger, as such, but it does go from a relatively straightforward fantasy post-apocalyptic YA dystopia to something a lot more complicated that I, for one, struggle to define, and while that may set up the series to be more than it would otherwise have been (if the author can pull it off), for this specific book I felt that less would have been more.
Something else that broke down a little for me was an element of the worldbuilding. In the society depicted, women (through, essentially, magical drugs) are more or less immortal, or at least unaging and very long-lived, but men live normal lifespans. The women engage in arts and sciences and run the society, while the men do the farming, hunting, gathering, essential crafts like smithing, and suchlike. Only a few women give birth to children, and there seem to be as many girls as boys.
This means that for the tech level depicted, the pyramid is the wrong way up. Our society is able to have fewer than half of its members involved in producing food, because of multiple technological breakthroughs, but the tipping point of fewer than half of, say, US adults being involved in agriculture came not much more than a hundred years ago. Unless there's tech we never saw in the book, the economics make no sense. That's a minor point, because it's background, rather than foreground, but it did bother me.
(Since I posted this review, the author has graciously responded to say that is very much something that's on her mind, and there is an explanation to come; she's also incorporated a few elements of that explanation into this book (involving the women growing some of the food), in response to my critique - which I guess makes me a quantum reviewer, affecting things by observing them. I'll leave the critique in place, because the changes - which I've seen - don't fully answer my issues, and I did have questions on first read, but please note that this isn't a result of the author's ignorance about how food works; it's just not her focus in this book.)
On the upside, even in the pre-release copy I received via Netgalley for review, the copy editing has few flaws, apart from the way the author punctuates when interrupting dialog with a tag. (You don't start the second part of a sentence with a capital if it's the same sentence, and if it's a different sentence, you don't follow the tag with a comma.)
The story itself, and the characters, engaged me, despite the usual YA thing of:
Adult: Don't do this thing! Bad consequences will inevitably ensue.
Young person: I accept that completely and it makes total sense.
[Young person then proceeds to do the thing, because it seems like a good idea at the time. Bad consequences mostly fail to ensue.]
I'm giving it a lot of critique, but that's partly because it engaged me enough to think deeply about it. It invited thought; it wasn't just made from box mix, it had some originality to it, and it was well executed and had the odd moment here and there of reflection that made a point with some depth. The flaws, while they did combine to lose it a fifth star, were individually minor enough that they left me still enjoying it, and overall I recommend it and look forward to reading a sequel.
November 13, 2022
Thank you @bookinfluencerscom and @audreyauden for the #gifted review copy.
Firstly this is Book 1 in The Artifex and Muse series and the only book of the series published so far. I went into this book blind only knowing its a fantasy with mythology and romance, and wow was I surprised.
Myth, mystery and romance? Sign me up right now! This was a quick, fast paced and incredibly interesting read. I finished this in one day. Audrey Auden has taken our normal genres and combined them to create a new and exciting world. This book is part fantasy, part romance and set in a dystopian world.
I really enjoyed the writing style, the story was descriptive without information dumping and so easy to follow along. Dual POV’s are always my favorite but I will admit it threw me when Ava and Dom’s POV switched between first and third person, but the more you read the less you notice it. The characters were very likable and relatable. Ava and Dom had a entertaining and unique friendship/relationship and we see amazing character development in them both by the end of this book. I was rooting for them from the start. These characters have my heart and I cant wait to see what Audrey has in store for them in book 2.
I recommend if you like :
- Forced Proximity Troupe
- Dual POV’s
- A fan of mythology
- Dystopian Worlds
- Dislike to Friends to Lovers
This book is for the Mythology and Romance lovers!
Firstly this is Book 1 in The Artifex and Muse series and the only book of the series published so far. I went into this book blind only knowing its a fantasy with mythology and romance, and wow was I surprised.
Myth, mystery and romance? Sign me up right now! This was a quick, fast paced and incredibly interesting read. I finished this in one day. Audrey Auden has taken our normal genres and combined them to create a new and exciting world. This book is part fantasy, part romance and set in a dystopian world.
I really enjoyed the writing style, the story was descriptive without information dumping and so easy to follow along. Dual POV’s are always my favorite but I will admit it threw me when Ava and Dom’s POV switched between first and third person, but the more you read the less you notice it. The characters were very likable and relatable. Ava and Dom had a entertaining and unique friendship/relationship and we see amazing character development in them both by the end of this book. I was rooting for them from the start. These characters have my heart and I cant wait to see what Audrey has in store for them in book 2.
I recommend if you like :
- Forced Proximity Troupe
- Dual POV’s
- A fan of mythology
- Dystopian Worlds
- Dislike to Friends to Lovers
This book is for the Mythology and Romance lovers!
November 14, 2022
Thank you so so much to the author for sharing an ARC of this book with me on Bookinfluencers.com !!!
“He’s the only human you touched,” says Serapen. “But he’s not the only awareness you touched”
This book … was exactly the fantasy I needed !!! I feel like I should label it in between the dystopian and the fantasy genre but nonetheless … the best I have read in a while now !!!
A debut fantasy series where childhood friends find themselves together again after being separated !!
It felt a lot like the movie “Giver” which I loved to be honest!!
Ava and Dom’s story is just at the beginning of what I hope will be a crazy adventure of bonding, trust, friendship, believes and so much more !!!
The friendship they have between themselves and the other girls, and the conflicted believes they discuss upon, about the “Voice in All” and the Mohirai … just made the whole book so much more interesting !!! I believe that we still have to understand a lot about what being a Muse and an Artifex means … but I truly hope we’ll find out more about it as the story goes on !!! I already cannot wait for book two !!!
“Close your eyes, if you like. The work of unbinding is not so different from the work of binding. Both are works of transformation. One is the complement of the other. Unbinding inverts binding. Binding inverts unbinding”
“He’s the only human you touched,” says Serapen. “But he’s not the only awareness you touched”
This book … was exactly the fantasy I needed !!! I feel like I should label it in between the dystopian and the fantasy genre but nonetheless … the best I have read in a while now !!!
A debut fantasy series where childhood friends find themselves together again after being separated !!
It felt a lot like the movie “Giver” which I loved to be honest!!
Ava and Dom’s story is just at the beginning of what I hope will be a crazy adventure of bonding, trust, friendship, believes and so much more !!!
The friendship they have between themselves and the other girls, and the conflicted believes they discuss upon, about the “Voice in All” and the Mohirai … just made the whole book so much more interesting !!! I believe that we still have to understand a lot about what being a Muse and an Artifex means … but I truly hope we’ll find out more about it as the story goes on !!! I already cannot wait for book two !!!
“Close your eyes, if you like. The work of unbinding is not so different from the work of binding. Both are works of transformation. One is the complement of the other. Unbinding inverts binding. Binding inverts unbinding”
November 18, 2022
Not gonna lie. This book blew my mind.
I didn't know what I expected while starting it. Honestly, it's what you get for not reading blurbs of books before actually starting them, but I'd like to believe that is how the best books find me.
Dom and Ava were amazing from the start. The entire story was unique and neatly spanned, with a rich, fantastical imagery to it. And I believe we'd all be better off if we had someone like Dom with us on this tiring journey of life.
Ava gave me Jude Duarte vibes (from the Cruel Prince). Always looking over her shoulder, smart and resourceful.
This is speculative fiction which means you end up thinking a lot about things and forming opinions about them. And this world, Audrey created, the one where a Voice rules over people like Big Brother from 1984 is brilliant. I loved it, although the cliffhanger at the ending is pure pAYNE!
Sometimes I just sit quietly and think about Dom and how he's the sweetest man I've ever met. (Like a kid version of Daire from Sugar Coated Lies by Tara Gallina)
I love Dom. I love Ava. I love this book!
I didn't know what I expected while starting it. Honestly, it's what you get for not reading blurbs of books before actually starting them, but I'd like to believe that is how the best books find me.
Dom and Ava were amazing from the start. The entire story was unique and neatly spanned, with a rich, fantastical imagery to it. And I believe we'd all be better off if we had someone like Dom with us on this tiring journey of life.
Ava gave me Jude Duarte vibes (from the Cruel Prince). Always looking over her shoulder, smart and resourceful.
This is speculative fiction which means you end up thinking a lot about things and forming opinions about them. And this world, Audrey created, the one where a Voice rules over people like Big Brother from 1984 is brilliant. I loved it, although the cliffhanger at the ending is pure pAYNE!
Sometimes I just sit quietly and think about Dom and how he's the sweetest man I've ever met. (Like a kid version of Daire from Sugar Coated Lies by Tara Gallina)
I love Dom. I love Ava. I love this book!
November 23, 2022
The Voice In All by Audrey Auden 📚
Thank you @audreyauden & @bookinfluencerscom for the gifted copy in exchange of an honest review.
The Voice In All by Audrey Auden was a magical, romantic fantasy book which was set in a enchanting new world. The most unique aspect of this world was that women ruled it and men were their subordinates. The women were almost treated as holy, having a divine connection to the “Voice”, whereas men were asked to do manual labour. Each individual were called by the voice and given their chosen profession and all of them in harmony.
The romance in the book was very subtle and it becomes intense in stages. The chaotic personality in the book was Ava, a thief and a rebel who fell into the path of docile young man, Dom. Due to the magical substance, pharmaka on Ava’s body, they both get bound together. That would mean that they can’t be physically apart from each other without experiencing intense pain. This magic also gave them the ability to read each others minds and communicate telepathically.
The writing style was articulate and flowery. The plot was fast and the descriptions were beautiful. The conflicting natures of Ava and Dom worked well together. The ending was pretty intriguing and I can’t wait to read the next book of the series. If you love romantic fantasy, then add to book to your TBR.
Rating- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Afreen Khalil
Thank you @audreyauden & @bookinfluencerscom for the gifted copy in exchange of an honest review.
The Voice In All by Audrey Auden was a magical, romantic fantasy book which was set in a enchanting new world. The most unique aspect of this world was that women ruled it and men were their subordinates. The women were almost treated as holy, having a divine connection to the “Voice”, whereas men were asked to do manual labour. Each individual were called by the voice and given their chosen profession and all of them in harmony.
The romance in the book was very subtle and it becomes intense in stages. The chaotic personality in the book was Ava, a thief and a rebel who fell into the path of docile young man, Dom. Due to the magical substance, pharmaka on Ava’s body, they both get bound together. That would mean that they can’t be physically apart from each other without experiencing intense pain. This magic also gave them the ability to read each others minds and communicate telepathically.
The writing style was articulate and flowery. The plot was fast and the descriptions were beautiful. The conflicting natures of Ava and Dom worked well together. The ending was pretty intriguing and I can’t wait to read the next book of the series. If you love romantic fantasy, then add to book to your TBR.
Rating- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Afreen Khalil
November 17, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Love That Book for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of this book for an honest review. (Published: October 18, 2022)
“The Voice in All” by Audrey Auden is Book One of The Artifex and the Muse saga. This was one of those books I took a chance on because the cover art was so beautiful and intriguing, and I was certainly not disappointed! (The breathtaking, full artwork from the cover and more can be found on the author’s website.)
Action-packed and fast-paced from the beginning, this book immediately grabbed my attention and didn’t let go until the end! The writing was captivating with striking imagery throughout. The story was unlike anything I had ever read before with a mix of various genres.
I loved the duel POV between the main characters Ava and Dom. They’re both 16 years old and were friends when they were younger. However, Ava’s mother became part of the Free People seven years prior to the timeline of this book. During that time, she rescued Ava from the Children’s Temple and explained everything to her. They lived in hiding outside of the city and planned to escape one day to truly live outside of the Voice in All.
On the day Ava and her mother were planning to finally free themselves, Ava accidently experienced a massive overdose to amanitai – a binding pharmaka she was attempting to steal to help pay for their freedom. As fate would have it, when Ava encounters her long-lost friend Dom and touches him, they are suddenly linked together via the amanitai. This creates an interesting situation as they can’t be apart and must be touching at all times or else they experience extreme pain. Ava’s plan to leave is suddenly no longer an option, and she must resume the life she left all those years ago.
I loved the strong female presence in this book. It was refreshing to read about so many women in authoritative positions showing great wisdom, strength, and gentleness. I was also pleasantly surprised by how simple yet complex the story was. One moment everything seemed straightforward and predictable, and then the plot would take an unexpected turn and leave me with some lengthy info and complicated twists.
The “Voice in All” was very mysterious and only made a few brief appearances in this book, but I’m expecting that more will be revealed in the second book.
Many scenes from the story have author-suggested music pairings (available on the author’s website). I found this to be a fun and inspiring addition to the book. I was unfamiliar with about half of the songs from the soundtrack, but I did enjoy most of them and felt they were an enhancement to the reading experience.
Overall, I’m on pins and needles to read the next book in this series to find out more about Ava and Dom! I highly recommend this book to older teens and young adults who love romantic fantasy with a dystopian spin.
“The Voice in All” by Audrey Auden is Book One of The Artifex and the Muse saga. This was one of those books I took a chance on because the cover art was so beautiful and intriguing, and I was certainly not disappointed! (The breathtaking, full artwork from the cover and more can be found on the author’s website.)
Action-packed and fast-paced from the beginning, this book immediately grabbed my attention and didn’t let go until the end! The writing was captivating with striking imagery throughout. The story was unlike anything I had ever read before with a mix of various genres.
I loved the duel POV between the main characters Ava and Dom. They’re both 16 years old and were friends when they were younger. However, Ava’s mother became part of the Free People seven years prior to the timeline of this book. During that time, she rescued Ava from the Children’s Temple and explained everything to her. They lived in hiding outside of the city and planned to escape one day to truly live outside of the Voice in All.
On the day Ava and her mother were planning to finally free themselves, Ava accidently experienced a massive overdose to amanitai – a binding pharmaka she was attempting to steal to help pay for their freedom. As fate would have it, when Ava encounters her long-lost friend Dom and touches him, they are suddenly linked together via the amanitai. This creates an interesting situation as they can’t be apart and must be touching at all times or else they experience extreme pain. Ava’s plan to leave is suddenly no longer an option, and she must resume the life she left all those years ago.
I loved the strong female presence in this book. It was refreshing to read about so many women in authoritative positions showing great wisdom, strength, and gentleness. I was also pleasantly surprised by how simple yet complex the story was. One moment everything seemed straightforward and predictable, and then the plot would take an unexpected turn and leave me with some lengthy info and complicated twists.
The “Voice in All” was very mysterious and only made a few brief appearances in this book, but I’m expecting that more will be revealed in the second book.
Many scenes from the story have author-suggested music pairings (available on the author’s website). I found this to be a fun and inspiring addition to the book. I was unfamiliar with about half of the songs from the soundtrack, but I did enjoy most of them and felt they were an enhancement to the reading experience.
Overall, I’m on pins and needles to read the next book in this series to find out more about Ava and Dom! I highly recommend this book to older teens and young adults who love romantic fantasy with a dystopian spin.
November 3, 2022
The voice in all is a masterpiece, from the cover to the literary aspect.
I started this book on November 1st, 2022 and finished it on November 1st, 2022. I absolutely devoured it in every sense of the word. I was able to read for hours straight without getting distracted or pulled away by the thought of doing something else. That was how strong of a hold this book had on me.
There are only a few things that I didn’t enjoy about this book- hence the 4 stars instead of 5. This book is YA which normally I wouldn’t read but for some reason the blurb and the cover drew me in. ( I mean look at the cover! It’s absolutely gorgeous.)
Another things was that some of the sentences seemed repeated within the dialogue. Not in a horribly annoying way but enough to notice while reading.
The last part i didnt love 100% was the genre. This book just had a little too much going on for me. It’s a no spice YA romance but there’s also a fantasy aspect, a dystopian aspect as well as a “rebuilding the world after war” aspect.
Overall I enjoyed both Ava and Dom. Their characters were relatable and easy to like. You can also see the character growth both characters go through, throughout the book which I thoroughly enjoyed.
This is an action-packed, thought-provoking fantasy set in a world of myth and mystery. I can’t wait to see what Audrey Auden has in store for book #2 of The Artifex and the Muse series.
I started this book on November 1st, 2022 and finished it on November 1st, 2022. I absolutely devoured it in every sense of the word. I was able to read for hours straight without getting distracted or pulled away by the thought of doing something else. That was how strong of a hold this book had on me.
There are only a few things that I didn’t enjoy about this book- hence the 4 stars instead of 5. This book is YA which normally I wouldn’t read but for some reason the blurb and the cover drew me in. ( I mean look at the cover! It’s absolutely gorgeous.)
Another things was that some of the sentences seemed repeated within the dialogue. Not in a horribly annoying way but enough to notice while reading.
The last part i didnt love 100% was the genre. This book just had a little too much going on for me. It’s a no spice YA romance but there’s also a fantasy aspect, a dystopian aspect as well as a “rebuilding the world after war” aspect.
Overall I enjoyed both Ava and Dom. Their characters were relatable and easy to like. You can also see the character growth both characters go through, throughout the book which I thoroughly enjoyed.
This is an action-packed, thought-provoking fantasy set in a world of myth and mystery. I can’t wait to see what Audrey Auden has in store for book #2 of The Artifex and the Muse series.
October 9, 2022
I enjoyed the world building and the puzzling connection between our two main characters. Separate and yet inseparable. It was a fun exploration of the bounds of the self and the world, a kind of literal mindfulness. The switching of the viewpoints was also interesting.
If you like fantasy/magic/other-world adventures this is a good book for you! I give it 4 of 5 stars only because it feels a little on the short side. Just when things are developing and deepening it comes to a quick end. I'm looking forward to the next book!
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
If you like fantasy/magic/other-world adventures this is a good book for you! I give it 4 of 5 stars only because it feels a little on the short side. Just when things are developing and deepening it comes to a quick end. I'm looking forward to the next book!
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
July 26, 2024
I would like to thank the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.
Wow, this book was phenomenal! It was just shy of a five-star read, for sure! Never in my life have I read anything like this book; it’s truly one-of-a-kind. It’s a riveting sensory experience. It’s an ecosystem of its own. The main characters, Dom and Ava, are insightful, utterly human, apologetic, and open to change. They are committed to expanding their views of the world and exploring their differences in worldview. It was so refreshing to read.
This book doesn’t fit into a classical mode, it subverts preconceived expectations; it reimagines social constructs and shared consciousness just as often as it asks philosophical questions and meditates on the power of nature and the ability of the environment we live in to contour, shape, influence, define/mold, or otherwise transform our awareness and our processes of seeing, our very cognitive perceptions. Splendidly, it conceptualizes the powers of the mind.
I am eagerly awaiting the sequel!
Wow, this book was phenomenal! It was just shy of a five-star read, for sure! Never in my life have I read anything like this book; it’s truly one-of-a-kind. It’s a riveting sensory experience. It’s an ecosystem of its own. The main characters, Dom and Ava, are insightful, utterly human, apologetic, and open to change. They are committed to expanding their views of the world and exploring their differences in worldview. It was so refreshing to read.
This book doesn’t fit into a classical mode, it subverts preconceived expectations; it reimagines social constructs and shared consciousness just as often as it asks philosophical questions and meditates on the power of nature and the ability of the environment we live in to contour, shape, influence, define/mold, or otherwise transform our awareness and our processes of seeing, our very cognitive perceptions. Splendidly, it conceptualizes the powers of the mind.
I am eagerly awaiting the sequel!
June 1, 2025
Voice In All is an imaginative story that feels like more of a journey to me. It's the first book in a series, where readers meet two characters, Ava and Dom who become bound to one another in a way that they cannot find release. This happens when Ava is talked into stealing pharmaka from the temple of Mohirai priestesses, her mother having told her she will be bound to a life of servitude to a group of spiritual women if she does not. However when she is close to getting caught she needs to hide, finding herself immersed in the substance- without the priestesses help, she faces certain death. Plus her mother runs off, leaving Ava to her fate with the priestesses and despite what her mother has told her it seems all the Mohirai want to do is help Ava through her trials.
Dom, on the other hand, is looking at a life of hard labor- the priestesses telling the boy that this is where he will find purpose. But that is what all boys have to look forward to, while the girls train with the priestesses. It is rare that a male child ever makes it into training to bind with the Voice (which the pharmaka helps them to do). But when Dom comes upon Ava after she is immersed in the pharmaka, he too, finds himself bound to her by the substance- and bound to The Voice as well. Because of this Dom finds himself a male part of the Mohirai, a rarity- and he must go through training as well.
That is, however, if Ava decides to stay with the priestesses because even bound to Dom, needing unbinding pharmaka from the women and also their knowledge and training, Ava had never wanted all this. On the other hand Dom couldn't imagine anything better than being inducted as a male into the group. However having known Ava as a child and with feelings building with her by the day, if she chooses to leave Dom might very well go with her, leaving the best version of a life he couldn't have imagined being allowed to have behind him.
The Voice in All is just the first in an unraveling of a story that extends over thousands of years, as the Voice has a connection to everything and once Ava and Dom begin to understand that….Audrey Auden has created a quest series that I haven't been able to put down and as the first book took me to the next, I couldn't have imagine where this story would go and was surprised to see where it went to next….Readers don't want to miss out on the first of this series!
Dom, on the other hand, is looking at a life of hard labor- the priestesses telling the boy that this is where he will find purpose. But that is what all boys have to look forward to, while the girls train with the priestesses. It is rare that a male child ever makes it into training to bind with the Voice (which the pharmaka helps them to do). But when Dom comes upon Ava after she is immersed in the pharmaka, he too, finds himself bound to her by the substance- and bound to The Voice as well. Because of this Dom finds himself a male part of the Mohirai, a rarity- and he must go through training as well.
That is, however, if Ava decides to stay with the priestesses because even bound to Dom, needing unbinding pharmaka from the women and also their knowledge and training, Ava had never wanted all this. On the other hand Dom couldn't imagine anything better than being inducted as a male into the group. However having known Ava as a child and with feelings building with her by the day, if she chooses to leave Dom might very well go with her, leaving the best version of a life he couldn't have imagined being allowed to have behind him.
The Voice in All is just the first in an unraveling of a story that extends over thousands of years, as the Voice has a connection to everything and once Ava and Dom begin to understand that….Audrey Auden has created a quest series that I haven't been able to put down and as the first book took me to the next, I couldn't have imagine where this story would go and was surprised to see where it went to next….Readers don't want to miss out on the first of this series!
December 17, 2022
A riveting romance set in a post-apocalyptic world, where an order of women have set up an idealistic society where women live centuries-long lives and men labor to pay for past transgressions. This book provides an action-packed, yet thought-provoking, start to the Artifex and Muse series.
Ava has one last job to complete: steal some powerful pharmaka - or drugs - from the order of priestesses who control their world. It's supposed to pay for her and her mother's passage to the free lands. But when Ava has an accident with the pharmaka, she gets entangled - literally - with her childhood friend Dom. The pharmaka binds her to him, meaning they cannot be apart without physical pain. Hello, forced proximity romance! Her mother leaves her behind, and Ava finds herself swept into the order of priestesses she was trying to leave behind.
Dom is literally the sweetest. He looks out for Ava at every turn, even before his memories return and he remembers who she is. He's a character to root for, even as he struggles between what he's been taught about their world by the priestesses and the alternate perspective Ava brings.
The author introduces us to a fascinating new world. At times, this reminded me of Brave New World, especially with the sexual freedom and the characters - besides Ava - not knowing what a mother was. At first, this reads as dystopian, post-apocalyptic fiction, but then a twist later in the book took this to a whole new level, and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series to find out more about that!
Thank you to the author for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Ava has one last job to complete: steal some powerful pharmaka - or drugs - from the order of priestesses who control their world. It's supposed to pay for her and her mother's passage to the free lands. But when Ava has an accident with the pharmaka, she gets entangled - literally - with her childhood friend Dom. The pharmaka binds her to him, meaning they cannot be apart without physical pain. Hello, forced proximity romance! Her mother leaves her behind, and Ava finds herself swept into the order of priestesses she was trying to leave behind.
Dom is literally the sweetest. He looks out for Ava at every turn, even before his memories return and he remembers who she is. He's a character to root for, even as he struggles between what he's been taught about their world by the priestesses and the alternate perspective Ava brings.
The author introduces us to a fascinating new world. At times, this reminded me of Brave New World, especially with the sexual freedom and the characters - besides Ava - not knowing what a mother was. At first, this reads as dystopian, post-apocalyptic fiction, but then a twist later in the book took this to a whole new level, and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series to find out more about that!
Thank you to the author for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 1, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was a unique take on fantasy storytelling, and I appreciated the elements of having a deep connection with the earth and with other humans. Again, the main characters get what they require instead of what they desire.
Dom and Ava's lives are guided by the Voice in All, who molds them into what is anticipated of them. Dom's dream comes true, but it comes at a price. Ava's dreams have been crushed, and she is desperately trying to flee the Mohirai, who have a firm grip on Dulai. According to the Mohirai rule, men are only good for physical labor, whereas women receive an education.
Ava overdoses on Amanatai powder, which leads to disaster when she inadvertently binds herself to Dom on soul level. They can't possibly leave each other without hurting one another. Ava also talks about her strange dreams about the city of glass towers. Why does it feel so real?
Ava begins to realize the cost of her mistake as they travel to the temple lands of Velkanos, she would do anything to avoid this responsibility. Dom, for his part, is gradually realizing that not everything he's been taught, is true. What exactly is a mother? Where did he come from? And what does the Voice in all want?
It's a heartwarming story about self-discovery with some unexpected twists and, of course, the price Dom must pay. What happened before the destruction of their world is amazing and fascinating. Will Ava and Dom find the answers they seek? As they travel through strange landscapes, there is plenty of action and exploration. The story flowed beautifully, and it was enjoyable from start to finish.
This was a unique take on fantasy storytelling, and I appreciated the elements of having a deep connection with the earth and with other humans. Again, the main characters get what they require instead of what they desire.
Dom and Ava's lives are guided by the Voice in All, who molds them into what is anticipated of them. Dom's dream comes true, but it comes at a price. Ava's dreams have been crushed, and she is desperately trying to flee the Mohirai, who have a firm grip on Dulai. According to the Mohirai rule, men are only good for physical labor, whereas women receive an education.
Ava overdoses on Amanatai powder, which leads to disaster when she inadvertently binds herself to Dom on soul level. They can't possibly leave each other without hurting one another. Ava also talks about her strange dreams about the city of glass towers. Why does it feel so real?
Ava begins to realize the cost of her mistake as they travel to the temple lands of Velkanos, she would do anything to avoid this responsibility. Dom, for his part, is gradually realizing that not everything he's been taught, is true. What exactly is a mother? Where did he come from? And what does the Voice in all want?
It's a heartwarming story about self-discovery with some unexpected twists and, of course, the price Dom must pay. What happened before the destruction of their world is amazing and fascinating. Will Ava and Dom find the answers they seek? As they travel through strange landscapes, there is plenty of action and exploration. The story flowed beautifully, and it was enjoyable from start to finish.
December 18, 2022
I know I can’t judge a book by its cover, but in this case, my judgment steered me on the right path. I was given this book as an advanced reader and actually ended up loving the story.
The characters are dynamic and likable (and as some have even said in their reviews, lovable!) and I enjoyed the dynamics between them. The characters spoke well and the dialogue never seemed forced, and I think that was Auden’s strong suit. I will say that recently I have been steering away from younger main characters (the ones in this book are sixteen, and it is a coming-of-age story) but in this case, I would give this a pass. This book is labeled as a young adult, but I believe that some scenes may edge the minimum age up a bit for content purposes.
I have minimal qualms about this book, and in fact, might recommend it to a friend who is certainly a fan of dystopian novels, but I also share the concerns that there may be too many genres associated with this book. I think it could have been more consolidated, but they do seem to mesh well once the exposition is over and you get more involved in the story.
I think this book makes the reader think twice about the society we live in versus the society pictured in the book, as any good dystopian novel should. Overall, with a few grammatical edits, I would definitely recommend this book to others.
📚 Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚 Genres: Young adult/Fantasy/Dystopian
📚 Pages: 329
*I was gifted this book as an advanced reader by the author, Audrey Auden, in association with @bookinfuencercom. This is my true and honest review.*
The characters are dynamic and likable (and as some have even said in their reviews, lovable!) and I enjoyed the dynamics between them. The characters spoke well and the dialogue never seemed forced, and I think that was Auden’s strong suit. I will say that recently I have been steering away from younger main characters (the ones in this book are sixteen, and it is a coming-of-age story) but in this case, I would give this a pass. This book is labeled as a young adult, but I believe that some scenes may edge the minimum age up a bit for content purposes.
I have minimal qualms about this book, and in fact, might recommend it to a friend who is certainly a fan of dystopian novels, but I also share the concerns that there may be too many genres associated with this book. I think it could have been more consolidated, but they do seem to mesh well once the exposition is over and you get more involved in the story.
I think this book makes the reader think twice about the society we live in versus the society pictured in the book, as any good dystopian novel should. Overall, with a few grammatical edits, I would definitely recommend this book to others.
📚 Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📚 Genres: Young adult/Fantasy/Dystopian
📚 Pages: 329
*I was gifted this book as an advanced reader by the author, Audrey Auden, in association with @bookinfuencercom. This is my true and honest review.*
November 22, 2022
I am a "greedy reader". I devour good books quickly: Great books are absolutely inhaled!
My first reading of the Voice in All was completed in about a day and a half. The book can certainly be a good, quick read. The characters are developed just enough to be likeable or interesting. The first read was almost like watching a movie.
After thinking about the book for a couple of days, it occurred to me that chapters 3 to 5 deserved a bit more thought and attention. The symbolism of Ava's moving from the light into darkness,and her baptism in pharmaka, merited a re-read. Her subsequent rapid transit through a darkness, from the womb of pharmaka into the light again was certainly a re-birth into a life she had always wanted, but in which she was now helpless and captive, was well crafted.
I am motivated to re-read Realms Unreal to see what I may have missed in that gem of a book, also by Audrey Auden. I will likely obtain an amended copy of Realms Unreal, which is adapted for the series, just for the pleasure of discovering the changes.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy of The Voice in All for free. This review is furnished voluntarily.
My first reading of the Voice in All was completed in about a day and a half. The book can certainly be a good, quick read. The characters are developed just enough to be likeable or interesting. The first read was almost like watching a movie.
After thinking about the book for a couple of days, it occurred to me that chapters 3 to 5 deserved a bit more thought and attention. The symbolism of Ava's moving from the light into darkness,and her baptism in pharmaka, merited a re-read. Her subsequent rapid transit through a darkness, from the womb of pharmaka into the light again was certainly a re-birth into a life she had always wanted, but in which she was now helpless and captive, was well crafted.
I am motivated to re-read Realms Unreal to see what I may have missed in that gem of a book, also by Audrey Auden. I will likely obtain an amended copy of Realms Unreal, which is adapted for the series, just for the pleasure of discovering the changes.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy of The Voice in All for free. This review is furnished voluntarily.
December 18, 2022
THE VOICE IN ALL is Book One in the fantasy saga THE ARTIFEX AND THE MUSE.
Sixteen year old thief Ava has to make one last heist, by stealing the pharmaka, before she escapes from the temple city, and the upcoming life of slavery, while she crosses paths with a same-age boy Dom. Due to the pharmaka, the protagonists are stuck with each other. Ava is determined to escape her bondage while Dom has never even imagined a world with freedom!
It's such a gripping book that I finished most of it in two nights. It made me pull up an all-nighter, not that I usually sleep during the nights anyway!
With exceptional characters, brilliant plot, this book has the credibility to leave the reader with a lot to think about. The story gets better and better with the unexpected twists and the intriguing story. It's a one of a kind book that I enjoyed cover to cover.
I picked up the book without even reading a synopsis, because that's how I go for a lot of books, but this one is definitely a special read. I fell in love with that brilliant cover as soon as I saw it. I'm in awe of the author's imagination and the world-building, a very important aspect in fantasy novels. A one-hundred percent entertainer with no dull moments! A gripping fantasy tale set in a society run by women and where men do the everyday tasks, that will certainly leave the reader craving for more, because there is a lot left to explore!
Sixteen year old thief Ava has to make one last heist, by stealing the pharmaka, before she escapes from the temple city, and the upcoming life of slavery, while she crosses paths with a same-age boy Dom. Due to the pharmaka, the protagonists are stuck with each other. Ava is determined to escape her bondage while Dom has never even imagined a world with freedom!
It's such a gripping book that I finished most of it in two nights. It made me pull up an all-nighter, not that I usually sleep during the nights anyway!
With exceptional characters, brilliant plot, this book has the credibility to leave the reader with a lot to think about. The story gets better and better with the unexpected twists and the intriguing story. It's a one of a kind book that I enjoyed cover to cover.
I picked up the book without even reading a synopsis, because that's how I go for a lot of books, but this one is definitely a special read. I fell in love with that brilliant cover as soon as I saw it. I'm in awe of the author's imagination and the world-building, a very important aspect in fantasy novels. A one-hundred percent entertainer with no dull moments! A gripping fantasy tale set in a society run by women and where men do the everyday tasks, that will certainly leave the reader craving for more, because there is a lot left to explore!
October 19, 2022
A fascinating "small" fantasy story without any heros setting out to defeat evil and save the world. The story takes place in a world after an unspecified apocalyptic event in a very much changed society. Not much is explained at first, so it's up to the two main characters Ava, a young girl striving for freedom, and Dom, a boy just a day away from becoming a man, to grab the readers attention for long enough to overcome the initial confusion.
Luckily, Ava and Dom and a small cast of supporting characters are so well written - and sharing the reader's handicap of not knowing very much about the world they live in - that it's a delight to follow their story and discover their world together with them.
Just be aware that this book is part of a series that is yet to come and therefore there is no ending that resolves all the mysteries and storylines, so if you are looking for a standalone book with a satisfying finale where all questions are answered and the whole story is told, then this is not for you.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Luckily, Ava and Dom and a small cast of supporting characters are so well written - and sharing the reader's handicap of not knowing very much about the world they live in - that it's a delight to follow their story and discover their world together with them.
Just be aware that this book is part of a series that is yet to come and therefore there is no ending that resolves all the mysteries and storylines, so if you are looking for a standalone book with a satisfying finale where all questions are answered and the whole story is told, then this is not for you.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 20, 2022
I had read Realms Unreel 10 years ago and more or less remember nothing about it - except that it had an ethereal feel and that I really enjoyed it.
The Voice in All has the same ethereal feel, with a captivating story and great prose. I'm not even close to an expert in writing so I can't write more about why, but I really enjoy the way Audrey Auden writes. I loved how the characters are developed and how they grow throughout the story and the ending, while leaving more, was a relatively satisfying conclusion and quite exciting way to wrap things up for this first book.
The author has created a very interesting universe and I can't wait to read the next book and/or the updated version of Realms Unreel!
I received a free copy of the book from the author. Based on how much I enjoyed Realms Unreel, I would have likely bought The Voice in All on release anyways :)
The Voice in All has the same ethereal feel, with a captivating story and great prose. I'm not even close to an expert in writing so I can't write more about why, but I really enjoy the way Audrey Auden writes. I loved how the characters are developed and how they grow throughout the story and the ending, while leaving more, was a relatively satisfying conclusion and quite exciting way to wrap things up for this first book.
The author has created a very interesting universe and I can't wait to read the next book and/or the updated version of Realms Unreel!
I received a free copy of the book from the author. Based on how much I enjoyed Realms Unreel, I would have likely bought The Voice in All on release anyways :)
November 22, 2022
I mean it most positively imaginable when I say that the author's tale and the universe they constructed are both unique. For readers to feel appreciated for their time spent delving into the novel, there has to be a balance between mystery and explanation. I believe the author achieved this balance. It is a fantastical journey that investigates the nature of human connection and the forces that influence awareness. It's up to the two main characters, Ava, a young girl seeking independence, and Dom, a boy one day away from becoming a man, to hold the reader's interest for long enough to get over the first bewilderment because not much is revealed at first.
Because it was so fantastic, I finished it in one sitting. I am so interested to see where these characters go from here that I cannot wait to finish this series. I enjoyed the way she switched back and forth throughout the chapters between Ana and Dom's thoughts. Overall, I liked Ava and Dom both. They had likable, relatable personalities. Additionally, both characters' character development can be seen throughout the novel, which I found to be enjoyable. The creation of the universe and the mysterious relationship between our two major characters were both engaging. Separate but inseparable.
The author did a fantastic job illustrating how strong but vulnerable women in positions of authority may be. This tale is action-packed and thought-provoking, taking place in a mythical and enigmatic realm. I entered this one blind, and I believe that's the best course of action. If you want something to stay with you and make you think more deeply, read this one. Because it was so fantastic, I finished it in one sitting. I'm excited to read book 2 of The Artifex and the Muse series by Audrey Auden.
Because it was so fantastic, I finished it in one sitting. I am so interested to see where these characters go from here that I cannot wait to finish this series. I enjoyed the way she switched back and forth throughout the chapters between Ana and Dom's thoughts. Overall, I liked Ava and Dom both. They had likable, relatable personalities. Additionally, both characters' character development can be seen throughout the novel, which I found to be enjoyable. The creation of the universe and the mysterious relationship between our two major characters were both engaging. Separate but inseparable.
The author did a fantastic job illustrating how strong but vulnerable women in positions of authority may be. This tale is action-packed and thought-provoking, taking place in a mythical and enigmatic realm. I entered this one blind, and I believe that's the best course of action. If you want something to stay with you and make you think more deeply, read this one. Because it was so fantastic, I finished it in one sitting. I'm excited to read book 2 of The Artifex and the Muse series by Audrey Auden.
November 22, 2022
The Voice in All was an excellent young adult novel that touched on an arguably dystopian world, in which it's somewhat questionable whether the world is truly dystopian or simply perceived that by some of the cast. Audrey Auden did a wonderful job at showcasing the opposing viewpoints, and richly developing the two main characters. The real test of the series will be how satisfactorily the mysteries of the world are eventually resolved, but overall - an enjoyable read that builds a unique world while not fitting into any specific genre.
October 18, 2022
The Voice in All takes place in an intriguing fictional world that kept me craving answers to my many questions, including what the destruction is, how big the world is, what exactly is the Voice, what does it want, etc. And while I enjoyed the book and found it well written, the lack of insight into my many questions was often frustrating. There needs to be a balance between mystery and explanation so readers feel rewarded for the time they've spent digging into the story and I don't think the author struck the right balance.
My only other complaint is that it didn't feel like a complete story. Obviously, it's intended to be a series, but it felt quite short and its climax didn't feel like a story-end climax, but perhaps a mid-story climax.
Having said that, it was refreshing to read about a society where women dominate and men are left to serve only in their limited roles (though, yes, of course, we're hoping for equality for all).
Though this review may seem negative, I really enjoyed this book and I just wanted more.
Looking forward to the sequel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
My only other complaint is that it didn't feel like a complete story. Obviously, it's intended to be a series, but it felt quite short and its climax didn't feel like a story-end climax, but perhaps a mid-story climax.
Having said that, it was refreshing to read about a society where women dominate and men are left to serve only in their limited roles (though, yes, of course, we're hoping for equality for all).
Though this review may seem negative, I really enjoyed this book and I just wanted more.
Looking forward to the sequel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 23, 2022
A brilliant and beautifully written page turner! The Voice in all tours you through a beautiful and dangerous new world and through the psyche of a young woman coming of age and learning that her world and her role in it are more complicated than she could have dreamed them to be. It is a fantasy adventure that explores the nature of how people are connected to one another and to the forces that shape their consciousness. I loved it!
November 8, 2022
this was an interesting read! I love dual POV books and how the characters started out as friends, then felt like they were on opposing sides and eventually became lovers. Forced proximity trope is one of my favs. There is sex in this book so definitely for older teens but I’d say it does still fall under YA. There’s also queer representation which I love, I was really invested in the other girls. Also has a women run society.
November 18, 2022
It has been quite a few years since Realms Unreel that I was excited to see Ms. Auden release another book. This book didn't disappoint. The characters are interesting. The story has enough room to grow and move forward and I felt myself intrigued on what was going to come next. I have questions about the mysterious city and how the lives of Ava and Dom intersect with that city. I really am looking forward to reading the next installment.
November 12, 2022
If you love a fast paced book then this is it. The world building and characters are fabulous and made me want to keep reading. Such a great book. Thank you for my eArc.
October 25, 2022
A creative read! I thoroughly enjoyed "The Voice in All." Ms. Auden skillfully engages the reader in a love story that plays out within a community of strong women lead by The Voice. I liked the way she transitions between Ana and Dom's thoughts within the chapters. Be prepared for an action-packed climax followed by a "Twilight Zone-ish" end that will leave you asking questions and wanting answers. Add this book to your Book Club reading list.
Note: I suggest the author include a list of discussion questions to assist Book Clubs members to exchange ideas.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Note: I suggest the author include a list of discussion questions to assist Book Clubs members to exchange ideas.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 30, 2024
I greatly enjoyed reading The Voice in All - The Artifex and the Muse: Book 1. I love the unique world building and magical system that Audrey Auden has created. I appreciated the way in which as the story progresses you uncover new and interesting elements of the world, how its society operates, and tantalizing glimpses of its history and universe. I loved the vividness of the descriptions and sensations of the characters and environments. I appreciated the plot which was not predictable and was a delight to be completely caught up in its current to where it might lead next. Audrey Auden has created a cast of characters with a rich personalities, backgrounds and great character development. The main characters are likable and interesting, leading me to become invested in their story and to have a page turning desire to find out what happens next. I am eager to read the next chapter of the story in The Path of Mysteries- The Artifex and the Muse: Book 2.
Although I received an advance review copy for free, this is my honest feedback regarding this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I also greatly enjoyed and heartily recommend Realms Unreel by Audrey Auden!
Although I received an advance review copy for free, this is my honest feedback regarding this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I also greatly enjoyed and heartily recommend Realms Unreel by Audrey Auden!
November 30, 2022
"𝑻𝒐 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒃𝒚 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒖𝒏𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔."
It is a fine book with a bit of mythology involving, I am just not sure which, or if it's of imagination. The novel is of dual POVs entirely, alternating between Ava's and Dom's, the two main characters of the series.
The synopsis is that Ava, a sixteen-year-old girl, is given a job by her mother to steal a substance from a High Priestess, which goes sideways unlike any other times, and ends up in a complicated situation, along with getting stuck with Dom, another sixteen-year-old (and a good lad) who awaits to know what the future holds for him.
One of the main things I enjoyed is the concept of telepathy between Ava and Dom, which was very fun to read, which is also one of my favorite tropes, if I may add. Also the one-boy-stuck-among-many-girls trope was hilarious, especially when in Dom's pov.
The beginning of the story and all was good, kind of piqued my curiosity, but as I kept reading, I found it difficult to grasp what was going on or what was being said and done.. It seemed like it lacked some much needed introduction for proper understanding of the story.
Other than that, the story is a bit slow going, but maybe because this is the first book of a series and more and important matters will be coming along in the sequel(s). Maybe if I had known the background of the mythology that was used as the theme, I may have grasped the book more easily and enjoyed it a lot more. There are quite a few paragraph-level-talking in this book which gets mundane and boring while reading.
The final couple chapters were thrilling and exciting to read, and now I want to fast forward and take a peek into the second novel to see what is there next although the sequel to The Voice in All is yet to come.
I would place this novel among young adults and plus as there are mentions and speeches regarding some mature topics. All in all it was a fine read, and I would rate this novel 3✨ out of 5.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It is a fine book with a bit of mythology involving, I am just not sure which, or if it's of imagination. The novel is of dual POVs entirely, alternating between Ava's and Dom's, the two main characters of the series.
The synopsis is that Ava, a sixteen-year-old girl, is given a job by her mother to steal a substance from a High Priestess, which goes sideways unlike any other times, and ends up in a complicated situation, along with getting stuck with Dom, another sixteen-year-old (and a good lad) who awaits to know what the future holds for him.
One of the main things I enjoyed is the concept of telepathy between Ava and Dom, which was very fun to read, which is also one of my favorite tropes, if I may add. Also the one-boy-stuck-among-many-girls trope was hilarious, especially when in Dom's pov.
The beginning of the story and all was good, kind of piqued my curiosity, but as I kept reading, I found it difficult to grasp what was going on or what was being said and done.. It seemed like it lacked some much needed introduction for proper understanding of the story.
Other than that, the story is a bit slow going, but maybe because this is the first book of a series and more and important matters will be coming along in the sequel(s). Maybe if I had known the background of the mythology that was used as the theme, I may have grasped the book more easily and enjoyed it a lot more. There are quite a few paragraph-level-talking in this book which gets mundane and boring while reading.
The final couple chapters were thrilling and exciting to read, and now I want to fast forward and take a peek into the second novel to see what is there next although the sequel to The Voice in All is yet to come.
I would place this novel among young adults and plus as there are mentions and speeches regarding some mature topics. All in all it was a fine read, and I would rate this novel 3✨ out of 5.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 27, 2026
This story starts as YADF/fantasy, as we meet Ava and Dom, who were raised at a temple and are nearing the age when their fates are about to be decided in a ritual. Like all men, Dom is forbidden from practicing the arts or scholarship and is expected to join a life of manual labor. Ava would be supposed to join the priestesses, the Mohirai; but she was previously kidnapped from the temple by her mother, who opened the girl's eyes to the Mohirai's controlling techniques. Ava and her mother are about to depart for a land of free people, away from the controlling Voice in All, but an accident (of course!) changes their plans.
The story is told in alternating POVs of Ava and Dom, and their relationship is just so cute. (Actually, the way in which two other characters join this relationship from time to time is also extremely cute, but I gather from the ending that this story is, after all, primarily about Ava and Dom.) The storytelling is on the slower side: not that much happens here, mostly laying the groundwork for whatever comes next. I am not very far into the second volume yet, so I cannot judge the entire trilogy or quartet as a single composition, only that it seemed like the groundwork was being laid... just to have it all upended pretty much at the end of the first volume, leaving us wondering what kind of world — and even what genre — we are in after all.
4.5 stars.
(This was not an ARC, but the copy was free to grab and spread the word. The opinion is my own.)
The story is told in alternating POVs of Ava and Dom, and their relationship is just so cute. (Actually, the way in which two other characters join this relationship from time to time is also extremely cute, but I gather from the ending that this story is, after all, primarily about Ava and Dom.) The storytelling is on the slower side: not that much happens here, mostly laying the groundwork for whatever comes next. I am not very far into the second volume yet, so I cannot judge the entire trilogy or quartet as a single composition, only that it seemed like the groundwork was being laid... just to have it all upended pretty much at the end of the first volume, leaving us wondering what kind of world — and even what genre — we are in after all.
4.5 stars.
(This was not an ARC, but the copy was free to grab and spread the word. The opinion is my own.)
November 9, 2022
🌼The Voice In All by Audrey Auden🌼
🌼Blurb🌼
An action-packed, thought-provoking romantic fantasy set in a richly imagined world of myth and mystery
Sixteen-year-old thief Ava must set sail for the new world tonight to escape the life of servitude that awaits every child who comes of age in the temple city. All that stands between her and a life of freedom is one last job: stealing the pharmaka to pay for her passage west. She’s stolen from the mysterious priestesses countless times before. What could possibly go wrong?
On the other side of the temple city, sixteen-year-old field hand Dom bids a final farewell to the only home he’s ever known. The priestesses have promised he’ll find purpose in the life of hard labor that lies ahead of him, and he hopes they’re right. What other choice does he have?
🌼Review🌼
This book was incredible! It is so creative and imaginative, and unlike anything I’ve ever read. I loved this world and grew a quick bond with Ava and Dom, whose relationship was so unique and unforgettable. I had so much fun reading this and am now eagerly looking forward to book 2!
Thank you to @audreyauden @bookinfluencerscom for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review
Review with photo can be found at:
https://www.instagram.com/find.tessa....
🌼Blurb🌼
An action-packed, thought-provoking romantic fantasy set in a richly imagined world of myth and mystery
Sixteen-year-old thief Ava must set sail for the new world tonight to escape the life of servitude that awaits every child who comes of age in the temple city. All that stands between her and a life of freedom is one last job: stealing the pharmaka to pay for her passage west. She’s stolen from the mysterious priestesses countless times before. What could possibly go wrong?
On the other side of the temple city, sixteen-year-old field hand Dom bids a final farewell to the only home he’s ever known. The priestesses have promised he’ll find purpose in the life of hard labor that lies ahead of him, and he hopes they’re right. What other choice does he have?
🌼Review🌼
This book was incredible! It is so creative and imaginative, and unlike anything I’ve ever read. I loved this world and grew a quick bond with Ava and Dom, whose relationship was so unique and unforgettable. I had so much fun reading this and am now eagerly looking forward to book 2!
Thank you to @audreyauden @bookinfluencerscom for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review
Review with photo can be found at:
https://www.instagram.com/find.tessa....
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