The Orphans of New Lur

The Anterra Collection, Book 1

By: Blake Vanier

Narrated by: Kristian Eros

Nero is deeply in need of a bit of courage, but when a mysterious new friend offers guidance and training, Nero risks losing his mind.

New Lur is the ruins of a once-great city handed down to the humans by the technologically superior Erohsian race. This ramshackle town is also the home and playground of five carefree orphans. Well, four anyway. Nero endures irrational fear and night terrors while struggling to forge a bond with his happy-go-lucky foster siblings.

One day, they find five canisters containing Aether weapons engineered by the rebel group Catalyst. Several of the children unwittingly risk life and sanity by bonding with the essences within, thrilled to discover new powers. Nero tries to bond with an essence, as well but is overwhelmed by its will to exist.

When he comes to, the essence is gone, yet something is different... something new is present. Before he can ponder the consequences, the children discover the Erohsians descending on their town, looking for the weapons. With their home ransacked and their foster mom missing, the children must flee New Lur and cope with the tensions of an escalating race war. Along the way, they meet tricksters, slavers, a woman of uncommon abilities, and their champion, Sosimo. Through all, they must bond as a true family if they are to survive. One constant remains; Nero's nurturing yet treacherous friend from the canister.

©2019 Blake Vanier (P)2021 Blake Vanier

best ever!

I'm not much of a reader but this one had me hooked! great story and the narrator's voice was great!

Author/Narrator

I really enjoyed the attention to detail the author exhibited in this audiobook! I also enjoyed the fact that he read the prelude himself!
Kristian’s voice is very dynamic and I relished in listening to the direction he took the voices in!!
I highly recommend this audiobook

Good listen!

I enjoyed the story and the narration. It took about one minute to attune to a new-to-me narrator and I’m in awe at how well he brought the story to life. Great range of giving voice to so many characters with distinct voices. I’m looking forward to more books by either the author or narrator.

The overall theme of the book seems to be rising to the occasion and overcoming personal challenges. Comforting and inspiring in March of 2021.

Great story and voicemail performance is great.

I really enjoyed learning about the world the author created. it was engaging and entertaining. I really liked the voice performance as well. I will start book two soon.

Exciting Story, great combo world of Scfi/Fantasy

In a brilliant combination of fantasy and scifi we follow young Nero and his friends on a journey of discovery in a magical world.
I am so excited for the second book, and cannot wait to see Nero and the crew grow into this world and into their powers even more!

Why would I recommended it?

-Characters: the characters are fun, individual, and have captivating interaction throughout the book.
The world: this a sci-fi fantasy crossover has much to explore including creepy forests and islands of ancient runes that (we hope) to explore more.

-Politics: The characters explore different cultures and conflicts, simple to grasp, compelling, yet effective in moving the plot. (and I'm rooting for the rebels)

-Audiobook Narrator: Consistent, wide variety of voices. I read some on my kindle and then began to listen to this audiobook, and Kristian Eros did a better job than my imagination in bringing the characters to life.

I'll be jumping right into book two. See you there 🖐️