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The Challenge: The Dragon's Dove Chronicles Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Kim Iverson Headlee (Author), Kim Headlee (Author), Ruth Urquhart (Narrator),
4.3 out of 5 stars 23 ratings

The gauntlet is thrown. One must die. Refusal is not an option.

Arthur the high king of Breatein has fallen captive of a longtime enemy, the Saxon warrior-princess, Camilla, who lusts to avenge the death of her betrothed at Gyan's hands and will stop at nothing, even the black arts, to achieve her goal. Because Gyan and Arthur have grown estranged, she fears that Arthur may side with Camilla and make her his new queen.

Now Gyan must face all her demons - public as well as private.

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  1. Listening Length
    37 minutes
  2. Author
    Kim Iverson Headlee, see all
  3. Narrator
    Ruth Urquhart
  4. Audible release date
    November 30, 2015
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Pendragon Cove Press
  7. ASIN
    B018EYTWW0
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length 37 minutes
Author Kim Iverson Headlee, Kim Headlee
Narrator Ruth Urquhart
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date November 30, 2015
Publisher Pendragon Cove Press
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B018EYTWW0
Best Sellers Rank #19,441 in Historical Fantasy (Books)

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4.3 out of 5 stars
23 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Jane Jones
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Challenge ~ The Dragon's Dove Chronicles
    Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    'The Challenge ~ The Dragon's Dove Chronicles' is a short story that is will written. It has a beginning that presents a problem, a middle where the problem is analyzed and a resolution and in this case a happy ending. This meets all my criteria of an excellent short story for components. It is also well written and an enjoyable read about a medieval battle between good and evil.

    Gyan is the wife and second to High King of Breatein and he has been captured by the Saxon warrior-princess Camilla and sworn enemy of Gyan. Camilla is using evil spirits to enhance herself in a battle to the death. Gyan calls upon the One God to protect her and....well you will just have to read it to find the ending.
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  • Laura Hernandez
    4.0 out of 5 stars Well Written and Engaging
    Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    4 and 1/2 Stars

    I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review when I signed up for the release blitz tour. I made no guarantee of a favorable review.

    I love reading Arthurian legends so I just had to sign up to host the tour and I am very pleased that I did. My only regret is that it was way to short. The story line moves flawlessly and the author takes the time to ensnare you within her web. The characters are well written and engaging. The fighting sequence was simply amazing and I felt like I was right there cheering Gyan on as she battled Camilla. I also enjoyed the fact that this wasn't a romantic retelling; not that there would have been anything wrong with that but it just would have thrown the story of course.

    This was the first book I've read written by this author and I look forward to seeing what the author comes up with next and how the story will continue.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Mama Reniazen
    5.0 out of 5 stars I Challenge you Not to pick up this ravishing read!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    MAMA'S THOUGHTS:
    This is a true short story- less than half an hour to read, and it is important that you have read Dawn's Flight first if you intend avoid spoilers. That being said, this was another wonderful addition to the Dragon's Dove Chronicles universe, and a great showcase of Gyan's determination to do what's right, even when she isn't totally sure what "right" may be.
    With Headlee's signature attention to detail and period accuracy, The Challenge thrusts you into a whole new type of Arthurian legend- one where the woman are not mere fodder for men's distractions and rivalries, but the true story tellers and bearers of the weight of their world. 4.5 stars for this action packed tale!
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Leigh Anderson
    3.0 out of 5 stars like 6, 000 words) is enjoyable and well-written
    Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2015
    This short story (very short, like 6,000 words) is enjoyable and well-written. However, I don't know why the main character is "Gyan" and not Guinevere. It doesn't really make sense. This is an Arthurian legend, the question about why Guinevere has been re-cast with a new character was very distracting. I couldn't really get into it because I was annoyed that in a story with Arthur and Merlin, Guinevere was missing. I suspect this is actually just a sampling from a much larger work, which may or may not explain Guinevere's absence, but it is presented as a stand-alone short story, so the question was just too big for me to get over.
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  • Liza O'Connor
    5.0 out of 5 stars Will I read future books by Kim Headlee? Without question!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    The Challenge by Kim Iverson Headlee is a superbly written short story about a love thought to be lost forever, but unexpectedly gains new life.

    While Gyan has many reasons to abandon King Arthur and return to her former home, instead she decides to fight the Sorceress who has taken her king, even when he declares even if she wins against the Sorcerss, she will die this day.

    The battle is riveting and the conclusion unexpected but heartwarming. The only complaint I had, is it ended way too soon. I wanted more. The good news is that Kim is writing an 8 book Arthurian series. I for one can't wait!

    I received an ARC for an honest review.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • S. M. Wolfenden
    4.0 out of 5 stars Arthur: An Unknown Tale
    Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I was disappointed in the brief tale. Unaware of the core of the story, I am wondering about the fantasy of this conflict. I thought I had a good grasp of the legends about Arthur, High King of early Britain.
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  • Redrabbitt Reviews
    5.0 out of 5 stars FIGHTING FOR WHAT IS RIGHT
    Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This story kept me captivated and the pages turning. A story old as time, good versus evil. Gyan, the High Queen of Breatein, must confront and fight the Saxon warrior-princess Camilla who is holding her husband, Arthur, the High King captive. The plot twists kept me in constant suspense as decisions must be made, to fight to the death without aid, to allow the archers to intervene, and in the end, what will happen is she is the victor. This is a short story that packs a punch!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mirela-Carmen Stancu
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Rainbow of Feelings
    Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I loved, loved, loved “The Challenge”!
    Inside you can find all kinds of feelings and situations.. disappointment, hate, anger, mystery, fights, wizards and most of all, LOVE.
    The Challenge is another pearl from Kim Headlee! It is a short story that succeeded to bring tears into my eyes and… peace. Finally, love still exist!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • BooksChatter
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Challenge
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 27, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    The Challenge by Kim Iverson Headlee is a short story which is part of The Dragon's Dove Chronicles, an Arthurian series which is slated to comprise of eight books in total.

    This stand-alone vignette, narrated in the third person, follows Gyan (i.e. Gyanhumara, an alternative spelling of Guinevere), Arthur's wife, and it is set after Morning's Journey, the second book.

    Kim Headlee's writing style is very good, with an olde world feel but not overly descriptive and overbearing. Her grammar is impeccable. Plot and character development are also excellent, and in just 22 pages we get a very good glimpse of the Arthurian world, and of who Gyan is - her strength, priorities and morals.

    On the downside, as with many high fantasy titles, I do struggle immensely with most of the names used; I don't know how they should be pronounced, and they are often too long and unusual for me to remember - for example, even Gyan's sword has a name, 'Braonshaffir'. I suppose this is not an issue if you are versed in this genre. For me, and I suspect for anyone who is affected by conditions such as dyspraxia, dyslexia or generally a bad memory, this is rather off-putting and leads me to avoid this type of fiction, although I would otherwise enjoy it.

    Having said that, based on this short tale, I definitely want to know more about Gyan and Arthur and I will at the very least try The Color of Vengeance (The Dragon's Dove Chronicles), another short story extracted from book two which can be downloaded free.

    [ARC received via Goddess Fish Promotions]
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