Mantles of Oak and Iron by Jenelle Leanne Schmidt – That’s What I’m Talking About…

Audiobook review: Mantles of Oak and Iron by Jenelle Leanne Schmidt

After the events of The Orb and the Airship, the Igyeum and the Telmondir are on the brink of war, evil is rising, and the friends must all do their parts from those headed to military training, a mysterious mystic mentor, and to a dashing pirate captain.

Jenelle L Schmidt harkens listeners/readers back into a swashbuckling adventuresome brotherhood of friends classic-style fantasy. The Turrim world has grown as Grayden and his training friends, Wynn and Beren, ventured out in it and expands yet more as the storms of war draw everyone in. Old world evil and good, mysterious Dalmir is in the middle of this political plotting and intrigue among the leaders- hoping to redeem himself after dropping the ball on his watch- as opposing sides are slowly maneuvering like pieces on a giant chess board to clash once again. Of course, the underdog free part of the world is holding strong. Just.

My delight continues to be our daring, swashbuckling pirate, Captain Marik, whose conscience has worked on him and is leading him to an important choice. Will he join the fray and act for the good of others or continue along his own path with his intrepid airship and crew? He has seen what happens when he stood and watched evil go unopposed.

More characters, plot, and world building are added. And, adventure for the new cadets- out there in the sticks surviving on cany wilderness lore and luck. Grayden emerges forged and growing as a leader.

I confess to have been a little lost at first (apparently, my memory needs help) as I recalled who was who and who was doing what at the end of The Orb and the Airship, but this didn’t last long, fortunately as the story engulfed me once again.

The story itself is cleverly built and plotted taking its time, not complicated, but full of thoughtful depth as the battle is not just of a physical nature, but mental and spiritual. There are multiple points of views as the main character groups are spreading out now and this, too, gives the world of Turrim a larger feel.

And, bless Benjamin Fife, the narrator who takes this growing cast of mostly male and mostly young characters to give them unique voices and livens the tale enhancing the wit, the situation, and the flavor of the characters. I am glad he continues to narrate the series and has a really strong connection to the style of storytelling needed.

While I loved the first book, Mantles of Oak and Iron solidified my satisfaction for this treasure of a fantasy series. One cannot help, but need more by the point this one comes to its suspenseful, ominous end.

My Ratings
Story: A
Narration: A

Sophia Rose

About the Book:

Grayden thought he had four years to decide his future… he was wrong.

War is imminent. The Igyeum has already begun incursions across Telmondir’s borders. The headmaster of the military academy issues a new all students will be fast-tracked through the program. They will be full-fledged defenders by the end of the year. But when a training exercise turns deadly, Grayden must keep his head and become the leader his friends need.

Captain Marik has witnessed evil beyond imagining. Enough to make him sign on to the wizard Dalmir’s cause. But will the council of the west accept a pirate among their ranks? And will Marik’s crew join this mission, or will they consider him a traitor to all they once stood for?

Meanwhile, deep in the mountains lurks a hidden danger that threatens them all.

Author: Jenelle Leanne Schmidt
Narrator: Benjamin Fife
Series: Turrim Archive #2
Genre: Fantasy
Audiobook Release Date: January 11, 2024
Publisher: self-published
Length: 14 Hours/ 30 mins
Source: Narrator
Audio Speed: 1.2x