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The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

M.T. Anderson (Author), Eugene Yelchin (Author), Gildart Jackson (Narrator),
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Uptight elfin historian Brangwain Spurge is on a mission: survive being catapulted across the mountains into goblin territory, deliver a priceless peace offering to their mysterious dark lord, and spy on the goblin kingdom - from which no elf has returned alive in more than 100 years.

Brangwain's host, the goblin archivist Werfel, is delighted to show Brangwain around. They should be the best of friends, but a series of extraordinary double crosses, blunders, and cultural misunderstandings throws these two bumbling scholars into the middle of an international crisis that may spell death for them - and war for their nations.

A hilarious and biting social commentary that could only come from the likes of National Book Award winner M. T. Anderson and Newbery Honoree Eugene Yelchin, this tale is rife with thrilling action and a comic disparity that suggests the ultimate victor in a war is perhaps not who won the battles but who gets to write the history.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

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  1. Listening Length
    5 hours and 25 minutes
  2. Author
    M.T. Anderson, see all
  3. Narrator
    Gildart Jackson
  4. Audible release date
    November 6, 2018
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Dreamscape Media, LLC
  7. ASIN
    B07JVQHPJ2
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 5 hours and 25 minutes
Author M.T. Anderson, Eugene Yelchin
Narrator Gildart Jackson
Audible.com Release Date November 06, 2018
Publisher Dreamscape Media, LLC
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B07JVQHPJ2
Best Sellers Rank #171,157 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#76 in Humorous Fiction & Literature for Teens
#143 in Historical Fantasy for Teens
#150 in Teen Fiction on Racism & Discrimination

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
159 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the illustrations really cool. They also describe the storyline as unique, enjoyable, wise, funny, and uplifting. Readers describe the content as extraordinary and wonderful, delivered subtly with good humor and drama.

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IllustrationsStorylineContent
9 customers mention "Illustrations"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the illustrations in the book cool, subtle, and sophisticated. They also say the story is boring.

"...It's the way it's told, through illustrations that beguile, narrative that at times seems at odds with the illustrations, and the epistolary format..." Read more

"...The composite illustrations are fabulous, and the story should appeal to adults and older kids, great for discussion about what propaganda,..." Read more

"...We all enjoyed it. The illustrations are cool too." Read more

"1. Fun Easy Read2. Some chapters written, others told via beautiful, highly detailed drawings.3. Elves and Goblins4...." Read more

8 customers mention "Storyline"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the storyline enjoyable, remarkable, and rip-roaring fun for kids and adults. They also say the book is delivered subtly with good humor and drama.

"...in ways that might go over some kids' heads, but is still worth the experience. It's not simply the plot that makes this book great...." Read more

"...The composite illustrations are fabulous, and the story should appeal to adults and older kids, great for discussion about what propaganda,..." Read more

"This is an enjoyable, quick read (I just did the last 250 pages in one sitting) with deep significance and a lot to discuss...." Read more

"This book is a great ride. Fun to read and filled with sarcasm & spirit. Our 6th grader read it twice - the second time out loud to me...." Read more

6 customers mention "Content"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the content extraordinary, clever, thought-provoking, and wonderful. They also say the book is great for discussions about propaganda, perception, and friendship.

"...What a great, fun adventure! It's clever in ways that might go over some kids' heads, but is still worth the experience...." Read more

"...the story should appeal to adults and older kids, great for discussion about what propaganda, perception and friendship mean...." Read more

"This is a funny and intriguing book with a very cool & different perspective while telling its story - which is the point! Loved the illustrations." Read more

"This is one unique and enjoyable fantastical story that every reader should indulge in reading. I loved it as did my 13 year old son." Read more

Well Made Book - Clever Concept
5 out of 5 stars
Well Made Book - Clever Concept
1. Fun Easy Read2. Some chapters written, others told via beautiful, highly detailed drawings.3. Elves and Goblins4. Story of finding common ground/working together/how similar we all are.5. Funny6. Friendships building theme
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Top reviews from the United States

Debnev
5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary!
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2019
Verified Purchase
I bought this for my 11-year-old grandson, who loved it. I then read it myself so we could discuss it, and had a blast! What a great, fun adventure! It's clever in ways that might go over some kids' heads, but is still worth the experience. It's not simply the plot that makes this book great. It's the way it's told, through illustrations that beguile, narrative that at times seems at odds with the illustrations, and the epistolary format of (unintentionally hilarious) letters to the Elf King from one of his henchmen. All of these elements advance the plot, but they are full of their own charms and mysteries. In all, the story is about fear of "the other," how easy it is to misinterpret other cultures, the search for truth in conflicting histories, and the absurdities of war, all infused with some astute observations about the wealth and power. But it's also about the power of friendship and love, of course. Sophisticated, wise, funny, and ultimately uplifting. And the drawings are absolutely mind-boggling.
7 people found this helpful
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Kyra Molitor
5.0 out of 5 stars Remarkable book
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is very funny, thought-provoking, subtle and terrific. The composite illustrations are fabulous, and the story should appeal to adults and older kids, great for discussion about what propaganda, perception and friendship mean. I loved this and am sending it to my son and his family to enjoy together.
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Molly Lazer
4.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable meditation on history--and who gets to write it.
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2019
Verified Purchase
This is an enjoyable, quick read (I just did the last 250 pages in one sitting) with deep significance and a lot to discuss. This would be a good addition to a middle or upper elementary school classroom library, or it could be used in a social studies classroom as an entry point to discussing how history books are written--and who gets to write them. Anderson's worldbuilding is extremely impressive, and Yelchin's art equally so. I wish I had been able to see images of what the goblin society ACTUALLY looked like--but, of course, this is the point of the book.
4 people found this helpful
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Ruby
5.0 out of 5 stars A Dark Comedy About Diplomacy
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2019
Verified Purchase
Very much a book of our times, covering perceptions of cultural differences and how the shared histories of two nations can challenge the reality of the other. I loved it and all the kids I've recommended it to have also enjoyed it.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Rip roaring fun for kids and adults
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2019
Verified Purchase
This book is a great ride. Fun to read and filled with sarcasm & spirit. Our 6th grader read it twice - the second time out loud to me. We all enjoyed it. The illustrations are cool too.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
JJ Langlois
5.0 out of 5 stars Well Made Book - Clever Concept
Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2019
Verified Purchase
1. Fun Easy Read
2. Some chapters written, others told via beautiful, highly detailed drawings.
3. Elves and Goblins
4. Story of finding common ground/working together/how similar we all are.
5. Funny
6. Friendships building theme
Customer image
JJ Langlois
5.0 out of 5 stars Well Made Book - Clever Concept
Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2019
1. Fun Easy Read
2. Some chapters written, others told via beautiful, highly detailed drawings.
3. Elves and Goblins
4. Story of finding common ground/working together/how similar we all are.
5. Funny
6. Friendships building theme
Images in this review
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2 people found this helpful
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Mark
5.0 out of 5 stars Love it
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2021
Verified Purchase
Funky. Creative. Very different. The entire family (2 kids 2 adults) enjoyed this book thoroughly.
highly recommend ....
One person found this helpful
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Samantha
5.0 out of 5 stars Next tattoo?
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2019
Verified Purchase
This is a funny and intriguing book with a very cool & different perspective while telling its story - which is the point! Loved the illustrations.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating fantasy
Reviewed in Canada on November 9, 2018
Verified Purchase
What an unusual, delightful book! The illustrations grabbed me immediately, then the written story drew me further in. It's fantasy and can be enjoyed simply as a story of two very different characters becoming friends, but there is so much more going on. I shall treasure this one and it will be re-read.
One person found this helpful
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Gabriella V.
5.0 out of 5 stars Bellissime illustrazioni e divertente
Reviewed in Italy on April 10, 2019
Verified Purchase
Per chi come me mastica poco inglese, trovo che il livello d'inglese sia più che accessibile, aiutato anche da disegni divertenti e belli da guardare. La copertina attrae i curiosi, perchè è assolutamente particolare.
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annabelle evans
1.0 out of 5 stars Damaged
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 4, 2019
Verified Purchase
The book was damaged and dirty. The quality is not new as stated. This was a Christmas present for my nephew. Not impressed.
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annabelle evans
1.0 out of 5 stars Damaged
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 4, 2019
The book was damaged and dirty. The quality is not new as stated. This was a Christmas present for my nephew. Not impressed.
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