My Rating: 
Author: Richard Matheson
Narrator: Bronson Pinchot
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Length: 8 hrs 27 min
Unabridged
My Review: Richard Matheson has entertained the masses for over 60 years! He received the World Fantasy Award in 1984 for Lifetime Achievement and was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2010. So needless to say, any new release from Mr. Matheson will be eagerly anticipated.
Told from the perspective of Arthur White (aka Arthur Black) who is reflecting back on his previous 82 years. Matheson begins Other Kingdoms by showing us the horrors of life in the trenches of World War I. While in the trenches, Arthur forms a strong bond with Harold Lightfoot from Gatford, England. Harold’s description of the “gorgeous” land of Gatford gets under Arthur’s skin and compels him to seek out the town of Gatford after he is injured during an attack on his trench.
Finding Gatford turns out to be a little harder than Arthur had anticipated but once he arrives he is stunned by the view. Arthur’s stay in Gatford soon takes a dark turn when he begins to cross paths with a witch and a forest full of faeries.
Arthur quickly finds himself embroiled in a love triangle with two spurned females. So when Arthur begins to be attacked in the night by mysterious forces he is unsure which of his partners is to blame.
Audio Production: As I have mentioned in previous posts (See Matterhorn and Blood Oath reviews), I have become a big fan of Bronson Pinchot’s narration. As usual I was impressed by Bronson’s ability to amplify every nuance and shading while effortlessly switching back and forth between characters.
Early on in the novel I remember meeting the character of Harold for the first time.. when he began to speak I almost picked up the audiobook case to verify that it wasn’t a full cast narration.
Overall: Good book with great narration and audiobook production. Other Kingdoms makes for a very interesting trip into the land of faerie and black magic. At times the repeated pronouncement from the 82 yr old Arthur White that “Every word is true” and the all too often “Arthur Black Combos” (references to alliteration) seem to pull you out of the story. However, with all things considered Other Kingdoms is still a very robust novel that will enlighten, horrify and entertain fans of the genre.
Get your copy at one of the following locations:
Direct from Blackstone Audio: Other Kingdoms
Audible.com: Other Kingdoms
Disclosure: I received this audiobook as a review copy from the publisher
