Review: The Lavender Blade by E.L. Deards, performed by Nicholas Boulton
The Lavender Blade is the first book in the An Exorcist’s Chronicle series by E.L. Deards and features a great mix of dark magic, danger, and queer romance, which sets up its world quickly and confidently.
The story is well written and always keeps the focus on the characters and their emotions. It follows two men who make their living by performing fake exorcisms for rich clients. Their partnership works well enough until one of them ends up truly possessed by a real demon.
That’s when things change as the tricks, the rehearsed lines, and the staged rituals stop being enough, and the situation becomes very real and very dangerous.
The audiobook makes all this even more intriguing and entertaining thanks to a stellar narration by Nicholas Boulton. He’s a highly experienced British actor with a background in theatre, radio, and video games, trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Early in his career, he won the BBC Carleton Hobbs Award, and he’s now known as one of the top voices in the audiobook world. On top of all that, he has recently been named a “Golden Voice” by AudioFile Magazine.
His performance in The Lavender Blade by E.L. Deards is excellent. He brings energy, emotion, and real depth to both main characters. His narration moves smoothly between tension, intimacy, and quiet vulnerability, and he gives each character a distinct presence. It’s the kind of stage skill that enhances every scene and keeps you fully engaged.
If you enjoy queer paranormal romance with atmosphere, emotion, enhanced by a perfect performance, then The Lavender Blade is an easy recommendation, even more so in audiobook format!
Victor Dima
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