Legacy of the Brightwash
Tainted Dominion, Book 1
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Legacy of the Brightwash
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Narrated by:
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Paul Woodson
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Felicity Munroe
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Written by:
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Krystle Matar
About this listen
SPFBO Finalist
Stabby Nominee—Best Debut 2021
Stabby Nominee—Best Indie Book 2021
Follow the law and you’ll stay safe. But what if the law is wrong?
Tashué’s faith in the law is beginning to crack. Three years ago, he stood by when the Authority condemned Jason to the brutality of the Rift for non-compliance. When Tashué’s son refused to register as tainted, the laws had to be upheld. He’d never doubted his job as a Regulation Officer before, but three years of watching your son wither away can break down even the strongest convictions.
Then a dead girl washed up on the bank of the Brightwash, tattooed and mutilated. Where had she come from? Who would tattoo a child? Was it the same person who killed her? Why was he the only one who cared?
Will Tashué be able to stand against everything he thought he believed in to get the answers he’s looking for?
©2021 Krystle Matar (P)2022 Podium AudioWhat the critics say
"Legacy of the Brightwash is a grounded, realistic, and surprisingly dark book, but it’s a book with a fundamentally moral lead that keeps the darkness from feeling gratuitous."
-Ryan Howse, Grimdark Magazine
What listeners say about Legacy of the Brightwash
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Millennial Motivator
- 2023-05-22
had a blast
having already read the book it was nice to hear the voice in the emphasis put into the different narratives really well done.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- R-B
- 2023-12-01
Fantastic story, engaging characters
Really enjoyed this book! Can’t wait to listen to the next one. Narrators we’re great as well.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kay’s Hidden Shelf
- 2024-12-13
Intoxicating exploration of humanity in an oppres
4.5/5 Stars
Matar shows just how cruel the world can be, giving a meager shred of light for the broken to cling to. Legacy of the Brightwash begins an intoxicating exploration of humanity in an oppressive society.
First and foremost, this story was beautifully crafted, thoughtfully executed and messy all at the same time. The story opens with the body of a dead girl on the banks of the Brightwash being found by Tashué. A man faithful to the law, and a war veteran now working for The Authority, upholding the very laws which committed his own son to the Rift for non-compliance. In this world, those who are “Tainted” with magical ability are required to register and serve society or be committed to the Rift, creating an oppressive and dystopian setting to this world.
With so many unknowns about the dead girl, Tashué begins an investigation that will crack his faith in the law and make him question everything he’s ever stood for. After all “follow the law and you’ll be safe” is the lasting memory of his late mother. There are so many other questions explored within this story; Where did the girl come from? Why is he the only one who cares? Are the Tainted being treated fairly? How far does corruption go? How far will you go to protect those you love?
Matar also delves into themes of addiction, PTSD, war, corruption, oppression, and conditions that can only be referred to as torture. The world explores the worst of a society that uses the downtrodden to function and just how far they are willing to exploit them.
Since this is a character driven story, it’s told through multiple POV’s. Giving an in depth look at the broken people, their vulnerabilities, fears, struggles and a realistic view into their lives. Tashué, Stella, Ishmale, Jason and so many others do their best to get by, and protect those they love in an unforgiving world. Their arcs are emotional, thoughtfully done and gripping. You can’t help but feel for these characters and it’s evident there is far more going on below the surface for each one. While this is a slow burn story, their backstories are as well, making their developments utterly intriguing.
So, how is Legacy of the Brightwash messy? Well for me that stems from the characters' relationships and romances. These are broken characters, in difficult circumstances and as a result their relationships felt like hot messes much of the time. That’s not to say they were poorly done. On the contrary, they are believable and do justice to the characters. However, romance is not my preference in reading and neither are bed room scenes which are both featured throughout the story. Regardless, it all comes together seamlessly.
What interested me most, was the thoughtful and skillful exploration of humanity in a dark and oppressive world within a gaslamp dystopian setting. Getting an intimate look into so many characters living within this world was fascinating and showcases just how talented Matar’s character work is. By the time I was halfway through, I found myself invested in the characters. Enough to be frustrated with their choices or cheering them on, even if their actions were questionable.
All of this mixed with reveals, twists, and the emotional devastation Legacy of the Brightwash left me with, makes it a memorable read.
I look forward to continuing the series with book 2 and recommend this for any fantasy reader looking for their next chunky read.
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