The Twice-Dead King: Reign by Nate Crowley

The Twice-Dead King: Reign

A macabre throne built on bones and betrayal

Written byNate Crowley
Narrated byRichard Reed
Length12h03m
Release dateJanuary 15, 2022
LanguageEnglish
★★★★☆ 4.8 (5 ratings)

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Quick Facts

AuthorNate Crowley
NarratorRichard Reed
Runtime12h03m
PublishedJanuary 15, 2022
Rating★★★★☆ 4.8 / 5 (5 ratings)
CategoriesScience Fiction & Fantasy, Fantasy, Epic, Military
FormatAudiobook (Digital)
PlatformAudible

About This Audiobook

This isn’t your grandfather’s fantasy epic—Crowley’s *The Twice-Dead King: Reign* wrenches the genre into a pulp-noir nightmare where necromantic royalty claw their way up from the grave. Oltyx, the skeletal usurper, rules an empire of the dead with the grudging loyalty of a skeleton court that’d sell him out for a fresh ribcage. The worldbuilding is grotesque and brilliant: think Jeff VanderMeer’s fungi-choked surrealism meets *Game of Thrones*’ backstabbing dynasties, with a healthy splash of *Reign of Terror* energy. Crowley’s prose is dense with invention—every page drips with the stink of necrotic politics and the clatter of bone armor. The audiobook, narrated by Richard Reed, amplifies this with a gravelly, sardonic voice that could narrate a noir detective series in another life. Reed doesn’t just read the lines; he *inhabits* them, shifting between Oltyx’s hollow arrogance and the wheezing desperation of his courtiers with eerie precision. The result is an audiobook that feels less like a performance and more like a séance—if the dead had a caustic sense of humor.

Tags: necromancer king fantasydark pulp fantasy audiobookRichard Reed narrationskeletal court intriguecosmic horror tinged fantasy

Why Listen to The Twice-Dead King: Reign?

  • Expert narration by Richard Reed brings every character and scene to life across 12h03m of immersive audio.
  • Highly rated at 4.8 stars by 5 listeners.
  • Free with your Audible trial — keep the audiobook forever even if you cancel.
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Editor's Review ★★★★☆

AudioBook Atlas

Richard Reed’s narration alone makes this audiobook worth the listen—his voice crackles with the same weary menace as a detective who’s seen too much, which is perfect for Oltyx’s deadpan, nihilistic reign. The first act is a masterclass in slow-burn tension: Crowley’s world feels alive (or undead, as it were) in a way few fantasy novels manage, with enough political intrigue to make Machiavelli blush. Oltyx’s court is a delightfully toxic menagerie of the ambitious dead, each character dripping with personality, even when they’re just skeletal hands clutching a poisoned chalice. My biggest critique? The middle act drags a bit when Crowley indulges in too much internal monologue from Oltyx—a habit that makes the pacing feel sluggish, like a corpse trying to sprint in a lead-lined robe. That said, the payoff is worth it. The finale is a masterstroke of escalating horror and dark humor, with Reed’s performance reaching a fever pitch that left me cackling in the dark. Minor pacing hiccups aside, this is a fantasy audiobook that demands repeat listens—just maybe not on a full stomach.

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The Twice-Dead King: Reign by Nate Crowley is an immersive listening experience. Performed by Richard Reed with a runtime of 12h03m, you can start with a free trial that you can cancel at any time. The audiobook remains yours forever, even if you end the trial.