The Arrival: The Evaran Chronicles Prequel
Written by: Adair Hart
Narrated by: Michael Pauley
Length: 2 hrs and 55 mins
Series: Evaran Chronicles, Book 0.5
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:05-02-16
Publisher: Quantum Edge Publishing
Genre: Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0
Publisher's Summary
Jake Melkins is a few months away from turning 21. By the Seceltor Empire's laws, he will have to go to a breeding camp, or directly into slavery. Neither choice appeals to him. All this changes with the arrival of a space-and-time-traveling being known as Evaran at the space-station-turned-rest-stop that Jake lives on.
To make things complicated, Greecho, the slaver who abducted Jake as a kid, has arrived at the station. He and his crew, along with his 22-year-old human pet, Kathy, are about to go on a slave run to Earth.
Evaran has decided to interfere and free Jake and Kathy. That decision will lead him to Earth, where he will need to deal with the consequences.
©2016 Adair Hart (P)2016 Adair Hart
Review:
Evaran is a unique man with high tech capabilities who is acting as a one-man bounty hunter. He is delivering the top criminals to a major penal facility. They don’t understand how he is succeeding in capturing these dangerous men but they are glad to see them behind bars. Meanwhile Evaran is searching for genes and dna to lead him to a certain human species from a distant planet.
Jake will soon turn 21 and he is worried about his limited options. He will be taken to a breeding camp to serve as a breeder, or if he refuses, he will be sold off as a slave. He has thought of escaping but that would put his stepfather at risk of retaliation by Greecho who is the alien slaver who abducted Jake and his mother from their home planet when Jake was just a child. That planet was Earth which is supposed to be protected from slavers but has those who share in corruption and look the other way.
When Evaran stops off at the outpost space station that is run by Jake’s stepfather, he is surprised by the human boy. This boy has the features that Evaran has been seeking. Evaran helps restore some mechanized robots and is still at the station when Greecho makes a visit. Evaran doesn’t like Greecho and is particularly disturbed by the way he treats a human woman, Kathy, as his pet. Evaran decides he will take on the problem of Greecho and help Jake and Kathy escape even though they know they will have to face an angry Greecho again.
I enjoyed the mystery that is a big part of Evaran’s character and I loved the fact that he is a 'good guy' enforcer willing to help others. Jake is a smart, hardworking and direct young man who is a likeable character. There is plenty of action that helps to keep the story moving forward with interest. Evaran has lots of great technology tools and his sidekick AI is a character in itself. This story is a short prequel to more adventures with Evaran and it tweaked my interest so I would like to listen to the full stories. This would appeal to readers who enjoy sci fi and alien worlds.
Audio Notes: Michael Pauley does a very good job with the different voices and projecting the mystery of Evaran. His narration enhanced my enjoyment and I would like to listen to more titles he narrates.
I received this title from the author through AudioBook Boom. It qualifies for Audiobook Challenge.
