Audible Book Review: Eden's Gate: The Reborn A LitRPG Adventure, Book 1 by Edward Brody

I picked this for the LitRPG factor. It was engaging distraction while I was dozing on and off.
Eden's Gate: The Reborn
A LitRPG Adventure, Book 1
By: Edward Brody
Narrated by: Pavi Proczko

Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins
Release date: 03-30-17
Publisher: Edward Brody
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, LitRPG
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's summary
When Gunnar Long is transported into the first fully-immersive virtual MMORPG, he finds himself in a new world filled with magic, mystery, and adventure.
No more 9-to-5 job. No more studio apartment. No more reality TV.
Finally, he's in a place where he can call home, a place with people he can call friends.
But as more people want to trade their real world lives to get inside Eden's Gate, the government of the outside world wants the "game" shut down at all costs.
Gunnar must learn to survive, grow in power, and find a way to send a message back to his old home.
"We're fine. We're alive. Eden's Gate is real."
Eden's Gate is a LitRPG adventure.
©2017 Edward Brody (P)2017 Edward Brody

Review:
Gunnar is pretty much a loner except for his girlfriend. He enjoys role playing games (RPGs) and is excited when the latest fully immersive virtual game and headset tech are released. He and his girlfriend are quick to put the headsets on agreeing to compare notes in 30 minutes. Gunnar arrives in a cave and has to start fighting his way out. It doesn't take long before Gunnar discovers he can’t exit the game. He is frustrated by what he thinks is a glitch and contemplates how he can find his girlfriend.

Fortunately, a battered Gunnar stumbles into an NPC (non-playing character) who helps him recover and begins to explain the world he finds himself in. As time and challenges go by, it becomes more and more clear that Gunnar can die and be reborn at his last base spot but he can’t find a way to exit the game.

Interspersed with the adventures are ‘real life’ efforts to shut down the game before more people commit life suicide in exchange for a game life. Can the living authorities be convinced that the players are basically “alive” within the game before the plug is pulled?

I enjoyed the leveling up process even though there is a little too much repetition of stats for the RPG. I liked how Gunnar learns how to accept help, honor friendship, and work with others for successes. There are interesting monsters and allies as the adventure moves forward and there is an intense race to save the game from being shut off.

There is some foul language but not excessive. The world, characters, and battles are entertaining and I recommend this to fans of the LitRPG genre.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the narration by Pavi Proczko. His voice fits the primary character and he provided distinct accents for the other characters as well. The delivery is steady and the audio enhanced my enjoyment of the work.

Source: 3/31/19 High Five Audible Sale title - $5.00. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goal.

Audio Book Review: The Poisoned Princess: Warders Book 1 by Armen Pogharian

I enjoyed this creative story involving a young protagonist and secret guardians.
The Poisoned Princess: Warders Book 1
by Armen Pogharian
Narrated by: Michelle Babb

Length: 6hr 16 min
Publisher: Armen Pogharian
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Sword & Sorcery
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Forced to leave the elven forest because of his barbarian heritage, half-elven Toran finds work in a rundown tavern in Eridan’s thieves’ quarter. Combining his keen elven senses and barbarian battle skills, he thwarts an assassination attempt on a visiting princess and earns an invitation to join the secret protectors of Eridan, known as the Warders.

Review:
Toran is shunned by his elven family because he is of mixed blood. His non-elven nature makes the others afraid that he will not be able to control his barbarian strengths as he grows into them. His uncle finds him work in a town where mixed blood is accepted. Toran inadvertently thwarts an assassination attempt on the Princess. He has a lot to learn but others quickly recognize that he is skilled and is a willing and apt student. He is accepted into a secret group of guardians, or warders, who protect the royal family. His skills and the mixed group of warders around him, dwarfs, elves, and those yielding magic, soon find their skills needed in earnest.

A handful of the warders, including Toran, must journey fast and far to get an antidote to save the poisoned Princess. They face many surprising evils and dangers including the Kraken and Barbarians. If they can retrieve the necessary ingredients, can they get back in time to save the life of the Princess?

I was engaged by this creative story. I liked the personalities and skills of the different characters, even the villains. The dangers they face might not be totally unique, but the battles and resolutions made sense. I would enjoy more adventures in this series.

Audio Notes: I have enjoyed this author and narrator on other middle grade stories and was pleased to accept the offer of an audio code. I do have to get used to Michelle Babb's voice especially when I start one of the children’s stories. But I soon settle into the tone and voices of the characters. I think the author and narrator make a good match. I had slight trouble with the Spotify App as it seemed to freeze at the end of each chapter. Once I figured out how to go back and click from the main screen I was not frustrated by that glitch. I enjoyed listening to this story and appreciate the opportunity to listen and to share this review.

Source: July 8 Audio Code for Spotify from Narrator. This qualifies for 2023Audiobook and 2023Review goals.

Audible Book Review: The Age of Embers (A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller) by Ryan Schow

This is a good action, post apocalyptic title.
The Age of Embers (A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller)
The Age of Embers, Book 1
By: Ryan Schow
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce

Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins
Release date: 08-07-19
Publisher: Ryan Schow
Genre: Adventure, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
An Amazon all-star recipient! Fresh off the highly acclaimed The Last War Series, comes a gripping new tale of the apocalypse from bestselling author, Ryan Schow. The Age of Embers Series is perfect for fans of Matthew Mather, Bobby Akart, Jack Hunt, Nicholas Sansbury Smith, Mike Kraus, and Harley Tate.
The end is almost here, are you ready?
A high-tech nightmare. A crippling attack on America and her infrastructure. Are humans in their final days? When a sudden, unexplained spasm of violence rocks the country from coast to coast, when our military is hijacked and the president can’t be found, the survivors will be left to wonder if this is the start of a new world war, or if this is the last chapter of humanity itself.
Undercover DEA agent, Fire Dimas, is drowning in problems: an unrelenting job, a difficult marriage and a teenage daughter with suitors of the worst kind. Then there’s the cartel he double-crossed and the “incident” at the high school. To say he’s in way over his head is the understatement of the century. Rest assured though, for Fire and his family, it’s about to get much, much worse. The assault has already begun....
Eliana Gutierrez and her niece, Carolina, are stolen by the Guatemalan cartel and swallowed into the dark world of human trafficking until a brutal crime separates them. Eliana must now use the deadly trafficking lines to trek up through Mexico and into America in search of the only person she ever loved. Along the way, she’ll come face-to-face with a handsome, rancorous hitman who will either be her salvation or her bitter end. Under the cover of a post-apocalyptic nightmare, Eliana will risk life and limb for the child, but will it be enough?
The Age of Embers is a post-apocalyptic survival series written inside the universe of the best-selling The Last War series. This edge-of-your-seat thriller chronicles the harrowing journey of ordinary people trapped in an encroaching dark age. Get ready for characters you'll want to know in real life, big post-apocalyptic action and a no-holds-barred action/adventure series that just might hit a little too close to home.
Note: The Age of Embers and subsequent books can be listened to as a stand alone series or in addition to The Last War series. Both stories are written in the same universe on the same timeline and some characters will overlap.
©2019 Ryan Schow (P)2019 Ryan Schow

Review:
Fire Dimas is an undercover DEA Agent in Chicago who is on the edge. He hasn’t been home for eight months and his marriage is on the rocks. His teen daughter is stepping out with the wrong kind of boys. Fire has underlying anger issues that haven’t been helped by having his hands tied in a criminal environment.

An unexplained attack starts destroying the cities, taking out authority centers as well as indiscriminating killing people in the streets. Chaos erupts and the social dynamic changes as surviving gangs try to take control and civilians just try to survive. Fire is caught in the middle wanting to protect his family but being in a place to take down the gangs. He will move between both worlds until his own family is caught in the maelstrom.

Meanwhile, in Guatemalan, Eliana is a beautiful young woman who has been isolated by her overly protective father. His means of protecting her is to make her look less attractive and train her to fight to injure men. Finally, the day arrives when Eliana and her younger niece, Carolina, are captured by traffickers who kill her father. Eliana struggles to escape and survive to track down Carolina. As Eliana pursues the trail, she meets a rough but handsome ‘hitman’. He agrees to introduce her to the head of cartel with a plan that may well cost her live. After they both walk out of the situation, they agree to travel together in the same direction, if not as partners. Their path goes through grit and death and eventually brings them to a collision with Fire in Chicago.

I picked this for an action, post-apocalyptic title and it delivered. It is dark, gritty and violent story. Some of the scenes made me flinch and cringe and I didn’t feel that all of it was realistic. But it could be real, especially the attack event, which is scary! It is likely that I will go back to the earlier books by Schow and then continue with this series too. I recommend this to fans of post-apocalyptic who can handle the girt and violence.

Audio Notes: Kevin Pierce is a good narrator who does quite a bit of narrating in this genre. He manages the hard voices and gritty characters well with distinct sounds and energy. I appreciated having this in audio format.

Source: 12/17/2020 Audible Sale – $5.00. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Renegades, Expeditionary Force, Book 7, by Craig Alanson

I enjoy this series with the snarky AI and the pirate crew who manage to pull off miracles.
Renegades
Expeditionary Force, Book 7
By: Craig Alanson
Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Length: 17 hrs and 7 mins
Release date: 03-26-19
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Adventure, Military, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
The battle-scarred star carrier Flying Dutchman is finally on her way back to Earth, after an exceptionally successful series of missions that have once again saved the world. The ship needs a serious refit, and her exhausted crew just wants a break from constant clandestine warfare against a vicious and superior enemy. Wishes come true, right? Not for the Merry Band of Pirates.
Includes special bonus note from the author.
©2018 Craig Alanson (P)2019 Podium Publishing

Review:
The Flying Dutchman made it back to Earth to report their bizarre but successful missions that saved the world, temporarily. The crew also had to report to authorities that the enemy is headed to destroy Earth. As the ship is being worked on, the officers get heavy debriefing, and some of the crew gets much needed R and R. Skippy is creating a cult following among the humans but he is following the secretive government meetings too. It appears that Bishop will not be asked to lead the next mission and the other decisions don’t look too good to Bishop and the former crew.

In the nick of time Skippy manages to round up a bare crew of former members of the Merry Band of Pirates and a handful of new recruits who volunteer to sacrifice their Earthly lives to take control of the ship and head out to face the enemy. Bishop and the makeshift crew have to face the impossible again – find a way to stop the two vastly superior enemy ships that are heading to attack Earth. Bishop and Skippy trade awful insults (to the point of “Enough, already!”) while waiting for “the monkey” to come up with a beyond logic idea to meet the mission.

This is the seventh book in this serries and I am still enjoying it. Yes, the insults are becoming almost unpleasant and thereby losing some of the humor. Still, I enjoyed the energy, the camaraderie, and the tricks pulled out of the hat to meet their goal. I suppose it makes sense that the ship commander has to remain apart and alone but it would be nice to see something new develop for Bishop. I will continue in the series and recommend this to fans of military space opera.

Audio Notes: R.C. Bray is the voice of these characters. The variety of accents is remarkable. His narration absolutely adds to my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 7/31/2022 July Audible Credit. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: Deadlands: Hunted by Skye Melki-Wegner

This reminds me of Land Before Time and I enjoyed the characters and their outcast clan.

The Deadlands: Hunted
by Skye Melki-Wegner
Narrated by: John Pirhalla

Series: The Deadlands, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
Release date: 04-04-23
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Action, Adventure, Dinosaurs, Middle Grade
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Wings of Fire meets Jurassic Park in this action-adventure middle grade debut series about five outcasts—and former enemies—who are the only hope to save their warring kingdoms from impending doom.
"My favorite middle grade book of the year.”—New York Times-bestselling author Amie Kaufman
Battle rages between the dinosaur kingdoms of Cretacea.
When the Fallen Star struck, it brought death and despair, ash and toxic rain. But some dinosaurs survived . . . and were changed. Their minds grew alert. They learned to speak. To dream. To wage war.
As the two remaining dinosaur kingdoms fight for territory, Eleri, the disgraced son of a prince, is exiled from his home for saving an enemy soldier. Banished to the merciless Deadlands, a terrifying desert full of tar pits, poisonous gas, and ruthless carnivores, he must join forces with a group of questionable allies—including the enemy soldier he saved—to avoid becoming prey.
When Eleri and his fellow exiles discover the horrific truth behind the war, the unlikely heroes must do all they can to save their kingdoms from a lurking predator. . . and a secret plot that might destroy them all.
A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company.
©2023 Skye Melki-Wegner (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Review:
Eleri is the disgraced son of a clan prince. He is a small dinosaur who likes storytelling and isn’t interested in battle like his larger brother. Eleri and his brother were out on the edge of territory to see the large longneck dinosaurs go by. When they hide from an air predator they stumble upon three enemy scouts. When the bird dives, Eleri shouts out resulting in saving the life of one of the enemy dinosaurs. Eleri’s own brother declares his action as treason. Eleri is quickly taken before the tribunal and king and exiled to the Deadlands. It is expected that outcasts to the Deadlands will not survive long.

Eleri manages to get to an oasis but finds that enemy raptors are stock piling food. Then he stumbles upon another outcast – the young dinosaur whose life he saved. She was raised to be a warrior but failed to kill Eleri when directed to. Now she wishes she had killed him rather than getting outcast. Eleri has to convince her to work with him so they can both survive. They manage to sneak into the oasis to get food. They also learn that there is a great conspiracy setting the woodland clans against each other.

Eleri and his new companion join forces with two more dinosaurs they meet, a cheery vegetarian who loves math, and a young longneck who was banned as a prophetic dreamer. As they try to find a way to save their clans back home, a fifth dinosaur, a messenger bird, joins their outcast clan. Can they do anything to thwart the Deadland tribes, of raptors and T-Rex, and save their clans?

I liked the outcast dinosaurs with their unique quirks. They each brought a useful skill that helped them  as they worked together. It is sweet how they realize they can be their own clan. This is a nice story showing how not everyone has to be a warrior or go the way of the majority. I recommend this as an entertaining adventure for middle graders and adults who like dinosaur adventure.

Audio Notes: John Pirhalla does a lovely job with the narration. He provides very distinct voices and tones that fit the natures of each character. The narration helped me to “see” the story and enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 2023 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2023NetGalley, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Location goals.

Audible Book Review: Junkyard Pirate by Jamie McFarlene

This was fun even if you have to stretch belief.

Junkyard Pirate
By: Jamie McFarlane
Narrated by: Mikael Naramore

Series: Junkyard Pirate, Book 1 (4 books)
Length: 10 hrs
Release date: 12-31-19
Publisher: Fickle Dragon Publishing
Genre: Adventure, Alien, First Contact, Military, Pirate, Space
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Knocking at death’s door. Bargaining for a second chance. Seems like a heck of a way to find out about an alien invasion....
Vietnam vet Albert Jenkins is battling a bulging waistline and a passion for drink. So when a towering pile of scrap rocket parts falls and crushes the stubborn curmudgeon, he thinks it’s finally the end. But just as he’s about to take one final breath, a snarky alien parasite offers him a deal: His life in return for sharing his body.
With a little coaxing from his new pop-culture-loving inner resident, AJ’s broken carcass improves so much that even an old flame is impressed. But his bright outlook fizzles when he discovers he's at ground zero of a galactic conspiracy to strip Earth of precious resources humans don't even know exist.
Can the unlikely partners join forces and use AJ's rusty military skills to raise the alarm? Or, will the alien invaders put him down once and for all?
Junkyard Pirate is the first book in an imaginative space opera series. If you like grizzled soldiers, clever twists and turns, and intergalactic tactical pairings, then you’ll love Jamie McFarlane’s fast-paced alien adventure.
Buy Junkyard Pirate to boot the invaders back to where they came from today!
©2019 Fickle Dragon Publishing LLC (P)2019 Fickle Dragon Publishing LLC

Review:
Vietnam veteran, Albert, better known as AJ, is a stubborn curmudgeon in his 70s who is winding down his life with food and alcohol. He runs a junkyard and occasionally gets loads from NASA that includes some good parts. His latest purchase is a huge pile of scrap rocket parts. When his dog, Maxie, continually barks at the tower, Albert steps out and gets caught under a slide of the rocket parts. He expects that he will die under the crush and thinks he is hallucinating a tiny alien who offers to save his life if he will share his body. What does he have to lose? He gives permission before he passes out.

When he wakes up, he learns his best friend, Darnell, got him to the hospital. The doctor recognized her surgery work from the Vietnam days and is surprised that AJ isn’t paralyzed. Meanwhile he sees an 8” woman on the doctor’s shoulder and realizes he has to get out of the hospital before the doctor discovers the alien that is restoring his body. Doctor Amanda Jayne is reluctant to let AJ go and soon starts visiting him at home to follow-up trying to figure out what is going on with his body.

Beverly, the alien, explains to AJ that she and her crew were on a reconnaissance mission to gather information about an enemy alien people on Earth. The Korgul are parasitic aliens controlling millions of humans while they mine special materials unknown to the humans. Beverly and her friends need permission to take over a body but the Korgul don’t ask permission. Beverly needs AJ’s help to get to a spaceship they can use but it will make him a target for the enemy.

Sure enough, strangers soon arrive at AJ's home and he is scrambling to escape flying bullets. AJ gets the help of a few friends including a new pet, who share their bodies with Beverly’s friends. Now the handful of old military companions set off to steal the spaceship and maybe save the planet.

This is a fun story. AJ is not a classy character but very much a suggestive old man who is surprised and pleased to have his body returning to youthful vigor. I enjoyed Beverly’s character and the other friends add to the mix too. There were close calls and escapes in preposterous situations, but these allow the story to move forward. The story concludes this episode but leaves the heroes/heroines waiting for the next step in saving Earth. I recommend this to readers who would enjoy fun, sort of warped humor, and military to space adventure.

Audio Notes: Mikael Naramore does a good job of narrating the story. The voices are distinct, and the snark appropriately conveyed. The narration added to my enjoyment of the story.

Source: July 2021 Audible $5.00 Sale. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, 2023Alphabet, and 2023Occupation goals.

Audible Book Review: Kingdoms of Sorrow, Catalyst, Book 2 by JK Franks

This was an engaging continuation of the survival problems in post-apocalyptic America.
Kingdoms of Sorrow
Catalyst, Book 2
By: JK Franks
Narrated by: Steven Varnum

Series: Catalyst, Book 2
Length: 15 hrs and 15 mins
Release date: 07-18-17
Publisher: J K Franks
Genre: Adventure, Genetic Engineering, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
The fight for survival continues in book 2 of the Catalyst series.
A murderous army, an unspeakable plague and an approaching hurricane. One man will risk it all to save his community. Cities, nations, and governments lie in ruins and billions have perished. In the wake of a global apocalypse, survival has become a way of life in a world that seems intent on wiping them all out.
Among the survivors are Scott Montgomery and his friends on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. They have struggled to hang on better than most. But growing threats - both man-made and natural - leave their chances on a razor's edge. Now with the help of uncertain alliances they must face a new danger none of them saw coming. This group, "The Messengers", are like a biblical plague, destroying everything - and everyone - in their path.
Time is short for the survivors and another grim new discovery means the Messengers may not be the only thing they should fear.
Don’t miss out on the second installment of the best-selling Catalyst series.
©2017 J K Franks (P)2017 J K Franks

Review:
This book picks up from book 1, Catalyst Downward Cycle. The story primarily follows three groups in the survival struggles. It has been five months or so since the solar flare took out the electrical grid and left Americans trying to survive pre-industrial conditions and marauding bands of criminals. Scott and Todd are in Harris Springs, Mississippi, on the Gulf of Mexico on the cruise ship that has been turned into a refuge home for 200 or so people seeking to rebuild community.

Jack, aka Preacher, is a former convict who is out on a working boat with four other men. Their job has been to forage supplies and trade with smaller farms or communities along the water ways. Things had been going well until they have to face pirate raids. Then they learn about the butchery by a large, supposedly religious group known as the Messengers. This cultish group is sweeping across the south giving people the choice to join and serve or die.

Skybox 5 is a new character. He is a special forces paramilitary operative in a very secretive group called the P-Guard. Before the electric went out, he and his team were on mission in Pakistan. They were tasked with retrieving an crucial scientist/virologist who was working in a remote university lab. Before they could get to the target, something went wrong and a deadly virus was released. Although there were efforts to contain the virus, the efforts failed miserably. Skybox is the only man who comes out alive as he is apparently immune. Now he is directed to get to the coast so he can be taken to scientists in America who can test his blood for a vaccine. Skybox ends up at a secret location that happens to include a personal friend of Scott's niece. Scott is recruited by an opposing military group to try to retrieve Skybox.

I like these characters and the mostly realistic struggles and battles. There is good character development and better action. The cult group is scary and adds additional tension and suspense. I will be looking to get the third book in the series and a side story too. Reading book 1 may not be necessary, but I think it provides better background to the characters and events. I recommend this to readers who enjoy post-apocalyptic survival stories.

Audio Notes: Steven Varnum does a good job with the narration. He delivers good character voices and I thought his energy input was better on this book than the first. I am glad to listen to this on audio.

Source: 3-3-2022 Audible Sale Purchase $3.74. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Alphabet goals.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: The Last Saxon King by Andrew Varga

I liked the history and mostly enjoyed this story (although there are young teen "flaws" IMHO).

The Last Saxon King
A Jump in Time Novel, Book One
By: Andrew Varga
Narrated by: Mark Sanderlin

Series: A Jump in Time Novel, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
Release date: 03-07-23
Publisher: Imbrifex Books
Genre: Adventure, Teen and YA, Time Travel
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
One jump to save all time.
Life is progressing normally for sixteen-year-old Dan Renfrew when he accidentally transports himself to England in the year 1066. He soon realizes that he’s trapped there, and that’s not his only astonishing discovery. Dan learns that he’s descended from a long line of time jumpers—secret heroes who travel to the past and resolve glitches in the time stream that threaten to alter subsequent history. The only way Dan can return home is to set history back on its proper course in the Anglo-Saxon age. This is no easy task. A Viking horde is ravaging England in the north while a Norman army threatens to invade from the south. In between and desperately struggling to hold on to his throne is Harold Godwinson, the newly crowned English king. Dan is fighting to ensure that events play out correctly when he finds himself plunged into an even more lethal conflict. To save history, Dan must battle a band of malevolent time jumpers whose lust for wealth and power threatens the entire future of the world.
©2023 Andrew Varga (P)2023 Imbrifex Books

Review:
Sixteen-year-old Dan is home schooled by his professor father who has him studying all sorts of history. Dan has been sent out of the house so his father could have a private meeting at home. When Dan returns home a little earlier than expected, he finds his father in a physical sword fight. Dan stands in shock as his father tosses him a strange metal baton and tells him to “Run!” And then tells him to “say the rhyme” he has been taught since childhood. Dan doesn’t understand but will obey his father rather than give the device to this threatening man.

Dan is whisked off and finds himself in a strange land where his phone has no service. He is shouting for help when a young ‘Robin Hood’ steps out of the woods and tells him to be quiet. Sam tells Dan that he is in England in the year 1066. Sam explains that they are rare descendants of time jumpers. Sam had a brother trained for the task but Dan’s father didn’t tell him anything about the process and duties. Apparently, the time jumpers have to fix the time glitch and then can return home.

Dan isn’t physically trained but he has the historical knowledge to know the glitch when he realizes the situation. Now he has to step out and find a way to reach an Anglo Saxon king to give him battle advise. He doesn’t even have Sam to help although Sam will be hiding in the woods nearby.

I enjoyed the detailed setting and battle history and the adventures that Dan muddles through. I wasn’t crazy about the teen hormones acting up but I suppose that is realistic, especially for a boy who is probably considered a brainiac and has little social interaction at home. This also fits for the young teen target audience. On the other hand, I loved how Dan made friends along his journey and was loyal to fight for and with them. This is a fun listen and I recommend it to young teens and fans of history.

Audio Notes: Mark Sanderlin does a wonderful job with the narration. He is able to provide clear voices with distinct accents. I was glad to have the opportunity to listen to this in audio.

Source: 2022 NetGalley choice. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, 2023NetGalley, and 2023Occupation goals.

Audible Book Review: Exiled Fleet Publisher's Pack (Books 1-2) by Richard Fox

I did like the action in this space opera once I figured out who was who.
Exiled Fleet Publisher's Pack (Books 1-2)
By: Richard Fox
Narrated by: Mark Boyett

Series: Exiled Fleet, Book 1-2
Length: 14 hrs and 43 mins
Release date: 10-10-17
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Adventure, Military, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Book 1: Albion Lost:
For centuries, the Daegon waited. They plotted. And now they are ready to strike.
The core worlds of settled space enjoy a tenuous peace, unaware and ill prepared for the threat building beyond the furthest reaches of humanity. The star kingdom of Albion stands as a shining light of justice and mercy in a harsh galaxy, and they will be the first to suffer the Daegon's fury.
Defying his low born status, and despite his self-doubt, Commodore Thomas Gage has risen through the ranks by sheer grit and determination, defending Albion from brutal pirate clans. And when the onslaught comes, Gage and his fleet may be Albion's last hope for freedom.

Book 2: The Long March:
Albion burns beneath Daegon rule.
Commodore Thomas Gage and his fleet, safeguarding the last of the Albion Royal Family, are on the run. Hunting them, a ruthless Daegon commander will stop at nothing to crush Albion's only remaining free force.
To find sanctuary beyond their enemy's reach, the battle-damaged fleet must cut through a hostile and dangerous region of space known as the Kigeli Nebula. But to secure passage, Gage must strike a deal with an old enemy who wants nothing more than to fulfill a vendetta and see the commodore dead.
Facing threats ahead, behind and from within, Gage must lead his fleet down the long march to freedom.
Exiled Fleet is a new military science-fiction series for fans of Honor Harrington, Earth Alone, and Old Man's War from the author of the best-selling Ember War Saga.
©2017 Podium Publishing; 2017 Richard Fox

Review:
The core worlds of settled space have mostly been experiencing peace so they aren’t prepared for war. Even though there are space pirates disrupting trade, the colonies are not even prepared to properly defend their planets.

No one remembers the Daegon and there is very little history, only myths, about them. They are an ancient alien race who have suddenly jumped into settled space attacking the main cities and announcing, “You will be ruled.”

Thomas Gage rose through the ranks to become a Commodore. Many military men respect him for his feats but there are those ‘family’ officers who are always ready to mock him and challenge his decisions, focusing on his troops who met their deaths. When the Daegon attack Albion and move to destroy all of the ruling royal family from King to youngest prince, Thomas ends up at the side of the dying King and the young child is placed in his care. Now Thomas, with two royal guards, has to escape the planet, keep the young prince safe, and find allies to fight the Daegon.

Tiberian, the Daegon commander who failed to eliminate all of the royal family, knows he will be demoted, if not punished, for failing his mission. He becomes obsessed with chasing Thomas to finish the job. Thomas and his handful of crew battle through the enemy lines and limp from one station to another. He needs to seek help from the pirate clans even though one of them has a vendetta death warrant out for him. If he can convince them to guide him across one of the most dangerous channels of space, can they navigate the channel safely while trying to stay ahead of the Daegon?

The royal guards are outfitted with almost sentient armor that enhances their capabilities. There are problems with the two guards with the prince. One of the guards is brand new, and the other has stepped into a dying man’s armor that doesn’t cooperate as it questions the man’s loyalty. And then there is Thomas’ main aid who reluctantly steps in to help the female guard ‘babysit’ the boy.

As the book started I struggled to figure out who was who. Once I got an hour or so in, I had the characters sorted out and was able to enjoy all of the action. I liked Thomas as a humble but skilled leader. He struggles with his decisions but is willing to make the hard calls even if it means fighting a personal enemy one on one to gain a deal. The supporting characters on his crew added interest for me. I’m not gripped by the series but may pick up the next two book pack in the series to continue the saga. Fans of military space opera may enjoy the action in this story.

Audio Notes: Mark Boyett does a great job on the narration. His energy and distinct voices added to the entertainment value of the work.

Source: May 2022 Audible Plus. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Alphabet goals.

Audio Book Review: To the Far Blue Mountains by Louis L'amour

This story is full of swashbuckling sea battles and Indian filled land battles.

To the Far Blue Mountains
Written By Louis L'amour
Narrated By: John Curless

Duration: 9 hours 19 minutes
Release date: 12-19-05
Publisher: Random House Audio
Genre: Adventure, Colonial Fiction, Historical Fiction
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Summary
In To the Far Blue Mountains, Louis L’Amour weaves the unforgettable tale of a man who, after returning to his homeland, discovers that finding his way back to America may be impossible.
Barnabas Sackett was leaving England to make his fortune in the New World. But as he settled his affairs, he learned that a royal warrant had been sworn out against him and that men were searching for him in every port. At issue were some rare gold coins Sackett had sold to finance his first trip to the Americas—coins believed to be part of a great treasure lost by King John years before.
Believing that Sackett possesses the rest of the treasure, Queen Bess will stop at nothing to find him. If he’s caught, not only will his dream of a life in America be lost, but he will be brutally tortured and put to death on the gallows.

Review:
Baranabas Sackett is wrapping up his business as he prepares to leave England to make his way in the New World, America. Unfortunately, he learns that he is being pursued under a royal warrant that claims he has found and possesses a royal treasure. Now Barnabas must go on the run instead of directly leaving with his intended on her father’s ship. His pursuers may well capture the ship he was intended to take so they aren’t safe either.

Barnabas will find allies and betrayers as he flees as a royal fugitive. Even if he is able to get to Raleigh and Jamestown on the American coast, Barnabas expects to remain a target for his pursuers. Also, he has past enemies, hostile and friendly native Indians to deal with in the New World. He faces swashbuckling battles on land and sea to save himself, the woman he loves, and the men who choose to go with him. All along, the goal is to reach those ‘far blue mountains’ beyond the east coast.

I had thought more of this story would be on land, but a good bit of it is sea travel and battles. The last portion of the book moved quickly through the life of Barnabas and his family. Since there are more books in the series featuring the Sackett sons, I don’t think its much of a spoiler to note that the family grows in the wilderness.

L’Amour was a skilled writer making the historical settings, clothing, and activities come alive for the reader/listener. Barnabas was well developed as the central character of the first (Sackett's Land) and second books. The rest of the family is introduced with some distinct character traits but all carrying their father’s strength and tenacity. I do plan to read more in the series. I recommend this to readers who enjoy historical adventure full of primitive action fitting the period.

Audio Notes: John Curless does a wonderful job with the British accents and the other voices. He also delivers strong energy. His narration enhances the listening experience.

Source: 9/17/2022 One Credit at Audiobooks.com. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, 2023Location, and 2023Color goals.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: Coup de Grâce by Paul Centeno

I like SteamPunk and this is a strong adventure.
Coup de Grâce
By: Paul Centeno
Narrated by: Rob Jones UK

Length: 10 hrs and 40 mins
Release date: 12-06-22
Publisher: Paul L. Centeno
Genre: Adventure, Steampunk
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
The world has changed. Gone are the old gods. Nature withers and dies beneath the growing bane of machines and industry. Desperate to prevent their world from dying, citizens turn to science and sprawling cities of steam ruled by the Imperium. Kaimo de Morté has never known another life. He is an optometrist by trade but too poor to open an optical boutique. Forced to work in the mines, Kaimo has no idea how his life is about to change. A chance encounter with insurgents thrusts him into a battle for the very future of mankind. One he is ill prepared to fight. Kaimo uncovers hidden truths, forms alliances stretching to the highest halls of power, and becomes the catalyst for either saving the world or watching it end.
©2022 Paul Centeno (P)2022 Paul Centeno.

Review:
Kaimo is a young man who is an optometrist skilled in building spectacles. He wants to go to school to become an eye doctor, but he doesn’t have the money or prestige. Kaimo is forced to work in the mines with little hope that he can earn enough money to pursue his dreams. One day after an explosion in the mines, Kaimo emerges to find the local train under attack by the insurgent rebels. The rebels are soon met by the Imperium forces under a brutal commander, the Grand Marshal. Kaimo rescues a woman he finds encased in a medical tube on the train. He is hiding Zylpha at his home when his father goes to the place of battle. Kaimo’s father and others are cut down by the Grand Marshal and Kaimo barely escapes.

Kaimo and Zylpha flee his hometown and head off on a journey to find a scientist she trusts to help her. Apparently, her blood has special life force properties that are sought by the evil Grand Marshal. Their journey is hard and not everyone is helpful. Will they find the scientist to help and, if they do, can they avoid capture by the Grand Marshal?

This is my second novel written by Centeno (see Dark Sanity). He is a creative author and has provided an interesting steampunk world, strong characters, and an adventure that includes magical blood and crystals. I liked Kaimo and his skills at inventing optical tools. I also enjoyed the drama and action in the plot. This is a distinct story that I recommend to fans of steampunk, adventure, and action.

Audio Notes: I liked the narration by Rob Jones but the music in the background and between chapters was a little too much. I appreciated getting this through NetGalley to listen to the audiobook.

Source: Source: December 2022 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, 2023Alphabet, and 2023NetGalley goals.

Audible Book Review: Navigating the Stars by Maria V. Snyder

I loved other series by this author. This is a well written start to another series.

Navigating the Stars
Sentinels of the Galaxy, Book 1
By: Maria V. Snyder
Narrated by: Gabra Zackman

Length: 10 hrs and 52 mins
Release date: 01-17-19
Publisher: Maria V. Snyder
Genre: Adventure, Science Fiction, Space Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
“The answer is no, Lyra”, my mother utters her favorite - I swear - phrase.
No means I have to travel with them to another planet - again.
No means leaving all my friends 50 years in the past. Thanks, Einstein.
Seventeen-year-old Lyra Daniels can’t truly blame Einstein or her parents for their impending move across the Milky Way Galaxy. It’s all due to the invention of the Q-net, which made traveling the vast distances in space possible - with one big caveat: the time dilation. But that never stopped Lyra's ancestors from exploring the Milky Way, searching for resources and exoplanets to colonize. What they didn’t expect to find is life-sized terracotta warriors buried on 21 different exoplanets...Make that 22.
As the Galaxy’s leading experts on the warriors, Lyra's parents are thrilled by the new discovery, sending them - and her - 50 years into the future. Her social life in ruins, she fills her lonely days by illegally worming into the Q-net. The only person close to her age is the annoyingly irresistible security officer who threatens to throw her into the brig.
After the planet they just left goes silent - meaning no communications from them at all - security has bigger problems to deal with than Lyra, especially when vital data files go missing. But that's just the beginning, because they’re not as alone as they thought on their new planet...and suddenly time isn't the only thing working against them.
©2018 Maria V. Snyder (P)2019 Maria V. Snyder

Review:
Lyra’s parents are excited when exploration on a distant planet uncovers the 22nd set of buried, life-sized terracotta warriors. This is their specialty, and they are eager to go and excavate the treasure in person. But seventeen-year-old Lyra doesn’t want to go on a voyage to a far off planet, because she will be leaving her friends behind. Due to time travel, she would remain a teenager while all her friends would age. But, of course, Lyra, doesn’t get to choose.

On the spaceship Lyra continues her schooling in an awkward situation where the only other youth her age is a sullen young man, Niall, who turns out to be the son of the ship chief security officer. Naill, born and raised on the ship, has no desire to make friends with a passenger. And as a junior security officer, he isn’t even willing to look the other way when he realizes that Lyra is hacking the Q-net, the governmental computer system. Hacking the system will normally earn time in the brig… but soon the security officers realize Lyra has a special skill ‘worming’ the system. When the planet they came from goes silent and data files related to the excavation team go missing the authorities fear threats from space pirates. they determine they need to train and fine tune Lyra’s skills to help protect the exploration.

In addition to trying to uncover the attacks on the Q-Net files, the crew will soon face space pirates. Lyra develops a relationship with the Captain and the Security team, including a growing friendship with Naill. Then someone sets their sights on Lyra when they recognize her special skills.

I loved the Study and Storm Series by Ms. Snyder and I am sorry I waited this long to get into this series. Snyder delivers likeable characters and a plot full of suspense and emotional situations. I’m not always drawn to stories of teens who tend to be a bit self-absorbed, but I was pulled into the story and it read very quickly as I pushed to find out what would happen. I will be continuing with the other books in the series. I recommend this to fans of well written science fiction suspense.

Audio Notes: Gabra Zackman does an excellent job with the narration. She conveys most of the characters with spot on emotions and personality. The voices are strong and distinct and the narration increased my enjoyment of the entertainment.

Source: 1/15/2020 December Audible Credit. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Welcome to Hell: The Tasmanian Special Forces Group, Book 1 by C. R. Daems

I enjoyed the strength, physical and mental, of this female protagonist in the vein of GI Jane.

Welcome to Hell: The Tasmanian Special Forces Group, Book 1
By: C. R. Daems
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

Series: Tasmanian SFG Series, Book 1
Release date: 03-03-20
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Military, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Jolie was 3 when she found she was ugly and deformed.
She was 5 when she found she was a subhuman and an outcast. She was 7 when five boys and two girls dragged her out of the orphanage and beat her unconscious, leaving her lying bleeding and broken in the street.
She was content to lie there and die, tired of being hated and abused. But a frail old man with wispy white hair and a long beard wasn't content to let her die. He not only saved her, but he adopted her and passed on his unique martial art to her.
She was 20 when she headed to Delphi, the center of the United Systems of Perileos (USP) and the planet of her birth father, to find her place in his society.
Based on her unique upbringing, she decides to join the USP military, requesting to be assigned to the Tasmanians SFG, an elite all-male unit. The military brass is reluctant to deny her request and admit their enlistment contract permits bait-and-switch assignments. Instead, they agree to let her enter the school, thinking she couldn't possibly succeed - a Chihuahua competing against Rottweilers — and plan to make an example of her when she fails.
Although Jolie is small, she is not what she appears. But can her adopted father's art enable her to survive the treachery of the military brass, the grueling of the school, the prejudices of the instructors, and the testosterone of an all-male class.
And if she succeeds, can she thrive in the high-octane and all male environment of the Tasmanians?
©2019 C. R. Daems (P)2020 Podium Publishing.

Review:
Jolie was a child on a foreign planet who was considered ugly and deformed due to her human heritage. She was beat up and dragged out of the orphanage at the age of 7. Instead of dying on the streets, she was adopted by a frail old man who spent years teaching her special martial arts. At age 20 Jolie sets out to find her place on her birth father’s planet, United Systems of Perileos (USP). She appears at a recruiter station and, after reviewing the brochures, asks to be assigned to an elite all-male unit, the Tasmanians SFG. If they refuse her request, then their brochures are full of bait and switch lies. The military leaders reluctantly admit her figuring that the rigorous training, if not the peer pressure, will force her out of the program quickly. The leaders are wrong.

Jolie doesn’t have the size, strength, or bulk of her larger male classmates. But she does have great physical training and distinct, strategical thinking and planning skills. When the training officer notes that there are no separate facilities for females and she might face sexual pressure she reminds him, and the men around them, that the third way a candidate could leave the program is “dead by misadventure”. Her own ability to take down the men dissuades the unwanted advances the first night in the dorm.

Very quickly Jolie uses her smarts and skills to show that she can keep up with and beat many of the men. She prevails by successfully preparing before taking action. Of course, that results in enemies among the men as well as military leaders who aren’t beyond sabotage to get her out of the program.

When you note that this is the intro, book 1 of a series, you realize that Jolie makes it through the program to graduation. Jolie’s perseverance gains respect and friends, but how will the leaders and men treat her when she has to go into action in the field?

I really like Jolie’s intelligence, strength of character, and ability to plan her actions. I also liked the action in the story. The story does have a resemblance to GI Jane with some brutality but less sexual harassment. The cons on this is that it is set in a futuristic space world and there is a notable lack of cool technology and a strange level of sexual discrimination/limitation. None the less, I enjoyed the action and the comraderies that is developed. I have purchased book 2 to continue with the series. I recommend this to fans of female military protagonists.

Audio Notes: Emily Woo Zeller does a good job with the narration. The voices are appropriately distinct, and the narration conveys the emotional and action levels of the story. I am glad that I listened to this Audible Plus story.

Source: 12/14/22 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: This Fallen World by Christopher Woods

I liked the action in these stories.

This Fallen World
By: Christopher Woods
Narrated by: Mark Boyett

Series: The Fallen World, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
Release date: 04-23-19
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Adventure, Dystopia, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
The world has Fallen, but life goes on....
Matthew Kade was a corporate assassin - one of the best agents Obsidian Corporation had. But then the bombs began falling, and the old world ended. Now he must navigate the new world he finds himself in, a world where the strongest survive, and the weaker do their bidding...or die.
Kade was always one of the strongest, though, so when a rich man’s daughter goes missing, he turns to Kade to find her and bring her back. But she has already been gone three days, and in the Fallen World, that is an eternity in which any number of things could have happened to her.
Can Kade - a man with a price on his head - pick up the trail of the young woman and navigate the streets of the city to find her, or will the city’s denizens be the end of him? It will take all of Kade’s abilities to find her and save her life...if he doesn’t lose his first.
This Fallen World includes three novellas in an exciting new universe by best-selling author Christopher Woods. You’ll want to get it - right now!
©2018 Blood Moon Press (P)2019 Podium Publishing.

Review:
This book consists of three short stories. The first was This Fallen World. The second is Broken City and the third is Seeds. The Fallen World is the bigger story.

A nuclear holocaust between warring corporations has resulted in decimating the United States. Few cities and countryside communities have survived. Slowly the survivors have established very rough societies who have a hierarchy with trading for life needs such as water, food (the Farmers), protection (the Society of the Sword), and even electric power (the Dynamo). The society groups are broken into blocks known as Zones some led by good, fair leaders, and others by vicious Warlords. Travel between Zones can be tricky.

In the Old World, Matthew Kade was a corporate assassin for one of the high corporations, the Obsidian Corporation. Now he serves as a tracker, retriever – a warrior of quiet renown. Kade has made enemies and has a price on his head due to prior events. But he also has made friends among prior clients, being trustworthy, and by being kind to people on the street. These friends can help him survive in the streets and as he passes from Zone to Zone.

A wealthy man hires Kade to find and return his daughter who was on a Caravan through Zones but has been missing for three days. Kade has a connection to Teresa, a leader of the Society of the Sword, which is a group set on removing the worst of the bad guys. Teresa has sent a tank of a man, William Poe, to watch Kade’s back. Kade and Poe will face random gangs as well as Zone armies to accomplish his mission. Kade is quick to say "Expect the worst and you won't be disappointed."

Broken City finds Kade called in to solve a mystery of murders taking place among the Mardins. This is a society group who live under the city in the maintenance tunnels, where they provide water and sewer systems to the groups above in exchange for being left alone. When someone violates the agreement by entering their tunnels and killing members, the Society of the Swords in called upon and Kade is assigned to solve the problem. Again, he has assistance, and they face mutant killers. There is also a furtherance of the relationship between Kade and Teresa.

Finally, in Seeds, we learn about Zebadiah Pratt and struggles of the Farmers as they begin to form shortly after ‘the fall’. Pratt was in the military in the Old World and came home alive but damaged. This story fills in some of the history of how the world became ‘this fallen world’. There were interesting additions in this story, including a fat, lazy pony. Also, this one gets a bit more brutal than the first two stories.

I enjoyed the character development and the full-on action in these stories. There was a bit of repetition especially for the phrase of “in this Fallen World.” Initially it is clever, cute, but it gets to be overdone. I am glad to have received this through Audible Plus and I have another book in this series which I look forward to reading (listening) to. I recommend this to fans of dystopian, post-apocalyptic novels that are filled with fighting action.

Audio Notes: Mark Boyett is a skilled narrator, delivering distinct voices and apt energy to the stories. I am drawn in by his narration and I really was pleased to get to listen to this story.

Source: 11/5 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook goal.

Audio Book Review: The Warded Man by Peter V. Brett

This is a very engaging Epic.
The Warded Man
Written By: Peter V. Brett
Narrated By: Peter Bradbury

Duration: 18 hours 16 minutes
Release date: 11-25-09
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Adventure, Epic, Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Summary:
Peter V. Brett has won accolades from critics, fans and fellow authors alike for this riveting debut novel. The Warded Man features a world where demons stalk the night, hunting humans who have long forgotten the magic of their ancestors. But all is not lost, as some hold out hope that a savior will release humanity from the demons' terrifying reign. 'Brilliant, with action and suspense all the way.' -Terry Brooks

Review:
The world of humans is cowed and oppressed by demons who stalk the night. The humans rely on magical wards to protect them within their walled cities and homes. But much has been lost in the arts of magic and warding and the demons are making headway. Young (eleven-year-old) Arlen, from an outlying community, gets to meet a brave messenger, Ragen, and his entertaining, but fearful, juggler. A messenger does much more than deliver messages. He is trained to fight and knows how to ward to protect himself and his juggler on the roads at night. The juggler’s job is to entertain the children and crowds while the messenger negotiates for trade goods.

Arlen learns about big cities, mountains, and deserts from Ragen. Arlen begins to believe that he could become a messenger when he grows older. Arlen is small but smart. He was bullied until he learned to outsmart the bullies. Ragen reinforced his young views explaining that men could stand up and fight, though they might die, or they can hide and slowly die as cowardice shames them. After tragedy in his family, Arlen runs away and learns to fight the demons, even injuring a powerful rock demon who becomes his enemy.

Meanwhile, in other chapters, Leesha is a young woman struggling with the thought of becoming nothing more than a ‘brood mare’. She wants to take over her father’s printing business, but then she begins to work with the local healer. Although the healer is considered an old crone, she clearly knows the magic to care for the sick, heal wounds, and set bones.

The third primary character is a young boy, Rojer Inn, who witnessed his parents die as Arrick Sweetsong, the Duke's Herald, hides with Rojer in the bolthole under the Inn. Arrick raises the boy who becomes his apprentice. But Arrick loses his position and Rojer struggles in the streets trying to keep food, instead of alcohol in Arrick’s belly. Rojer suffers from guilt and tends to try to stay under the radar. As he matures, he realizes that he has a magical ability to impact the demons but he doesn’t know how this magic will be used.

The reader/listener anticipates how and when the three protagonists will meet. I got caught up in the world and the intensity of the characters, particularly the very lone warrior, Arlen. I liked his struggles, battles, and development. I did hope that he would find love somewhere in the story.

I initially was reluctant to start such a long book, but I was very glad that I listened to this. I will want to continue in the series at some point. I recommend this to readers who enjoy D&D type fantasy.

Audio Notes: Peter Bradbury does a good job with the narration. I quickly adapted to enjoying his energy and his variety of voices for the characters. The narration made this a better experience for me.

Source: 10/16/19 Audiobook.com VIP. This qualifies for 22022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Ruins of the Galaxy by J.N. Chaney and Christopher Hopper

This is entertaining, fast-paced military sci fi.
Ruins of the Galaxy
Ruins of the Galaxy, Book 1
By: J.N. Chaney, Christopher Hopper
Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Length: 14 hrs and 3 mins
Release date: 04-28-20
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Adventure, Military, Space Opera
4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
The mission is simple. Escort an emissary to an intergalactic peace summit. Try not to get in the way.
Lt. Magnus and his 79th Recon Team have certainly handled worse, after all.
But when an explosion rocks the tower and sends everyone into a panic, Magnus and his asset find themselves cut off from the rest of the team.
Worse still, a dying alien chieftain gives them a priceless drive of intel, marking them for death.
The mission has officially changed.
With enemies on all sides, Magnus must do everything in his power to protect the emissary and escape the tower. There is no backup. There is no chance for failure.
The fate of the entire galaxy now lies in the hands of a Republic Marine and a diplomat.
All they have to do is survive.
Experience the beginning of this sprawling galactic tale in this first entry to the Ruins of the Galaxy series. If you’re a fan of Star Wars, Galaxy’s Edge, or Battlestar Galactica, you'll love this military sci-fi epic.
Includes bonus Ruins of the Galaxy stories "The Night of Fire" and "Demons at War".
©2019 J.N. Chaney and Christopher Hopper (P)2020 Podium Publishing

Review:
Lt. Magnus, an enhanced Marine, and his specialized team are on a light mission to escort an emissary to an intergalactic peace summit trying to connect with a canine like race, the Jujari. This should be straightforward and quiet, but the meeting chamber is wrecked with explosions. The Emissary, Awen, receives a capsule from the dying Jujari leader while he whispers to her to keep it secret and trust no one. Magnus and Awen barely escape the chamber and Awen has to use mind ‘magic’ to survive the planetary forces that are looking for foreign threats. They find a shady character who agrees to get them off planet and becomes an odd ally.

Awen is a beautiful humanoid from an order of a reclusive monastery-like group known as the Luma. They are a race known for peace and diplomacy as well as training their minds to reach to a different plane. When Awen returns to her home people, she has concerns for her failure in the mission. She is greeted warmly and kindly by her mentor. However, when she appears before the master, she is disturbed by his not too subtle efforts to break into her mind and force her to open the capsule. Again, Awen barely escapes.

Awen is on the run from several forces who want the secrets of the capsule which she discovers leads to an ancient world with unknow technological advances. Magnus shows up again as she is threatened and with their joint skills, they evade their pursuers. Only then they learn that someone has accessed the dangerous technology.

I will say that this story had a lot in common with Galaxy’s Edge. Even so, I liked the two main characters, as well as their allies. I was entertained by the plot and enjoyed the fast-paced action. I would read more in the series and I recommend this to fans of military sci fi.

Audio Notes: R.C. Bray is a wonderful narrator, and my experience is that his performance always enhances the work. This is no excepton. I am glad I had the audio version.

Source: 12/27/2020 Audible Two for One Credit Sale. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Double Share, A Trader's Tale from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper, Book 4 by Nathan Lowell

I like this series which provides an easy listen.

Double Share
A Trader's Tale from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper, Book 4
By: Nathan Lowell
Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins
Release date: 09-13-16
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
An inexperienced officer. A dysfunctional ship. Life in the Deep Dark just got a whole lot harder.
In his first assignment as an officer, Ishmael Horatio Wang finds himself fresh out of school, wet behind the ears, and way out of his depth. Aboard the William Tinker the senior officers are derelict and abusive, the crew demoralized and undisciplined, and change unwelcomed and dangerous. Can Ishmael use what he learned aboard the Lois McKendrick to help the crew find the ship's heart? Or will he discover that bucking the system may come at too high a price? Return to the Deep Dark with Ish in this fourth installment of the award-winning Solar Clipper series, as he makes the transition from crew to officer.
©2013 Nathan Lowell (P)2016 Podium Publishing

Review:
Ishmael has now finished his learning at the Academy and is ready to face his first assignment as a junior officer, a Third Mate. He was a little bit surprised but glad to get a job right away even if it is with a lesser-known salvage and transport ship.

Ishmael’s first assignment was as a landlubber on the Lois McKentric where he learned the ropes from the bottom up, did his studies in all areas of the ship, and gained the respect of his shipmates and superiors. He worked with others in the crew to care for the ship and each other. So he is totally surprised and dismayed to arrive at a ship with a crew that ranges from sloppy to antagonistic to oppressed. A senior officer and his handpicked guards are sexually harassing and abusing the women on board, with other crew members being cowed into silence. The Captain turns a blind eye…not only to the abuse but to everything else on the neglected ship.

Ishmael soon begins to use his unique charm and understated method of persuasion to change things on the William Tinker, starting with the coffee and continuing with food and cleanliness.

Ishmael is attractive and well-built but was never drawn to physical types of self-defense. He ends up having to face brute force with his lesser-known skills of Tai Chi. If Ishmael can survive the assignment, will he be able to make a long-term difference for the ship?

Previous books in the series revealed Ishmael’s easy going and smart character. He likes theatre due to his professor mother and he highly respects women. Thanks to his time on the Lois McKentric, Ishmael believes in the well being of the crew as they work to care for the ship. I love this trait and how it plays out with the other crew members.

This is not a series with high physical action, but it is satisfyingly high in mental action. I felt the handling of mental and sexual abuse in a future world was pretty sad, but I was glad there were those, led by Ishmael, who cared to take action. I recommend this series to fans of character-driven Space Opera.

Audio Notes: I really enjoy Jeffrey Kafer’s narration of this series. He portrays Ishmael perfectly and manages the other characters with different accents and energy. The narration enhances my enjoyment of this series.

Source: 9/18/2021 Audible August Credit. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: After It Happened Books 5 and 6 by Devon C. Ford

This is a good Post-Apocalyptic with struggles, defeats, and finally victories.
After It Happened
Publisher's Pack 3
By: Devon C. Ford
Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Length: 13 hrs and 28 mins
Release date: 01-10-18
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
This publisher's pack contains Sanctuary (book 5) and Rebellion (book 6) of the After It Happened series.
Set in the UK in the immediate aftermath of a mysterious illness that swept the country and left millions dead, the series follows the trials facing a reluctant hero, Dan, and the group he forms around him. They must battle the elements, find sufficient supplies and equipment to survive, and protect themselves against the most destructive force on the planet: other people.
Sanctuary, book 5: Scattered, the group must come to terms with their new reality. They face more danger than they can deal with. They have no idea if they can win the race against time before one of them becomes critical. Meanwhile, back at home, a plan is hatched to overthrow a tyrannical rule.
Rebellion, book 6: Steve, now recovered from his horrific injuries, forms a plan to restore the balance of power in their camp, but his opposition is also playing a dangerous game. Meanwhile, Sanctuary reveals its secrets to Dan and the others, and they find safety and comfort behind the high walls. But safety is an illusion, and there are forces converging on them with a malevolence that they have not battled before.
©2017 Devon C. Ford (P)2018 Podium Publishing

Review:
These two books continue to tell the stories of several groups of survivors. Dan and his group are traveling through Europe to get to Africa where Emma believes she can find a cure to help Melissa (Dan’s woman) safely deliver their baby. They face killing marauders, lose supplies and become separated along the way. Having heard a radio message, they seek a fortified town called Sanctuary. When some of the survivors reach Sanctuary they need to prepare the town for the evil that may follow them.

Meanwhile, the original home base has been taken over by a fascist military leader who controls his troops by fear. Steve and the remaining members of the group have been captured and the others are conscripted into various jobs while Steve recovers with a doctor who agrees secretly to help lead a rebellion coup.

There are four young people who escaped from the troops who head out to find Dan. At least one of them, Chris is angry and blames Dan for leaving the home base insufficiently protected. This group is captured by the vicious marauders who almost captured Dan. Two of them are horribly torture before they break free.

I found these books to be very realistic which includes danger, oppression, torture and other traumatic events. There was a point where I wanted to have a better result for the good guys, but I had to continue in hopes of victories. There is some swearing and, of course, brutality. I recommend this series to true fans of post-apocalyptic adventure.

Audio Notes: I always enjoy the narration of R.C. Bray. He conveys distinct voices and energy that fits the scenes of the story. His narration enhanced my enjoyment of this story.

Source: June 2021 Audible Credit. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: End of Summer by S.M. Anderson

This is a satisfactory, pandemic Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian (and my "Summer" title).

End of Summer
By: S.M. Anderson
Narrated by: Jay Snyder

Series: Seasons of Man, Book 1 (2 books)
Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins
Release date: 06-16-20
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Adventure, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
When a viral apocalypse kills 97 percent of the people on the planet, the survivors' humanity is hanging by a thread. Amid the leftovers of civilization, ex-Army Ranger Jason Larsen is reminded of the meaning of hope, family, and loyalty by a dog and a young boy who are as alone as he is. The survivors he seems to collect become family, and that is very bad news for those who think they run the apocalypse. ©2019 S.M. Anderson (P)2020 Podium Publishing

Review:
A new virologist is flippant about the sanitation rules in the lab. He bends the rules one too many times and ends up taking sickness to the world.

Ex-Army Ranger Jason Larsen is more prepared physically than most for an apocalypse. Initially he just wants to die and be with his pregnant wife. But before her death by the virus, she made him promise to stay alive and help “the children”. Jason reluctantly steps out to the street and hears nearby gunshot. He goes through the back ways and discovers a woman shot in the back of a truck. He learns there are a group of thugs, ‘Tyson’s gang’, working out of the FEMA base under the direction of a twisted Sheriff. They are gathering kids to scavenge and adults with useful skills. If someone doesn’t have a good skill, they are left behind with a bullet.

Jason happens to know that one of his wealthy neighbors was a serious prepper. He carefully approaches the house and finds the neighbor’s black lab, Loki. Fortunately, the dead occupant has provided info to access the stored supplies.

Meanwhile, Pro is a fourteen-year-old from across town. He knows his father isn’t coming home and after several days he has to leave his dead family behind. He finds a house with good supplies where he sets up camp and begins to scavenge the neighborhood. Soon the Tyson gang realizes that someone e is cleaning out houses before they get there. Jason happens to stumble on Pro while he is tracking Tyson’s gang. Jason tries to direct Pro to safety, but Pro is suspicious of everyone. After Pro gets caught, Jason has to figure out if he can rescue the boy. Slowly Jason wages war on the scavenge crews, taking out the anonymous enemy one by one.

Jason has added to his small group a frightened, but fierce young women Rachel, who is protecting a young girl, Elsa. Rachel has no reason to trust any man and is only happy that Jason has given her a gun and trained her to shoot. She is set on revenge.

Pro manages to escape the compound by himself but now Jason has to grab him to save him from getting caught again. Pro insists there are others in the FEMA compound who aren’t brutal killers and he wants Jason to help free the good people. Can Jason control Rachel and Pro as he prepares an assault on the FEMA compound?

Jason is a quiet, strong, and likeable protagonist. He doesn’t want to be a hero, but he is prompted by the promise to his wife to try to save others. Pro is a smart teen who has to grow up too fast. Rachel is a young woman who is trying to recover from the trauma of sexual abuse by seeking revenge on bad men. These three create an interesting core who struggle to survive and help others.

I liked all of the action as well as the development of the characters. I am glad I have the second book to listen to. I recommend this to fans of the genres, post-apocalyptic, and dystopian. (Warning: there is violence, reference to rape, and some rough language.)

Audio Notes: Jay Snyder does a good job with the narration. He provides distinct voices for the characters and gives appropriate energy to the story. The audio enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 7/18/2021 Audible $5.00 sale. (Regular Price: $34.99.) This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Season goal.

Audible Book Review: Polar Vortex by Matthew Mather

This got a little long and dreary but I was satisfied when it ended.
Polar Vortex
By: Matthew Mather
Narrated by: Tom Taylorson

Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins
Release date: 04-02-19
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Genre: Adventure, Mystery, Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0, Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
A routine commercial flight disappears over the North Pole. No wreckage. No transponder signals.
Mitch Matthews is writer struggling to make ends meet when his wife's brother offers them a first-class seat on a flight from Hong Kong to New York. When his wife needs to stay behind, it becomes an opportunity for some quality daddy-daughter time with his five-year-old Lilly. At check-in, they run into a strange Norwegian arguing with a huge Russian. A mysterious redhead is guarding a package in the business lounge. But everything is fine...right up until the event.
Within hours of Allied Airlines 695 disappearing, a massive international search is launched. Aircraft and ships are dispatched from Russia, America, Canada, and Norway. How can a modern airliner simply vanish in one of the most heavily monitored places on Earth?
Global tensions rise. The media and grieving families whip into a frenzy. The armed forces of America and Russia tip the world toward the brink of an apocalyptic war.
Weeks later, found on the ice in a chance discovery, the journal of Mitch Matthews reveals the incredible truth behind the disappearance of Allied 695, and what really happened in the Polar Vortex.
©2019 Matthew Mather (P)2019 Blackstone Publishing

Review:
Mitch Matthews leaves his wife in Hong Kong while he takes a flight with their five-year old daughter, Lily, to return to their home in New York. The flight pilot is his wife’s brother, who is known to have a drinking problem and possible anger issues regarding Mitch. As a struggling writer, Mitch journals his observations of other passengers, his surroundings, and the events that occur.

Mitch’s brother-in-law allows Mitch and Lilly the rare opportunity to visit in the pilot’s cabin. They learn a little about the plane and its route before the rotation of crew has them returning to their seats. They fall asleep and wake to find the plane has crashed on the ice of the north pole.

A handful of passengers, including several dubious characters, must work together to try to survive the hostile environment. This is more edgy as there are suspicions of sabotage that brought the plane down and has inhibited the ability to communicate the location of the crash. Several conspiracy theories abound.

There was a lot in the story that was a stretch to believe and the dreariness of the situation made it almost unpleasant to continue. However, I enjoyed the mystery and the unfolding of the final scenes. I did guess the important passenger although not the reason for the attack. I also like the use of the journal entries being used by the searchers to find the plane and determine the cause of the crash. I would recommend this story to fans of adventure (willing to stretch) and mystery stories.

Audio Notes: Tom Taylorson is a new narrator to me. I enjoyed the distinct voices as well as the tone that fit the narrative style of the story. The audio enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 11/30/2019 Audible Daily Deal $3.95. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.