Audio Book Review: Titanium Rain by Josh Finney

This is a fast paced, action packed wonderful full drama audio.

Titanium Rain

by Josh Finney

Audio CD (June 26, 2012)
1ST edition
Number of Discs: 1
Format: Original recording
Label: The AudioComics Company
Run Time: 98 minutes
ASIN: 098547971X

THE TITANIUM RAIN AUDIO MOVIE IS NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH iTunes, Amazon Mp3, CDBaby, 7Digital (US), AND AudioComics Digital Direct! CD’s ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE THROUGH Amazon, ZBS, CDBaby, Discount Comic Book Services, AND The AudioComics Webstore!

Genre:  Sci Fi, Graphic

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

 To be alive is to be at odds with the world. 
Man against nature. Man against man.

The instinct to survive is what has
made us who we are.

In the year 2031 mankind’s survival instinct is put to the test when a civil war in China spirals into global conflict. Nations are destroyed. Millions are killed. And for many, like US Air Force pilot Alec Killian, survival will mean shedding some of his humanity in exchange for biotech and machine. Is this the ultimate corruption of nature, or the birth pains of a new chapter in mankind’s evolution?

This is the basis for one of the most acclaimed graphic novel series in recent years: Titanium Rain, created and produced by 01 Publishing and published by Archaia Entertainment. Now Titanium Rain makes the jump from the printed page to full-cast audio movie adapted for audio by co-creator Josh Finney and directed by William Dufris. Visit the Titanium Rain Audio site for more information!

Review:
This story focuses on a group of special Air Force pilots, the primary character being Alec Killian and his flight team members. These pilots are sometimes referred to as “hacks” because their DNA was hacked and ‘upgraded.’ In a world where there are not enough pilots they became part of the Prometheus program where those who didn’t make the cut got a second chance. They become special fighter pilots with manufactured eyes & hearts and DNA with what it takes to handle the adrenalin.

There is a discussion on whether it is appropriate to improve on God’s design. Those in favor express the view that it is information and technology that God has allowed similar to allowing doctors to find cures to the plagues and illnesses from the middle ages to current times.

There is a lot of excitement and action in the fast paced, brief story taking place in a futuristic war setting. The story gives background explaining how the current war began and the extreme opposition the forces face. This is definitely a graphic audio with wonderful, adrenaline pumping background sounds of fighter jets. There are also ‘on the ground’ troop dialogues at play and under fire. There is some vulgar language and humor although it is most likely realistic.


I really enjoyed the story although it is short and left me interested for more. The full cast drama sound is great so I recommend this as a good way to listen to these stories.

 I received this for review from Audio Comics through Audiobook Jukebox.

Hardcover available at Amazon.
I will add this to my Audio and New Author Challenge lists.

Book Review and Graphic Art Feature: Afterlight by Joseph Corsentino

This is an apocalyptic battle of Angels and humans in graphic beauty. 
Time of the Faeries: Afterlight, End of the World

• Paperback: 98 pages
• Publisher: Time of the Faeries; First edition (July 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0578085488
• ISBN-13: 978-0578085487

Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25

Product Description:
This is the end of the world. The end of our world. What went wrong? Why do the angels, once guardians charged with our protection and safety, now hunt us to extinction? As we become fewer and fewer will the questions be answered, or lost in the fires of ritual? When all things fade in the Afterlight...What will be left of hope?

Time of the Faeries: Afterlight, End of the World is the first of a four part graphic novel series featuring the photographic art of J. Corsentino.

Review: This is a different read for me - amazing artwork and an engaging story.

The story presents an interesting take on Mortal Angels... or are they demons, or fallen angels? The year is 2078 and a third world war has decimated the earth leaving only a remnant of humans. The Angels used to gain strength from the energy, or Kai, of the humans.  Now, with the limited population, the Angels find themselves dying too.

The Angels are reminded of an ancient prophesy that says that E’ven will open up again only when mankind exists no more. So the head Angel, Sovereign Terra, issues orders to kill the remaining humans so the gates of E’ven will open and the Angels can return home.

This is contradictory as the prime purpose of the Angels has been to protect the humans from themselves.  The Angels have spent thousands of years interfering in the lives of mankind to subtlety direct their choices.  Now the Angels are trying to kill all remaining humans justifying their actions by claiming the humans were killing themselves anyway.

Some of the Angels are driven to kill by the drug like “high” of the energy “fix”.  One particular Angel, Anavere, is on the verge of madness but is still a phenomenal tracker of the human Kai energy scents. Anavere is leading her sister Angels to the last communities of humans hiding under the streets of Los Angeles. Yet one Angel, Halyon, looks out across the burning streets and puzzles what went wrong.  She keeps looking for a thread to change the outcome of man’s destruction and she cannot bring herself to kill the humans.

The humans have their own warriors who are leaders from the Angelarchy rebellion.  They are intent on using all their cunning and years of experience to help the small group of civilians to run, hide and stay alive. These leaders include shapeshifting wolves with extra strength and powers.

Can the humans trust Halyon if they take her to their hiding place or is it a trap?  Will she really stand with the humans against her sister Angels? Do the humans have enough warriors left to prevail?  All of those questions remain.

The story opens with the Prophesy in prose, continues with a brief narrative of history explaining what has occurred, then moves into the action of the current conflicts.  Certain characters are more developed than others but I suspect that some will be more visible in sequel volumes. I enjoyed the story which is a quick to read.  The fairies are not featured yet but there is more to come. The overwhelming feature of the book is the absolutely amazing artwork which is vivid and striking.

J. Corsentino's Time of the Faeries

Excerpt with more beautiful artwork:

The 8 page Prologue is available at http://www.freado.com/read/10047/time-of-the-faeries-afterlight-end-of-the-world in digital book form.

http://www.facebook.com/timeofthefaeries 
(fan page)

http://www.twitter.com/timeofthefaerie
no trailing S at the end (Twitter)

http://www.timeofthefaeries.com/store 
(online store)

http://ow.ly/5WzGZ 
(Order The Afterlight on Amazon.com)

I received this book for review and feature as part of
a Bewitching Blog Tour.

Visit more blog participants for interviews and more art by checking the tour schedule.

Giveaway and Review of The Imposter's Daughter

Title: The Imposter’s Daughter, a True Memoir
Author: Laurie Sandell
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company, a Hachette Book Group
Genre: Nonfiction Memoir
Page Count: 256

My Rating: 3.5

Buy Link: http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/books_9780316033053.htm
Author Website: http://www.lauriesandell.com/

Blurb: Laurie Sandell grew up in awe (and sometimes in terror) of her larger-than-life father, who told jaw-dropping tales of a privileged childhood in Buenos Aires, academic triumphs, heroism during Vietnam, friendships with Kissinger and the Pope. As a young woman, Laurie unconsciously mirrors her dad, trying on several outsized personalities (Tokyo stripper, lesbian seductress, Ambien addict). Later, she lucks into the perfect job--interviewing celebrities for a top women's magazine. Growing up with her extraordinary father has given Laurie a knack for relating to the stars. But while researching an article on her dad's life, she makes an astonishing discovery: he's not the man he says he is--not even close. Now, Laurie begins to puzzle together three decades of lies and the splintered person that resulted from them--herself.

Review: This is a very unusual but interesting book. It is presented in graphic format – as cartoons - which made it a very fast read and more easily read than if it had been in normal print format. [To understand this format you can click on the "Browse inside this book" button on the picture above.]

Laurie struggled all her young life trying to do things perfectly to please her temperamental father. She is glad to escape to college but comes home to discover that her father has changed her room into an office and worse, copied her diary. The next problem she uncovers is a credit card in her name that was set up by her father. Things go down hill from there as she continues to discover that her father has told her lies all her life.

The tale Laurie presents of her life appears to be a journey to try to find self worth and acceptance. I imagine it was cathartic for her to write the book but it contains a bit too much information (“tmi”), including sexual details, for my taste. I did find the drifting into the Ambien addiction and the steps she finally took on her road to recovery interesting. This book would not be for everyone but if you are a person who has struggled with a tyrannical father or dealt with learning to accept yourself or overcoming an addiction, I think you would find this book appealing and entertaining.
[Content Warning – some of the cartoon graphics are explicit.]

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

Three copies of The Imposter's Daughter awarded!

1. Comment here telling me a fantasy person you have thought to be - like a dancer or writer or mercenary! Please include your email address, so that I can contact you if you win.
2. For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.
3. For another entry, blog or Twitter about this giveaway and tell me where you did.
4. For another entry, go to the author's website [link above] and tell me something of interest you found there.
5. Leave a separate comment for each entry or you'll only be entered once. (This method is used to make it easier to put the entries into the random generator!)
(Four total entries possible.)

• This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.
• No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.

This contest will close Midnight (Central) on September 18, 2009. The three winners (one book per winner) will be randomly selected from all entries.

A Big Thank You to Anna and Hachette Book Group who have graciously provided the books for this Giveaway!