Audible Book Review: Sidekick, Raptors, Book 1 by Jaime Castel and C.J. Valin

I found this to be a hero, comic book type story.

Sidekick
Raptors, Book 1
By: Jaime Castle, C.J. Valin
Narrated by: Jack Meloche

Series: Raptors, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 56 mins
Release date: 03-23-21
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Action and Adventure, Comic, Teen and Young Adult
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Winner of the 2021 Best Indie Book Award for Young Adult Fiction.
My name is Sawyer William Vincent - I know, it sounds like three first names - but most people know me as the Red Raptor.
Well, technically no one knows I'm the Red Raptor, he's just a bit more popular.
Wow. Enough about my name. Let me start over. I’m a superhero - the legendary Black Harrier’s partner. Not sidekick. I don't care if I'm still in high school. We work together to bring down the city's most dangerous villains.
When the Black Harrier gets a mysterious note, then goes missing in New York City, things are pretty much left up to me. But don’t worry...I’ve got this. Piece of cake.
If you like Tim Drake as Robin or ever wondered what Peter Parker would be like if he lived in Gotham, Raptors is right up your alley.
From number one Audible best seller Jaime Castle and CJ Valin comes a new superhero universe perfect for fans of both DC and Marvel.
Actually, it’s for fans of anything superhero-related. You’re gonna like it. Promise.
©2021 Aethon Books (P)2021 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Sawyer has a very unique and helpful talent. He has been recruited and trained by a superhero, the Black Harrier. Sawyer knows the real identity of the Black Harrier, but the public doesn’t, and they don’t know the identity of the Red Raptor, formerly known as the Red Kite, either. Actually, Sawyer is the third Red Kite and he is becoming frustrated that his hero won’t tell him about his predecessors and really won’t share much at all. Plus his ‘partner’ has loaded his AI interface with a seductive woman’s voice that teenage Sawyer finds annoying.

Sawyer meets another masked person on the roof top during his nightly rounds. After a short confrontation the two begin to face a gang of thieves. Sawyer and Osprey may have good skills against normal criminals, but they aren’t prepared to take on super villains without the help of others. Sawyer wants to continue to work with Osprey, but the Black Harrier tells him she is not licensed by the guild and Sawyer shouldn’t work with her.

Sawyer is facing two difficulties: hiding his superhero status from his mother and classmates and trying to find the Black Harrier when he disappears. Sawyer finds another superhero at headquarters, and they learn that a super villain previously thought to be captured or dead is threatening Black Harrier. As crime increases in the city, will they be able to find Black Harrier and rescue the city while maintaining Black Harrier's primary rule: "No killing"?

I picked this out as a short and lighter listen. It definitely has a Batman and Robin or Superman and Super Boy theme and tone. There is an interesting plot, but I wasn’t enthralled with the delivery from the perspective of a teenage boy. It just isn’t my cup of tea but would very likely be fun for young adult readers and fans of the superhero genre.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the narration by Jack Meloche. He delivers a wide range of voices for the good and evil characters. The pacing is good and moves along well. I am glad I had the opportunity to listen to this.

Source: 6/10/2021 3 books in the series Free from Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Baron Steele by Rhett C. Bruno, Jaime Castle

This is a quick, fun story about a retired superhero.
Baron Steele
By: Rhett C. Bruno , Jaime Castle
Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Series: Raptors, Audible Original Stories
Length: 47 mins
Release date: 10-22-20
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Fantasy, Science Fiction & Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Content 4.0; Narration 4.5.

About This Audible Original
Paul Steele, known to the world as Baron Steele, isn’t your average masked crimefighter. As a matter of fact, he doesn’t even wear a mask. And he doesn’t even fight crime anymore. That’s for the guys with too much brawn and not enough brain.
No, Steele works in consulting. After having his license revoked by the Guild of Masked Crimefighters, he decided he would scout talent instead. Match up heroes with their villainous counterparts, help the young bucks and buckettes discover their talents and abilities. That sort of thing.
It’s all going fine and well until Steele gets a bad cup of coffee. No. Seriously. Day after day, the same little twerp gets his order wrong. From there, it’s a downhill spiral into chaos, and Steele finds himself fighting for his freedom in a court of law. Did he really kill a barista over a cup of joe?
Don't miss this hilarious spin on the superhero genre from the number one Audible best-selling duo of Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle.
©2020 Aethon Books (P)2020 Aethon Books

Review:
Paul Steele, formerly known as masked crimefighter Baron Steele, retired from active crimefighting after he ran into problems with the superhero guild. Now Steele operates a consulting business, scouting new crimefighter talents. He interviews would-be-heroes to determine if they have appropriate skills and if they do, he helps to train them in preparation of facing a matched villain.

One morning Steele has had it with a local barista who keeps messing up his coffee. His tirade against the young man is witnessed by others and will come back to haunt him, landing him in trouble again with the Guild.

I really didn’t know what to expect, but this is a quick, fun story. Baron Steele is a gruff, realistic character. I appreciate the world-building and irony in the events, all of which are distributed in under an hour! Great for a quick listen and I will look forward to listening to more in the series. I recommend this to those who enjoy superhero, comic book type stories, and short stories.

Audio Notes: R.C. Bray does his usual spot-on narration bringing Steele’s character - the contempt, arrogance, and frustrations - to life. He also provides distinct voices and fitting emotion for each of the other characters. The narration contributed to my enjoyment of the story.

Source: Audible Plus Catalog October 2020. This qualifies for 2021TBR and 2021Audiobook goals.