Audio Book Review: Deadbreak by Jorge Sanchez

This is a well written zombie survival story.
Deadbreak
Author Jorge Sanchez
Narrator: James Fouhey

Duration: 10 h 59 min
Release date: 02-25-20
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy > Apocalyptic & Dystopian, Horror
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Summary
It's been three long years since Deadbreak. That's what everyone's calling it-the day the dead rose. Every day since then Jeremiah Reid has had one goal: to make his way back to his daughter. With his four-legged companion, Joe, Jeremiah has to travel a lawless wasteland teeming with zombies, bandits, and worse, like people who put anchovies on pizza (you know who you are). It's a new world out there and no one is safe. People are weary, cities are in ruin, supplies are scarce, and brains are on the menu. If he's going to have a chance, he'll need his wits, a little bit of luck, and lots of ammo.

Review:
Jeremiah wasn’t a military warrior when his world succumbed to a deadly virus when the dead began to rise. Jeremiah, his wife, and daughter, Penny, tried to make their way to safety. Along the way, Jeremiah lost his wife and gave his child to others to shelter her. But he promised to find his little girl. He has to find a way to Hawaii where the General took Penny. If planes aren’t available, Jeremiah will find a ship off the west coast. But he has to get to the coast first.

Initially Jeremiah’s only friend is Joe, a dog who senses the walking dead and is helpful in a fight. Jeremiah stops for a time in a community of survivors who are rebuilding their town. Jeremiah is able to help by scavenging badly needed items. Jeremiah becomes friends with the medical lead, a smart veterinarian named Jenny. Jeremiah isn’t interested in any relationship as his focus remains on his daughter. For some reason, the mayor of the town does not care for Jeremiah and wants him gone. Before leaving Jeremiah warns the mayor of vulnerabilities of the community. Instead of heading the advice, the community soon faces an attack … and not just from the zombies.

Many of the townsfolk, including the mayor, are taken prisoner. Jenny too gets captured, and Jeremiah and Joe have to find a way to rescue them. He is approached by some surprising allies…but people aren’t always what you expect in this brutal world.

Jeremiah is a character I liked although he is remarkably lucky and manages to have a never ending supply of bullets. He continually gets to the brink of death and has to be rescued by Jenny who is an excellent shot and a true warrior. Jeremiah’s humor reminded me of my husband who was always calling people by names that were close to right but not. It could be terribly annoying but eventually is humorous. I like how Jenny is a strong companion who won’t give up.

The story is well written and has plenty of action, some gruesome, and, as noted, some humorous. I would be glad to seek out more work by Mr. Sanchez. I recommend this to fans of zombie and post-apocalyptic stories.

Audio Notes: James Fouhey does a grand job with the narration. His character voices are fitting, clear, and distinct. He captures the desperation and humor, of the characters. I would enjoy his narration again. It enhanced this listening experience.

Source: 10/30/2021 Audiobooks.com Two For One Credit Horror Audiobooks. This qualifies for 2023TBR amd 2023Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Rath's Deception by Piers Platt

This is a suspenseful story of assassins.

Rath's Deception
The Janus Group, Book 1
By: Piers Platt
Narrated by: James Fouhey

Series: The Janus Group, Book 1
Length: 11 hrs and 1 min
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 12-04-15
Language: English
Publisher: Piers Platt
Genre: Assassins, Military Thriller, Military Sci Fi
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
On the cut-throat streets of Tarkis, orphaned teens like Rath end up jailed...or dead. So when the shadowy Janus Group offers Rath a chance to earn riches beyond his wildest dreams, he seizes it. But the Janus Group is as ruthless as the elite assassins it controls. Rath will have to survive their grueling, off-world training, and fulfill all 50 kills in his contract before a single cent comes his way. And ending so many lives comes with a price Rath can't anticipate. It'll certainly cost him what's left of his innocence. It may well cost him his life.
©2015 Piers Platt (P)2015 Piers Platt

Review:
He had a sad childhood, losing his mother to drugs and his beloved older brother to a gang killing. His brother had always encouraged his excellent memory (photographic). Rath is looking at gang life himself when the secret Janus Group offers him a dangerous dream. If he commits to become their trained assassin, he will receive millions of dollars once he completes all 50 kills.

Rath is put through a merciless test to get the job. He is then modified with implants, provided with a portable replication machine and trained to begin his career as an assassin. The monitors watching him see his inexperience and errors. They are sure he won’t make it past 10 kills. But Rath has an unconventional and unexpected success in his assignments.

As time goes on Rath is even pulled in to capture or kill a former assassin who succeeded in the job but has had to dodge the Group who doesn’t plan to honor their pay out commitments. Rath occasionally struggles with the ethical issues of his job. Although most of the targets are wicked, evil people there are also contracted killings purchased by the extremely wealthy. As his job completions increase and the assignments become more dangerous, Rath has reason to suspect he may not be able to trust the Group.

Meanwhile there is a detective who continues to try to uncover the secret Janis Group. He was disgraced after early claims of the existence of such a shadowy group, but he is truly a good detective. A reporter investigating the assassin’s guild reaches out to the detective. When the reporter and his family are killed the detective becomes more convinced that the Group has some highly placed leadership that even controls some enforcement officers.

I liked the danger and twists in this space sci fi thriller, even though I didn’t like the swearing. Rath is not the easiest character to like. He is young, impulsive and sloppy. I had mixed feelings about the  I enjoyed the dogged efforts of the detective and I was engaged to see what would happen with Rath and with the admired, precise assassin who escaped after she completed her 50 kills.

The story moved along at a good pace. There are a few chapters that showcase other assassins whose lives are expected to cross with Rath. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy assassin stories. Just be prepared for some language and gritty killing.

Audio Notes: James Fouhey does a good job with the narration. He provides good voices and appropriate energy. I am glad that I listened to the book on audio.

Source: Audible Sale Purchase December 2016. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.