Audible Book Review: Space Knight by Michael-Scott Earle

This Space Opera with LitRpg elements was entertaining enough.

Space Knight
By: Michael-Scott Earle
Narrated by Nick Podehl

 

Series: Space Knight, Book 1
Length 13h 11m
Published April 24, 2018
Publisher: Audible Audio
Genre: Fantasy, LitRpg, Magic, Sci Fi, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

In a universe where technology and magic co-exist, Nicholas Lyons desires one thing: to serve his queen as a Space Knight in the Royal Trident Forces. But when his final mission as an Academy cadet goes horribly wrong, Nicholas discovers he possesses illegal magical abilities that grant him power far beyond that of a normal man, knight, or mage.
When a clandestine assignment lands Nicholas on the worst starship in the kingdom's fleet, he finds a motley crew of warriors hiding their own terrible secret. Death and betrayal lurk around every corner, and Nicholas finds himself torn between his loyalties to his new crew, or the oath he swore to his queen.
And death no matter which choice he makes.

Review:
Nicholas does not come from a rich or noble family, but he worked hard at academy in order to have a chance to serve his queen someday as a Space Knight. On the final class mission, the cadets are planet side and supposed to have a light encounter with aliens. Instead, they find themselves under attack by elite warrior aliens. No one knows what went wrong but when the mist settles, Nicholas has saved a rich nobleman’s son, and learned that he has an illegal magical ability.

Nicholas has the chance to pick an assignment on the best ship in the fleet. Then he opens a message from his deceased father, an unrecognized Space Knight, and has to change to what is scoffed as the worst starship, the Stalwart. Before he is reassigned, the nobleman directs Nicholas, in ‘the name of the queen’, to secretly spy on the motley crew.

As soon as he gets on the ship, he can tell there are secrets among the crew. And they are so much more than the rumors imply. He begins to make friends and appreciate the “motley” crew so his loyalties are being confused. What is really going on with the Stalwart? What will happen when the motley crew learn that Nick has been spying on them?

I found this entertaining even as it has flaws. It has coming of age, LitRpg, and superhero elements. The LitRpg is focused on all of the levels of tech, allocated to squire or space knights, and with different levels of boost and skill. I like the inclusion. The crew characters have some strange and unique skills from berserker to empowering music. There is awkward interaction with this protagonist and the several beautiful women on the crew. I like the magic but that too is odd since it is illegal but mostly no one seems to care. Instead, everyone wants to use the skill.

All in all, I enjoyed the entertainment aspect of the story. I would try the next in series, but they are not available. I recommend this to fans of space, fantasy, and action... if it becomes available.

Audio Notes: I like Nick Podehl as a narrator. He provides distinct voices for the characters and energy that fits the action. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 10-13-18 Daily Deal $4.95 with $5.00 credit) $0.00. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: October Mourning: a Song for Matthew Shepard, by Lesléa Newman

This is a beautiful and evocative work.
OCTOBER MOURNING:
A SONG FOR MATTHEW SHEPARD
by Lesléa Newman, Narrated by Emily Beresford, Luke Daniels, Tom Parks, Nick Podehl, Kate Rudd, Christina Traister (Brilliance Audio)

• 1.25 hrs. • Unabridged • © 2012
Genre: LGBT issues, Poetry; Teen & YA
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

On October 6, 1998, Matthew Shepard, a gay 21-year-old student at the University of Wyoming, was viciously beaten, tied to a fence, and left to die. Author Newman’s intimate reaction to this tragedy, a heartrending collection of 68 poems, is narrated by an outstanding cast. The narrators expertly carry the weight of the poems, excelling on verses that combine more than one voice. The poems present unique perspectives, including those of the fence, the moon, the road, even Matthew’s cat. Beautifully articulated, the quiet spaces in each poem add to the emotion, evoking a vast starry sky of memory and loss not soon to be forgotten. Intense, moving, and haunting—a must-listen for ages 14+. E.A.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2013 Audies Finalist, SYNC 2014 © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2012]

Review:
I am sorry I had not listened to this sooner. The author, Lesléa Newman, is a feminist and activist for gay rights. She was in Wyoming to speak on campus the night that Matthew Shepard was brutally beaten and left to die. Although she was a stranger to the campus and to Shepard, her compassionate heart shared the trauma and loss that impacted the community. After reflection, she voiced her feelings in this collection of poems. The poems range in perspectives from the victim to the assailants, the fence, the rope, the moon, and the sky. The poems evoke sorrow, anger, and disbelief. The works are beautiful and evocative, and I was greatly impressed, especially when you add the narration.

Audio Notes: These six narrators, Emily Beresford, Luke Daniels, Tom Parks, Nick Podehl, Kate Rudd, Christina Traister, did an awesome job with the poems. They read the poems separately and occasionally jointly or in sequence. The presentation adds to the haunting and sometimes breathtaking prose. I highly recommend this audio work.

Source: 2014 SYNC Free Audio. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Justice Redeemed by Scott Pratt

It's hard to trust the legal system when corrupt people are in charge.
Justice Redeemed
By: Scott Pratt
Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Series: Darren Street, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 11-17-15
Language: English
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Legal Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Two years ago, Darren Street made a name for himself as the man who rooted out corruption in the district attorney's office. Now the hotheaded young lawyer is in the public eye yet again - this time, accused of murder.
Jalen Jordan retained Street for what seemed to be a minor traffic violation, but when evidence turned up linking Jordan to the death of two boys, Street wanted out of the case. To ensure his lawyer's cooperation and silence, Jordan threatened to make Street's son the next victim. Shortly after, Jordan's own body turned up with a bullet hole in his chest.
Now Street is on trial for his life, and the enemy he made in the DA's office is clearly out for blood. It's one lawyer out to frame another. Can a desperate father escape punishment for a crime he didn't commit?
©2015 Scott Pratt (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Review:
Darren Street is a criminal defense attorney who exposed corruption in the district attorney’s office and headed a movement to defeat the DA at the polls. Darren had hoped that the corrupt attorney would be out of the system, but he moved into a different prosecutor’s office.

Now Darren has been asked to represent Jalen Jorden who claims he was wrongly stopped for a minor traffic violation. Darren becomes aware that more is involved when the pushy man presents $50,000.00 as retainer. Darren learns that the simple vehicle stop may have produced evidence of a heinous murder of two boys. Darren wants to decline the representation, but Jordan threatens to harm Darren’s own young son. Darren is livid and panicked. He is caught in a dilemma as he is restricted by ethical codes from telling anyone what the man has disclosed in privileged communications, but he is terrified for the safety of his child. Darren rants and raves to his secretary before calling an old attorney friend seeking advice but also threatening to stop Jordan. He reaches out to an old client with a horrible request which sets up major problems.

A few days later Jordan is found dead and Darren is the prime suspect in the murder. His old enemy is thrilled to prosecute the case where all the evidence points to Darren. Darren ends up in jail where he begins to learn rules of the prison yard. He faces beatings in the yard as well as beatings in the courtroom as betrayals bring damaging testimony.

I have to say that this wasn’t an easy listen for me. I had trouble relating to Darren’s temper and irrational rants. His experiences behind bars are brutal, distressing and I shudder to think they are a realistic depiction. It is horrifying. I liked the shifting character alignments that are revealed as the story proceeds, even though some of the situations are on the edge of believability. The story moves at a good pace and the full package makes for an engaging story which I recommend to readers who enjoy legal thrillers.

Audio Notes: I have enjoyed Nick Podehl’s narration in other works and he does a good job on this one too. He portrays the panic and anguish of Darren and the malevolence of Jordan and the corrupt prosecutor. I enjoyed the audio presentation.

Source May 2019 Sale Audible Sale $5.24. This qualifies for 2019Audiobook goal and “J” in Alphabet goal.

Audible Book Review: The Land: Founding: A LitRPG Saga by Aleron Kong

This was fun listening.
The Land: Founding: A LitRPG Saga
By: Aleron Kong
Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Series: Chaos Seeds, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 04-21-17
Language: English
Publisher: Tamori Publications LLC
Genre: Humorous, LitRPG, Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.5 Overall; 4.5 Story; 5.0 Narration.

Publisher's Summary
Welcome to The Land, Audible's 2018 Customer Favorite!
Book 1 of a 7-Book international best-selling series that will amaze and delight you for weeks!
Enter a mesmerizing tale reminiscent of the wonder of Ready Player One and the adventure of Game of Thrones.
Number One Audiobook 2017
75 Thousand Five Star Reviews
Welcome my friends! Welcome... to "The Land!"
Tricked into a world of banished gods, demons, goblins, sprites and magic, Richter must learn to meet the perils of The Land and begin to forge his own kingdom. Actions have consequences across The Land, with powerful creatures and factions now hell-bent on Richter's destruction.
Can Richter forge allegiances to survive this harsh and unforgiving world or will he fall to the dark denizens of this ancient and unforgiving realm?
A tale to shake "The Land" itself, measuring 10/10 on the Richter scale, how will Richter's choices shape the future of The Land and all who reside in it? Can he grow his power to meet the deadliest of beings of the land? When choices are often a shade of grey, how will Richter ensure he does not become what he seeks to destroy?
PS - Gnomes Rule
Please LIKE Aleron Kong on Facebook. He also does almost weekly giveaways of shirts, signed books, and other loot! facebook.com/LitRPGbooks
FB The Land Forum: facebook.com/groups/AleronKong. If you want to discuss The Land with other members of the Mist Village Mafia, join us!
Website: LitRPG.com. Come check out custom artwork from The Land, find awesome loot and find more LitRPG. Includes a link to the author's Patreon page: "I am an indie author, meaning no publisher. If you would like access to early chapters of unreleased books or even to have yourself written into the books, check out my Patreon. Help me make more books!"
Instagram: @LitRPGBooks
Twitter: @LitRPGBooks
©2016 Tamori Publications (P)2017 Tamori Publications

Review:
A role-playing game (RPG) is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. They build on character traits, knowledge and physical skills; they gather supplies (inventory), gain experience points and increase learning in many areas, including magic. James was a RPG (role-player game) player with his friends but suddenly he finds himself no longer in his world but within The Land where his RPG comes with real life (sort of) consequences.

Richter (formerly known as James) meets an imp who tries to bring him up to speed on his new world. As he sets out to explore this new world, he meets a forest tribe of wood sprites and agrees to his first quest. Although his first escort, Sion, goes along with reluctance, the sprite soon becomes a companion and more. The story follows Richter and Sion as they proceed from one quest to another. Along the way Richter acquires his own village to protect, build and populate.

There is action, danger, puzzles to unravel and monsters to kill. There are friends made to help in the quests forward and enemies made to avoid or battle. As this story proceeds, Richter is able to check his stats (statistics) to see his health, strengths, abilities, skills, inventory, characters, and reputation. It has been a long time since I have had the time to play an RPG. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the bells and whistles that signaled new skills and leveling up. I liked the adventure and will continue the series. I recommend this to readers who enjoy LitRPG (Literary RPG) or those who like adventure and are willing to give this genre a try.

Audio Notes: Nick Podehl does an excellent job portraying the various characters. He imbues them with appropriate voice and personality. This is the second book I have listened to recently narrated by Nick Podehl and I am impressed by the strength of his presentation. There was also the addition of bells and whistles and sounds to this production. The narration and audio added to my enjoyment of the work.

Source: November 2017 Audible Daily Deal Purchase. This qualifies for 2019TBR, 2019Audiobook and 2019Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicle, Book 1) by Patrick Rothfuss

I can get lost in Kvothe's world and adventures.

The Name of the Wind
(Kingkiller Chronicle, Book 1)
By: Patrick Rothfuss
Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Series: Kingkiller Chronicle, Book 1
Length: 27 hrs and 55 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 05-15-09
Language: English
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Action Adventure, Epic Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; 4.5 Story and 5.0 Narration

DAY ONE: THE NAME OF THE WIND
My name is Kvothe.
I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep.
You may have heard of me.
So begins a tale unequaled in fantasy literature - the story of a hero told in his own voice. It is a tale of sorrow, a tale of survival, a tale of one man’s search for meaning in his universe, and how that search, and the indomitable will that drove it, gave birth to a legend.
©2009 DAW Trade (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Review:
This book introduces the bright red-haired Kote as the innkeeper at the Waystone Inn, where he has made a quiet life, trying to stay out of the limelight. Chronicler, a scribe historian, stops at the Inn and bargains to write Kote’s – or more accurately, the legendary Kvothe’s - story. So the tale begins.

Kvothe is part of a family troupe of entertainers. He is tutored by an arcanist who joined the troupe for a time and the eager young scholar longs to go to the University for arcanists. Then tragedy strikes when everyone in the caravan is killed by an assassin group, the Chandrain, who most believe to be a myth, or at very least, the stuff of legends. Kvothe escapes and runs into the woods in a shocked state of grief. After a time, he travels to a city where he is attacked and loses his most treasured possession, his lute. He soon learns to fend for himself and avoid the gangs just to survive.

After three years Kvothe, at 15, takes off to the University hoping to gain entrance. He does want to study but he also hopes to find out the secrets of the Chandrain. Kvothe impresses the chancellors and is accepted. He has struggles, makes some wonderful friends and fearsome enemies. He breaks rules and bears through punishment. He scrapes by with little and every time he manages to get some funds ahead, he plunges off on a misadventure.

This is a coming of age, action adventure story that is written with skill in language and world building. The words flow with a music that fits the tale: sometimes silence, sometimes gentle, must often troubled. The characters are well developed and the world is woven with strong detail. I had to pay attention at the beginning to sort the characters and get the gist of the story. As the book progressed, I was caught up in Kvothe’s troubles feeling his pains and few moments of joy. It is a long book – almost 28 hours on audio - but I was engaged all the way to the end. At some time I plan to continue with book 2 which is an even more intimidating 43 hours! I recommend this to readers who enjoy epic fantasy.

Audio Notes: Nick Podehl does a superb job with the narration. He captures the mystery, aloofness, sneers and other emotions, making the characters come alive. He maintains strong energy sharing as a good storyteller. I am very glad that I listened to this on audio.

Source: 2012 Audible. This qualifies for 2019TBR, 2019Audiobook and 2019Alphabet goals.