Audible Book Review: Monster Hunter Siege by Larry Correia

This is another action-packed, intense adventure.

Monster Hunter Siege
Monster Hunter, Book 6
By: Larry Correia
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman

Series: Monster Hunter, Book 6
Length: 15 hrs and 33 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 08-01-17
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Number six in multiple New York Times best seller Larry Correia's Monster Hunter series.
Go big or go home.
When Monster Hunter International's top hunter, Owen Zastava Pitt, was given a tip about some hunters who had gone missing in action, he didn't realize their rescue mission would snowball into the single biggest operation in MHI's history. Their men are being held prisoner in a horrific nightmare dimension, and the only way to reach them is through the radioactive ruins of a monster-infested war zone.
As if that wasn't bad enough, it's also the home base of the powerful creature behind the devastating attacks on the Last Dragon and Copper Lake. It turns out ancient gods of chaos really hate trespassers. But this god picked a fight with the wrong crew, and now MHI wants payback. Calling on their allies, a massive expedition is formed, and with the odds stacked against them, a legion of hunters goes to war.
It's D-Day at the City of Monsters.
©2017 Larry Correia (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Many hunters were lost in the Las Vegas battle (Monster Hunter Legion) with seven who disappeared into the nightmare realm presumed to be dead. Two were from MHI and five others were from rival companies that were involved in that nightmare battle. Owen received a secret message that has led him to a new information source who reveals that there are seven hunters alive in the nightmare dimension – far away and nearly impossible to enter. But Owen is of the genre that won’t leave a man behind.

Owen talks the boss into allowing him to lead a rescue mission. The other companies who have lost hunters are invited and readily join the highly risky mission. This mission takes months of planning trying to find a way to reach the prisoners who are held in the radioactive ruins of a monster-infested, abandoned city in Siberian. The huge endeavor will have to get permission just to step foot, or boat, in Russia.

The city where they have to go has a strange tie with Owen’s father. This brings in some history of Owen’s family just at a time when Owen is facing becoming a father himself. The stakes are even higher since Owen as “the chosen one” may have to face the newest evil alone and there are predictions of death.

This may not be as strong as some of the prior books and is more focused on Owen rather than a broader range of the characters. It still has plenty of action and the underlying snarky humor that the series is known for. There is some craziness – but that shouldn’t be surprising considering that a good part of the story takes place in a nightmare realm filled with skeleton and other nightmarish monsters. There is some foul language that I don’t like but realize is expected from ‘Bad A’ warriors.

The ending leaves an open segue to the next book which is now in my Wish List. I recommend the series from book 1 and this installment to fans of the series.

Audio Notes: Oliver Wyman is the voice of this series. I felt comfortable as soon as I heard his voice and was glad to have his energy in the presentation. I do enjoy this series on audio.

3/17/19 February 2019 Audible Credit. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Monster Hunter International by Larry Correia 4.75
Audible Book Review: Monster Hunter Vendetta by Larry Correia 4.5
Audible Book Review: Monster Hunter Alpha by Larry Correia 4.75
Audible Book Review: Monster Hunter Legion: Monster Hunter, Book 4 by Larry Correia 4.5
Goodreads Review: Monster Hunter Nemesis (Monster Hunter International #5) by Larry Correia 4.25

Audible Book Review: Monster Hunter Memoirs:Sinners by Larry Correia, John Ringo

This is an easy, fun listen.
Monster Hunter Memoirs: Sinners
By: Larry Correia, John Ringo
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman

Series: Monster Hunter Memoirs, Book 2, Monster Hunter , Book 2
Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 12-06-16
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.75

Publisher's Summary
A new novel in the Monster Hunter Memoirs series. Two authors, who combined have over four million books in print and 10 New York Times best sellers, team up to expand Larry Correia's Monster Hunter universe!
Nightmare in the Big Easy
With New Orleans out of control, Chad Oliver Gardenier, one of Monster Hunter International's premier hunters, has been dispatched from Seattle to reinforce the beleaguered members of MHI'S Hoodoo Squad in their fight against the darkness.
Chad had once taken a werewolf while wearing only jogging gear. With half a dozen or more loup garou appearing every full moon, mysterious shadow demons, houdoun necromancers, 50-foot bipedal crocodiles showing up every couple of months, and more vampires than a Goth concert, New Orleans in the '80s gives a whole new perspective to the term hell on earth. In fact more monsters are popping up than crawfish at a fais do do! Chad may be able to collect enormous bounties for the monsters he kills. But there's one catch: He has to stay alive to do it!
©2016 Larry Correia and John Ringo (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Chad Oliver Gardenier took the chance to get out of Seattle where he had a target on his back for messing with a young (40 year old) elf. Chad doesn’t like the heat of Louisiana but soon realizes that he likes the food, the women and the busy hunting action, not necessarily in that order.

New Orleans is experiencing an increase of supernatural creatures and it is important for the forces who fight the monsters to get control of the infestations before the issues leak to the pubic at large. The local communities aren’t such a problem since they are inclined to believe in the paranormal and magic and most of the people love the HooDoo squad.

I liked the more relaxed relationship between the Monster Hunter International (MHI) team and the local authorities including the local officers in the Federal Monster Control Bureau (MCB). The MCB is tasked with keeping supernatural from the public eye. When an incident occurs the MCB have a clean up crew and a mostly reasonable accidental explanation for the damage and deaths.

I was glad to listen to this cheeky monster hunting journal in the MHI universe. This series is full of action and humor. Chad is fun although on the wild side as a Casanova aka Player. He feels his exuberance in life is justified since he expects to die soon considering the nature of his business fighting werewolves (loup garou), vampires, zombies, strange squid, giant (elephant size) mole rats and eventually giant land scrambling, people eating lobsters (or similar crustacean). Chad actually does have a soft side for his friends and teammates and he tries to save the innocent bystanders whenever he can. This comes out even with some bad language and lots of ‘battle’ action.

It was nice to have some regular MHI characters join the New Orleans battle including, Earl, Ray, Milo and even MCB Agent Franks. This story is presented as a journal of Chad’s early days in New Orleans. The journal includes fun and serious tips for younger hunters and fun details regarding the Puff bounties which were numerous. I recommend this to those who already love the MHI series and as a fun listen to someone who might want to try the series.

Audio Notes: Oliver Wyman does a wonderful job narrating this series. I love his emotional energy as well as his multiple voices. Listening is a wonderfully entertaining experience.

Source: July 2017 Audible Sale $4.95. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: Monster Hunter Legion: Monster Hunter, Book 4 by Larry Correia

This is fun series with lots of monsters and hunters.
Monster Hunter Legion: Monster Hunter, Book 4
Written by: Larry Correia
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman

Length: 16 hrs and 35 mins
Series: Monster Hunter, Book 4
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:09-04-12
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Sci Fi, Paranormal, Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Monster Hunter International might be the premier monster eradication company in the business, but they’ve got competition.
When hunters from around the world gather in Las Vegas for a conference, a creature left over from a World War Two weapons experiment wakes up and goes on a rampage across the desert. A not-so-friendly wager between the rival companies turns into a race to see who can bag the mysterious creature first. Only there is far more to this particular case than meets the eye, and as Hunters fall prey to their worst nightmares, Owen Zastava Pitt and the staff of Monster Hunter International have to stop an ancient god from turning Sin City into a literal hell on earth.
©2012 Larry Correia (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Owen “Big Z” Pitt, Earl Harbinger, Julie, Milo, Holly, Trip, Skippy the orc and more of the Monster Hunter International (MHI) crew are in Las Vegas for the first International Conference of Monster Hunting Professionals. There are teams of hunters from all over the world and at first there is a sense of competition, especially from some of the newer, upstart companies. Earl and the team suspect that there is increased monster activity and they begin to circulate to see what they can find out from other teams. As they begin to share notes Earl and Julie meet with other teams to negotiate a new era of sharing information.

The hunters are interrupted by an invitation to a special meeting where they are given an assignment with a huge puff bounty to the first team to eliminate the threat. The assignment comes from a secret government official who is no friend of Earl’s. The teams are off and running for the competition. Earl isn’t so quick to rush off as he doesn’t trust the official and is angry that the man has control over Earl’s girlfriend for another year.

Z and his team get to the monster site by means of Skippy’s patched up helicopter. Still they are second behind the German team so they only get the assist in a rather easy kill. But a few clues indicate that something isn’t quite as it seems. Everyone returns to the hotel to party and rest but Julie is awakened by misgivings in the middle of the night. They step down the hall to screams and an alternate dimension of monsters. Now the true battle begins against a secret weapon from WWII who is seeking revenge and power.

The upstart Paranormal Tactical group make for fun teasing and trouble to kick off the action. I liked the new ally Z meets as well as all the old friends. Mordacai and other characters from earlier books make appearances trying to help Z. Even Z’s brother, Mosh, gets recruited to help save the world…again. I like the growth shown in the characters – Z still gets in trouble but he is trying to be more responsible. And he is taking his role as “the Chosen” more seriously.

This series is so much fun. There are a variety of monsters and of course the usual impressive armament. There are several good twists and details in this episode which continues to build to the threatened big war. The book does have some rough language but it zips by in the action moments. I recommend this to readers who like monsters and want a fun series.

Audio Notes: Oliver Wyman does a fabulous job with the character voices from men, women, orcs, and monster creatures. I have listened to the four books so far and will definitely continue with the audible versions.

By the way - The first book in the series is available for free at Kindle!
Monster Hunter International (Monster Hunters International Book 1)

This was in my TBR and saved for Sci Fi month. It qualifies for Mount TBR, Audio Challenge and M in Alphabet Challenge.

Audible Review: Monster Hunter Alpha by Larry Correia

This is a wonderfully fun and entertaining series.
Monster Hunter Alpha
Written by: Larry Correia
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman

Length: 18 hrs and 52 mins

Series: Monster Hunter, Book 3

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:07-26-11

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Dirty Harry meets Twilight. Number 3 in the break-out series and a follow-up to Monster Hunter International and Monster Hunter Vendetta.
Earl Harbinger may be the leader of Monster Hunter International, but he's also got a secret. Nearly a century ago, Earl was cursed to be a werewolf. When Earl receives word that one of his oldest foes, a legendarily vicious werewolf that worked for the KGB, has mysteriously appeared in the remote woods of Michigan, he decides to take care of some unfinished business. But another force is working to bring about the creation of a whole new species of werewolf. When darkness falls, the final hunt begins, and the only thing standing in their way is a handful of locals, a lot of firepower, and Earl Harbinger's stubborn refusal to roll over and play dead.
Track down another Monster Hunter title.
©2011 Larry Correia (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Earl Harbinger has been the director of Monster Hunter International (MHI) for many (many) years. Some, but not all, of the employees know that he is a werewolf who has been around for a century. Even fewer of the employees know his former identity and his histroy.

Earl has headed to a remote community in the cold, remote woods of Michigan due to an anonymous tip that an old foe, Nikolai, another legendary werewolf who was his KGB enemy during WWII, is going to be in town. This is a personal issue so Earl hasn’t advised any one at MHI. He arrives in town during a bad snow storm only to discover that Nikolai is there but there are other werewolves and something else dangerous is going on.

Earl meets a local, young, tough officer who is prepared to protect her town. Heather is stressed because her boss, the Sheriff, has ended up in the hospital after dealing with an animal attack at a resident’s farm. Heather isn’t used to strangers in town and she has already been visited by another man - a European stranger who asked questions about her grandfather. Soon she finds herself pulled into a very bazaar … and bloody… situation and the only man who seems to know what is going on is this Harbinger fellow.

Earl thinks he is there to face off with Nikolai, and vice versa. But there is a third man playing the two enemies as he seeks to take his position as the Alpha werewolf. He has brought Earl and Nikolai together so he can take the soul, of the strongest warrior. Earl doesn’t mind facing monsters but it really angers him to have to face dark magic too.

This is the third book in this fast paced, fun series. The story focuses on the leader of MHI, Earl Harbinger, showing his history through brief entries from his journal at the beginning of each chapter. The chapters then proceed with current events and all the action and danger, plus an added bonus of a developing romance! We learn of Earl's past and also learn more about the state agency, Monster Control Bureau. I may have missed the MHI team but I was completely engaged and loved learning the history of Earl as well as meeting new characters.

Correia did a wonderful job of creating an action story around the primary characters. I enjoyed the plot, character development and action supplied by this author – with a touch of humor too! I will definitely be continuing with the series.

Audio Notes: Oliver Wyman does a great job narrating this series. I had to double check that there was only one narrator because he did such a good job with the voices, including the Russian and the females. The narration carries the excitement of the story and adds to my enjoyment of the series.

This is from my Audible library as a selection in August 2014 so it counts for my TBR shelf. It also qualifies as part of my Audio Challenge.

Audible Book Review: Monster Hunter International by Larry Correia

This is a really fun listen -- action packed adventure, danger and a little romance too!

Monster Hunter International

UNABRIDGED

by Larry Correia

Narrated by Oliver Wyman

Series: Monster Hunter, Book 1

    LENGTH    23 hrs and 34 mins
    RELEASE DATE    03-15-11
    PUBLISHER    Audible Frontiers

Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Five days after Owen Zastava Pitt pushed his insufferable boss out of a 14th story window, he woke up in the hospital with a scarred face, an unbelievable memory, and a job offer.
It turns out that monsters are real. All the things from myth, legend, and B-movies are out there, waiting in the shadows. Officially secret, some of them are evil, and some are just hungry. On the other side are the people who kill monsters for a living. Monster Hunter International is the premier eradication company in the business. And now Owen is their newest recruit.
It's actually a pretty sweet gig, except for one little problem. An ancient entity known as the Cursed One has returned to settle a centuries-old vendetta. Should the Cursed One succeed, it means the end of the world, and MHI is the only thing standing in his way.
With the clock ticking towards Armageddon, Owen finds himself trapped between legions of undead minions, belligerent federal agents, a cryptic ghost who has taken up residence inside his head, and the cursed family of the woman he loves. Business is good.... Welcome to Monster Hunter International.
©2009 Larry Correia (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Owen Zastava Pitt is a big young man with a fascination with guns. His father was a military hero who pushed him hard. Owen worked as a bouncer to help put himself through college. When his temper got him into trouble Owen decided to find the most unexciting career he could so he became a boring accountant. One night he discovered that his boss was not only insufferably mean but a monster - literally! Somehow, with the help of his brawn, smarts and hidden gun, Owen was able to survive a vicious attack by pushing his boss, now werewolf, out of the 14th story window.

Thus Owen learned there were monsters in the world and he caught the attention of a special division of the FBI and Monster Hunters International. Both organizations were impressed with his natural abilities and they offered him a job. Not wanting to work with the government, Owen accepts the job at Monster Hunters International. In truth, he is more drawn to that job because one of the recruiters is a young woman, Julie, with whom he is immediately smitten.  She is beautiful and the granddaughter of the CEO of the business.  Owen knows, with his scarred face and bulky physique, he doesn’t stand a chance with her. Besides, she has a rich, handsome, arrogant, hunter boyfriend, who immediately becomes Owen’s rival.

Owen goes through training making friends of other recruits and some of the teachers. Many will fail the training process but when they are done there is a hard core group of “newbies” ready to face the hidden monsters in the world. A major threat arises and the newbie team is brought along with the experienced crew to face the threat.

As though it’s not bad enough facing the monsters in battle,  Owen is dreaming about them and getting dream visits from an old man who tells Owen he has to prepare to face the Cursed One who seeks to control time and open the portals of evil. Owen even gets to see past memories of the Cursed One in all their evil goriness. The team races to locate and stop a band of master vampires and the strongest of monsters.

There are many strange hunter alliances, strong action, a little romance and plenty of snarkiness that makes this great fun. The author builds a good rapport with the characters so that I really liked the various team members. There were a few twists and moments when I laughed and others when I gasped.

Audio Notes: The narrator does a great job projecting the personalities of the characters, both good and evil. The reading definitely enhanced the fun of the book for me.

I had this one on my MP3 from my Audible Library. It is my Just For Fun reading for September.