Audible Book Review: Two Necromancers, a Bureaucrat, and an Army of Golems: An Unconventional Heroes Publisher's Pack by L.G. Estrella

This is fun listening although I'm not sure I wouldn't have enjoyed it more split up.

Two Necromancers, a Bureaucrat, and an Army of Golems: An Unconventional Heroes Publisher's Pack
By: L. G. Estrella
Narrated by: Fred Berman

Series: Unconventional Heroes, Book 1-2
Length: 13 hrs and 5 mins
Release date: 05-26-20
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Humorous Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's summary
Contains Books 1 and 2 of the Unconventional Heroes series.
Two Necromancers, a Bureaucrat, and an Elf, book 1:
Two necromancers, a bureaucrat, and an elf - it sounds like the start of a bad joke, only the joke is on Timmy.
Timothy Walter Bolton - better known as Timmy - has spent most of his life as a necromancer. When he isn't terrorising his enemies, he's plotting inside his castle, which is built on top of lightless chasms filled with nameless horrors and beings of a generally malevolent and megalomaniacal nature. But after one of his latest creations, a zombie hydra-dragon-bear, tries to eat him, he decides that maybe it's time to find a new, less dangerous, career.
But that's easier said than done. He's a wanted criminal with no shortage of powerful (and crazy) enemies, and he has a bone or two to pick with the Everton Council of Mages.
It's a good thing that he's got some help: an obnoxious 10-year-old apprentice who thinks that pink glasses are appropriate for a budding necromancer and a bumbling bureaucrat who may or may not make it through their first real fight without puking his guts up. Wonderful.

Two Necromancers, an Army of Golems, and a Demon Lord, book 2:
Two necromancers, an army of golems, and a demon lord - it sounds like a recipe for trouble, and for Timmy, it definitely is.
To earn his pardon and avoid horrible torture and/or gruesome execution, Timmy has to complete every mission the Council throws his way, most of which seem to involve extremely scary things trying to kill him. At least he’s got help - sort of. His help consists of an apprentice with designs on his castle (and her plans may or may not involve overthrowing him), a bureaucrat whose two greatest skills are fainting in the face of trouble and using people (usually Timmy) as human shields, and an elf with the world's worst case of pyromania and enough magic to level a mountain.
Somehow, Timmy's got to get this bunch of unconventional heroes to work together. Trouble is coming, and it's trouble of the kind that only a necromancer like Timmy could possibly find himself in the middle of.
©2014 L. G. Estrella (P)2020 Podium Audio

Review:
Two Necromancers, a Bureaucrat, and an Elf, book 1:
Timmy is supposed to be a harsh Necromancer, but he is really sort of a good guy. Not that he doesn’t battle, terrorize, and kill his enemies…but they are really the bad guys. And he does live in a cursed castle with an army of created servants and a rat colony, not to mention the indescribable monsters living under the castle. And as a wizard who has to dig a lot in the dirt it is a bit alarming at first when others learn that Timmy’s weapon of choice is a magical shovel rather than a good sword. As a successful Necromancer he has learned to think on his feet and to create living - or animated dead – creatures who help him. He loves blending new creations although not all of them work out.

Timmy has taken on a 10-year-old apprentice, Katie, who was abandoned by her parents and community when she brought her dead puppy back to life. Eventually Katie will learn all that Timmy can teach her and then she will kill him and take over the castle. But that is still a long time away.

Timmy has been ousted from the wizardly community but there is a way he can have his past crimes pardoned and get back in good standing. He just has to meet certain conditions and succeed in some assigned quests as directed by the Council of Mages. What’s a Necromancer to do when his tomb raiding jobs are limited and he needs funds to maintain his experiments and his killer ninja rat colony who eat, unlike his zombie armies.

Timmy and Katie agree to work for the Mages and they set off on their first assignment with an unimpressive, bumbling bureaucrat from the Council who is apt to faint or hide when trouble comes. They must convince a powerful, malevolent, fire throwing elf to join them, or they must capture her. Either choice may prove fatal.

Two Necromancers, an Army of Golems, and a Demon Lord, book 2:
After successfully completing their first mission, Timmy and Kate, have returned to the castle accompanied by Avraniel, the still angry and fiery elf, and the bumbling bureaucrat, Gerald. Soon they are assigned the next mission which sets them off to face an army of golems controlled by a demon lord. And there is a massive dragon involved too. Golems and dragons and demons, oh my! What fun – but not without edge of death experiences for the unlikely heroes.

These stories are creative and entertaining. I will certainly want to continue the adventures. Although I appreciate getting two books included in the volumes, I may listen to one at a time as 13 hours of magical dangers and death defying escapes seemed a bit too much at one sitting. I highly recommend this to fans of fun, magical adventures.

Audio notes: Fred Berman is a skilled narrator who adds to the enjoyment of this work. He provides distinct voices and shares the humor of the characters. I enjoyed the audio presentation.

Source: March 2022 Free Audible Plus. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and my 2023Numbers goals.

Audible Book Review: Mountain Man by Keith C. Blackmore

This is gritty - zombies of course - but entertaining action.

Mountain Man
By: Keith C. Blackmore
Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Series: Mountain Man, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
Release date: 03-28-14
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Horror, Post Apocalyptic, Zombie
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
A man must survive the zombie apocalypse armed with only a shotgun, a Samurai bat, and the will to live among the unliving in this horror series debut.
It’s been two years since civilization ended in an unstoppable wave of chaos and blood. Now, former house painter Augustus “Gus” Berry lives a day-to-day existence of waking up, getting drunk, and preparing for the inevitable moment when “they” will come up the side of his mountain and penetrate his fortress.
Living on the outskirts of Annapolis, Gus goes scavenging for whatever supplies remain in the undead suburbia below. Every time he descends the mountain could be his last. But when Gus encounters another survivor, he soon realizes the zombie horde may not be the greatest threat he faces . . .
©2012 Keith C. Blackmore (P)2014 Podium Publishing

Review:
Gus is a burly sort of guy, but not as burly as before the ‘zombie’ apocalypse. He lives alone in a commandeered mountain home that is like a fortress above the city of Annapolis. He goes regularly to forage among the houses and businesses for supplies. When Gus isn’t foraging, he’s drinking, and occasionally working on further reinforcements on the property to keep out the undead or unliving.

After two years, Gus is surprised when he almost runs down a living human being. He rescues Scott and takes him back to the house to recuperate. Scott knows there are other survivors as he has witnessed one in particular and knows he will have to go looking for him. Gus and Scott start scavenging together and sharing the returning celebration rituals of drinking. They are surprised one day to stumble upon other survivors where they rescue a female in distress. But now it seems that not just the undead are a threat.

Gus is a well-developed character, and the author shares his past, his pain, his current despair, and his determination. There is plenty of action to keep the reader/listener entertained. And of course, there are twists that bring it to a suspenseful conclusion … until the next book. I enjoyed one of the prequels and plan to get more in this series. I recommend this to fans of post-apocalyptic who don’t mind the gore and rough language associated with men fighting zombies and other terrors.

Audio Notes: R.C. Bray does his usual wonder full job of narrating. His voices are distinct and energy appropriate. I always find that Bray narration enhances my enjoyment of an audiobook.

Source: January 2021 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: To Serve and Protect by Glynn Stewart

I enjoyed this action story with supernatural villains and heroes.
To Serve and Protect
Onset, Book 1
By: Glynn Stewart
Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins
Release date: 10-24-17
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Action, Paranormal, Superhero, Supernatural, Urban
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
A small town cop with an unexpected gift. A shadowy government agency on the side of justice. A call no good man could turn away.
When vampires attack David White's small town, only luck, firepower, and the intervention of an elite government task force saves his life. The aftermath of the attack leaves him in the middle of the world's biggest secret: the existence of government agencies that regulate the supernatural.
They insist that David's "luck" is actually a supernatural gift, and he's immediately recruited into ONSET, the most shadowy part of America's thin blue line of police protectors.
Questioning both his gifts and the agency he now serves, David is drawn into an escalating battle that threatens all of humanity. If he isn't what ONSET thinks he is, the entire world may pay the price.
©2016 Glynn Stewart (P)2017 Podium Publishing

Review:
David White is a small town cop, dedicated to the mantra of “serve and protect”. One day he chases after a group of young ‘punks’ who have murdered a store clerk in a bloody fashion, and on their escape path they also brutally murdered his own partner, a young, new officer.

A secret government police force known as Onset sees his valiant efforts to fight the pack of vampires. They barely save his life and take him to their secret facility to heal his injuries. When he wakes up they offer him the chance to work with the elite supernatural team. They recognize he has skills that he isn’t even aware of, just as he wasn’t aware of the existence of vampires, werewolves, and other creatures from the realm of fantasy and myths.

Initially David isn’t sure but a discussion with an old friend convinces him that he can “serve and protect” in a broader sense with this covert organization. Can David really help this team that includes a werewolf leader, a good demon, a mage and more? His initial training doesn’t reveal the extent of his powers but when he gets in the thick of battle a hidden ability appears. The dangers progress to a deadly battle with a large terrorist organization and the evils they summon. Not all of the good guys will make it out alive.

I liked the moments of introspection included in a consistent pace of action. I enjoyed the development of the primary character and the uniqueness of the supporting teammates. I will be getting more in the series. I recommend this to fans of action and supernatural characters.

Audio Notes: Ray Porter is a wonderful narrator. As with most of the works he narrates, his performance with distinct voices and fitting energy, added to my enjoyment of the audio.

Source: 7/31/2022 July Audible Credits. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Galactic Forge by Alex Guerra

This is an entertaining sci fi with action and a 'kidnapped' human caught up with an AI entity.

Galactic Forge
Galactic Forge Series, Book 1
By: Alex Guerra
Narrated by: Paul Heitsch

Series: Galactic Forge Series, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins
Release date: 02-19-19
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: First Contact, Military, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Former Marine Arthur Holland’s destiny begins when an aircraft crashes on his property in the mountains of Colorado. He moves to investigate and to help any survivors, but the closer he gets the less control he has of his movements.
An unknown force urges him to open the door of the mysterious craft, discovering the secret that lies within: a dead, alien pilot and a peculiar, otherworldly crystal. If that wasn’t enough, the crystal feels like it is alive. That’s when he hears a single word inside his mind: run.
An enemy vessel approaches overhead in pursuit of the downed ship, leaving Arthur little time to make his escape.
Guided by this strange voice, Art is propelled through a hidden portal, arriving somewhere unknown. On the other side of the galaxy, without a means of returning home, he has no choice but to move forward and help the crystal accomplish its mission: upgrade the ancient derelict ship, recruit new allies, and help the Galactic Conglomerate fight the Vael Empire.
It may be destiny that’s called him, but it’s the choices he makes that will forge his future.
©2018 Alex Guerra (P)2019 Podium Publishing

Review:
Arthur Holland is a former Marine running a car repair shop in Colorado. A strange aircraft crashes on his property and he is pulled to the crash to investigate. The closer he gets, the stronger the pull until he can’t control his own actions. He finds a dead alien pilot and takes a crystal from his hand. Next thing Arthur knows he is hearing a voice in his head telling him to “run!” The voice guides Arthur to a cave and a hidden portal that transports him to a strange, unknown place.

Arthur is in a closed room when he wakes up to learn he is in a spaceship on the other side of the galaxy. The crystal is an AI (Art names her Dotty) that begins to integrate with Art. She explains that she needs his help to find core drives for her ship so she will have power to continue. And, by the way, she doesn’t have the power to get him back home.

Art doesn’t have any choice but to go along with Dotty. As she hunts for power drives, they come across a young elfin looking woman who is under attack. Art rescues Seya and they proceed to a planet to allow her to reconnect with the Galactic forces. Soon Art finds himself in the middle of an intergalactic war between the Galactic allies and the Vael Empire. Art keeps getting hopeful that power cores will allow him to go home but then some other action is required. Step by step Art becomes a warrior and a hero, resulting in his new friends declaring that this is his destiny.

There were some unexplained matters that distracted me…particularly what happened to the enemy that chased the original spaceship to Colorado? Will that make earth a target for the Vael? And Art’s whining to get home is a little annoying. Other than that, I enjoyed the easy writing and the different character personalities. I liked the friendships that are developing for Art. I am engaged with the team matesand want to follow their next adventures as they face the enemy. I recommend this to fans of military space opera with a hero character.

Audio Notes: Paul Heitsch’s voice fits the story and the main character. I enjoyed the audio version of the story.

Source: February 2021 Audible Plus. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: Exiled Fleet Publisher's Pack (Books 1-2) by Richard Fox

I did like the action in this space opera once I figured out who was who.
Exiled Fleet Publisher's Pack (Books 1-2)
By: Richard Fox
Narrated by: Mark Boyett

Series: Exiled Fleet, Book 1-2
Length: 14 hrs and 43 mins
Release date: 10-10-17
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Adventure, Military, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Book 1: Albion Lost:
For centuries, the Daegon waited. They plotted. And now they are ready to strike.
The core worlds of settled space enjoy a tenuous peace, unaware and ill prepared for the threat building beyond the furthest reaches of humanity. The star kingdom of Albion stands as a shining light of justice and mercy in a harsh galaxy, and they will be the first to suffer the Daegon's fury.
Defying his low born status, and despite his self-doubt, Commodore Thomas Gage has risen through the ranks by sheer grit and determination, defending Albion from brutal pirate clans. And when the onslaught comes, Gage and his fleet may be Albion's last hope for freedom.

Book 2: The Long March:
Albion burns beneath Daegon rule.
Commodore Thomas Gage and his fleet, safeguarding the last of the Albion Royal Family, are on the run. Hunting them, a ruthless Daegon commander will stop at nothing to crush Albion's only remaining free force.
To find sanctuary beyond their enemy's reach, the battle-damaged fleet must cut through a hostile and dangerous region of space known as the Kigeli Nebula. But to secure passage, Gage must strike a deal with an old enemy who wants nothing more than to fulfill a vendetta and see the commodore dead.
Facing threats ahead, behind and from within, Gage must lead his fleet down the long march to freedom.
Exiled Fleet is a new military science-fiction series for fans of Honor Harrington, Earth Alone, and Old Man's War from the author of the best-selling Ember War Saga.
©2017 Podium Publishing; 2017 Richard Fox

Review:
The core worlds of settled space have mostly been experiencing peace so they aren’t prepared for war. Even though there are space pirates disrupting trade, the colonies are not even prepared to properly defend their planets.

No one remembers the Daegon and there is very little history, only myths, about them. They are an ancient alien race who have suddenly jumped into settled space attacking the main cities and announcing, “You will be ruled.”

Thomas Gage rose through the ranks to become a Commodore. Many military men respect him for his feats but there are those ‘family’ officers who are always ready to mock him and challenge his decisions, focusing on his troops who met their deaths. When the Daegon attack Albion and move to destroy all of the ruling royal family from King to youngest prince, Thomas ends up at the side of the dying King and the young child is placed in his care. Now Thomas, with two royal guards, has to escape the planet, keep the young prince safe, and find allies to fight the Daegon.

Tiberian, the Daegon commander who failed to eliminate all of the royal family, knows he will be demoted, if not punished, for failing his mission. He becomes obsessed with chasing Thomas to finish the job. Thomas and his handful of crew battle through the enemy lines and limp from one station to another. He needs to seek help from the pirate clans even though one of them has a vendetta death warrant out for him. If he can convince them to guide him across one of the most dangerous channels of space, can they navigate the channel safely while trying to stay ahead of the Daegon?

The royal guards are outfitted with almost sentient armor that enhances their capabilities. There are problems with the two guards with the prince. One of the guards is brand new, and the other has stepped into a dying man’s armor that doesn’t cooperate as it questions the man’s loyalty. And then there is Thomas’ main aid who reluctantly steps in to help the female guard ‘babysit’ the boy.

As the book started I struggled to figure out who was who. Once I got an hour or so in, I had the characters sorted out and was able to enjoy all of the action. I liked Thomas as a humble but skilled leader. He struggles with his decisions but is willing to make the hard calls even if it means fighting a personal enemy one on one to gain a deal. The supporting characters on his crew added interest for me. I’m not gripped by the series but may pick up the next two book pack in the series to continue the saga. Fans of military space opera may enjoy the action in this story.

Audio Notes: Mark Boyett does a great job on the narration. His energy and distinct voices added to the entertainment value of the work.

Source: May 2022 Audible Plus. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: The Last Tribe by Brad Manuel

I liked this post-apocalyptic which is full of characters and survival rather than guns and gore.

The Last Tribe
By: Brad Manuel
Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 22 hrs and 42 mins
Release date: 06-14-16
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Imagine being alone in the world, one of only a handful to survive a global pandemic. Not only do you struggle to find food, water, and shelter but you also deal with the sadness and losing everyone you know and everything you have.
Fourteen-year-old Greg Dixon is living that nightmare. Attending boarding school outside of Boston, he is separated from his family when a pandemic strikes. His classmates and teachers are dead, rotting in a dormitory-turned-morgue steps from his room. The nights are getting colder, and his food has run out. The last message from his father is to get away from the city and to meet at his grandparents' town in remote New Hampshire. Knowing the impending New England winter could be the final nail in his coffin, Greg packs what little food he can find and sets off on his 100-mile walk north with the unwavering belief that his family is alive and will join him.
As the fast-moving and deadly disease strips away family and friends, Greg's father, John, is trapped in South Carolina. Roadblocks, a panic-stricken population, and winter make it impossible for him to get to his son. John and his three brothers appear to be immune, but they are scattered across a locked-down United States, forced to wait for the end of humanity before travelling to the mountains of New Hampshire.
Spring arrives, and the Dixons make their way north to find young Greg. They meet others along the way, slowly forming the last tribe of humanity from the few people still alive in the Northeast.
©2015 Brad Manuel (P)2016 Podium Publishing.

Review:
A fast-moving global pandemic has eliminated most of the people within two months. There is no clear reason why certain people survive and others do not. Surprisingly in this world, four Dixon brothers seem to be immune. Even more surprising, one of their wives survived too. The four brothers are spread across the Eastern United States from South Carolina to Ohio. John, Todd, Paul, and Hank agree to meet in the spring at their childhood home in Hanover, New Hampshire.

John is in Charleston, with two of his sons who survived. His fourteen-year-old son, Greg, is away at boarding school in Massachusetts. In their last phone call John told Greg to get to Hanover to wait for the rest of the Dixon men. After all of the others at his school appear to be dead, Greg sets out alone on his journey north. Along the way he is stunned to stumble upon another living person. Thirteen-year-old Rebecca is a young genius who is determined to survive.

Paul and Hank live in Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, respectively. They react differently when their wives and children die leaving them alone. They have to decide how to travel north and whether they should travel before winter.

Todd lives in Raleigh and is relived that his wife, Emily, and two young sons, have survived. Emily is determined to continue to educate their boys even as they travel to meet the rest of the family. They have a surprising visit to the Governor’s house before they proceed on their journey, adding some interesting companions along the way.

John and his sons have the furthest distance to travel. Young adult, Matt is prepared to help his father as soon as they can get control of young Craig who is suffering grief and anxious to get to Greg. When they get Craig focused on fishing, he can add his skills to their survival.

A handful of other survivors are discovered along the various journeys. There is a fine dilemma between finding others to rebuild society and finding others who are safe to trust. This is a totally character driven post apocalyptic story. Rebecca, the child genius, and extreme organizer, is a fascinating character. The other characters are well developed I was engaged by the character interactions which kept the story interesting. Although there is no heavy action, I enjoyed all of the survival observations and techniques.  I recommend this to post-apocalyptic survival fans who would enjoy character strengths as a change of pace.

Audio Notes: Scott Brick is a talented narrator. He delivers clear voices and appropriate emotion. I enjoyed the audio entertainment.

Source: 05/17/2020 Audible Credit pick. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Alphabet goal.

Audible Book Review: TFS Ingenuity, The Terran Fleet Command Saga, Book 1, by Tori L. Harris

This has an interesting dilemma – trying to determine who is friend or foe in first contact aliens.

TFS Ingenuity
The Terran Fleet Command Saga, Book 1
By: Tori L. Harris
Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

Series: The Terran Fleet Command Saga, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 8 mins
Release date: 03-29-16
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Alien, First Contact, Sci Fi, Space Opera, Technothriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
It's the year 2277. For 50 years, Earth has received mysterious data transmissions from random locations in deep space. The streams include advanced technology, allowing humans to achieve faster-than-light travel virtually overnight. As we prepare to take our first tentative steps into interstellar space, we know almost nothing about our alien benefactors, and their motivations remain unexplained.
While completing their shakedown cruise, Captain Tom Prescott and the crew of the first Terran Fleet Command starship, TFS Ingenuity, stumble into a first contact situation. They learn that Earth is not the first civilization granted access to the stars before their time - and how this Faustian gift has inevitably led to centuries of interstellar war. Humanity's existence hangs in the balance as a powerful alliance assembles a preemptive military strike, believing it to be their only option to protect themselves...from us. Prescott and his small, initially unarmed starship must serve as our only line of defense. Ingenuity is our only hope.
©2015 Tori L. Harris (P)2016 Podium Publishing.

Review:
The Earth has been receiving mysterious data transmissions that include advance technology. This has allowed the powers that be to build a spaceship to take them into interstellar space. Captain Tom Prescott is the leader of the first starship, TFS Ingenuity. When they take their maiden, and intended to be test, voyage, they stumble upon a first contact situation which includes observing a space battle.

When the ship returns to Earth, they are directed to land in a secret facility where they discover they are not the only ship in town. Earth leaders have been busy even though they don’t know who their technology benefactor is. Now they have to figure out between two alien races which means to help, and which seeks to harm.

This is another sci fi space opera that is interesting but a little light on character development. There is interest created by chapters from the POV of the alien ‘guardians’, giving some background to the interference with lesser advanced species. The major problem is that this ends at a point where the reader would have to continue in book 2 to find out what happens. I am glad the second book is another free book on Audible Plus as I am not sure I would run out to buy it. Fans of first contact and jump technology might like to try this series.

Audio Notes: Once again, Jeffrey Kafer’s narration works for me. It may seem monotone and dry to some but I have learned to enjoy the straight forward narration.

Source: 12/17/22 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: The Legion Awakes, The Sleeping Legion, Book 1, by J.R. Handley

This has some interesting military involvement but there was some confusion.
The Legion Awakes
The Sleeping Legion, Book 1
By: J. R. Handley
Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

Series: The Sleeping Legion, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 11 mins
Release date: 09-05-17
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Military, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
A century ago, all but two members of Lance Scipio's unit were executed for bringing dishonor to his regiment.
Now, he is woken into a strange new time, and tasked with whipping into shape the worst squad of misfits in the entire Human Marine Corps.
The price of failure: Death!
AD 2565. Tranquility-4 near the frontier of the White Knight Empire. Guided by mysterious orders, the authorities at the Human Marine Corps base of Beta City thaw Lance Scipio. In 2441, an entire Marine company was executed with the exception of Captain Grimgerde and Sergeant Lance Scipio, the usual punishment for running in the face of the enemy. But these two were preserved...as if they would be required in the future.
Scipio is not expected to escape execution for long, but he has been given a slim chance. For a Marine, a chance can be all that's needed to change the fate of worlds.
The Sleeping Legion is an action-filled sequence of military science fiction novels set in the worlds of the hit series The Human Legion by Tim C. Taylor.
©2016 J. R. Handley (P)2017 Podium Publishing.

Review:
Lance Scipio awakes from stasis over one hundred years after a disastrous battle engagement saw all but himself and his captain executed for supposedly running in the face of the enemy. Lance is advised he has once chance to avoid his own execution – he must train a squad of misfits in the methods of engagement of his prior life.

There are alien leaders to impress if the team wants to survive. And of course, there is a privileged higher officer that disdains Sergeant Lance and his misfits and wouldn’t it be nice to show him up even if he is a powerful enemy.

I admit I was confused at the beginning of the book, trying to sort out the sides and history. I learned after listening to this that it is a spin off of a different series, the Human Legion. I would say there isn’t a lot of character development, although I liked the interaction with both the human marines and the unexpected fair treatment of the Aux, servant class. I did enjoy the picture of military life and especially liked the combat situations and the description of the battlefield tactics with the different reactions and input of soldiers and leaders.

I have the prequel and next book thanks to Audible Plus so I do plan to listen to more. I recommend this to fans of military sci fi, with the precaution to perhaps read the prequel first or maybe the original series, even though it is by a different author.

Audio Notes: Jeffrey Kafer has a unique narration style. It seems monotone but his voice has grown on me. I enjoy listening to his presentation and appreciated that I had this title through Audible Plus.

Source: 12/15/22 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: Welcome to Hell: The Tasmanian Special Forces Group, Book 1 by C. R. Daems

I enjoyed the strength, physical and mental, of this female protagonist in the vein of GI Jane.

Welcome to Hell: The Tasmanian Special Forces Group, Book 1
By: C. R. Daems
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

Series: Tasmanian SFG Series, Book 1
Release date: 03-03-20
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Military, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Jolie was 3 when she found she was ugly and deformed.
She was 5 when she found she was a subhuman and an outcast. She was 7 when five boys and two girls dragged her out of the orphanage and beat her unconscious, leaving her lying bleeding and broken in the street.
She was content to lie there and die, tired of being hated and abused. But a frail old man with wispy white hair and a long beard wasn't content to let her die. He not only saved her, but he adopted her and passed on his unique martial art to her.
She was 20 when she headed to Delphi, the center of the United Systems of Perileos (USP) and the planet of her birth father, to find her place in his society.
Based on her unique upbringing, she decides to join the USP military, requesting to be assigned to the Tasmanians SFG, an elite all-male unit. The military brass is reluctant to deny her request and admit their enlistment contract permits bait-and-switch assignments. Instead, they agree to let her enter the school, thinking she couldn't possibly succeed - a Chihuahua competing against Rottweilers — and plan to make an example of her when she fails.
Although Jolie is small, she is not what she appears. But can her adopted father's art enable her to survive the treachery of the military brass, the grueling of the school, the prejudices of the instructors, and the testosterone of an all-male class.
And if she succeeds, can she thrive in the high-octane and all male environment of the Tasmanians?
©2019 C. R. Daems (P)2020 Podium Publishing.

Review:
Jolie was a child on a foreign planet who was considered ugly and deformed due to her human heritage. She was beat up and dragged out of the orphanage at the age of 7. Instead of dying on the streets, she was adopted by a frail old man who spent years teaching her special martial arts. At age 20 Jolie sets out to find her place on her birth father’s planet, United Systems of Perileos (USP). She appears at a recruiter station and, after reviewing the brochures, asks to be assigned to an elite all-male unit, the Tasmanians SFG. If they refuse her request, then their brochures are full of bait and switch lies. The military leaders reluctantly admit her figuring that the rigorous training, if not the peer pressure, will force her out of the program quickly. The leaders are wrong.

Jolie doesn’t have the size, strength, or bulk of her larger male classmates. But she does have great physical training and distinct, strategical thinking and planning skills. When the training officer notes that there are no separate facilities for females and she might face sexual pressure she reminds him, and the men around them, that the third way a candidate could leave the program is “dead by misadventure”. Her own ability to take down the men dissuades the unwanted advances the first night in the dorm.

Very quickly Jolie uses her smarts and skills to show that she can keep up with and beat many of the men. She prevails by successfully preparing before taking action. Of course, that results in enemies among the men as well as military leaders who aren’t beyond sabotage to get her out of the program.

When you note that this is the intro, book 1 of a series, you realize that Jolie makes it through the program to graduation. Jolie’s perseverance gains respect and friends, but how will the leaders and men treat her when she has to go into action in the field?

I really like Jolie’s intelligence, strength of character, and ability to plan her actions. I also liked the action in the story. The story does have a resemblance to GI Jane with some brutality but less sexual harassment. The cons on this is that it is set in a futuristic space world and there is a notable lack of cool technology and a strange level of sexual discrimination/limitation. None the less, I enjoyed the action and the comraderies that is developed. I have purchased book 2 to continue with the series. I recommend this to fans of female military protagonists.

Audio Notes: Emily Woo Zeller does a good job with the narration. The voices are appropriately distinct, and the narration conveys the emotional and action levels of the story. I am glad that I listened to this Audible Plus story.

Source: 12/14/22 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: Don't Call Me Ishmael by Chris Kennedy

This is a strong story, set in The Fallen World series, of a man without a memory seeking his identity.
Don't Call Me Ishmael
By: Chris Kennedy
Narrated by: Mark Boyett

Series: The Fallen World, Book 2
Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
Release date: 06-25-19
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Action, Post-Apocalyptic, Superhero
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Don’t call him Ishmael. Or do; he really doesn’t care. Just don’t call him Fred.
No matter what you call him, though, he has a problem. Well, several of them. Ishmael - for want of a better name - woke up in a world that had changed. The Corporations - the wielders of power in a society not long from now - brought about the end of civilization as we know it, nuking each other to the point where it collapsed.
Ishmael doesn’t know any of this, though; in fact, he doesn’t know anything about himself when he wakes up in this shattered world. All of his autobiographical and episodic memories are gone, and along with them, any knowledge of who he was or anything in his past.
Worse, he has made enemies of some very important people, and they are after him. They are armed and he is alone and in...well, he doesn’t know where he is, either.
Can Ishmael stay alive long enough to recover his memories - to find out who he is and how he fits - or will he be just another casualty of This Fallen World?
©2019 Blood Moon Press (P)2019 Podium Publishing.

Review:
“Ishmael” doesn’t know his name or his identity. He awoke in a ‘coffin’, like a tanning bed, in a locked room. He soon runs into hostiles and discovers that the world around him is in chaos. As he escapes from the building, he destroys it behind him not knowing how important that chamber was to his recovery.

Ishmael, or Fred as he gets dubbed, has some natural muscle memory that helps keep him alive. He learns clues that send him off to find a former Corporation leader who may be able to help him learn his identity.

I liked Fred’s personality even when he didn’t know who he was. It was clear he was a superhero/warrior of sorts, probably an assassin like Kade in This Fallen World. I was glad that his inclinations were to do good considering the history and reputation of the Corporation assassins.

I really enjoyed the story-telling that fit well even though this is a different author in The Fallen World series. There are good characters, plenty of action, and a sense of humor. Again, the use of “this Fallen World” was fun but the reader has to get used to the repetition as it is used at the end of almost every chapter. I will be looking for more books in the series and more series from this author. I recommend the series and this action packed superhero, post-apocalyptic story.

Audio Notes: Again, Mark Boyett does a wonderful job with the narration. He is one of a handful of narrators I would be willing to search to select books he has narrated. I am thankful to have gotten these books for free for Audible listening.

Source: 11/5 Audible Plus Catalog This qualifies for 2022Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: This Fallen World by Christopher Woods

I liked the action in these stories.

This Fallen World
By: Christopher Woods
Narrated by: Mark Boyett

Series: The Fallen World, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
Release date: 04-23-19
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Adventure, Dystopia, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
The world has Fallen, but life goes on....
Matthew Kade was a corporate assassin - one of the best agents Obsidian Corporation had. But then the bombs began falling, and the old world ended. Now he must navigate the new world he finds himself in, a world where the strongest survive, and the weaker do their bidding...or die.
Kade was always one of the strongest, though, so when a rich man’s daughter goes missing, he turns to Kade to find her and bring her back. But she has already been gone three days, and in the Fallen World, that is an eternity in which any number of things could have happened to her.
Can Kade - a man with a price on his head - pick up the trail of the young woman and navigate the streets of the city to find her, or will the city’s denizens be the end of him? It will take all of Kade’s abilities to find her and save her life...if he doesn’t lose his first.
This Fallen World includes three novellas in an exciting new universe by best-selling author Christopher Woods. You’ll want to get it - right now!
©2018 Blood Moon Press (P)2019 Podium Publishing.

Review:
This book consists of three short stories. The first was This Fallen World. The second is Broken City and the third is Seeds. The Fallen World is the bigger story.

A nuclear holocaust between warring corporations has resulted in decimating the United States. Few cities and countryside communities have survived. Slowly the survivors have established very rough societies who have a hierarchy with trading for life needs such as water, food (the Farmers), protection (the Society of the Sword), and even electric power (the Dynamo). The society groups are broken into blocks known as Zones some led by good, fair leaders, and others by vicious Warlords. Travel between Zones can be tricky.

In the Old World, Matthew Kade was a corporate assassin for one of the high corporations, the Obsidian Corporation. Now he serves as a tracker, retriever – a warrior of quiet renown. Kade has made enemies and has a price on his head due to prior events. But he also has made friends among prior clients, being trustworthy, and by being kind to people on the street. These friends can help him survive in the streets and as he passes from Zone to Zone.

A wealthy man hires Kade to find and return his daughter who was on a Caravan through Zones but has been missing for three days. Kade has a connection to Teresa, a leader of the Society of the Sword, which is a group set on removing the worst of the bad guys. Teresa has sent a tank of a man, William Poe, to watch Kade’s back. Kade and Poe will face random gangs as well as Zone armies to accomplish his mission. Kade is quick to say "Expect the worst and you won't be disappointed."

Broken City finds Kade called in to solve a mystery of murders taking place among the Mardins. This is a society group who live under the city in the maintenance tunnels, where they provide water and sewer systems to the groups above in exchange for being left alone. When someone violates the agreement by entering their tunnels and killing members, the Society of the Swords in called upon and Kade is assigned to solve the problem. Again, he has assistance, and they face mutant killers. There is also a furtherance of the relationship between Kade and Teresa.

Finally, in Seeds, we learn about Zebadiah Pratt and struggles of the Farmers as they begin to form shortly after ‘the fall’. Pratt was in the military in the Old World and came home alive but damaged. This story fills in some of the history of how the world became ‘this fallen world’. There were interesting additions in this story, including a fat, lazy pony. Also, this one gets a bit more brutal than the first two stories.

I enjoyed the character development and the full-on action in these stories. There was a bit of repetition especially for the phrase of “in this Fallen World.” Initially it is clever, cute, but it gets to be overdone. I am glad to have received this through Audible Plus and I have another book in this series which I look forward to reading (listening) to. I recommend this to fans of dystopian, post-apocalyptic novels that are filled with fighting action.

Audio Notes: Mark Boyett is a skilled narrator, delivering distinct voices and apt energy to the stories. I am drawn in by his narration and I really was pleased to get to listen to this story.

Source: 11/5 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: Icequake by Crawford Kilian

This is a story of survival against blizzards and the treacherous conditions of ice flow.
Icequake
By: Crawford Kilian
Narrated by: Tim Campbell
Series: Icequake, Book 1

Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins
Release date: 10-30-18
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Climate, Environment, Techno thriller
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
A group of 27 scientists and explorers are stranded in Antarctica.
Residing in a station known as Shackleton, they are studying the seismic activity of the region. An eruption of the nearby volcano, Mount Erebus, soon sends quakes throughout the continent with devastating results.
All radio communication has been disabled by the breakdown of the magnetic field. Evacuation is unlikely. No one knows whether they survived the icequake, and their station is now moving two kilometres north each day with the strong aftershocks. They are on their own, with limited food and resources.
Do they stay put and risk being caught in the next series of icequakes and avalanches? Or do they pack up and trek over dangerous territories to the neighbouring station?
Icequake is a gripping prophetic sci-fi disaster novel, full of excitement and danger in every chapter.
©2017 Crawford Kilian (P)2018 Podium Publishing

Review:
A group of scientists are preparing to leave Antarctica when they are stranded first by a bad storm and then by a major land – or ice – shift. One of the scientists had predicted a very dangerous icequake. He is gratified to be right although he is not thrilled with the timing. The main group is at the Shackleton station but there is another community even closer to the nearby volcano, Mount Erebus. All communication is down and it is too dangerous to travel as the ice continues to move. Fortunately, there is a plane that allows some reconnaissance, but there isn’t enough fuel to travel to the mainland.

The interaction among the men and women is part of the drama in the story. Most of the danger is outside, from the elements, but there are some men who are struggling to remain civil. And romance has a different level when there are scientists who care more about their studies than their partners.

Of course, the scientists suspect that the mainland is suffering too from the rising level of waters, loss of crops and other difficulties. But the scientists won’t know the full extent unless they can get back to the mainland.

I saw this was only available free through 12/20/2022 so I chose to read it sooner rather than later. I found it interesting if not overly exciting. The scientific elements surrounding an icequake and its impact are interesting and are shared well through the story rather than preaching. I recommend this to readers who would find the climate issues interesting with the drama of survival against the elements.

Audio Notes: Tim Campbell does a great job with the narration. He provides distinct voices for the variety of characters. The energy and pacing is good considering the survival plods at times. The narration enhanced the story for me.

Source: 11/5/22 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: Ruins of the Galaxy by J.N. Chaney and Christopher Hopper

This is entertaining, fast-paced military sci fi.
Ruins of the Galaxy
Ruins of the Galaxy, Book 1
By: J.N. Chaney, Christopher Hopper
Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Length: 14 hrs and 3 mins
Release date: 04-28-20
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Adventure, Military, Space Opera
4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
The mission is simple. Escort an emissary to an intergalactic peace summit. Try not to get in the way.
Lt. Magnus and his 79th Recon Team have certainly handled worse, after all.
But when an explosion rocks the tower and sends everyone into a panic, Magnus and his asset find themselves cut off from the rest of the team.
Worse still, a dying alien chieftain gives them a priceless drive of intel, marking them for death.
The mission has officially changed.
With enemies on all sides, Magnus must do everything in his power to protect the emissary and escape the tower. There is no backup. There is no chance for failure.
The fate of the entire galaxy now lies in the hands of a Republic Marine and a diplomat.
All they have to do is survive.
Experience the beginning of this sprawling galactic tale in this first entry to the Ruins of the Galaxy series. If you’re a fan of Star Wars, Galaxy’s Edge, or Battlestar Galactica, you'll love this military sci-fi epic.
Includes bonus Ruins of the Galaxy stories "The Night of Fire" and "Demons at War".
©2019 J.N. Chaney and Christopher Hopper (P)2020 Podium Publishing

Review:
Lt. Magnus, an enhanced Marine, and his specialized team are on a light mission to escort an emissary to an intergalactic peace summit trying to connect with a canine like race, the Jujari. This should be straightforward and quiet, but the meeting chamber is wrecked with explosions. The Emissary, Awen, receives a capsule from the dying Jujari leader while he whispers to her to keep it secret and trust no one. Magnus and Awen barely escape the chamber and Awen has to use mind ‘magic’ to survive the planetary forces that are looking for foreign threats. They find a shady character who agrees to get them off planet and becomes an odd ally.

Awen is a beautiful humanoid from an order of a reclusive monastery-like group known as the Luma. They are a race known for peace and diplomacy as well as training their minds to reach to a different plane. When Awen returns to her home people, she has concerns for her failure in the mission. She is greeted warmly and kindly by her mentor. However, when she appears before the master, she is disturbed by his not too subtle efforts to break into her mind and force her to open the capsule. Again, Awen barely escapes.

Awen is on the run from several forces who want the secrets of the capsule which she discovers leads to an ancient world with unknow technological advances. Magnus shows up again as she is threatened and with their joint skills, they evade their pursuers. Only then they learn that someone has accessed the dangerous technology.

I will say that this story had a lot in common with Galaxy’s Edge. Even so, I liked the two main characters, as well as their allies. I was entertained by the plot and enjoyed the fast-paced action. I would read more in the series and I recommend this to fans of military sci fi.

Audio Notes: R.C. Bray is a wonderful narrator, and my experience is that his performance always enhances the work. This is no excepton. I am glad I had the audio version.

Source: 12/27/2020 Audible Two for One Credit Sale. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Fear the Sky by Stephen Moss

This is a well written, engaging, first contact sci fi filled with alien technology and spies.
Fear the Sky
The Fear Saga, Book 1
By: Stephen Moss
Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Length: 20 hrs and 17 mins
Release date: 03-03-15
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Fantasy, Hard Science Fiction, Military
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
"Real science in Science Fiction. This is a must read for fans of SF." >(John S. Gertsch, Amazon Reviewer)
Perfect for fans of Peter F. Hamilton, Iain M. Banks, and Orson Scott Card, Fear the Sky is a hard-hitting sci-fi thriller that will have you looking at the stars in a different way.
In eleven years' time, a million members of an alien race will arrive at Earth. Years before they enter orbit, their approach will be announced by the flare of a thousand flames in the sky, their ships' huge engines burning hard to slow them from the vast speeds needed to cross interstellar space. These foreboding lights will shine in our night sky like new stars, getting ever brighter until they outshine even the sun, casting ominous shadows and banishing the night until they suddenly blink out. Their technology is vastly superior to ours, and they know they cannot possibly lose the coming conflict. But they, like us, have found no answer to the destructive force of the atom, and they have no intention of facing the onslaught of our primitive nuclear arsenal or the devastation it would wreak on the planet they crave. So they have flung out an advance party in front of them, hidden within one of the countless asteroids randomly roaming the void. They do not want us, they want our planet. Their Agents are arriving.
©2014 Stephen Moss (P)2015 Podium Publishing.

Review:
Neal Danielson is a civilian scientist who is monitoring space data. He identifies an object of question a distance away and requests military clearance for additional data. Although a handful of military leaders questions the data and conclusions, they initially set the report to the side. When eight meteor “rocks” spread out and fall to earth, Neal thinks this is more ominous than anyone will admit. Neal and a new friend scientist friend, Dr. Laurie West, step outside of authority to try to retrieve one of the objects. Laurie is on the investigating ship offshore while Neal waits in the hotel with the boat captain’s girlfriend, Dr. Madeline Cavanaugh.

Neal and Madeline are excited when they get an encrypted message that the scientist suspensions are correct. But then they listen as voices are cut off when the boat is vaporized. Neal and Madeline could report this to the Government authorities, but they realize they would be but into seclusion and no one would be able to share information with the public. Instead, they agree to go into hiding. This decision is affirmed when they get a secret note and then a visit from one of the eight aliens who have landed to infiltrate military levels before the invasion of their forces. Agent John Hunt does not agree with his alien leader’s decision to invade and take over Earth. He is only one against seven others, but he will do what he can to try to help the humans protect themselves.

The secret team is in a race against time to develop a vaccine to fight the biological weapon that the aliens plan to use. They have to risk pulling a General into their team to begin to develop a military weapon to target the alien satellites.

The aliens are each progressing in their assigned task. One agent, Lana, would just as soon begin to destroy the humans. She wants the aliens to target Neal and Madeline but is unable to prove they have knowledge of the alien presence. What will happen when the aliens realize they have been betrayed and have to move up their hostile attack? Do the humans stand a chance against the superior technology?

This is a story of alien technology and spies. I was fully engaged and enjoyed the ultimate team of scientists, doctors, military leaders, committed military officers, and aliens with superhuman abilities. I enjoyed the way the story developed and moved about different characters to keep the reader aware of what is going on. I expect that I will continue the series. I recommend this to readers who enjoy first alien contact and spy stories.

Audio Notes: R.C. Bray is a wonderful narrator who delivers strong voices and fitting energy for the characters. His narration always enhances my enjoyment of the work.

Source: 3/14/2020 Two For One Credit Sale at Audible. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: After It Happened Books 5 and 6 by Devon C. Ford

This is a good Post-Apocalyptic with struggles, defeats, and finally victories.
After It Happened
Publisher's Pack 3
By: Devon C. Ford
Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Length: 13 hrs and 28 mins
Release date: 01-10-18
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
This publisher's pack contains Sanctuary (book 5) and Rebellion (book 6) of the After It Happened series.
Set in the UK in the immediate aftermath of a mysterious illness that swept the country and left millions dead, the series follows the trials facing a reluctant hero, Dan, and the group he forms around him. They must battle the elements, find sufficient supplies and equipment to survive, and protect themselves against the most destructive force on the planet: other people.
Sanctuary, book 5: Scattered, the group must come to terms with their new reality. They face more danger than they can deal with. They have no idea if they can win the race against time before one of them becomes critical. Meanwhile, back at home, a plan is hatched to overthrow a tyrannical rule.
Rebellion, book 6: Steve, now recovered from his horrific injuries, forms a plan to restore the balance of power in their camp, but his opposition is also playing a dangerous game. Meanwhile, Sanctuary reveals its secrets to Dan and the others, and they find safety and comfort behind the high walls. But safety is an illusion, and there are forces converging on them with a malevolence that they have not battled before.
©2017 Devon C. Ford (P)2018 Podium Publishing

Review:
These two books continue to tell the stories of several groups of survivors. Dan and his group are traveling through Europe to get to Africa where Emma believes she can find a cure to help Melissa (Dan’s woman) safely deliver their baby. They face killing marauders, lose supplies and become separated along the way. Having heard a radio message, they seek a fortified town called Sanctuary. When some of the survivors reach Sanctuary they need to prepare the town for the evil that may follow them.

Meanwhile, the original home base has been taken over by a fascist military leader who controls his troops by fear. Steve and the remaining members of the group have been captured and the others are conscripted into various jobs while Steve recovers with a doctor who agrees secretly to help lead a rebellion coup.

There are four young people who escaped from the troops who head out to find Dan. At least one of them, Chris is angry and blames Dan for leaving the home base insufficiently protected. This group is captured by the vicious marauders who almost captured Dan. Two of them are horribly torture before they break free.

I found these books to be very realistic which includes danger, oppression, torture and other traumatic events. There was a point where I wanted to have a better result for the good guys, but I had to continue in hopes of victories. There is some swearing and, of course, brutality. I recommend this series to true fans of post-apocalyptic adventure.

Audio Notes: I always enjoy the narration of R.C. Bray. He conveys distinct voices and energy that fits the scenes of the story. His narration enhanced my enjoyment of this story.

Source: June 2021 Audible Credit. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: End of Summer by S.M. Anderson

This is a satisfactory, pandemic Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian (and my "Summer" title).

End of Summer
By: S.M. Anderson
Narrated by: Jay Snyder

Series: Seasons of Man, Book 1 (2 books)
Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins
Release date: 06-16-20
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Adventure, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
When a viral apocalypse kills 97 percent of the people on the planet, the survivors' humanity is hanging by a thread. Amid the leftovers of civilization, ex-Army Ranger Jason Larsen is reminded of the meaning of hope, family, and loyalty by a dog and a young boy who are as alone as he is. The survivors he seems to collect become family, and that is very bad news for those who think they run the apocalypse. ©2019 S.M. Anderson (P)2020 Podium Publishing

Review:
A new virologist is flippant about the sanitation rules in the lab. He bends the rules one too many times and ends up taking sickness to the world.

Ex-Army Ranger Jason Larsen is more prepared physically than most for an apocalypse. Initially he just wants to die and be with his pregnant wife. But before her death by the virus, she made him promise to stay alive and help “the children”. Jason reluctantly steps out to the street and hears nearby gunshot. He goes through the back ways and discovers a woman shot in the back of a truck. He learns there are a group of thugs, ‘Tyson’s gang’, working out of the FEMA base under the direction of a twisted Sheriff. They are gathering kids to scavenge and adults with useful skills. If someone doesn’t have a good skill, they are left behind with a bullet.

Jason happens to know that one of his wealthy neighbors was a serious prepper. He carefully approaches the house and finds the neighbor’s black lab, Loki. Fortunately, the dead occupant has provided info to access the stored supplies.

Meanwhile, Pro is a fourteen-year-old from across town. He knows his father isn’t coming home and after several days he has to leave his dead family behind. He finds a house with good supplies where he sets up camp and begins to scavenge the neighborhood. Soon the Tyson gang realizes that someone e is cleaning out houses before they get there. Jason happens to stumble on Pro while he is tracking Tyson’s gang. Jason tries to direct Pro to safety, but Pro is suspicious of everyone. After Pro gets caught, Jason has to figure out if he can rescue the boy. Slowly Jason wages war on the scavenge crews, taking out the anonymous enemy one by one.

Jason has added to his small group a frightened, but fierce young women Rachel, who is protecting a young girl, Elsa. Rachel has no reason to trust any man and is only happy that Jason has given her a gun and trained her to shoot. She is set on revenge.

Pro manages to escape the compound by himself but now Jason has to grab him to save him from getting caught again. Pro insists there are others in the FEMA compound who aren’t brutal killers and he wants Jason to help free the good people. Can Jason control Rachel and Pro as he prepares an assault on the FEMA compound?

Jason is a quiet, strong, and likeable protagonist. He doesn’t want to be a hero, but he is prompted by the promise to his wife to try to save others. Pro is a smart teen who has to grow up too fast. Rachel is a young woman who is trying to recover from the trauma of sexual abuse by seeking revenge on bad men. These three create an interesting core who struggle to survive and help others.

I liked all of the action as well as the development of the characters. I am glad I have the second book to listen to. I recommend this to fans of the genres, post-apocalyptic, and dystopian. (Warning: there is violence, reference to rape, and some rough language.)

Audio Notes: Jay Snyder does a good job with the narration. He provides distinct voices for the characters and gives appropriate energy to the story. The audio enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 7/18/2021 Audible $5.00 sale. (Regular Price: $34.99.) This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Season goal.

Audible Book Review: Murder by Magic by Glynn Stewart

I totally enjoyed this combination of magic and mystery.

Murder by Magic
By: Glynn Stewart
Narrated by: Ray Porter

Series: Onset, Book 0.5
Length: 1 hr and 59 mins
Release date: 02-25-20
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal, Urban
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.

Publisher's Summary
Before he was an Elfin Lord - before he even joined that secret group of Mages - Jamie Riley was a Mage recruited by the FBI and the Office of Supernatural Policing and Investigation. A new-minted Inspector sent into one of the most complicated supernatural regions in the country: Los Angeles.
The rest of OSPI’s LA team has grown comfortable with allowing politics and pragmatism to decide which cases they pursue, which criminals they charge - but when Jamie’s investigation suggests that a pillar of the supernatural community has killed in cold blood, he will let nothing get in the way of getting the murderer.
Not even his career.
©2019 Glynn Stewart (P)2020 Podium Publishing

Review:
Jamie Riley is a young mage and a new FBI agent assigned to the special Office of Supernatural Policing and Investigation (OSPI). His new partner seems like a good guy, but he is attention is focused on a serious case related to drugs made with deadly magic. Jamie’s brusque supervisor assigns him two small cases. One case is a “murder by magic” where the obvious suspect is a wife learning new magic skills.

Jamie’s boss expects him to make a quick arrest. However, when he interviews the wife, he is sure that some stronger magic was involved. First he needs help to release the information from the magic chains on her mind. Then he will have to face political backlash as well as a powerful mage to take the real murderer into custody.

Jamie is a very likeable character – a man of self-motivation, integrity, and determination. The other characters are not deeply developed but I like the variety in their backgrounds and attitudes. I enjoyed the magic elements in the world building and enjoyed the mystery. The blurb implies this is an early story of Jamie who later becomes a famous Mage. However, the next books in the series feature a different lead character. I do have the first book in a different series by this author on my Kindle TBR shelf. I will read or listen to more by the author. I recommend this short novella as a good standalone for a quick listen.

Audio Note: Ray Porter is a skilled narrator. He brings to the work clear voices and fitting energy and emotion. Porter’s narration easily enhances the story for me.

Source: February 2022 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook goal.

Audible Book Review: Mavericks Expeditionary Force, Book 6, by Craig Alanson

I enjoyed this sci fi, military adventure.

Mavericks Expeditionary Force, Book 6
By: Craig Alanson
Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Length: 17 hrs and 21 mins
Release date: 09-25-18
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Adventure, Military, Space Opera
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
The remnants of the Expeditionary Force stranded on the alien-controlled planet "Paradise" get a chance to prove themselves, in a simple off-world training mission with a ship full of teenage alien cadets. When the mission goes horribly wrong and the survival of everyone on Paradise is at risk, the Merry Band of Pirates may have to come to the rescue. Unless they get killed first....
©2018 Craig Alanson (P)2018 Podium Publishing

Review:
Colonel Joe Bishop is still exchanging barbs with the elder AI ‘beer can’, Skippy. The pirate crew of the Flying Dutchman are hoping to go home to earth but first they must deal with an energy virus that threatens to eat through the patched together ship. Skippy determines he can eliminate the virus but only after all the systems are turned down… which means removing the humans from the ship. Doesn’t’ that sound like a piece of cake?

Meanwhile, the Mavericks, led by Emily Perkins, are back on Paradise trying to prove to the Ruhar that the humans can contribute to their military force. Perkins and her handful of human soldiers are hoping to impress the leaders as they participate in training exercises in space. Suddenly the training ship finds itself the sole survivor of an attack and the humans get to help save the crew.

The author does a good job of showing the lonely burden and struggles the captain as Joe deals with coping with the unknown and resisting temptations. This is balanced with the continued snarky humor between Joe and Skippy. It is apparent that the Mavericks are a branch off that allows the development of additional characters. I enjoyed both threads of action and look forward to more in the series. I recommend this to fans of military space opera.

Audio Notes: It is such fun to listen to this series narrated by R.C. Bray. He has provided the characters with distinct voices, even the aliens. I totally enjoy and recommend the audio experience.

Source: 11/18/2021 Audible October Credit. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook and 2022Alphabet goals.

Prior book reviews:
Columbus Day (Expeditionary Force, #1) by Craig Alanson, Rating 4.5
Audible Book Review: Spec Ops, Expeditionary Force, Book 2 by Craig Alanson, Rating 4.5
Audible Book Review: Paradise, Expeditionary Force, Book 3 by Craig Alanson, Rating 4.5
Audible Book Review: Black Ops, Expeditionary Force, Book 4, by Craig Alanson, Rating 4.5
Audible Book Review: Zero Hour, Expeditionary Force, Book 5, by Craig Alanson; Rating 4.5.

Audible Book Review: Invasion: Alien Invasion, Book 1, by Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant

Although the title indicates this is sci fi it is really post-apocalyptic with a twist of anticipating first alien contact.

Invasion: Alien Invasion, Book 1
By: Sean Platt, Johnny B. Truant
Narrated by: Ray Porter

Series: Alien Invasion (Platt/Truant), Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
Release date: 07-21-15
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: First Contact, Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
They are coming. The countdown has begun.
First visible only as blips on a telescope image, the discovery of objects approaching from Jupiter's orbit immediately sets humanity on edge. NASA doesn't even bother to deny the alien ships' existence. The popular Astral space app (broadcasting from the far side of the moon and accessible by anyone with Internet) has already shown the populace what is coming. So the news has turned from evasion to triage, urging calm and offering the few facts they have:
The objects are enormous, perfectly round spheres numbering in the dozens, maybe hundreds. They are on an approach vector for Earth. And they will arrive in six days.
©2015 Sean Platt, Johnny B. Truant (P)2015 Podium Publishing

Review:
Meyer Dempsy is a high energy, successful film producer. He controls those around him by his sheer presence. He has participated in meditation and training with a shaman which he obsesses over, while being unable to get his current and former wives to take it seriously. Fortunately for Meyer and his family, which includes his teenaged son and daughter, he has acted on visions of future danger and secured a protected bunker home for everyone in his personal circle, which includes not only his current wife, Piper, but his ex-wife, a popular star, Heather.

Although the government and NASA stayed quiet, a popular space app has revealed that a multitude of unexplained ships are approaching from outer space. Society begins to panic when they are told the ships will arrive in six days.

Meyer gathers Piper and his children, Trevor and Lila, along with Lila’s boyfriend, Raj, and heads out of New York trying to get to his bunker in Vail. He has told Heather to meet them there. Of course, they will all face dangers on the way as others are leaving cities to seek more sheltered areas. And will they be protected if they can get to Vail?

This story warns of the invasion but has little to do with the sci fi invasion aspect. Instead the author focuses on the family journey across country and develops the six primary characters – almost too much. There is a strange twist near the end which of course leaves open the next book to wonder what happens to the family.

I liked the premise but there is quite a bit I don’t like. I am not in favor of marital infidelity, and it is really unpleasant when the ex-wife is a (not totally secret) lover. I liked the danger and logical way that Meyer deals with problems, but he is such a controlling person that he borders on abusive – at least emotionally if not out right verbally. The female characters are portrayed with less than strong features. They appear as weak, whiny, and unable-to-follow-directions, ditzy women.

This introduction was free on Audible Plus. I am not rushing out to buy the series. There are more positive reviews, so check around and decide for yourself if you want to try this.

Audio Notes: Ray Porter is a very good narrator. He delivers distinct voices and emotion that fits the story. I am glad that I had the audio version.

Source: 3/22/21 'Sci Fi' title from Audible Plus. This qualifies for 2022Audiobook and 2022Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: Crucible: A Max Ahlgren Story by Ryan W. Aslesen

This is a quick military story to introduce the primary character. It portrays a very sad state of military politics.
Crucible: A Max Ahlgren Story
By: Ryan W. Aslesen
Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

Series: Crucible, Book 0
Length: 2 hrs and 13 mins
Release date: 01-19-21
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Military, Thriller
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
The War on Terror provides the backdrop for the thriller that introduces the roots of ultimate antihero, Max Ahlgren.
Captain Max Ahlgren is proud to be one of the first team commanders in the Marine Corps’ nascent MARSOC detachment. Finally, the Corps’ elite warriors are working alongside those of other branches, battling insurgents, not on the front lines but behind them.
After his first mission, however, Max learns he will be replaced as team commander. The new commander, Major Whitbeck, comes from 8th and I: Marine Barracks, Washington DC. His late father, a revered general, died in a terrorist car bombing. The commander is in Afghanistan for vengeance - and redemption. When the team infiltrates the ancient desert fortress of Kazindrak, hunting an elusive Al-Qaeda terrorist, Whitbeck reveals his ineptitude in combat.
Max’s fury grows as the body count rises. When the actual nature of the mission is revealed, Max gets a good look at the sordid underbelly of the War on Terror and sees firsthand what monsters men can become. If he is to survive, however, he may have no choice but to become one. Sometimes the greatest enemy is within.
©2018 Ryan W. Aslesen (P)2021 Podium Audio

Review:
Captain Max Ahlgren was successful in leading men in battle. He has been assigned to a specialist team. Unfortunately, his commander advises him that he is being sent on a mission but rather than leading, he will be second in command. The mission will be led by Major Whitbeck whose record shows no field experience. But he is the son of a revered general who was killed by terrorists.

Max gets warned before going out that the Major did lead a previous mission where everyone on his team died. Apparently, the mission information got buried thanks to his father. Also, before the mission, Max challenges a Sergeant over rough shod treatment of a soldier. The Sergeant clearly dislikes all officers and warns Max to watch his back.

Max and his unique team are quick to recognize the inexperience in the Major and are even more concerned when they learn that the mission is to infiltrate and kill the terrorist that killed the Major’s father. Sure enough, the Major is quick to make misjudgments and soon makes a deadly mistake. The team is soon ducking for their lives and leaving dead enemies and comrades on the ground.

The matter gets worse when the Major, Max, and the handful of remaining soldiers get to the point of completing the mission. Max and his team are horrified. They plan to report on the Major as soon as they get back to base but sadly only Max is still standing when they come to the debriefing. And matters go from bad to worse. The actions taken against Max are disgusting. But then he is made an offer he can’t refuse.

I like Max as a character but was very disturbed by the hatred of the Sergeant and the ineptitude of the Major. This novella tells how Max gets recruited to a terrorist fighting agency. As much as I didn’t like how he got there, I like Max enough to hope he succeeds in his next mission, and I will get the first full book. I recommend this to fans of military thrillers.

Audio Notes: I like Jeffrey Kafer as a narrator and he did a good job with this story. He provided distinct voices and strong energy. The narration added to my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 7/19/2021 Free download from Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.