Audible Book Review: Radiance, Wraith Kings, Volume 1, by Grace Draven

This is a lovely romance.
Radiance
Wraith Kings, Volume 1
By: Grace Draven
Narrated by: Gabrielle Baker

Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 06-10-15
Language: English
Publisher: Grace Draven
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
The prince of no value
Brishen Khaskem, prince of the Kai, has lived content as the nonessential spare heir to a throne secured many times over. A trade and political alliance between the human kingdom of Gaur and the Kai kingdom of Bast-Haradis requires that he marry a Gauri woman to seal the treaty. Always a dutiful son, Brishen agrees to the marriage and discovers his bride is as ugly as he expected and more beautiful than he could have imagined.
The noblewoman of no importance
Ildiko, niece of the Gauri king, has always known her only worth to the royal family lay in a strategic marriage. Resigned to her fate, she is horrified to learn that her intended groom isn't just a foreign aristocrat but the younger prince of a people neither familiar nor human. Bound to her new husband, Ildiko will leave behind all she's known to embrace a man shrouded in darkness but with a soul forged by light.
Two people brought together by the trappings of duty and politics will discover they are destined for each other, even as the powers of a hostile kingdom scheme to tear them apart.
©2014 Denise Shaw (P)2015 Denise Shaw

Review:
Brishen is a ‘spare’ prince, a second son of the Kai. The Kai is a race of people with dark skin, long talon fingers, fang teeth and light-sensitive eyes. They are active at night, sleeping during the day. Brishen’s elder brother is married with several sons so it isn’t likely that Brishen will take over the throne. Still, the kingdom is plagued with raiding enemies and needs to make a treaty to secure favorable trade routes. That means marrying a Gauri noblewoman, no matter how ugly she may be.

Ildiko is a niece of the Gauri king, who has no value other than her royal blood. Ildiko is pale with bright red hair and bright eyes. Her own race finds her beautiful, but the Gauri are unattractive to the Kai. That won’t stop Ildiko from doing her best to serve as a dutiful wife when she marries a Kai prince as part of a treaty.

Ildiko and Brishen meet before the wedding without knowing who the other is. They are honest with their insults and find humor in their exchange. This allows them to become friends rather than complete strangers at the wedding. Brishen and his entourage suffer through the Gauri dinner. When they set out to travel back to the Kai kingdom they are soon attacked by one of the Kai rivals. Ildiko learns that the Kai people have a legacy of magical abilities as well as fierce battle skills.

Ildiko learns more about Brishen and his family when they arrive home and she meets his rather heartless and evil parents. Ildiko refuses to be cowed, standing up to the Queen. This generates anger from the Queen but respect from others. Ildiko has to suffer through some strange food dishes too. But now Ildiko has to worry about threats from the Queen as well as enemies of the Kai.

The friendship between Brishen and Ildiko grows as they spend more time together. They visit a human neighbor and Brishen begins to see Ildiko through another’s eyes. Then they are ambushed and almost lose each other. Will this serve as an opportunity to further their commitment?

I was quickly pulled in by the characters and how they overcame their differences. The lead characters are unique and I totally enjoyed the warmth of their friendship as it grew into love. The traumas and danger within Brishen’s family and the raiding neighbor tribes add to the interest of the story. I will look to read more books by this author. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a warm, fantasy romance.

Audio Notes: Gabrielle Baker did a lovely job with the narration. She provided distinct voices with fitting emotions. I am glad that I got to enjoy the audio.

Source: 11/25/18 $4.95 on Sale at Audible. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

Audible Review: Koban, Volume 1 by Stephen W. Bennett

This is an engaging story of alien enemy confrontation and human survival.

Koban, Volume 1
Written by: Stephen W. Bennett
Narrated by: Patrick Freeman

Length: 25 hrs and 24 mins
Series: Koban, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:12-31-13
Publisher: STEPHEN W BENNETT
Genre: Alien Invasion, Genetic Engineering,
Sci Fi
My Rating 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
All new narration adds sound effects and eliminates issues noted in reviews. To obtain new version, remove old one from device, download new copy at no charge.
We colonized seven hundred planets. Humankind enjoyed the benefits of expansion and the end of wars. We disbanded our military.
Then the Krall found us.
The Krall have used thousands of years of combat to select the genes of the strongest and fastest warriors. They are a species determined to dominate the galaxy, through annihilation or enslavement of every opponent.
Koban is an uninhabited high gravity planet with impossibly fast savage animals, which employ organic superconducting nerves. This deadly world is where the Krall are testing humans for fighting capability. We are useful only if we can fight well. If not, they will destroy us swiftly, as they have other species. They have slaves, and we’re poor tasting meat animals, so we fight or die. The Krall will use us, if worthy, seeking physical perfection through attrition of war, one planet at a time.
Growing weary of our failures in testing, the ruthless Krall are on the verge of a decision to eliminate our species. A ship carrying bio-scientists is captured for combat testing. The choice for Captain Mirikami and the scientists is simple: Prove we can produce better, smarter fighters quickly, or humanity is doomed to rapid extermination.
But the Krall are only half the problem. We must survive Koban's gravity and superfast animals. The tiger-like rippers with skin contact telepathy are predators too fast and powerful for the Krall to face. Our solution is genetic: If you can't beat them as you are, become human rippers.
The Krall will learn another species can bypass natural selection.
©2012 Stephen W Bennett (P)2013 Stephen W Bennett

Review:
Humankind has had hundreds of years without wars and without the need for military forces. It is now a race dominated by women who took over to remove the aggressive warring natures of men. Captain Mirikami is somewhat rare as a male captain but he and his crew were deemed appropriate to deliver a scientific expedition to a human station out on the rim. Rather than finding human response, Mirikami and his ship are threatened and boarded by an alien species that introduces itself as the Krall.

The Krall are a warrior race who has strengthened itself through biological and genetic breeding of its strongest. Their goal is to control the universe through superior power and conquest. The planet Koban is a high gravity planet where the Krall are at home and humans at a distinct disadvantage. Koban is full of super strong and super-fast predators, as well as large prey. The Krall consider Koban their ‘home’ planet even though so far it has been used primarily as a testing ground.

The Krall are always seeking prey to fight that can help further develop their fighting skills. They bring humans, or other ‘prey’ races, to Koban where they are pulled out at regular intervals to be tested against Krall training warriors. Some races have become slaves and one is even raised as a food source. The humans don’t taste that good so they are used as fighters. Their weaker strength makes them little opposition and the Krall are thinking of just eliminating the race that provides little challenge or value.

The Krall capture Mirikami’s ship and suddenly discover an enemy that is challenging due to its strategies and cunning if not its strength. The humans on Koban are provided some hope of surviving, but an initial success may be short lived. The Krall return from further space conquest with a large group of human ships, passenger and cargo. Because of the success of Mirikami’s fighters the Krall are excited about seeking more humans to fight. The Krall set off to search out humans to conquer but decide to leave the humans on Koban to face the elements of the planet without the walls of the compound and without power. The Krall don’t realize that humans don’t give in so easily.

I really liked Captain Mirikami and the primary officers, doctors and other characters who eventually become part of his core team. The combination of intelligence and innovative thinking shows the resilience of humankind. They also have additional help that they kept secret from the Kralls that will add to their survival efforts.

The world-building is well done with natural enemies in the environment as well as the Krall characteristics and internal politics that come into play. The action and scheming run throughout the story. One element that was a bit distracting was character chuckling although it is not clear if that was a written element or narrator interpretation. I was engaged sufficiently that I am eager to continue the saga with the next book. I do recommend this to readers who enjoy action stories with strong alien conflict and human survival elements.

Audio Notes: The beginning audio is a little dry and maybe I was expecting inferior narration based upon earlier reviews. However, after an hour or two I found the narration by Patrick Freeman to be effective with the character voices and personalities. He captures the growls and snorts of the Krall as well as the snark, humor and strengths of the human characters. I didn’t think the addition of the chapter break sounds and few background sounds was really necessary although the sound effects didn’t detract from the listening experience. I was fully engaged by the story and narration so that this 25 hours+ went very quickly.

I picked this from my Audible TBR shelves. It qualifies for Mount TBR, Audiobook and "K" for Alphabet Challenge.

Audible Book Review: No Easy Hope: Surviving the Dead, Volume 1 by James N. Cook

This is a solid EOTW, biochemical (zombie) story with a strong lead character and good action.

No Easy Hope: Surviving the Dead, Volume 1
Written by: James N. Cook
Narrated by: Guy Williams

Length: 11 hrs and 8 mins
Series: Surviving the Dead, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:03-07-13
Publisher: James N. Cook
Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Thriller, Zombie
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Eric Riordan was once a wealthy man leading a comfortable, easy life. Until one day Gabriel, his oldest friend, Marine Corps veteran, and a former mercenary, told him how the world was going to end.
He did his best to prepare. He thought he was ready for anything.
He was wrong.
As the dead rise up to devour the living, one man finds himself struggling to survive in the ruins of a shattered world. Alone, isolated, and facing starvation, his only chance is to flee to the Appalachians and join forces with Gabriel. But the journey will not be easy, and along the way his humanity, his will to live, and his very soul will be tested.
This is the beginning. This is his story.
©2011 James N Cook (P)2013 James N Cook

Review:
Eric is a wealthy man, not a military man. He and Gabriel, Gabe, became friends during the sale of land between them. Sometime later, Gabe warns Eric to prepare for a chaotic collapse of the world. Gabe is a former Marine and former mercenary who has reason to know of biological secrets that could endanger society.

Eric had the money to prepare a bunker and stock it with food and weapons. He thought he was ready – but who can really prepare for the bloody rising of the dead? After staying alone in his own bunker for a time, Eric sets to meet up with Gabe who is hunkered down in a cabin in the mountains.

Along the way Eric faces danger and rescues a young man from an attack of the undead and returns with him to a compound of survivors. Some of the survivors are thankful but some are resentful and untrusting. Eric remains and proves his good intent as he helps the group clearing local communities of infected so they can gather more supplies. Sadly, the undead are not the only enemy that the survivors must face. There are rival survivor groups who are lawless and brutal.

I really liked Eric’s strong, well developed character. The survivor group he works with is well developed also. Mr. Cook does a good job of creating an engaging story with a good balance of human elements and action. There is gore and bad language but it is not the focus of the story but rather part of the situation.

There are also grammatical errors which might be attributable to the nature of the characters… otherwise it is just inadequate editing. I let them slide. There are a few slower segments but for the most part the story pacing moves along well. I did not realize that this series is already up to 8 books. I will likely continue to read at some point, although not immediately. I recommend this to readers who like well written, catastrophic, end of the world (EOTW), scenarios.

Audio Notes: Guy Williams does a good job with the narration. I found it is easy to listen and follow the characters. There did not seem excessive emotion but adequate to convey the scenes of the story. The narration added to my enjoyment of the story.

I picked this from my Audible TBR shelves. It qualifies for Audio Challenge, Mount TBR and "N" in Alphabet Challenge.

Audio Book Review: Defects: The Reverians, Volume 1 by Sarah Noffke

The is a dystopian YA with nice characters and an interesting plot.
Defects: The Reverians, Volume 1
Written by: Sarah Noffke
Narrated by: Elizabeth Klett

Length: 7 hrs and 49 mins
Series: Reverians, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:01-11-16
Publisher: Sarah Noffke
Genre: Teens, Dystopian
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
In the happy, clean community of Austin Valley, everything appears to be perfect. Seventeen-year-old Em Fuller, however, fears something is askew. Em is one of the new generation of Dream Travelers. For some reason, the gods have not seen fit to gift all of them with their expected special abilities. Em is a Defect - one of the unfortunate Dream Travelers not gifted with a psychic power. Desperate to do whatever it takes to earn her gift, she endures painful daily injections along with commands from her overbearing, loveless father. One of the few bright spots in her life is the return of a friend she had thought dead - but with his return comes the knowledge of a shocking, unforgivable truth. The society Em thought was protecting her has actually been betraying her, but she has no idea how to break away from its authority without hurting everyone she loves.
©2015 Sarah Noffke (P)2016 Sarah Noffke

Review:
Em is an independent teen in a community that demands submission and compliance to the leaders' directives and goals. The Reverians are the privileged citizens, the Dream Travelers, who have special talents. The varying skills include mind reading, ability to predict the future, ability to generate fire, super attuned senses and more. The people without such talents are "Middlings" who work as servants under the control of the privileged class.

When Em reached puberty without exhibiting her talent, she was placed in a program with others of similar deficiency. They receive painful injections designed to help encourage the development of their gift. Or so they have been told. Over the past few years, as the program has grown, the youths have been named the "Defects".

Em begins to uncover secrets behind the true purpose of the lab and injections to the Defects. While investigating one day she comes upon a childhood friend, Rogue, whom she thought was dead for years. Em has the help of another young man, Zack, who clearly is interested in her and who was also best friends with Rogue.

A desperate situation escalates as the President announces the newest development to "help" the Defects, with Em designated as the first "lucky" recipient. If Em can escape the President and her father she will have to survive outside the community. And they will not want her alive, knowing her newly discovered abilities and with the knowledge of their monstrous secrets.

I liked the premise and it was presented well enough. The story pacing is good and the secrets, revealed bit by bit, maintained interest. Em is a likeable character as are Zack and Rogue. I just did not totally connect to understand why this was receiving rave reviews. I liked the dystopian elements, but I am guessing my standoffishness may be because of the YA elements. There is young teen romance, complete with first kiss, jealous siblings and jealousy and disappointment in a love triangle. I guess this is engaging for some audiences but it is not really my thing. I'm not sure I have enough interest to want to seek out the rest of the series.

Audio notes: I think Elizabeth Klett did a good job with the narration and presenting the voices and intensity of the story. Still, the narration didn’t help me connect with the story and I am not sure this wouldn’t have been better in print for me.

I received this from the narrator through Audiobook Blast. It qualifies for my Audio Challenge and Alphabet Soup challenge.