Audible Review: The New World: Prequel to the Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness

This is a quick listen that introduces the series of a 'new world'.

The New World: Prequel to the Chaos Walking Trilogy
Written by: Patrick Ness
Narrated by: Angela Dawe

Length: 47 mins
Series: Chaos Walking, Book 0
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:09-13-11
Publisher: Candlewick on Brilliance Audio
Genre: Sci Fi, Fantasy
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
The New World is a prequel to the award-winning Chaos Walking trilogy, setting the stage for the world we discover in The Knife of Never Letting Go, The Ask and the Answer, and Monsters of Men. The story was written while the author served as writer in residence for the Booktrust an independent UK-wide charity dedicated to encouraging people of all ages and cultures to enjoy books.
The New World tells of Viola's journey to the New World, brilliantly capturing the hope and fear of settlers in search of a new life. Patrick Ness says that he wrote it "as a huge and deeply-felt thank you to readers. I've had so many questions about Viola and what her life was like before that I couldn't resist the opportunity to reveal just a little bit extra. I knew these things - they're vitally important to her as a character, even if they're not directly in the novels - so it felt like a secret trip I could take readers on. The challenge was to make it work on its own, too, so anyone could read it. That was really, really good fun, and I hope the final result is an exciting one."
The New World can be listened to before or after the trilogy – and some may choose to do both. The story works as a standalone piece, but listeners already familiar with The Knife of Never Letting Go will learn more about Viola’s life and the events leading to her arrival and first encounter with Todd, while newcomers to the trilogy will discover a white-knuckle ride of an introduction to the series. Whether you're a new or faithful listener, though, it's a welcome chance to immerse yourself in the world of Chaos Walking.
Listen to more Chaos Walking.
©2011 Patrick Ness (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Review:
Viola is a twelve year old child of space, traveling with her parents and their community to become settlers in a New World. No one remembers what it is like to live on land. Viola and her parents each have excellent skills and knowledge to make them a good choice as the scout ship that is sent to be the first to land on the planet. Viola is not really happy about her family being the first to go since other children in her class make fun of her and taunt that she will have no one to celebrate her 13th birthday.

Viola’s parents are very excited about their opportunity to select the landing site and establish the base for their people. Unfortunately Viola has a pretty bratty attitude about going even though her parents try to instill their hope in her. Viola has to deal with a lot of young emotions especially when the ship experiences trouble coming through the atmosphere.

Viola’s parents were so positive which was the exact opposite of their daughter. I found it difficult to relate to Viola’s bratty, sulky and depressed personality. The story is presented in first person from Viola's view which focused on her young, rebellious attitude. I did enjoy the set up of the world and the suspense which created interest in the series -- as long as Viola grows up a bit.

Audio Notes: I listened to this as a free Audible book. Angela Dawe does a reasonable job with the characters and maybe did too good of a job portraying the sulky attitude of Viola. This was a quick listen and it may be that reading it would not have created such a reluctance towards the primary character.

This title was from my TBR Pile Challenge as free kindle book from 2010 and a free Audible title. It also qualifies for my Audible Challenge.

Sunday Post November 1, 2015/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday November 2, 2015

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date.
Thank you to Sheila for the years that she handled this meme.
Thank you to Kathryn for taking up the baton.

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

This week went well - I felt I accomplished things each day. Yet there is still plenty to do.

My enjoyed my reading and listening even though I feel I didn't get through that much. I finished one audio and two ebooks. I posted four reviews and the usual memes.

I was happy to visit at the beginning of the week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post October 25, 2015/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 26, 2015.

• Book Review: Love in the Details: A November Wedding Story (A Year of Weddings Novella) by Becky Wade; Contemporary Romance, Novella; my rating 4.5.

• Audible Review: The Clay Lion by Amalie Jahn; Sci Fi, Fantasy, YA; my rating 5.0.

• 2015 Audiobook Challenge -- Third Quarter Update.

• Friday Pick Giveaway October 30, 2015. Open Worldwide. Ends 11/5/2015.

• Book Review: Awaken His Eyes: The Awakened Book One by Jason Tesar; Fantasy; my rating 4.0.

• Audio Book Review: Clear by Fire: A Search and Destroy Thriller by Joshua Hood; Military Thriller; my rating 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #225 Comment Giveaway October 31, 2015. Open Worldwide. Ends 11/7/15.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement November 1, 2015.

Finished Reading:

1. eBook/Kindle

Priceless (A Rylee Adamson Novel, Book 1)
by Shannon Mayer
I enjoyed this Paranormal adventure.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/MP3

Monster Hunter Alpha
Written by: Larry Correia
Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
I sure liked the action in this audible.
I hope to post the review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

3. eBook/Kindle

Whispers in the Reading Room
(The Chicago World's Fair Mystery Series Book 3)
by Shelley Gray
I loved this gentle romance.
I will review it this week for release November 10.
Click on book title for full description.

Currently reading:
1. Audible/MP3

Murder on Safari: A Thriller
Written by: Peter Riva
Narrated by: R. D. Watson
This is an interesting thriller.
My review is to post November 5.
I received this for tour review through I Read Book Tours.
Publisher's Summary
Only a reality TV producer and an expert safari guide can stop a terrorist attack.
Every adventure starts at the fringes of civilization. For expert safari guide Mbuno and wildlife television producer Pero Baltazar, filming in the wild of East Africa should have been a return to the adventure they always loved. This time they'd be filming soaring vultures in Northern Kenya and giant sea crocodiles in Tanzania with Mary, the daughter of the world's top television evangelist, the very reverend Jimmy Threte. But when a terrorist cell places them in the crosshairs, there is suddenly no escape, and they must put their filming aside and combine all their talents to thwart an all-out al-Shabaab terrorist attack on Jimmy Threte's Christian gathering of hundreds of thousands in Nairobi, Kenya. The problem is Pero has a secret - he's been working as a clandestine courier for the US State Department for years. If anyone finds out, it may get them all killed.
Exciting and expertly plotted, Murder on Safari is a gripping, edge-of-your-seat thriller set in the great wide-open plains of East Africa.
©2015 Peter Riva (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

2. Print

Katt's in the Cradle: A Secrets from Lulu's Cafe Novel
by Ginger Kolbaba, Christy Scannell
I purchased irregular print copies at low price for Ladies Book Club October reading; to be discussed November 7.
When you're in the trenches, sometimes you're up to your neck in mud. That's the not-so-glamorous life of a pastor's wife.

Felicia's family is...complicated. That's putting it nicely. Now they're flying in from LA -- all at once -- to stay with her...just when her brother-in-law, Javier, and Mama aren't even speaking to each other. And the whole church will be there to witness the feud.

Mimi has a lot on her mind with her four energetic kids -- especially Milo the screamer, with his Pavarotti voice. Then her live-in alcoholic dad starts to mow their lawn at midnight.

Lisa has her hands full with loudmouth Tom Graves and the other troublemakers at Red River Assembly. Then vicious rumors start to fly about the Barton family...and the attacks and threats get increasingly personal.

Jennifer is pushing her adopted daughter, Carys, in a stroller, when she notices a black town car -- the same car she's seen several times over the past week. Could someone be following her?

The PWs plunge into an unnerving mystery...and discover what "family" really means.

3. Print

You Know What I'm Sayin'?: Poetry * Drama
by Daniel García Ordaz
I will get back to this after my Ladies Club Book.
El Zarape Press presents its first collection of poetry by the eclectic Daniel García Ordaz, The Poet Mariachi, "the voice of the Rio Grande Valley" (Texas), an emerging voice in Chicano literature. You Know What I'm Sayin'? is a celebration of the common experience of language and culture transfiguring time and place and juxtaposing the politics of urban hip-hop America with the lyricism of rural deep South Texas, a retelling of ancient history sung by a contemporary voice. With an introduction by Fulbright Scholar Dr. Debbie Cole, a linguistic anthropologist. Mainly English; some bilingual (English/Spanish), Tex-Mex and pieces. Hispanic/Latino themes as well as All-American experiences relevant and appropriate for 3rd grade to college-level.

4. eBook/Kindle

Nirvana (Nirvana Series Book 1)
by J.R. Stewart
I hope to read and post this for it's
release November 10.
This is a selection from NetGalley.
When the real world is emptied of all that you love, how can you keep yourself from dependence on the virtual?

Larissa Kenders lives in a world where the real and the virtual intermingle daily. After the supposed death of her soulmate, Andrew, Larissa is able to find solace by escaping to Nirvana, a virtual world where anything is possible B even visits with Andrew. Although Larissa is told that these meetings are not real, she cannot shake her suspicion that Andrew is indeed alive. When she begins an investigation of Hexagon, the very institution that she has been taught to trust, Larissa uncovers much more than she ever expected and places herself in serious danger. Her biggest challenge, however, remains determining what is real B and what is virtual.

Nirvana is the first instalment in the three part ANirvana@ series, a fast paced, page turning young adult trilogy that combines elements of the romance, mystery, and science fiction genres. This first novel introduces readers to a heroine who refuses to give up on the man she loves, even if it means taking on an entire government to do so. Are you ready to enter Nirvana?

October 1, 2015- I am still up to date on Bible reading and greatly enjoying the readings-- It seems my eyes are open to more details and meaning. I am reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church. I am also listening to the companion commentary online.

I posted four reviews last week which left one. Plus three new so now I am back to four for this week.
I have another NetGalley selection to read this week which brings my shelf down to three.
I have read 8 of my 12 TBR Pile books so I just need to pick the last four and get them read in the next two months. :-) 

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I requested and received one new review title this week.
I purchased print books at discount for Ladies Book Club.
I found a free Kindle title through another review site and a free audio book from an author I really enjoy.
And of course I added more free kindle titles to my library.

(I scanned NetGalley and some of my review requests and nothing is really jumping out at me although I am going to request some new Audio books through Audiobook Jukebox. Other than that I think it is time to work on the TBR piles!)

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I saw this sci fi dystopian available at Caffeinated Book Review and requested it.
Dead Girl Running (The New Order Book 1)
by Ann M. Noser

Won

NONE

Purchased

Purchased irregular copies at low price for Ladies Book Club October reading; to be discussed November 7.
Katt's in the Cradle, Secrets From Lulu's Cafe Series #3
by Ginger Kolbaba, Christy Scannell
See the description above under Current Reading.

I spotted this in review recommended by Adelina at I Am a Reader Not a Writer.

I discovered it free and then found two other titles by Jason D. Morrow.

Prototype D
By: Jason D. Morrow
a Technothriller

Free

FREE: Professional Integrity (A Riyria Chronicles Tale)
Written by: Michael J. Sullivan
Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
Length: 1 hr and 18 mins
Series: The Riyria Chronicles

Over the past week I added 57 free Kindle titles to my library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement November 1, 2015

This morning our Sunday School teacher shared Romans chapters 5-8 in The Message. Although several members enjoyed it, I still liked it better in my New American Standard version. Our Pastor’s message was “Floods of Grace”. He noted that grace is undeserved, unmerited favor.

• God Floods us with His Protection.
Naham 1:8. Floods can cause damage but God's flood protects His children and damages or overwhelms the enemy. Isaiah 59:19. We need to be careful to acknowledge God’s protection and chose what we declare as strength in our life.

• God Floods us with His Provision.
God is a God of blessing, if we allow it, and we seek good things to use for His glory. God provided water to the Israelites in the desert. He told Moses to take the rod that he used to part the sea and strike the rock. Exodus 17:5-7. Moses stroke the rock and water will come out. But we have to be careful not to rely on the method or job as the source of provision, instead of being obedient. Later God told Moses to “speak to the rock”
Numbers 20:7-12 God said “speak to that rock” but Moses struck it instead. God still provided the water which rushed out. But God was unhappy that Moses disobeyed. v12 and Deuteronomy 32:51. God will not be angry with us always. He knows our heart and will provide. Do we recognize that the Lord is holy and we can trust in Him? To know Him means to seek to be obedient. God’s blessings flood into us to flow out to others.

• God Floods us with His Presence.
“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:38-39. “…[b]ut whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” John 4:14. God gives the Holy Spirit, God dwelling in us. Through Him we are more than conquerors.

We need to ask ourselves: What do you have flowing from your heart and life? Are floods of grace flowing out to others?

I had another song in mind but I found this one instead.

May the Words of My Mouth

A Verse for Today:
2 Corinthians 8:7
7 But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us--see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

Lord help me to be obedient to Your guidance and will. Help me to allow Your blessings to flow through me to others. Help my words always be uplifting and point others to You.

Sharing Beyond Books #225 October 31, 2015

Hello again and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!
Sorry I missed posting SBB on 10/17 and this past week but I was down with cold bug. I will still get four in for October but won't have a fifth week for a question from my list. :-)

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Nine (9) of us like colorful socks to wear, mostly around winter time. A few more commenters like slipper socks even though they wear black or white for regular day. Four people mostly do not wear or like to wear socks.

~~~~~

The regular Winner from SBB #224 comments is: #16 Nikki who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated ARC/Review titles or (not yet updated) Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. I'm hoping to update the book choices this week. Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #225 (One Question.)

Rosebud asks: Do you read books that match your moods or opposite...sad books when your sad or sad books when your happy and so on??

I can't say that I buy by mood. First - I am rarely sad. But if I was, I sure wouldn't want to read something sad. And if I was angry (also rare), I wouldn't pick angry. Actually I rarely pick sad or angry books to read anyway. I prefer happy or action - no matter my mood! 

Okay - pick a mood. :-).

Image found at MyCrazyLife

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use.
Question Contributors in October were: Marjorie, Poetryinleaves, Becky and Rosebud. Random.org picked 1 so the winner this month is Marjorie. 

Your turn to share:
Rosebud asks: Do you read books that match your moods or opposite...sad books when your sad or sad books when your happy and so on??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Valentine and "Love" books or the February 2015 Newly Updated ARC/Review List. (My daughter pulled several of the Christmas titles to give with gift bags we made up for the nursing homes. One of these days I will get together a new box of Christmas titles.)

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday November 7, 2015 at 5 PM central.

Audio Book Review: Clear by Fire: A Search and Destroy Thriller by Joshua Hood

This is a solid, engaging military thriller.
Clear by Fire: A Search and Destroy Thriller
Written by: Joshua Hood
Narrated by: John Pruden

Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:08-18-15
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Genre: Military Thriller
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Inspired by the experiences of a decorated combat veteran and former member of the 82nd Airborne Division, Clear by Fire is a blistering new military thriller about an American hero who, in order to clear his name, must take down a highly classified band of soldiers that has gone murderously rogue.
Mason Kane was a loyal American soldier and a proud member of the elite, off-the-books Anvil Program - a group of black ops soldiers who wage war from the shadows. But all that changed when his commander, as a part of a twisted scheme to force America's continued involvement in the Middle East, ordered an innocent Afghan family murdered.
Refusing the order, Mason finds himself on the run, hunted by his former comrades and labeled a terrorist by the country he served faithfully. Relying only on his survival skills and the help of female Special Operations operative Renee Hart, Kane must embark on his gravest mission yet: unraveling the conspiracy that reaches all way to the president's inner circle and stopping the world's most dangerous soldiers from completing their treacherous plan.
Set in the shadows of the war on terror, this realistic, action-packed adventure puts a twist on the traditional military thriller and starts a brand-new series that fans of Brad Thor and Brad Taylor will love.
©2015 Joshua Hood (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
Mason Kane served as a dedicated specialist soldier with a black ops group known as the Anvil Program. When his commander, Barnes, decides to pursue his own agenda, which is to escalate the American presence in the Middle East, and murders an innocent family, Mason objects. He soon finds himself under attack as his team members try to eliminate him from telling the truth. Now he is on the run dodging authorities and trying to clear his name before he has to live banished as a terrorist. Mason seeks help from friends in the Middle East whom some would label as enemies.

Meanwhile back in the states, Special Operations operative Renee Hart is discovering the edge of a conspiracy that will send her back to the Middle East. She is one kick-butt soldier and her team is glad to have her back. She ends up trying to interrogate Mason to find out what he knows. Slowly the facts and pieces are revealed and another government agency steps in to engage their services. Manson and Renee have to deal with loss and injury as they try to head off Barnes and his troop who are on a killing path.

Hood presents a detailed view of war, including direct battles and behind the action military mind issues. There is plenty of action but Hood develops the characters as well. I enjoyed the primary characters, Mason and Renee. They are awesome soldiers and I appreciated their determination to do right even as they have to fight battles in a vicious, twisted war. I am impressed with this debut novel and trust he will provide more action entertainment in the future.  I recommend this to readers who enjoy solid military thrillers.


Audio Notes: I enjoyed the narration by John Pruden. He kept the pace of the action and used different voices to fit the characters. The quality was good and made for fast listening.

I received this audio from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox. This is part of my Audiobook Challenge.