The Gearheart: Artifice, Ep 1 & 2

The Gearheart

By:  Alex White

Genre:  Fantasy

Episode:  1 of 37

Format:  Podcast; 22 minutes

Synopsis:

We're introduced to Initiate Jonathan Andrews and the Seekers of the Arcane Unknown!  Just who are they, and what are they trying to steal?  When the mobsters who own this priceless object catch wind, will the Seekers be able to get away?

My Thoughts and Summary:
First this is a podcast story in 37 episodes.  Each a continuation of the "book."  I'm going to review each episode in groups of 2 or 3, and in the end I'll give an overall view too.

Let me just say, I started listening to episode 1 and 2, as they are short listens, and ended on episode 6 before I realized what time it was!  I was pulled in by the magic and mystery of Cog, and now other characters.  Amazing the authors voice, and his wife does the female voices.  To amazing!  A few different ones, and she sounds different in each!  Well done!

We start off quick with Jonathan sitting in the get-away vehicle waiting for the signal.  The rest of the crew, in the Mobsters warehouse stealing a crate.  What's in the special crate, he doesn't know but does know the Seekers of the Arcane Unknown want it.  Then all of a sudden we are in the action of bullets and magic flying.  Yes magic!

It seems Jonathan is new to the group, he's a little green under the gills and mentioned as to why he's in the van waiting for them.  He also has a magic that seems to use as he can't control so easily, and still learning about it.

We meet the crew here, and learn of the magic the curses through each veins.  I have to say I'm intrigued by Cog!  I loved her little moment here.  She is one kick but woman, and with a magic sword!!  Ga!  I can't wait to learn more about her.

This beginning episode to the series seemed to go quick for me, and left me a little curious and ready for episode 2, which is also available along with all 37 episodes.

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Episode:  2 of 37

Format:  Podcast; 33 minutes

Synopsis:
We see the aftermath of Jonathan's bullet wound, and learn more about the mysterious Seekers of the Arcane Unknown. Just how bad is it, and what happens nest? How will Cog react when something dark and stirs deep inside Jonathan's heart?

My Thoughts and Summary:
We start with a quick recap of episode one, since this was done one a week when started. Which is cool I got to make sure I understood properly what was happening, and yes I did.

Jonathan is injured! After all those bullets in the first episode. I will say I like that someone got hit and they didn't magically get away unharmed.

We learn more in this episode of the relationships between the crew members and of The Seekers of Arcane Unknown, being a group of magic spies. Some friends have great history, all the way back to childhood, others are newer and fresher. I was left with wondering more on feelings for some characters toward others once seeing them interact.

Isabelle is one of the characters we get to see has a close relationship with Jonathan. And she is leaving on a special case where the contact will only talk to her. Seems suspicious, but she is willing to go.

We get more history on Jonathan too! And we get to see Cog!! I still love this woman, and actually more now that I've started to hear pieces of her vast, long history. hee hee. She has an magical "elfin" type feel to me, but boy do I want to learn more of that past. And there is a link to her heritage with Jonathan too! Oh, questions!

We also learn what was in that crate they stole, and risked their lives for. Want to know? I really want to tell you. Okay, I'll put it here in white so you can highlight, but you can skip this sentence if you want to ******a stone sprite, trapped in a bronze idol****** But, I'm curious as to what Jonathan's magic power is as he's not allowed to get near this item because of his un-tamed powers.

Jonathan's powers have me curious again in the end of this episode. Not only are they mysterious to me, but there is something with Cog too! When she played her lute and sang, it touched something deep in him. Oh, man! There is something there with his powers and her too!

We are even left with a possible curiosity of the Seekers of the Arcane Unknown. A small piece of doubt dropped into our minds. Not one to make use think complete bad of them, but one to maybe think on in the future.

I will say I started episode 1 cleaning and by the time I was half way through this episode I was sitting listening and focusing on the story. I'm hooked on these characters. It really sucked me in. Now on to episode 3!


I listened to this podcast for my own enjoyment.