Audiobook Review: Harlan's Wake & The List

Harlan's Wake

By:  John Mierau

Publish Date:  May 25, 2011

Publisher:  ServingWorlds.com

Format:  Podcasted Audio book

Genre:  Science Fiction

Series:  short story

Recommendation:  science fiction spin on a rough visit home.

Synopsis:
In a near-future where alien intelligence's steer the bodies of the deceased, Tyler’s life is dedicated to the Silvers...but when word arrives that his alien-hating father is dying he goes AWOL and races home to make peace. Can he make it in time?

First Sentence:
Standing in the familiar field of wind-blown grass, Tyler watched the firelight from the top of the hill.

Purchase At:
Amazon 

Listen For Free:
iTunes   /   Podiobooks

**I listened to this book for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Tyler returns to his country home. A home divided on feelings of Tyler and his leaving. Tyler's father, Harlan, is on his death bed. Tyler has come to see him by. But when a Silver, Tyler's alien charge, shows up the strong beliefs in the family and area rage.

Four short episodes.

This is a rough visit back home for Tyler. He's doing this for the love of his father. We get quiet a picture of the family of their reactions to him and what he's done. Even glimpses of how the world is away from the family farm. I felt like I got to know the characters which makes it a touch easier to follow happenings. I like getting to one aspect before the other, it enriches it all for me.

What is a Silver? It's an alien that is inside a human body. You can see their silver when the skin is broken, sometimes in their eyes, or when transferring to a body. They are geniuses and help with sciences while here. But they are feared and hated.

The talk Tyler remembers with his charge Michael reminded me of extreme prejudice and the strong thinking of the Silver. There will always be fear and hate based on many different things, even of their own kind.

When Michael shows up at the farm, things get complicated and mixed up. A family divided in belief, until that belief hits home. Sometimes people need to face those fears. Well done, with a science fiction twist to it.

John is wonderful at weaving a theme into a short story.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The List

By:  John Mierau

Publish Date:  March 1, 2011

Publisher:  ServingWorlds.com

Format:  Podcasted Audio book

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  short story

Recommendation:  A spy short story with a dark paranormal twist.

Synopsis:
In which we meet Miles Bell, Her Majesty's spy. Proto-nazi's, murder, betrayal.. and a dark, demonic future waiting to swallow England.

First Sentence:
Miles screamed as he held the bubbling flesh of his arms to the metal window pane, still red from the licking flames.

Purchase At:
Amazon 

Listen For Free:
iTunes   /   Podiobooks

**I listened to this book for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
December 1919 in a world where Germany is troublesome but there is a shaky peace, Miles Bell is sent to Switzerland on a case. It's vague as to the details, but he's to bid on a list - a powerful list many leaders are looking for. For His Majesty, Miles goes in to find out what the contents of this valuable list is and who all is bidding for it. However, Miles never expected what he found with the list.

Aaah, this one was a blend of spy and paranormal. I like it.

Again, John has set us in a complete short story that has a beginning, middle, and end. But there is a small opening that if John would like to revisit it, it's there.

We get the build up of wonder as to this mysterious and highly desired, by major figure heads of the world, list. Then we learn what it is. Didn't see that! A dark touch to the story, and exactly what the story called for. I thought there were was a moment that seemed to go fast in the story. But was exciting with the quick action and events.

I listened to this story and it might have been one I would have enjoyed reading. I had to listen closely to catch all that was happening. With reading I would have been processing as I was reading.

This is a dark paranormal fix, as all of John's short stories are great quick listens or reads.