Audio Book Review: The Long Way Down

The Long Way Down

By:  Craig Schaefer

Publish Date:  July 12, 2014, Audiobook Release January 6, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 9 hrs 51 mins
Narrated By:  Adam Verner

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  1st in Daniel Faust series

First Impression:  Wonderful story full of dark magic and dark deeds in the world, and Daniel gets tangled up fighting them.

Synopsis:
Nobody knows the seedy underbelly of Las Vegas like Daniel Faust, a sorcerer for hire and ex-gangster who uses black magic and bullets to solve his clients' problems. When an old man comes seeking vengeance for his murdered granddaughter, what looks like a simple job quickly spirals out of control.

Soon Daniel stands in the crossfire between a murderous porn director; a corrupt cop with a quick trigger finger; and his own former employer, a racket boss who isn't entirely human. Then there's Caitlin: brilliant, beautiful, and the lethal right hand of a demon prince.

A man named Faust should know what happens when you rub shoulders with demons. Still Daniel can't resist being drawn to Caitlin's flame as they race to unlock the secret of the Etruscan Box, a relic that people all over town are dying -- and killing -- to get their hands on. As the bodies drop and the double-crosses pile up, Daniel will need every shred of his wits, courage and sheer ruthlessness just to survive.

Daniel Faust knew he was standing with one foot over the brink of hell. He's about to find out just how far he can fall.

First Sentence:
"I know what you are," the old man said.

Purchase At:
Amazon 

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I requested to review a copy of this audiobook for an honest review from the author or narrator.

When the police didn't seem to help Jud, he hired Daniel Faust to look into Stacy, his granddaughter's, murder. The time of death by drowning is wrong, by two days, from the date of the storm that she was to drown in. Daniel agrees to look into it, not expecting there to be much of a case. What Daniel finds in the sewers is something else. Stacy was definitely murdered, but the ghost he found in her place is not what he's seen of ghosts. Her screams are powerful and dangerous. What had she become? "This has the stink of magic all over it." Daniel will fix it, solve the poor girls murder along with sending the deadly specter on, but when he digs deeper he finds demons and more are present and have others in the magic world spooked.

Adam has made my list of favorite narrators after just this one book! Adam starts strong and in character from the first word. I didn't feel like he had to ease into the story or characters at all. He had me believing he was, is, Daniel Faust at first sound. He even does voice differences for other characters, like with Jud an old man meeting with Daniel to easily differentiate the characters and draw us to them. Adam embodies the characters in tone and personality as he speaks. Yes! Adam makes the story fun to listen to! When he does the voice of a demon... I enjoyed it! Adam really is all the characters at all times.

Daniel.... Daniel has the feel of a vigilante when it comes to the magic world and the evil people in it. He's a strong character and has some serious power to him. We see part of it here, but what I've learned of his past and what Caitlin says about his past really has me curious as to how powerful he is. Daniel uses cards with his magic, fitting for being in Las Vegas. Neat! I really liked Daniel! Daniel seems to have morals, yet he's willing to cross a line to help people too. Daniel had a terrible history with his dad and the home he found himself part of when on the run but he tries to help those in dangerous situations or suffered from others terrible acts upon then.

I love the relationship started in this book with Daniel. There will be obstacles for them and they know it, but they are positive about it and willing to work through together.

There was a great balance in the writing here. We have dark deeds done and dark magic yet there is a sense of humor weaved through the story with Daniel and his friends. Also there is a being who says, magician toes tasting like candy... LOL! Well, I don't know if it's true, but it's one of the things that came up that kept the story light for me in this dark world. It made me smile at the thought.

Craig has done a fantastic job of writing sex into the story line as it's part of the plot. What Stacy was mixed up in with a few others is not pretty, and what she lived through was definitely not as well. The thing is it's the plot and not the whole world and only thought of all the characters. Well done! We do have a succubus present as well, and the thoughts do gravitate toward sex at times, but it's not the focus of the story. Now, there is a relationship started and the scenes felt to flow and fit the characters and story for them. I loved this balance and use.

I'm finding, after listening to his fantasy series and now this book, I'm a huge fan of Craig's writing style. He tells of the settings through the story that makes the surroundings real. I can mentally see and know the smells that's here with ease. Craig is wonderful at balancing delicate subjects in the proper ways to not seem overly dark or to let take over the story being told.

The story is dark with the deaths and 'monsters' but there is a humor in the comments as well. I was excited to keep listening to the story, to see what happened and what comment Daniel would have. There is sex and death, murders, and ghosts. It's all soooo well mingled together creating a world and story that is addicting. I'm looking forward to continuing on with Daniel in his adventures, as there will be more with how somethings end in this book (and there are already more books out).


**If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible. Thank you!