Audio Book Review: H.A.L.F.: The Makers

H.A.L.F.: The Makers

By:  Natalie Wright

Publish Date:  April 7, 2016, Audiobook Release November 10, 2016

Format:  Audiobook - 12 hrs 27 mins
Narrated By:  Dylan White

Genre:  Science Fiction

Series:  2nd H.A.L.F. series: 1st Book ~ The Deep Beneath

Impression:  Things may not be brighter on the other side...

Synopsis:
"The Makers" is the follow-up to Natalie Wright's multiple award-winning debut science fiction novel "H.A.L.F.: The Deep Beneath." "We've seen grey aliens on T.V. and in movies. We may think we know all about them. But what if everything we think we know is wrong?" Erika Holt dodged death and departed Earth in an alien ship. It wasn't how she'd planned to spend her senior year. Is Erika on her way to paradise? Or to a hell worse than the underground lab she escaped? The greys rescued Tex from A.H.D.N.A. and promised him a life he could never have imagined. But what will he have to give up to become one with The Conexus? Jack Wilson is still Commander Sturgis' prisoner, but a promise of freedom comes from an unlikely source. Will his liberation cost more than he's willing to pay? Caught up in their personal battles and focused on our war with the grey aliens, will any of them realize the true threat that looms over us all before it's too late?

First Sentence:
The cold void that had swallowed Erika's scream as she entered the alien ship enveloped her.

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My Thoughts and Summary:
*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review at my request.

Erika, Tex, Ian, and Dr. Randall are pulled through the light to the alien ship, or so they think is a ship. But things are as Tex suspected from what he'd heard. There is more and they need to survive and get home to help save the world. Jack was rejected by the light and facing the changes at A.H.D.N.A. Changes that are not good for the world. Jack must work with those he doesn't know to break out the one person that recently threatened his life, Commander Sturgis. She holds knowledge that is going to be needed in what's to come.

Dylan White is a new voice for me. He does well with different voice tones and personality to share the feel of the characters as they speak. I did find that the volume, in which the recording was done, was very quiet. I had to turn this book up louder than many of my other audio books to hear all the words that were spoken. But I enjoyed the story that Dylan voiced for us.

We start exactly where the first book ends. Our characters moving on with the unknown that's about to happen to them.

POV is through a few different eyes: Erika, Commander Sturgis, Jack, Tex, and U'Vol. All are at different places and witnessing or experiencing different things in the world. Erika is taken with Ian, Dr. Randell, and Tex by the aliens. However, Tex is separated from them. Jack was rejected in the taking, and is left on land with Commander Lillian Sturgis, but Commander Sturgis is arrested and none know Jack is there. U'Vol is a new character for us, an alien of a different world. I have a feeling U'Vol will become more important in the next book, especially after the last chapter with him in this book.

Each character has an important rule to play in this book. Erika sees the side of what's being done to her and her friends and works to escape where they are. Tex is wanted by the aliens, Conexus, because of how he was created and could help them. He also gives us the view of what's happened and what the Conexus is and wants. Commander Sturgis only has a few sections, but she knows there is trouble coming and will do anything to protect the world, and her knowledge is needed. Jack is on Earth and working with new characters to save the one person he didn't think he'd ever want to see again, then to save the world. Then there is U'Vol. I won't say much of him as he's new and an interesting view into things to happen.

Where I felt the first book was similar to many alien stories, this one was more impressive. Sure there are some spots that are common, but the story here feels to move to a new level. There are interesting connections between where Erika, Ian, Dr. Randell, and Tex go to with the aliens and where we've been. Very interesting!

I can see small sparks of love starting through the story. The couple we originally thought would be together, could grow to learn they love others, finding the one that may fit. Or maybe not. I'm not sure how the love angle will work out in this series. They are still young after all.

The writing felt to ring home much better with me in this book. I really like the description as the story starts in Erika's POV. Wow. Well done. I feel this book has more emotion and depth to the characters than the first story. Living through these hard times and fighting to live and return home or save others has brought them all to a new level. This book felt more invested and better written to me.

The ending concludes the troubles the characters are in with this book. But, it doesn't bring us completely to an end and there are new complications to face. We will be waiting for book three to see where we end up and what happens next!



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