Audio Book Review: Solomon Key

Solomon Key

By:  David Wood

Publish Date:  December 31, 2017, Audiobook Release September 27, 2018

Format:  Audiobook - 5 hrs 55 mins
Narrated By:  Jeffrey Kafer

Genre:  Suspense, Thriller, Adventure

Series:  10th in A Dane Maddock Adventure series; 3rd Book ~ Quest, 5th Book ~ Buccaneer, 7th Book ~ Ark

Impression:  Unexpected adventures for Dane & Bones!

Synopsis:
The legacy of a kidnapped African warrior turned pirate sets Dane Maddock and Bones Bonebrake on a collision course with deadly organization that will stop at nothing to claim the greatest treasure in history. But more than riches are at stake. Enemies old and new and even old friends stand in Maddock's in a struggle to control the mysterious power unlocked by the SOLOMON KEY.

First Sentence:
Peter Archer, or red Pete as he was known to his crewmates, crept silently across the deck of the Blue Crane, which lay at anchor in sight of Port Royal.

Purchase At:
Amazon  

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Jeffrey returns to voice Dane Maddock and crew once again. He's a fixed voice in this world, and I love it! He gives characters the accents they are to have from David's writing descriptions. Jeffrey may not have a female voice when he narrates, but that doesn't stop him giving them their own voice and personality. He brings all the characters to life this way.

As you can see from my reading/listening of the series, you do not have to read it in order. I've missed a few books along the way. But I still love the characters and the story and adventure in each book. And I absolutely want the books I've missed, just to get as much of these characters as I can.

I love that David doesn't worry about word count or length of book, but focuses on the story and what's needed to tell it. Totally awesome! We get full movement and information to keep moving forward through out the book. There are traps, fights, and mystery as we go through the adventure with Dane Maddock and Bones.

David takes us on an unexpected adventure with Maddock and Bones as they search for Solomon's ring. These two always find trouble, or I should say trouble finds them. I love their banter and their friendship. They have been through a lot together and it gives them plenty to pick on each other about, and not worry about what they are saying. This is a wonderful friendship!

We come across known people that Dane Maddock crossed paths with in the past and are friends. We also meet new people with the places Maddock and Bones travel to.

Maddock isn't a true believer in spirits or ghosts. This book puts his thoughts on ghosts to the test. And maybe will start to sway Maddock to the believer side. Very interesting touch on the ghosts with Solomon's mines.

This book left me with a few questions that I hope will come up in future books. Like what does the Sisterhood want with Solomon's mines. There has to be something more there, and I am looking forward to finding out what it is!

Another amazing adventure with Dane and Bones. I love my time with their journeys and look forward to many more to come.



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Audio Book Review: Beauty and Beastly

Beauty and Beastly

By:  Melanie Karsak

Publish Date:  December 6, 2017, Audiobook Release July 26, 2018

Format:  Audiobook - 6 hrs 4 mins
Narrated By:  Lesley Parkin

Genre:  Steampunk, Fairy Tale

Series:  3rd in Steampunk Fairy Tales series; 1st Book ~ Curiouser and Curiouser

Impression:  Steampunk and magical blend of a classic fairy tale.

Synopsis:
In this tale as old as time, Isabella Hawking must tinker a solution to a heartbreaking mystery.

When Isabelle and her papa set out from London on a sea voyage, Isabelle was thrilled. Visiting foreign courts, learning from master tinkers, and studying new ways to manipulate mechanicals sounded like a dream. But an unexpected gale turns the waters violent, and the ship is lost. Isabelle survives the tempest only to be shipwrecked on a seemingly-deserted island. Dotted with standing stones, faerie mounds, and a crumbling castle, the haunting place hints of a magical past. Isabelle may be an unwitting guest, but her arrival at the forgotten citadel heralds a new beginning for the beastly residents inside.

Beauty and Beastly is a retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast fairy tale set in 1814 Regency England.

First Sentence:
"Isabelle, are you coming?"

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles 

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

I've listened to Lesley before. She did Curiouser and Curiouser as well. Her proper speech of words and her accent adds to the drawing of the characters. She brings each character to life with their own vocal personality as she narrates, acting out the story for us. I believed the characters as she voiced them with heart.

I really enjoy Melanie's steampunk twist to the fairy tales. She keeps key ingredients but transforms the story. Here we have the rose, the mirror, the garden, the offer for dinner, and Be Our Guest, don't go in this area, spot of missing painting, the library, the dance, and more. But she turns the events to work as a new tale with strong old tale influences. This keeps the story true to it's nature and easily recognizable for all.

I love the creations in the world. The steampunk creations and ideas here. The world shines with the feel of it. Oh the place where the Beast lives. Wow. It sounds stunning and so special in it's own way. It sounds like a place I'd enjoy visiting.

I love how the story is of steampunk and clockwork, but it also holds an element of magic to it. Lovely blend of the two to create this tale. There is magic present in more than one way. There is magic in the world, of course. But there is magic in the relationships created.

*sigh* For me this is a golden charm. I'm afraid if I get going on about the story that I'll give too much away and you won't be able to experience and enjoy it as I did. Melanie is amazing at turning the fairy tale to her telling yet keeping the essence of the story true. I'm once again taken with the talent.

Totally worth listening to the story.



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Audio Book Review: Flaming Dove

Flaming Dove

By:  Daniel Arenson

Publish Date:  August 19, 2010, Audiobook Release September 12, 2018

Format:  Audiobook - 9 hrs 54 mins
Narrated By:  Heather Costa

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  Stand alone

Impression:  One person of two places that's looking for peace.

Synopsis:
The battle of Armageddon was finally fought... and ended with no clear victor. Upon the mountain, the armies of Hell and Heaven beat each other into a bloody, uneasy standstill, leaving the Earth in ruins. Armageddon should have ended with Heaven winning, ushering in an era of peace. That's what the prophecies said. Instead, the two armies--one of angels, one of demons--hunker down in the scorched planet, lick their wounds, and gear up for a prolonged war with no end in sight.

In this chaos of warring armies and ruined landscapes, Laila doesn't want to take sides. Her mother was an angel, her father a demon; she is outcast from both camps. And yet both armies need her, for with her mixed blood, Laila can become the ultimate spy... or ultimate soldier. As the armies of Heaven and Hell pursue her, Laila's only war is within her heart--a struggle between her demonic and heavenly blood.

First Sentence:
Something is out there, his thoughts whispered.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles 

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

I listened to Heather narrating another authors book prior to this. I enjoyed her tone and narration so wanted to try another of her books. When this one popped up for review, I had to jump at it. I'm glad I did. I've enjoyed Heather's narrative voice as she gives the characters feeling in their voices. She's one that's easy to listen to and is clear.

This book is full of religious base for the characters, it's angels and demons. I'm not one for religion, but this book isn't preaching to me. It's story base. Also, angels and demons aren't as cut and dry in what they do or say as one would think. The story is enjoyable as it's good verses bad. But there is a middle ground too, which is where Laila comes into play.

Okay. I hate Beelzebub. I really do. When I listen to him talk to woman, my blood boils. He's a user and it infuriates me. On the other hand, this is a huge complement to Daniel in writing Beelzebub. If he didn't write his so well, I wouldn't feel this way about him. But at the same time, I'd like to shake Bat El. Even Zarel. When you read the book, you'll understand.

Laila. I love her. She's of both Heaven and Hell but can't reside in either place because both bloods run through her veins which makes both places hurt her in different ways. She's an innocent that suffers from her heritage. An innocent that's pushed to do things she shouldn't have to in order to survive and be left alone. Alone... something she wishes she didn't have to suffer.

The world... There are an extreme few humans remaining and the world has suffered a great Armageddon. Now, Heaven and Hell fight for domain over Earth. When one of the sides win, Earth will be changed to their setting - Hell fire or Angel light. Which side will Laila fight to help? And what will she do to get there? The story is Laila working to find her peace in a world constantly at odds.

This is a stand-alone story that has an ending but also leaves a bit of thought to the reader. I enjoyed this.



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