Audio Book Review: Fortress of Shadows by Carrie Summers

Fortress of Shadows by Carrie Summers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this one. I love how the game is a game to the players, but it's becoming more each day. They have a "real" life outside of the game, but the game is starting to feel more and more like home with the NPCs they meet along with other players that don't live close to them.

I listened to the audio book. I really enjoyed the narrators in this one. I liked there was a female narrator for female characters and a male voice for male characters. As there are narrators that can and do amazing jobs differentiating characters, this was nice to get a different voice to help with that. You get a different feel from different people, which is great when you have a nice size cast of characters.

There were problems in game, but they 'seem' to be better. Was Devon the only one feeling it??? Devon learns more when her old team mates come her way... about the nerve sensors, about needing friends, and how other CAN help.

It seems the "God," or the AI running the game, has directed her friends to her with their missions.

New problems rise...landscape's changing and animals are scarce...all part of Devon's mission. And a new enemy arrives. There's no knowing if it'll attack or where or tracking it... I love how we learn about this enemy. It's affected by the real world events and in game events. I had a feeling it was something along these lines with where things were going, but to see it come together is always great.

I really like the village Devon is creating and I'm worried about it's safety too!

In the real world, I've really found the troubles Emerson has unearthed with the system on the players very interesting. I'm looking forward to learning more about what he'll do now. But, the world of Big Business... so much to fight against.

I want more!
To see what comes of Stonehaven, Devon's guest, and Emerson with the Big Company. I even wonder if Haley will find her own piece of the world and the team will come out at the very end ruling it all.

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Audio Book Review: Heart of Dragons by Meg Cowley

Heart of Dragons by Meg Cowley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I loved the description of the angry woods in chapter one. I could feel the forest as we ran through it.

The book was good. I didn't feel like it was great because something kept me from feeling FOR the characters. Was it the voice of them as they all sounded privileged? Or maybe the flow of events and thoughts from actions that didn't feel to match up for me? I'm not sure. I did roll my eyes as Harper seems to be attracted to Elves. lol. Oh boy, I felt like it was pushed a bit much with one character, the other seemed to grow into that feeling.

There were times that the characters learned things, but that their knowledge reverted to before that detail was seen or learned. And Dimitri... I felt his character did a complete 180 in acts and feelings. I know he has to be a bugger with the courts, but we didn't get a feel of compassion from him until suddenly it was there.

At first I wasn't sure about Jack as the narrator. Not bad, just getting use to his enunciations and feel he gives the characters. I was still a little unsure in the end, but the focus on him had gone away.

The series has many great reviews. So don't let me stop you from enjoying this one. It's good, just didn't feel to have the pull and spark I was looking for.

I did like where the story ended and I feel some curiosity on how things will go in the future. I may come back to this series then.

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Book Review: Witch Hunt by Skyla Dawn Cameron

Witch Hunt by Skyla Dawn Cameron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Elis is a determined young lady.

This book is just what the title says. Elis is on the search for her brother and hoping his last girlfriend would have some helpful details. In looking for her, Elis stumbles into a a Witch Hunt. The thing is, those doing the hunting don't know who they're picking up . Elis isn't a witch to run from the, but turn and fight. And she has no qualms about killing those that are trying to do the killing.

I love seeing Elis turn the tables in this book. And I absolutely loved reading her memories with her mom, my V-BFF Zara Lain. Seeing these memories shares details of what happened to Zara and brings her back to life a little for us. It's great to see Elis and her relationship with her mom.

There are tidbits that reference back to the original series, Demons of Oblivion. I love seeing these little things. It ties the world together and explains what has happened.

I enjoy the writing in these books. There's a dry humor and the characters unique personality shines.

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Audiobook Review: Uncanny Collateral by Brian McClellan

Uncanny Collateral by Brian McClellan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a great combo for a working duo. Alek and Maggie. They are FRIENDS. That's it. And I love their friendship. Alek is human and troll, so much fun. Makes for a great fight when it happens. lol. Maggie is a jinn, stuck in a ring. There's more to her history, and we get hints of that in this book. I look forward to learning more about that.

Alek is owned by his boss. Literally. He has to do the jobs he's given. Alek is out to solve the troubles that are happening, and yes there will be fights. We even get to see Maggie in action too. And the things we learn, also shares more of Alek's history.

I felt like these two had true personalities of their own. Their actions felt true to their beliefs and who they are. I really enjoyed this.

This book is really good all around. The audio narration. The characters and action and story. Great writing.

I want more and I WILL be getting the next book.

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Audiobook Review: Assassin by C.T. Phipps

Assassin by C.T. Phipps
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It's been a while since the last book for me. So I'm greatly thankful for the refresher in the beginning (prologue).

Case is aware he's an old man. lol. 20 years. Hearing him is like listening to a dad talk. lol. But! With being a cyborg of sorts, technology does age quickly, so 20 could be the new...40 or 50? lol.

I think this book would have been better read over listened to for me. I struggled a little with the audio version as I couldn't keep up with the plans and understanding them all. I felt like there was a lot of talking between characters and memories. A lot of going over plans but felt like not much in action. There were flashbacks that happened too.

We do learn about Case and his relationships with others and business. It's always an adventure with Case.

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Audiobook Review: Secrets That Kill by Colleen Helme

Secrets That Kill by Colleen Helme
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I so love this series for several reasons... they are fun. Shelby. Ramos. And the adventure. The mysteries and events can be dangerous, but Shelby's personality is light and fun. These are so well written too!

I love listening to Wendy Tremont King narrate Shelby. She's TOTALLY Shelby for me! She steps right into Shelby's role and character when she creates these books. An amazing fourth dynamic to the books.

I love Shelby's outlook on things and life. Even when she's being followed by men with guns, she's got a great view that makes me smile. Working with "Uncle Joey" usually leads to trouble for Shelby, who has a soft heart for all. Even with a task as simple as delivering a letter...it goes wrong for poor Shelby. lol.

I love how the story comes together and the light view always makes it fun.

And then there's Ramos! Sometimes I think Ramos keeps his thoughts positive for Shelby. Does he really know what he says? Or does he have things covered like he leads on? He really is great at comforting Shelby when she's ready to panic. I love that we learn more of Ramos's past in this book too.

Such a great series to be hooked on.

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Audiobook Review: Pawn by Angela J. Ford

Pawn by Angela J. Ford
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I think I was wanting or expecting more from this book, or maybe something a little different. For me, I had a bit of a rough start with this. But I was left curious at the end of the book. I may listen to the next book to see how it evolves.

Maeve is the main character. She's a strong warrior who's captured by the dark fae. She's sent on a task to find items for the Dark Fae king. However, her powers are restricted by a magical collar.

Maeve's character has lots of growth needed. The first time she says she needs to change her ways and not kill, I did not believe her conviction. It didn't feel to fit her at this point in the book. I don't think she'd digested it all enough with what we see, and to have her feel that...just not yet for me. Felt forced too early. Maeve feels to start to see things, but the writing makes me wonder if she's really digesting it all. She's growing, but I wasn't sure if it was genuine growth in the character.

I'll check out the next book and see how I feel about it.

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