Audio Book Review: Cibola by David Wood

Cibola by David Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I found I had missed a few books in this series and went back to pick them up. This is one that's early on in the Dane Maddock Adventures. Adventures I really enjoy.

I'm not usually one to listen to books out of order, and I'm fixing that now. But, for Jade Ilhara, that may be a good thing. At the beginning of this book, it feels like Jade is using Dane and his kindness. Not a good relationship cue here. But, I know she's attracted to him too... but, I'm not really a fan of hers in this book.

I enjoy listening to these books as Jeffrey Kafer is great at voicing Maddock and Bones. They have a great friendship where they can banter, pick on each other, and tell the truth and not be offended. Great ones to adventure with.

This story takes on the adventure to find Cibola. What they do find...is amazing. I love seeing how things tie together and they follow the clues. And the people they come across and make friends with.

There's danger, fighting, strange creatures, cliffs, and so much more in this story. All make for daring moments and suspense.

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Audio Book Review: Atlantis by David Wood

Atlantis by David Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

David Wood never disappoints. I love how his stories always start with a a bang and into action we go. Though, Dane Maddock and Bones aren't the type to lounge around and do nothing. Well, at least not for long. lol. Then, the rest of the crew follows suit easily. This is why they all are great together on the missions.

Each member of the crew knows who they are and have bold personalities. They aren't afraid to be themselves and voice things. Also, all things are welcome to be voiced as in their line of work there could be danger if not discussed beforehand. This makes for a great friendships when you trust people so truly. Which leads to great quick quips and banter. Great friends like family. And some family too. ;)

As expected, there's lots of action and mystery and danger. I love seeing them go diving, climbing, and so much more.

The group does separate in this book to accomplish different goals on the same mission. Sometimes I struggled keeping up with what we learn and keeping it straight as we moved on to the next group. That's when things are coming to a head and we need all the pieces at the same time!

I enjoy these books so much, I went and printed the checklist from David's site so I can track what I've listened to and what I still need. :) I'm going to work to get on track and in order with his books. :)

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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: Buccaneer

Buccaneer

By:  David Wood

Publish Date:  November 10, 2012, Audiobook Release February 12, 2013

Format:  Audiobook - 6 hrs 55 mins
Narrated By:  Jeffrey Kafer

Genre:  Adventure, Suspense, Thriller

Series:  1st in A Dane Maddock Adventure series; 3rd Book ~ Quest, 7th Book ~ Ark

Impression:  A little more personal adventure for Dane, with action.

Synopsis:
For more than two centuries the Oak Island Money Pit has baffled researchers and foiled treasure hunters, and when Dane Maddock and Bones Bonebrake take up the search, they get much more than they bargained for. Danger lies at every turn as they search for a treasure out of legend that dates back to the time of Christ. Ancient wonders, hidden temples, mythical creatures, secret societies, and foes new and old await as Dane and Bones unravel a pirate’s deadly secret in Buccaneer.

First Sentence:
It was a stormy day on the Arabian Sea.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator.

This is an older audio book for Jeffrey. And I enjoyed it. Jeffrey was free to voice different people with different tones and accents, making them all unique and easy to know who's talking in the story. This is just fun to listen to. Jeffrey's voice feels perfect for Dane and Bones's personalities, along with the crew around them. As always, the audio is seamless and clear.

I think I say it every time I listen to one of these books, I just love the easy sense of humor I get from Dane Maddock, Bones, and all around them. They make me smile and I enjoy their dangerous adventures. Avery even has a wonderful sense of humor, even in a time of stress. lol.

Our guys meet Avery for the first time in this book. She seems to fit in perfectly. lol. And there's a reason for that. We learn it here. I love Angel, Bone's sister. She's one kick butt kind of woman, just as tough as we would expect. She gets into the rough and tough fights just like the boys. Oh and this woman can hold her own in those fights.

I enjoyed learning a bit more about Dane's parents in this book. The project we are on is connected to his father's research. Sadly, his parents were killed in an auto accident, but we see their impact on Dane which gives us a feel for them.

We also see the beginnings of other groups that could be trouble for Dane and Bones after this book, and I know it will be. Also that Dane and crew will work with in the future.

What they find! Oh my! Then my minds wheels start turning. How did something like that come into existence so many years ago? In a time it shouldn't be! Very interesting. I can't tell you what they find as it'll take the wow away from you. You just have to read or listen to find out.

I enjoy the writing as we focus on the current job/project that we are on. There is always enough to bring us to want more as well, to solve all the mysteries behind the ages old treasures. And there are more books to do just that. Though, there is two places where the wrong character was named, someone who wasn't even there at that moment. But, I'll over look that with the love I have for these characters and thrilling stories. (Heck, this audio is from 2012, so the book could have been re-edited to fix it since then, in case you read it.)

I find I get anxious when listening to these stories. I want to sit and listen to it all on a fast speed so I can get the whole story right now! lol. I don't. I listen at regular speed to savior all that's said and the performance by Jeffrey.


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Audio Book Review: Quest

Quest

By:  David Wood

Publish Date:  July 4, 2011, Audiobook Release November 2, 2011

Format:  Audiobook - 7 hrs 37 mins
Narrated By:  Jeffrey Kafer

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  3rd A Dane Maddock Adventure novel: 7th Book ~ Ark

Impression:  Fun, adventurous trek through current world, then the jungle.

Synopsis:
146 B.C.- Escaping just ahead of the invading Roman legions, a Carthaginian soldier carries an ancient secret to places unknown.

1925- Percy Fawcett launches his final expedition into the Amazon, but what is his true objective?

Dane Maddock is back. Deep in the Amazon, a university group encounters a horror beyond their darkest nightmares and vanishes without a trace. Called upon to undertake a daring rescue mission, Dane and Bones must trace the true path of Percy Fawcett's final expedition, but the secret that lies at the end of the search might be even deadlier than the enemies who seek it. From the streets of London, to remote islands in the Atlantic, to the deadly jungles of the Amazon, Dane and Bones must penetrate a secret lost to history, on their deadliest Quest.

First Sentence:
"Why have you summoned me?

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Audible

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

Given a message from her boyfriend who's two months lost in the jungle with a college trip, Kaylin's put in danger when she receives a package he left behind in hopes that she'll find him. Kaylin has one person she can turn to for help of this magnitude, her ex-boyfriend Dane Maddock. Dane and Bones help Kaylin find her boyfriend, and along the way could find the lost city that Percy Fawcett was searching for when he disappeared.

This is an older audio book done by Jeffrey, and I really enjoyed it! It felt like he had lots of emotion and thought in each word he spoke. The characters feel different as he speaks them, even works to vocalize them slightly different too. I love that he's got a sound to a voice on the phone or head set too. I really enjoyed this performance! This is a wonderful example of what I love to hear when listening to audiobooks.

David Wood is another author to use a Prologue to draw me into the story. He gives me just enough to understand and know what's happening but to leave me wondering what they want. Wow. After that, I need to know what needed to be taken away then what Fawcett was looking for! David works in the prologue through out the story, and into the ending. We learn the story of those of old in the prologue. The hints they left drive us along to get to the end. Well done.

I do so enjoy Dane Maddock and Bones Bonebreak's banter and fun comments. They do make me smile. They are a duo I do enjoy listening to. Even with the rest of the crew that works with them on dives, they all fit together so well. Great team! Maddock and Bones don't show fear, they react. But I guess that's the SEAL in them. They are smart and figure out historical clues along with have the bronze to fight when needed. Such a great balance with them together and individually.

We do get sections that is from the ScanGen as well. The owner and his lead employees. But in doing this we meet one of the new characters we'll deal with in the future. This is where we first meet Tam. And she tries to recruit Maddock and Bones on her team to stop the Dominion. Tam really makes an impression in this book. She's one strong woman.

I really enjoy these adventures for the mystery and action, but also for the characters I get to meet. I want to get all the books with these characters, but also set in this world. I'm hooked!



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Audio Book Review: Ark

Ark

By:  David Wood

Publish Date:  August 11, 2015, Audiobook Release August 26, 2016

Format:  Audiobook - 6 hrs 48 mins
Narrated By:  Jeffrey Kafer

Genre:  Suspense, Thriller, Adventure

Series:  7th in A Dane Maddock Adventure series

First Impression:  Adventure, mystical, and dangerous. Loved the story created of Noah's Ark.

Synopsis:
A Native American artifact points the way to one of the greatest legends in history!

Archaeologist Dima Zafrani receives a mysterious package containing fragments of an unknown text that proves the existence of the lost Book of Noah. Pursued by a shadow organization known only as The Trident, Dima crosses paths with former Navy SEALs turned treasure hunters Dane Maddock and Bones Bonebrake. Can the three find the legendary Noah Stones before the Trident can harness their power?

Join Dane and Bones on another action-packed adventure as they set off on a quest for the Ark!

First Sentence:
The sea was angry.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Audible

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

Bones and Maddock return home to find Grandfather Samuel Bonebreak being questioned by two men in the middle of the living room, and it doesn't look to be kind. Samuel's never seen these men, but knows what they were looking for. The family treasure. The family treasure leads to the stone used to talk to animals, and a tie to Noah's ark where the animals were lead on the ship.

Jeffrey Kafer excels again at his narration of these characters. Jeffrey never lets me down when I listen to his works. The characters are not as much voiced differently in tone and timber but in personality in their voices. There are a few distinctive differences voiced, yes, but most comes through in who the characters are and how they would speak with emotion. This has become so easy to differentiate which character is which in listening. I do enjoy Jeffrey's voice as narrator though. I could listen to him all day.

David Wood uses descriptions that make it easy for me to visualize the scenes. The descriptions of the swelling, crashing waves of sea in the prologue makes it easy to see them. And there are many details like this throughout the book.

I'm thrilled this story centers around Bones and his family. We get to meet his family and see a legend from his family. Cherokee. Bones is an individual man, and I love him this way. So, I really enjoy Bones as a character. And I think I might be jealous of Dima. lol.

I so enjoy Bones and Maddock's interactions. They work well together, almost like they know what the other one will do. They trust each other in the most dangerous moments. And they have a humor between them that makes me smile, and even breaks up the dire moments a bit to keep the reader light hearted and going.

I find the connections of different histories and written history and mythology to be the gripping part of the story. The way Bones' family treasure leads to Noah and the ark then even another step even further is mesmerizing. I even pause when we get to these realizations to think on what we've crossed and that it all leads to this point. It does! I can totally see the line to this point with what we've learned. David has written the direction of events and the book to back the conclusions with great work. I'm amazed at this and enjoy it.

This book can very well be read/listened on it's own. I have listened to a few with these characters and of who them mention, but that doesn't impact the story in the least. I do, however, want to listen to ALL the stories in this world after getting the impression of past missions as I really enjoy the characters interactions and friendships. There are many different divisions of groups that are allies or enemies (in a sense) and would love to see all interact.

I will be looking for all sorts of books in this world!



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