Audio Book Review: Echoes of the System by Carrie Summers

Echoes of the System by Carrie Summers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Devon has a number of things happening in game, like finding Stonehaven and then a new boss arrives that only she can solve, while also dealing with people in person. Emerson has asked if she wants to move to his area, she has a surprise visitor that's not really welcome, and her friends want to meet. A lot for someone that's not really a people person.

I love the beginning! I took a break between books and the author did a great job of weaving past events into the story happening. Because the characters are all still a little shellshocked. Great catchup with not retelling the story. It all plays into what's happening now.

The game world and characters created there are amazing. I love how the NPC's have become friends and important in everyone's life, especially for Devon.

This is a great story of events and happenings for the characters in game and in life. I loved the way it was all done. This book ties a lot of things up. Almost a finally, as there's not another one. (Yet?) We still have the looming possible threat of more demons, but in a game there's always something to come.

This series is definitely worth a listen or read.

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Audio Book Review: Throne of the Ancients by Carrie Summers

Throne of the Ancients by Carrie Summers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Devon continues on with Stonehaven...knowing Demons are camped and barely held off by Owen's magic.

Devon is a gamer and her job is playing in the gaming world. The NPC's and the world have come alive for me as much as they have for Devon. They do seem like real friends at times. And Devon is determined to take care of them all.

Devon has to find a way to keep the players and NPC's safe when the pattern changes and the demons attack. What Devon doesn't know is there's another enemy on it's way as well.

Devon is forced to take the town people and players into Ishildar for protection. And she needs to figure out how to activate the protections of the ancient city. The game has seen it fit that Devon should marry... A potential prince arrives... Fabio. lol. So funny. How will Devon react to that?

A few other things come to light for Devon. Her friend Haley has a...situation and some struggles that she wants to talk to Devon about. We know what it is from the last book. Emerson is hot on Haley's trail knowing something isn't right. What will happen when people find out?

I love this series. There's no denying that there's a real world and a gamer world. Devon has her first dates in the real world and things are awkward. It makes me smile hearing how the dates go. lol.

Even though the gaming world is definitely a game, it's fun and the consequences feel real for them other than the players respawn at their star born point. Devon really does care for her town and she has to make tough decisions for it. There are others that are starting to get the feel that the NPC's are more in this game than they usually are in other games.

There's a big event at the end of this book and it leaves me curious as to how it'll be fixed. I'm looking forward to listening to more of this series.

The narrators are great. Annie does most of the voices as the main narrator. Jeff joins as the voice of the male characters. They do give all the characters their own voices. Always great listening to them.

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Audio Book Review: Vault of the Magi by Carrie Summers

Vault of the Magi by Carrie Summers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was thrilled to get back into this world. We had solved for Owen's being stuck in the game in the last book. This book we know the demons will come, but when.... And Devon has the last relic to find. Hopefully before the demons attack.

Stonehaven is growing and buildings are expanding. Devon has a lot to watch over and tend to with her town needing to grow to protect, her friend joining her, and the expected demon attack on it's way. But, who would have thought Vaya would have started brand new players at her walls too?

There's Owen we are curious and concerned about as well. Is he okay? Then Hayley....we get to see how her real world life is going....and hints at something more happening. I'm looking forward to learning more about both these characters as we continue into the next books.

Then there's Bob! I'm very curious to learn more about who he is or what he belongs to. It seems like he's helpful.....but is he? Who is he?

I'll have to wait a few months for credits to continue the series, but I'm totally looking forward to it! I'm hooked here!

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Audio Book: Citadel of Smoke by Carrie Summers

Citadel of Smoke by Carrie Summers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm enjoying how this story is written with the troubles with the AI and how they tie into the real world for the players. Devon needs to help her friend through the game, but has to trust in herself to do what needs to be done. And, thankful for friends who can help her along too.

I'm enjoying these books. Venturing through the gaming world that's become like a second home to the players. Devon has started to expand her friend circle, from the village she's creating with NPC's to those she once was in a guild with in another game, to new players arriving at her village, as well as new players she meets and knows in the real world. Devon is normally an introvert, but she's learning to trust in others and herself through these adventures.

I love how Devon uses her abilities to her benefit. She's true to herself and makes it work out. Great going!

It's always neat to see the new area to be explored for the next relic. This relic... finds it's way to Devon in a different way. I really liked this! It's showing how things are adjusting and growing. And to see that an AI is what created this world and nuances, as we see Emerson experience it all for the first time. He's surprised and impressed!

The voices. Love listening to these narrators. They adjust the voices to fit the characters in tone, accent, and cadence. And, when there's a demon talking, there's a difference to the voice for that too.

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Audio Book Review: Cavern of Spirits by Carrie Summers

Cavern of Spirits by Carrie Summers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can't wait for more to see Devon become the champion with finding each relic and for Stonehaven to grow! Oh, and what's the new happenings with the demon side of things? I'm looking forward to starting the next book SOON!

This book felt to happen fast. There's lots going on everywhere. It's well written to balance the struggles in game and the real world for Devon. I wanted to know how it all worked out as I listened. The new mission, the search for stone mines, the growth of Stone haven, the players that are staying to protect the little village, and what all is going on with straightening out the servers with Zaa and the demons...

I really enjoyed the audio version of this book! It's fun getting all the voices and feelings through audio. We get a second narrator for the male voices. I had fun when the characters were in battle and we got sound effects like in the game. Love it!

Devon's a little nervous about her shadow abilities. She's nervous about leaving the village she's created as there's people who will come to raid and destroy her little home. Though, there are loyal players who stayed to protect the town.

Things are moving along for Devon, though there are many stumbles along the way. She's creative enough to figure out how to move around or past the obstacles. I have fun seeing her do her thing in these moments.

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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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Audiobook Review: Temple of Sorrow by Carrie Summers

Temple of Sorrow by Carrie Summers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to the audiobook version. I found in the prologue that I loved listening to Annie narrate! I love her enthusiasm in narration and voicing the female characters. And, nice to hear another voice for the male characters.

I really enjoyed this story. A female gamer and she wants to do more than slash and kill. (A girl after my own heart!) Great! I want to see more in a world like here. And there's more with the tech. There's something going on with the creation...and only a few people are seeing it or believing it's happening. There's two sides, and we get small glimpses of the other side's character. I love all that Devon's creating, but I worry about it in the future.

I'm interested and looking forward to the next book and series.

I love how things have become like "real" to Devon, the character, and even me. I had a few good chuckles at the events, like the tattoo billboard and type of tatts displaying. lol.

So much fun and one that's on my radar now.

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