Audio Book Review: Death's Mantle

Death's Mantle

By:  Harmon Cooper

Publish Date:  September 25, 2019, Audiobook Release December 17, 2019

Format:  Audiobook - 10 hrs 25 mins
Narrated By:  Andrea Parsneau

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  1st in series

Impression:  Light and dark in gamer view.

Synopsis:
Lucian North is supposed to be dead.

Suffering from a rare heart condition that doctors say should have killed him over a year ago, Lucian is playing a video game when Death finally comes.

Rather than give in, Lucian pulls a gun on the Grim Reaper.

As the two stare each other down, terrible demons known as injuresouls swarm into the room in pursuit of Death.

Summoning courage he never knew he had, Lucian comes to Death's aid. And for his troubles, he is awarded Death's Mantle.

Transported to a spiritual world he could have never fathomed, Lucian finds that he is instantly powerful, able to conjure weapons from scratch and perform incredible feats. He introduces game mechanics to his new role, develops a carefully curated inventory list, and modifies a HUD system that allows him to better track his targets.

It isn’t easy being Death, and Lucian will need just about everything he can get as he faces off against fallen angels, appalling parasites, demon-born injuresouls, and savage Death Hunters.

Regardless of his sudden strength, his newfound enemies, and his gamer ingenuity, Lucian can't communicate with the living, which wouldn't be a problem if he hadn’t discovered something terrible about his family...

Lucian’s brother is scheduled to die, and only Lucian has the power to do anything about it.

Death’s Mantle is a dark fantasy GameLit novel that LitRPG, metaphysical fantasy, occult sci-fi, and thriller readers will love. Death’s Mantle is written by Harmon Cooper, bestselling GameLit author of Way of the Immortals, House of Dolls, Cherry Blossom Girls, The Feedback Loop and Monster Hunt NYC. It was inspired by the anime Parasyte, the comic book series Sandman and Spawn, the books On a Pale Horse and the Tibetan Book of the Dead.

First Sentence:
Any day could have been Lucian North's last day on Earth.

Purchase At:
Amazon   

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

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

Andrea does a great job of voicing each character with different voices. Wow. There's great differences and great detail in each characters voice. I enjoyed the variety found between the characters. I did listen at 1.4 speed, which felt to go well with the narration. The audio sounded clean and clear and full of life with the characters emotions.

Lucian has a rare heart condition. He's lived beyond his time the doctor gave him, and his last day arrives. When he sees Death's arrival he is ready to stand up to him, and ends up helping to save Death. Lucian is the given Death's position. Now Lucian gets to help people pass on by removing the parasite that's feeding off of them and prolonging their life.

This is a very interesting concept! I like learning the basics with Lucian as he learns what Death does along with those that will try to kill Death. The twist of being Death and seeing things as a gamer's view is very interesting. I really enjoyed this creation.

The story starts right in with Lucian and how he gets to the LitRPG world. No delay in learning, we get there ASAP. There were moments I wasn't sure where the story was going as we see Lucian visit his family and go through moments with them as he's in his new position. I know he's worried about his brother, Connor, and wants to help him. But I feel as though we are living through life's moments and not in a story. We then get direction, to help Connor and to find Old Death and bring him home.

Along the way, Lucian powers up and learns about the parasites in the world. Lucian also learns about other beings; Deaths, Lifes (angels), Fallen Angels, and more that can harm him. Lucian has a way about him to make a few friends along the way too. I enjoy these friends and what they bring to the story with information on how things work.

As I listened to the book, I started to feel as Lucian does about death. I understand his questions, and I had my own start to pop up about the position of death and details. It felt like death was turned into a job and wasn't personal, or even a game. When I started to think about this I wondered if the gamer style detail view Lucian makes is what brings it to feel this way. Maybe the gamer view isn't the best for something that feels so personal.

I found I wanted to be with these people in their last moments, as they pass on. It feels like death is so lonely.

I liked the concept of using a gaming system setup with what is a reality for the character. If there's more in the world, I'd be curious to see where things go with all the characters.



About the Author:
Harmon Cooper is a prolific Amazon best-selling author of 50 science fantasy books and counting. He was one of the earliest authors to bring GameLit to the West. His most popular series include Way of the Immortals, House of Dolls, Cherry Blossom Girls, The Feedback Loop and Monster Hunt NYC. Originally from Austin, Texas, Cooper was a musician before transitioning to world traveler and writer, spending five years in Asia honing his writing skills, wanderlusting, studying languages, and teaching English. He now lives in New England (and loves it!) with his wife. www.harmoncooper.com.

Audio Book Review: Fantasy Online: Hyperborea

Fantasy Online: Hyperborea

By:  Harmon Cooper

Publish Date:  June 2, 2017, Audiobook Release July 17, 2017

Format:  Audiobook - 10 hrs 43 mins
Narrated By:  Jeff Hays

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  1st in Fantasy Online series

Impression:  New deadly problem for people in the gaming world.

Synopsis:
Nineteen-year-old Ryuk Matsuzaki and his best friend Tamana decide to start over with new avatars. When Tamana is suddenly killed right in front of him in a Tokyo subway, Ryuk knows there is only one place he can search for answers –Tritania, the world’s most popular online fantasy world. Standing in his way are a mysterious guild known as the Shinigami, and his older brother, a Yakuza crime lord hell-bent on squashing his dreams.

As a lowly Ballistics Mage, Ryuk must quickly recruit guild members, level up, loot and shoot his way across Tritania to discover the dark and sinister secret behind Tamana’s untimely death. Joining him in his quest are a famous Swedish gamer, a powerful half-dragon half-human female assassin, and a devious ax-wielding goblin.

Get started on this action-packed, coming of age LitRPG saga from the author of The Feedback Loop series now!

First Sentence:
At half the length of her body, Tamana's buster sword is meant to be held with both hands, to be used as both a shield and a weapon, but she's never been one to do things in a conventional way.

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.

Ryuk and Tamana have gamed together for years. At Tamana's request, they restart with new avatars in Titania. When they logout, Tamana is attacked and Ryuk watches her jump to her death in a train station. Then Ryuk is attacked by a Thulian warrior from the game. He knows it can't be real but seeing it makes it hard to believe. With the help of his human droid bodyguard Ryuk realizes it's not real. There are posts in gaming forums that people have been experiencing this, and dying. Someone's hacking their iNet. Ryuk is determined to warn others he once knew, and spend time with his lost friend in the world of Titania.

Jeff is always a treat for me to listen to. I have high standards going into one of his narrations, and he delivers! I expect to the characters to each have their own voice and life to come through as he acts them. I expect to have the characters easily differentiated in their voices and personalities. I expect to be entertained with the enthusiasm of the narrator. Jeff hits all these points and more with clear audio.

Harmon takes the world we last visited with Quantum and creates it's own series with it. Titania is the perfect world to play with as a spin-off. There are three layers to the world which you can only get to by reaching different levels in your character.

But! We also have a new trouble for the players several years after Quantum and his battles. Their iNet, a program in their eye, is hacked and they are seeing the evils from the world they just logged out of. It's getting them killed! Ryuk is a character that is not going to take this, especially after the girl he's known for years and asked out is now dead because of it.

It's neat how the game world is connected to the real person. See, if the person dies in the real world they will be reborn in their game - RPC (reborn player character).

There are mentions of Quantum and the characters from the original series. This book takes place years after Quantum has been through the game. We hear the name of the guild that Quantum started, Ryuk had been part of that guild before he reset to start over in the game. Then he goes in search of them, leveling up, to tell them what is happening in the world now. Ryuk is determined to help his friend in RPC form as it's the closest thing to her he can get, and wants. Ryuk's wants seem to go against what he should be doing in Titania. But this is his inner conflict with what has happened to his dearest friend. This is something he'll have to work through in order to move on to what the next step is.

We are introduced to Ryuk and his friends and family here. The new problems in the gaming world of Titania is strongly influencing the real world. We learn there is more going on and in the end we are anxious to get to the next book. It felt a bit like a cliffhanger  with the leads on Kodai. I want to find out who he's working with and what the next phase is. There is something bigger than Kodai knows going on here, and I want to know what!



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Audio Book Review: High Fantasy

High Fantasy

By:  Harmon Cooper

Publish Date:  December 26, 2015, Audiobook Release June 1, 2017

Format:  Audiobook - 5 hrs 49 mins
Narrated By:  Jeff Hays

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  3rd in The Feedback Loop series; 1st Book ~ The Feedback Loop, 2nd Book ~ Steampunk Is Dead

Impression:  Dive into a gaming fantasy world to find answers

Synopsis:
The third installment of The Feedback Loop Series is out now!
Quantum Hughes and the Dream Team dive to Tritania, an MMORPG fantasy Proxima World filled with dragons, orcs, swords, floating continents, and magic attacks. With the clock ticking, and his problems in the real world growing, including his legal troubles and his blossoming relationship with Frances Euphoria, Quantum is forced to make a decision that could change his life forever.

The stakes are higher than they’ve ever been. Steam, The Loop, Tritania and the real world – four worlds collide in the third installment of The Feedback Loop Series.

The thin line between dream and reality is pixilated.

First Sentence:
Aiden is in a basketball jersey with the initials M.A. across his back.

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.

Jeff returns to continue with the series as narrator. Cool! I've grown to know the voices he's assigned the characters and enjoy the vast cast he can voice in a book with this many characters that speak. Totally mind blowing! It's great to hear. He also has Quantum's personality locked down, along with all the characters we've grown to enjoy. Another amazing job in vocals and audio.

Quantum likes a challenge, like trying to attack and kill with unconventional weapons in the loop. lol. Him and Aiden have a great friendship. I have enjoyed Aiden, aka Morning Assassin from the first book. I'm glad we get to carry on with many of the secondary characters that are created for in games. You wouldn't think they would have personalities, but goodness do they have them. And Quantum's interaction with them brings them to life.

Frances isn't as highly present in this story as previous one. But she still knows how to play Quantum in what needs to be done. In listening to the audio book, we can hear and get the feel of the excitement of Frances on the pain medicines in the hospital. And see her interact with Quantum in the real world. But with her accident and not diving into the loop it opens the opportunity for us to meet and interact with other members of The Dream Team. We do get to spend time with Zedic Woods. Zedic seems rather cool when we meet him. And he's in a band, which we get to "see". I like him thus far.

Oh, the FDA guidelines for foods and drinks. lol. This is terrible. The government regulates types of food and amounts one should eat. Quantum doesn't follow these guidelines and hears about it constantly. It's a continuous battle for him to get what he wants. It would get on my nerves too. I feel Quantum's irritation when he reads these emails as I'm irritated for him.

Other than fighting with the FDA, Quantum seems to be settling into real life. He's not as sassy. He seems to have found the balance in fighting in the Proxima worlds and living. We get to see Quantum interact with more people, and he does well.

I feel we get a closure to one piece of the story with Quantum. With his Proxima world he's lived in for eight years and finding Strata Godsick. This book also leaves open the next mission started here, finding Strata's son. We are left looking forward to the next book with plans of what they are to do.



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Audio Book Review: Steampunk Is Dead

Steampunk Is Dead

By:  Harmon Cooper

Publish Date:  September 23, 2015, Audiobook Release June 2, 2017

Format:  Audiobook - 5 hrs 26 mins
Narrated By:  Jeff Hays

Genre:  Fantasy, Science Fiction, Steampunk

Series:  2nd in The Feedback Loop series; 1st Book ~ The Feedback Loop

Impression:  Fun in game story with action always present.

Synopsis:
The exciting sequel to The Feedback Loop.

Adjusting to the real world isn't exactly easy for Quantum Hughes. Instead of focusing on his recovery, he takes an assignment alongside Frances Euphoria to a virtual entertainment dreamworld called Steam, in search of a Proxima Developer. True to his nature, Quantum acts out of turn, causing the entire world to turn against him. This gives him two options: return to The Loop for help, or try and hold his own. There is also the problem of the Reapers, who have appeared in Steam ready to hunt him down or worse, kill him.

The real world, The Loop, Steam -- three worlds with their own rules, their own enemies.

The thin line between dream and reality is pixilated.

First Sentence:
I try in vain to access my inventory list.

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.


I enjoy listening to Jeff. He really makes the story feel like a full cast of people. Jeff does extras as he's narrating to go with what the characters are doing. One example is a slightly different sound to the air when talking to someone on a phone. All these small extras and the voices creates a world and people for us. Jeff is not only talented in voice, but portraying emotions felt in these characters. Good grief does he make it lively and fun to listen too!

From the first paragraph we see that Quantum is struggling with living in the real world. He was in the digital world fighting for so long, that those habits have stuck. Living style and slang from the noir fantasy he was in are still what's fresh in his mind, so we still get the sassy one liners. Quantum seems to find a balance in his trigger happiness and jobs, though this doesn't happen right away. It's, actually, kind of brutal for all around him until he does. lol. But, eventually it seems like there is a balance, when he finally goes to one place where he feels at home.

Quantum still has his sense of humor with living people, though they don't seem to react as creative with him as the characters in the feedback loop do. He toys with people all the time. lol.

I was excited to get into this book. I enjoy steampunk! With Quantum's humor and view of things around him, I thought it'd be interesting to see him in a steam punk world. Seriously! The weapons that could be crafted here...imagination run wild with ideas for weapons... Is it terrible that I got excited when we got to a big weapons cache? lol.

Just like in video games, there is always trouble when you least expect it and from people you may not expect too. This, along with Quantum always attacking everyone, is what keeps the story moving with action.

I thoroughly enjoy the way these storylines are written in the gaming world. I know we are in a video type game, but Quantum and Frances interact as though they were associating with other people. The worlds are different but a pleasure to visit. It's like a treat when we get to dive into The Loop.

The title of the book. I'm shocked! It'll all make sense when you read/listen to the book. It's totally cool and the best title!

This story is a fun listen for me. It's full of action and off hand comments and sayings from Quantum. Quantum makes it fun with his trigger happy feel to kill anyone that tells him no or questions him and his snarky remarks.



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Audio Book Review: The Feedback Loop

The Feedback Loop

By:  Harmon Cooper

Publish Date:  August 2015, Audiobook Release February 2, 2017

Format:  Audiobook - 4 hrs 46 mins
Narrated By:  Jeff Hays

Genre:  Science Fiction

Series:  1st in The Feedback Loop series

Impression:  Neat character driven story in the virtual game world. Great start to a cool series!

Synopsis:
Stuck in a virtual dreamworld called The Loop, a man named Quantum Hughes struggles to free himself from a glitch that forces him to live the same day on repeat. His life changes when a mysterious letter arrives one morning from a woman named Frances Euphoria, the first human player he has made contact with in a very long time. Once Frances appears, members of a murder guild known as the Reapers begin surfacing in The Loop, hoping to capture Quantum or worse -- kill him. To further complicate matters, The Loop itself is doing everything it can to stop Quantum from finding the hidden logout point by turning everything in the virtual dreamworld against him.

With time running out, will Quantum break free from his digital coma before he's captured or killed by the Reapers? Who is Frances Euphoria, and what does she actually know about how long Quantum has been trapped?

The Feedback Loop Series takes place thirty years before the Life is a Beautiful Thing Series. It shares the same world, but is a standalone series that focus on dream-based virtual reality worlds and the people who are trapped in them. The next book in the series will be called Steampunk is Dead, and will be released in the fall.

First Sentence:
I'm afraid to die even though I know I can't die.

Purchase At:
Amazon  

Audible

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

Quantum Hughes has been stuck in The Loop of a virtual game for nearly two years. Reliving the same day, over and over killing the assassins who come for him. Until one day he receives a message from Frances Euphoria claiming to have returned for him. Things change in the world, the way they interact with him and more.


Jeff is one of the amazing narrators I know I love listening to. He adds entertainment to the stories by voicing them all completely different. Each character has their own voice and personality. I love it! You can feel the moments in them, like when sarcastic along with humor and more. The different voices, for male and female, makes it tremendously easy to quickly differentiate the characters and get a feel for the story.

Sometimes the books of being stuck in a virtual game or video game are boring for me. I just feel as they are the same read written by a different person. This one, however, felt more alive to me. Quantum felt to be connected to his world he was stuck in. Even though it repeated he was use to a pattern and it became something he relied on. When it all changes, Quantum tries to slip back to what he knows best even though he doesn't want to be here any longer. This book was strong character wise.

The world in which Quantum lives has a 1950's feel with a dark dreariness to the places Quantum visits. There is danger with a higher tech feel as it's a virtual game setting he's stuck in that combines the elements. It's neat because we get small phrases from the time frame. Yet it's a fantasy setting as well with assassins.

What do you do to not get bored repeating the same day for nearly two years? Quantum tries changing up the weapon he kills the assassins coming after him with. This I found humorous at times. He does different things and goes different places, but you can only do so much after 544 days have passed.

I enjoyed the humor in some of Quantum's quick clips and comments. This was entertaining to listen to. I had a feel of a few different blends in this creation. Fantasy, 1950's, Matrix, and more. I enjoyed this story to the end and look forward to seeing Quantum get stronger and venture in the virtual world again to help more people.

I see there are many more books in this series and hope they will be narrated because I'd love to listen to them!



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Mythical Monday #67 - Mythology in Science Fiction

Art work by: @Burntlaughter on Twitter

It seems there are many books influenced by or based on Myths and Mythological Beings.

There are many different Mythology's and Mythological Beings recorded. Some are very popular and well known, others not so much. There are many similar beings, yet different depending on the culture it’s based in.  The definition of Myth covers about anything in the Urban Fantasy/Fantasy realm to me.

I’ve invited authors to share briefly the Mythological being or Myth that influenced their character(s) or story, or what their character(s) are based on influencing their books.  Hosting here, one author and being or myth per week.

Mythology in Science Fiction

I primarily write science fiction, which – on the surface – does not appear to be based on mythology at all. SF is often thin on religion and spirituality, and appears to be far more linked to engineering than to myth.

But there are a few myths that infuse science fiction. I’ll illustrate how they’ve impacted my work, and I would be interested in what others think about how mythology applies to other SF work. I’ll start off by admitting that the link is slant – I can’t tie my work to myth quite as directly as Patty Briggs or Charles deLint (two of my favorite fantasy writers).

The working title for my first book (a collaboration with Larry Niven titled Building Harlequin’s Moon, actually included the word Myth. We called the manuscript Creation Myth, and the publisher later renamed it. In that book, we literally create a habitat from a moon of a gas giant planet (thus creating an ecosystem on a rather large rock). It takes a mythic amount of time (thousands of years) and of effort and power. We had to bombard the moon with comets. I actually think Creation Myth was a more apt title. Every society has its creation myths, and what might a world created by a travelling starship make of their history?

The opposite of creation, destruction (the apocalypse) is a common myth. We see it in Christianity, and it even infuses out politics (there are stories that Bannon, a Presidential advisor, believes we are close to the end of days). Most societies with creation myths also have destruction myths. In my recent YA novel POST (from eSpec Books), I talk about a time when we are picking ourselves up after a fall. Themes are about rebuilding and persevering, but those would not happen without the original disasters that drove the global economy to its knees before POST starts.

In Wilders, coming out in June from Pyr, I play with the same themes in a very different setting (the timing of the two stories could be considered equivalent, but on different branches of the future as the world building for each is very different). The world in Wilders has a massive land re-allocation in its past, where most people were scooped into cities and most land into “rewilding” projects. All does not go well. Again, the apocalypse does not solve our problems.

Myths don’t have to come from the far past. I think we have a current social myth that robots are going to take over the world. While it’s not historical, it’s pervasive, and may or may not be wrong. Since I’m not sure, I write about it a lot. It’s a main theme for the linked novels Edge of Dark and Spear of Light, and also for a lot of my stories, including a favorite of mine, “The Robot’s Girl.”

And then there is the great technology myth of the singularity. No one quite knows what it is (except maybe Ray Kurzweil and Vernor Vinge), or even whether or not it’s a good thing. But it’s also a cornerstone idea in Edge and Spear. Books praising the singularity are common, and so are stories about how it might not solve all of our problems (or might not solve any of our problems).

A last comment that I’ll make is that we probably ought to address mythology more in science fiction. UFOs are a myth (or not). The pyramids may have been built by aliens (or not). We may emerge from our caves and our tribes and our towns and our cities and become members of an intergalactic society, although whether or not we’re welcomed there may depend on how well we do with the globalization that is vexing us so much now. And some of growing up is adopting current mythology. Are we kind and capable or are we insane and dangerous?


About the Author:
Brenda Cooper writes science fiction and fantasy novels and short stories, and sometimes, poetry. Her most recent novel is Spear of Darkness, from Pyr and her most recent story collection is Cracking the Sky from Fairwood Press. Brenda is a technology professional and a futurist, and publishes non-fiction on the environment and the future. Her non-fiction has appeared on Slate and Crosscut and her short fiction has appeared in Nature Magazine, among other venues.

See her website at www.brenda-cooper.com.

Brenda lives in the Pacific Northwest in a household with three people, three dogs, far more than three computers, and only one TV in it.


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Book Review: Explorations: Through the Wormhole

Explorations: Through the Wormhole

Publish Date:  September 2, 2016

Format:  eARC

Genre:  Sci Fi

Series:  Stand alone stores

First Impression:  Different lives lived around and through the wormhole.

Synopsis:
It's 2052 and the first known wormhole appears in lunar orbit. Earth sends a ship to investigate and the future of space travel changes forever. The Solar System develops in many ways over the centuries, but one thing remains constant; the wormholes continue to appear.

Join many of today's most exciting indie science fiction authors as they chart a shared universe and future-history, each telling us stories of: Explorations: Through the Wormhole.

The Challenge - Ralph Kern
Through Glassy Eyes - PP Corcoran
Here, Then, Forever - Chris Guillory
AI Deniers - Rosie Oliver
Flawed Perspective - PJ Strebor
The Lost Colony - Josh Hayes
The Aeon Incident - Richard Fox
The Doors of the Temple - Jo Zebedee
Dead Weight - Thaddeus White
Webbed Prisms - Charlie Pulsipher
Anathema - Jacob Cooper
When the Skies Open - Shellie Horst
A Second Infection - Stephen Palmer
Personal Growth - Stephen Moss

Purchase At:
Amazon 

My Thoughts and Summary:
*I was offered a copy of this book from the author or publisher for review.

A book full of wormhole stories. Each is different in the worlds they create and characters that interact. There is a story here for everyone.

After each story is a quick interview with the author. One question is on where they got the spark of an idea for the story. Nice to meet the authors this way in the book. Especially if they are new to you.

The Challenge by Ralph Kern
Captain Elaine Harmon-Sykes flies the Olympus through the newly appeared wormhole, the first to investigate. Working to learn more of the worlds and the wormhole from the other side, the wormhole starts to fade. Will they make it out in time?

This story feels relatable to what we have in the way of technology now, not like Star Trek or super advanced technologies. Which makes it easy to understand and visualize things.

The story was good. I liked that we also got to see 400 years later. This future vision gave the story the feel of conclusion.


Through Glassy Eyes by P.P. Corcoran
Professor Chris Kane is working back on Earth, after the wormhole closed. He's made a great discovery that could rocket human and machine interface into existence. Wetware.

This story gives us a glimpse of over two years of meetings with Chris on his creation and launch of Wetware. And there is a complication in the end.

This was a good story but not what I expected in this book, especially with the title. I had thought all stories would be about space and adventures on the other side of the wormhole. This one was not about going through a wormhole. It's only connection was to the first story, and the wormhole closing on the Earth side, then it dove into a story on human technology that's the next evolution in human and machine interfacing.

Here, Then, Forever by Chris Guillory
Aliza volunteered for this mission. It's a one way mission, to fire the item into Khonsu, the wormhole, to keep it stable and from closing.

I really liked this one. The beginning caught my attention, though the transition to memory felt unclear until after I read it. Where Aliza ends up feels like a science fiction fantasy story. And was something I totally enjoyed!

In a wide rounded way it felt as a reminder of Alice in Wonderland.


AI Deniers by Rosie Oliver
Melrika headed out into space to fix the droid, but upon touching it found herself in the future and a different part of space. Through an unknown wormhole she had gone.

When Melrika is found and brought back to the world she learns she's rich, and many want her money. People will work for her or kidnap her for it. But the wildest thing is the way of the world now. She recovers in the hospital then sent to a recovery center to gradually bring her into the world of technology and living now. Things have drastically changed since her time. The recovery center had me thinking of a rotating stage of eras she would move through to gradually get use to the technology as it expands. Though some people never move past certain years.

While in the hospital and at her recovery center she sees snipits of the news, which we get to read, on the Al Denier.

There is a reason she has so much money, and why someone attempts to kidnap her. That we learn in the end.

I felt like there was a lot to this story and world and this short format was too compact with information. To much in one place.


Flawed Perspective by PJ Strebor
His ship comes out of the wormhole 64,000 light years away. They expected to only be 20,000 light years from Earth when entered the wormhole. The mission, find a planet suitable to sustain human habitation.

Oh how easily someone's views and ideas start to sway from the path with events and options before them. I really liked this take on this story. Captain Stonehaven is on a peace mission, but becomes the policing of peace in space when he hears of a bullying race. But could he become the bully with his reactions?

I liked this stories format. We have movement and reason to the characters, and a dilemma to get through. The type of technology here reminds me of the Star Trek feel, which I do enjoy.


The Lost Colony by Josh Hayes
Unscheduled use of wormholes carry a hefty fine with the STA, if you are caught. Captain Hale plans to not get caught. He has a passenger who's paid him to jump. Captain Hale's ship is pulled further than expected, to discover the key to the wormholes.

Off the bat I enjoyed Ears and Captain Hale's chatting, more banter. Even Kenzie and Lincoln too! There was great chemistry with the characters on this ship. The technology and connection between tech in body and the ship and how it works is a cool addition that makes this story and plot.

I was left wondering, what if Earth was the colony... Well done.


The Aeon Incident by Richard Fox
Lyon and his crew are sent through the wormhole to inspect the observation shuttle that was watching over Aeon, and now are all dead. What happened from a race that's not far into technology yet can get to a shuttle?

This is sort of like a little mystery and action story. Lyon finds the doctor from the station is alive and held captive. He's determined to get the doctor back, and find out what happened here.

I liked the story. Lyon acts differently than expected in a crucial moment, but it seems to work!


The Doors of the Temple by Jo Zebedee
The war has left Earth battered and destroyed. A new wormhole opens. But it's different, one way in, two ways out. Coulter volunteered for this mission.

This story has a mythical feel to the reasoning for going through the wormhole. What they find on the other side explains, as does the passenger from Trinity College in Dublin. To save those left on Earth.

This felt like a fast read. There is a reason to the wormhole and something more to the world than some expected.


Dead Weight by Thaddeus White
Guan will not surrender his ship. Even though they are damaged and limping along, he finds a way to make it to the wormhole and escape. But when he comes out on the other side, the ship is in need of desperate repairs. They have to stop to fix it, and may not have enough supplies for all aboard.

We start in with action. The crew interact under stress and personalities shine. I like the daring and determined action, but in being this there are deadly consequences too. It's a story that kept me reading.

It seems there could be someone on the ship killing people, so they can survive longer...

Webbed Prisms by Charlie Pulsipher
T'en has powers he shouldn't with being of a slave stature. But he sees the ripples of the Nexus from his world, and watches it nightly.

After 19 years of applications at Omniscient, AJ's dream of working with wormholes comes true. His synthetic arm making the job a bit easier as he's already wired to the interface of Omniscient's technology. Kendra works with AJ and create a strong bond together.

This is a bit different in how AJ is able to travel into space. It's interesting. And he has a bit of a different way in which he works "with" the wormhole, like going through it.

This is a blend of computer science fiction tech and wormholes.

We get this story from two sides of the wormhole, AJ and T'en. We see where AJ and Kendra are coming from and where they are going.


Anathema by Jacob Cooper
A supply run through the wormhole. Through the wormhole, to the station, then home. However when they come through there is debris everywhere and hitting their ship.

This story has many elements to it. We have haulers coming through behind Everson's ship that need protected from the floating debris. Then we get a signal that they need to investigate. Possible survivors? But we also have some elements that feel supernatural in a sense, though it's done by technology. One example is the elemental, he's of science fiction creation but has a paranormal feel to him. Even the Captains "knowing".

The characters all feel like a crew. They have their connections and dislikes in each other but keep working. It all works together to create the environment.

This story works the story and characters to the end. I enjoyed it.


When the Skies Open by Shellie Horst
I ended up giving up on this one. There are hints to the world and characters, but I found it harder to keep it all in line and pieced together. Others might like this, but the style didn't work for me.


A Second Infection by Stephen Palmer
I think my interpretation of this story was wrong. I just couldn't visualize what Seneschal Smith went through. I passed onto the next story.


Personal Growth by Stephen Moss
The wormhole was thought to be normal. The crew was thought by citizens to never return, like others in different wormholes. This one turns out special, it grows in size as they near it, but now they can't turn around. They will find the works of the wormholes on the other side.

This is the longest story in the book.

This is different. I like it but sometimes I struggled understanding the world or way of things to adapt to space needs. Once we get through the wormhole though, things iron out and I understood clearly what's happening.

I enjoyed the ending of this one. Neat. It might be a one way trip, but seems worth it.

Audio Book Review: Remnants and Shadows

Remnants and Shadows

By:  Jacob Cooper

Publish Date:  June 9, 2015, Audiobook June 15, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 1 hrs 40 mins
Narrated By:  Michael Kremer

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  .75 novella in The Dying Lands Chronicles series; 1st Book ~ Altar of Influence: The Orsarian War

Impression:  Deeper outcomes of an important moment.

Synopsis:
This short story takes place during the timeline of Altar of Influence: The Orsarian War. The reader is highly encouraged to read the afore mentioned title first.

Thannuel and Moira have been promised to each other since birth. Just as they are growing, both as individuals and together, the Marishee probe deep into Arlethia and strike at House Kerr, attempting to abduct Thannuel and assassinate Moira. While the attempt barely fails, it leaves them questioning their relationship and deeply contemplating their future together.

Amnoch, master of the hold guard for House Kerr and member of the furtive Gyldenal Order, sets out on a quest to discover more about the Marishee, disciples of the enigmatic Thoulden-sha, the Oracle of Mari-shaden. As The Resurgence continues to gain traction among the people of Senthara, Amnoch’s mission unwittingly becomes a fulcrum between the Living Light and The Ancient Dark. Remnants of things long forgotten since The Turning Away lie hidden and await him, shadows of an unknown threat too great to ignore.

First Sentence:
The air burned in Moira's lungs as she ran hand-in-hand with Kalisa.

Purchase At:
Amazon

Audible


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

The night that started as a lovely date and ended in a battle for Thannuel and Artious also was an important night to Moira. She realized she loves Thannuel and she wants to marry him. But does he feel the same for her? She thinks so, from the look of fear for her when they were attacked and how he put himself in harms way so she could get away. Amnoch also goes on his own mission, seeing new sides of the world.

Michael's voice gives me shivers, the good shivers, when I listen to him. Michael enhanced the touching moments between Thannuel and Moira. Such a lovely moment. *sigh* His voice was full of emotion. Then when he was in the moment of dispair or trouble, his voice deepens in emotion and sound to go with the words and set of the moment. I liked the echo he added to the Desert Wraths as well, but I wished he'd followed through all the moments the Desert Wraths spoke with the echo. Nice touch to catch the listeners attention.

When I first started this short story I wasn't sure where in the time of the first book, Altar of Influence: The Orsarian War, this would be placed. It only took a few moments for it to click into place. This is after the attack in the alley where Thannuel learns of an ability he's able to do when fighting.

This world has a long history with the Living Light, The Ancient Dark, The Ancients, and Those Forgotten. I'm slowly learning pieces and the history, but I want more. This short story does start to draw new pieces to the fold. We get glimpses of the economy of the area along with widening the world and history with clans and The Ancients. We also get to see a new creature of the land. It's interesting the way they are connected and in so bring some light to the world along with more curiosity for what was and what will come.

This short story has an emotional feel to it. All good, bringing us closer to the characters and fills in a few tiny holes we are curious about with the characters. Amnoch makes me smile when he talks of the two boys, Thannuel and Artious. We see touching moments for both couples mixed with humor as well. I loved the balance of the love and fun between all four; Thannuel, Moira, Artious, and Kalisa. We get to see how Thannuel feels of his mind splitting when he talks to Artious about it. He also talks of how he's coping with what he's learned, which is still a struggle.

I'm becoming more and more curious of the world and history here, along with what is to come of Thannuel and Artious. Those two men are special, and I'm wanting to see where life goes for them. But I'm curious of this fantasy world and want to learn what I can. I look forward to continuing with the series.

Audio Book Review: Altar of Influence

Altar of Influence: The Orsarian War

By:  Jacob Cooper

Publish Date:  October 28, 2014, Audiobook November 20, 2014

Format:  Audiobook - 10 hrs 18 mins
Narrated By:  Michael Kremer

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  1st in The Dying Lands Chronicles series

Impression:  Fantasy where the characters grow into fine men and learn there is more to the world, and to them.

Synopsis:
Sacrifice. The single act capable of bringing both death and life simultaneously.

Thannuel Kerr is handsome, young and brash, fumbling through childhood toward his inevitable inheritance: the next Lord of the Western Province. He struggles to accept his arranged marriage and to grow into the man he must become. The journey toward that end, however, is fraught with more peril than he could possibly imagine. In the remote reaches of the Realm, an unknown, silent threat is growing. The Thoulden-sha of Mari-shaden is gathering his disciples, those who have relinquished their bloodlines to the Ancients and embraced Those Not Remembered, a forgotten race that inhabited Våleira long before the Age of the Ancients.

As Thannuel learns more about his heritage, he begins to understand why powers that seem greater than anything the world of Våleira has ever seen are targeting him. As a young man, he and his beloved intended, Moira, will face assassination attempts, civil war, and foreign invasions that could tear the Realm—and Våleira itself—apart.

Sacrifice. It is what the Thoulden-sha demands. It is what the world desperately needs. To save all he loves, Thannuel will be called upon to lay himself upon the Altar of Influence.

First Sentence:
The Thoulden-sha waited for the full first moon to rise above the darkening horizon with his knife in hand.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Audible


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

A darkness is coming to the world. The Thoulden-sha is also working to bring the Mari-shaden back to the world with his sacrifices upon his altar. The Thoulden-sha needs the blood of one clan to bring the Mari-shaden back to the world, however the young man who should be easy to catch is growing stronger and fighting Thoulden-sha's advancements. Thannuel doesn't know he's special and learns slowly over the years of what he can do, and his ancestry. Moving to save the islands that have been invaded by the Dark Marauders, Thannuel and the Arlethian army will face things they never thought possible and destroy the darkness that is present.

I really enjoyed Michael's narration of this story. His voice is strong and easy to listen to. Michael has a way of drawing out a few words with a roll of his voice. They are the perfect words in the right moments. It draws you into his voice. Michael performs slight character voices and grows with the characters age and attitude changes, Thadduel is a perfect example of this growth vocally. He also has accents for different locations in this world. I do think I could listen to Michael tell stories for ever. I can see why he's popular with fantasy stories.

The one thing with audio that I still struggle to get are chapter headings. In this book they feel important as there are years between some. It would be easier to catch these if I was reading. But, thank you Jacob, in the chapters you learn the age of Thannuel and Artious or the years that have passed as you go, so you are caught up with the years easily.

Jacob writes the story as the world is solid and known. There are hints and details of the world given in the way the people live along with the reason Thoulden-sha is after Thannuel. I appreciate this as a read because I do not feel there are major information dumps and the world is as it should be and unwavering in its ways and cycling. But there were a few details I didn't realize until later in the book, but it was added when it fits and explains things a bit more gradually. This story is a prequel to the first novel, so many people probably knew what the world was like in starting this book.

There is a touch of magic here. (Well with Thoulden-sha, more than a touch.) I love that the people we focus on here are of a wood land. They have their connection with the land, Valeira particularly as that's where the Light resides, and can feel vibrations through the land where they stand or feel. There is also a magic for healing from the Luminates, but the Light seems to be fading. The trees can even talk to them, though not in the same sense as we think of talking. The Thoulden-sha is a dark magic as his is granted to him from Mari-shaden and strengthened with the spilling of blood. There are hints of others touched with special talents here as well.

The story starts when Thannuel and Artious are young boys and grows as they age along with the troubles in the world. It has a Young Adult feel to it at first, but it grows with each character and chapter. I liked the set up in the beginning and had an inkling of a feeling of who will become good friends and help each other. Also that one is of a clan that will be in danger and need to be the person he can be. I was anxiously waiting for it to all come together, then fall apart for the characters.

I found I was taken with the people in this world. Thannuel's father is a good man and tries to teach his son well of the kind ways. Thannuel represents his father's ways well as he grows. Oh the secret that Thannuel didn't know of. And I'm guessing his family didn't know of! It's interesting what he can do, and it grows in the story as well. Then we have Antious. He's a wonderful friend and cohort for Thannuel. I get a kick out of their friendship. Antious is strong in his own ways.

The chapters are long chapters. Even in audio form, they are long. But we get a few POV sections in those long chapters.

There is a touch of everything in this fantasy story, youth, love, war, battles - on sea and land, magic, and strange creatures. The world feels strong and large. I enjoyed the creation of the world and characters here. I did have a feel of what would happen in the story, but this is set with a classic fantasy feel and one I grew attached to the characters of. I do hope to continue with this series and see where next they will go, what the dark trouble is that is brewing in the forest of light.