Audio Book Review: Villains Defeat by M.K. Gibson

Villains Defeat by M.K. Gibson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've enjoyed this series for a while. I'm glad I got this book and looking forward to the next.

I enjoy Jackson's views on things. They usually go on a spiral about something from his past, which is usually something human in our world that the kids may not know about. lol. His view...is honest and usually what most people are afraid to say. It's truthful, but not always harmful but can be hard.

This book talks about how Jackson doesn't pay attention to the things and people he leaves behind. But, is that really true? You'll see in this book. :)

We also see how much Jackson has grown as a person over the previous books. He didn't start wanting a family, but here we are. And he's enjoying it.

Jackson knew it was come, and we've been warned. Sophia will have her revenge on Jackson, and things are coming into play here. All the seeds Sophia has planted over the years are growing up and moving on their own.

Sophia... I always enjoyed her interaction with Jackson in the past. They have a great understanding. The usual Jackson clips are done by Sophia in this book. I will admit, I wasn't as impressed with them by Sophia. They missed a little pizzazz that Jackson has and just felt like ramblings.

There's great references to the past books when they talk about the thinks Jackson has "forgotten" about. It's a great way to get reminders! Love this.

There are moments in the book that I felt we were missing or forgetting about things, but that's explained in the end. I enjoyed the way this one ended. I enjoyed the interaction between Sophia and Jackson at the end and what Jackson has set up. It's neat.

M.K. Gibson has a great theme behind his characters and books. And makes some great points in Jackson's rants and ramblings. I highly recommend listening to them as there's more to them than you think.

Another fun adventure with Jackson. Sorry to see Jackson be the underdog in this one, but when you're on top, sometimes it happens when the stack is set against you.

Also, I loooooove the skit with the Audio book narrator. lol. Great job Jeffrey. Great play. :D

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Audio Book Review: One Piece at a Time by M.K. Gibson

One Piece at a Time by M.K. Gibson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Through the adventures and dry humor of Salem (which I enjoy all of), M.K. Gibson shares nuggets of great thoughts. These nuggets relate to the events and experiences on a deeper level. The events spark Salem to reflect, and the results are amazing. They could be great discussion topics for groups. An example of these is maybe the world is constant and we are ever changing... I really enjoy these moments of insight from Salem.

I've enjoyed Jeffrey Kafer as the narrator for these books. He's been here since book one and continues strong with the characters. Salem suffers from PTSD in this book. Jeffrey does a great job of sounding like Salem, and sounding like he's covering the hurt he's feeling in some moments.

Salem has been through terrible things. We get to see those terrible events and why they happened as it all comes together in the end. These are traumatic moments and current Salem is working through PTSD. He's working through the trauma, the emotions of the events, along with emotions of current time. He still feels and sees and remembers all that happened. M.K. Gibson does a great job of setting the story to help Salem while he still feels from the events. It's NOT an easy fix and I appreciate that M.K. Gibson doesn't make it as such. So well written for this. We see life's pain, friends, and family along with how people are there for him.

We are left at the end with what feels like a closure for Salem. But, there's an epilogue that leaves us to feel as there will be more to happen in the future. Will that book come? I don't know. But I'm always up for listening to Salem's adventures.

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Audio Book Review: Villains Deception

Villains Deception

By:  M.K. Gibson

Publish Date:  November 3, 2014, Audiobook Release March 25, 2019

Format:  Audiobook - 9 hrs 6 mins
Narrated By:  Jeffrey Kafer

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  3rd in The Shadow Master series: Book 1 ~ Villains Rule, Book 2 ~ Villains Pride

Impression:  Fun adventure through sci fi with Jackson.

Synopsis:
Jackson Blackwell, the Shadow Master, returns. And lo, the multiverse shall tremble. Why? For someone dared to kidnap his daughter.

In this third installment of the multiple award-nominated Shadow Master novels (which we perpetually lose), Jackson and his crew of malicious malcontents are going on a road trip! Er, well, space . . . trip? Look, this time we’re mocking sci-fi, so you know, just go with it.

While on a consultation trip to a sci-fi dimension, Evie Blackwell is taken by hired mercenaries, and Jackson is stranded on a remote planet. Using all of his devious and deadly tricks, Jackson must escape, assemble his team, and travel through space and time to find those responsible. Jackson will stop at nothing to prove his commitment to his family while wreaking his patented comedic havoc in a way that only a man-turned-god can.

Follow this thrilling, hilarious, and yes, oddly touching book, as Jackson hops dimensions, fights the forces of light and shadow, and even confronts an entire pantheon of pissed-off gods.

Won’t this be a hoot?

First Sentence:
In the vastness of space and time exists a hidden dark place.

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.

Jeffrey does a great job following up with the characters. In the audio book we get a walk-on voice for one of the characters by R.C. Bray. We get a fun back and forth with R.C. Bray and Jeffrey Kafer! It's a great extra to have in the story. They made me laugh.

Oh how M.K. Gibson makes jokes of Jeffrey. lol. It's funny the way he writes in the narrator and about the narrator in the book. It fits so well to Jackson's character and with the book theme.

Someone took Evie! Jackson is on a job in a space universe and has his daughter, Evie, with him. But when he's attacked, his daughter disappears. Who took her? Jackson will track that person down and they will pay...

I find humor in the minor details of the world. The small explanations given and the short stories that go with things make me smile. This grows the world and Jackson's character with how he reacts to things.

Jackson is not a fan of space operas or space genre at all. I get a kick out of how he points out how space books, or his journey, is similar to other genres in books. He points this out as though it's science fiction space books ripped off other genres, but then finds there are small pieces he likes from classifications he likes. So could Jackson come to like space operas...?

Jackson has a lot of contacts in the worlds. He's had many, many clients over the years that now lend to Jackson's plans, even if they don't know it.

Okay, is M.K. Gibson a stand-up comic? LOL! I really had fun with this story. And the best part is M.K. also has a great story to tell, and the ending may be a surprise for you. lol. The ending is the part that made the books for me. Well, not 100%. I love Jackson's humor and actions. The ending was well fitting for a Jackson book. lol. We were told in the beginning, and it all comes back around at the end. Fun twist!



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Audio Book Review: Angels and the Bad Man

Angels and the Bad Man

By:  M.K. Gibson

Publish Date:  January 7, 2018, Audiobook Release August 28, 2018

Format:  Audiobook - 12 hrs 31 mins
Narrated By:  Jeffrey Kafer

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  3rd book in The Technomancer Novel series; Book 1 ~ To Beat the Devil, Book 2 ~ Flotsam Prison Blues

Impression:  People come into light, as do plans. So much more happening!

Synopsis:
Immediately after escaping Flotsam Prison, Salem finds himself in the middle of nowhere with the mad giant Chael and the teenage stowaway TJ. Salem’s mission is simple: find the Tears of God in seven days, or else his land, and the people residing there, will either be sold to demonic lord or face death. The only things in his way are demonic Abominations, shape-shifting bison, murderous men, and the last remnant of an angelic choir. Salem pits everything he has, and everything he is, to hold on to hope and save his people.

No pressure.

While Salem risks his life, Vali and Father Grimm risk theirs. Father Grimm’s investigation into his old apprentice Rasputin leads him into a trap and into the heart of the last remaining Faerie land. Forced to survive the Wild Hunt, Grimm fights to stay alive while clinging to his last remaining connection to humanity. Meanwhile, after the kidnapped children of Löngutangar are returned, the assassin god Vali makes it his personal mission to strike back against their enemies. The god collects his past sins and sets his deadly sights on Flotsam Prison.

Angels and the Bad Man is a work of adventure and pain, sadness and perseverance, redemption and hope.

First Sentence:
The entity known as Mr. Rictus, or Ricky, sat as he normally did: with his arms over his head, his fingers interlaced, and an expression of amusement at the world around him.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles 

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

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

Jeffrey is one awesome narrator. He doesn't give anything of future events away in his voice. He feels to absorb Salem, Grimm, Vali, and more, voicing them with true feeling of who the characters are. In some audio books I add a small amount of speed to the audio to move a little faster, I could not do that here. Jeffrey keeps a wonderful pace for the storytelling that it moves along quickly, and their are details that I want to pick up as Gibson wastes no time on unneeded words.

The story is fast moving and full of fun references as Salem has lived a long life already. When you live as long as Salem has, you start to distance yourself from people and the lose that is to come. Salem starts to see he can have connections. There is more to the people that surround him and who he meets, so maybe he can have friendships again, and family.

I had to work my brain to remember where we left off with Salem and Grim and all others. It all came back to me as I listened to this one. I remember wondering what was going to happen next and needing this book. I have it and was excited to get into it.

In the beginning we are divided between Grimm, Salem, and Vali as they have separate paths to follow. Salem has been the main character in the previous books, but Grimm was growing to be a favorite along with Vali and his brother, Vidar, growing into great leaders of their own right. Grimm has his own...sticky situation to get through with someone from his past and the fey he's had run-ins with. Vali is having a hard time with the children being taken. Vali becomes determined, more than ever, to protect his people in Longutangar.

People are changed with tragedy and harsh events in their lives. Characters in a book are no different. When characters live through terrible moments, it affects them and it's then believable to the readers. Salem, Grimm, Vali, and TJ (yep a new character) live through such events here and come out at the other end changed. Maybe even influenced in perspective. Salem sees a family he's formed along with facing some feelings for his parents. To live through what these characters do gives them views and thoughts they wouldn't have had before.

I've come to enjoy the secondary characters in this series. Sometimes secondary characters aren't given the credit they need. Well, these characters have really stepped up and stepped into the light. There are things we learn with those we didn't realize were more. Oh yea. Keep an eye on ALL the characters here!

Oh Mr. Rictus, or Ricky. He's a bad person. He has a bigger plan for everyone, that something big is coming and our characters are being primed to be as they need to be when that thing happens. We get hints as to what he's up to, how he goes about it is the question.

I've come across a few new characters that have caught my attention. Riggs and TJ. There is more in the future with them, there has to be...

Oh snap! Things just got serious. There is sooooo much more in the works that we didn't know about. The "battles" being fought have taken a huge turn here. Revelations are made and they make for a deeper plot than we expected. Niiiiiice!



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Book Review: She Dreams of Fire

She Dreams of Fire

By:  M.K. Gibson

Publish Date:  May 3, 2018

Format:  eBook

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  1st to Hammer of Witches series

First Impression:  Neat human flaws that work to make them stronger.

Synopsis:
Agatha “Aggy” Grae was only ten years old the night a witch of the Umbra Coven killed her mother and burned her home. Injured, she received a transfusion of blood tainted by witchcraft, and immediately her eyes were opened to the truths hidden from mundane eyes. She saw a new world, a hidden world, one filled with darkness and secrets.

And that new world was now aware of her.

Through the years, Aggy never quit hunting the mysterious coven. From the shadows she gathered information, stepping out only to hurt those who dared to hurt others. But everything changed the night she helped a familiar-looking stranger. Through magical means, Vanessa, a high witch of the Umbra Coven, has learned of Aggy. Following the orders of the coven’s leader, The Veiled One, Vanessa has begun her own hunt, one that can end only with Aggy’s blood.

She Dreams Of Fire is a story of strength. In order to survive, Aggy must defeat her own doubts, addictions, and fears. In order to win, she has to endure everything the witches and the Hidden Folk throw at her. Partnered with a man from her past, the unlikely pair must learn to trust each other as they suffer betrayal, discover hidden truths about themselves, and battle the monsters in the dark.

But does Aggy have the strength to walk through the fire?

First Sentence:
This is the story of Agatha Grae.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles 


My Thoughts and Summary:
*I was given this free review copy of this book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

The Prologue has me curious. It's one important event that changes the lives of a few people, and leaves me wanting to keep reading. It creates a great villain here too.

Wow. That Vanessa is ruthless! I was impressed that M.K. Gibson went all out with her in the Prologue. Then carries throughout the book with her. She's ruthless and nothing is out of her comfort zone in what she'll do to get what she wants. She's even willing to take matters into her own hands. Great bad character writing here.

I like Aggy. She's damaged, sure, but she's pretty awesome. I find I like damaged characters and they are the best to have for growth and exploration. Wait until you see what she can do. The first time she "changed" I was thrilled to see her in action. Aggy has a few drug issues, but she has her reasons. It's...self medication. And she does, kinda, need it. What she uses isn't always a normal drug either. She's got a medical issue that can be seen as a physical down point but it's made a strength as much as it can hinder. I love this twist.

Aggy finds a few friends along the way. People she never expected to find or to stick with her. She's an independent and doesn't want others to get hurt, but she learns she does need help along the way and how to graciously accept it.

Then we have Marcus. Marcus is a doctor, but he's also a vigilante with high contacts that help him. But, Marcus finds himself mixed into a world full of magic and creatures he didn't expect to find. He fights the battle as he would any, and has a strong loyalty that holds him true.

There is a whole hidden world of magical beings and events that are covered. It's explained how it's covered in the world. But a few people get caught up in it. As we get to see different creatures present, I also get a feel we have only seen a drop in the bucket. Aggy's family has interesting ties in the magical world too, which explains a lot about Aggy and what she can do.

I really liked the story as we learn about Aggy and Marcus in this book. Gibson gives us the information we want about our characters as we fight through the troubles they come into or follows them. And as they decide what to face and how they want to do it. There is action and fighting in the story along with the characters growing in personality and their thinking.

The ending left me with an ooooooh feel. I think there is more to that ending, that character, than we initially think. I'm so looking forward to more with these characters to learn about this one small drop at the end.



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Audio Book Review: Flotsam Prison Blues

Flotsam Prison Blues

By:  M.K. Gibson

Publish Date:  October 8, 2016, Audiobook Release May 16, 2018

Format:  Audiobook - 10 hrs 3 mins
Narrated By:  Jeffrey Kafer

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  2 in The Technomancer Novel series; 1st Book ~ To Beat the Devil

Impression:  Humor, action, and memory lane with morals remembered.

Synopsis:
A couple of months have passed since the cyborg smuggler known as Salem led a small team in the violent coup that brought down Abraxas, demon Archduke of New Golgotha’s central kingdom of Ars Goetia. From the destruction, Salem became a hero, whether he wanted to be one or not, and was appointed the first human baron in the demon-run supercity.

But Hell does not like being made to look foolish--or weak. And Salem’s actions, while noble, have consequences. A victory for man means a defeat for Hell. A single question will be asked of Salem: How far can a hero fall? The powers of Hell are willing to find out.

Flotsam Prison Blues is the gritty, exciting sequel to To Beat The Devil. Following an assassination attempt by a rocket-launching madman, Salem must untangle a web of lies, theft, and conspiracies, lest his new world, and his citizens, burn. Follow Salem’s adventures as he is forced to relive the parts of his past he wanted to stay buried while once more pitting himself against the might of Hell. Salem will need all his strength and skill as he suffers the Hell-on-Earth horrors of Flotsam Prison.

First Sentence:
The proprietor of the bar and brothel known as Dante's was an entity known as Ricky.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository 

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

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

Jeffrey sounds like he slips into character and enjoys doing so as he voices this book. He's awesome at the dry humor that goes with Salem. A Chewbacca impersonation! Yes, Jeffrey had to do one and it was at the perfect place in the story with Salem and Grimm. It made me chuckle with the placement and hearing it. Jeffrey has voiced Salem and all his friends (and enemies) in the first book, so it's a great pleasure to have him back to carry on with their adventures. It feels Jeffrey breathes life into all for us to enjoy.

I totally have fun with these stories. Between the references and one liners used with the surprise events that happen, I just smile the whole way through the book. The characters interactions make me shake my head and chuckle. Oh dear! There are movies referenced in this book that I looooong forgot about. And it was a treat to remember them!

I wondered where this book could go after the ending of the first. There were a few threads that where left open in the first book that could easily be picked up on. Salem has created a new setting on his land for those that were displaced from the town of Midheim after the big battle there. This brings new troubles and frustrations to Salem's doorstep. And Jensen, there's something there...maybe? This all leads into the adventure Salem goes on, and drudges up past memories from other lives as he goes.

We get to see life in one of Salem's previous lives. You do remember that since he's long lived he switches identities through life so people don't know who he is. Salem's past surfaces when one of his hidden vaults is robbed. But, along with facing his past, he has to face a few things he has happening now and consequences.

Just as you think there couldn't be anything more intense to happen to Salem, something does. Don't ask the one question that the universe always seems to answer... What's next? There will always be something next. lol. And Salem sees it.

Salem and Father Grimm together. LOL! They are a team and they toss jokes off each other that the other one plays into and gets. They keep me smiling. Salem even finds a sidekick in prison! Yep, and it's a cool friendship too. I think it's Salem and his jokes that keep it going, how he plays off others and their different personalities.

What I love is the lessons learned and important points made that people need to remember through life. These are mixed in with crazy and funny moments, but in the end there is a huge point that hits home with the characters and with the readers. The way it's done, it feels as though a comic book fashion is used but in words. I love it!



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Audio Book Review: Villains Pride

Villains Pride

By:  M.K. Gibson

Publish Date:  November 24, 2017, Audiobook Release November 30, 2017

Format:  Audiobook - 7 hrs 50 mins
Narrated By:  Jeffrey Kafer

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  2nd in The Shadow Master series; Book 1 ~ Villains Rule

Impression:  A fun romp of a book with a play on Villains and Superheroes.

Synopsis:
The Shadowmaster is back . . . whether you wanted him to be or not!

Jackson Blackwell, The Shadowmaster, is in over his head this time. After his last adventure, where he tore fantasy novels a new one, Jackson has to deal with the repercussions of angry gods, angrier conspirators, and the wrath of his pregnant girlfriend!

(I know . . . actual consequences in a comedy/action series? How avant-garde! --I think. Okay look, I really don’t know what that means. I’ve always just wanted to say it and I’m too lazy to look it up.)

Thanks to a godly decree and a crafty clause, Jackson has been banished from his home. And the only universe kindly enough to take him in is one infested with comic-book-style superheroes and supervillains. A perfect place to cause mayhem, right? Well, it wouldn’t be much of a book if it were.

Comics don’t play by the rules and Jackson has been tasked to do something “unique.” Whatever is a villain to do?

Follow the adventure of Jackson Blackwell as he attempts to manipulate his way back to the top while dealing with all manner of dark detectives, godly aliens, expensive power suits, and the most daunting challenge of all . . . looming parenthood.

First Sentence:
I looked at the simple idiots sitting across from my expensive, glossy black desk.

Purchase At:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository

Audible


My Thoughts and Summary:

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

Jeffrey Kafer was the narrator for the first book and returns for this one. Hahaha. I love him! I love his voice and can listen to him forever. But he has a great dry humor to his voice that fits The Shadowmaster. How does he get through this book without laughing? I don't know, but I might want to hear a few bloopers from him. lol. I'm sure they would be fun. But, back to Jeffrey... Oh my. When Jeffrey did voices for Dr. Pain and a few other villains, I had to laugh. They fit the characters and were a hoot to hear! This is the Jeffrey I enjoyed listening to, he's really enjoying narrating this. I think the enthusiasm comes through in his performance of emotions and voices. The voice and personality changes are awesome, and fit the story.

Going into this book, I was looking for fun and adventure. And many pop culture references of shows, books, comics, and so much more. And I got it from the first word. Gibson likes to have fun with what he writes, and it shows. Hahaha. The references to the superheroes anatomy...in spandex... Hahaha. Gibson adds in small superhero facts about comics throughout the book.

As I looked through the beginning of the book for the first sentence, I got drawn into reading the Dedication and Forward. All of it is fun. Really. Gibson has written a Dedication from his main characters view, and it's a hoot. Along with the Forward, it's all done in fun.

I have fun with Jackson. He's a crafty villain. He knows the rules and plays with and around them. Jackson also has a code of conduct. He's a villain but he's not evil in treatment of people. He openly voices his views on different things that could really fit, yet it's humorous how it's done. Jeffrey pulls these moments off perfectly. It's a matter of fact tone that isn't nasty, bringing the dry humor into the words. So well done!

Jackson is great at turning peoples thoughts around. Jackson firmly believes in what he's saying, whether he actually does or not is another thing but he believes it in that moment, and uses examples he can sway his direction to turn thoughts around. I love it!

Jackson may seem like he's having fun in King Stanley's realm of superheroes as a supervillain but he still has things nagging at the back of his mind. He's been kicked out of his realm by his pregnant partner. As much as he wants to be home, he has the parenting issue nagging at him. And he doesn't seem to notice it. Jackson's determined he doesn't need to change with having a kid on the way, but he's living that time before his first child where your mind has to adapt and accept things DO change. Throughout the book Jackson has kids or family on his mind.

If you are looking for a fun romp of a book, this is one for you. Nothing in life, seen, or in books, movies, and much more are safe from Jackson's criticism. And it's awesome when he goes on a rampage about it all. I look forward to Jackson growing as a character, and I love the fun we have with him too.

Oh goodness. Gibson had me chuckling throughout the book, but in the end... I had to stop the audio to laugh. Great play with the narrator and book. Really interactive and worked wonderfully. The way Jackson is written really brings this to life.

Seriously, listen to the audio book. It's so much fun and the story really comes alive. You'll love it.



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Audio Book Review: To Beat the Devil

To Beat the Devil

By:  M.K. Gibson

Publish Date:  March 23, 2016, Audiobook Release January 3, 2017

Format:  Audiobook - 10 hrs 51 mins
Narrated By:  Shawn Purvis

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  1st in The Technomancer series

Impression:  Cyborgs, technology, magic, Demi-gods, and demons. Totally awesome combination!

Synopsis:
175 years have passed since God quit on mankind. Without his blessing, Hell itself, along with the ancient power of The Deep, were unleashed upon the world. Two world wars and oceans of blood later, a balance was reached. Demonkind took its place as the ruling aristocracy. Mankind, thanks to its ability to create, fell to the position of working proletariat. Alive, but not living.

Lucky Us.

Welcome to New Golgotha, the East Coast supercity. In it you will find sins and cyborgs, magic and mystery, vices without virtue and hell without the hope of heaven. In the middle of it all is Salem, smuggler extraordinaire and recluse immortal, who has lived and fought through the last two centuries, but his biggest battle is just beginning.

To Beat The Devil: A technomancer Novel is an incredible adventure full of cyborgs and demons, gods, magic, guns, puns and whiskey, humor and heart. Follow Salem as he embarks to discover the meaning of the very nature of what mankind is: our souls. And, who is trying to steal them.

First Sentence:
I was being followed by at least three demons.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

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


I'm a sucker for a narrator who does different voices with the characters. So when Shawn spoke as a hellion or a demon, I smiled. He had me. Each character had their own sound/voice. When Shawn read Salem I found his voice monotone-ish. There didn't feel to have a lot of feeling to the character, however this could have been the character that's written. Salem is more of an even keel type character and independent with the life he's living.

Baltimore's Inner Harbor is turned into Razor Bay. There are demons of all sorts present. And we get a feel for the city from the get go. Wow, really did an overhaul on things when God left and demons arrived.

Salem is a very special person. What he can do and why caught my attention when he started explaining it. I really like this creation and blend for Salem and the world. Cyborgs, technology, magic, Demi-gods, and demons. Totally awesome combination!

I found the story very interesting as it's taking place years after God left. There's a reason for why he left, you get to know it. I liked this concept and spin on the world. There is a lot of details to the world and drops of how it came to be. As much as I enjoyed learning the past, sometimes I found it dragging and my mind drifted.

The story is well written in that we are given all the pieces we need before we get to the moment we need it. It all fits the events and scenes we come through. I had moments where I knew when we learned a small detail that backed current scenes as I came across them in the story. I like that I can connect those dots when reading/listening.

There is more to life than simply getting through. To feel and live it in your heart is important and what keeps you tethered to humanity. I love this feel I got. I don't know if it's a theme for the book or not, but it really stuck out for me. Salem comes through on the other side of this story learning this lesson. He may be starting to change from the closed off man to opening to those around him. There is a hint that we could get more in this world with Salem. I'm curious with this small drop.



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Audio Book Review: Villains Rule

Villains Rule

By:  M.K. Gibson

Publish Date:  February 9, 2017, Audiobook Release April 19, 2017

Format:  Audiobook - 9 hrs 49 mins
Narrated By:  Jeffrey Kafer

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  1st in The Shadow Master series

Impression:  Oh my so much fun!!

Synopsis:
Hi, how are you?

Yes, I am talking to you, the reader of the this book’s description. It’s rude not to answer a person when they ask you a question. OK, I get it, 4th wall breaking is overdone. Get over it. This book, Villains Rule, is a fantasy action-comedy which you have to read. Not because it redefines the genre, far from it. But rather for what it contains. A villain’s tale.

How often do you get to read a story where the villain is the protagonist? No, not an anti-hero, or a brooding monster, nor a hero thinly disguised as a villain. And not evil. If you want evil, take that nonsense to therapy. No, I mean a villain’s villain. The ones who use their power because they can, while morality is only a philosopher’s complex.

This is the story of Jackson Blackwell, the Shadow Master and the top villain adviser. Sadly, even the top villain occasionally gets double-crossed. Trapped in one of the fantasy realms, Jackson has to use his skill and wits to exploit the rules, points out the genre flaws, undermine godly authority, and win the day.

Because, that is what villains should do, shouldn’t they? Read this book, have a few laughs, and find out.

First Sentence:
(Look, I know prologues can be boring.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

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


Jeffrey performs with heart, stepping in to the characters minds which breathes life to them. When stories are performed with the emotion the characters are feeling, and the narrator feels as to be having fun, the book is brought to a new level of awesome. Jeffrey accomplished that in this work. Jeffrey speaks with different infliction and personality for each character, which makes it easy to know who's who along with keeping my attention.

At the end of the first prologue, I had to smile. Really. This was something I always thought about, how easy it would be to take down a hero when he's having his "moment". I got a feel of a twist of Grayskull (You know what Grayskull is, from He-Man.) here with other elements mixed in. I like what I get, and it's only a prologue!

Oh my the references of all the great science fiction and fantasy tales!! Really! Even in the titles we get great one lines that we know reference so many. lol. I love listening and pointing out references and what I get the feel of. I'm sure others would pick up on others I've missed. This is the kind of story I would love to listen to with someone who I could talk to on the potential influences. You know, listen at the same time and go geek on what we pick up on! lol.

Okay. The story. I enjoyed how the rules of heroes and villains are viewed and understood in the world. And they still stand and function. M.K. has created a story with a villain that sees those rules and uses then in a way to do what all villains want. And he's talented at his work. M.K. tells us these rules and we see the predicament that Jackson ends up in, and has to find his own way back to his place in the world. M.K. writes a well crafted story of fun while still in the guidelines and takes a villain in the outs and brings him back. Totally awesome work.

I felt I could believe Jackson's thinking and I really liked him. I want to watch movies with Jackson. He would be a hoot at pointing out the flaws in plans, hero and villain. I laughed at the obvious observations pointed out by Jackson in this book. So good and so true! Jackson's written in a way that I liked him even though he wasn't the clean cut good guy. I even felt the fluctuation of praise and irritation of Randy with Jackson - all thanks to Jeffrey's vocal talents and M.K.'s writing.

At my first big surprise in events, I wanted to give M.K. Gibson a big high five. He told me what not to do. He drew me into doing just that. And I was surprised when he used that. AWESOME JOB!! M.K.wrote it so well, I was drawn into the web.

This book is a modern setting with Jackson but it's also in a fantasy world, or worlds as he goes along, because of the different realms of villains. It's so easy to understand and enjoy. I loved the play on different fantasy themes as it made me smile.

As Jackson goes through the fantasy world he's in, working to get to the ruling villain, he points out the fantasy tropes present. And he hits on them all! Totally awesome and fun summary of characters in fantasy tropes. And I can say I read about that. It was great as it was fun in how it's portrayed. M.K. has taken fantasy, brought what we know to our attention, then twists it to his world and makes it fun.

Enjoyable story to listen to. It kept me entertained.



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