Audio Book Review: Brighteyes by C.T. Phipps and Michael Suttkus

Brighteyes by Michael Suttkus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book with Ashley and her adventures, picking up where we left off in the first book. It's also set in a larger world where other series cross with this one.

The story picks up loose threads from the first book. We see Gilroy, again. Ashley's siblings and their conflicts are a focus, leading to a whole problem of it's own with the Magestic 13, vampires, and even trafficking.

We get to dive back into Ashley's past. We get to see what she remembers of her family when younger. We even get to see how things went when she was lost to her vampire addiction. And, as things unfold, we learn more about her family in the end. Very interesting how things go!

There's action as we go into battles. Ashley's sword is still cool. I love this. I know Ashley always has things running through her mind and spirals out on strange thoughts, which is fun because she relates to comics and such. Always fun throw backs too. I did feel at times we got a lot of information told to Ashley at one time. Then into action we'd go.

Ashley starts to see who her friends are and maybe even rekindling of a relationship...if she wants?

I ended this audiobook with a "No. You didn't just do that to me." This goes to the authors. That was a surprise ending. Now I need to know all about how that came to be. lol.

I struggled some with the narrator and her voices in this audiobook. She has Ashley sounding whiny. She has a slower pacing to her speaking.

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Audio Book Review: Space Academy Miscreants by C.T. Phipps

Space Academy Miscreants by C. T. Phipps
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

How far will others go to get Vance to help affect politics on other planets with his new promotion to High Protector?

We are back in the saddle with Vance as we venture on. Others have moved on or moving on to great places. In doing so, we have the whole crew back together fighting with Vance. Darn, they are all such loyal friends, or...they want to see what crazy Vance will pull off again. lol

We learn A LOT in the first few paragraphs and through the first chapter! Case Gordon has a mess for Vance to take care of and... Vance learns of his daughter, who is very likely in trouble. This sparks Vance into action, which might also be a trap. But he's going.

Even though this series is set in the far future (fantasy future) in space, I love that Vance has an attraction for pop references and space and more for the 1980's, 1990's, and more. Vance loves the oldies! And so do I. There's many here I get and some I think I miss. lol. There's even a reference drop to another of C.T. Phipps's series, a universe where guys named Gary are single most important person. lol. And, Major Tom.

As always, action, fun, and quick funny lines are to be had with the book. A little drama mixed in too.

In the end, there was more to the story than I expected. I should know that by now, but still taken with the whole ending with the how and who.

BONUS:
We have a short story added to the end of this book! :D Thank you!

NOBODY'S FOOL
Vance's mission, to golf in a golf outing. And win.

When Vance and Shelly get here, Vance suspects something more is happening. Especially with the lifeform that appears to be sentient and yet it's in slavery positions. Vance's crazy notions bring us to a quick mystery to be solved. Always fun seeing the view Vance has of things...making something where others see nothing. And it's usually right.

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Audio Book Review: Brightblade by C.T. Phipps

Brightblade by Michael Suttkus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fun and light story with an underlining theme.

I enjoy reading C.T. Phipps's books for the fun references made to movies, songs, games, and so much more. I'll admit, I catch many of them but I'm sure there's a few that I've missed in listening to the story. I love it.

The characters are fun. Even when they are having one of the worst days of their lives. lol. There's quick clips back and forth as they go through the day and battles.

This book and series is set in the same world as Jane Doe, Straight out of Fangdom, and Red Room. They are all mentioned here so you get the feel of where Ashley and friends are located. I thought it was neat that Alex is present in this book (and hopefully series), which he was a boyfriend of Jane Doe's for a time too. It's neat to see how the books cross paths or are a history for this book.

I found there was a theme to the characters... What you are raised around doesn't mean it's right. You can be more and move past prejudices and more.

Ashley's day starts with trying to collect a bond's breaker and escalates to a trio of magical woman robbing a bank and her finding her long lost brother and into so much more. Lot's happening while we get to know the characters.

Where the story ends is at a mystery! Someone arrives, and I want to know what happens after this. Another book! :D Can't wait!

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Audio Book Review: Daughter of the Cyber Dragons by C.T. Phipps & Michael Suttkus

Daughter of the Cyber Dragons by C.T. Phipps
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book checks off all the boxes of what I want in a story. Damaged main character who grows and learns as we go. Great secondary characters. And an adventurous journey with danger, humor, and details to keep us going. This is a cyber setting for the characters and their bodies. I'm glad it's all easy to understand as it's the setting and already in play.

In the beginning, I felt there were holes and Kei was... a tough character to follow. This is THE PLAN. This is all done as part of what Kei knows, shares, and doesn't want to remember. Stick with the story and it ALL unfolds and comes together as Kei grows.

And oh the things we learn. Love that.

Case is here! I love seeing Kei with Case. She seems to relax a bit when talking with him. Case is a character from another series, so seeing him here in this story, in the position he's in, it's great. He's working to make a difference.

We also get a short bonus story at the end with Agent G! Fun!

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Audio Book Review: Lucifer's Nebula

Lucifer's Nebula

By:  C.T. Phipps & Michael Suttkus

Publish Date:  May 22, 2018, Audiobook Release August 3, 2018

Format:  Audiobook - 10 hrs 12 mins
Narrated By:  Eric Burns

Genre:  Science Fiction

Series:  2nd in Lucifer's Star series; 1st Book ~ Lucifer's Star

Impression:  Fun twisted conspiracies, relationships, and realizations

Synopsis:
From the bestselling author of The Rules of Supervillainy: Captain Cassius Mass can only run so far from his problems and the galaxy isn't big enough to hide from those pursuing him. Cassius soon finds himself blackmailed into a mission that will clear him of all charges as well as protect him from future persecution: bring an end to the civil war currently racking the galaxy. Accompanied by a new set of untrustworthy allies, the crew of the Melampus, and the A.I duplicate of his dead wife—Cassius needs to figure out how to not only deal with his target but also his employers.

Because the entire universe is at stake.

First Sentence:
"I hate pirates," I said, more to myself than the other members of the starfighter squadron that was the Melampus's primary defense.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles 

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

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

Eric returns to voice Cassius. He has a husky voice that feels to fit Cassius. He gets to play with accents too. A few characters have accents based on where they are from in the universe. We get slightly different tones to differentiate female and male characters, along with personality to go with emotions and who the people are. I'm impressed with how Eric voices Cassius and Cassius the Elder. They sound different in personality and voice. Totally cool.

The first chapter starts us off with a space fight in fighters, setting the feel of the book for Cassius and crew on the Melampus. We meet those under him on the ship and the relationships he has with each. We get a feel for those relationships as they characters interact as well.

All of the interact shows how the crew has fallen into a "normal" for them. Love and hate all in one place and it works together. This highlights the crew as a whole and makes the journey more fun.

Cassius has turned into a good guy. Well, he does take jobs that aren't on the up-and-up, but he tries to take care of his people and crew. That makes him a good guy, right? He'll make the deals that he wouldn't normally make to keep his crew safe, even if it could be danger for later.

I found I was surprised that we spend a good half of the book on the ship with Cassius and his crew. It didn't feel like that much of the book! There is a whole lot of crazy in their lives and how they are all tied together! There were whole twisted conspiracies, love, and realizations along with fights that happen. A whole space opera that kept me interested. Their lives are affected by what they do or don't do, creating choices that will help or hurt one or all of them and how they will protect each other. Or not as there is that option too.

Wow. There is a lot of crossing and twisting to the plans. I kept wondering which story will pan out to be the truth, and had to keep going to find out! People say one thing, have another thing in mind. Then someone else is doing something different, either for or against the plans of another. People saying one thing to get someone to react a way to get something else to happen. What's the truth? What's the true outcome desire? There could be many, depending on who you talk to. But, there is one ultimate goal by one selfish driven individual. Just sniff out what he truly wants. Wow. This is one adventure to follow closely.

It's always a pleasure to spend time with Cassius and his crew. They have great relationships that make you smile as they don't hold back when talking. It's all out in the space around them. lol. Then there's the trouble they get into. Fun action story.



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Audio Book Review: An American Weredeer in Michigan

An American Weredeer in Michigan

By:  C.T. Phipps & Michael Suttkus

Publish Date:  October 24, 2017, Audiobook Release April 3, 2018

Format:  Audiobook - 9 hrs 15 mins
Narrated By:  Arielle DeLisle

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  2nd in The Bright Falls Mysteries series; 1st Book ~ I Was a Teenage Weredeer

Impression:  Fun urban fantasy mystery.

Synopsis:
Life is not easy for the world's first weredeer detective. A simple hike turns into a media circus when Jane Doe, her best friend Emma, and a pair of monster hunters find a mass grave. Determined to find the parties responsible, Jane soon discovers a sinister cult leader has decided to make Bright Falls, Michigan the home of his corrupt religion.

As if this wasn't complicating her life enough, Jane also has to decide whether or not she wants to begin a relationship with FBI Special Agent Alex Timmons or local crime lord Lucien Lyons. Both men are determined to get to the bottom of the crime she's investigating but may be distracted by their own agendas--as well as their love for Jane.

First Sentence:
I swatted a mosquito from my face and wished I hadn't bothered to come out on this hiking trip with Emma.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Noble  

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

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

Arielle returns to voice Jane in this second book. She does have a younger sound to fit Jane. Arielle voices Jane's dry humor and jokes with what sounds like a straight face and with intensity behind it as Jane would. There is a touch of sarcasm and humor in it, and Arielle vocalizes this well. She also brings personalities out in the voices of other characters. She does voice them with slight differences in tone, but the feel of the character is in the annunciations and attitude.

We got introduced to characters in a timely manner and reminded of what happened in the first book to place the characters in their lives now. And we come across the new mystery that makes us curious. This beginning flowed smoothly for me, introducing us back to the world.

I love the small references to movies, shows, and all fun items. There's references to Harry Potter, Back to the Future, and more. I had to laugh when Wynonna Earp was mentioned in the book. LOL! It's exactly what I related the Merlin Gun to when we first came across it in the first book! The characters are fantasy fans and talk about Star Wars and more throughout the book, it really makes for fun moments. It's something I enjoy keeping an ear (or eye) out for in the story.

We get a few mysteries to solve. The pit of baby skeletons, Dr. Jones who brings a world of trouble with his desires, and Robyn's search. But we also have personal interests and conflicts. Jane's got two potential relationships brewing, which does get resolved. We also meet new characters - Robyn, Larry, and Yolanda. Robyn is an interesting addition and we spend more time with her than the others.

What surprises me, how the authors manage to connect all these problems into one conversation. It's awesome. I wouldn't have pictured the conversation going as it did, but it fits the characters and the story. It all works together!

All the personal connections makes things a little edgy when the characters interact. It's a small town, and you feel it. It all starts to wash out in the end of the book, truths are shared and emotions are a little better. It feels things are moving in the direction they should for the characters personally.

Of course we see the story through Jane's eyes and thoughts. But we get to spend time, through Jane, with Emma, Lucien, and Alex along with all we meet in the first book. I am glad Jane got a big thing cleared up with Alex and Lucien. They are both amazing men, in different ways. Though, Lucien does have a bad streak in him. Jane feels to be more mature in this book. She's faced many things in the first book and learned a lot. She's still learning and becoming more with her shaman ability.

We also see the town of Bright Falls is growing and changing. But I'm thinking the outside world is changing some too, pushing Bright Falls to expand and grow. It's something Jane struggles with in a small way. Even the need to sell her family diner... That's something Jane is not ready for, but maybe needs to do...

I enjoy the fun and humor written through Jane and the story. The story is a fun, relaxing read for me and I look forward to more in the future.



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Audio Book Review: I Was a Teenage Weredeer

I Was a Teenage Weredeer

By:  C.T. Phipps & Michael Suttkus

Publish Date:  September 26, 2017, Audiobook Release February 13, 2018

Format:  Audiobook - 9 hrs 54 mins
Narrated By:  Arielle DeLisle

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  1st in Bright Falls Mysteries series

Impression:  A fun, relaxing mystery in a shifter town.

Synopsis:
Jane Doe is a weredeer, the least-threatening shapechanger species in the world. Blessed with the ability to turn furry at will and psychically read objects, Jane has done her best to live a normal life working as a waitress at the Deerlightful Diner. She has big dreams of escaping life in the supernatural-filled town of Bright Falls, Michigan, and her eighteenth birthday promises the beginning of her teenage dreams coming true.

Unfortunately, her birthday is ruined by the sudden murder of her best friend's sister in an apparent occult killing. Oh, and her brother is the primary suspect. Allying with an eccentric FBI agent, the local crime lord, and a snarky werecrow, Jane has her work cut out for her in turning her big day around.

Thankfully, she's game.

Set in the same world as Straight Outta Fangton.

First Sentence:
I was a teenage weredeer.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Noble 

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

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

Arielle has a young voice that fits Jane Doe. She also pulls off Jane's sarcastic humor of stating the obvious in a dry tone. Totally works and sounds like a young adult. Arielle also voices each character in different tones when they speak. The audio is very clear and clean listening. Arielle's pronunciation of words is clear. No distractions from the story.

Jane has a dry sarcastic humor about her, stating the obvious in a dry tone. And it totally works. Especially in audio format. Oh the deer puns. lol.

As in true C.T. Phipps fashion, we have references to t.v. shows and more throughout the book. It's not done in the Supervillainy humor but in an undertone to give a feel of what Jane is seeing as happening or a description. This is always something I find fun, as I get to see if I can pick them out and know the references.

Off the bat we get a lot of information. Wow. The first chapter is packed full of names and world info. It almost feels like an info dump. I don't think I'm going to remember all the names as they hit me so fast here. Once you read through this, and you are great through the remainder of the book.

Being a shifter is dangerous now. The world knows of vampires and shifters, but fears them all. It's set in the same world as Straight Outta Fangton, but you don't have to read it to understand the world here. (I haven't, yet.) This story is in Bright Falls, Michigan where Straight Outta Fangton is in New Detroit. But what happened with the vampires there affects the shifters here, and we hear about some of that, which then also makes me curious for the vampire book. People, states, and government have not taken well to the reveal of vampires and shifters. It's dangerous to go other places because of the laws.

A mystery! This is a shifter town where a murder has happened. Actually, we find out this is the third murder. Jane has the ability to read items with a touch, so she becomes important in helping with the case. Her mom and her best friend (who's sister was murdered) want her to help with the case, and clear her brothers name. Jane's visions help point her in directions, but don't give her the complete answer. So she works the case, looking for answers with the clues she finds.

I look forward to Jane "reading" items when she wants. She gets enough to send her in a direction, but learns there is more to the vision than she saw. Cool. I'm glad things aren't always black and white. Jane also has a new friend that's not really a friend or alive. It's the gun. It's actually cool, and reminds me a bit of the gun from Wynonna Earp. Jane also seems to find herself with new friends she never expected; Lucian and Alex. Lucian is the towns bad guy and drug dealer, but there maybe more to him. And Alex is new to town. We have Jane's long time friend Emma, who's part of the powerful family in town. It's a neat little group of people here. I even like Maria who finds herself as an ally.

The town is neat with all the shifters. Many shifters have abilities that come in handy. They have a social structure based on their were-animal as well.

Something that pops up through the book is prejudice. Jane sees it with the social structure of the weres and she even sees herself referencing it as that's what has been drilled into her from the old ways. Jane is working past the prejudices though.

I found this mystery story to be relaxing with Jane's personality and small jokes and puns. I look forward to Jane continuing to learn magic and spending time with her friends. Also, there are a few visions she had that may, or may not, come to pass. I'm curious if they do.



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Audio Book Review: Lucifer's Star

Lucifer's Star

By:  C.T. Phipps & Michael Suttkus

Publish Date:  April 27, 2017, Audiobook Release May 17, 2017

Format:  Audiobook - 10 hrs 20 mins
Narrated By:  Eric Burns

Genre:  Space Opera

Series:  1st in Lucifer's Star series

Impression:  Space opera, clones, AI's, and battles all in one place!

Synopsis:
From the bestselling author of The Rules of Supervillainy:

Cassius Mass was the greatest star pilot of the Crius Archduchy. He fought fiercely for his cause, only to watch his nation fall to the Interstellar Commonwealth. It was only after that he realized the side he'd been fighting for was the wrong one. Now a semi-functional navigator on an interstellar freight hauler, he tries to hide who he was and escape his past. Unfortunately, some things refuse to stay buried and he ends up conscripted by the very people who destroyed his homeland.

LUCIFER'S STAR is the first novel of the Lucifer's Star series, a dark science fiction space opera set in a world of aliens, war, politics, and slavery.

First Sentence:
The sight of the burning starships around me was like a galaxy of new stars lighting up the emptiness of space.

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.

Eric is a new narrator for me. From the first sentence Eric had a positive, hopeful sound to his voice for me. I can hear his deep breaths between lines. There is a short (about 3 or 4 words) that didn't follow character tone in the beginning, I caught only because following the book at that time. Eric does do different tones for characters, giving them a sound of age and their own voice. I did pick up on one small repeat, I almost missed it as it was quick.

I just love that first sentence! What a sight that would be. The sentence really drew the picture for me.

We start with Cassius in a big battle in his life on Crius. This battle is one that lingers in Cassius's mind, and what he's trying to escape from. There are sections that are memories, though with this being audio you don't see the italics that indicate it's different than the here and now. It sounds like two conversations happening at the same time. Then Cassius doesn't talk to himself as much and is easier to catch as the book goes on. The book is focused on Cassius and his time on his current ship. The people are also residing on this ship are not who they seem to be.

As we learn these people aren't who they say they are, we see much more in this unstable universe. The different groups in the universe are all working at different angles. Even the people in the organizations have different angles they are working. So much to play with here!

Cassius grows through the book, as he grows to realize he has friends. Cassius is running from who he is. He wants to be someone that's not of the Archduchy to live his life with the guilt he feels. Through what he learns in the events he lives through, and the connections made, Cassius learns of details he didn't know before. I love the moment when Cassius gets a...closure with someone from his past. Cassius confronts feelings he'd been holding in.

Cassius grows attached to people which helps him along in his journeys. We learn a few have rather heavy pasts as well. The crew on the ship he finds himself on has many who are fugitives in their lands or pasts that aren't of the best actions. There are moments that feel drawn out with details of histories of people and descriptions, but the story comes together and the ending is non-stop.

I found that the AI take in this book was very interesting. There is also cloning in this book. Biodroids were a neat creation. I know we haven't heard the last of these. I don't want to give to much on this as it's a big play in the book. You have to read or listen to the book to get the details. We learn details that all come to a head at the end of the book with a special type of AI.

This wouldn't be a fun space story if we didn't get action scenes. We get just that, in space and on planet action. Even among the crew on the ship.

The world feels vast and full with crew that Cassius has acquired. I look forward to continuing with Cassius and what is in store for him next.



****If you found my thoughts helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible. Thank you.

Cover Reveal: Lucifer's Star

I'm excited to share about this new book. It's by an author who's writing I've come to enjoy. C.T. Phipps. And he's teamed up with another to start a cool sounding space opera. Cool!

Lucifer's Star

A Spacers Saga #1

By:  C.T. Phipps & Michael Suttkus

Pick up in Kindle now. Audiobook to come shortly!

Description:

Count Cassius Mass was the greatest star pilot of the Crius Archduchy. He fought fiercely for his cause, only to watch his nation fall to the Commonwealth. It was only after that he realized the side he'd been fighting for was the wrong one. Now a semi-functional navigator on a interstellar freight hauler, he tries to hide who he was and escape his past. Unfortunately, some things refuse to stay buried and he ends up conscripted by the very people who destroyed his homeland. Their mission for him? Destroy his clone before he's used to rouse the defeated Crius Archduchy from their apathy. 

LUCIFER'S STAR is the first novel of "A Space Saga", which is a dark science fiction space opera novel set in a world of aliens, war, politics, and slavery.

What do you think? Sounds like Cassius has some battles in front of him, and not just physically. I'm curious now!