Audio Book Review: Crucible and Flame

Crucible and Flame

By:  John Mierau

Publish Date:  January 6, 2016, Audiobook Release January 2, 2017

Format:  Audiobook - 1 hrs 57 mins
Narrated By:  John Mierau

Genre:  Science Fiction

Series:  Stand alone

Impression:  Living and experiencing can change you.

Synopsis:
A Ferryman Walks the Fire to an isolated generation ship, only a few decades away from its destination planet. There, in a moment of tragedy, he will learn that despite hundreds of years of life and the promise of endless more, even a Ferryman's life can change.

First Sentence:
The fire licked hungrily, and The Ferryman walked.

Purchase At:
Amazon    

Audible

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

The Ferryman escorts his passenger through the flames to ship 227, that's been around for hundreds of years and now a few short decades to reaching it's destination, finds himself alone while the Legal negotiated his trade. The Ferryman didn't expect to learn there was more to life than what he does for work, surprised at coming to feel relaxed around the people that fear and worship him.

John voices his own story here. And in doing that, he knows what his characters are to feel. The beginning it felt like there was space between the words but quickly came to a routine cadence to the reading. In the end, I felt Ferryman's resignation and appreciation.

This story feels of what The Ferryman has to deal with, the physical aches and pains along with the torment he feels when the people reach for him asking to be taken away. We see much of this in the beginning. Though it felt as I was trying hard to understand the world and ways of things, but then things started to click. It feels as though the Ferryman needs to learn a bit of humility, and does so on ship 227. By the end I understood what John had created here with the ship and flame and the ferryman.

John is one that writes fascinating short stories that people face themselves and their feelings, growing to become more. This story is no different. The Ferryman starts to see things differently, then lives through a drastic life changing moment.



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

Audiobook Review: Harlan's Wake & The List

Harlan's Wake

By:  John Mierau

Publish Date:  May 25, 2011

Publisher:  ServingWorlds.com

Format:  Podcasted Audio book

Genre:  Science Fiction

Series:  short story

Recommendation:  science fiction spin on a rough visit home.

Synopsis:
In a near-future where alien intelligence's steer the bodies of the deceased, Tyler’s life is dedicated to the Silvers...but when word arrives that his alien-hating father is dying he goes AWOL and races home to make peace. Can he make it in time?

First Sentence:
Standing in the familiar field of wind-blown grass, Tyler watched the firelight from the top of the hill.

Purchase At:
Amazon 

Listen For Free:
iTunes   /   Podiobooks

**I listened to this book for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Tyler returns to his country home. A home divided on feelings of Tyler and his leaving. Tyler's father, Harlan, is on his death bed. Tyler has come to see him by. But when a Silver, Tyler's alien charge, shows up the strong beliefs in the family and area rage.

Four short episodes.

This is a rough visit back home for Tyler. He's doing this for the love of his father. We get quiet a picture of the family of their reactions to him and what he's done. Even glimpses of how the world is away from the family farm. I felt like I got to know the characters which makes it a touch easier to follow happenings. I like getting to one aspect before the other, it enriches it all for me.

What is a Silver? It's an alien that is inside a human body. You can see their silver when the skin is broken, sometimes in their eyes, or when transferring to a body. They are geniuses and help with sciences while here. But they are feared and hated.

The talk Tyler remembers with his charge Michael reminded me of extreme prejudice and the strong thinking of the Silver. There will always be fear and hate based on many different things, even of their own kind.

When Michael shows up at the farm, things get complicated and mixed up. A family divided in belief, until that belief hits home. Sometimes people need to face those fears. Well done, with a science fiction twist to it.

John is wonderful at weaving a theme into a short story.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The List

By:  John Mierau

Publish Date:  March 1, 2011

Publisher:  ServingWorlds.com

Format:  Podcasted Audio book

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  short story

Recommendation:  A spy short story with a dark paranormal twist.

Synopsis:
In which we meet Miles Bell, Her Majesty's spy. Proto-nazi's, murder, betrayal.. and a dark, demonic future waiting to swallow England.

First Sentence:
Miles screamed as he held the bubbling flesh of his arms to the metal window pane, still red from the licking flames.

Purchase At:
Amazon 

Listen For Free:
iTunes   /   Podiobooks

**I listened to this book for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
December 1919 in a world where Germany is troublesome but there is a shaky peace, Miles Bell is sent to Switzerland on a case. It's vague as to the details, but he's to bid on a list - a powerful list many leaders are looking for. For His Majesty, Miles goes in to find out what the contents of this valuable list is and who all is bidding for it. However, Miles never expected what he found with the list.

Aaah, this one was a blend of spy and paranormal. I like it.

Again, John has set us in a complete short story that has a beginning, middle, and end. But there is a small opening that if John would like to revisit it, it's there.

We get the build up of wonder as to this mysterious and highly desired, by major figure heads of the world, list. Then we learn what it is. Didn't see that! A dark touch to the story, and exactly what the story called for. I thought there were was a moment that seemed to go fast in the story. But was exciting with the quick action and events.

I listened to this story and it might have been one I would have enjoyed reading. I had to listen closely to catch all that was happening. With reading I would have been processing as I was reading.

This is a dark paranormal fix, as all of John's short stories are great quick listens or reads.

Audiobook Review: Last Man Home

Last Man Home

By:  John Mierau

Publish Date:  May 20, 2010, Audiobook May 12, 2014

Publisher:  ServingWorlds.com

Format:  Audio book from Audible

Genre:  Science Fiction

Series:  Novella

Recommendation:  Yes, for a quick action and character filled story.

Synopsis:
Eight years after the war with the Alotans, Jake, Teddy, Gris and Dru are the only survivors of Tom Callahan's squad. They're gathering in the small town Jake calls home for their annual reunion-but this year a new face wants to join in. One of Jake's alien army buddies will crack when he faces a monster from his past, and it's down to him to save the Alotan going by the name of... Tom Callahan.

First Sentence:
I sprayed a mouthful of beer all over Teddy and Gris when the Bug stepped into the Wildlife Tavern.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Audible

Listen For Free:
iTunes   

**I listened to this book for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
I'm not going to give a summary of this book. John's summary hits it on the nose, and if I try I might spoil the story for you.

The neat thing here, the characters are all different. By different I don't only mean personality, they are of an alien nature as well. And it makes the story work and believable. This story takes place on Earth and our main voice telling the story is human but his colleagues are other than human. I like this draw here. It makes the story different and I want that.

Oh the things Jake talks about having done to him and the soldiers when serving. It's neat what they did to them, but I can feel for the men at the same time.

I've learned John Mierau has a wide realm he writes in, and that works great for me as I love getting something different each time. John takes advantage of each word he writes, drawing the world while describing the characters and moving the story/plot along. In the suspense full moments, John has written it to move quick yet draw me to hang on each word. The narrator has read it to compliment the writing with his innuendos and speech annunciations - like he's living the moments.

I like the narrators voice and reading of this story. The pacing and vocal attitude for each character and happening were well orchestrated. He even talked in different speech patterns for the characters and their species. I could almost hear the narrator on a tv show - maybe Defiance or something.

By the end of the story I felt the closeness of the crew that was formed from what they lived through at war. How they are like brothers. I felt the sadness and honor for Tom and the characters. The battle Jake is fighting for this bug, the kind he once hated and killed, but to learn the true fate of the man who's name the bug took.

Audio Short Story Reviews: Crossing Lines & Marked Man

Crossing Lines

By:  John Mierau

Publish Date:  November 27, 2012

Publisher:  ServingWorlds.com

Format:  Podcasted Audio book

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  short story

Recommendation:  Dangerous magic in a gripping short story.

Synopsis:
A wanderer with a troubled past follows a sensitivity to magic that pulls him hard to a mountain in the middle of nowhere, where he’s caught up in impending apocalypse, powerful practitioners…and a blood feud.

First Sentence:
Grady spun the wheel to keep the truck on the mud and gravel road.

Purchase At:
Amazon  

Listen For Free:
iTunes   /   Author's Site

**I listened to this book for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Grady felt the strong pull to come to Yukon territory. Something magically was wrong. Driving through the pouring rain, Grady almost hits a wandering stranger - Russell. When they stop, Grady learns there is a layline and something is trying to cross into our world by using up the power of the layline. Another comes with plan to stop it. Grady is to work with two of opposite views, Russell a sentital and Fran an older magic yeilder, to stop the monster from entering the world.

These are three quick episodes to listen too. No more than 15 minutes each.

There is a disembodied hunger presence felt. It's coming. The layline is the magical power that fuels it to cross into the world.

There are only three people we meet in this quick story. Each has a heavy presence in the story with what they know. There is a battle between Fran's people and Russell and his company. They each want to keep the laylines and the world safe, but in very different ways. This feud reminds me of a relationship like the Indian/White man war. Fran's magical kind and Russell's strict "schooled" guards of the company.

This story is quick with what's going on. The first episode caught my attention through my curiosity. The second episode fueled my need to know what's happening in the world with these characters. We learn more about the world and characters. I was afraid at first I'd be confused, but quickly John explains what's happening and what's present in the first episode.

I really liked the feud, danger, and magic in the story through to the ending. All learned in the world and left the feel there is so much more! I'd be curious to follow Grady as he shares his knowledge through protecting of fighting with those he opposes. And learning why.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Marked Man

By:  John Mierau

Publish Date:  March 26, 2011

Publisher:  ServingWorlds.com

Format:  Podcasted Audio book

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  short story

Recommendation:  A curse in the old mining era. What a man will do to save others, and himself.

Synopsis:
A stowaway on a train, running from something horrible, falls into the hands of evil men. Soon, innocent lives will be lost as human monsters will face something ancient, powerful... and hungry.

First Sentence:
"Get up!"

Rough hands yanked Daniel from his hiding place behind a crate of buffalo pelts bound for the east.

Purchase At:
Amazon  

Listen For Free:
iTunes   /   Author's Site

**I listened to this book for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Daniel is thrown from the train he was hiding in. He tries to lie his way out of being caught, as a stowaway on a train, by the rough owners. While the Chinese miners are being forced to down into the mines, working, Daniel is being 'recruited' into hard pressed work with them. But, with the mark on his hand, Daniel learns a dark secret of what the owner plans to do to the miners. Daniel tries to save them all, but also is stuck when the Collector comes for his call on the night without a moon.

Again, 3 short episodes to listen too. No longer than 15 minutes each.

I liked this story of the mark. Neat and original to the western feel it is set in. Daniel can see the dark secrets people hide within, the ones that are deadly to others. Then the Collector attached to it. Oh, now that was catching.

We quickly got to see the curse of the mark on Daniel. Will he act on what he learns? And the Collector coming for him. Shame what he has to do each month to sate the Collector, but oh so deserving to the others.

Daniel may be a cheat in order to earn his mark, but he's not all bad. What he has to do each month is terrible, but he picks wisely. It's hard to do what he has to, but to survive...

The story is a bit dark, but that's the attraction. The story is complete with the scene, but I'm curious what happens next. I'd like to think all works out. ;)

Walk the Fire Kickstarter

There is a new Kickstarter that has caught my eye.  It's featuring authors I've come to enjoy over the last year or so.  I asked John Mierau on twitter some questions about it and I'm thrilled to share a bit with you about the first anthology and the new one he is Kickstarting right now.

The new Kickstarter is for WALK THE FIRE.

"A shared world SF anthology series where other cities, planets, galaxies are only steps away...for those who dare Walk The Fire."

The Anthology will feature stories by:
   two-time Campbell nominee Mur Lafferty
   Hugo nominee Paul Levinson
   Philippa Ballantine  (Learn more of Pip in this interview of 10 Q's by John Mierau)
   Harry Connolly (Learn more about Harry Connolly in this interview on 10 Q's by John Mierau)
   JRD Skinner
   Steve Umstead
   Matt Iden
   WJ Davies
   and more!
   The introduction will be by Scott Sigler, art by Scott Pond, and original song and music by songwriter John Anealio.


I'm a huge fan of Philippa Ballantine.  I've also read an short read from Mur Lafferty in another anthology, and enjoyed it.  Mur is on my list to get more works by.



Want to try a snippet first?  John has made that possible!  Here are tweets from John with links to download the two stories:

Download 2 FREE WALK THE FIRE stories (open ePub): traffic.libsyn.com/johnmierau/Wal…. If you dig it help Kickstart more! kickstarter.com/projects/13258…
— John Mierau (@johnmierau) April 24, 2013

Download 2 FREE WALK THE FIRE stories (for kindle): traffic.libsyn.com/johnmierau/Wal…. If you dig it help Kickstart more! kickstarter.com/projects/13258…
— John Mierau (@johnmierau) April 24, 2013

I asked John Mierau some questions on Twitter of the new Kickstarter book and the first WALK THE FIRE anthology.  Here is how the tweets went. (I think I copied the tweets. Might have missed one, but you get the idea from these here.)

1. Melissa ‏@MelLHay30 Apr

   . @johnmierau This Walk the Fire is the 2nd edition? Is the first in print or is it the podcast on your site?

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   John Mierau ‏@johnmierau30 Apr

   Why thanks for asking @MelLHay! The first WALK THE FIRE exists in ebook (2 stories free now) & free audio podcast at http://servingworlds.com .

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      John Mierau ‏@johnmierau30 Apr

      .@MelLHay WALK THE FIRE is out in FREE audio as well as universal EPUB format here: https://gumroad.com/johnmierau#QpGk  & KINDLE: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=John+mierau …

       View summary
3. Melissa ‏@MelLHay30 Apr

   .@johnmierau I think you mention this in the Kickstarter, why keep the same name? WALK THE FIRE. Same feel to the stories?

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4. John Mierau ‏@johnmierau30 Apr

   @MelLHay Walk The Fire is going to be the revised name for the anthology series. When stories are in I'll pick a fitting book-specific name.

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5. Melissa ‏@MelLHay30 Apr

   .@johnmierau What kind of stories can we expect in WALK THE FIRE antho? Aliens? Fantasy? Science Fiction? Outer Space? All and more?

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John Mierau ‏@johnmierau30 Apr

. @MelLHay my authors tell me the new Walk The Fire stories will start in the Middle Ages & range to the far future! http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1325849873/walk-the-fire-a-shared-world-sf-anthology-series …

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Walk The Fire: a shared-world SF anthology series.

A shared world SF anthology series where other cities, planets, galaxies are only steps away...for those who dare Walk The Fire.

Kickstarter @kickstarter · Follow

• 1RETWEET
• 

10:11 AM - 30 Apr 13 · Details

Tweet text

Reply to @johnmierau 

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1. Melissa ‏@MelLHay30 Apr

   Jackpot!Amazing blend for all loves @johnmierau WALK THE FIRE stories will start in Middle Ages &range to far future! http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1325849873/walk-the-fire-a-shared-world-sf-anthology-series …

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2. Melissa ‏@MelLHay30 Apr

   .@johnmierau I see u have some amazing authors in WALK THE FIRE. Im a huge fan of @PhilippaJane Ballantine. I read a short by @mightymur >>

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3. Melissa ‏@MelLHay30 Apr

   .@johnmierau >>and plan on reading more by Mur. Wonderful cast!

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4. John Mierau ‏@johnmierau30 Apr

   @MelLHay thanks I always ask the people I really want... sometimes when you ask, wonderful things happen!

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5. John Mierau ‏@johnmierau30 Apr

   . @MelLHay I'm thrilled with the cast. There are names people haven't heard of that are just as talented & I hope their audiences grow.

Reply to @johnmierau 

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1. Melissa ‏@MelLHay30 Apr

   .@johnmierau I do love an antho w/blend of new & familiar names. I get what I love AND learn of new amazing authors to keep an eye out for.

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**Sorry, copying from Twitter the coloring and formats off.



Now, are you curious about the first one?  I know I became curious after learning about the second one.  There are links in the tweets about it but more directly:
   The 1st Walk The Fire is available:
     Free Listening in Episodes
     Amazon for Reading
     Epub format for Reading


The 2nd Walk The Fire anthology has not been release yet.  That's where you come we come in.  Walk The Fire is right now running a Kickstarter.  It looks like there are 21 days remaining to join (as of May 1st).  Bringing the kickstarter to a close May 21, 2013.

I know I'd love to see this go all the way.  If you are interested, even $5 will help.  (which will get you listed as a supporter and an ecopy of the 1st Walk The Fire anthology.)

Go ahead.  Check out the Kickstarter and maybe join the troops walking the fire...