AudioBook Review: Helios

Helios

By:  Jeremy Robinson & Sean Ellis

Publish Date:  August 29, 2017, Audiobook Release May 3, 2018

Format:  Audiobook - 9 hrs 48 mins
Narrated By:  Jeffrey Kafer

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  2 in Cerebrus Group series; 1st Book ~ Herculean

Impression:  Adventure to save the world from a weapon unknown to man.

Synopsis:
A deadly swarm of earthquakes shakes the planet. In the sky above, the sun appears to stand still. While the world reels from the vast destruction, George Pierce and the Cerberus Group, a team of scientific and historical experts, uncover an imminent threat straight out of history that must be stopped. But not everyone wants them to succeed.

An apocalyptic death cult, made up of suicidal martyrs and true believers who will do whatever it takes to ensure the destruction of all life on Earth, goes head-to-head with a billionaire tech-genius commanding an army of robots, on a quest to own the sun itself.

Caught in the middle, the Cerberus Group must fend off both sides while traveling to every corner of the map, and into the depths of myth and history, to find the holiest treasure on Earth—an artifact that can harness the power of creation. The prophecies are true.

THE END IS NIGH.

Jeremy Robinson and Sean Ellis, the international bestselling team behind the Jack Sigler thrillers, including Cannibal and Empire, continue the new series that rewrites the way we see history. Rivaling the best of Matthew Reilly and James Rollins, Helios combines a blistering pace with fringe science and myths reborn.

First Sentence:
"First the Sea God curses us.

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 is one of my favorite narrators, especially for the adventures into dangerous places for the unknown. He's voiced these characters in the first book and continues with the same personalities in this one. Jeffrey never gives away what's to come in his voice. He's always in the moment with the characters, experiencing the event s as they would while bringing their reactions to life in voice. Always a pleasure to listen to Jeffrey.

Something I notice about the story is it feels as though we are getting to the end of what is causing the problems, just to learn it's the start of all troubles we are experiencing. Yes, the story starts off with a bang and doesn't slow, things become greater in stakes and action. This is a talent that comes through in the writing. They really thought out this story and all the connections to grow the dangers and connect everything together.

I love how things come together. These stories bring things together I wouldn't expect to relate, yet they fit. Religion, gods, aliens, and so much more tie in threads to each other along with adventure. I get caught up and find I stop and listen, pausing to take it all in. It opens my mind to the possibilities the authors are creating with the characters and events. I can see the connections! Myths and the way things were related in stories for what could have been something people lived through.

There is a possibility these myths could relate to the current problems, with earthquakes all at once then a ticking clock at happening again. The ticking clock that could bring about the end of the world as we know it.

I enjoy these characters. They are like their own little X-men team on an Indiana Jones adventure. There are a few with their own abilities, which we get a quick explanation in this story too. I really like them, and their origin stories. Their personalities fit together to make a team that cares for each other and jokes in good humor. There are deeper ties with these characters that hold them together as a chosen family.

There are so many layers to this story. I would love to listen to it and the previous book again. There are connections to the Herculean group they are part of along with other ties. I have a feeling things mentioned here will come into play in the future too.

And I'm hooked on the series, with the characters and what we learn about the group they are part of. I'll have my eyes on the lookout for the next book!



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Audio Book Review: Exile

Exile

By:  David Wood & Sean Ellis

Publish Date:  September 28, 2017, Audiobook Release April 11, 2018

Format:  Audiobook - 8 hrs 26 mins
Narrated By:  Jeffrey Kafer

Genre:  Adventure, Suspense, Thriller

Series:  3rd in Jade Ihara Adventures series; 1st Book ~ Oracle, 2nd Book ~ Changeling

Impression:  Another hair raising adventure for Jade and Professor into the view of slavery.

Synopsis:
Jade Ihara is caught in a centuries old power struggle between a slave cult who believes she might be the incarnation of the goddess of liberty, and a secret cabal with plans for world domination. Can she unravel the mystery of the Cult of Veritas and find their sacred relics before it’s too late? David Wood and Sean Ellis deliver another action-packed thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Fans of Indiana Jones, Tomb Raider, Rogue Angel, and Dane Maddock will love Exile!

First Sentence:
....
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.

As always, Jeffrey Kafer narrates the story with perfection. I know, it seems strange for a man to narrate a woman, but that does not defer from Jade's story in the least. I don't even hear that it's a male voice. Jeffrey has a way of carrying the suspense, adventure, and curiosity in his voice for the characters. He retains the calm the characters feel in stressful, scary moments. Although, there is some worry and nerves that creep through in this story for Jade and Professor, and Jeffrey enunciates them. We get the feel of the characters emotions, feelings, and personality through Jeffrey's tones and attitude voiced.

Wow. Jade spends most of the book on the run! She's running for her life in Rome, Italy along with on a slave boat. Jade is a handy woman on her own. Almost a female McGyver!

We start with Jade having been kidnapped, possibly being sold as a slave. We see a darker side to Haiti with Professor doing all he can to find Jade. This is where Jade gets nervous. What can she really do? Jade is determined to fight, and fight she does. She will do anything if there's a sliver of hope to survive.

This story is focused on Jade. She's grown as a character and in her skills, and it shows here. Even Professor notes it several times to himself. She may not need him around to protect her any longer. And that bothers him a bit. Jade has grown stronger. Some of the things she has to do... Ugh. *stomach drops* She's a bit more of a daredevil than I would have thought. Wow. Professor even has his extraordinary events here. But he refuses to leave Jade fend for herself.

I love Jade with Professor. They get under each other's skin, but they're a great pair with all they know and can do. They could even, someday in the future, be a great couple. They challenge each other but are great friends and work companions.

This story touches close to home for many people and brings up a heated topic. Slavery. This is not just about the past slaves but also the human trafficking that still happens in the world. There is even a brief touch on what people consider liberty and freedom. Even how some feel about America and immigrants is touched on here. All amazing topics to discuss and think on. This book opens a door to these subjects for people to think on. It's not meant to begin an argument or upset anyone, but hopefully to open eyes and ears to bring the subjects in the open so people can understand and work to stop slavery. This was the impression I got from the characters.

We get sections that are detailed in explaining. There are true history pieces used to create the fiction from. I love how the minds of David Wood and Sean Ellis use history to create their stories. It makes the story feel so much more invested for me.

Another hair raising adventure for Jade and Professor. As always, I look forward to more with them.



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

Audio Book Review: Changeling

Changeling

By:  David Wood & Sean Ellis

Publish Date:  November 12, 2015, Audiobook February 5, 2016

Format:  Audiobook - 8 hrs 3 mins
Narrated By:  Jeffrey Kafer

Genre:  Thriller

Series:  2nd in Jade Ihara series; 1st Book ~ Oracle

Impression:   It never fails, these authors and stories give us an adventure with danger at every turn of solving the mystical mystery.

Synopsis:
You can’t always recognize the face of your enemy.

Two thousand years ago, the legendary mathematical genius Archimedes was poised on the brink of the greatest discovery in human history when his life was brutally snuffed out. His murder has never been explained.

While investigating the strange Paracas skulls—believed by some to be the remains of extraterrestrial explorers—archaeologist Jade Ihara receives an unexpected visit from an old foe seeking her help against entities he calls “Changelings” and their plot to manufacture a false chapter of human history.

Hounded by radical extremists led by Atash Shah—a man bent on becoming the Mahdi prophesied to unite the Islamic world—and haunted by the faceless puppetmasters who secretly control the world, Jade must follow the trail of clues to uncover a deadly truth that has been erased from history.

Can she solve the mystery of Archimedes’ murder, or will she become the next victim of the conspiracy to hide the truth?

First Sentence:
The boy became a man but he never forgot what he had seen that day.

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Audible


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

When Jonathan Roche, a past threat to Jade, shows up at the current dig site claiming to have hired her for this site and trusts her, things twist around for Jade and Professor. They learn about Phantom Time in the calendar conversions before Jade's intern turns on them, killing Roche then running. Speaking with Roche on his secrets lands Jade on an extremists hit list. Running for her life, Jade is also determined to figure out what it was that got Roche killed. Seeing through the haze the Changelings have put in place, Jade finds her way to Archimedes's vault that's to hold secret weapons. What it really holds is more, and could be what

Oh! Jeffrey does an Australian accent for Norris. We also get a Scottish accent quick when Jade visits Scotland. There are a few accents that Jeffrey slips into with ease as we listen to the story. I do find his voice ever so easy to listen to. And I find that even though his voice is easy to listen to, it does not distract from the story. The story has my attention and my curiosity. I love that Jeffrey doesn't give hints away as he's narrating.

Jade is on 'the' list of a few different organizations. Jade has now made it to another list calling for her death, because of what she is working on and who she's talked to. Then, when the first attempt on her life is botched it draws the leader into the fray, more determined to see her dead. She must be on to what they want kept secret and that they are after her. But there is more to the drive than both Jade and Atash Shah know. But with the mention of Archimedes vault, Jade's attention is focused and her curiosity piqued. She's determined to find it.

Jade and Professor. I do love them together. They both have strong personalities that could clash, but they work well together too. Jade and Professor know themselves, and accept who they are. They also know how the other is and work with that knowledge. They make a great team! I realized that more so in this book as they separate for a bit, same mission but different avenues to search. However, when they come back together I found I enjoy the spark they have as they work together. They have no problem telling each other the way it is and being honest; in doing so, there is a caring there too. Do I want them as a couple? Hmm. Yes and no. I love what they have now but the potential is there for more. If they keep their personalities and stubbornness, then maybe.

The theory behind it all... There is so much background and support created to endorse the theories. The story is written nice and tight with the information. We reflect on the same pieces a few times, adding to the information each time to see how it actually fits with the story. The story leads to the pieces we need, and the pieces lead the story. I did take my time in listening, noting and reflecting on each piece of information we learn. I was determined to follow their paths.

This book takes the twist on the calendar and all that people have done to make the passing of time easy for us to understand and live by and uses it to create a mystery of old. There is so much we have done to create the calendar we use now that it's a wonderful secret to time, lost time each year. There is also mention of suspension that there are a fake 300 years added to history. This is where some in the world could get upset as what happened in those years would be false and what they believe then... false. People would kill for their beliefs. Add to that a secret vault created and filled, with secret weapons, by Archimedes. It's been hidden and protected all these years by what could be the Changelings, so no one has access to it when it opens every 1,000 years.

The story had me curious as to what was really going on. The authors kept me guessing throughout the book. The Changelings and the vault. What is the ultimate end game for it all? I was no let down in how it all came together. It never fails, these authors and stories give us an adventure with danger at every turn of solving the mystical mystery.



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

Audio Book Review: Herculean

Herculean

By:  Jeremy Robinson & Sean Ellis

Publish Date:  August 25, 2015, Audiobook February 3, 2016

Format:  Audiobook - 9 hrs 35 mins
Narrated By:  Jeffrey Kafer

Genre:  Paranormal Thriller

Series:  1st in Cerberus Group series

Impression:  The creation of an exceptional group of people protecting the secrets of and from the dangers of the Underworld using the knowledge Hercules learned.

Synopsis:
THE SECRET MUST BE KEPT…

For three thousand years, the Herculean Society has preserved the legacy of the ancient hero, Hercules, protecting history’s fragile relics from humanity, and humanity from the dangerous truths behind the legends. Now, the Society’s new leader, archaeologist George Pierce, faces his first test: the Cerberus Group. The shadowy organization has two goals: the collection and distribution of black market relics, tech and secrets, and the purge of those deemed unfit for survival.

Pierce and his niece, Fiona—the last guardian of the ‘mother tongue,’ the forgotten language of creation—discover a secret entrance to the legendary Labyrinth, and at its heart, a hidden trove of relics that point the way to Hercules’s greatest discovery: a mutagen that can rewrite the very code of life. When a surprise attack leaves Pierce and Fiona trapped in the deadly maze, fighting for their lives, the race to stop the Cerberus Group begins.

To defeat this new enemy, Pierce must assemble a team of experts including Felice Carter, a geneticist with a dangerous secret, Augustina Gallo, a mythology professor, Cintia Dourado, a high tech hacker, and Lazarus, a dead soldier returned to life.

Guided by their knowledge of science, history and mythology, Pierce’s team sets out on an epic journey, following in the footsteps of Hercules, to stop Cerberus from controlling the power that rises from the Well of Monsters.

…OR THE WORLD WILL BE CLEANSED.

First Sentence:
At last, he thought. The end of my journey is in sight.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository 

Audible


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

Fiona Sigler is getting her first feel of breaking and entering along with finding hidden treasures as part of the Herculean Society. She and Uncle George are retrieving the Phaistos disc as they believe the strange symbols are found one other place in the world, a cave wall not far from the museum in Crete. They have sworn to help keep Hercules's scientific finds secret. Realizing at the last moment, they're being tracked at each turn by Liam Kenner who wants to expose the old, secret society and George Pierce then to profit from what he finds. Kenner also works for another who wishes to reveal the genetic code the creatures that once existed from the Well of Monsters, to create hybrid monsters of old and new. But there's more hidden. The Mother Tongue, the first and forgotten language that none other than Fiona can speak.

Jeffrey becomes the story for me as I listen, as he always does. He does different voices and accents for the characters. He accents the story vocally. Jeffrey's voice is strong and he doesn't give away the end of the story, no vocal cues to what is a solid hint to how all will end. His vocal cadence feels as it's steady through the story yet there are moments I feel as we are moving faster, but we are not. It's the stories flow that comes through strong with his sonant.

We have a list of characters we work with; George Pierce, Fiona Sigler, Augustina Gallo, Felicia Carter, Eric Lazarus, and a few others. All have long dangerous histories. They have lived through terrible things and it makes them all special as well. They are strong, brilliant people.

We get a great deal of the story from Fiona and Pierce's POV. There are others that are secondary characters who's eyes we see through as well. I love the relationship between Pierce and Fiona. George Pierce is Fiona Sigler's uncle, by nature not blood. This is a family feel to the adventures with a love and care for each other instead of desire. We always need more family affiliated characters! I get a kick out of Pierce making mental notes to himself when he finds himself in a tight spot, something he needs to carry with him at all times. If he carried everything, he'd be weighed down. lol. Fiona has her own spark of humor that she carries through the book. A few gave me a great visual and others made me smile.

This book holds my attention with a balance of action, suspense - will they get caught? will they live? - and information to grow the world and characters. Oh to have a print book in my hands...I'd go nuts with the colored sticky notes, and love every minute of it! Wow. Just over half way and the book is non-stop! The events all characters are working through are dangerous with what feels as no safety in sight. I enjoy a great book with lots happening and new details flying at me, keeps the brain pumping.

And as much as I love this about a fasted paced book, I struggled for a moment too. It's not really a problem as it's good too. There was so much happening at one time in the book that I wasn't sure what all was found, happening, and resulted. It felt convoluted. I could use listening to it again to catch more information as I know I missed details.

There is an element of paranormal mixed with the science, and there are spots that still surprised me with the sudden turn of events at mention of information. Genetic testing on humans...with mythical creature DNA in the serums. I was shocked! Did not see that coming. Though should have. But how when the genetics of the Well of Monsters wasn't found yet?

I found the story a great blend of action, suspense of if they are safe and don't let that fall into 'his' hands and what danger is around the next corner, along with a history blend of supernatural and science. Greek myths and Indian Jones set in current times with a science reasoning. I was fascinated with the creation of the Herculean Society and the history of Hercules as we go through the book. Pierce and Fiona are quick with their history. They keep us in tune with what and when in the time frame of history things were made, cultures existed, and that there are artifacts found that don't fit with the age that they are in.

I definitely want to continue with the amazing team created here!



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

Audio Book Review: Destiny

Destiny

By:  David Wood & Sean Ellis

Publish Date:  March 1, 2015, Audiobook December 6, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 7 hrs 48 mins
Narrated By:  Jeffrey Kafer

Genre:  Adventure

Series:  1st in An Adventure from the Myrmidon Files series

Impression:  A thriller that demands your attention as where it takes you is through adventure and action to find the true ploy.

Synopsis:
On the Texas border, a brutal massacre threatens to ignite a firestorm of violence that will destabilize an already fragile Mexican government and trigger an international crisis that knows no boundaries. The only clue, a cryptic message: The time for Destiny has arrived! Tam Broderick, leader of an elite CIA task force, code-name: Myrmidon, knows that the Dominion—a quasi-religious extremist group—is behind the attacks; now it’s up to her and her team to find out what the Dominion’s true goals are, and stop them dead in their tracks.

From the authors of the bestselling Dane Maddock Adventures and Dane and Bones Origins comes a new series set in the Maddock Universe. Join CIA agent Tamara “Tam” Broderick and her team as they continue their struggle to foil the power of the Dominion. Action, adventure, and thrills abound in The Myrmidon Files!

First Sentence:
The Lieutenant was awake before dawn and ready for the day's activities, which came as no surprise to cavalry scout Emil Holmdahl.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles 

Audible


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

Tam brings the Myrmidons, her special task force, together after receiving a call that the Dominion is believed to be behind the murder of a bus load of college students at the border of Mexico and up to more with a call that was intercepted by the murderers. Mention in the call were clues to get Tam and her Myrmidons into action, 'time for Destiny' and an artifact of Patton's being needed. They venture through a race against Dominion members to find the artifact and figure out the clues to find the powerful information that the Dominion feels will get them what they want.

Jeff has become the voice of action, adventure thrillers for me. But I'm drawn to Jeff as a narrator for these stories because of his style and strong bold voice. He tells the story as he's living through it as the characters. Jeff doesn't give away any clues as to where the story will go while narrating for us. He keeps me wondering with the characters. Jeff doesn't question anything in his tone, unless the character does. Jeff feels as he's the expert the character comes across as. Jeff does slight changes to his voice for each character. Jeffrey did an accent of English spoken by the characters in Mexico. I didn't think anything of it when I came across it as it fit perfect to the story and was clear in understanding the words.

This is a world that is shared with other books, BUT! it is it's own story and characters. There are some connections mentioned but not a lot of time spent on them. In this fashion the authors get us into the world and characters here, along with their story and adventure. No time wasted, thank you.

Wow! David and Sean have created a huge system here. I listened to one book in this world. But this is a different group of people. They share enemies ~ Dominion and Norfolk groups ~ but they have their own assignment. There is a lot of information shared as the story moves forward, on characters and story line. All the information is given, but I feel as I'm missing that one piece of evidence that fits it all together, that's what makes it the mystery and for me to keep listening. I wanted to know what was missing and why, just like the characters. Then we meet a new character, that was what I needed for the light bulb to light. He held the pieces I was wanting. I wanted to know all he had to add to the story and twists that were to come.

I really had no idea where to expect this story to go with the starts as it is. And the story held up to the clues and evidence to drive it to a ploy I never thought would be present. Though sometimes I was curious about the connections but thanks to Stone and a few others we get to see them mapped out. Some of the connections are made fast. I really had to listen and re-listen at times to get all the details. (If you read the story, you may not need to re-read it as you can read slowly to digest what's happening.)

Stone is a mystery all of his own. None of the other team members knows much of him and Tam's not sharing her knowledge. I liked learning about him and the other team members thought on him as we venture through the lands. Stone has a special way of reading the world. It's almost unbelievable and magical, and I like the twist he adds to the story and how he moves things along with what he reads in the information and world.

If you like thrillers that demand your attention as it speeds through adventures to get the evidence and troubles that ensue, this is a book for you. And, from what I've experienced in another book in the same world but different series, all the books in this world are something to read.

Foot chases, car chases, escapes from lock downs and prison, stealing, adventuring, gun shots and fist fights. Oh my! Yes please. And thank you!



If you found this review helpful, please click Yes at Amazon and/or Audible.

Audio Book Review: Oracle

Oracle

By:  David Wood, Sean Ellis

Publish Date:  September 23, 2014, Audiobook October 6, 2015

Format:  Audiobook - 9 hrs 11 mins
Narrated By:  Jeffrey Kafer

Genre:  Paranormal

Series:  1st in Jade Ihara Adventures series

Impression:  Archaeological action adventure with a supernatural twist.

Synopsis:
Sometimes, knowing the future is not enough…. For more than a millennium, the Oracle of Delphi guided kings and conquerors with stunningly accurate visions of the future. But, with the rise of a new God, the Oracle faded from memory. Now, the power of the Oracle is about change the world once more.

While excavating a previously uncharted passage beneath the ancient city of Teotihuacan, archaeologist Jade Ihara makes a startling discovery: enormous stone spheres, arranged to resemble a model of the solar system, slowly orbiting a golden sun. Even more fantastic, when Jade attempts to move one of the spheres, she catches a glimpse of the future…a premonition that will save her life and launch her into a desperate race to unlock the mysterious secret of the oracular orbs. Jade is accompanied by her old friend, former Navy SEAL Pete “Professor” Chapman, and pursued by a relentless secret society intent on burying the secret of the Oracle forever.

Return to the world of the Dane Maddock Adventures in the first book of a thrilling new series, as Jade crosses the globe in pursuit of the secret of the Oracle.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

Audible


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

Jade Ihara is back at doing what she enjoys, working in her field of expertise on an archaeological dig. None of the craziness that comes with the treasure hunting as she had with her ex, Dane Maddock. However, when the site opens to a mysterious room in a pyramid to find a working solar system, things take a turn. Jade and her friends are now on the run to find and stay alive from the Norfolk Group, a group of people working to remove the supernatural entities from the world to prevent any other disasters from occurring. Jade goes on an expedition to find the missing moon stone from the working solar system, that leads her to think through a few magically touched times of history and where those places happened. Then to the biggest mysterious site of current times. Jade is working hard to find and save the stone surrounded with dark matter, but others will make her have to make a difficult decision.

I've listened to Jeffrey before, and could listen to him speak on going. Jeffrey has something with his voice, tone, that hooks me each time I listen to him. He doesn't do drastic different voices for each character but subtle ones that you get to know as you listen to the story, more with personality expressions for each character. His voice is clear and with pacing that makes the story easy understand and follow.

This story is set in a world created in Dane Maddock Adventures series. I didn't know this when I volunteered to review the book. I saw it was the first in a new series that caught my attention and wanted to read (listen) to it. There is personal and personal business that is addressed at the beginning to tie yet separate this book from the Dane Maddock series. I had no problems picking up with this book and Jade's adventures. Actually, I'm kind of curious about her past with Maddock because we do get glimpses of missions and her live with Maddock, and went looking for those books too.

There is lots of mythical thinking with history and science here. Both are used to bring the characters to their conclusions on where to head next in their search. Things get a bit technical, and I don't understand it 100% all the time, but I get the drift and know what's going on. The characters are specialists in their field, so they do come across that way. But at times it's mind baffling.

There are different groups working in the world that searches for powerful items like what Jade is finding in this story. The Dominion is a dangerous group that Maddock's crew has tangled with. Maddock and his crew joined the Myrmidons to stop the Dominion, and Jade didn't want to join. So she went on her own. Jade and Professor come up against a new group, the Norfolk Group. They are who Jade has to work against in this book, and who are determined to eliminate any and all powerful items from the world to prevent destruction.

We get the story through Jade's eyes, but at times we get to see things through Professor's eyes along with a few other characters. Our main characters we spend much of the book with are Jade, Professor, Paul Dorion, and Hodges. Jade is who the series is focused on. She's a strong woman but has a few things she's still working through personally, and she's doing it. By the end of the book, I feel she's made a huge step in the right direction. Professor, I do enjoy Professor. He's a great companion through the story for Jade. He knows her corks and works with her where others get frustrated with her control. He complements Jade nicely, and I have hopes for the man. Paul Dorion is one that is here because of his scientific knowledge. He is important at the dig site, and important through the story. We grow found of him and start to see him as a great part of the team. Hodges, well Hodges is the eyes on the other side of things.

I found it interesting the way the story takes history and twists it with a touch of science explaining to give it a magical feel, turning the history around to make educated deductions. As I listened to this story I thought that fans of J.F. Penn might enjoy the adrenaline rush of danger as "they" run from different organizations, all wanting the powerful artifacts for different reasons. This is very similar with a bit more science mixed in with the mythical history.