Audio Book Review: The Secret World Chronicles: World Well Lost

The Secret World Chronicles: World Well Lost
(season 3)
By:  Mercedes Lackey & Steve Libbey

Narrated By:  Veronica Giguere

Publish Date:  2010

Format:  Podiobook

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  3rd book in The Secret World Chronicles series; 1st Season ~ Invasion, 2nd Season ~ The Hunt

***NOTE: I've learned that the podcasted books are divisions of the printed books as follows:
Printed book 1 is Invasion is podcasted seasons 1 & 2.
Printed book 2, World Divided, is podcasted seasons 3 & 4.
Season 5 podcast, Waiting On, is a bonus season - it's stories of characters between books 2 and 3.
Printed book 3, Revolutions, is podcasted seasons 6 & 7.
Printed book 4, Collision, is podcasted books 8 & 9 (season 8 in progress, season 9 yet to come).

(Podcast season titles:
Season 1: Invasion, Season 2: The Hunt, Season 3: World Well Lost, Season 4: World Divided, Season 5: Waiting On, Tales of the Secret World War, Season 6: Revolutions, Season 7: Run Silent, Run Deep, Season 8: Collision)

Recommendation:  Superheroes! Not all that happens is good. But they find a way through to save the world.

Synopsis:
Continuing the action and intrigue of the first two books, World Well Lost joins the ensemble cast of metahuman characters as they struggle against the growing powers of the Thule Society as well as Echo's own waning popularity. Famed fantasy and sci-fi author Mercedes Lackey and newcomers Dennis Lee and Cody Martin bring this superhero-themed braided novel podcast series to life with characters such as the Seraphym, Victoria Victrix, John Murdock, and Red Djinni, with stories read by Veronica Giguere.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

*I'm linking the full novel for your purchasing.

Listen For Free:
iTunes   /   Secret World Chronicle website

*I listened to this story for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
The world is a mess. Things are not working out well for ECHO. There are those in trouble. Their Meta-hero numbers are dwindling. No help seems to be coming from ECHO to the humans in the damaged areas. And no help to ECHO either. Nazi's are still around and ECHO is at it's low.

The wreckage of the world has people taking advantage of the depleted protection forces. Through the new and old operatives ECHO is working to recruit. They need more Meta's and they are flipping old stones to find the ones hidden away, and retired. There is another group, the Black Snakes, out there doing the same. The Black Snakes are trying to get to all the META's and turn them to their side.

New authors have come into the fold, and along with them new characters join the cast. This brings a diversity to the world and fresh ideas. Something different for the current characters to battle. We get to see the new recruits and operatives in action. We see what the characters are made of in the moment of an attack or injury, giving us a look at their powers, actions, and glimpses of their past.

We get to see magic by Vicky! I love seeing her yield her ability. This is a great blend with the superheroes. Vicky is a superhero but...she's something else, something more. Magic is mysterious in this world. Kind of the element kept hidden as it it's feared or looked at as bad. We learn a bit more about it through Vicky.

The CCCP has received more "employees" from Russia. However we see through John Murdock's eyes that the CCCP, run by a Russian, is making a difference in the area. Any help at this time is a blessing. Right?

We learn that there is a special hero out there. John Murdock. He's an unknown anomaly in the large equation of what's happening in the world, as per the Seraphym who has visited him. The prophecies are gloom filled, but John might hold a flicker of hope. I enjoyed learning some of John's past. Yet, I want to know more! He's a bit different from all the others.

Things are getting deep and the characters are fully invested now. They are learning things that take them further than they ever imagined ~ more power, information and so much more. We learn more of Seraphym's rules and the infinite she speaks of.

Through each of these characters we are getting some answers. Or maybe more details that lead to deeper and narrower questions. I like this feel. The authors are leading me to conclusions.

This world has EVERYTHING! Science, superheroes, magic, mechanical's, ancient influences, creatures, and so much more. Epic world and story created here. One that keeps growing and shifting into place. This is a continuation of stories in a world in need of heroes, no matter how small. It's like watching a tv show each season. Some make it, others don't.

Audio Book Review: The Secret World Chronicles: The Hunt

The Secret World Chronicles: The Hunt (World Divided)
(season 2)
By:  Mercedes Lackey & Steve Libbey

Narrated By:  Veronica Giguere

Publish Date:  2010

Format:  Podiobook

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  2nd season in The Secret World Chronicles series; 1st Season ~ Invasion

***NOTE: I've learned that the podcasted books are divisions of the printed books as follows:
Printed book 1 is Invasion is podcasted seasons 1 & 2.
Printed book 2, World Divided, is podcasted seasons 3 & 4.
Season 5 podcast, Waiting On, is a bonus season - it's stories of characters between books 2 and 3.
Printed book 3, Revolutions, is podcasted seasons 6 & 7.
Printed book 4, Collision, is podcasted books 8 & 9 (season 8 in progress, season 9 yet to come).

(Podcast season titles:
Season 1: Invasion, Season 2: The Hunt, Season 3: World Well Lost, Season 4: World Divided, Season 5: Waiting On, Tales of the Secret World War, Season 6: Revolutions, Season 7: Run Silent, Run Deep, Season 8: Collision)

Recommendation:  Superheroes!

Synopsis:
The Hunt portrays the frenzied aftermath of the devastating Thule Society attacks. Famed fantasy and sci-fi author Mercedes Lackey and newcomer Steve Libbey have joined forces to create a superhero-themed braided novel podcast series called The Secret World Chronicle. The series depicts an ensemble cast of metahuman characters coping with worldwide attacks by a mysterious, technologically advanced Nazi secret society, and the ensuing chaos. The Secret World is a meeting ground for pulpy adventure and thoughtful science fiction speculation, where ordinary people are elevated above their fellow humans and must grapple with the consequences of their newfound abilities.

(Synopsis from Amazon):
After an Earth-scarring apocalyptic battle, the meta-humans have turned back a massive invasion of super-science powered Nazi war machines. Now meta-hero organization Echo and sometime Russian ally CCCP must battle back. Task one: to hunt down the secret puppetmasters behind the Nazi robot invasion, the Thule Society. It's ''go time'' once again for the meta-heroes, including fire-bender John Murdock, hacker-witch Vikki Nagy, healer Belladona Blue, super-quick Mercurye—and most of all for their ghostly ally, Seraphym, the spirit of the world who uses her secret influence to direct the fight against a Thulian-based tyranny of evil and slavery that is fast descending upon the entire universe!

First Sentence:
Victoria Victrix paused for a moment, checked her watch, double-checked her watch against the time on her laptop.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

*I'm linking the full novel for your purchasing.

Listen For Free:
iTunes  /  Official Site

*I listened to this story for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
We see the aftermath of the world from the Nazi-strange-Metas attack. Now the remaining Meta's have to clean up, keep things safe from loiters and any threats, and solve the mystery of the Strange-Nazi-Meta's. There were so many losses in the super world. The Meta's are on limited numbers now. Russians have come to America after a false letter, but can they world together after thrown together?

Aaah, this book felt better to me. Not that the first was bad, but this one felt as it slowed down and more balanced. The characters meet and clash or work out troubles that ail them. It feels as the story is not as rushed to the happenings, that they took a step back and calmly put together the characters and story lines. Setting roots and settling everyone in, explaining who they are to us. Yes, this is a braided story and there are many here. But they all feed off each other as well. There is a common ground here with the characters even though they are in different areas. They all relate to each other, what is happening is world wide.

We have new authors co-writing with Mercedes. Nice to see new ideas, Meta's, and twists brought to the land.

We are introduced to new troubles - Black Snake. We learn about them and how they try to "help" with the chaos aftermath of the Nazi attack in book one. Or, is there more behind their motives? They are recruiting for their numbers. But, ECHO is looking to recruit Meta's for help as well. With the losses, and short handed, they need all the help they can get no matter what level Meta you are. We also see a new man in a distant land that could easily be more trouble than anyone knows. And the Nazi's aren't gone!

I felt I got a better look at the Meta's here, whether they lived or died. I got to know them a bit better than the rush of meet and fight of the first book. This book takes the actions and includes some history and personality with the characters. Where my favorite character was Handsome Devil in the first book, as he was the one that seemed to have more personality, I enjoyed all the characters in this one. The characters are starting to pop with their personalities and quirks. Enough so you feel you know the characters, yet not over done. Makes me curious and want to know more.

We even see a new character set in 1930's. It was cool to get the feel of the old superhero creations. Felt like the old superhero comics and movies. Pulp Fiction.

We saw potential of it happening with the mentions of magic in the first book, and we see it now. Magic collides with the Meta humans! Ooo yes. This is something I love. Vicky brings a touch of magic to the world. She is the link to magic as magic is considered unstable and not looked upon very highly. We get a touch of Voodoo and Shamans this time around.

I listened to this book and I must mention the narrator. Veronica is the soul voice reading the story now. She does an amazing job of different persona's, accents, tones, voices all on her own. Veronica, the woman of many different voices. Outstanding job! Especially in a story that could easily become confusing with so many characters. Thank you Veronica!

I've got a feel there is information that's being kept secret though. There is more than meets the eye (or ear) here. In the end, I'm curious of the connections between the aliens, Nazi's, and Red Savior Senior. Even the secrets ECHO leader Testla and others are holding.

Audio Book Review: The Secret World Chronicles: Invasion

The Secret World Chronicles: Invasion
(season 1)
By:  Mercedes Lackey & Steve Libbey

Narrated By:  Veronica Giguere, Adam Higgons, & Laura Patterson

Publish Date:  2007

Format:  Podiobook

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  1st book in The Secret World Chronicles series

***NOTE: I've learned that the podcasted books are divisions of the printed books as follows:
Printed book 1 is Invasion is podcasted seasons 1 & 2.
Printed book 2, World Divided, is podcasted seasons 3 & 4.
Season 5 podcast, Waiting On, is a bonus season - it's stories of characters between books 2 and 3.
Printed book 3, Revolutions, is podcasted seasons 6 & 7.
Printed book 4, Collision, is podcasted books 8 & 9 (season 8 in progress, season 9 yet to come).

(Podcast season titles:
Season 1: Invasion, Season 2: The Hunt, Season 3: World Well Lost, Season 4: World Divided, Season 5: Waiting On, Tales of the Secret World War, Season 6: Revolutions, Season 7: Run Silent, Run Deep, Season 8: Collision)

Recommendation:  Superheroes!

Synopsis:
Emerging mysteriously during World War II, metahumans became icons of the best - and worst - humanity had to offer. Yet sixty years later, the world still suffers from war, greed and madness. Worse, man's nadir of systematic cruelty returns with bizarre new weapons. The metahumans of Earth must find a way to defeat this powerful foe and discover what lurks behind the scenes - a secret world hidden from our own. Mercedes Lackey, one of fantasy's most beloved voices, and new talent Steve Libbey bring you a podcast series that catapults the classic superhero into the 21st century.

Book One: Invasion starts the series off with a bang - a set of coordinated attacks by Nazi warriors in futuristic battle armor. We meet our cast of heroes in the midst of chaos: Belladonna Blue, a young azure-skinned healer; Victoria Victrix Nagy, a geomancer fighting panic attacks; Handsome Devil, whose luck is metahumanly good; Red Saviour, strident leader of an anachronistic Soviet team; Red Djinni, the shapeshifting criminal; and John Murdock, a fugitive super-soldier. Watching over them all is the Seraphym, descended from the Infinite to protect humanity.

As the heroes fend off the blitzkrieg attack, they are left wondering what secrets have erupted from this hidden world, and whether, once unleashed, they can be contained. For there are clues that all is not what it seems...

First Sentence:
The blue-skinned, blue-haired woman known by the call sign "Belladonna Blue" leaned into the oval hatch of the captain's cubby.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

*I'm linking the full novel for your purchasing.

Listen For Free:
iTunes  /  Official Site

*I listened to this story for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
The world is safe with Metahumans working for ECHO and keeping it so. Then, one fine day, we see the attack of Nazi Metavillains and Meta...not human, not meta - something else...attack the city of Atlanta and all around the world. New heroes, and villains, surface to help current Meta's and those that are attacked and trapped. Although, there is one super-villain that has resurfaced after sixty years, to turn himself in...for protection? What's to come? What does he know?

This book is from a few authors working together and a few vocal voices and many Metahumans are introduced. Some of those Meta's become more than we thought, a few don't make it through. We get to see the day of the attack through several Meta's eyes. What they were doing that day before all went wrong, and how they fared through the fight. At first I felt Mercedes excelled in the battles and Steve Libbey rocked the characters along with action. Then as the stories progressed the two authors, along with Cody Martin and Dennis Lee, started to blend together as. It became harder to tell the difference as the world grows and so many details to track. The three narrators bring the stories alive. Veronica is amazing at different accents needed for different characters. All the narrators are amazing. The one with Handsome Devil, early on, felt to have stepped into his persona well. Veronica feels to take on every character and their personality, which amazed me when she was reading a few together. She converted between them with ease and perfection.

We get a history of each superhero, and even a semi-villain (more a bad guy in way of robber). We see how there lives turned to Meta or how they lived and feel before the attack happens. Even while the attack their reactions relate to their history.

I loved the intro and prologue. I did find, at times, there were some low points in the different stories for me. Lots of details of city setting and little things in lives, but a story has to start somewhere and build the characters. When the invasion happened with each Meta, I was drawn to the action and learning of these strange Nazi-Meta's. I think I might have remembered and understood a few scenes better if I had read the book. I felt there was a great deal of details I should have picked up, and replayed a few scenes to try and catch it all. I know this is a braided story line set in the same world, but at times it felt as things were rushed. This is the first book, the one that the 'huge happening' occurs - it's setting the stage for us.

The cast is rather large. Which, as I usually say, a large cast means lots to kill off. There are some that don't make it, but the cast is still a magnitude that can make it hard at this point in the series. Lots to remember, and I know I don't remember it all. There are POV's from heroes in US and Russia.

I will say, there will be at least one Meta that will stick in your mind. There are different personalities, and a cast this big, yes there will be one. I think my favorite Meta, at the end of this book, is Handsome Devil. He cracks me up and the luck he has, it is fun to watch. I liked the view of the world through his eyes and his reactions to all that's happening.

This book sets the stage and raises questions in my mind for things to come. There is lots happening here. A great deal of details. A massive cast to remember.  Hard to remember and track it all, but a start to an interesting world and creation. I'm curious enough to carry on with the next story.