Audio Book Review: Aspen

Aspen

By:  Kimberly Loth

Publish Date:  April 4, 2016, Audiobook Release May 30, 2019

Format:  Audiobook - 6 hrs 30 mins
Narrated By:  Angela Rysk

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  2nd in The Dragon Kings series; 1st Book ~ Obsidian

Impression:  More in depth look at the dragon's world.

Synopsis:
Sid thought the deaths would end when Marcellus died.
But he thought wrong.
Reeling from the loss of those around him, Sid sets off, not only to avenge the deaths of those he loves, but also to find a way to save his own life.
But the closer he gets to answers, the more people he puts in danger.
Only Sid has the power to end the killer's reign. But it might cost him the one thing he holds most precious.

This thrilling follow-up to Obsidian is a journey of love, death, and betrayal and answers the one question everyone’s been asking:

Is Aspen alive?

First Sentence:
Snow started to fall as Sid drove into the parking lot.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles 

Audible    (Box Set of Series)

My Thoughts and Summary:

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

Angela Rysk returns to narrate the characters as we know them. It's always nice when a narrator returns to continue a series as we've gotten to know the characters in her voice, and she continues on with them as she did in the first book.

A few things going on in this book. Sid is in love with Aspen, and her him. They are not willing to give up that love, even at the threat of death. Sid is settled with the idea that when they are found out, he will die. But when a dear friend is sent to help him avoid Aspen he learns there could be another way to save his and Aspen's lives and rule the dragons. It's done with ancient magic and if the council found out...it'd be instant death for him and those involved. Also, they thought the deaths were over with Marcellus now gone, but there is still a golden dragon eating humans.

This book feels to explain much more in the dragon world and their ways. We get to learn more on the different species of dragons and what their gifts are. We even get a look into the Queen's position and her test. I liked learning these details as it feels to flesh out the world more.

This book felt to flow better than the first in events and why things happen. I would say give the second book a try if you liked the idea of the first book but felt there were some holes. The holes aren't 100% filled but the story feels more whole here. The story feels to be a simple one with Sid and Aspen and their fight for love. Sometimes I felt things were as I expected them to be, so I felt the story was easy in it's adventures in this way.

There is still a dragon out there, killing humans. I have my suspicion who that Golden dragon is. I've thought it was this person from the beginning. The small hints left do lend toward who I'm thinking, but we haven't gotten his name yet.

There is more coming in the dragon world. There's danger ahead for the king but it also seems the gods have prepared for that. Listen or read the book and you'll know what's coming along with how the gods prepared for it.

I enjoyed Sid and Aspen together here. They felt like a team and a great couple. There are still boundaries, and they are working on getting to know each other better.

I will be continuing on with the series to see what will happen. I have an idea as the whole series is out, but I look forward to the adventure.



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Audio Book Review: Obsidian

Obsidian

By:  Kimberly Loth

Publish Date:  February 17, 2016, Audiobook Release April 16, 2019

Format:  Audiobook - 6 hrs 5 mins
Narrated By:  Angela Rysk

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  1st in The Dragon Kings series

Impression:  A young girl's love for dragons could save them.

Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Aspen is a skydiving, rock climbing, adrenaline junky. All her life, she’s been fascinated by the dragons who roam near her home in Yellowstone Park. Yes, Dragons. Though no human has ever gotten close enough to touch one.

Except Aspen.

While most people avoid the national parks because of the resident dragons, Aspen spends most of her free time in search of the feared and misunderstood creatures. For her, studying the dragons is a way to escape a painful past and avoid getting too close to anyone.

She’d rather track dragons in the wild and through the lens of her camera than talk to real people. But then Aspen meets a hot new guy at school, Sid King. He’s the one person she’s ever met who shares her obsession with all things dragon. But even as she feels strangely drawn to the mysterious boy, she senses he’s hiding his own set of dark and powerful secrets.

When hikers start turning up dead in the park, everyone suspects the formidable predators. Unless Aspen can prove their innocence, every one of her beloved dragons is in danger of eradication.

After Aspen and Sid uncover a sinister plot behind the brutal attacks, Aspen can no longer deny that Sid somehow knows more about the deaths than he should and the secrets they both keep threaten to rip their lives apart forever.

First Sentence:
Travis Springs usually didn't hike in the national parks.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles 

Audible   (Box Set of Series)

My Thoughts and Summary:

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

Angela Rysk is a new narrator for me. I found I liked her narration as she voiced Aspen and the characters. There are slight differences in tone or attitude, but not drastic shifts. I found I listened to the story more than her voice as I went along. The audio is clear and clean, making it easy to listen to.

Obsidian has to do his ten years as a human, that he's been putting off, now that he's turned to be king. He makes his arrival and finds a young girl that's caught his attention. However, there are people dying in the forest where the dragons roam. Humans view the dragons as dangerous, but now there's one eating humans. To keep the fear of the large, mysterious beasts at a minimum and keep people from attacking, Aspen is determined to prove that the beautiful, majestic dragons are not dangerous. Obsidian, as the king, wants to find the killer. Aspen's love for the dragons brings her to meet Obsidian.

The story is easy to follow. I found the story went the path I sort of figured it would. Which isn't a bad thing, I got what I expected from the characters as the story went. And no great surprises hit me. I have a few questions at the beginning. One of them being the tattoo, but it gets answered. Another question was more a 'I can't believe a mom would do that' moment. I know I'm not a perfect mother and I don't want to question others and their ways, but I can't understand why Aspen's mother would spike her ice cream with Valium. That feels a bit extreme when she didn't even know what was going on with Aspen.

I like Aspen. She seems like a smart girl. I think she pieced things out early on, but then was mislead by Sid to not know the truth. Aspen's a bit of a dare devil, but I got the feel she likes the excitement. Maybe an adrenaline addict or one with lack of fear with what she enjoys - propelling and other activities, along with pushing her limits with dragons. Aspen loves dragons, which are not known about and are feared by the majority of humans. Aspen's got a bit of past that she's not shared with anyone, abuse from a boy. This is important in Aspen's character and comes into play with what's happening.

Sid is an interesting character. I do like him though. He seems to know how things are going to eventually end for him, but he doesn't care.

A few small things had me curious though. I'm curious as to how Sid was able to easily fall for another after all the years with Skye. He seemed to genuinely care for her, maybe even love. But then things change in an instant. When Aspen started spending more time with Sid, did she still go out to see Obsidian? It seems as though her nightly visits with Obsidian ended, but I don't know. And Sid is to be watched closer because of who he is to be. But it felt as though he wasn't really watched at all. Sure there was Theo and Pearl on occasion, but that felt to be it. I thought there'd be more stopping by to check in on him. Although... maybe.... Hmmm. If that's who I think it is that might explain why Sid is so free to do as he wants.... Yep, you have to listen or read the book to piece that one together. I'm hoping the next book will answer some of these holes for me.

This book can be read by Young Adults and Adults alike. However, I do want to mention there is a memory of a terrible night for Aspen. There is hinting of and mention of rape. I want you to be aware. There is death in the book as well. There feels to be little emotion from the characters other than Aspen or others not allowed to go hiking.

I enjoyed the idea of the book, but it could have used some help with the holes in the events and emotions. The way the story ends, I have to go to the next book to see what happens to Aspen. Ugh. It is a cliff hanger ending. But all the books are out and ready for you to read or listen to.



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Audio Book Review: Mad God's Muse

Mad God's Muse

By:  Matthew P. Gilbert

Publish Date:  July 23, 2019, Audiobook Release July 23, 2019

Format:  Audiobook - 13 hrs 27 mins
Narrated By:  Ralph Lister

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  2nd in Sins of the Fathers series; 1st Book ~ Dead God's Due

Impression:  Moving characters to where needed.

Synopsis:
The fate of the world rests on his shoulders. Will he crumble?

Ahmed’s faith is strong, and so is his sword-arm, but as for details, those were for his fallen master. Now, he must somehow rise to the task of leading his men and, by Ilaweh's grace, thwart the Dead God's apocalyptic prophecy.

But how can he command hardened veterans of war, men with much blood on their hands, when he has accomplished so little in his young life?

If Ahmed can earn their respect, there might still be time to do as his master had hoped--ally with the sorcerers of Nihlos. They are dangerously unpredictable and capricious, perhaps even mad, but their power is undeniable.

Ahmed will need that power. For he knows something even his master never guessed: their ultimate destination is the true heart of darkness. An ancient city of evil and death that none survive.

First Sentence:
Am I a god?

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles 

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

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

Ralph Lister is the narrate the story once again. He's created the voice of the characters along with the pronunciations and continues with it here. As in the first book, Ralph's work is clean and clear. He's easy to listen to.

This book shows some of the magic the Meite's possess. We get to see them in action, implying their power and control. This gives a nice fantasy feel to them and the book.

We dive deep into the politics of the Nihlos in this book. There is corruption and games played by all in the council and high seats. It can get confusing at times because people play both sides of the fence to get what they want. There are moments where I'm confused as to what is going on or why people are saying what they are saying. I think that the conspiracy found in what people are saying and how they are acting is not as clear in audio at moments. When people say one thing and do another it's hard to pick up as well.

I found this book slow moving. This book is one that places people in places. Some of the events to get to these places are interesting but I felt there was a lot of filler to detail out Nihlos and the characters more. Much of this was what made the story slow for me. It felt as though this book is a transition, creating a reason to move the players where they need to be and removing others that stand in their way.

In the end we get a quick glimpse of where we will be heading next. I'm hoping things move along faster to this new place as I'm looking forward to going there and see what comes to be.



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Audio Book Review: Death's Mantle

Death's Mantle

By:  Harmon Cooper

Publish Date:  September 25, 2019, Audiobook Release December 17, 2019

Format:  Audiobook - 10 hrs 25 mins
Narrated By:  Andrea Parsneau

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  1st in series

Impression:  Light and dark in gamer view.

Synopsis:
Lucian North is supposed to be dead.

Suffering from a rare heart condition that doctors say should have killed him over a year ago, Lucian is playing a video game when Death finally comes.

Rather than give in, Lucian pulls a gun on the Grim Reaper.

As the two stare each other down, terrible demons known as injuresouls swarm into the room in pursuit of Death.

Summoning courage he never knew he had, Lucian comes to Death's aid. And for his troubles, he is awarded Death's Mantle.

Transported to a spiritual world he could have never fathomed, Lucian finds that he is instantly powerful, able to conjure weapons from scratch and perform incredible feats. He introduces game mechanics to his new role, develops a carefully curated inventory list, and modifies a HUD system that allows him to better track his targets.

It isn’t easy being Death, and Lucian will need just about everything he can get as he faces off against fallen angels, appalling parasites, demon-born injuresouls, and savage Death Hunters.

Regardless of his sudden strength, his newfound enemies, and his gamer ingenuity, Lucian can't communicate with the living, which wouldn't be a problem if he hadn’t discovered something terrible about his family...

Lucian’s brother is scheduled to die, and only Lucian has the power to do anything about it.

Death’s Mantle is a dark fantasy GameLit novel that LitRPG, metaphysical fantasy, occult sci-fi, and thriller readers will love. Death’s Mantle is written by Harmon Cooper, bestselling GameLit author of Way of the Immortals, House of Dolls, Cherry Blossom Girls, The Feedback Loop and Monster Hunt NYC. It was inspired by the anime Parasyte, the comic book series Sandman and Spawn, the books On a Pale Horse and the Tibetan Book of the Dead.

First Sentence:
Any day could have been Lucian North's last day on Earth.

Purchase At:
Amazon   

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

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

Andrea does a great job of voicing each character with different voices. Wow. There's great differences and great detail in each characters voice. I enjoyed the variety found between the characters. I did listen at 1.4 speed, which felt to go well with the narration. The audio sounded clean and clear and full of life with the characters emotions.

Lucian has a rare heart condition. He's lived beyond his time the doctor gave him, and his last day arrives. When he sees Death's arrival he is ready to stand up to him, and ends up helping to save Death. Lucian is the given Death's position. Now Lucian gets to help people pass on by removing the parasite that's feeding off of them and prolonging their life.

This is a very interesting concept! I like learning the basics with Lucian as he learns what Death does along with those that will try to kill Death. The twist of being Death and seeing things as a gamer's view is very interesting. I really enjoyed this creation.

The story starts right in with Lucian and how he gets to the LitRPG world. No delay in learning, we get there ASAP. There were moments I wasn't sure where the story was going as we see Lucian visit his family and go through moments with them as he's in his new position. I know he's worried about his brother, Connor, and wants to help him. But I feel as though we are living through life's moments and not in a story. We then get direction, to help Connor and to find Old Death and bring him home.

Along the way, Lucian powers up and learns about the parasites in the world. Lucian also learns about other beings; Deaths, Lifes (angels), Fallen Angels, and more that can harm him. Lucian has a way about him to make a few friends along the way too. I enjoy these friends and what they bring to the story with information on how things work.

As I listened to the book, I started to feel as Lucian does about death. I understand his questions, and I had my own start to pop up about the position of death and details. It felt like death was turned into a job and wasn't personal, or even a game. When I started to think about this I wondered if the gamer style detail view Lucian makes is what brings it to feel this way. Maybe the gamer view isn't the best for something that feels so personal.

I found I wanted to be with these people in their last moments, as they pass on. It feels like death is so lonely.

I liked the concept of using a gaming system setup with what is a reality for the character. If there's more in the world, I'd be curious to see where things go with all the characters.



About the Author:
Harmon Cooper is a prolific Amazon best-selling author of 50 science fantasy books and counting. He was one of the earliest authors to bring GameLit to the West. His most popular series include Way of the Immortals, House of Dolls, Cherry Blossom Girls, The Feedback Loop and Monster Hunt NYC. Originally from Austin, Texas, Cooper was a musician before transitioning to world traveler and writer, spending five years in Asia honing his writing skills, wanderlusting, studying languages, and teaching English. He now lives in New England (and loves it!) with his wife. www.harmoncooper.com.

Audio Book Review: Darklands

Darklands

By:  M.L. Spencer

Publish Date:  June 22,2017, Audiobook Release February 22, 2019

Format:  Audiobook - 11 hrs 30 mins
Narrated By:  Simon Wright

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  2nd in The Rhenwars Saga series; 1st Book ~ Darkmage, Prequel ~ Darkstorm

Impression:  Return to the Rhen, with a different view of the "enemy."

Synopsis:
Compelled to obey the dark god he pledged his soul to, Darien finds himself tasked with delivering the people of the Black Lands from under the curse of darkness which shrouds the skies. With the enemy mage Azár, Darien sets out across a barren darkscape to assume his place as the leader of a people who despise him.
As he journeys deeper into the shadowed waste, Darien is confronted with difficult truths that force him to question every loyalty he has ever held. For there, in the brutal proving grounds of the north, Darien will be inexorably forged into the most dangerous adversary the Rhen has ever faced.

First Sentence:
The old man wandered the dark corridor toward his death, the girl trailing after him.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles 

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

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

Simon returns to voice the second book. Yes! I've found he fit Darien and the other characters for me in voice and accent. I do enjoy listening to him vocalize the story here.

Two years since the Well of Tears was opened and closed. And the Well is opened again, to help a people raise to the place they should be.

We get the story from a few different POV's, which is great as there are things happening around The Rhen at the same time. We see all the actions and events unfold. One of the characters we get to spend time in their head is Meiran. Hmm. I liked her. Wanted to like her more. But she shows a prejudice that rubs me wrong. She doesn't want to believe what Darien or Quinlan have to say, because they are demons. She doesn't want to be open to what could be possible with a nation of people either. She feels as though she is a hypocrite in what her power focus is and what she won't do, heal. I like that she's written this way. She has seen different things than Darien has seen, and that affects her differently.

We get a view of a different part of the world compared to the first book. And of the people that were seen as the enemy in the first book. There is more to the world and story than what people believe or know. We get to see that.

We see how the actions taken in the first book leave relationships and the consequences that need to be faced. It's interesting seeing the Well of Tears opened for what was thought to be the enemy in the first book. This "enemy" has been suffering for a thousand years with the curse created in the prologue story.

I was surprised to see Darien and a few others return in this book after the ending of the first book. I was thrilled to see Darien back though. There are moments in the book that I wasn't 100% sure as to why something was happening. This could be because it's audio and I missed it, or maybe not clarified yet. I'm not sure which one.

We learn of why the Well of Tears was created in the first place. There is a new danger for all things made of magic, and that includes the mages. Darien also gets placed with the people he saw as an enemy due to the way he was raised. Darien sees how the others live, and has to defend and help them.

I'm ready to journey with our characters to see what the outcome is with the magic and the people in the darklands.



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Audio Book Review: Three O'Clock Seance

Three O'Clock Seance

By:  Joanne Pence

Publish Date:  January 12, 2016, Audiobook Release June 6, 2019

Format:  Audiobook - 5 hrs 33 mins
Narrated By:  Kristi Burns

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

Series:  3rd in The Rebecca Mayfield Mysteries series

Impression:  Short cozy mystery story.

Synopsis:
San Francisco Homicide Inspector Rebecca Mayfield has vowed to have nothing more to do with mystery man Richie Amalfi, but when he tells her about the strange deaths of clients of a local psychic medium, her decision changes. Rebecca has always been intrigued by the paranormal and, despite her logical and practical nature, she can't resist looking into the deaths.

A handsome medium, a tormented ghost, and the FBI lurking around because of their interest in Richie and some stolen ancient artifacts, show Rebecca that the dead don't always stay dead and buried. And her emotions can't be buried, no matter how hard she might try. But following both just might lead Rebecca straight to the Great Beyond ... permanently.

First Sentence:
On Tuesday afternoon San Francisco Homicide Inspector Rebecca Mayfield did something completely out of character.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles 

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

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

Kristi Burns is a new narrator for me. She voices the characters with slight tone differences or enunciation patterns that would fit the characters if we meet them in person. The book has sections that are from Rebecca's POV and then Rickie's POV. In doing this there is a slight shift her her persona and tone to differentiate the characters.

I'm, again, reading or listening to a book out of order in it's series. It's okay though! This book has it's own story that starts and finishes here. There are some growing arcs between the characters and their relationships that are growing as the books go, but you don't feel lost in that arc. You learn where the characters have been and how they feel now.

Rebecca Mayfield is a nice character to read. She's not buffaloed by things but she stays calm and investigates. She does have an attraction to another in the story, which I think I really like. Rebecca feels like she could be a real person in her feelings and reactions.

There are several others mentioned in the book that Rebecca works with in the homicide unit. We don't get to spend much time with them here, but they fill out the world making it feel full and three dimensional. The one that Rebecca does spend time with, and is on a case because of, is Rickie. I found I liked Rickie. He's a bit of a bad boy feel but he's so much more. There's a feel of romantic tension between Rebecca and Rickie, but they both fight it as there is implications that each aren't good for the other.

The case here... A man claiming to be a medium is taking retirement money from his older clients. And, maybe even killing them... Rickie's worried about his mother who's now drawn into the medium's web with her friend. Rebecca doesn't want to look into it, but Rickie asked and she doesn't have much else going on at work.

This is a short cozy mystery story. It's something you can relax with as there's danger but nothing high octane. And there's a blooming romance as we get the thoughts of the two characters that are attracted to each other. A nice mystery story to relax by the fire with.

I enjoyed the story and will keep the series in mind for the future.



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Audio Book Review: Dead God's Due

Dead God's Due

By:  Matthew P. Gilbert

Publish Date:  June 25, 2019, Audiobook Release June 25, 2019

Format:  Audiobook - 10 hrs 34 mins
Narrated By:  Ralph Lister

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  1st in Sins of the Fathers series

Impression:  Introduced to two worlds that need help, but could be enemies.

Synopsis:
The end of the world approaches. The people don't believe. They don't even remember.

Yazid Valerion is alone with the truth, but his warnings fall on deaf ears. His people are far more concerned about the wars of today and tomorrow than those of the past.

Eons ago, the Dead God promised a world of ash, and the time of that prophecy is now at hand. His only hope is to cross the sea with his few followers in search of ancient enemies, the Meites, and pray he can sway them to his cause. But the Meites are no mere mortals; they are powerful sorcerers prone to outbursts of destructive terror. Even if he can find them, there's no guarantee they won't slaughter him and his men upon first sight.

Perhaps there is no way to change the prophesy of a god. If not, then Yazid will die well. For a warrior knows, it is better to die fighting than trembling in fear of the final blow.

First Sentence:
The monster simply would not die.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles 

Audible

My Thoughts and Summary:

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

Ralph Lister is a new narrator for me, and I'm thrilled I listened to him! He has a rustic, husky voice that fits for the characters in this fantasy world. He vocalizes each character with a slightly different tone and personality. The emotion and feelings each character is feeling in the moment comes through as well. He laughs where laughing is mentioned, too. This all brings the characters to life for the story.

The prologue tells us what happened and the prophecy that's going to be a problem. I know some people don't like prologues, but I don't mind them. It sets the stage for the worlds history and why there could be trouble in the future, or the now when we get into the book.

We start with the characters in their lives, seeing how they live and what they know. We learn about the stations and standings in the world.

Yazid goes looking for help for a greater evil that's to come, but what he finds is not healthy for him. In search of Meites, Yazid finds a city where there's a terrible unease in the people's social structure and political structure that will grow to more trouble.

The upset in the political structure of one culture brings a new struggle in the process. The terrible political games of life and death could bring new battles to the doorstep of Nihlos, when Yazid and his crew had come in peace. This book tells what Yazid and his men had to live through along with the conspiracies of Nihlos, where Yazid hoped to find allies. There's going to be a long road to get to the great evil that's coming.

We are seeing how the different groups of people live, and how things are falling apart. Everyone has different beliefs and systems in pay, but each system has it's flaws and the flaws seem to be evident. The political structure in Nihlos is on shaky grounds with the Empress and the games people play. We see it crumble more.

I was curious if I was under the proper understanding when the book started as we spent most of the book in the political structure and battles of Nihlos rather than on the path Yazid set forth on. I'm glad the end of the book came back around to what Yazid was talking of and looking for in the beginning. In the end, I realized this book was to introduce us to the cultures present and show that nothing is ever easy.

There was something about the book that held me, had me keep going. At the end, seeing what happens and the tie to the worlds and potential troubles to come, I'm curious to follow on to the next book.



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