Audiobook Fanatic

Captivating & Authentic

Revisado: 04-24-25 El oyente recibió este título gratis

No Ordinary Love is an unputdownable debut novel that delves into the dark realities of intimate partner violence through the stories of three Canadian women: Gabbi, Alex, and Katee. Each storyline gives readers a unique perspective on survival, resilience, and the lasting impacts of abuse. Author B.B. Gabriel, a Canadian social worker and abuse survivor herself, channels her personal experiences into this book. The character and location names have been altered, but much of the story is based on true events she experienced.

Gabbi, a therapist in her late thirties, is determined to share her long-suppressed story in the form of a novel. With her younger sister given a fatal cancer diagnosis, she is desperate to finish her book before time runs out. Alex, a school counselor in her late twenties, grapples with her own trauma from past abuse while helping students. When she starts receiving letters from her abusive ex in prison, she feels threatened again, and her anxiety and panic resurface, affecting her work and personal life. Katee, a high school student, has an unhealthy, dysfunctional relationship with her family. When the family moves to a deadbeat small town, she has a falling out with her mother and moves out. Soon she falls for a seemingly perfect guy, only to discover the nightmare beneath his facade. Their experiences, while distinct, together highlight the insidious nature of intimate partner abuse.

Gabriel’s writing is raw, disturbing, engrossing, and uncluttered. All three narratives of this book perfectly capture the psychological effects of abuse without overdramatizing the victims. The abusers of the women are unnamed, emphasizing that these predators can be anyone and can come from all walks of life. The brutal realities of abuse are not shied away from in this book—instead, they are highlighted with eye-opening details and brutal honesty, making the stories difficult to read and, at the same time, inspiring to see how courageous these women are to break free and heal.

The stories don’t just recount the horrors of abuse the women endure but also highlight the psychological grip their abusers have on them, making their escapes seemingly impossible. There reaches a point in each narrative where each woman finally musters up the courage and strength to fight back, even when the odds are stacked against them. Anyone who’s been a victim of abuse or a witness to someone who’s been abused will find these stories painful, emotionally resonant, and validating. For those who haven't, it's an important read to really understand the psychological impact of coercive control and the strength and resiliency required to survive it and break free!

The stories are fast-paced, unpredictable, and full of raw, disturbing dialogue that is not for the faint of heart. Each story features a first-person POV of the set protagonist—since the three women are all at different stages of their lives (Katee a teen, Alex in her late 20s, and Gabbi in her late 30s), each story brilliantly captures different levels of awareness and wisdom when it comes to abuse and predators. The novel often switches between perspectives just after the most disturbing and unsettling scenes, providing readers both a much-needed “breather” and time to digest what transpired.

The stories of Alex and Gabbi, women who have taken steps to heal from the effects of violence and PTSD, provide hope and inspiration to readers. In contrast, Katee’s story is the most difficult to read. Readers should be prepared for triggering content including grooming, psychological manipulation, and graphic violence. As she’s only a teenager when her abuse story takes place, her story is even more unsettling. Her bad relationship with her mother and her strong desire for independence lead her to some very bad decision-making. After the abuse starts, the psychological grip that her boyfriend has on her is alarming and painful to read. Her journey is not an uphill battle but instead a rollercoaster of abuse that readers will want her to get off of—and just when you think she’s about to break free, she makes more poor decisions, clearly fueled by a warped sense of hope that things will change and the strong psychological grip that her manipulative boyfriend still holds. Her story exposes the darkest horrors of what many women have endured and try to forget but offers peace in knowing that she’s not alone and she survived. Her story comes full circle by the end and includes a very dramatic climax that readers won’t soon forget!

Overall, No Ordinary Love is a gripping and brutally honest novel that offers realistic insight into dysfunctional families, loss, the lasting effects of domestic violence, and the power to break free and heal from dark horrors. The author also brilliantly showcases how easily someone can get caught in an abusive relationship and how hard it is to leave. Knowing that this novel is based on the author's real-life journey makes it even more powerful and thought-provoking. It's a must-read for anyone who has endured abuse, knows someone who has been abused, or who enjoys emotionally resonant stories that demonstrate the resiliency of the human spirit. If all of this sounds intriguing, don’t hesitate to grab a copy of this book—the stories will stay with you!

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Thrilling Coming Of Age Space Opera

Revisado: 02-18-25 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Stellar Heir by Scott Killian is a coming-of-age, high-stakes interstellar adventure story. The story follows Jael Ked’Korhva, a former warrior monk turned scavenger, aboard the Zigzagunda. When he and his sentient humanoid simian, Goni, survey a space battlefield, he discovers an alien artifact, and his life takes an unexpected turn. Jael begins to have nightmarish visions of ghostly figures calling him the "chosen one" and providing him cryptic messages and instructions. The relic also gives him strange, extraordinary new abilities—heightened senses, accelerated reflexes, and remarkable regenerative powers—quickly transforming him into the galaxy’s most wanted individual.

The book has a diverse cast of characters, ranging from rogue mercenaries to enigmatic alien species. Protagonist Jael is intelligent, resourceful, and a skilled fighter. When he first discovers his newfound extraordinary powers and ability to communicate with alien beings, he is overwhelmed and terrified. But as the story unfolds, through experience in battles and the help of his comrades, he rises to the occasion and begins to understand the reason why he was chosen. The camaraderie between Jael and his eclectic crew adds depth to the narrative, with their interactions providing comedy and heartfelt moments.

Jael’s backstory is slowly presented through flashback scenes, revealing shocking information about his parents and his upbringing. Jael’s sidekick Goni is a very complex character who’s endearing and amusing. He proves himself to be a brave warrior in several scenes, but his unwillingness to follow orders makes him infuriating at times. The banter between Jake and Goni is filled with quips and witty comebacks that make their friendship special and add entertainment value to the story. The found family trope is strongly pronounced in the book, as Jael and his comrades look out for each other and have a strong mutual respect.

The story is fast-paced with a lot of entertaining dialogue and action-packed battle scenes. The world-building in this book is very expansive for a YA novel—readers are drawn into a universe with different species, spacecraft technologies, and complex political warfare. The cinematic action scenes are very descriptive and intense, often giving the feel of a “Star Wars” type movie in your mind!

In the first 20 percent of the book, the story jumps around a lot, introducing all of the diverse characters/species and establishing the world-building—if listening to the audiobook, it’s highly recommended to listen at a slower speed to fully grasp all of the world-building and keep track of the characters. Eventually, the storyline becomes more settled, but the pacing remains relentless throughout, making it difficult to put down. The story culminates in a cliffhanger ending that leaves readers eagerly anticipating what’s next for Jael Ked'Korhva in book 2, “Syndicate Moon”!

There is some mature content in this book, including alcohol use, violent battle scenes, and kidnapping, but overall the book is still suitable for YA readers. Aside from all the action and engaging dialogue, the story has some very powerful messages. Jael’s journey emphasizes that you cannot run from your past—the traumatic things that happen in one’s life eventually resurface to be resolved, paving the way for new challenges and ensuring that the same mistakes are not repeated. The book also has the vibe of a space LitRPG, where the characters work together to solve challenges and move on to new adventures.

Overall, Stellar Heir is a thrilling space opera with expansive world-building, memorable characters, and thrilling battle scenes. The book sets the stage for a potential epic series that could gain popularity with each new installment! With a large cast of characters and intricate storytelling, this is the perfect book to pair with its audiobook, superbly narrated by Shamaan Casey, for a fully immersive reading experience. Readers who enjoy action-driven sci-fi, rich world-building, and a wide range of characters will love this book and be eager to read book 2 in the series!

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Action-packed Cyberpunk Mystery

Revisado: 02-04-25 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Liquid Cool is an immersive cyberpunk adventure that masterfully blends film noir-style detective work with futuristic, dystopian storytelling. Author Austin Dragon crafts a vivid world filled with neon-lit skyscrapers, hovering vehicles, and a society dominated by advanced technology. The story follows private investigator Cruz, who is hired to solve a missing person’s case. As he investigates, he uncovers a web of conspiracies involving megacorporations, ruthless criminals, and a mysterious figure known only as “the Big Guy.” The investigation takes him through the city’s dangerous underworld, and he encounters an array of colorful characters, from femme fatales to eccentric inventors, each adding to the layered and unpredictable storyline. The novel nicely balances fast-paced action, mystery, and dark comedy, making for a very entertaining read.

Dragon’s descriptive world-building is one of the highlights of this book, as the futuristic mega cityscape comes vividly to life with its non-stop buzz of activity and rainy atmosphere. There’s a lot to unpack in this futuristic world, with its advanced technology and gritty characters. It should be noted that this book does require a significant amount of attention to detail due to the sheer volume of information presented. If you’re listening to the audiobook, be sure to listen at a slower speed to fully appreciate/grasp all of the extensive worldbuilding. On the positive side, the book’s short chapters and straightforward writing style allow it to be read faster than expected for its length.

The book is also full of unique, memorable characters. Protagonist Cruz is a very likable genius detective, and his detective work includes some ridiculous scenarios that add humor and intrigue to the story. Many of Cruz's friends are flawed, shady characters that readers will find crass and unlikeable—but they all have larger-than-life personas that add entertainment value to the story. The overall narrative of the story is driven by Cruz, with a lot of accompanying action and engaging dialogue that pulls the story together.

The story begins as a mystery after an explosive shootout at Joe Blow’s bar. Soon after, the story shifts to Mr. Cruz and his effort to set up a detective agency. The two storylines don’t come together until late into the story, so readers will have to be patient, but there is a satisfying resolution of how everything ties together. Cruz’s initial case of the murder of “Easy Chair Charlie” is solved quickly, and other cases come his way after word spreads that he is in the detective business. The book, at times, feels like a series of short stories of Cruz solving different cases with new characters introduced in each.

One critique of the novel could be its overwhelming cast of characters. At the beginning of the book, almost every chapter introduces someone new, and it becomes difficult to keep track of everyone or to understand the connections between them. The first three chapters are told in the 3rd person, focusing on different characters. In the 4th chapter, readers discover that these are side characters as the perspective switches to the 1st person POV of the protagonist, Mr. Cruz. On the positive side, there is more clarity later in the novel, and the complex interconnectivity of the characters becomes very intriguing. The author’s ambitious attempt at creating a sprawling, interconnected world is very evident, but the lack of focus on a central cast early on may have readers wanting a more cohesive narrative.

In summary, Liquid Cool is a great option in the cyberpunk genre, offering a refreshing take on classic noir tropes with a futuristic twist. The abundance of characters make it challenging at times, but readers who are patient will find it a very satisfying story by the end. Narrator Shamaan Casey does a fantastic job portraying the characters with distinct voices and brings the complex dystopian world vividly to life. If an action-packed detective storyline set in an expansive dystopian world sounds interesting, don’t hesitate to add this book to your reading list. The 2nd and 3rd books in the series, Blade Gunner and NeuroDancer, are currently available as physical copies, so you can quickly devour the entire series!

🎤Narrator Performance🎤

Narrator Shamaan Casey does an excellent job narrating this audiobook. Casey uses a strong, commanding voice to narrate the central narrative, wonderfully describing the expansive world-building in the story. This book has a large cast of characters, and Casey masterfully uses his vocal talent to provide unique voices, personalities, and pacing for the characters, matching the demeanor and grittiness of each and giving the audiobook the feel of a multicast listening experience.

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Thrilling Paranormal Romance

Revisado: 01-03-25 El oyente recibió este título gratis

House of Secrets is a fantasy debut novel from writer ME Evans and the first book in The Bloodborne Trilogy. The book is a genre-bending dark fantasy featuring vampires, magic, and forbidden romance woven into a tale about the struggles of motherhood and married life. The author’s writing style is very vivid and immersive, making everything, down to the smallest environmental detail, very tangible. The story follows Daniele (Danny) Ténèbres, a 35-year-old woman with an emotionally abusive, inattentive husband, who meets a new mysterious stranger, Andras, in the neighborhood. As her marriage falls apart, she becomes increasingly obsessed with her new neighbor and learns some shocking truths about him, just as her own life becomes threatened. The book includes several popular tropes, including instalove, mysterious stranger, friends to lovers, forced proximity, and twisted love triangles! The story is fast-paced, unpredictable, and easy to follow, making for a read that can easily be devoured in one sitting!

The characters in the story are complex, mostly morally grey, and very compelling. Danny’s personal growth is very evident in the story, beginning as a passive people pleaser, in both her marriage and friendships, and then transforming into a fierce, outspoken woman ready to fight her battles. She’s a very relatable character, and her motherhood struggles and feelings of loss of self will resonate with many readers and make her easy to empathize with. Her interactions with the other “mean girl” PTA women are quite hilarious, as she’s seen as the outcast, especially with her family’s sordid past, and she becomes increasingly vocally resistant to their demands and gossip, often putting them in their place without caring about the consequences.

On the contrary, the relationship between Danny and her sister Jess is the epitome of a strong and healthy sisterly bond. They have an abundance of heartfelt dialogue in the story, keep few secrets from each other, and constantly have each other’s backs. The mysterious and brutal murder of their father is mentioned several times in the book, having greatly affected both sisters as teenagers, and there’s a strong sense that the truth behind this mystery and other family secrets will be revealed in book 2. Andras is an enigmatic, morally grey character, shrouded in mystery, who becomes more likeable as more of his heartbreaking vampire backstory is revealed. The chemistry between Danny and Andras is palpable from their first encounter, giving vibes of a “Twilight for Adults” narrative. It should be noted that this isn’t a closed book romance story—spicy book lovers will appreciate the steamy romance scenes that are well executed and don’t overwhelm the main storyline.

The story quickens in pace and slowly spins towards a paranormal narrative in the second half. When Andras unintentionally brings great danger to Danny and the welfare of her family, she acknowledges that she can't be his lover and also a mother of young children since he is a magnet for perpetual trouble. Even still, readers will have to suspend their disbelief at some of the impulsive, nonsensical decision-making Danny makes thereafter, especially when she chooses to travel to the cabin where a dangerous vampire showdown between Andras and his ex-lover is set to unfold. Another plot point that is a bit far-fetched is how Danny and Andras engage in indulgent sexual activity at the cabin, both well aware of the fact that an imminent threat is expected at any moment—but they don’t seem the least bit concerned.

Despite some of these implausible plot points, the story remains very entertaining and action-packed, with a lot of engrossing dialogue. The battle that ensues also features shocking revelations and some violent, gory scenes that will please horror fans. Soon after, the story abruptly ends in a twisty cliffhanger hinting of big changes coming for Danny and her sister, and readers will want to read the sequel right away. Unfortunately, no date has been set for its release, and readers may require a reread when the sequel comes out to refresh the storyline and excitement.

In summary, this is a highly addictive dark fantasy that will keep readers engaged from beginning to end. Popular vampire romance novels, in the vein of Twilight and The Vampire Diaries, often involve young female protagonists—so this book, with its older characters, is a refreshing take on this sub-genre and will resonate with a wider audience, especially mothers of young children. Narrator Tess Irondale delivers an exciting and compelling performance, inflecting an impressive vocal range to depict the character voices and the wide variety of scenes. If you enjoy stories with vampires, magic, family drama, steamy romance, and relatable characters, then you’ll love this book. The book is a great achievement for ME Evans, and the series has great storyline potential. Let’s hope we won’t have to wait too long for the sequel!


🎤Narrator Performance🎤 (5⭐️)

Narrator Tess Irondale does a spectacular job narrating this book. Irondale uses a smooth and engaging tone to authentically portray 35-year-old Danny, infusing an impressive range of emotions and vocal range to portray the character in a wide variety of scenes. Irondale also provides distinct voices for the broad cast of characters, and her portrayal of the enigmatic British-sounding Andras is performed with a genuine-sounding accent, an abundance of swagger, and an air of mystery that perfectly captures the character's persona. Irondale’s delivery of the dialogue is extremely captivating and well executed. The narration is also paced perfectly, allowing listeners to fully relish in the growing chemistry and bond between Danny and Andras.

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Atmospheric & Thrilling Sequel

Revisado: 12-17-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

The Wild Fall is the second book in the Wild Oblivion series and equally as atmospheric and suspenseful as the first book, The Wild Dark. The story picks up ten years later, and a lot has changed for the characters. The book is told from the perspectives of Liz, the protagonist from book 1, and teenager Evie, the child that Liz helped save in book 1. The book reveals how the world has changed since the hellish purgatory forest and corrupted departed ghosts were unleashed. The perplexing apocalyptic event, now referred to as the “merging,” is also further explained in this book. It should be noted that this book cannot easily be read as a standalone—readers will need to know the backstory of the characters and what transpired to create the dystopian hellish society from book 1. This book is a shorter read with relatively short cliffhanger chapters, so both books can quickly be devoured consecutively!

Silva’s vivid prose depicts a hauntingly barren world where demonic wolves and new faceless monsters are lurking in the shadows. The story has a slow-burn start that expands upon the dystopian world-building and establishes the band of characters that make up Liz’s found family. The story follows the characters looking for a home as the dark forest is encroaching faster than ever toward their cabin. Silva gives readers great insight into how the characters have become accustomed to their dystopian "survival" lifestyles, constantly scrounging out food and supplies and on the lookout for predators. The characters are also more developed in this story— even the minor side characters are given compelling backstories. After Evie’s father Hank is viciously killed by one of the demonic wolves, Liz becomes increasingly withdrawn. In her isolation she begins to notice a dark presence watching her that she eventually recognizes as Brody, her former police partner turned corrupted ghost that Liz believed she destroyed in book 1. From here, the book takes on a number of unexpected twists and turns as the band of survivors faces unexpected enemies and harrowing circumstances.

In contrast to the first book, which began and ended with strong elements of horror, the tone of this story is more atmospheric and foreboding. The story has a slow-burn start, but the second half is full of action and high intensity. For pure horror lovers, there are some gruesome horror scenes towards the end that are absolutely terrifying. A lot of plot points occur in the last few chapters, so readers/listeners will have to pay close attention to absorb everything. After a major climactic scene, the story quickly ends, and readers may feel unsatisfied. The final events are quite complex and convoluted, as the explanation of the merging and the antidote to reversing the apocalyptic events are explained. It almost feels like all the answers and information that readers have been waiting for are given all at once, followed by a few thrilling scenes before the story abruptly ends. It would have been more effective to have spread out these plot points over a few more scenes and added an epilogue for further resolution, especially with regards to Liz, who is the life force of the series.

In summary, this atmospheric and suspenseful dystopian thriller is a worthy sequel to its brilliantly written predecessor, The Wild Dark. Both books explore dystopian societies and various subgenres of horror. Despite the timeframe gap between the stories, the characters feel consistent from one book to the next, and the overall ominous atmospheric vibe is similar. Narrator Lisa Romain returns to deliver another spectacular performance of Liz and all the characters using a myriad of distinct voices and accents and an enormous amount of emotional intensity for maximum effect. For this reason, the audiobook is the highly recommended format for enjoying this series. If you enjoy horror, atmospheric thrillers, dystopian societies, and complex, flawed characters, you’ll definitely enjoy The Wild Oblivion series, and you'll probably want to check out more of Silva's work!

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Thrilling & Emotionally Powerful Apocalyptic Horror

Revisado: 12-13-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

The Wild Dark is a thrilling and emotionally intense apocalyptic horror novel. It’s the first book in The Wild Oblivion Series by talented horror author Katherine Silva. The genre-bending novel features dystopian horror, paranormal elements, and complicated romance. The story has a very atmospheric start, and once the dystopian storyline begins, the main storyline is fast-paced and thrilling until the very end. The story follows Liz Raleigh, a former cop who’s secluded herself in a cabin in the woods after her life has fallen apart. Her solitude is cut short when a terrifying nightmare takes over the world where monstrous beings from purgatory are unleashed and ghosts return to haunt the living. Liz is visited by the ghost of her former police partner, Brody, whose death she feels responsible for. The story quickly becomes increasingly horrifying when hellish woods begin to overtake the landscape and massive, bloodthirsty demonic wolves prowl around. Along with the obvious horror, the story has supernatural and spiritual elements, and the author’s depiction of a world where the veil between the living and the dead has thinned is fascinating and highly original from an apocalyptic perspective.

The storyline toggles back and forth between “Then” and “Now.” The “Then” chapters fill in readers on the backstory of Liz’s relationships with her ex-fiancé Josh and police partner Brody but also provide a respite from the propulsive and thrilling present-day chapters. It might have been more effective and exciting to have had the second half of the book solely made up of the “Now” chapters.

The story is rich with authentic, flawed, and multidimensional characters that readers cannot help but root for. Liz is a damaged character, still struggling over the breakup with her fiancé and feeling immense guilt for the death of her police partner. For the entire story, she is haunted by grief and guilt, and it’s always in the shadows waiting to swallow her whole. Through her haunted and unpredictable inner dialogue, readers may wonder if an apocalyptic event is really occurring or if the horrific events are a manifestation of her overwhelming grief and guilt. On the flip side, she demonstrates a tenacity and fearlessness in the most frightening and harrowing circumstances that proves she’s not ready to give in, making her quite admirable and likable. Readers will likely be rooting for her despite some very frustrating decision-making she makes that lands her in a lot of trouble on multiple occasions.

For most of the story, readers are kept in suspense as to how Brody died and why Liz feels so responsible. The truth is presented at just the right moment after readers are given enough backstory to have a deeper connection with the characters. The relationships between all the characters feel very authentic and are filled with emotionally intense dialogue, giving the feel of conversations in a high-stakes action film. Silva’s hauntingly immersive prose allows readers to easily visualize all the horrifying scenes, especially where the characters are trapped or in imminent danger. During many of these scenes, the book is difficult to put down, and readers will be rooting for the characters to succeed. This book would be ideal for an illustrated special edition, with its numerous, vividly descriptive, horrifying scenes and breathtaking landscapes.

The horror elements come early in the story and then fall off as Liz’s backstory in the “Then” chapters takes up more space, making the story more of a dark dystopian thriller. Fortunately, for horror lovers, the story escalates back to horrifying intensity towards the end, with an overall ominous feeling that a happy ending and conflict resolution are far off, if possible at all. The explosive cliffhanger ending includes a surprise twist and will have readers eager to read the sequel soon afterward. For readers who choose to read this book as a standalone, the ending can also be seen as cathartic and open to interpretation.

In summary, The Wild Dark is a paranormal horror thriller that will keep readers on edge from its ominous start to its dramatic conclusion. It’s a book that’s difficult to categorize as it contains major themes of friendship, loss, grief, and complicated romance and most definitely takes a fresh approach to the conventional apocalyptic narrative. What readers will likely find most memorable in the story are not the frightening or thrilling scenes, but instead the compelling and heartbreaking relationship between Liz and her ghostly protector and companion, Brody. Their relationship is the driving force behind the story, and with its complexity and emotional beauty, it makes the story multilayered and remarkable. Narrator Lisa Roumain does a phenomenal job creating an atmospheric and suspenseful listening experience from start to finish, injecting a lot of emotion and intensity into her performance. If a thrilling apocalyptic story with complex characters and romance sounds intriguing, give this book high consideration! You won’t be disappointed, and you’ll be eager to read the sequel soon after!

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Thought Provoking, Propulsive & Thrilling

Revisado: 11-15-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Early Adopter is a thought-provoking collection of short stories that contemplate the risks, benefits, and ethics of emerging and fictitious future technologies. Harrison's poetic prose demonstrates rich characterization and unique, complex worldbuilding, especially for short stories. Each of the stories tackles the risks and social implications of future technology and their moral implications in a completely different context. The alarming concept of having our own consciousness overlayed or replaced by an artificial intelligence counterpart, whether it be for medical, societal, or creative benefit, is ingenuously conceived. With OpenAI and new nanotechnologies rapidly emerging in our real world, the reality of such scenarios coming to fruition is not that far-fetched—and there's a powerful message that we, as “early adopters," must anticipate all the ramifications and be prepared.

In the first short story “To Run Again," a brilliant and blindsighted researcher utilizes a cutting-edge treatment to cure a man’s body paralysis. From the start of the story, there is a sense of impending doom of how it might all turn out. The story is filled with compelling dialogue, and some scenes are quite heartbreaking, especially those that see the patient’s mother pleading when the technology has gone awry. The dramatic, abrupt ending is very effective at making readers contemplate a very disturbing prospective future for medical research.

The second story, Commercialopolis, is very short and has more of the feel of an interlude between the longer and more interesting stories in the collection. The narration is quite dramatic and entertaining, making for a quick slice of entertainment.

The third story, Alignment, involves a researcher's moral dilemma of supporting a military endeavour. This story starts off strong but gets somewhat muffled with all the different characters interjecting in the middle. The ending comes somewhat full circle but also offers no satisfying resolution for the protagonist or the conflict. It may have been more effective to have stuck with a more central theme in this story.

The fourth story, Early Adopter, is the most straightforward of the stories and possibly the easiest to digest. The story follows a man experimenting with a relationship with an AI girlfriend, a concept that is already being advertised in our world today. The direction of the story is quite unpredictable, as is the fascinating dialogue between the protagonist and his AI companion. The moral dilemma of romanticizing an artificial being that offers a real connection and much-needed emotional support is strongly pronounced in this story.

The fifth story, The Terminal on Europa, follows a man ostracized by others due to his ancestry and occupation. There are some intense fight scenes and really interesting future technologies depicted that make this story dramatic and exciting. The ideation of extreme punishment and banishment for breaking “dystopian rules" is also explored in a very unique manner.

The sixth story, The Final Artist, is one of the shortest in the collection and involves an email exchange between a writer and a malicious sentient Al artist. The exchange is both captivating and terrifying, especially in our current world where OpenAI technology is rapidly evolving in its increasing ability to mimic human artistic content. As we are on the brink of a new world where AI writers and artists will become mainstream offerings, the need to maintain authentic human creativity is crucial, and this story offers some very relevant topics of contemplation!

The seventh story, Homonoia, is a fascinating dystopian story of creating an omnipotent consciousness capable of miracles by means of technological implants in an effort to save humanity. The ideas of shared consciousness, losing one’s individualization, and terrifying health risks are explored. As the characters experience a myriad of emotions, from excitement to euphoria to absolute terror, so too will readers. Harrison does an excellent job bringing all the characters to life and once again leaves readers with a contemplative conclusion.

The final short story, Emulated, is broken up into two parts and is the longest. It follows a pastor who is asked by his scientist friend to assist in the decision-making and discussion of a simulated world. This project is supposed to be used for military advantage, but as the characters in the simulated world take on real-life personas and experience heart-wrenching obstacles, the moral and ethical questions of exploiting and deleting them at will are explored. From a synopsis perspective, the whole concept of the story sounds absurd, but with rich characterization and compelling dialogue, readers may feel real empathy and intrigue for the simulated universe. The idea of worlds being watched over by higher worlds is heavily explored and makes this one extremely thought-provoking.

Overall, this is a compelling and highly original collection of science fiction stories. The stories have the feel of twilight zone episodes with open-ended conclusions that don't follow rules of logic. If you enjoy thought-provoking science fiction or stories about future technology, this book should be highly considered. The audiobook is a great format for enjoying these stories, as the dual narrators use clear and suspenseful voices to keep listeners engaged. With such high-quality prose and fascinating topics explored in just a few short stories, it'll be exciting to see what Harrison can create in his next full-length novel!

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Amazing character growth and a worthy sequel!

Revisado: 10-24-24

Dawnland is a riveting sequel to Tess Callaghan’s 2009 debut novel, April & Oliver. The book authentically explores the relationships between spouses, parents and their children, and the unravelling of family secrets. As in the first book, the writing is eloquent and extremely vivid. "Dawnland” is the Wampanoag name for the land in Cape Cod where much of the story takes place, and this majestic setting has as much of a compelling backstory as the characters in the book. Callahan provides beautiful descriptive language of the landscape, and there are many scenes where the natural elements are seamlessly woven into the story. The book also includes darker subject matter, including infidelity, betrayal, adoption, unresolved childhood trauma, generational trauma, mental health issues, coming-of-age relationships, and family conflicts! There’s so much to digest in this book that reading it at a leisurely pace or at a slower audiobook speed is highly recommended!

The book excels in character development, with more compelling characters than the first book. April and Oliver take centre stage, but the secondary characters and subplots in the story are just as interesting and well developed. The story takes place fifteen years later, matching the publication years between books, yet April and Oliver still have a very complicated relationship. In a twist of fate, April is now married to Oliver‘s brother Al with two children. This is something that may bewilder readers at the start, but as the story progresses, with its many flashback scenes, the evolution of April and Al’s relationship is explicitly laid out and breathes a life of its own. April and Al have a complex dynamic, but there is also a profound love shared between them. Oliver, now married to an older woman with an adopted daughter, has his own troubled relationship with his wife. The couples’ dialogues include a full spectrum of emotions, from angst to heated passion to dramatic outbursts, making for a very captivating read or listen.

The children and young adults in this book have compelling stories of their own, making the book more than just about dysfunctional adults and marital secrets. This is also a story of sibling dynamics, rebellious teenage behaviour, and learning forgiveness that young adults will relate to. Much of the turmoil that the children experience makes some adults in this book very unlikeable at times, including April and Oliver. As the story comes to a close, there is still much uncertainty for the future well-being of the children, perfectly mimicking a real-life scenario.

Overall, this is another riveting, highly authentic, emotional story from Tess Callahan. It’s evident that Callahan’s writing has evolved, along with her ability to intricately layer together so many themes and characters in one book. If you’re looking for a book about family secrets, drama, and dysfunctional characters in an idyllic setting, this book should be high on your list. It’s highly recommended to read the first book, April & Oliver, to appreciate how much the characters grow and change. As real as our own life’s changes through the decades, these books are thought-provoking and leave some valuable lessons in their wake!

🎤NARRATOR PERFORMANCE🎤

Narrator Xe Sands does a great job narrating this audiobook. Sands uses a sardonic, matter-of-fact tone to narrate many of the adult characters, accurately portraying many of their stubborn qualities and flawed behaviors. Her narration of the dialogue is very intimate and compelling, easily drawing listeners into the unhealthy and tumultuous conversations between the adults, especially the married partners. Although Sands doesn’t provide a wide range of distinct voices for the characters, she delivers a unique performance and personality for each. With such a solid, engaging performance, the audiobook is definitely a great choice to experience this story. It’s definitely one of those audiobooks that’ll make you stop and re-listen to certain segments to ensure you captured all the captivating dialogue fully!

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Flawed Characters & Emotional Story

Revisado: 10-17-24

April & Oliver is a heart-wrenching, emotional novel with a highly original storyline. Tess Callahan has written a book with some beautiful lyrical prose and a lot of vivid imagery that many readers will appreciate. The book has the feel of an independent film with its authentic, sardonic banter and unconventional storyline. This is not a book where everything comes together at the end and the characters are setup for their happily ever after. Instead, it’s one where the readers will feel all the uncomfortable angst and emotional intensity of the characters, which is both unsettling and captivating, just as authentic as our own real lives.

The characters in this book are quirky, flawed, damaged, and frustrating—but still manage to be quite compelling. There are many instances where the characters will make your heart ache by what unfolds between them, so be prepared. April has several warped belief systems about life and herself, mostly rooted in the traumatic events from her past. For much of the novels, she cannot overcome the stigma of being seen as damaged, and she allows this to dictate her decision-making and ruin her potential. Oliver is flawed in a completely contrasting way. He’s a perfectionist who tries to help others overcome their obstacles but still can’t manage to solve his own problems. The compelling dialogue and intense chemistry between these characters is one of the major highlights of the book, and although their conversations are often unpleasant, listeners will be eager to hear more of their story.

The plot of this book jumps around quite a bit, especially with all of the flashback scenes that sometimes come out of nowhere. Fortunately, Callahan's intimate and vivid writing does a great job pulling readers into every scene and makes the characters feel familiar and relatable. After just a few chapters, it’s quite easy to get emotionally invested in the storyline and the characters' outcomes.

Narrator Abby Craden does a satisfactory job narrating this audiobook. While narrating the non-dialogue parts of the book, her narration sometimes feels monotone and almost hypnotic, making it difficult to keep listeners engaged. As a result, it may take a while for listeners to get used to her tone. On the positive, her narration of the dialogue is quite pleasing, as she uses a greater vocal range, more emotion, and provides distinct voices for the different characters. Overall, this book may be more appreciated by reading a physical copy, but sticking with the audiobook does become more enjoyable as you continue to listen!

Overall, this book has a lot to praise, from its highly original plot to its substantial character development to its compelling dialogue, but is not for everyone. For those who appreciate authentic, dysfunctional characters and high-quality writing, this is definitely a book that should be considered! Seeing that the sequel is also now available, it’s a great time to read this book, get to know its compelling characters, and see what becomes of them many years later!

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Wild West Romance Adventure

Revisado: 10-05-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

The Devil’s Backbone is a Wild West historical romance and the first book in a new series. The story is told through dual POV and multiple timelines, making for very intricate storytelling. The book also features several popular romance tropes, including One Bed, Touch Her and Die, Found Family, Love Triangle, and Slow-burn Romance. The story is filled with adventure, steamy romance, gunslinging battles, and witty, captivating banter. There are also some darker themes explored in this book, including unresolved childhood trauma, toxic relationships, and revenge plotting, making the story multi-layered.

The main characters in this book are all complex, flawed, and extremely compelling. Cassidy Callaghan, the bisexual protagonist, is the epitome of a spitfire. Her resounding belief that she doesn’t need anyone and can singlehandedly avenge her parents murders makes her quite flawed. She's also bad-tempered, wild-mouthed, and stubborn to such an extent that may make her unlikeable to readers. James Moone, the town's deputy with a dark past of his own, is Cassidy’s perfect opposite and sidekick. Not only does he keep her in check during their heated banter, but he is determined to protect her from the ghosts of his own past and the dangerous Jack Ransom, whether she likes it or not. James is much more likeable than Cassidy, and he ticks all the boxes of a strong, swoon-worthy fictional male character!

Despite the intense chemistry between Cassidy and James characters, their romantic relationship is very slow-burning. To be somewhat critical, there are some repetitive conversations where they express their feelings for each other and the dangers of pursuing them. By the time their steamy romance begins, there is a definite sense that it won’t last. On the positive, this is the perfect setup for their relationship further evolving in future books in the series. After some exciting conflicts, the book ends with many things unresolved and a new adventure beginning, perfectly paving the way for an exciting second book in this planned trilogy!

Overall, this book is an excellent read for those who enjoy Wild West adventures, steamy romance stories, and strong protagonists. The romance in this book gives off a high-stakes feel that is commonplace in contemporary romantasy novels, and it’s safe to say that this book could be enjoyed by a wider audience than your average western romance. If all of this sounds enriching, don’t hesitate to give this book a read or listen. The audiobook is so expertly and beautifully narrated by actress/audiobook narrator Lisa Roumain that it’s unquestionably the recommended format for enjoying this one!

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