WyoGal

Very exciting and tense

Revisado: 12-11-24

The audio production is immersive and thrilling. The dragon sound effects are especially cool. The few complaints I have are that the footstep sound effects are lame; sometimes the audio is too quiet and muddy for hearing while driving; sometimes I couldn’t tell when Violet is talking telepathically, narrating, or talking out loud, and some of the male actors sound a lot alike. Otherwise, I’m glad I decided to switch to listening to the books instead of reading them!

The main narrator/voice actor is fantastic!

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Immersive new world

Revisado: 11-16-24

This mystery, set in a fictional world with ginormous creatures and biohazards, is compelling, clever and complex. The characters are well developed and nuanced. The setting details at times are vivid and add to the realism of the story.

While several aspects of the mystery were revealed through clues along the way, readers will want to get to the end for all the pieces to be put into place. Although the protagonist is highly intelligent, he’s similar to Dr. Watson in that his role is to ask the brilliant detective, Ana, how she figured things out. So readers can’t quite solve all the mysteries all on their own.

I enjoyed the story for its complexity and sci-fi/fantasy elements. The protagonist is very likeable, and his struggles pull at the reader’s empathy. However, a few things were off-putting in the story. Ana’s character uses a lot of profanity. The protagonist has a brief kiss with a same gender character; other romantic actions happen off page. There are some gruesome murder scenes. These aren’t deal breakers for me, but I wouldn’t play the story aloud in mixed company.

Otherwise, the book is highly engaging, and the voice actor is consistent in his diverse characterizations. I have preordered the next title.

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So many “truisms” and great humor

Revisado: 10-01-24

The entire story is fresh and honest. The author/protagonist has great insight, and she captures real truths about being a woman. I laughed out loud many times and wished I had a highlighter to mark favorite lines in the story. The plot lines are tightly woven so that if a change happens in one area, it affects another aspect of the character’s world.

The protagonist is very likable and believable. The male interest is a smart, caring, sexy guy who is incredibly respectful of the women he admires. So healthy! Supporting characters are also realistic and good friends.

There are important issues deftly addressed in the story—workplace harassment; body image; the decline of an elderly parent; balancing work, friends, family, and self-care; pursuit of business goals; mental health; being honest and taking responsibility; and believing in yourself. Such a richly layered novel!

The romance is wonderfully written. The relationship develops in a very positive way. There are kisses and hand-holding. Some language is sexual and infrequently laced with profanity. Overall, the story is PG-13.

I looked forward to listening to this story every time I drove out of town for work. The voice actor is exceptionally talented. I highly recommend this story. The only thing I would improve is to make the ending longer.

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Excellent writing and fantastic finish

Revisado: 08-03-24

The voice actor performs the story with realistic emotional tone that adds believability to the characters and their development.

The author creates an immersive world and carefully weaves everything together in this last book of the series for a terrific climax, a satisfying denouement, heartfelt closure, and yet leaves the door open for another adventure with the protagonists.

I highly recommend this set of books for people who enjoy close-quarters violent combat scenes, humans vs. aliens, political intricacies, twists and reversals, meaningful romance, wry humor, and “save-the-universe” stakes.

The ending is especially well-written as it sustains the tension so the climax is powerful. So good!

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Lots of reversals

Revisado: 05-19-24

Devi manages to go from the frying pan and into the fire and back again several times in this second book. Despite being a tad annoying, it is somewhat believable that the series of events happen as they do. The author keeps Devi from completely burning bridges and keeps readers and listeners from knowing who to trust the entire time. So it works. There are a lot of action scenes in a variety of locations. Devi has a good mix of empathy and a “kill or be killed” attitude, and her romantic life is unpredictable. There are several characters with surprising “reveals.” These elements also keep the reader or listener engaged. A few issues to note: profanity; deaths of secondary characters, creatures, and kids; references to mental illness; threat of self harm; battles and violence; and a few too handy “saves”. The author also relies too heavily on Earth-based similes and expressions without adequately explaining that Devi would know about such things. Overall, though, the story is compelling and exciting.

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Cool twist to set up second book

Revisado: 04-29-24

While I didn’t really like the narrator’s adapted condescending tone for the protagonist, it was necessary to create a believable character. The narrator has good vocal variety for female characters and some variety for the male characters, but some of the guys sounded stereotypical. Overall, though, the narrator carries the emotions of the scenes believably and adds to the tension of the plot. The story has a few head scratchers where the author leaves in archaic references that likely would be obsolete in a futuristic space traveling society— sitting on folding chairs on a ship, using paper and pencil, writing on one’s skin instead of making a note with an electronic device, using Earth slang/cliches, and worrying about an alien’s gender. I also don’t believe the motive for erasure of the memory device. Despite the minor complaints, the story is action-packed with alien vs human shoot-outs in close quarters and the mystery of the protagonist’s love interest keeps the reader’s attention. The first book ends with lots of loose ends, but it’s good enough I ordered book 2. The story has weapons and physical fighting, some blood and guts, a couple off-page sex scenes, alcohol consumption, use of heavy medication, and some sexist behaviors the protagonist puts a stop to. Some secondary characters die, but their loss is not sentimental.

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Fantastic Story

Revisado: 04-10-24

At times the pacing of the plot seemed off, as some parts were too easily resolved, resulting in anticlimactic moments.
Overall, though, the story is wonderful because the main characters are so well developed and believably realistic that listening to the story is like spending time with dear friends. I enjoyed listening to this book with my husband as there was enough wild west misadventure and humor to keep his interest and enough romance to keep mine. I laughed out loud frequently at the nuanced interplay between Mathias and Kathryn and at the crazy comments of the miners. The author does a marvelous job of weaving in historical bits and vivid details from life in a mining town at the edge of the civilized world. There is also a strong Christian theme of grace and second chances.
While the story contains scenes with alcohol consumption, implied profanity, brothels, violence, off page murder, mild peril and intended rape, these elements are seen through the eyes of the protagonist who is rather naive. Grief and loss, parental abandonment, and misogyny are also possible triggers for sensitive readers.
There is kissing, and toward the end of the story after the characters are in a committed relationship, implied sexual intimacy. It’s a PG-13 book that older readers will appreciate more than younger readers.

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Absolutely fabulous

Revisado: 03-23-24

Not only are there numerous characters to like and cheer for, the plot is expertly written to keep one’s attention for hours. I was up past my bedtime way too frequently with this story as the various characters faced multiple threats to their lives.

The voice actor is marvelous, and I only want to experience this series while listening to him perform. His accents are diverse and memorable, and his voices for the cat characters are the best. He evokes just the right emotional tones for the scenes, and the story is even more gripping as a result.

I waited most impatiently for this second book in this series, and I truly hope the third one is coming sooner rather than later! There is an amazing epilogue that teases the reader’s imagination as to what may come next.

Note to readers with sensitivities: there is a great deal of violence with sword fighting and hand-to-hand battles, lots of action scenes, death, destruction, some poisonings, some grief and loss, and some betrayal. However, there is humor, love, honor, grace, and deep loyalty, too.

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Fantastic series; best devoured on Audible!

Revisado: 09-05-22

This final book in the series is excellent. The many loose ends are tidied up, and the reader is left smiling and wiping eyes at the conclusion. The denouement is well paced for a long satisfying finish. The author’s words at the end are lovely and worth listening to. Joe Jameson’s character voices are superb in that they are emotionally nuanced and believable. Such a privilege to enjoy this series in audio format! I highly recommend for older teen readers and any adults who enjoy fantasy with a bit of a western shootout flavor.

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Quite intense!

Revisado: 01-23-22

I had to stop the audio book at times due to stressing out because of the dark peril in which the protagonist was caught. Like looking away from a scary scene in a movie, I needed a break. The story is full of twists and turns, and the violence and betrayal keep the listener engaged. It ends on a positive note, but there is still reason to continue the series.

The voice actor is amazing, and I love his characterizations and dramatic interpretation of scenes.

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