Jeff Chapman

Magic, magic everywhere

Revisado: 10-16-24

If you enjoy battles fought between wielders of magical spells, this is the tale for you. This story is about magic, acquiring magic, and the evil that comes from abusing magic. The tale centers on Amelia Twigg, a teenager living a pleasant life with her father in an age when magic is supposed to no longer exist. Everything changes when her hometown is destroyed by an invading army and Amelia becomes the target of a secretive cabal of wizards and witches. Amelia, it appears, has some magical abilities which make her valuable to the cabal.

After her father's death, Amelia flees the city with the help of a friend and a benefactor. The pair stay one step ahead of the cabal and meet some interesting characters. Various catastrophes befall Amelia, but she also improves her magical skills as she searches for a hidden jewel at the center of magic in her world. The cabal, whose members also seek the jewel, believe that Amelia is key to finding it. The story moves through many twists and turns towards an epic conclusion.

The Tale of the Young Witch is a well-written coming of age story that explores Amelia's handling of new responsibilities and powers that are thrust on her under difficult circumstances. The world-building is well done and the cast of characters is interesting. The pacing is also good. There is plenty of action to keep the reader interested. Highly recommended to fans of fantasy and magic.

The performance was good. The AI voice was pleasant and easy to listen to and did a reasonable job pronouncing everything. I missed the voices for different characters that a voice actor would have brought to the table.

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Very Cozy Urban-Fantasy

Revisado: 06-23-23 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Like many of the characters, Simple Heart is not what it initially appears to be. I first thought it was a very cozy romance. Then it seemed to move toward a cozy mystery. Ultimately, Simple Heart reveals itself to be a cozy fae tale and many of the small-town characters turn out to be fae or magically-gifted humans involved with the fae. The protagonist is Kate Richards--a fantasy writer and owner of an independent bookstore. The first hint of something amiss arrives in the person of a new pastor, the nephew of the current pastor, who comes to fill in for his uncle who has broken his leg. Soon after, several shops in town are vandalized, including Kate's bookstore. The mystery of the fae involvement emerges as Kate investigates the vandalism.

The audio version of Simple Heart is a pleasant tale to listen to. The narrator is very easy to listen to and does a wonderful job with the various voices and tone. My issue with the story is the relatively late introduction of the fae threat. I believe the story is past the halfway point before it's clear this is an urban fantasy. Also, some elements in the story seem important in the beginning but don't have a role in the ending. For example, Kate finds a kitten in her backyard and adopts it. I was hoping the cat would have some magical powers.

Recommended for readers who enjoy cozy stories and want to experience a touch of fae magic.

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Fast-paced thriller with a twisty plot

Revisado: 11-20-21

Blind Cerulean is a fast-paced science fiction thriller reminiscent of the novels of Dean Koontz. Teenage Alley is a young genius (especially in chemistry) who is working as a vigilante on the drug-ridden streets of Acadia. Her trainer/handler is a mysterious but endearing man she calls Coach. But this is not merely the story of a vigilante's exploits in cleaning up the drug houses, as exciting as that might be. The story has a number of twists and con-current plot lines. And the heroes and villains are connected in surprising ways.

The narrator gives a great performance, providing just enough differentiation among the voices to recognize them as distinct. The audio was a pleasure to listen to.

Kendall does superb work developing the many characters. They are well-rounded enough to feel some sympathy for all of them, well, almost all of them. If you enjoy well-crafted thrillers with a flavoring of science fiction, you should read Blind Cerulean. I'm hoping there is a sequel in the works.

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When there's only your enemy to trust

Revisado: 08-01-20 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Tainted Waters takes place in a world where witches, light elves, and dark elves are in perpetual conflict. A cold war between the group simmers and it won't take much to spark a hot war. Despite the inherent animosity, strange allegiances form between witches and elves. But can anyone really trust anyone else? Trusting your natural enemy for benefit and survival is the theme at the heart of Stanhope's novel.

A coven of witches and a clan of dark elves share a forest, both want access to its resources. Their forays into the woods bring them in deadly contact and conflict with one another. Alice--half light elf and half witch--is a new member of the coven. As many of the characters point out, Alice shouldn't exist. A union between a light elf and witch shouldn't happen, but she does exist and her mixed blood gives her unique abilities which makes her dangerous to everyone. Alice is young and still in training, hardly aware of her strengths.

Someone in the coven sends her to a cave to search for nettles. The cave is the home of the dark elves that share the forest. Alice is captured and questioned. She would have been killed straight away and cut up for her bloody bits but the dark elves are intrigued by her lineage. They also have a problem. They believe a witch has poisoned their water supply and the leader of the clan decides to use Alice to remove the hex. Alice realizes she was sent to the cave to die. Someone in her coven wants to be rid of her and maybe start a war. Alice decides to help the dark elves with their water. She doesn't have a lot of choices. Complications abound as Alice discovers her worst enemies might be her best friends.

Regarding the narration, I found the reading a bit flat. It was serviceable and easy to listen to but I thought it could have been better. But don't let the narration stand in the way of a great story.

If you enjoy stories about magic and twisted allegiances where it's not clear anyone can be trusted, you'll love Tainted Waters.

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Pulp Fiction Fun

Revisado: 03-28-17

Coyote Cal is a perfect blend of horror and humor. If you grew up watching reruns of The Lone Ranger and The Cisco Kid, Coyote Cal was written for you. Coyote Cal and his sidekick Big Yap battle one supernatural enemy after another saving the hapless citizens from horrible fates at the hands of wizards, witches, werewolves, vampires, and other monsters. The series is laughably self-aware. Big Yap frequently reminds us and all the characters that Coyote Cal is the hero of these tales. Both Cal and Yap lament the passage of the Old West into the Weird West, but ride into the new landscape without fear. In true hero fashion, Cal accepts no monetary reward for his good deeds--a sore point with Yap--but does accept a kiss or two from grateful damsels. Coyote Cal is pulp fiction fun at its best.

The audio version of the tales include various sound effects which give the narration the feel of a vintage radio program.

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Life in a post-apocalyptic cult

Revisado: 10-06-15

A virus has swept the globe, killing most of the human populace. Any form of government has ceased to exist. Lucy, who was born on the night the lights went out, has spent her entire 16 years in a sealed house/bunker. When the food finally gives out, everyone but Lucy and her mother makes a terrible choice. Lucy's mother believes she and her daughter can find hope and safety with The Light, a religious community with refuges on islands near Seattle. What they find is far from safe and Lucy concludes that they have traded one prison for another. The only bright spot is the Nobleman, a kind of human battery who emits energy and light, the power to run the refuges. He and Lucy develop a relationship, but is the healing flicker on her palm and his energy enough to change the cruel practices of the men who control the refuges?

Flicker is a gripping tale of survival. How much freedom should you give up for safety? And how many will be sacrificed to change a corrupt system?

The narration was a bit shaky in the beginning but picked up as the novel progressed.

Highly recommended for fans of post-apocalyptic stories.

I received this audio at no charge from the author/narrator in exchange for an honest and unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.

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Chilling, Atmospheric Performance

Revisado: 09-20-15

This isn't my favorite Lovecraft story. The narrator is reporting events that have happened to others so it lacks in immediacy. However, the performance is well-done. Music and sounds further set the mood of brooding, lurking terror. In a few instances the sounds drowned out a word or two of the reader, but I don't think my understanding of the story suffered. Recommended for Lovecraft fans.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.

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Quick, Humorous, and Satisfying

Revisado: 09-14-15

A humorous story told with amusing voices results in a rewarding listening experience. I very much enjoyed Prophecy by Barlight. The twists in the tale may not be unexpected, but they are very satisfying. It's not easy to write a funny story but Moss has succeeded here. I'm glad to have this tale in my audio library for whenever I want a fantasy tale to put a smile on my face.

I received this audio at no charge from the author/narrator in exchange for an honest and unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.

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fungal apocalypse

Revisado: 04-16-15

A horrible disease--a flesh-consuming fungus--has swept the world, killing all but a few who are naturally immune and a few who had time to take precautions. Scarlett has lost all her family and friends. She seems to be alone in Los Angeles, but she's certain there are others. The question is whether or not she can trust the other survivors to be friendly. Apocalyptic stories aren't my usual fair, but Levesque's story of survival and the desperate need for trust, kept me listening. Highly recommended.

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Strange Dealings in Strange Places

Revisado: 03-12-15

etrayed by his father, his girlfriend, and community, Craze is cast into exile, forced to make his fortune on his own. His father has taught him a few skills, but Craze never intended to set up a business on another planet and he's going to have to earn a lot more chips before he can hope to buy what he needs to start his own tavern. A few chance encounters and a back alley deal with stolen goods seems to put the fortune he needs within reach. Well, maybe and maybe he'll be lucky to get out alive.

The Backworlds is a fast-paced, short novel that introduces this space opera series. The characters are varied and well-drawn, the planetary settings fascinating. The story of friendship and shady business dealings in some rather unsavory places drew me in and held my interest. The ending of course is a set up for the next adventure, but I'm looking forward to another ride with Craze and his new friends. He can probably trust them.

I enjoyed the various voices the narrator employed, especially the Australian accents. They voices fit with the characters. Looking forward to listening to the next book in the series.

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