Susan Ratner

A fantastic and exciting science fiction thriller!

Revisado: 04-29-25 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Review of “Rogue Agent” by Skyler Ramirez (audiobook)

This is an attention grabbing, exciting, and very intriguing science fiction thriller set in an era when faster than light travel between distant star systems has been possible for many centuries.

This story’s focal character is Heather Kilgore, an Agent of the Order of the King’s Cross, a shadowy organization of assassin/spies that act at the bequest of the King (and sometimes Queen) of the Federated Systems of Prometheus. Kilgore is given the assignment to investigate the death of Conner Monroe, former Naval Commander of Prometheus who defected to the Koratan Confederacy, and whose body was found on the planet Hudson outside the Koratan Embassy.

Hudson is part of one of three adjacent systems that fall on the Harper Line, an area of space where control is contested between Prometheus and the Koratans, who are long term enemies and have been engaged in a mostly cold war for centuries. Kilgore and her former mentor Tabitha Lowry are immediately sent to Hudson on the assigned covert mission.

I won’t provide any further details about the story because I want listeners to have the pleasure of experiencing it for themselves. I will say that the narrative includes many unexpected developments and there is plenty of edge of your seat excitement! This tale is anything but predictable and you definitely won’t see the various twists and turns, or the eventual resolution, coming!

The storyline is very creative and compelling and it kept me engrossed from the first page through the very end. The characters are complex and well developed and drawn and they engaged my compassion in spite of my expectations (I didn’t expect to feel sympathetic towards assassins)!

The narrator, Madeleine Brolly, is excellent and does a great job of bringing the characters, and the overall narrative, to life.

I truly enjoyed this audiobook and I think it’s a superb example of its genre. I definitely recommend it and I look forward to listening to the next audiobook in the series. This was my first encounter with an audiobook by this author and I am very happy to have found a new favorite creator in this medium! I highly recommend this audiobook (or book if you’re not into audio). Get it - you won’t be disappointed!

Review by Sue Ratner

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This is a wonderfully engaging listen- get it now!

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

Review of “Folkloric” by Karenza Grant (audiobook)

This is a beautifully lyrical story about how an individual’s life changes when her passion encounters reality.

Camille is a young French woman who works in a cafe. Camille’s true passion is folklore, especially the folklore of her homeland. She devotes her free time to collecting authentic stories in the hope of one day publishing her work and making contributions to the relevant scholarship. She doesn’t believe that any of the folklore she collects is actually true, of course, but she deems its collection and recording to be fascinating and important. Unfortunately, too many of her town’s residents dismiss her efforts as irrelevant and don’t believe that they, or she, will amount to anything. On one particularly frustrating day, in search of a story that she’s heard snippets about, instead of hearing the details she seeks she meets with ridicule. Dejected by this episode she goes drinking, has a few too many, and then encounters the town’s new doctor (who is also inebriated), Lucas. Eventually they go to his home. The next morning Camille arises and drinks some tea that has been left by her bedside. And from that moment on, her understanding of reality and of her world is never the same.

I will not divulge any more details about this gorgeous story because I want the audiobook listeners to have the opportunity to revel in Camille’s and Lucas’s journeys and encounters, some wondrous and others extremely perilous.

The storyline of “Folkloric” weaves an extraordinarily immersive tapestry of a truly creative and internally consistent fantasy world. The characters are lovingly drawn and are entirely believable, engaging, and relatable. The tale flows from the first line through the very end and it captured my attention and interest so thoroughly that I eagerly awaited the entry into each succeeding chapter until I reached the end of the audiobook!

While this audiobook stands firmly in the realm of fantasy, the author also deftly intertwines elements of mystery (and the role playing game Dungeons and Dragons enters into the narrative occasionally).

The narrator is excellent and truly brings the characters and story to life!

All in all I loved this audiobook and look forward to the next audiobook in the series with great anticipation. If you are an avid listener to superb fantasy audiobooks, or to great fiction in general, then grab this title (or if you prefer reading to audio, get the book as it will be equally fabulous). I am thrilled to have found a new favorite author in Karenza Grant!

Review by Sue Ratner

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An entry in the “Marathon” series - a fun listen!

Revisado: 04-24-25

Review of “Lost Star” by Daniel Young

This is an audiobook in the “Marathon” space opera series. It’s a brief listen at 4 hours and 11 minutes. The story is entertaining and enjoyable and the characters are engaging. I’m not sure if being able to listen to the series in order would further enhance the listener’s experience as some incidents are referred to in this title which I assume were covered in previous books (but I could be wrong). I couldn’t find the complete series on Audible but perhaps it is available elsewhere (Kobo, Chirp, etc.)

The audiobook is narrated by Virtual Voice and, as far as this form of narration goes, it falls somewhere in between the worst (e.g., lots of mispronunciations, etc.) and the best (flawless pronunciation, different voices for different characters).

Overall this audiobook is a quick, fun listen (or if you don’t like audio or Virtual Voice you can always opt for the book). If you are a fan of Daniel Young’s writing or of space opera in general you’ll probably enjoy this audiobook/book!

Review by Sue Ratner

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A fantastic romp - you’ll be glad you listened!

Revisado: 04-23-25 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Review of “Mage Tank” by Cornman

I really enjoyed this audiobook and consider it an excellent contribution to the fantasy genre. I recommend it most highly!

I want to point out at the outset of this review that this title is listed as belonging to the LitRPG sub-genre, which usually means that the story encompasses significant role playing game (RPG) elements. Some LitRPG titles that I’ve read or listened to get carried away with the use of RPG jargon and imagery, making them less accessible or interesting to readers/listeners who are not aficionados of RPGs. This is definitely not the case with this title! While the author certainly uses RPG terminology and descriptions to the extent necessary to create an appropriate narrative, they are interwoven so skillfully into the overall story that the audiobook (or book if you’re not into audio) can be appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed by both gamers and non-gamers.

The tale begins when Arlo has a horrific accident and dies. He is offered two choices: to stay dead or to “respawn”. He chooses the second option without really understanding what it means. He is then dropped into what turns out to be called the “character creation room” where he undergoes a process to prepare him for his entry into his first, or creation, delve.

Arlo finds himself beginning his creation delve along with four other individuals. However, Arlo is not like the others (or any other new delver). First of all, most new delvers come from lineages of established delvers, most of whom are also noble born, and have been looking forward to and being prepared for a life of delving since their youths. Second, it turns out that Arlo’s character build differs from other novice delvers, although neither Arlo nor any of his companions are aware of this fact initially. Indeed, Arlo is so clueless about the situation in which he finds himself that he is forced to fumble along the best he can. His ignorance and inexperience pose increased risks for him and the rest of the team as they proceed through the creation delve which, by its very nature, is very daunting, challenging, and dangerous.

The story evolves from this point and I will not provide any further details because I want the listeners to experience this wonderful audiobook for themselves!

I will share that the storyline is extremely creative and immersive throughout and the characters are drawn in a way that makes them entirely sympathetic and relatable. While listening, at the end of each chapter I couldn’t wait for the next one to begin and I reveled in the tale from the initial lines through the very end!

The narrator is excellent and truly brings the characters and story to life. I am always very happy when I discover a new favorite author, as in this case, and I eagerly look forward to the next audiobook!

Review by Sue Ratner

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Absolutely fantastic - loved it - listen to it now

Revisado: 04-21-25 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Review of “Unproven” by Drew Briney (audiobook) (if you’re not willing to read the entire review please read the last three paragraphs!)

This is the first book in a wonderful new fantasy series. It is fantastic and I give it my highest recommendation! Get this audiobook (or book if you prefer) - you’ll be glad you did!

This rich, thoroughly engaging audiobook begins with the introduction to Raz’oolenay who is referred to by the name “Shadow” throughout most of the book. Shadow is a young adult member of the Hiwalani people, who are mages who are tied to the Earth Mother and draw their powers from her. However, unlike most Hiwalani, Shadow is considered by his people and himself as azh’nahn, a mage without power which makes him a disgrace and outcast to his family and wider community. In the first chapter, Shadow is drawn to the site of a ceremony being performed by Hinzwala, exceptionally powerful mages. While observing this ceremony Shadow witnesses the release of two kotrakoy, huge powerful dangerous (but intelligent) creatures with four wings and four rows of vicious teeth who had been buried in the earth for many years. Based on his knowledge of Hiwalani lore, Shadow recognizes the threat that the kotrakoy pose to the safety and indeed the very survival of the people in Hiwalani villages. Shadow sets off to warn the Hinzwalan council and villagers but his progress is hampered by injuries to his feet. As he struggles to reach his desired destinations he encounters a major surprise - a flying machine crashed in a tree with an unconscious woman dangling below. The Hiwalani shun all things not derived from the earth, especially mechanical devices like the flying machine which clearly originates from the Trayki, who pursue all things contrived and mechanical and who are the historical enemies of the Hiwalani. The unconscious woman is clearly Trayki and yet Shadow feels drawn to save her and protect her. During a brief moment of consciousness in the woman, Shadow experiences a direct insight into her mind and memories and learns her name, Athna.

Shadow works on finding a place to hide Athna who, as a Trayki enemy, if apprehended by Hiwalani would be imprisoned, interrogated, and possibly killed. He also pursues warning the council and community about the kotrakoy. At the same time, other Hiwalani mages are becoming aware that The Turn, which has altered the balance and effectiveness of current Hiwalani magic, has occurred. The Turn has left previously powerful mages as all but impotent while incongruously Shadow, the azh’nahn, finds himself the recipient of more and more frequent and powerful messages and urges to action arising from the Earth Mother (sometimes referred to simply as the Earth).

Not too long after, military officers in Trayki become aware that Athna’s flying machine has gone down in Hiwalani lands. The failure of a covert Trayki search party to find her convinces the Trayki leaders that Athna has been captured and is being accounted as a spy which they believe will set the Hiwalani on the path to war with the Trayki. They convince themselves and the Trayki king that war with the Hiwalani is inevitable and decide to take preemptive action to invade Hiwalani lands and attack their villages.

Eventually Shadow is invested with responsibility by a senior Hinzwala mage to lead a small band of young mages on a somewhat amorphous mission. Shadow finds himself drawn into several, sometimes conflicting, responsibilities including dealing with the kotrakoy, figuring out how magic must be altered to be effective after The Turn, and determining the appropriate response to the Trayki invasion.

I won’t give any more details away as I want the listener to have the full enjoyment of the rich experience of this gorgeous fantasy. I do wish to share that the storyline is highly inventive and flows creatively from start to finish, drawing the listener along as the tale progresses. The characters are lovingly and engagingly developed and are extremely complex and relatable. The thoughtful choices by the author of names and descriptions add immersive ambience to the tapestry of the story and characters.

The audiobook narrator does an exceptional job of capturing the essence of the characters and of conveying the complexity and depth of the narrative.

I absolutely loved this audiobook and it receives my highest praise and recommendation. I give it five stars across the board on all aspects. I strongly urge everyone who loves fantasy (and creative writing in general) to purchase and relish this audiobook (or ebook/book if you prefer reading to listening - the experience will be stellar whichever you choose)! I look forward with great anticipation to future audiobooks in the series!

Review by Sue Ratner

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This is a truly fantastic audiobook, stunning in its breadth and depth. It is not to be missed!

Revisado: 04-08-25

Review of “The Coming of Darkness” by A J Andersson (audiobook version)

This richly woven immersive epic fantasy audiobook focuses on the adventures and travails of Arthar Wolfhart, eldest son of the Wolfhart family, his family’s faithful retainer Jonn, and the mystical and mysterious Warder, with a host of important appearances by other Wolfhart family members and associates. Faced by the impending threat from the evil Morbydd and his horde of minions, Arthar, Jonn, and Warder start out on a quest to prevent the enemies from gaining access to the hidden sacred garden and destroying the future of all mankind. Their journeys take them, by land and sea, across both known territory and, at least as far as Arthar and Jonn are concerned, to strange and distant unknown lands. As they travel they face uncertainty, dangers, and encounter wonders that bring new allies to their sides, while the dread armies of doom threaten. I won’t provide any further details about this amazing story because I want the listeners to be able to enjoy the experience for themselves. I will add that, among other fascinating plot elements and characters, there are also sentient animals and birds!

The richly detailed and textured storyline is extremely compelling and creative and it grabbed my attention and interest from the first line and held it until the very end of the tale. The characters are lovingly developed and are extremely engaging and relatable. The narrator of this audiobook does an excellent job of voicing the characters and describing the events in the story.

All in all, I enjoyed this audiobook thoroughly and I recommend it very highly. I am looking forward to listening to the second installment of the series with great anticipation!

I was not familiar with the work of the author before listening to this audiobook but I eagerly await further audiobooks (or books) by him! (If you are not a fan of audiobooks then grab the regular book - it will be a great read!)

Review by Sue Ratner

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This is a really fun audiobook - I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it!

Revisado: 04-04-25

Review of “How to Defeat a Demon King in Ten Easy Steps” by Andrew Rowe

In this audiobook the backstory is the repeating cycle of the rise of the Demon King who proceeds to decimate and conquer the world, eventually followed by the coming of the Hero who works through a series of challenges, culminating in the vanishing of the Demon King. This cycle has always occurred on a ordained schedule, until the time in which the audiobook story occurs. In this case the Demon King has been active for only 23 years but has already conquered so much territory that Yui Shaw is convinced that humanity will not survive until the predestined coming of the Hero 77 years later.

Yui Shaw decides that she will become the Hero, or at least as heroic as necessary to defeat the Demon King. She develops an atypical approach requiring 10 steps to achieve this end. The tale follows Yui as she proceeds through these steps, collecting a couple of compatriots along the way. I won’t give any more of the details away because I want the listeners to experience pleasure of the audiobook for themselves.

If you are already a fan of Andrew Rowe’s work then you will discover that this title is a bit of a departure from his other audiobooks. I am such a fan but I still enjoyed this audiobook immensely. The characters are engaging and well developed and the storyline is creative and flows beautifully. This is a really fun listen! It is fairly short at about five and a half hours.

The narrator is excellent and truly brings life to the characters and the story. I highly recommend this audiobook (or book if you’re not into audio). Get it - you won’t regret it!

Review by Sue Ratner

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This is a fantastic, engrossing audiobook - I loved it and can’t wait for the next audiobook in the series!

Revisado: 04-03-25 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Review of “First Command” by Michael Simon

This is a wonderful listen (or read if you prefer ebooks to audiobooks)! I can’t recommend it highly enough.

This fantastic audiobook follows the story of Ensign Cole Jackson and his friend and fellow Ensign Sergei, beginning with Cole’s first day of his posting to the starship Freedom. Cole dreams of a future in starship command, while Sergei’s heart lies in the complexities of engineering. However, Cole’s and Sergei’s expectations for the starship’s cruise are thrown asunder when Freedom is attacked and severely damaged by the Coven, a species who seek to invade and crush all “lesser species”. Only Cole’s unorthodox and unsanctioned efforts, with Sergei’s assistance, prevent the complete destruction of Freedom. However, Freedom’s sister ship, Hood, suffers even worse damage and the loss of all hands in the Coven attack. Cole is put in charge of a salvage operation to the hulk of Hood in search of components needed for repairs to Freedom, accompanied by Sergei and a small band of relatively unskilled individuals. What follows is a truly thrilling and immersive story of Cole and his team going above and beyond in pursuit of not only their own survival but the survival of humanity. I won’t give any more details away because I don’t want to deprive listeners of the fantastic experience of hearing it for themselves.

The characters of Cole, Sergei, and their fellows are engaging, sympathetic, and very relatable. The storyline flows beautifully, is highly compelling and creative, and grabbed my attention from the very beginning through the end of the tale.

The narrator is excellent and really speaks the characters into life.

I was not familiar with Michael Simon as an author before listening to this audiobook but I am now eagerly awaiting listening to the next audiobook in the series (“Second Chances”) which is now available and which I have already purchased! I am also looking forward to future works by Mr. Simon.

Get this audiobook (or book) - you definitely will enjoy the experience!

Review by Sue Ratner

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I loved this audiobook - I can’t recommend it too highly!

Revisado: 03-19-25 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Review of “The Wylds Online - Runescribe books 1-3” by H G Chambers

This story begins when Ben, an unsuccessful call center salesman of printer protection plans, is invited by his best friend Will to participate with him in the limited entry Beta Test of a new, cutting edge, truly immersive online role playing game (RPG), The Wylds Online. Will, who is successful and whose life generally seems to be on track, is elated by this opportunity. Ben, however, who rarely finds that things go his way, is much more dubious, especially having heard a troubling story about the fate of an earlier player. Despite his concerns, Ben is convinced by Will to participate in the Beta.

While Will’s inception into the RPG proceeds normally - he chooses his Class of Cleric - hapless Ben is denied the opportunity to choose a Class, a critical starting element of the RPG. Ben finds himself classless, unsure of how he will proceed in the game with such an atypical status. He is granted something else unexpected (which I will not give away) which, while not compensating for his lack of a Class, encourages him to forge ahead and make the best of his situation.

I will not relate any more details of the story because I do not want to deprive the listeners of the pleasure of experiencing the tale for themselves. However, I do want to share some of the aspects that made this audiobook such a fantastic experience. First of all, the characters (not just Ben and Will but all of the characters) are well developed, highly engaging, and relatable. The storyline is exceptionally creative and immersive and it gripped my attention from start to finish. There are unexpected twists and turns as the story develops and, as I listened, I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. Overall it was a superb listening experience and I will look forward to the next audiobook by the author!

The audiobook is narrated by the author himself and he performs admirably. I always appreciate author narrated audiobooks because they know just how to lend emphasis at critical junctures.

I want to point out that you do not have to be a gamer to love this listen. I do not play RPGs but still truly appreciated this audiobook (if audiobooks are not your thing, I’m sure this title would be equally awesome as a book).

I am always excited when I find a new favorite author and, I am extremely happy to say, that I have found one here! Get this audiobook/book now - you don’t want to miss this experience!

Review by Sue Ratner

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Great audiobook (or book) - get it now (but listen to or read the first two audiobooks/books in the series first)!

Revisado: 03-04-25 El oyente recibió este título gratis

“Mage Hunter” by Drew Briney

Mage Hunter, like the two previous audiobooks in the series (Assassin Hunter and Soul Hunter), is fantastic. I loved listening to it from start to finish.

This audiobook is written from the point of view of Vaya Sage, the protagonist of Assassin Hunter. Through listening to his thoughts and reflections and perspectives on his experiences I came to understand and empathize with his tormented feelings about his past actions and their unfortunate consequences. While suffering through his tortured recollections, he must also be wary of possible attempts by Darkmind to overwrite his thoughts and memories, and avoid the efforts of another dangerous assassin who aims to kill him. All throughout, Vaya Sage aspires to be a good, or at least better, man.

I won’t spoil the surprise of the evolution of the storyline and the protagonist’s character but I was engaged and intrigued throughout the entire audiobook. Vaya Sage is relatable and engenders empathy and I awaited each twist and turn in the action eagerly.

I can’t recommend this audiobook enough - I also appreciated the narrator who did an excellent job. (If audiobooks are not your thing, then get the ebook or book - you won’t regret it)! I look forward to Mr. Briney’s next series or standalone novel with anticipation!

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