Daniel Abrams

Love the narrator she does an amazing job

Revisado: 03-11-25

A narrator can make or break an audio book, she does an amazing job at being emotion to the book.

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Great Original Sci-Fi

Revisado: 10-21-22

I’ve loved this book. I had no expectations beyond that I’ve become familiar with the author’s name, but this has been such a great story and I can easily understand why she’s becoming well known!

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Substantially Solid Sequel

Revisado: 07-23-21

** This book was provided to me at no cost, but I was under NO obligation to leave a review or even read it! **

I think I could copy / paste my review from book 1 and I would almost be happy right there. This was really great mythology-fantasy! I really enjoyed the familiar figures from mythology and the mixing of pantheons, and the use of these divinities as characters! All of the Gods & Goddesses in mythology are always so human, as well as more, and I felt like Susana Imaginário really takes the reader into her stories to let us see that. They have God-sized egos, too, which drives them here like it does in their myths! There is a lot of change near the end of the book and I am wondering about how events will continue! No spoilers, but there is definitely a great set-up left behind when the novel ends.

I continued to enjoy her use of Interludes and her overall writing for the entire story. Things were never too disjointed or jarring when switching perspectives for me.

Here, I actually WILL use a copy/paste of previous book. Exact same response works for narration!
Sarah Kempton was a fantastic narrator. Wonderful emotion and nuance everywhere I wanted to have it. Absolutely flawless narration. I should note that I listen at 1.5x and found that a very natural pace. Everything was still very easy to understand and follow along with.

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Spooky and Dark. I wanted to love this.

Revisado: 04-07-21

This audiobook was received free from the author in exchange for an *honest* review.

I wish I could give a 3.5 overall. 3 is too little, but 4 feels like too much.

The narration by Matthew Raymond was pretty great. I felt a couple times like maybe there should have been some more depth in conversations or action, but I am also not used to his work. I have found that one gets to know the narrators we listen to more often and get a better feel for the emotions they project more easily. I would listen to him again.

I found this novel to entertaining, overall. I love apocalyptic fiction, mythology, fantasy, sci-fi.... I found aspects of mythology-type fantasy and apocalyptic / light sci-fi here. Overall, the writing and the characters were pretty engaging. There were moments that I would be more or less invested in the story depending upon the lead character, but it usually was not a struggle to become absorbed in the events. The creativity and atmosphere were great. The fear was an entity in the story, almost! The suspense in most sequences of the story was expertly handled. The action was all great. I believe I cared about the characters I was meant to and hated as intended also. The people were defined, believable (mostly), and overall, real.

My issue was that I had no idea what was going on. In the beginning of the story this can serve as adding to the mysterious and suspenseful feel. However, i found that I left the experience with many of the same questions which I had early on, and they weren't ever answered. I don't understand what happened, why, how, or all the parties, factors, or entities involved. Where did they come from? What happened? How did they get there? WHAT HAPPENED? That was frustrating to me.
In fact, I listened through the book TWICE trying to see if I missed something. I don't believe I did. It's just not easy to fully enjoy a story you cannot understand the point of, or the source. Sure, there is a problem/ challenge/ antagonist. That much was very interesting and exciting as far as the action goes. I just feel like i read half of a story and I wish the rest was there. This is why I opted for a 3 overall: because i felt let down a tiny bit as a reader.

On the bright side, I don't regret listening through once, let alone twice. The story was entertaining. I'm not hooked, though. I am not looking for the sequel eagerly. I would rather see an updated version of this specific story that answers my questions, first! Perhaps a novella from another perspective somehow?

I would be willing to read something else by Suren G. Hakobyan happily. I hope that I do get the chance, and that there will be more stories in the future. The creativity and atmosphere were, as I said above, GREAT. I just need more definition in the story. Namely, who, how, and why! I hope the review helps and I wish nothing but success to Suren G. Hakobyan.

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Pleasantly surprised

Revisado: 10-26-20 El oyente recibió este título gratis

One never knows what to expect when starting a new book with a new author. All I know is that I tend to enjoy mythology, and always fantasy, and the blending of the two was wonderful. There was so much mythology in the story that was unfamiliar to me, there was a bit of a learning curve as I caught up. This was not to the detriment of the story, though. In fact, Susanna Imaginário uses some wonderful plot devices to both educate the reader and advance the story. Interludes, character interactions, just plain writing. Overall I was impressed and I would be happy to read additional stories by the author.
Sarah Kempton was a fantastic narrator. Wonderful emotion and nuance everywhere I wanted to have it. Absolutely flawless narration

This novel was provided to me free in exchange for an open and honest review. This opportunity was a pleasure

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One of the best series I’ve ever read

Revisado: 05-22-20

Such a fantastic series. Such incredible writing. I only got happier and happier as the books got longer and longer. I did not want to leave this world of fantasy. The characters are so well formed and go through growth and change that makes sense. It was a true pleasure to witness their transition over the four years. While I feel like there were some predictable elements, I found that did not bother me. It was especially pleasant because things frequently went the way I wished for them to go, or twisted in a way I didn’t even consider. I am most definitely a major fan of the author now and I really appreciate how Kyle McCarley brought the series to life

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Couldn’t listen. Monotone ruined it

Revisado: 07-20-19

Steven Brand has a good voice until you realize he shows no emotion, no change in pitch or cadence for the characters. I was really disappointed and Now I may never get into this series as I am audio only these days. I hope I can return the trilogy :(

This was all narrator fail. The book didn’t have a chance before I knew I couldn’t do it.

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ABandham all Pessimism, ye who proceed

Revisado: 05-10-19

I simply believe you will enjoy this book. It just may not lead to jumping for joy in reckless abandham, *cough* abandon (yes I wanted to do it twice. I am a little sorry, though).

I am an audiobook-exclusive reader, so the narrator choice is always important to me. I was looking at reviews on other books in the series and I saw some complaints about Andrew Tell. I can't say I understand them, though. I feel like Andrew Tell does a wonderful job of differentiating characters and of injecting the right emotion into his reading. I don't think I would call him one of my favorites (Tim Gerard Reynolds, McLeod Andrews, Katherine Kellgren probably top 3) but I have to say that I enjoy his work plenty.

This book takes us farther down into the thick of the story now, as I see it. Justan is no longer just some boy trying to be a man. He is a young man trying to do what he sees is right, to do Good. We have our usual cast of characters, by and large, and they are all coming along. I mentioned in my review of the first book that I felt it was little comparable to "Fellowship of the Ring" in how so much of the book inevitably felt like an introduction rather than a story all its own. Now that we are on book 3, the world is established and the story has some life all unto itself. Ewzad is still our primary antagonist, but he is getting deeper into his involvement with the Dark Prophet, and his powers. He is still twisting creatures and people in his pursuit of power, and he finds new traps and obstacles to use. Something that I'm wondering about is how much power he will carry later in the series. We can see that there is more 'behind the curtain.' Not only is there the Dark Prophet, there is the Mother of Moonrats. I'm glad to have layers to the opposition - it adds variety into the books and longevity to the series!

So, while this book presents more of the fantasy I want, I have found that I am asking questions about the plot while I'm reading. I have predictions and attachments within the story. I wonder what Master Coal will Teach Justan. I wonder how many bonded Justan can have, and whether or not he'll gain any more control of selecting them. I don't really doubt that he will succeed in the end, as most protagonists do, but I am definitely satisfied at sticking around until I found out how! This world is not a utopia - things go wrong for some, and interesting things happen!

This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an -->unbiased<-- review

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A Finely Edged Tale

Revisado: 03-20-19

Wow. Where to start... This book was, in 1 word, satisfying. This isn't a story that relies on sloppy or lazy techniques. I found everything to be fleshed out and well done. I feel like the only questions I have are the ones I'm *supposed* to have, and now I want the next books! We have, as to be expected, some new characters and some of the same. Justan is certainly growing and I'm really looking forward to learning his story. His progression of physical prowess and now magical is so desirable, I think, because we're starting at the beginning! I've seen so much fiction where it's just a gaping plot hole between characters being green / raw recruit or whatever and then suddenly they're all Aragorn, Legolas, or Gandalf! Justan started out with some huge character flaws, and that makes him real. Book 1, he was raw, and he was arrogant. He got better :)

I've really enjoyed the narration by James Foster. He's very talented and it has been a pleasure to listen to him. He distinguishes characters and maintains the voice of each character well. I will pay him the highest compliment I can think of - I am planning to purchase other works based largely on the fact that he is the narrator!

Thank you, Trevor Cooley, for the awesome reading time!


This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an -->unbiased<-- review

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Kicked this one over the Moon...rat....!!

Revisado: 03-20-19

I think this book grew in just the right ways. Trevor Cooley started the story with Justan as a somewhat unlikable character. As he grow, he is also given good guidance, and I found him enjoyable and relatable. I found the story to be well written, which I have come to expect from Trevor. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Andrew Tell. As I've mentioned previously, even though he's still new to me he is a favorite! I enjoy his different voices and nuanced dialogue.

The story reminds me of The Karate Kid, in some ways. We have someone who is a bit of an underdog, a flawed character, and we see the process of this person learning and growing. He simultaneously becomes less annoying and more competent, as he trains and learns to appreciate the right qualities. I found that I was left with many questions about other characters I found interesting, but I can see from other book titles and plot direction that the story has plenty more for me, lying in wait.

I think the only thing that bothered me was more to do with Justan's rival than anything. His rival is able to do something that we understand better by the end of the book, but I felt like the answer as to what really happened was built on my pre-existing assumptions about certain character-types in fantasy. Still, it was worthwhile and easily a 5-star read.

This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an -->unbiased<-- review

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