The Fab Jeff Hays :) – live read

I had the great pleasure of being included again last night in Jeff’s twitch reading.

This piece was co -written with my writing partner in crime Steven Kogan,

And although I missed it, and am sad about that, it was a great reading to go back and watch.

Take a listen and just watch those faces he does when doing Gavinu’s dialogue, love it. https://www.twitch.tv/videos/118348053

click across to – 35:05 – “Tales from the Secret King: The Summit” by Dawn Chapman and Steven Kogan.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SciFanTM-Magazine-Feb…/…/B01MUD7CE

SciFanMagazineFeb4.jpg

AudioBook Review – The Game

I am sure I was pointed to this one, probably by Steve Caldwell. I just can’t remember.. lol anyway, it was an enjoyable book.

Review as follows –

The Game: The Game Is Life, Book 1 | [Terry Schott]

“Very interesting”

I can’t quite remember who or what made me pick this up. But I’m glad that I did.

From an audio point of view this was an entertaining listen, there were some really cool ideas that melded in with our own world. The natural world that the species live on, we don’t actually know if they’re human or not, we just presume that they are is called Tygon. Their whole civilisation is built around ‘the game’ and they now live their lives entertained, and enjoying the whole process. Each person can follow a specific avatar and then those avatars make more money depending on followers.

I think the story line just resonates with so many religious aspects that it kinda makes you look around and go… ‘oh, what if I ‘m actually in a game’ haha

But of course, we’re not. They are though and their journey really is full of ups and downs.

The two MC’s Danielle and True inside the game are interesting and their lives really do just seem to entwine without the ‘luck of spending credits’ and we really connect with them and their lives, from the first time they meet at 8 till much later in life.

The interconnecting narrative from the outside world is also really great. The whole complex process of the game is understood some more as the story develops, but there are some good unanswered questions, maybe because it’s a series, that they’re answered in later books. I’m interested to find out the ins and outs of why the game was really considered for development and use, and other than that, what it really does to prepare people for life on the outside?

Nice job and I’ve found someone else to follow. I will have to come back for book 2 and 3 though, I’ve some more to listen to first. but I’ll defo pick them up. πŸ™‚

AudioBook Review – Roak

AudioBook Boom was exciting this week, as there were 3 SciFi which I was alotted πŸ™‚

If anyone wishes to sign up, in exchange for some honest reviews this is the best way ever to discover new talent both in authors and narrators.

https://audiobookboom.com/

So, the last couple of days I’ve been listening to Roak.

Here’s my review.

— — — — — —

Roak: Galactic Bounty Hunter | [Jake Bible]

“Dark, moody and brilliant.”

I have to admit I was a little nervous coming into this one right from the start. It promised a lot of action and tension!

There were some great descriptions of the setting and of Roak. His character was blatant. Pay me or you’ll suffer. But, when he was the one left suffering I was unsure as to what he was physically capable of.

Roak, is one of those characters you love to hate. He lives by simple rules and he does everything he can to keep on, keeping on. It takes a while to realise that he’s not actually a bad man, he’s just set in his ways, and does his job. Along his journey to get ‘paid’ Roak comes across some really cool characters. Some that you’ll feel so sorry for and others you’ll love to get their comeuppance.

Andrew, has just the right tone for this novel, deep, gritty and he totally has the right voices to pull off the different aliens along the way too. In his performance there was such humour, and I really enjoyed both the writing and acting. Great job.

I think my only quibble was I just wanted more, haha so I went to look for more work by Jake, πŸ™‚ and I do hope that Andrew gets to narrate some more.

I was given this book by the author/narrator without obligation for review via audiobook boom.

AudioBook Review – Star Alliance

This was easy to pick after the ending on the last!

Review as follows πŸ™‚ this was an excellent book, I can’t wait for the next one. Do hurry up guys!

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Star Alliance: Ascension, Book 3 | [Ken Lozito]

“Loved it!”

I put this on straight after the second book and it didn’t disappoint. (after reading some reviews about the books not being worth a credit) I honestly have to say ‘what’ ? Do you guys have any idea what goes into writing something like this, let alone the audio production!

So for a credit, yes this series is well worth spending it on. Don’t let the others put you off.

This part of the series has to be by far the best.

Zack wakes up, trapped on another ship and then sent to the Pit. Just by the sheer name of it you know it’s not going to be a good thing. The characters are all put through the mill here, in locating Zack and in fighting off the constant chase of their enemy. It will have you on the edge of your seat, in fits waiting for something to go right for a change, and hoping that everyone you’re starting to get to love makes it through.

Some of the best moments of the series are in here, from the realisation of the Nershal that not everything is out to kill you, to of course some home truths about the love x 4 that’s on going on the Athena.

Excellent narration once again, and great listen. Of course, I’m really excited for the next one, and hope it’s not too far off into the distance. I’m tempted to go to amazon and see if it’s been published yet, but that just annoys me, as I rarely get time to read.

Thanks guys. One to come back to this one πŸ™‚

AudioBook Review – Star Divide

Really great to be back with the Athena and the BoxanΒ to see where this great SciFi was going to take me.

Review as follows –

Star Divide: Ascension, Book 2 | [Ken Lozito]

“Excellent second book!”

I was lucky to stop by and see Jeff Hays new releases because I didn’t know these were out! haha, it was nice to be back so soon with the crew of the Athena, and to see how and what was going to happen to them in their dire situation. From Michael trapped on Pluto to the crew now in an unknown galaxy.

The character development is really good, I enjoyed the little menage a la 4 that’s been going on, even though we know that Kayleigh and Zack are meant to be with each other, it seems that they’re just not going to get that right just yet. Katy is a wonderful gal and does Zack a load of good by being nice to him, I do wonder though if it’s going to go south it will just end up with Katy and Hicks being hurt. 😦 and that sucks these two are really nice characters.

As for all the alien stuff, it takes off after the first book and the speed and action doesn’t really get chance to let up. There’s one thing after the other for the crew, and my heart was literally in my throat for most of the read through. What I really love about this is it’s not quite your typical alien invasion ‘we must destroy Earth’ of course no doubt they’re on the way to doing so, but this is more exploration gone wrong with fallible characters you grow to love.

Jeff of course is an excellent narrator, his tone and voices really make this pop out. And it was a great listen while driving. I can’t wait to get the next book on. Thank you to you both. This is an excellent series. πŸ™‚