Category reading

Apr 18 2016

AudioBook Review – WormWood Dawn Ep 1-3

I had the wonderful opportunity to listen to this series, last week. With the hope of buying more!
I’ve never really been into Zombies, or the Apocolypse, but I admit this was fun, scary and the characters go through so much, I really enjoyed them all.
You can pick up the series from –
My reviews are as follows 🙂
Episode 1
“Pretty scary suff! “
What did you love best about Wormwood Dawn?

I’m not an active horror pursuer, but I do like zombie films, so this was a good change. I loved the sense of humour of the main character, Dan.

What did you like best about this story?

It has to be Dan, as the world ends around him he’s just so bent on getting wasted still that you just can’t help but feel for him. A normal day starts out and ends pretty badly for him. The end of the world and he’s goosed, but his outlook is still awesome.

What about Clifford Edwards’s performance did you like?

This was the first one I’ve listened to from Cliff, and I enjoyed the fun he brought to Dan’s character, in the darkest moments, Dan’s thoughts are delivered with just the right amount of sarcastic and edge that you really do believe he’s telling you his life story. Great job.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were some pretty gruesome moments, and at the time I started to listen to this, 6am in the UK, there was a nice blanket of Fog, which I was driving though! the atmosphere created with the narration and my actual life was just so freaky, it scared me silly. haha.

Any additional comments?

I’ve listened to all three so far, so I’m going to post a longer review on story and content there.

Thanks!

 

Episode 2 

“Great second episode!”
Would you consider the audio edition of Wormwood Dawn, Episode II to be better than the print version?

I haven’t personally read the book, but the narration always adds another dimension to a story. Because they put so much into the acting. There is a lot of work gone into this and it’s obvious. 🙂

What other book might you compare Wormwood Dawn, Episode II to and why?

I’m not a huge zombie reader, so can’t really compare, I do however like the Dawn of the Dead movies, and Shaun of the Dead, which is the more comedic version. I defo love the comedy side of this, and the eery side. It’s not quite zombies, but mutations as well, so it adds that extra layer, which is horrid and gruesome, but fascinating as well.

What does Clifford Edwards bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The humour, Dan’s inner dialogue can be so brilliant. Like you’re thinking it, but Clifford delivers perfectly.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I’m not so sure ‘moved’ is the right term, but there are plenty of ‘egggh’ and ‘yuk’ moments, described very well and given just the right tone in delivery that you really do feel utter sick by the gruesome monsters in this story.

Any additional comments?

Nope, reserving it for the third 🙂

Ep 3

“Just gets better! “
What did you love best about Wormwood Dawn, Episode III?

These characters are just so ‘real’ that the story is fab and this episode is by far the best as things come to a real head for the group…

What was one of the most memorable moments of Wormwood Dawn, Episode III?

There have been a few good memorable moments throughout the series so far. I have to say that Dan’s own internal transformation is starting to rock. He started out such a loser, that bumbled along with his life and he really made you feel sorry for his stupid life, but here he is fighting for survival with friends, and friends he now cares about. What a change in his whole attitude.

What does Clifford Edwards bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Again, just the whole tone and characterisation of all the characters, he does a great job with them. Personality and flare.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I listened to all three in three days. I drive for a living, and can listen to 4 hours or more a day, this was a great way to spend my time. 🙂

Any additional comments?

Okay, so some major thoughts here…. I can’t not say that the recording quality difference was apparent from ep 1 and 2 to this one. But, it certainly doesn’t detract from the effort by the narrator or the written story. In all honesty I actually think it added to the ambience of the world Edward created.

I also have to admit here, that because I listened to them all at once, 3 days in a row, I can’t remember which Ep certain key moments are in, but I’ll mention the ones that stick in my mind the most.

The fact that Dan is a loser and a drunken one at that, is kinda hard to get into at first, he really doesn’t help himself at all be being as he is. His life seems so meaningless and his outlook is pretty bleak. But he’s funny, and that carries him, I like his attitude even though it is pretty selfish. Drink or pills, and I’m kinda glad he changed his mind and went for the pills. I actually don’t read the blurbs or other reviews, so when it started off, I had no real clue it was a proper horror/zombie story.

The sickness is awful and described very well, makes you feel yuk yourself. What I liked about this one more than anything is that Dan’s now got a friend and I don’t mean the cat… although that was one horrible and scary darned cat, you know 😦 I felt sorry for it, can understand why Dan did too.

EP 2 This is a more interesting Ep because of Drew, and the bulletin board, meeting Jake is very cool, the dog also, although I was worried it would end up like the cat. There are some amazing creepy things going on with the whole world. The cat, the fact the horse is bitten and we know it’s going to turn, (just when) and then the psycho serial killer whose house they burn down. Gee what a neighbourhood this guy lives in, I kinda think no wonder he was a drunk.

The third guy they team up with while out getting supplies is sad, he loses his brother here and that does suck. They’re really up against a lot of crap here and now and it really hits the fan towards the ending when the rogue military groups turn up and start to blast his house apart. However we think that he’s going to be captured, and he’s not, it’s this psycho killer who nabs him, the one whose diary he’s been reading and finding out about, the shocking truth is that he’s alive and changing! into what we’ve no idea, but it’s not looking good for Dan if he’s ended up in this guys clutches….

So, overall I really enjoyed these so far, I was given them so I’d provide honest feedback, and I have, however, I’m now off to buy the next installment! haha.

Thank you very much Clifford and Edward for a very entertaining few days. 🙂

 

Apr 18 2016

Join our Website for FREE!

#free #scifi #RT – For a short time only – no payment required for our members only section. http://www.thesecretking.com

You’ll get access to the Lacria searchable dictionary and other goodies! just come and be nosey, if you like something leave a message! we love to hear from you.

Free Website Pic

Apr 9 2016

AudioBook Review – The Atomic Sea, pt 3 and 4

So great to be back with these characters. 🙂 I’m glad I’ve got two to listen to on the trot though, just never enough in them!

Written by Jack Conner and narrated by Ray Greenley –

The book can be found on Amazon along with the rest of the series and on Audible .com and .co.uk 🙂

http://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/The-Atomic-Sea-Part-Three-Audiobook/B01547ND1G

Review is as follows. –

“Great to be back…”

So today and tomorrow, I’m back with Avery and the crew in the fight against the Octung!

It was great to be with them again. I can’t help but totally get involved in the world here, Avery as a character had come on in leaps and bounds. I must admit, I was a little shocked that he and Layanna get together. But, the more their relationship grew through this part of the story I can see why. Avery is a vastly different character than when he started this. He’s stronger and more resilient than anyone I’ve met, but he’s still vastly flawed in some of his decisions and I guess that is what still makes him human.

Janx and Hilde are such fun characters, Janx will pretty much do anything for the cause now, and Hilde’s constant ‘this will never work’ but ‘oh well, lets go’ is funny.

The explanations in here of the Collosom and then the Overloards and gods is really good, it’s great to start to put together the whole world that is inside Jack’s head. Sad to see MurBlog back though on the other side 😦 that’s really bad for their friends.

There weren’t any really moving moments in here, in regards to story. Perhaps because of the grisly nature of the sacrifices, and the overlords. It’s horrific to think that these people are so brain washed that they’d go in their willingly. Was also quite shocked that Avery poisoned himself so that he could go in the inner temple. Uggh, glad at least that his mutations weren’t so bad he was totally deformed.

Sheridon and Annie turning up was quite a surprise, and this is where Avery makes the biggest mistake and takes her back to the Black Sect. Which is their downfall, you know it’s coming because of it. I have to admit, I didn’t like that Janx, Hilde and Layanna didn’t inform Avery that the weapon they’ve been building to stop the war needs extra dimensional fuel to work, this is a big wrench when Avery’s at the end of his tether.

In regards to narration, excellent job from Ray, there’s some moments in here that I would not be happy reading aloud haha, because they’re just cringe worthy, he does a fab job of sticking to character, and totally is entertaining with his different voices.

I am looking forward to what happens next, will they catch Sheridon and make it to the Atomic Sea…. but I’ll have to wait till I’m in work again haha. I am defo an audio book covert.

—————————–

Kanundra 09/04/2016

“This is too exciting now!”

This series gets better, and better with every part. I’m totally invested in these character now. The good and the bad…. don’t think I ever like a bad guy before. 🙂

As always spoilers follow…

Okay so this has to have been one of the most emotional and hard parts for me to listen to and I shall tell you why.

Three major dynamics are at play here for me, and they’re emotionally very strong, which is what the writer’s been building for. And he’s done a great job.

Avery and his daughter… Such deep seeded background and emotion for us to follow here. Every situation is marred by these characters pasts, if only they could move past some of what happend to them and look to a better future. This book shows how tough a decision that is actually to do in real life. It’s a constant battle for Avery to think of the bigger picture and not just his daughter, who he would die for.

Sheridon and Avery – I have to say here. I do not hate Sheridon AT all. Her goals aren’t that far stretched for me to actually believe now that she is trying to fight for a better world but in her own way, within her own closed in life. She’s emotionally scared just as Avery is, and she’s actually finally shown some real emotion here, which took some horrendous amount of courage for her. I’m admit I was almost on the verge of tears for her because Avery does the ‘right’ thing in his world and takes back the device.

Avery and Layanna – Again another huge dynamic here, that really tugs at the heart strings. They’ve almost broken up because Layanna accepted sacrifices to finish the device (the device to save the world) and Avery can’t get over that horrid thought that she ate some innocent lives. There is such a bigger picture issue here for everyone that it’s hard to grasp everything in your own head untill you actually sit and think about it. So much action, travel and so many decisions to be made.

For Layanna seeing her husband and son after all these years is awful. They hate her, but don’t, and that’s difficult for her. But the one thing it does do is bring Avery and Layanna back together, phew. I don’t want them to suffer any longer…

Janx and Hildra, well they’re still such fun and wonderful characters on their own, Janx with his stories, and Hildra with her swagger, and need for hildebrand. you can’t help but love them all. I do hope this journey isn’t going to be any harder on these four.

Overall. This is a series that has your head in the clouds one minute with it’s wonderful descriptive sea creatures from another dimension, then back down in hell as we realise they’re more horrid in nature than beautiful. Such terrible sickening things they do to people. ugggh the writer really makes you want to vomit sometimes. Yet, I have to say its as fascinating as it is horrid.

Ray’s performance in this part I totally believe is the best I’ve heard from him so far. The book itself has so many emotional scenes, that his effort in delivery of them is 100% so thick with feeling that you can’t help but be right there with the characters in their world. Feel the devastation they’re going through and then sometimes (very rare) the joy at that emotion.

This is a long series, and my only wish was there were some better breaks in-between the books. But, I guess because it’s so long there kinda isn’t many good places to stop…

Looking forward to the next in the series… come on guys!

Apr 6 2016

AudioBook Review – Silicon Man

I’m back with Silicon Man by William Massa, narrated by Joe Hempel.

I can’t help but love I-Robot, as the original story and as the film, so there’s so much potential I see in this series, even after the TV show Humans, which was pretty awesome. So diving into this story was great. 🙂

You can pick up the audiobook at –

http://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Silicon-Man-Audiobook/B01DCMFIU4

and read my review there to. (always copy them here now) Spoilers follow.

————

“If you love Cybernetics you’ll love this. “

 

Thoughts as follows and SPOILERS

I was interested to follow this series and see what happens next. Or with whom I’m kinda glad that we got new characters to enjoy. Though it was a little predictive, (hence the mark down) I still enjoyed the performance from Joe and got involved with all the characters.

Cole Marcellus, is a cop with a terrible past, he’s dedicated to his cause and wants to stop all AI from hurting others, or running away.

There are some very interesting facts given very early on in this story. The Alsatian. The procedure for the upload… (which I have to say had me cringe over anyway, I mean uploading to a mechanical body… if this were possible… and it got out, how many ‘people’ would want to do just that. Doesn’t bare thinking on. However it does seed doubt in your mind from the get go.

So when AI cole is out and on his mission he gets to see some really awful ways that humans abuse the AI’s, and it’s kinda sad. The AI that rescues the cat is great, cause I am sure Cole was going to do it otherwise. But I do agree with him Cole should have let the enforcer zap him, he got in a whole lot of trouble. haha but saying that he wouldn’t have got to the underground as quick otherwise.

In regards to the whole underground and getting Solace. I honestly thought this whole section of the story was way to quick. Really stupid, no QT period or checks, or well it was just that, too quick and stupid on their part. And for me listening to it, I was shaking my head all the way through.

I did love Kira, and her background with Ron, that was well interspersed. When the Tak Team came in and they broke the underground up again another thing that was a little too predictive was the fact that Cole was still human and AI cole was never going to get back to his body.

The realisation for him though was well played. Even down to Zora putting in a safety memory wipe.

Solace was also one that was never going to get out of AI tak’s grips. I think for me what let me down here wasn’t the fact that I knew it was coming, but if there had been that little bit more build up with Cole and him (not just that one conversation) then it might have felt harsher in my ears, I might have gotten to know him and care for him. When they find him as a blank, I’m pretty indifferent to his story. Even if he’s been this huge hero for everyone, he kinda wasn’t for me.

The ending was pretty awesome, Joe added a depth to the excitement with the tone and pitch of his voice. Human against machine, brilliant and so so glad that Human Cole went back to see to Janson.

So much scope for this world, and the series. I’m still a fan, but sometimes slower is better with the story 🙂

Waiting on the next installment!

Mar 29 2016

AudioBook Review – The Eaton

I’ve had the pleasure of listening to Jeff Hays this week, with one of his new released Audio books, The Eaton by John K. Addis.

I don’t mind Horror stories at all, and have to admit this was a pretty good scary listen. 🙂

If you like classic 80’s Horror stories, then this is a must for you!

Blurb –

The Eaton is the debut novel of John K. Addis. Spanning over 100 years of mid-Michigan history but written in the gruesome style of ’80s horror classics, The Eaton tells the story of Sam Spicer, who purchases the dilapidated Michigan Central Railroad Depot in Eaton Rapids with the dream of opening a hot new martini bar. But when he and his friends discover an abandoned underground hotel directly beneath the property, they must discover what happened to the original guests – before their own time runs out.

Check the book out at –

http://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Crime-Thrillers/The-Eaton-Audiobook/B01CKLAVDW

Review –

“Scary stuff…”

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, because it had lots of wonderful elements in it, it was scary, heartbreaking and just terrible all at once. 🙂

What did you like best about this story?

The fact that it took you on such an emotional journey with the characters, it takes you by surprise because even I wasn’t expecting it as a horror. It was very character driven.

What about Jeff Hays’s performance did you like?

Jeff has quite the difference in character voices. I enjoyed all of them, and when the characters were excited and scared so was I…. I really enjoyed his characters voices for Sarah, Kinsey and Janet. : ) so different, yet so woman like. Great job.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were several moments that really got me. I have to admit, Janet and seeing ‘the baby’ in the linen basket. Would be horrid for anyone… Sarah and having her nipple in the chomper, and for me that moment when someone you love and care about is crying out to you ‘Sarah, I’m hurt… please don’t leave me’ ugggh, just heart wrenching. I don’t know how they could ever leave them, belief or not that it’s the creature. What if it just wasn’t?

Any additional comments?

Okay, so for the most part I did enjoy the performance of the book. It was great to listen to, had it’s ups and downs, what I wasn’t so sure about was some of the flashbacks and places of ‘backstory’ I know most of it seemed really relevant, and it was and it was much better than the ‘reader of the journal’ just recanting events as Jonathan experienced them. But, they did interrupt some of the story for me. Mostly because of their timing. I wasn’t so sure some of them were totally relevant till I’d gotten past them and into the next scene or chapter.

What this as a book did do for me, was take me back to the scary films I used to watch and the stories I used to read as a young adult. It had good tone and great characters. I will defo come back and see if there are more in the future from this author, and yeah Jeff has a new fan to 🙂 so thank you to both for the 10 plus hours of entertainment. Well worth investing my time, and energy into.

Extra thoughts – Prologue – Not so sure on it they’re almost always not needed, but it ended well enough for Zeke, and the creature got out after all! damned. Sarah if she’s still alive better run….

Author note – Interesting to hear that I’m not the only Author who takes their dreams and writes them out. Thank you for that. And pretty interesting that there are real facts in here. 🙂 Kudos to the writer, for research. (heck you talk fast though)

~ Dawn