Jan 19 2017

AudioBook Review – Star Alliance

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

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

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“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 🙂

Jan 11 2017

AudioBook Review – Delverrs LLC

“First LitRPG listen”

When you like a narrator you do tend to find books and genre’s you’ve never listened to before, so this was a first for me. I did used to game a lot when I was younger but I’m a bit out of touch now.

The story had a great sense of humour from the get go. Our two Mc’s are transported to another world and meet the God – Dolos. Who through his intentions brings out the sarcastic unbelievability of our human nature. He doesn’t appear much, but he has a good role. There were some POV shifts that didn’t gel with me at first, but once I got used to it, it was much easier to follow, it could well be that this is an audiobook and not me reading it where the confusion lies…

I hadn’t known what to expect from the plot, and I hoped that it would entertain, yes it did. There were some really great points and then some low ones. I did find that although the Mc’s were almost 30 and older, that their mindsets were that of much younger guys, for me in their 20’s either that or their teenage male hormones just kick in at stupid times and especially around the women of the planet. I would like to think guys a little more mature didn’t act like these two in some situations. Their reactions in most situations are quite normal, even if they’re accepting to their new situation a little too easy, but as explained theres reasons for that.

In relation to the two ‘ladies’ they come across, I think that both of them ending up in a relationship with the two Mc’s is a little too good to be true and feels a little more like hero worship and entrapment of some kind, at least to me.

Of course, I can’t fault the performance, Jeff really brings the best to the table and he’s always going to make something amazing. As an audiobook I listened til just before Chapter 15 before I the writing actually pulled me out the story. As I’m new to the genre, I’m not 100% sure on how switching POV’s so late in the story is acceptable, but I guess it is.

Marine’s pov here didn’t do anything for me, and I have to be honest. As a script writer and juggler of multiple POV’s they’re important for me to be early on in a story. I can only think that and the same goes for the other POV’s that sneak in now and then.

There were two pretty important big battles in here, and the most important for me is the fight against Thod obviously, and this is a really great scene. Almost wanted the book to end soon after, I honestly am not sure that the dungeon scene later measures up to it.

Overall, I had some fun, laughed and routed for the Mc’s in their quest. I know I’m not quite the target market, and that shows in the way I perceived some of the plot points. I do think this is a good book and that people of all generations and those who love both Fantasy, Scifi and this newer genre will enjoy.

I look forward to more from Jeff and Blaise. Thanks for the entertainment. 🙂

Jan 11 2017

AudioBook Review – Weapons of War

I totally had to listen to this asap.

It didn’t disappoint! Roll on book 3 🙂

“Loved it!”

I was waiting for this and only as I checked out Jeff’s latest had I realised it was out. Why can’t there be a follow button for a series, haha 🙂

Anyway, so yes. This was a really great continuation of the series. We pick back up with both sides of the story, on Earth and in Space.

Donovan and his team are going through some awful conditions and worse situations to get to the resistance that is left. There were some moments here where I cried, it’s so extremely well written that we get to know and love the character in book 1 and yet M.R Forbes delves even deeper with them and makes us feel even more! This book totally pulled my heart out.

Gabrielle and the old Gator… just superb characterisation. Though they go through so much as father and son, as a team on the Magellan they pull out no stops to protect and survive.

This was a totally nail-biting audiobook, the fights the action, the love and people lost along the way. A total must listen.

Only gripe would be that the ending was just as emotional as the rest of the book! and I was like OMG what the… you can’t leave it like that. You just can’t…. haha

Awesome narrator and author, I want the next one. Like now!

Jan 2 2017

#favreads2016 for Kanundra

So this post has taken me all morning to start to put together, but I think it’s been worth it.

I’ve had the great pleasure of being involved in 2016 with my own audiobooks. That alone immersed me into the world of many authors who I didn’t know or had known but had no real time for reading anymore.

For that, and to listen2abook I am very grateful. 🙂

Everyone remembers their first time right? Well let me know what your first audiobook was and what you loved about it….

For me, I’d personally had my audio account for over 8 mths, and never used it. I got books each month because I had credits to burn but they like my ebook collection was just growing.

When searching for my own narrator, I actually was passed what I now class as my first time, and I think this as an audiobook will still always be one of my very favourite.

I am going to try and keep this list short…. honest.

2016 All time fav Sci Fi in 2016!

I can’t stress enough about the amazing writers and books I’ve listened to this year, this is my fav category. And knocking this down to One Book was the hardest thing I’ve had to do. 169 amazing books from all genres!

But after being asked to listen to a duel narration and being introduced to Jeffery Kafer, I saw this advertised and picked the first book up.

“Different, but amazing.”

When I like someone, I kinda follow them, so when I saw that Jeffrey Kafer posted about a new sci fi. I was like, Oh, yes please!

I did learn that it wasn’t the usual kinda sci fi I read or have started to listen to, but that didn’t mean I did not enjoy this.

Best Female Narrator and Writer Combo –

“Very cool!”

For the most part this story kept me on edge and I wanted to know what happened. I can’t believe the Author hasn’t had the narrator back to do the second book, I’m just gutted, so much so I had to buy the book, and I don’t often do that. I don’t have the time to read a real book. So I do hope that the author will have this on the cards next.

Top book read of the year is her second book in the series. (not available as audio shame)

Best Male Narrator and Writer Combo –

“Excellent listen!”

I think when you start to listen to AudioBooks in the way I have, you do become fans of people. Jeff’s books were some of the first I had the pleasure of listening to, even within a genre I wasn’t a lover of, and I am a fan of his.

Add in the sci fi element and well I’m sold before I even know the premise. 🙂 Some things you know are just going to be a good listen. The fact that a story can be written so many ways just excites me.

Best Fantasy –

“Loved this story.”

This was defo a little more fantasy than I’m used to, with wizards and magic, and all that jazz. But, with Joe narrating, from horror to fantasy I know it’s pretty much got to be a good listen, it didn’t disappoint.

Best Horror – Sorry, but again this one goes to Joe Hemple (Fantastic all round Narrator)

“Horrific! but so good.”

This was a fantastically horrific and just gross out collection of horror stories. But they were so so good, and in bite sized chunks that were great for listening at work. There was a couple of them I really wished were much longer and this was the only reason I marked it down a bit. We only just got a good feel for the characters and what was going on around them that when it ended it was too soon.

Weirdest (yet strangely satisfying)

“Dark, mysterious and action packed!”

Would you listen to The Atomic Sea: Omnibus of Volumes One and Two again? Why?

I would listen to both of these books again, because there was so much to the world and story, I felt it was a lot to take in and digest as an audiobook.

Longest Series I listened to –

“Great Intro listen to at anytime.”

As I said above, this is a great addition, and you can really listen to it at anytime. I got through all the 12 books and then had the worst hangover, so this was a nice addition to the series. The two Seals with the guys in here, are fab characters, both fought till their last breath, as said in the main series, but going through it with them is hard on the emotions.

And Finally some Honourable mentions.

Sci Fi Fun and the most Unique world building –

“Exciting new sci fi!”

Full disclosure. I had the wonderful opportunity to read some of this in one of my author crit groups, but I was super excited to then learn of it as an audiobook! Especially read by Ray Porter, who I enjoyed for some of his other works. So I had to go and buy this. 🙂

Dennis’s Bobiverse was a little strange at first. But, you’re soon taken in by the wonderful humour of Bob and the weird circumstances he’s got himself into and has to keep himself sane from…. I admit there’s a lot going on, and there are some ‘Bob’s I like more than others. But that’s to be expected. They are all so different…. and of course as a trecky fan I love Ryker. And Homer 🙂

Most Emotional and Raw.

“no words….”

This literally was one of the hardest books I’ve listened to, but not in a bad way at all. I mean it’s just so raw, so emotional and just makes you shiver with what happens. It’s one that really will tear your heart out, make you think and then again still shatter your beliefs in the world.

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So there you have it, these are 2016’s best books in my eyes. 🙂 Roll on this year. I’ve got an amazing line-up already and I can’t wait.

~ Dawn

Dec 28 2016

AudioBook Review – Another Man’s Treasure

“Enjoyed it a lot.”

I noticed Janelle post on a facebook group I’m in looking for reviews on the next book, she was kind enough to let me listen to this one (with no obligation to review)

What I found in this story was a very interesting main character who had a pretty ordinary life. But that life is blown out the water by a treasure chest. And a whole load of mystery revolving around her family.

Janelle has a wonderful sweet character voice for Audrey and she even plays really well the gents characters, just enough lower depth to them. I liked Tai too he had such awesome drawl. 🙂

What kept me entertained had to be the whole mystery, I can admit that I’ve not listened to or read many in this genre so the twists and plot points around the story kept me very entertained, and wondering the who, what and why. I was glad that it played out as it did and the ending was extremely well done.

I’d like more in this series to see what happens with Audrey and her friends, and maybe even to see if there’s some genuine romance between her and the policeman. Their relationship was great, protector to friend. That’s the kind of story I’m interested in, not the posh guy who was asked to date her, then kidna fell for her that trope is over done. I think my only main concern was the length of the overall story, it held my interest but it might have been a little on the long side.

Looking forward to more. Thank you for the opportunity to get to listen in. 🙂

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Kanundra's Blog

Writing and life. Life and writing.

Tag Archives: narrators