Audiobooks Unleashed Library

RJ
Listener
Bio
Technology addict.
Favorite Audiobook
Destroyermen Series
Audible Reviewer Link
https://www.audible.com/listener/A2BO1GYVJ19JN6
The Deserter: The Legion Chronicles, Book 1 “William “Tell” Davis, our hapless Marine encounters a fight behind the bar as he leaves. He assumes the bigger of the two combatants in the wrong and proceeds to first disarm, then, unfortunately, kill the larger fighter. He discovers that both fighters are aliens and that the larger of the two was a galactic police officer. Tell’s actions have sentenced the entirety of earth to elimination. An interesting and somewhat unique premise, yes? For all us “older folks” out there, you may recall a classic black and white movie called “The Day the Earth Stood Still”. A similar proposition formed the basis for that old film. One of my favorites. The story goes on to describe how Tell attempts to remove earth from the pickle he put it in. The series of plans that Tell comes up with is interesting and imaginative. The detail was a bit exhaustive at times. My only problem is the level of knowledge and intelligence that our Marine Sargeant achieves or has command of immediately. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Tyrant: Endgame “We begin the adventure with some interesting background on Jess and the origins of “Bubba”. The government of the United States is all but forgotten. The Commandant of the Marine Corps and the Admiral of the Navy are all that is left of the Joint Chiefs and they struggle to pull together what they can from the remains of the disorganized Armed Forces. The call for rebellion, freedom, and liberty goes out to all patriots that can hear their voice. To provoke people further, there are rumors and scuttlebutt of an existing crematorium, reigniting horrors from the past. As facilities and territory are reclaimed from FEMA an even greater terror involving population control is discovered. All the stops are being pulled out by these tyrants to destroy America and introduce the New World Order. Will patriots rise to the challenge? I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Tyrant: Main Core “The term Main Core started out as a government RFID program to help identify soldiers. In times of tyranny it came to be the government blacklist of tens of thousands of patriotic citizens. Surviving patriots of the Southern Illinois raid by U.N. Forces have gathered together, deciding to make their own raid on a U.N. held prisoner camp. Goose Island, on the outskirts of Chicago was a FEMA stronghold where captured patriots were shipped and slaughtered for the “common good”. As our boys traveled they liberated and/or acquired additional survivors and equipment until their ranks swelled to several thousand. As their presence was made known they were contacted by two surviving members of the U.S. Joint Chiefs requesting that they join ranks to take back America. In the meantime, U.N. Forces tighten the noose on U.S. Forces by bringing new technology weapons to bear. The North Koreans had developed Direct Energy Weapons or DEWYS, to aid in the destruction and conquest of America. The backup plan, should the U.N. Iranian General fail to eliminate the resistance, was Operation Black State; a weaponized form of the Black Plague pandemic, which killed upwards of 200 million people in the 13th century. As the simmering pot comes to a boil; will our group of patriots make it to Chicago, will they still be around to join ranks with the Joint Chiefs forces, and will the North Koreans have any more technological surprises up their sleeve? Stay tuned; it’s an exciting ride! This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.”
Tyrant: The Rise ““Tyranny isn’t a political party and a tyrant isn’t a bureaucrat. Rather, tyranny is the use of power to subjugate and a tyrant is the man with a heart evil enough to do it.” The United States is in a world of hurt. The U.S. has been invaded by the U.N., the President is in cahoots with the U.N., and the Patriots within the Armed Forces are trying to separate the good from the bad. This book highlights the concept and realism of Oath Keepers [a far-right, anti-government American organization associated with the patriot movement and militia movement. It encourages members—some of whom are current and former U.S. military and law enforcement officers—not to obey orders which they believe would violate the United States Constitution. i.e. Wikipedia] The President has been on a mission to take Americans guns, ammunition, transportation, fuel and rights under the guise of martial law. The U.N. leaders, evidently Middle Eastern, are tired of the slow moving American President and begin to accelerate the takeover via brutality. Great beginning to a very interesting series. There is a prequel available, but I’m already beyond that. I’ll wait for Audible to get the second and third books of the series.”
Against a Tyrant: Book One of The Far End “After the war between the Efftruls and Numooks, Deemuth an Efftrul slave, was set free as promised. Deemuth learned the ways of war and ultimately removed the current ruler with a tyranny of his own design. This is the story of Deemuth and an account of his unyielding rule. Perhaps his memorial? This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.”
Battle of Kinds: The Far End Prequel “The story of Rawluv, an enslaved traveler, is fairly interesting, but I have issues. Crimsons, Branigans, Efftruls, and Numooks; I have no idea what these beings look like so I have difficulty imagining the characters and being involved in the story. This is a huge con in my opinion. Everything has a unique name with no similarity to anything known. Domains and weapons, those I know. The story would have been much more enjoyable with some additional background. So, we have the life and recollections of a slave. This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.”
Ravagers “Marines on an alien planet fighting ravenous beasts; sound familiar? Earth is overpopulated and a new home is needed for the overflow. Planet Terrellivan(?) is that place, but the current inhabitants are big, vicious, intelligent, and hungry and do not want company. Our heroic Captain Nev and his team are sent by the devious Colonel Horn to find the previous team, which is mysteriously MIA. Nev will find there is much more to his mission than revealed to him. The plot is not new, but the characters are developed and there’s plenty of action. Three.point.five. This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.”
Molterpocalypse: The Molting Book 3 “The Molters continue to evolve, the new strain becoming more unpredictable and dangerous. Jonah, Doreen, and daughter Hyka have been surviving in their mountain cabin while Jonah continues to make security rounds looking for behemoths. A new enemy has appeared. This new adversary wars against the Molters but their tactics utilizing “the draw” are a threat to Jonah and his family. We follow Jonah as he battles Behemoths, Molters, Infectors, and the newcomers as well. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Tales from the Wasteland “Mer-can-tile: the Hunter stronghold. At the beginning of the book, it mentioned that the city sign of Mercantile looked like it was fashioned from parts of other signs. I thought this was a clue to the origin of the city of Mercantile but I couldn’t figure it out. Anyone else? This was the most excitement I got out of the book. The story seemed muddled and confusing to me. Plenty of potential with the hunter and the demons but no fluidity to the tale. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Veterans of the Belron War “This story started well. My hopes for another interesting tale from Derwin Lester, as I have almost come to expect. The account of Tommy Sampson did not disappoint. When the story branched off into different timelines Mr. Lester lost me for a bit. I had to go back to listen more closely. It’s a good story, interesting, and makes references to other books. It won’t be one of my favorites but we can’t be perfect can we? I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Zombieville “When I selected this novella, what I expected was your run-of-the-mill zombie tale, perhaps a bit tongue-in-cheek given the title. What I got was much more. The story had a lot of depth to it and was somewhat serious versus slapstick. Although it did have some fun moments (think: Michael Jackson’s Thriller video). It wasn’t quite a paranormal love story, yet there was a touch of romance. I’d classify it more thriller than horror, although it had that too. Ultimately, it was a tale about mental abuse and revenge, culminating in disastrous results. It is a very good story; surprisingly good. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
The Forever Sleep “Wouldn’t that be “uploading” our minds to the internet? We’re treated to a nice piece of science fiction as Mr. Lester’s first finished work in 2007. An intriguing tale of what may happen should the science fiction books come true and we’re able to upload our consciousness to the internet, to live out our lives forever in “virtual reality”. Or at least as long as the internet stays up. And that’s the design of this short story. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
You Can’t Be Twelve Forever “A short story by Derwin Lester illustrating the passing wisdom on to the young. I see that in times of crisis a young boy must grow up faster to assume his responsibilities, contrary to times of peace when he can remain a boy longer and enjoy life. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
When They Come for You “A thirteen-year account of a man and his wife who never gave up resisting after an alien invasion. This short piece from Derwin Lester is not as poignant as some of his other works but it still left me ruminating on what I would do in Robbie’s position. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Legend of the Sword Bearer Tempest Chronicles, Book 1 “This is a pretty good story and I liked the swordbearer hook, it leaves a lot of room for additional adventures and sub-plots. The setting was sort of a planned reincarnation, uploading the consciousness to the game world. I find it difficult to classify this in the litRPG genre. To me, it’s simply a magical fantasy adventure with a few basic game elements thrown in to capitalize on the popularity. I find it interesting that there is no major female character. There is plenty of action from start to finish but the whole point of the adventure seems to get lost in the action. The story flows from one fight to another with no particular goals being met. Sort of one dimensional or tunnel-vision-esk [sic]. The mixture of technology with sword and magic is a nice twist and a major element in the story. Three-point-five for potential. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
More than Survival “We are treated to a delightful, sweet love story. Kate L. Mary once again performs a linguistic spa treatment to our troubled hearts and minds. I’ve been a solid fan of Ms. Mary since my first introduction to her endless talent. Every book hits home for me. As I listen, I recall past friendships and relationships. Half the time I sit with a silly grin on my face, my mind picturing the scene, and more often than not, feeling the emotion of the moment. That’s an extraordinary talent for a writer to possess, no doubt enhanced by Amber Morton’s stunning narration. Contrary to the gushing, Ms. Mary may have stumbled slightly this time around. Cliff hangers, abrupt endings, and loose ends have left a little sour taste in fan’s mouths. Although this does seem a bit unusual for this author. The stories in this series did seem to be stand-alone novellas, so I’m unsure if there will be a sequel to this tale. It certainly deserves one. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
The Liberation of Earth “This has been an engaging, intriguing short story. While listening, I was waiting for the hook, the plot, or the point to the story. After a while, it became clear that there was no plot to speak of. It was a discussion between two friends on the best way to effect change in the world. I tried to fit this discussion into the present day and realized that this story is timeless. It would be relevant in present-day or at any time in history. The narrator, Jason Sprenger was outstanding. His voice and the story together were mesmerizing. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Fatal Reaction: Nightfall (Fatal Reaction Book 4) “We left our group of survivors hiding out in an empty restaurant at the end of the prior volume. Our group is hiding from not one but two races of aliens. “Scourge” that like to eat live food, and “The Order” that was running from the Scourge. Our wonderful government, in their typical knee-jerk reaction, thought it would be a good idea to infect us with the Scourge blood so we wouldn’t be tasty to them. As usual, the solution backfired and turned those given the blood into raging zombies. Then, considering this is L.A., there are two local gangs to be wary of. Aliens of The Order are supposed to be the good guys since they were running from the Scourge and have reversed their preference for live food. Good thing for us. So, remaining survivors have their hands full. How are we supposed to get out of this one? There’s only one way…stay tuned. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
The Thin Line of Life: Volume 2 “A series of vignettes or novellas describing people and their experiences in the zombie apocalypse. The locales for most of the stories, based upon the narrator’s accent, seem to be around Tennessee or Kentucky. It appears that aliens are behind the zombie apocalypse. Why and where they came from are a mystery. Loyal dog stories always get to me; Sunshine was my favorite tale. Similar to the first volume of this series, the accounts were authentic and graphic. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
The Thin Line of Life: Volume 1 “I’ve enjoyed Derwin Lester’s writing, be it Sr. or II, so I was excited when I was able to pick up several of his novels and/or short stories. I found it interesting that several of the Lester family are participating in this series. We’re presented with a viral plague, turning infected into ravenous, flesh-eating zombies. This alone is nothing new or noteworthy. It is the emotion and realism in the telling that stands out. The characters are well-developed and likable. This first volume conveys several survivor’s stories; the roles they played during the event, and the effect the experience had on each of them. The accounts are emotional and gritty. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Collision “How would you feel, what would you do? With an innocent slip of the tongue, you discover that your life up to this point has been a lie. Your mother and father are both blood type O-Negative and you are AB. What!? We follow our young MC Kara Jones as she realizes, then rationalizes this stunning revelation. The poor girl had more related difficulties to deal with than the initial shock, especially when she received the answer to her persistent questions. Kara had a new beau to occupy her time as well but he helped calm the chaos. Be careful what you wish for! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Penitence: H7N9 Book 1 “I am lucky to have all three books of this trilogy so that I may enjoy the entire series without pause. When I chose these books I hoped I would like such a long series about a viral apocalypse. What I got is much more. What I got is a heartfelt, solid treatise on humanity; how we relate to and treat one another. This is what I took away from this first volume. We meet our protagonist Teddy Sanders in prison, witness his viral encounter, then suffer with him after prison, into the chaos and brutality of the new world. Jane and Danny are a reassuring light in this dark fable. I pray that this is not a glimpse of our future should we, unfortunately, encounter such a disaster. In retrospection; Jane’s aphorism: It’s worthwhile to fight for the good that’s left in the world, while Teddy’s motto: I can’t change the person I was, but I can change the person I am. This is an excellent story and I look forward to the next volume. James Romick’s performance as the narrator was flawless.”
The Key to Survival (A Zombie Apocalypse Love Story Novella) “A short novella from Kate on finding oneself all over again. In the opening chapters of a virus-inspired apocalypse, Jane discovers that her eleven-year relationship with her fiancé is over. Utilizing the prepared honeymoon tickets, she heads out to the private island resort in Key West to recover. Here she meets Austin, a younger man, good looking, and excellent company. The virus on the mainland is out of control with the death toll mounting. Many visitors on the island paradise flee back to the mainland in panic. Jane and Austin form a bond of friendship and survival as the virus crosses the waters, making itself known on the island. This is a story of two strangers coming together in a crisis, depending on each other for survival. Will there be time or even the opportunity for love? Another great story! I look forward to the rest of the series. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Fighting for a Future: A Zombie Apocalypse Love Story Novella “Kate does it again! This time with a series of shorter novellas about the zombie apocalypse with a bit of steamy romance included. As always, a strong female lead. Kyra is tough and outspoken, yet honest and self-confident; you just have to look beyond the vulgarity. Riley is compassionate, a charmer with the same self-confidence. The two hit it off and give each other the strength and motivation to survive. A great story! I’m looking forward to the rest of the series. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
When We Were Human “Kate invites us to an apocalyptic survival tale on redemption and hope. We’ve been here before, aliens invading our world, for what purpose is not clear. Seeing your friends, neighbors, and loved ones rounded up, tortured, and killed can leave you in a bad place. Grief, guilt, and revenge can twist your mind, putting you on an unfamiliar path. Eva is on this path; a young woman filled with a vengeance and little hope after seeing her younger sister taken away by the aliens, unable to stop them. Eva is discovered amid her grizzly retribution by Walker and Tara. These two young survivors are looking for Tara’s family without much luck. Eva joins them, continuing on their desperate quests. Walker and Tara are good people, seeing the misery and torment within Eva, and want to help her. Thus begins a new endeavor for Walker and Tara, not only to help in looking for Eva’s sister but guide her from her fatal course. Another excellent story with realistic, likable characters. I’m always impressed with Kate L. Mary’s talent, and her ability to draw you into the story. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Firestorm: The Wildfire Saga, Book 3 “Captain Derek Alston and his Rangers managed to retrieve Chad Huntley from the Russians, returning him to the waiting scientists. Faux President Baron reaps his well-deserved fate. Second Lieutenant Cooper Braton and his Seals succeed in retrieving virologist Boatner, now ordered to Washington to assist in cleaning up that mess. Denny returned to the story after a brief hiatus from the previous volume. Denny has to fight not only the German invaders but people from his town in a powerplay move. Denny vows to eliminate Townsend, the leader of the revolt. Poor Chad gets himself kidnapped once again. That man can’t stay put! The loss of one of the main characters was one of the most dramatic and traumatic occurrences of the prior volume. Whether this was necessary for the ongoing plotline or not, as the reader involved in the story, I miss the character’s presence and effect. Through subterfuge and treachery, the mutating Super Virus has made it’s way to Europe and China. The Council’s control has disappeared courtesy of Reginald. Lastly, Reginald draws the main focus in this last volume. Reginald’s castle in Sky, Scotland is now ground zero. Great story! Hooyah! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
The Shift: The Wildfire Saga, Book 2 “Antigenic shift is the process by which two or more different strains of a virus, or strain of two or more different viruses, combine to form a new subtype. This shift typically occurs when a human flu virus crosses with a flu virus that usually affects animals (such as birds or pigs). One such example is COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019. Scary? Picking up where we left off from volume one we continue to follow the same groups. Chad Huntley had been snatched by a greedy traitor and turned over to the Russians. Everyone wants the poor guys’ blood and the Russians will transform him into a pincushion. Former retired Captain, now active Major Brenda Alston is working with the CDC and the military to get a vaccine in production. Captain Derek Alston and his Rangers are chasing after the Russians, desperately wanting their “package” back. President Baron is trying to extract his head from his butt long enough to act like a President to get back on his original track. Jane’s not going to like that, neither will Reginold! Master Chief, now Second Lieutenant Cooper and his Seals are ordered to Boston to retrieve another irreplaceable virologist named Boatner who has experience working with the earlier H5N1 virus. Will we ever get the “source” back to the lab? Is romance in Brenda and Cooper’s future? Will President Baron break Jane’s spell over him? So many questions! The North Koreans, Germans, and Russians are still on our land but they're finding conquest a little harder than they figured. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
False Prey: A Wildfire Novella (Book 1.5) “We have a brief interlude between books one and two. Danny Roberts, Ace reporter for CNN, is sent out to one of the quarantined cities to investigate rumors of a Super Flu sweeping the nation. Danny encounters a poor soul running from an infuriated crowd who believes the man named Thomas is a Korean spy. After talking with Thomas Danny helps him escape to an out-of-the-way motel where he can hide out. Danny heads back to town to continue researching his story. We’ll tag along with Danny as he writes his remarkable story. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Aftermath of Disaster: Books 1, 2, and 3 Bundle “Here we have "A little ditty 'bout Jack & Diane" a brief apocalyptic disaster imposed on our good ole U.S.A. by terrorists. Yes, but what type of terrorists? The tale is not bad, it’s just elementary my dear Watson. What seems strange to me is that the story revolves around this female survivor who lost her husband and son. Jack & Diane dedicate their time and resources to help her "in the heartland". The other oddity I picked out was that Jack, this extraordinary prepper, did not pack a pair of two-way radios. Anyway, this is where three short stories plus a bonus equal to one novella. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Apache Dawn: The Wildfire Saga, Book 1 “When I selected this series to read/listen to, a couple less than positive reviews and the fact that all four books were available with free codes made me wonder if I had made a mistake in my choice. By the middle of this first volume, I am happy to report I am no longer concerned. From the first time the U.S. Army Rangers and the U.S. Navy Seals commandeered their role in the story, I was hooked. The characters, their actions and genuine reactions to situations grabbed my interest and haven’t let go. The story switches between several sub-plots; Denny the teacher in Salmon Falls Idaho, Chad the hunter having valuable blood in Glacier National Park, Brenda Alston doctor and former military Captain in Los Angeles, Captain Derek Alston with a squad of Rangers ordered to retrieve Chad, Master Chief Cooper with a platoon of Seals directed to secure the President from a hospital in Los Angeles, Vice President Harold Denton and his *cough* assistant Jane Reynolds. Quite a list to keep track of but the tale moves along smoothly. The main story has the United States being invaded by foreign troops, softening us up first with a weaponized virus. I enjoyed this first volume and look forward to the next. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Molters: The Molting Book 1 “In this lightweight horror tale, we come across Behemoths, Infectors, and of course, Molters. The story reminds me of a cross between Pod People and Alien. Our protagonist Jonah disliked the life he led and the wimpy person he was. As the apocalypse appeared and spread, Jonah transformed himself into a soldier and leader of sorts. Some of the technicals are off and require more study; like the Squad Automatic Rifle (SAR). Did he mean a Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW)? Anyway, the story wasn’t too bad. I gave extra credit for a bit of originality. This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.”
Being Hunted: The Molting Book 2 “The collapse of Henrytown was heart-breaking. Jonah, Doreen, and Haika headed for the cabin Henry told them of. Jonah still wrestles with his misplaced guilt over the death of his friends. Even after Henrytown, Doreen and Haika, and all the good that had come into his life he could not come to terms with the loss and responsibility he felt. Jonah continued collecting supplies, arms, and ammunition while he made daily perimeter checks for Molters and Behemoths to keep his new family safe. Doreen and Haika were his life, and he would let nothing hurt them. Some distance away lies Fort Perry, populated by a mixed bag of survivors, led by Archer. The story cuts over to this community but I’m not sure what role Fort Perry or its occupants play in the big picture. We get the impression that the Molters are evolving but evidently, the full effect is being reserved for another volume. I like the characters and the story has real potential but it’s not going anywhere. To be honest not much has happened in this second volume. Similar to the first volume everything seems to be background information. Then abruptly ends; quite disappointing. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Salvage Merc One “This series reminds me so much of Roak: The Galactic Bounty Hunter. Of course, the locale, the era, and the narrator are the same, so that helps. These two guys must be related; Roak the bounty hunter and Joe Laribeau the salvage merc. Joe Laribeau, former Galactic Fleet Marine who now sports a pair of speedy artificial legs after losing his real ones in battle. Now recruited as salvage merc #184 by the Salvage Merc Corp. Little does Joe realize that he’s about to embark on a world-changing destiny. A destiny he knew nothing of but one that knew him. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Salvage Merc One: The Daedalus System “Joe Laribeau is getting accustomed to his new role as Salvage Merc One but he is learning it is a lonely existence. People cannot look upon him for long and then forget that they saw him immediately after. It’s all part of a bizarre spell to protect his identity. This volume was somewhat disappointing in that it focused on some odd trials connected with his Salvage Merc One position. The information may be necessary for the continuation of the series but it was far from interesting or entertaining. Three.point.five for the effort. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Dead State: Fallout “We are presented with a slow-moving apocalypse survival tale. Father and son James bonding on a hunting weekend. Zombies appear out of nowhere to attack the pair. Don’t know what caused the undead, don’t know how widespread it is. James reaches home safely, daddy doesn’t. Mom and sister got out of Dodge; headed for their cabin “far away”. I don’t know what breed Duke is, it doesn’t say. I thought Yellow Lab since it mentioned Duke had a yellow coat but then it also stated several times that his ears stood up or on end so that wouldn’t be a Lab. Not important, just curious. James is relieved to find his friend Dawson survived and they partner up. Now it’s up to James and Dawson to figure out what happened, where to go, and who has survived. The story gets considerably more interesting with the addition of Tony; a Special Forces soldier who carries more baggage than the boys can handle. I must admit, it was Duke that made the story for me. Three.point.five for potential. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Dead State: Survival Road “James continues the prodding journey towards Portland and a hopeful reunion with mother and sister. James has a new partner on this run. Lucas is a survivalist who stopped when he saw smoke coming from James’ chimney. James is developing into quite the head case due to the madness and violence he has seen or committed. I’m beginning to wonder if James is not cursed. It appears that every person who steps up to help James gets killed. I can’t say due to spoilers but it’s quite a list. Anyway, James and Lucas arrive in Sweet Home to acquire another vehicle after James crashed the last one. With much chaos, running, and fighting they leave Sweet Home adding a new survivor Cassie to their little group. Onward and upward to the Portland Safe Zone. Three.point.five for consistency. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Dead State: Executioner “At the end of the prior volume, James’ mother was added to the list of victims, having turned. We also find out that James’ sister is evidently immune and has been taken to some laboratory in California. Now James can continue his crusade to save the remaining member of his family. Will James convince or cajole Lucas and Cassie to follow? Probably. James’ retrospection gets a bit old and his decision to become the ultimate chaser-slayer is a bit absurd. The addition of Cassie into the group helped to revive but not enough to ultimately save this patient. I discovered from the previous volume that they describe Duke as a Golden Retriever. This is interesting as confirmation to his breed but is still confusing when James says things like, “Duke’s ears stand erect”. I guess I’ll just have to let it go. This third volume is similar to the first two; plodding, with simple, juvenile conversations between the characters. This leads me to categorize this series as more young adult apocalypse survival. I find it difficult to recommend. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Outliers “In a world reminiscent of a feudal caste system, our heroine Indra is an Outlier. Outliers are the peasants living outside the city. The soldiers or Fortis are the muscle and protectors of the city. The wealthy or Sovereign are those who rule in the city; usually employing the Outliers. This is Indra’s story; a young woman coming to grips with her position in life and not liking what she discovered. Indra believes she is special. Her goal is to become strong and unyielding, to rise above her lowly position and help her people. Indra would take her suffering, her struggle to survive, and turn it in her favor. She would take it to the Sovereign and end their reign of oppression. This is Indra’s story. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Twisted World (Twisted World, #1) “Here we have a post-apocalyptic tale twenty years after the height of the zombie virus. Zombies still exist, but they are few in numbers. Some are used for entertainment similar to the Roman coliseum. The cities are an urban ghetto; the people live in filth, dying of disease and starvation, while the few rich still live in mansions. Seems we always revert to a Mad Max mentality when the SHTF. Even with so little resources and industry the elite still play their political games; this is one such story. In this twisted world who your daddy is still matters; nepotism reigns supreme. The people are ruled by food and the population controlled by releasing a virus every few years. We follow our protagonist, Megan James, a young woman of twenty as she lives and develops in this twisted world. She has connections in the hierarchy of this new world; she is the niece of a ranking officer in the city Enforcers and a close friend of the Governor’s son. Her Uncle, Angus was one of the first immune survivors in Atlanta from which a vaccine was derived. Her father, Axel was also of the elite, but has recently mysteriously disappeared, so that connection is in jeopardy. Megan has been reduced to basically looking for a job to earn enough money to support her current station. Once Megan’s true name is known the hostility towards the elite is directed at her. Megan is a good and decent person, but she is in a dubious position due to no fault of her own. A budding friendship with the top “gladiator” commands much attention in the story. This first volume lays a lot of groundwork for the series, so it may seem a bit long-winded at times. You may be rewarded for your persistence. This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.”
Twisted Memories (Twisted World, #2) “This volume, “Twisted Memories” could be called a prequel. It gives an account of Star’s father who headed the CDC, the development of the virus, the initial breakout of the virus, Angus’ imprisonment, and the introduction of several key players that appear in volumes one and one-point-five; such as Angus, Axel, Helen, Jackson, and Glitter. It provides a detailed background of elder Star’s work at the CDC before the viral breakout, prior to Jackson Star, Megan, and your first glimpse of Donaghy. In closing, the story brings you up to present in line for the next and final volume. Four.point.five. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
The Loudest Silence – A Post-Apocalyptic Zombie Novel Oklahoma Wastelands, Book 1 “The title and back cover suggests this story is about survival during an apocalypse. There definitely is that, but it seems to me there is more of a love story here as the focus. Our protagonist Regan is a young woman dealing with her increasing feelings for her protector, Kellan. Regan’s brother dies at the onset of the virus that destroyed the world. Her brother’s best friend Kellan takes it upon himself to become Regan’s protector. Over the years, as they travel the wasteland, fighting or avoiding raiders and undead, the characters grow in many ways. Regan’s initial feelings of gratitude and companionship morph into something more substantial. As a young woman, Regan internalizes these new feelings and has difficulty acting upon them, especially after her long-term role as a companion. Hence, the loudest silence. Three.point.five I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Twisted Mind (Twisted World, #1.5) “This novella came out after the first book of the Twisted World series, which adds a lot of helpful background. We are given insight into Jackson Star, the regulator’s son and destined to be head of the CDC. We’ll learn of his infatuation with Meg and all the under-handed plans to win her heart. And we’re introduced to his nastier alter ego, which he calls “the need”. This story overlaps book one concerning the cage fighter, but not to be repetitive. I enjoyed the tale and it filled in a few holes from the first volume. This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.”
Twisted Fate (Twisted World, #3) “After twenty years of imprisonment, Angus is set free! This volume will focus on the overthrow of the Starr dynasty and the stranglehold of the CDC. Bringing the James family back together is the other focal point. There are a few sad moments and some of the key players will not survive. All in all, the closing volume is uplifting and full of hope. It is a story of hope and starting over. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Alone: A Zombie Novel “What a wonderful story! I have not been a huge fan of “growing up/relationship” tales, but Kate L. Mary has a talent for getting straight to your heart. The two characters of interest, Roman and Jules, were both sort of loners by the environment they grew up in. Roman, described as a juvenile delinquent with daddy issues and a smart ass. Jules, more of an introvert, few friends and lacking confidence. Both had lost their mothers being raised primarily by their fathers. Roman’s father was abusive, Jules’ father indifferent. When these two lost souls found each other, it spawned a romance fierce enough to die for. Reminded me a little of Romeo and Juliet. This is their story, and it’s a great one! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
The Blood Will Dry “We’re invited to another heart-warming story from one of my favorite authors, Kate L. Mary. This one is a stand-alone dystopian/sci-fi survival tale. Our protagonist, Diana Foster is a young woman coming to grips with the deaths of her husband and daughter in the opening volley of an alien invasion. Five years have passed since that day and the battle with the aliens has not improved since then. The survivor’s attitude towards the aliens has entered a state of lethargy, similar to Diana’s grieving process and feelings of remorse. As the story unfolds, we’ll see the comparison between the survivors dealing with the aliens and Dianas’ coping with her loss. It’s a wonderful story of devotion and strength; and why Kate L. Mary is one of my favorite authors. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Moonchild (Moonchild #1) “Moonchild is a bit of a steampunk adventure. Our heroine Scarlett Moon is sentenced to working in the coal mines for stealing food. In a daring escape, Scarlett and a couple of friends are rescued by a passing pirate airship. Scarlett’s friend Rory is recaptured by the prison guards. Moving on, we follow Scarlett as she learns more of and joins with the pirates. Especially the tall, dark, and handsome pirate Asher. Scarlett wants to free her friend, Rory, and will try to enlist the aid of the pirates towards that end. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Liberation (Moonchild #2) “Scarlett carries the scar of the meeting with Asher’s father when they disrupted the slave auction. Scarlett continues to vacillate over her feelings for Asher. The poor girl will not stop demonizing herself; convincing herself that she is not good enough and will only wind up hurting him. With the jealousy triangle involving Paget in full swing, or is it a square now including Katana, tempers flare and Paget runs from the group. Months later there is no sign of Paget until a hysterical radio call comes into the airship. The group, including Asher and Scarlett, rise to the occasion to go looking for Paget. The search will cover the city and out into the country where Paget’s family lives. The desperate search and heightened emotions will bring people closer together, revealing more of our group’s history. Will our intrepid group rescue Paget? Will Scarlett figure out which end is up? Stay tuned. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Redemption (Moonchild #3) “Much has happened in the past year since the close of volume two. Paget has been rescued, Katana is no more, the slave auction destroyed, and Scarlett has finally decided to go all-in with Asher. Redemption is a fitting title for this volume. We will learn that Asher has more internal demons than Scarlett realized and that confronting these demons could be the literal death of him. Some additional background will also be revealed for the main characters; Scarlett, Asher, and Paget have a few more skeletons in their closets. We’ll meet some new characters as well. Our merry band will also take a little vacation “out west”. We’ll discover that the slave auction has not disappeared, only relocated. We haven’t seen the last of Asher’s father, Blake either. And at the heart of the story is the solidifying of Scarlett’s and Asher’s relationship. This is a very good story, tying up a few loose ends and creating some new ones. Needless to say, this won’t be the end of the series, which is a good thing for Kate’s fans. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Retribution (Outliers #3) “Entering the city in the hope of finding a way to open the gates, Asa and Niko wind up captured. A Fortis/Outlier army waits outside the gates for Asa to succeed. The Sovereign retaliate in a big way using their electricity technology. From this point, the main plotline is Indra and clan looking for a way to rescue Asa and destroy the technology to put an end to the Sovereign once and for all. Earlier, Indra and Asa had married; as much as a show of solidarity between the two races, as a declaration of their love. There is an attempt on Indra’s life which is a two-edged sword in several respects. Indra must show strength as a leader, yet she cannot make herself take one of her own peoples’ life. Prior to these developments, Indra and Asa had learned of the “Untouchables”; the sick and maimed who maintain the mirrors that provide electricity for the Sovereign. With this knowledge, Indra possesses a potential weapon against the Sovereign. So much stands in the way of Indra and her people succeeding; the Sovereign, the technology, even the city walls. Do they have a snowballs’ chance of pulling this off? I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Uprising (Outliers #2) “Indra embarks on her new task after her revelation or awakening of who she is and what her purpose here on earth is. She has been on a one-woman quest to rid the world of the Fortis; one man at a time. She has been successful because she has not been seen, leaving the killings for the wild animals to mask her involvement. That luck is sure to run out and it will have dire consequences for the other Outliers. Realizing she can not accomplish her task on her own, Indra sets out to unite the four tribes of Outliers. If she succeeds she will have the numbers necessary to defeat the Fortis and then move on to the Sovereign. This is the story of Indra’s new mission; to unite the Outliers and bring an end to the Sovereign’s reign of oppression. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
The Brightest Darkness (Oklahoma Wastelands, #2) “The story in volume two of this apocalypse romance has grown along with Regan’s love for Kellan. Starting out the story with an eight-year jump was a bit disconcerting but eventually, the past caught up with the present and everything worked out. Our long-time couple first had some issues to clean up concerning Harper from the prior volume. And they were still grieving and recovering from the personal losses incurred at the hands of Andrew, also from the prior volume. Wanting to break the doldrums they found themselves in they looked for something new. Jasper’s computer provided an opportunity by introducing them to a new contact; a new group of people to hopefully spend time with. This new group of survivors headed by Bill and Ernie primarily takes the focus of the story from this point. Andrew was still out there somewhere to contend with. Ernie was used to giving orders and was less than content to accept a younger Kellan as the leader. Interaction between the two groups, or the lack thereof, is the focal point. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Tribe of Daughters “An absolutely fantastic novel; one that will make you think and your head spin! The more I get of this author, the more I love her work. In its simplicity, this is a novel of gender role reversal. There is nothing simple about this story though. It is a story of fear, guilt, and overreaction, but it is also a story of love, understanding, and family. Many parts of the story put a lump in my throat and made me consider the rights and wrongs of this world. As I’ve said before, Kate L. Mary’s writing goes straight to the heart. She is a wonderful, talented author who I hope will keep writing for a long time. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
The Russians and the Beast “A power void exists in North England after the criminal leader John Sea has been eliminated. The Russian mob sees an opportunity. The Grey Man and crew intend to foil their plan. Surge, The Surgeon has his own problems. A contract has been put on his head and the Grey Man must find out who and why to help his friend. To add to the chaos, Surge must protect the sister of his late love who is being targeted by the mob. There is plenty of action with a few twists and turns thrown in to keep you guessing. This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.”
The Assassin The Grey Man and The Surgeon “Three retired gents after thirty-years with something akin to the British Secret Service black ops quarter known as The Firm. These three gather together once again to avenge the cold-blooded murder of the wife to the one known as The Assassin. The Grey Man and “Surge” The Surgeon come to The Assassin’s aid to wreak vengeance on the drug gang responsible for the wife’s murder. The story details our trio’s efficient, professional methods to identify, research, prepare, and eliminate the drug-dealing gang and its leaders. Not to be confused with Mark Greaney’s Gray Man series. I enjoyed this story immensely; it is well-written and held my interest throughout. Included is a tender, brief romantic interlude for Surge who has been alone most of his life. The result of their courtship is heartbreaking. I will eagerly search out the other books of this series. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
To Kill a Grey Man “This volume focuses on The Grey Man; background, some highlights of his thirty-year career, along with efforts made to end his reign of best-of-the-best. Although this is a stand-alone book, it does include all the main characters from “The Assassin, The Grey Man and The Surgeon”. Even The Grey Man can’t avoid the conditions of his body growing old. When glaucoma and the potential threat of blindness are detected, this information is leaked to his enemies. With this advantage in hand, all efforts are made to not only eliminate The Grey Man but The Assassin and The Surgeon as well. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
A Wicked Profit “This third volume in the Grey Man pseudo-series details the trio’s efforts in stopping a terrorist’s threat to the nation. It also introduces a new character, Bill Bel a former SAS Major, to the companionship and protection of the trio. Who’s like us, there are none like us, so here’s to us! These tales should become classics; excellent writing, great characters. I only wish they were longer. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”
Couch Potato Chaos “Compared to some LitRPG titles this one is fairly tame. It tugs at my mind as a sort of YA LitRPG, if there is such a thing. There is a decent story contained within and it’s a humorous ride for the most part. The game mechanics are there, along with the character stats including some unique classes and skills reserved for this story alone. Leveling, grinding, saving the Princess, and other quests are the meat and potatoes of this first volume. Other sub-plots are discussed or hinted at; such as the mission Ari and Pan are involved in, or the elemental orbs which must be collected to satisfy a world-event quest. Each of those may be an additional volume in their own right. The MC Tasha is genuine, sincere, and fun to follow. The narrator, Sarah Sampino is quite good and supplied an excellent performance. I enjoyed this tale and look forward to more of the series. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.”