Review: The Courier

The Courier by Gerald Brandt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Poor orphan courier Kris Ballard barely ekes out a living and after a hard day of work she just wants to go home to her small flat and take a nice shower before the water’s cut off, when she gets a call from dispatch asking her to deliver just one more small package, with her job on the line Kris reluctantly agrees to the assignment, but “the corporation” wants that package and Kris dead.

So begins the cat and mouse chase set in the dystopian megalopolis of San Angeles a 7 level city, level one relegated to those in abject poverty and the most elite on level seven where the sun still shines.

What I enjoyed most about this cyberpunk, science fiction based story is the non-stop action, Kris is on the run from Quincy her nemesis and she’s thrown into one situation after another, escaping each time, but not totally unscathed. The suspense level in this book is high and many times I was holding my breath right along with the characters! When Kris meets her savior Miller her odds of surviving increase exponentially, but will it be enough?

This audiobook employs dual narration from Ali Ahn and James Colby and they both do an excellent job, the voicing of the characters is appropriate to the age of the characters in the book. Recorded Books is the publisher, so you know the production quality is on point.

This audiobook was gifted to me exchange for an unbiased review.

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Review: Dead Apocalypse

Dead Apocalypse by Tim Moon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Listening to Dead Apocalypse is hearing my worst ZA fear out loud, stuck on an airplane and people all around you are falling ill and that’s how we meet Ben Chase our reluctant hero, who rises above his pay grade in life when the zombie apocalypse follows him and his best friend Ty to the big island of Hawaii.

If you’ve been following me for any length of time you know I love a good zombie story and I’ve written reviews on several of them, this may lead you to think that there are plenty of decent zombie books out there… you would be wrong! I just refuse to waste my time writing about the plethora of god awful zombie books out there.

Tim Moon's story is a breath of zombie stench free fresh air. I had to sit and cogitate awhile on why I liked this book so much and, other than the awesome narration by Maxwell Zener, who, I think has found his niche, it’s the pacing of the story, every time you breathe a sigh of relief, thinking they’ve escaped imminent danger, they’re unexpectedly thrown right back into the mayhem.

The production quality of this audiobook, which clocks in at just under 4 hours is good, there is one glaring error in chapter 2 where a whole sentence is repeated and of course it’s at the height of an intense scene, hopefully, it will be corrected, but it can’t take away the solid 4 star rating of this little gem.

The book is part of a series, but the story wraps up nicely, but you just know this show ain’t over yet and I look forward to the next installment.

This audiobook was gifted to me exchange for an unbiased review!


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Review: SpaceMan

SpaceMan by Tom Abrahams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, what an amazing story and it marries two of my favorite sci-fi scenarios, being stranded in space and a post-apocalyptic thriller. Clayton Shepard and two fellow astronauts are docked at the International Space Station when a catastrophic solar blast hits the earth, taking the entire planet “off grid” and deals a fair amount of damage to the space station and its inhabitants. The story builds just enough tension in the space odyssey segment and then switches gears and paints a pretty terrifying picture of what’s transpiring at the same time on earth.

Clayton Shepard’s wife Jackie has been holding down the fort at home when the apocalypse hits and she’s no wallflower when the going gets tough Jackie gets tougher and her only priorities are keeping her family together and reuniting with Clayton. Even though the connection between Clayton and Jackie is told strictly through flashbacks, the strength of their bond is undeniable.

My favorite character in the book is Nikki, my shero, look up the word kick ass and her picture should be there! This is one woman you want on your side in the apocalypse. This Audiobook has stellar writing and great supporting characters that you care about, I can’t wait for the next installment.

If you’ve ever listened to a Tom Abrahams audiobook, chances are you’ve heard Kevin Pierce narrating and there’s a reason, he’s one of the best, especially in the sci-fi genre. You know you’re going to get a first-rate audio production and he’s that rare narrator who does an outstanding job fully voicing all of the characters, you never get lost wondering who’s talking, each character is distinct and Kevin Pierce makes it sound so effortless.

Buy or credit this book is a definite add to your library!

This audiobook was given to me to me at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review, thanks, Audiobook Boom!


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Review: Impact Earth: Symbiosis

Impact Earth: Symbiosis by Timothy W. Long

My Good Reads rating: 5 of 5 stars

This audiobook is fantastic! I have to admit though I almost felt like I needed a flow chart in the beginning to keep track of everyone in this book! But don't worry by the end you really feel connected to each and every one of the five main characters in this audiobook. It also took a little getting used to the author jumping between characters, but once I got a feel for each character, I honestly enjoyed how the story was told multiple points of view, it made total sense. What really helped was the narration by Todd Menesses, but we'll talk more about that later. So, in this ensemble cast, you have Brian, the overweight pimply faced 16-year-old kid. Elise, an abused woman just starting to rebuild her life. Sean, the big, kind-hearted divorcé. Martin, a crotchety old veteran dying of cancer and last but not least, Victor, the family man.

While the entire population of Seattle is caught up in an alien invasion, these five characters are fighting not one but two alien invasions. Talk about sensory overload! I'm not one for spoilers, so I'll leave it at that. Timothy W. Long really takes his time building this story, so expect this tale will roll out over several books because I really feel like book one is just the beginning! Speaking of that, I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but when I went to Long's website to see when the next book in the series was scheduled for release, I looked high and low and found zilch, so I'm assuming it will be awhile before book two is released... sigh.

OK, so let's talk about narrator Todd Menesses, I dare anyone to tell me that narrators are not actors of the highest caliber and that one person is voicing ALL of the characters major and minor! Genius! Each character has their own distinct voice and not once did I have to question which character was talking and trust me it's quite a feat to keep that many characters straight!

Amazing story, awesome narration!

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Cover Reveal of Living Dead Boy 2

Horror writer Rhiannon Frater released the cover for Lost In Texas her second book in the Living Dead Boy series.

The book's official release date is October 25, 2016, just in time for Halloween!

You can pre-order the book here!

This zombie filled post-apocalyptic children's book... Scratch that pre-teen book should be an instant hit with kids and adults alike.

Blurb:

In the zombie apocalypse, no one is safe. Not even children. That’s what twelve-year-old Josh and his friends in the Zombie Hunters Club discovered when the undead invaded their school in The Living Dead Boy.

Now, Josh and the remaining Zombie Hunters are stuck on a city bus traveling across zombie-infested Texas. With fires burning on the horizon, mass evacuations underway, zombies roaming the countryside, and in-fighting among the adults on the bus creating tension, Josh has never felt so helpless. Despite his father’s insistence that the adults can handle the situation, Josh knows far too well from watching zombie movies that one person can put everyone else at risk. To his absolute horror, he’s right and he and his friends are running for their lives.

Josh may have always considered himself a zombie hunter, but now he’ll have to prove it to escape the ravenous undead and lead his friends to safety.

End blurb.

Exciting huh? But you need to read The Living Dead Boy Book 1 first, and guess what? Book 1 has an audiobook version! Check out that link below.

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Review: The Borrowed World

The Borrowed World by Franklin Horton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've tried to analyze myself, why a girly girl like me loves apocalyptic novels. Alas, I have no answers, but with my voracious appetite for dystopian type stories, this book really hits the spot!

Jim Powell, devoted husband, father and doomsday prepper, gets caught out far from home, when a coordinated terrorist attack takes out vital parts of the US infrastructure in one felled swoop.

Trying to make his way back home from a business trip, he and his co-workers witness the frighteningly quick descent from civility to lawlessness as the government, in an attempt maintain control cuts off the supply of gas, leaving many people stranded. On a side note, if you have to go to the bathroom during the apocalypse, skip the gas station and pee on the go! Trust me you'll thank me.

Law enforcement tries to convince every one to head toward the FEMA camps, but who in their right mind would want go there! Certainly not Jim, he saw what happened in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and he's no fool.

Meanwhile back on the farm, (literally) Jim's wife and children are fighting a battle every bit as dangerous as the one Jim is fighting.

Warning this book has a cliffhanger, but the story is so engaging I didn't mind and I look forward to the next installment!

Now, can I just say that whenever I see Kevin Pierce is narrating, I know that my chances of enjoying an apocalyptic story go up significantly. His tone and delivery suit this genre so well and any post-apocalyptic author is very lucky to get him!

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Review: Locker Nine

Locker Nine by Franklin Horton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ah... how nice to finally have a story about a competent woman!

College freshman Grace Hardwick has been taught from a young child how to fend for herself by her prepper dad, and after a large scale terrorist attack destroys the US infrastructure, everything she's learned from dear ole dad will be put to the test. Each decision she makes can mean the difference between life and death as she and her best friend leave the college campus and try desperately to make it home. Luckily her father has made plans for the inconceivable and stockpiled supplies and weapons off campus, where? you guessed it, locker #9.

On a different arc to this story, life long gamer, druggie and slacker Ray and his friends are heading back home after a road trip, when to their chagrin they get wind of the attacks as they are making their way back home. The ensuing stress causes Ray behavior to become increasingly erratic and when he finally snaps, the monster he becomes is horrifying!

If there's any criticism it's that I could have done without the political pandering at the beginning. It truly added nothing to the story and could have been left out.

The narration by Kevin Pierce was stellar as usual, he rarely makes a misstep!

I listened to the audiobook version of this book. Overall if you're a post apocalyptic junkie like me you'll love this audiobook too.

This audiobook was given to me at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review, thanks Audiobook Boom.

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Dinosaur Four By Geoff Jones

DINOSAUR FOUR

Written By: Geoff Jones

Narrated By: Nick Podehl

Ah I love good romantic time travel story.

This ain’t it!

This audiobook starts off with a bang and never lets up! Struggling Denver coffee shop owner, Lisa, hears this strange ticking noise, what the hell is that?? In short order she along with the nine other people in the coffee shop are sent back in time, how far back? You guessed it to prehistoric times. This novel has a diverse group of characters including William, the UPS driver and all around good guy.  Tim, who simply wanted to meet his girlfriend for a morning cup of joe. Patricia, the obnoxious, know it all  corporate big wig. Al, your smarmy Lothario who’s jonesing (no pun intended Geoff)  

after our coffee shop owner, Lisa and will literally stop at nothing to get the girl. After all nothing says loving like being chased by a T-Rex with a really big teeth! And we can’t forget Helen, the feisty grandma who has a couple of handy dandy survival skills up her sleeve.

It’s clear as these time travelers look out beyond the coffee shop and see a vast tropical landscape, that they’re not in Kansas anymore, um... er... I mean Denver. Chaos soon follows as our beleaguered group tries to figure out what the hell happened. You have your prerequisite idiot who thinks they’re the dinosaur whisperer only to find out that, to a dinosaur, a human is like a big scary ugly spider and, well... we all knows what happens to them!

Be warned there are a lot of violent, gruesome deaths throughout this book, and dammit if only the annoying people got their comeuppance that would be fine with me, but why, oh why do the good have to die too? People that totally do not deserve the spectacularly hideous way they went out, that made me grumpy! I mean I totally blame Game of Thrones for starting this good guy gets the shaft crap, is no one safe anymore! OK I’ll step off my soap box now.  I guess you can tell I took some scenes very personally!

The suspense factor in this book is high, and I had to put this audiobook on pause a couple of times just to compose myself after some particularly nerve wrecking parts.

It’s no spoiler to tell you that only four make it back, ergo the name of this book. But the unique way they get there and back home is pure genius and I enjoyed every minute of this thrill seeking ride.

The narration by Nick Podehl is top notch and I’m hoping that more of Geoff’s books make it to audio format.

On the Elsie Meter Rating Scale I give this book 8 out of 10!

You can buy the audio-book here: http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/The-Dinosaur-Four-Audiobook/B018Y2C4Q8

Buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Dinosaur-Four-Geoff-Jones-ebook/dp/B00KK1SU9W

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Hunger By Jeremiah Knight

Hunger

Written By

Jeremiah Knight

Narrated by
Jeffrey Kafer

There are some stories that you remember long after reading or listening to them, Hunger is one of those books!  First I have to say I enjoyed the Narration by Jeffrey Kafer he really comes into his own when he reads post-apocalyptic or dystopian novels, his rich narration really brings the characters and the desolate settings to life!

He can make a mediocre book good and a good book great! But Hunger doesn’t need any help it’s a great book and having Jeffrey narrate? Well, it’s just a win win in my book! Sorry bad pun I know.

And why you may ask is this a great book? Well, because you could totally see something like this happening in real life! Oh, it all starts with good intentions, stop world hunger! A noble cause right? Wrong!

Dr. Ella Masse, a scientist, has inadvertently stumbles across a gene that allows crops, specifically corn in this instance, to grow in any type of environment! How? Well the root system of the genetically modified corn can dig down 10, 20 feet to find a water source and while this genetically modified corn is growing in a sterile controlled laboratory, it doesn’t take a scientist to know that nature cannot be contained, or the words of Ian Malcolm

Apparently man's stupidity hasn't lessened any since 1993, but I digress. Of course if roots can grow down, they can also grow out! And soon we are off to the races, with this aggressive food supply taking over the world.

At first all is good and world hunger is effectively eliminated, but the gene that Dr. Ella has created unlocks millions of years of evolution and quickly adapts to any changes in the environment. Unfortunately, these changes are absorbed by whatever eats this food! First it’s noticed in small animals, animals that used to be plant eaters become carnivorous.

Ella belatedly see the handwriting on the wall and has several bio-domes built in various locations across the US, where plants that have not been genetically modified are growing. But it’s all just a little too late, five years after her discovery, humans begin transforming first hungering for raw meat and eventually turning cannibalistic, since almost everyone is eating the genetically modified food, soon civilization as we know it ceases to exist.

Meanwhile back on the farm (literally) a former co-worker and paramour of Ella, Peter Crane is surviving the change with his teen age son as they try to keep a low profile from monsters and humans alike. Surviving by harvesting food from one of the bio-domes provided by Ella.

All's good until Ella shows up at the farmhouse looking a little bit worse for the wear and towing along her daughter. She asks Peter to help her make it to a laboratory on the other side of the country where she believes she can turn the tide on the demise of mankind.

 
Of course Peter is reluctant to help, after all he’s been doing just fine, why should he put his son's life in danger? But of course he’s living in a fool’s paradise, because there is no safe place and Ella drives this point home, when she tells him, she being tracked both by dangerous monsters and even more dangerous men, which of course will eventually lead to his very doorstep!

Deep down inside Peter knows this day has been coming and like any good doomsday prepper he’s made plans!

Will they make it??? This book is part of a series and ends with somewhat of a cliffhanger. The second book has been written but unfortunately the audiobook has not been released.

On the Elsie Meter Rating Scale I give this book an 8! And look forward to listening to more audiobooks from author Jeremiah Knight and narrator Jeffrey Kafer!

Warnings: This book has language, Extreme and Graphic Violence, but come on, what do you expect from a post-apocalyptic book?

You can buy the audiobook Hunger here: http://amzn.to/2d7DSA9

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You can buy the 2nd book in the series Feast here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GET56AE

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