Juggling Audiobooks: A Fun and Frustrating Pastime

Fun, because, well, audiobooks are awesome! Frustrating because I get my audiobooks from the library and my tastes run to long books. We're talking books that literally take a work week or more worth of hours to get through.  

Just can't seem to finish

For one, I'm working through Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive books, I'm on Oathbringer (have been for a few months now), and after I got booted from the first borrow, I've since been plagued by incredibly bad timing on hold releases and my tendency to not check my email in time to download them. I'm now on another 6 week wait list because Libby decided I must not really want to borrow it and dropped my hold. 😂

But really, borrowing these has been a game changer for me. I can't afford a subscription or to buy the sheer volume of audiobooks I would want to consume, but loading them on my phone with Libby, I can get close!

Just finished

As for recent finishes, I've just completed the audiobooks for the Caraval Trilogy by Stephanie Garber. Holy cow, great series!  Lots of fun, magic, and immortals. Highly recommended in audio, but I would have liked it in print, too. The first one takes us to the mysterious Caraval games with Scarlet, the older sister. The second, Legendary, with Tella, the younger one. And the third ties it all together, giving us a very well named Finale for both sisters. 

On it now

Next, and currently, I'm listening to the Battlefield Earth audiobook by Galaxy Audio. I'm on Part 6 now, where it's getting really good. Terl has found his leverage. Johnny Goodboy Tyler has lost his. I'm looking forward to the coming chapters, having already read this many times in the past. 

There's also a blog, videos (including about the making of the audiobook), and a listing of more books by L. Ron Hubbard, who was a very prolific writer of fantasy and later science fiction, including the one I'm reading, which he called his attempt at writing pure science fiction. If you read or listen to this, you can learn more about what that means by listening to the foreword. In the audio, it's read by Stefan Rudnicki (links to books he's narrated), one of my favorite narrators, who read Ender's Game and the other books in that series.

With that, back to reading (or listening)!

Drop a comment to let me know what you're reading or to chime in on these.

New "Must buy everything they write" Author: Dakota Krout

You may think I'm being overly dramatic there, but it's true. This guy has been added to my auto-buy list.  I see new book; I buy it (I read it until sun comes up...Gosh, I'm tired.).

He writes fantasy fiction with a gaming or RPG feel and theme (and in one series, outright scoring and leveling up), and that might sound off putting, but it's actually fantastic!

The humor in the form of horrible (awesome) puns made my face hurt more than once.

The larger than life characters getting around the systems or going into overdrive to outpace everyone's expectations.

The magic systems. The coffee elemental...I'll let that one sink in for a bit.

The tie in to gaming with a side of ,"What if games and gaming systems met real life?"

The twists; the turns; the loopdy loops...

And, oh my god, the surprise connections! I just finished a second series by this fellow, and um, I apparently need to read the other one again!  Holy cow!  Love!!!

Ok, enough of that. If you dig game literature, fantasy, intricate leveling systems, or even ideas for your own ongoing or future campaigns, I think you'll dig Dakota Krout's books, too.



About the Author:

Dakota Krout - Author of the best-selling Divine Dungeon and Completionist Chronicles series

I live in a 'pretty much Canada' Minnesota city with my wife and daughter. Thanks to you, I'm now a web developer and computer programmer turned full-time author and indie publisher through my company, Mountaindale Press.

I started writing The Divine Dungeon series because I enjoy reading and wanted to create a world all my own. To my surprise and great pleasure, I found like-minded people who enjoy the contents of my mind. Publishing my stories has been an incredible blessing thus far and I hope to keep you entertained for years to come!

Find me here:
MountaindalePress.com
Facebook.com/TheDivineDungeon
Patreon.com/DakotaKrout
Twitter.com/DakotaKrout
Goodreads.com/Dakota_Krout

The Divine Dungeon - Enjoy world building through the eyes of a sentient dungeon. Unfortunately for treasure-seekers, the fastest way for the dungeon to achieve his goal... is to eat anyone that enters his depths.



The Completionist Chronicles - Becoming a permanent addition to a game world, Joe, a combat medic turned cleric, decides to complete every mission, master every ability, and learn all of the world's secrets. All he has to do is survive long enough to make that happen.

Contemporary Fantasy Review: Where Have All the Elves Gone? by Christian Warren Freed

Where Have All the Elves Gone?
by Christian Warren Freed

Description:
Light Elves. Dark elves. Dwarves. Trolls. A dragon living under the city who spends his time watching reruns of 80s shows and a Grateful Dead loving Giant wearing tie dye and forging weapons?

Fantasy author Daniel Thomas never imagined the mythical creatures he wrote about actually existed and wishes they weren't. Daniel is about to embark on the longest and worst night of his life as he is drawn into an elf civil war happening in Raleigh, North Carolina. The only thing keeping him alive are two dwarf brothers who smoke too many cigars and have more guns than the US Army.

Making matters worse is a secret government organization determined to keep it all a secret.

Where Have All the Elves Gone? is part James Bond, part Eddie Drood, and all chaos as Daniel sets out to save two worlds before they collide.


My Review:
The story is set in and around Raleigh, NC, an area with which I am very familiar. As such, much of my enjoyment was in recognizing the locations and in picturing the epic fantasy-meets-reality clashes between humans, dwarves, elves, and gnomes. In particular, the zoo scenes, my adopted hometown, and the fairgrounds. It's obvious the author has done his research or is a local.

As for the fantasy, it's interesting. I always enjoy a new take on "what if" elves, dwarves, etc. are real, and in this story, that is paired with "what if" an author's stories reflect reality. Besides that, I found a few of the features of the fantasy creatures a bit too convenient, and I was getting hung up on how they were going to cover up the destruction.

Overall, worth a read. I enjoyed it because I like fantasy/reality mash ups, reluctant heroes, and action.

I received the review copy of this book from NetGalley.

About the Author:
Christian W. Freed was born in Buffalo, N.Y. more years ago than he would like to remember. After spending more than 20 years in the active duty US Army he has turned his talents to writing. Since retiring, he has gone on to publish over 20 military fantasy and science fiction novels, as well as his memoirs from his time in Iraq and Afghanistan, a children's book, and a pair of how to books focused on indie authors and the decision making process for writing a book and what happens after it is published.

His first published book (Hammers in the Wind) has been the #1 free book on Kindle 4 times and he holds a fancy certificate from the L Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest. Ok, so it was for 4th place in one quarter, but it's still recognition from the largest fiction writing contest in the world. And no, he's not a scientologist.

Passionate about history, he combines his knowledge of the past with modern military tactics to create an engaging, quasi-realistic world for the readers. He graduated from Campbell University with a degree in history and is pursuing a Masters of Arts degree in Digital Communications from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He currently lives outside of Raleigh, N.C. and devotes his time to writing, his family, and their two Bernese Mountain Dogs. If you drive by you might just find him on the porch with a cigar in one hand and a pen in the other. You can find out more about his work by following him @ https://www.facebook.com/ChristianFreed or on Twitter @christianwfreed.

Fantasy Review: Defy Trilogy by Sara B. Larson

Defy Trilogy
by Sara B. Larson

Description From Book 1: 
Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?

My Review for Book 1, Defy:
Fantastic!

This is what I'm looking for in a fantasy adventure/romance. The main character, Alexa, is inspiring, and her plight, especially in book one, hooked me from the start. She not only has to pretend she is a male but does so by joining the army and earning a top spot on the prince's guard. The alternatives are unthinkable.

Adding to this, she's fighting off her growing interest in both Rylan (longtime friend on the guard) and Prince Damian, knowing that both relationships could never go anywhere. Not if she wants to keep her freedom. The tension, both from her secret and from the love triangle, is gripping.

I also love that the narrator for the audiobook speaks in character, lowering her voice as Alexa would while pretending to be Alex of the guard. The emotional scenes are nailed, the fight scenes, too! Her range is good for the other characters, differentiating them enough for the reader to be able to tell who's who, even without a dialog tag. I very much enjoyed the audio and would recommend it.

I was also pleased that the narrator is the same person in all three books. I always prefer this in the audiobooks for a series, primarily for continuity. It also helps keep me in the story, not having to adjust to a new voice for an established character.

The only thing I noticed in this book and its sequels was a tendency towards repetition, particularly in the main character's inner monolog, reminding herself of things, using the same words to describe how she feels or is reacting to Damian or Rylan. It's enough to notice, though I felt the overall plot, character arcs, and pacing of the story made up for it.

Overall, I loved this book, and the trilogy, and would strongly recommend it to folks who enjoy fantasy and romance.

I borrowed each audiobook of the trilogy from the local library.

About the Author:

Sara B. Larson is the author of the acclaimed YA fantasy DEFY trilogy: DEFY, IGNITE, and ENDURE, and the forthcoming DARK BREAKS THE DAWN. She can't remember a time when she didn't write books--although she now uses a computer instead of a Little Mermaid notebook. Sara lives in Utah with her husband, their children, and their Maltese, Loki. She writes in brief snippets throughout the day (while mourning the demise of naptime) and the quiet hours when most people are sleeping. Her husband claims she should have a degree in "the art of multitasking." When she's not mothering or writing, you can often find her at the gym repenting for her sugar addiction. You can visit her at www.SaraBLarson.com.

Goodreads  |  Amazon  |  Twitter@SaraBLarson

Books by this Author:

Defy Trilogy

Dark Breaks the Dawn Duology

And, coming in November 2019!

Fantasy Review: Kingdom of Exiles by Maxym Martineau

Kingdom of Exiles
by Maxym Martineau

Description:
Fantastic Beasts meets Assassin's Creed in this epic, gripping fantasy romance from debut author Maxym M. Martineau.

Exiled beast charmer Leena Edenfrell is in deep trouble. Empty pockets forced her to sell her beloved magical beasts on the black market—an offense punishable by death—and now there's a price on her head. With the realm's most talented murderer-for-hire nipping at her heels, Leena makes him an offer he can't refuse: powerful mythical creatures in exchange for her life.

If only it were that simple. Unbeknownst to Leena, the undying ones are bound by magic to complete their contracts, and Noc cannot risk his brotherhood of assassins...not even to save the woman he can no longer live without.


My Review:
Kingdom of Exiles takes you on a journey through a world of assassins, magical beasts, curses, and romance.

What I most enjoyed about this book is that it’s both romance and fantasy, and both are done equally well. I get a bit tired of contemporary and historical romances, but toss in some magical beasts, a curse, and a quest, and I’m one happy reader. I loved the dynamic of the budding romance, and the tension builds on multiple levels. None of that mess where the love interests hate each other, but true internal conflict, desire, and sacrifice. Solid.

That being said, while the beast magic is fleshed out, the world building isn’t quite there. I picked up that the Charmers live separately, but didn’t understand where until the very end. I understood that there was a kingdom, but there were only hints and inklings of it and its history, as if it were a faraway place rather than the country where everyone in the story lives. The story tends to focus more on the character interactions, the building tension, and the development of backstory, but at the expense of the larger world.

As for the steam rating, it’s up there, especially later on in the book. Detailed, steamy, and a bit coarse. Nothing is left to the imagination, so yeah. If you’re in it for the fantasy alone, you might be in for a surprise. I read through the first scene, but the others, well, I just kind of skimmed through. The good thing, in my opinion, is that the racy content doesn’t take over the book. It’s a part of it, but not the main event.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to fans of romance who dig fantasy as well. Definitely targets adult readers who either prefer or don’t mind erotic content.

I received the review copy of this book from NetGalley.


About the Author:

 

Maxym M. Martineau is a staff writer by day, and a fantasy romance author by night. When she's not getting heated over broken hearts, she enjoys playing video games, sipping a well-made margarita, binge-watching television shows, competing in just about any sport, and of course, reading.
Following her passion, Maxym earned her bachelor's degree in English Literature from Arizona State University. She's a member of Romance Writers of America, and currently lives in Arizona with her husband and their dogs. She is represented by Cate Hart of Corvisiero Literary Agency. Her debut, Kingdom of Exiles, is slated for release in June 2019 with Sourcebooks.

Amazon  |  Goodreads

YA Review: Victoria Marmot and the Meddling Goddess (Victoria Marmot #1) by Virginia McClain

Victoria Marmot and the Meddling Goddess (Victoria Marmot #1)
by Virginia McClain

Description:
Victoria Marmot is just an average teenage girl... if by "average" you mean an orphaned, multi-lingual, martial arts expert who owns her own home and may or may not have magical abilities.

When Vic is told her parents didn't die the way she thinks they did, her world is turned upside down and she's left with the task of finding out what really happened to them. But when her quest to uncover the truth reveals a massive conspiracy by a corrupt magical government, will her efforts save the world or take the whole universe down with her?


My Review:
This is the first in a series of books featuring Vic (aka Victoria Marmot).

One of the things I most enjoyed about this story was how Vic reacts to the weird stuff that is happening to her. I think best of these were her reactions to the Twilight-esque vampire/werewolf love interests. Then you add in the nods to the Harry Potter universe. Honestly, it’s a toss-up between which of the two worlds this story seems to be poking fun at the most. Obviously Twilight. But then again, when the headmaster Albert says, “Didn’t they tell you? Surely you’ve wondered how they learned it all!” you can’t quite keep from picturing Hagrid introducing magic to Harry for the first time.

I also enjoyed the way the narrator is introduced. Quite entertaining, though I did have to go back and re-read it once I began to understand what was happening. Clever.

On the other hand, the core plot of this story is a bit straightforward, despite its best efforts to tangle itself up in elements from the two series aforementioned. Without those entanglements, I am not sure I’d have enjoyed this too much on its own merits. Still, my impression is that these nods and references are in fact the main point of the story.

So yeah, Vic’s no-nonsense denial of the “stupid” and her unwillingness to fall into the standard paranormal romance female heroine role totally make this book worth reading. Having read Harry Potter, Twilight, and other shifter-type PNR books made this one all the more fun. I got the jokes. I saw the contradictions. All the things that bug folks about those worlds are embraced and then denied in this one.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story for what it is. I think fans of fantasy and the paranormal who are looking for a huge dose of sassy heroine are in for a treat. No trope is safe!

I received the review copy of this book via NetGalley.


About the Author:

Virginia McClain is an author who recently stopped daylighting as a Spanish teacher in Arizona and switched to writing full time in Winnipeg, Manitoba. When she's not writing she can often be found climbing to the top of large rocks, running on trails, backpacking, and generally engaging in any excuse to go play outside. Now that she has moved to the Great White North she will probably add snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and ice skating to her list of outdoor adventures, but as it's still warm out she'll start with canoeing (something she hasn't done in years) and see how it goes from there. She lives with her husband and their furry, canine companion Artemis.


Author Links:
Twitter @gwendamned
Goodreads Author Profile
Amazon Author Page

Review of the Movie Tie-in Audiobook: A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet #1) by Madeleine L'Engle

A Wrinkle in Time (Time Quintet #1)
by Madeleine L'Engle

Description:
It was a dark and stormy night; Meg Murry, her small brother Charles Wallace, and her mother had come down to the kitchen for a midnight snack when they were upset by the arrival of a most disturbing stranger.

"Wild nights are my glory," the unearthly stranger told them. "I just got caught in a downdraft and blown off course. Let me be on my way. Speaking of way, by the way, there is such a thing as a tesseract".

Meg's father had been experimenting with this fifth dimension of time travel when he mysteriously disappeared. Now the time has come for Meg, her friend Calvin, and Charles Wallace to rescue him. But can they outwit the forces of evil they will encounter on their heart-stopping journey through space?


My Review:
First off, this was a decent story, but I'm not sure it all quite made sense. I also found it to be a little bit anticlimactic/convenient. Didn't read like a 50-year-old book, though. Far from it. I can see why they made it into a movie.

Overall, I'd recommend it to folks who enjoy youth adventures with a happy ending. Then again, I noticed the Quintet tag when posting this so I guess there's more to it.

As for the audio, I have a lot of comments on that.

The narrator (or the person advising her) chose to interpret the "sharp" voice of Mrs. Witch (Which?) as kind of a wavery, ghosty voice. That is not how I interpret sharp, and I must say, I missed most of what she said, even with the volume turned up. I wonder if this was based on how the character is channeled in the movie, rather than how described in the book. I haven't seen it yet, so I cannot say.

Also, I could have really done without the two forewords. I think I commented on it in Goodreads. The second one bled into the first chapter of the audio, so they didn't quite nail those transitions, and that made it difficult to figure out where the story actually began.

I listened to the movie themed audiobook from the library.

Sci Fi/Fantasy Review: First Contact (Heroes for Hire #2) by C.S. Feldman

First Contact (Heroes for Hire #2)
by C.S. Feldman

Description:
Her first—and quite accidental—foray into the field of heroics brought plucky St. Louis waitress Peg Brickner more than one narrow escape from danger and doom in the magical land of Cantrial. But hey, the first Hero’s Quest is always the roughest, right? Right.

Unless maybe the next one involves airlocks that can suck people into the vacuum of outer space, warring alien races that are vying for political control of a planet, ruthless kidnappers, a ticking clock, and the ever-present risk of—God forbid—alien probings. And that’s before what was just supposed to be a simple ransom drop implodes.

Suddenly it’s up to Peg to come up with Plan B before a snatched comrade disappears forever, an alien client’s hapless offspring meet a grisly fate, or all-out war takes over the planet.

And all before her oxygen runs out.

Sure. What could possibly go wrong?


My Review:
Ah, so there IS a sci-fi element to these. First Contact brings us back to the misfit team of heroes (and the thief that keeps showing up at their gigs) introduced in discount prices. This time, the team is on a rescue mission.

If I had any doubt this series crosses between sci fi and fantasy, this installment puts it to rest. Aliens, carnivorous plants, and tech abound. There's a certain blend of whimsy, humor, and adventure that just works. If I had to describe it in one word, that word would be delightful.

I also very much enjoyed the descriptions of the various aliens and the natural way they interact with each other and their surroundings. I found it easy to imagine, though sometimes the imagined images were rather, um, weird, and slimy.

Overall, I loved this story, and am looking forward to more Heroes for Hire. Can't wait to see what they get up to in the next one. I'd recommend this to fans of fantasy and sci-fi, humor, and adventure.

I purchased my copy of this book.


About the Author:

C. S. Feldman loves all things fantasy related and writes both novels and screenplays. Stop by and say hi on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCSFeldman or visit her at www.csfeldman.com.

Sci Fi/Fantasy Review: Discount Prices (Heroes for Hire #1) by C.S. Feldman

Discount Prices (Heroes for Hire #1)
by C.S. Feldman


Description:
Sure, everybody knows about the great heroes of legend. The ones people write songs about, the ones who lead the charge against the monsters that lay waste to cities or against an army of invaders that outnumber the good guys twenty to one—you know, the best heroes that money can buy. Trouble is, not everyone can afford their services.

Fortunately, the best heroes are not the only ones on the market.

Which is just what harried waitress Peg Brickner accidentally discovers after receiving an unusual—and, as it turns out, otherworldly—tip from a peculiar customer in the middle of one rotten dinner shift. Life on Earth is hard enough, but life in the magical world of Cantrial? Forget about it. Five minutes after being unsuspectingly yanked into it by an unscrupulous B-List talent scout for heroes, all Peg wants to do is get back home again before something in this crazy new world kills her or eats her with ketchup. Or both.

Trouble is, getting home may be a lot harder than leaving it was. Thanks to a bunch of greedy bureaucrats, Peg’s way home is about to be destroyed—unless she reluctantly joins a trio of magical misfits on a high-stakes heroes-for-hire mission in an attempt to recover stolen property before their rivals—or a roguishly charming thief—beat them to it.

She knew she should have called in sick today…


My Review:
They are literally heroes for hire, and when you meet the team, you understand why discount prices are necessary.

First off, I love the heroes. Every single one of the heroes has something seriously wrong with them. For example, the very best hero is a dog. That in itself is funny, but the author doesn't just leave it at the surface. This used to be a person, a real hero, and he's dealing with this every day, trying to be what he once was and trying to make something of the ridiculous team he's been given. That's one of the things I enjoyed, that these characters have depth, even when they are funny.

I'm not going into all of the characters, though, because meeting them in the book is preferred. I will say that the adventure they go on is rather exciting, especially through the eyes of the heroine, who is new to the whole adventuring thing and would rather be anywhere else doing anything else.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I'd recommend it to folks who enjoy fantasy and sci-fi. This one sort of blends the two, though it is heavier on the fantasy.

I purchased my copy of this book.


About the Author:

C. S. Feldman loves all things fantasy related and writes both novels and screenplays. Stop by and say hi on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCSFeldman or visit her at www.csfeldman.com.

ARC Fantasy Review: City of Broken Magic by Mirah Bolender

City of Broken Magic
by Mirah Bolender


Description:
Five hundred years ago, magi created a weapon they couldn’t control. An infestation that ate magic—and anything else it came into contact with. Enemies and allies were equally filling.

Only an elite team of non-magical humans, known as sweepers, can defuse and dispose of infestations before they spread. Most die before they finish training.

Laura, a new team member, has stayed alive longer than most. Now, she’s the last—and only—sweeper standing between the city and a massive infestation.


My Review:
This one caught my eye because I love stories with interesting magic systems. It didn’t disappoint.

I enjoyed Laura, the main character, who is rather all in with regard to her chosen profession. She’s been in awe of sweepers since childhood, even though her own town has been downplaying their need and importance for years. Despite this, she lands an apprenticeship with the rather moody and unpleasant Clae, the head sweeper, and earns her chops on the job. I kept looking for a romance to pop up. There were some hints in certain scenes where perhaps an interest was sparked, but the book ended up being all about the magic and the team of sweepers protecting the city from the infestations. It never went anywhere romantic, not really.

The battle scenes in this story are fantastic. The infestations are amorphous, flowing and solid, adaptable, voracious. Each encounter with them highlights just how horrifying they are. Hiding in plain sight in broken amulets. Biding their time until strong enough to feed, on everything. Even the small ones are daunting. There are just enough encounters to really give you a feel for how the sweepers and their gear work against them.

One thing I thought missed the mark were the pronunciation hints. The first was for Clae and the second was for Amicae. In the first case, Clae, the correct pronunciation was explained too late for it to stick for me, even though it wasn’t all that far into the book. I kept self-correcting after that point, and it was distracting. For the second, Amicae, a person’s technically correct pronunciation was called out, but it was revealed at the same time that none of the citizens of the city said it that way. That left me in a bind since I had been using the “correct” pronunciation to that point, and the citizens’ pronunciation wasn’t explained. At that point, it was too late to adjust, even had I figured out how Laura would have pronounced it.

Finally, the story seems to resolve in a way that might indicate future installments, which I think might be good, but I was left unsure whether this actually would be a first in a series or a straight up standalone. Still, the finale was absolutely gripping, heartbreaking, and eye-widening. It came to life for me. I had a little trouble sleeping that night, and that is a good thing. Fantastic.

Overall, I loved this book. I think fans of fantasy and magic will dig it. There are some glimmers of romantic interest, but they flutter away without a second thought.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.


About the Author:

 

 

Mirah Bolender graduated from college with majors in creative writing and art in May 2014. A lifelong traveler, she has traveled and studied overseas, most notably in Japan, and these experiences are reflected in her work. City of Broken Magic is her debut fantasy novel.



Intrigued? Pre-order your copy at Amazon!