3.5/5 stars Blind Cerulean by Gene Kendall

November 15, 2021October 23, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, scifi, thriller Gene Kendall, Tom Weitzel, vigilante

Narrated by Tom Weitzel

Run Time: 8 hrs and 46 minutes

Genre: scifi, thriller, vigilante

Summary:

Alley and her mysterious Coach work to save Acadia.

Additional Comments:

Points for being unique. This story alternates third and second person. I didn’t like that aspect, but it gets points for uniqueness. I found it needlessly confusing to hear sections spoken of as “you.” Second person is rarely used for good reason. It makes sense in choose your own adventure books and the like, but here, the sections sporting it would have been fine or even more powerful if done in third or first person point of view. The back and forth nature of past and present caused more confusion than it’s worth. It felt like 2 very different stories were being told for about 90% of the book. (It clicks together in the end, finally.)
Genre’s actually kind of hard to pin down. It’s billed as a vigilante thriller, but that’s kind of a small part of the plot. The Mx drug stuff conveys almost super human abilities to those who ingest it. The drug experiments and government programs to control the stuff make it seem a wee bit scifi-y. The cult angle wasn’t fully developed enough to make them seem dangerous, but that lent mightily to the mysterious bad guys that need to be fought by a vigilante air. One character even made it seem like an X-file for a while (the gross ones, not the government conspiracy ones).
The title makes it seem almost literary, which this book is certainly not. (That’s not an insult; it’s not meant to be literary.) It might be one of those rare books where too much is happening for everything to gel properly.
The setting didn’t line up very well. I think that’s because the story gave off such strong scifi vibes early on that I expected the story to be set in the future or in a dystopian future.
The big reveals were predictable yet still decently satisfying.
Alley and Chase are likable, though I wish their friendship went somewhere deeper. Even when they were forced closer through circumstances, their relationship seemed distant and cold.
Coach isn’t likeable. He does the grumpy old mentor figure well enough but then it gets over done to the point, he’s just a jerk.
Alley’s mom is kind of useless.
The tech doesn’t seem to line up properly. People would be hard-pressed to find working tape players after the 90’s. If this kid’s 15, then she was born ~2005-ish.
Cover’s cool but it doesn’t really smack as a vigilante. I get a crime and dystopian flavor from the cover.
The performance was competently handled.
The vigilante angle is a lot of fun, but it lacks focus. Her actions don’t seem to have an ultimate goal besides hit drug pushers and do some damage.
The obsession with the 80’s definitely dates the book. There are giant coincidences that are explained in the end.
Closure is mediocre. It wraps up with a three-years-later stamp, but there’s obviously a lot left unresolved. That’s understandable if this is a first in a series, but so far, it doesn’t seem to be.
I like that the story had more going on than simple fight bad guys, but I think it probably went too far into other genre territories to be truly satisfying as a vigilante tale.
I can see it being attractive to some readers, but the oddball mix of genres may be a detractor for others.

Conclusion:

If you’re looking for a high-action genre mix, this is worth checking out.

*I received a free copy of the audiobook. This is my honest opinion. I have freely chosen to provide a review.

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Many of my 50 audible titles are listed on Audiobooks Unleashed.
Whether you’re looking for mystery or suspense or fantasy, I’ve got a title for you. Free codes are probably on audiobooks unleashed.
Normal links go to audible. *The Amazon labeled links are affiliate links. That means I get a very small payment from Amazon if you go through with a purchase.*
Note: Filter by US if you’re looking for those codes as many titles are out.
Ones I think may still have US codes: Reshner’s Royal Ranger, Never Again, Innova, The Golden City Captives, The Holy War, Reclaim the Darklands, Eagle Eyes, Treachery Makes it Tense, Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts, The Dark Side of Science, Ashlynn’s Dreams, Nadia’s Tears, Malia’s Miracles, and Varick’s Quest
There are plenty of UK codes, but not many US ones left.

Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

Awakening – Redeemer Chronicles Book 1, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
The Holy War – Redeemer Chronicles Book 2, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
Reclaim the Darklands – Redeemer Chronicles Book 3, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
River’s Edge Ransom – Prequel to Redeemer Chronicles (Amazon) (email devyaschildren @ gmail.com for free codes)

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Devya’s Children Series Links:

Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – short stories featuring Jillian. (Amazon) (free codes)
The Dark Side of Science – official prequel to Devya’s Children; Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live. (Amazon) (Please email devyaschildren @ gmail.com for free codes)
Ashlynn’s Dreams – Genetically altered Dream Shaper learns her gift. (Amazon) (free codes)
Nadia’s Tears – Jillian tries to awaken her sister, Nadia, from a coma. (Amazon) (free codes)
Malia’s Miracles – Jillian and her siblings try to save a friend’s mother. (Amazon) (free codes)
Varick’s Quest – Jillian and Danielle get kidnapped. Nadia’s also in trouble. (Amazon) (free codes)
More Scifi:
Reshner’s Royal Ranger (epic sci-fi) just made it there. (Amazon) (free codes)

Guardian Angel Files:

Spirit’s Bane – Allister and Mina are training to be Guardians. Satan’s out to get them. (Amazon) (free codes)
Kindred Spirits – Mina’s exiled to Earth. Allister’s stuck in the Heavens. (Amazon) (free codes)

Anotech Chronicles by Julie C. Gilbert

October 7, 2021August 23, 2021 Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Audiobooks, scifi Julie C. Gilbert, Liz Brand, scifi

pic from audible

Narrated by Liz Brand

Run Time: 35 hrs and 54 mins

Genre: Scifi

Summary:

This trilogy follows the Royal House through about 20 turbulent years. It starts off with a prince just trying to prove himself. Being the younger prince, Terosh never expected to be king. Reia Antellio just wants to keep the prince alive. Both get way more than they bargained for during Terosh’s Kireshana journey. To tell you much more would walk straight into spoiler territory.

Additional Comments:

This combo is likely my longest to date.
The Reshner series isn’t quite done, though I’m a big fan of closure, so there should be a decent sense of that at the wrap of Reshner’s Royal Guard. Someday, I’d like to write a 4^th novel.
The trilogy had an unusual pedigree. It started with the 3^rd book and then went to 1 and 2 as I unraveled the complicated history that led to the events in book 3.
It’s hard to pick a favorite character. I’m intrigued by Mavis’s history. Maybe someday, I’ll get to explore that. Taytron and Deanna’s love story is untold as yet too.
The story went through several iterations. What you have now is the cleaned up version that had some of the perspectives slimmed down because it was getting too complicated.
I typically don’t like the middle books of trilogies, they’re dark and depressing, but there was just too much to end with book 1 and open with the events of book 3.
It’s a time investment, no question.
Liz’s performance is top notch, as usual. She’s got an excellent range of voices.
Content Notes: I consider this book clean. There are no curse words. But there are some references to heavy topics. I think it even opens with a murder.
Tie-ins to other stories. The Anotech Chronicles is mentioned in Devya’s Children. A random scifi series featuring kids with special powers sort of strikes too close for Jillian and Danielle.

Conclusion:

If you’re looking for a quick and easy story, this ain’t it. If you like getting swept up in a different time and place, dive in.

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Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

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4 stars Mad Dog by Andrew Beery

September 24, 2021August 11, 2021 Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Audiobooks, scifi Andrew Beery, Dave Cruise, scifi

Narrated by Dave Cruise

Series: Boneyard Dog #2

Run Time: 5 hrs and 30 mins

Genre: scifi

Summary:

The plot’s the same as about a gazillion other scifi stories, with some subtle changes.

Additional Comments:

Admiral Jeremy Ryker’s clone is off in space fighting to save humanity.
Narration style is charming and definitely not serious. That keeps things interesting.
Performance was just as good as the first story. I don’t remember much about the first book, but it was decent. I found some voices used highly annoying, but given the text, I’m not sure the narrator could have made it less annoying. The words had to have been written in a halting manner.
Some allusion to sex, but nothing described and no curse words.
Decent world-building.
Typical save the human race sort of plot. Teleporting was new. Not much is explained about that but there is a book three. It wouldn’t surprise me if that came back in a big way.
Light scifi. Oh, there are alien races and space battles, but they’re more realistic than most space jockey stories. One smack and your ship’s pretty much toast.

Conclusion:

A worthwhile light scifi story you don’t have to think about too hard, just enjoy the ride.

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4/5 Stars Firefly: Life Signs by James Lovegrove

August 7, 2021July 20, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, scifi Firefly, James Lovegrove, Joss Whedon

Narrated by James Anderson Foster

Run Time: 8 hrs and 51 mins

Summary:

The crew of Serenity takes desperate measures to try and save Inara’s life. She’s dying of a rare and deadly cancer. Her only hope is a crazy scientist locked away on a prison planet.

Additional Comments:

It’s not your typical prison break story.
As with most of the Firefly stories, most of the charm lies in the characters. There is some wasted pagespace getting to know some of the antagonists, but that’s forgivable. There’s one notable exception to this tucked in here.
The prison system’s kind of interesting. They make it a Lord of the Flies sort of situation by letting the inmates run the place.
While there’s some meandering, the author finds a way to balance most of the Firefly crew. That’s quite a feat considering there are many beloved characters.
I wouldn’t say that this story moved much forward, but it’s still a fun tale.

Conclusion:

A worthy entry in the Firefly book canon.

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4/5 Stars Firefly: Generations by Tim Lebbon

August 4, 2021July 20, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, scifi Firefly, Joss Whedon, Tim Lebbon

Narrated by James Anderson Foster

Run Time: 7 hrs and 18 mins

Genre: Scifi

Summary:

A mysterious star map leads the crew to the equivalent of buried treasure, and a whole heap of trouble. River senses something in the ship, but is it a good something or a bad something?

Additional Comments:

The beginning was kind of amusing. It told the tale of how the star map ended up in Mal’s hands. The prologue could probably have been skipped, but I found the mini history intriguing.
The odds of Mal ending up with that map are astronomical, but it’s fine. Falls under the suspension of disbelief.
The middle and end of the story struck me a bit like one of the old school horror Star Wars books. I think it was Death Troopers by Joe Schreiber. (I didn’t like that book, but people who have read that and this one may pick up on the similar vibes.)
River gets a wee bit of a bigger role in this one, which is nice.
The plot’s pretty simplistic, yet it works.

Conclusion:

If you’re still suffering from Firefly withdrawal, these books provide a nice fix of scifi action and adventure.

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4/5 Stars I Want to Believe by Max Allan Collins

July 26, 2021July 20, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, scifi Max Allan Collins, Patrick Lawlor, x-files

Narrated by Patrick Lawlor

Run Time 5 hrs and 37 min

Summary:

Dr. Dana Scully struggles with an emotionally heavy case, a young boy with a rare brain disease. The only way to save him is a very painful series of surgeries. Meanwhile, she convinces Mulder to help the FBI with a tough case that seems classically out of the X-Files.

Additional Comments:

I think I saw this movie, but I remembered less of it than I did the Fight the Future one.
This one is well after the X-Files closed. Mulder and Scully are partners/lovers but not married. They’re probably mid-40’s here.
Mulder’s called in to consult on a tough, time-sensitive case involving a kidnapped young special agent.
It’s a complicated case involving a disgraced priest who claims to have visions.
The medical/normal side of this case is highly creepy. The paranormal side is par for the course.
It’s good to see Mulder and Scully back in action, but it also feels like that ship has sailed. I’d almost rather believe they solved the last of the X-Files and road off into the sunset sort of thing.
It’s good but not as good as the earlier books in the series. I’m not sure why it’s even considered part of this series because I believe the rest of the stories are originals as opposed to being based on movie scripts.

Conclusion:

A good story with X-Files vibes, but much like the beloved TV series, it feels like it’s trying too hard. (I don’t think I ever finished that series. I have it somewhere, I just never watched season 8 and 9.)

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4.25/5 Stars Fight the Future, The X-Files Book 7 by Elizabeth Hand and Chris Carter

July 23, 2021July 20, 2021 Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, scifi Chris Carter, Elizabeth Hand, x-files

Narrated by Patrick Lawlor

Run Time: 4 hrs

Genre: scifi/fantasy/paranormal

Summary:

In north Texas, a group of boys stumble across a lot of old bones and something scarier. To cover it up, a mysterious government entity blows up a building. Fox Mulder and Dana Scully get swept up in the mix.

Additional Comments:

This one is an adaptation of the movie, which I vaguely remember seeing.
Now I feel like I need to track down this movie.
The ending seemed abrupt.
It has all the classic X-Files markings. Mulder’s in trouble. Scully’s in trouble. They end up traveling across the country and then the world several times in the pursuit of elusive truth.
I do so love the conspiracy aspects, so the mysterious meetings and shady dealings done from posh places is a lot of fun.
After hearing a lot of scifi and thriller stuff, I always count it a mark in a book’s favor if it can get a visceral reaction from me. That conversation by the Project people still had the chilling power to make my gut clench.

Conclusion:

It’s not as fun as one of the original X-Files stories because I remembered a good chunk of the story. Still, quality scifi stuff.

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4/5 Stars Mass Effect Andromeda: Annihilation by Catherynne M. Valente

July 20, 2021June 24, 2021 Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Audiobooks, scifi Catherynne M. Valente, Mass Effect, Tom Taylorson

Narrated by Tom Taylorson

Run Time: 8 hrs and 51 mins

Summary:

The ship carrying Quarian, Batarians, Elcor, and Drell falls under a biological catastrophe. Is it accidental or criminal? How can they fight something never encountered in the history of every sentient race?

Additional Comments:

The book blurb is absolutely, unequivocally useless. Blah, blah, blah, these are great books. Okay, great, and agreed, these are excellent books, but what the heck is this one about?
5/5 Stars Performance: The narrator had to work super hard, but I am glad that the Volus didn’t have more dialogue. That breathing thing got annoying.
I’m not sure I’ve ever read a Mass Effect book that didn’t have a human as a main character. Pretty sure that was a requirement of the book. They went to the author and were like, you get to write a book that doesn’t have one human in it. Have fun. It’s been a while since I played any ME games. Had to pull on some memories to remember how these races ticked.
But they do know f-bombs and use them liberally. That’s a mark of any ME book, but it’s surprising that in the vast knowledge of curses, they couldn’t think of 1 unique word to use.
The mystery’s rather straightforward as is the conclusion.
Not exactly a great time in the world to be reading about a rampant virus recking havoc, but whatever.
I’m surprised at how little straightforward violence was perpetrated in the book. That’s unusual for a ME book. Still, the enemy’s real.

Conclusion:

A terrifying mystery that’s more than whodunit. There’s a disease on the loose and the main characters are running out of time to contain it.

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Audiobook Reviews 4.25/5 Stars Mass Effect: Initiation by Mac Walters, N.K. Jemisin

July 17, 2021June 24, 2021 Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Audiobooks, scifi Fryda Wolff, Mac Walters, N.K. Jemisin

Narrated by Fryda Wolff

Run Time: 8hrs and 13 mins

Summary:

Cora Harper, a powerful human biotic, takes on the job of recovering some valuable stolen data.

Additional Comments:

– I have the paperback for this book and just never finished it. I tried on and off for like 4 years. Just didn’t get into it.

– The audiobook expel was much better than the paperback one.

– Freda Wolff fit the character very well. SAM-E’s voice definitely sounded female to me but it was supposed to be androgynous and Ryder called it a he. That aside, the narrator’s voice captured Harper well.

– in the grand scheme of things, this is a skippable book. It could be referenced in a paragraph. But it was overall fun to see Cora in action.

– The series does not have to be read in order. But this one has a lot more action than the Nexus Uprising one.

– There is a surprisingly small number of key characters.

Cora and SAM-E are in the bulk of the book.

Conclusion:

Good prequel but you don’t need it to understand Mass Effect Andromeda.

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5/5 Stars Skin, The X-Files Book 6 by Ben Mezrich

July 16, 2021June 24, 2021 Julie Gilbert Action Adventure, Audiobooks, Paranormal, scifi Ben Mezrich, Patrick Lawlor, x-files

Narrated by Patrick Lawlor

Run Time: 8 hrs and 29 mins

Summary:

A series of fantastic, seemingly unrelated events send Mulder and Scully halfway across the world to hunt down a legend.

Additional Comments:

Story has great flow. There are a lot of seemingly unrelated things happening, but they don’t feel contrived.
The murders are brutal but plausible.
There’s good action and danger for our hero and heroine.
There are only mild hints of conspiracy on this one.
Soldiers disappearing during the Vietnam war isn’t that far-fetched.
Mulder and Scully get to travel. They seem to be doing a lot of that.
Science and supernatural collide in many X-Files. This one happens to favor more science than supernatural, but there’s still a decent mix of the two.
Content Warnings: Some disturbing content. It’s not described in too much gruesome detail, but there’s definitely a creepy killer on the loose in this one.

Conclusion:

Probably the strongest in the series so far. It’s got classic X-Files vibes and creepy killers and scifi crazy science. Nice combo.

Audiobook Promotions …

Many of my 51 audible titles are listed on Audiobooks Unleashed.
Whether you’re looking for mystery or suspense or fantasy, I’ve got a title for you. Free codes are probably on audiobooks unleashed.
Normal links go to audible. *The Amazon labeled links are affiliate links. That means I get a very small payment from Amazon if you go through with a purchase.*
Note: Filter by US if you’re looking for those codes as many titles are out.
Ones I think may still have US codes: Reshner’s Royal Ranger, Never Again, Innova, The Golden City Captives, The Holy War, Reclaim the Darklands, Eagle Eyes, Treachery Makes it Tense, Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts, The Dark Side of Science, Ashlynn’s Dreams, Nadia’s Tears, Malia’s Miracles, and Varick’s Quest
There are plenty of UK codes, but not many US ones left.

Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)

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