Category Archives: Audiobooks

Atoned: The Wardens: Book 1 by Steve J McHugh AUDIOBOOK REVIEW

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Today is my turn on the audiobook blog tour for Atoned: The Wardens: Book 1 by Steve J McHugh!

Version 1.0.0

You might think the book is familiar… it is.. I was lucky enough to review the paperback not to long ago so jumped at the chance to listen to the audio version!

Here’s the blurb

Civil War tore across the Union Empire, leaving countless dead in its wake. It was a war started by one man, once beloved by the Empire. His betrayal still lingers in the memory of those who lived through it.

Decades later, his son, Felix Drake, is a Warden tasked with both protecting the ruling members of the Union Empire and its Council, and bringing those powerful and influential people to justice should they break the law.

Drake protects the very Empire his father sought to destroy.

When two members of a Council family are murdered, Drake and his team investigate, only to uncover corruption, resentment, and yet more death.

As the case deepens, Drake is forced back into a life he’d left long ago, bringing with it the same disdain and anger from the very people he’s sworn to protect.

However, he’s no longer a helpless child, and the people who try to intimidate him now are about to discover that Drake is so very much his father’s son.

Review

As I’ve read the book and listened to the audio version so some bits of my review will overlap a little 😊

I want to focus straightaway on the audio aspect before going back to the plot.

I quite enjoy reading and listening to the same book, it’s a good chance to see how a voice can add to the written word. Tim Gerard Reynolds who narrated didn’t disappoint.. such a wonderful tone.. it was so easy just to while away a few hours ironing while enjoying the story. Tim definitely managed to add depth to the characters too which I always think would be hard to do… you’d have to get into the authors mind to really understand the characters so it’s a talent to be able to bring something extra into the mix.

Now about that plot…What a cracking start to a series! The book starts strong as we are quickly introduced to the two  main characters.. it’s a typical good versus bad yeh? Oh you are so wrong.. there’s so much more depth to this tale.

Many years ago there was a civil war… a civil war that nearly tore the world apart.. fast forward and we meet Felix Drake, a Warden.. tasked with protecting those his father tried to kill during the war.. he betrayed those Felix now protects..Felix wants nothing more than to forget the past.. he knows if anyone finds out who he actually is then he life will change drastically.. no one would trust the son of a traitor after all!

He’s remained hidden for a while but it’s time to return to the place he once called home.. his friends have been murdered but why?.. as soon as he arrives all hell breaks loose..

Felix knows Sabas Gossard has something to do with this but he needs to prove it.. Sabas was put in prison by Felix so how the hell is he already free? Yeh that’s right.. corruption..

It’s no surprise to me that there’s deceit from those in power but just who the players are shocks Felix..surely not? Plus there’s someone working in the shadows.. will we find out who is orchestrating these events? And what’s the endgame?

There’s lots of different characters and roles but everything is introduced nicely for the reader to take in, and the attention given to the development really helped this stroy come alive.

I particularly like Bokk, Felix’s security synth.. Bokk once belonged to his father, and I felt Bokk played a pivotal role which I hope gets expanded upon as there’s the interesting idea of these synth developing personalities.

The plot of the book develops at a swift but nice pace and hints there’s some good things to come. As setups go Atoned has it all, great characters and so much potential clear and ready to pour out.

There’s hints of past events becoming a focus.. were the events that played out during the war exactly as they seem? Or was there more to it? And what does this mean for Drake? He’s got his own sage abilities coming out.. but he seems special..and I’m excited to find out why!

This is my first foray into the authors imagination, and I was wonderfully impressed with the flow and development.

5/5 Stars

My thanks go to the author, publisher and Zoé @ zooloosbooktours.co.uk for having me on the tour! As I’m an audible member it was a pleasure to use my monthly credit on a treat of a story such as this!

Why not follow the tour?

Steve’s Bio

Steve is a bestselling author of Urban Fantasy and Science Fiction books. His novel, Scorched Shadows, was shortlisted for a Gemmell Award for best novel. He was born in Mexborough, South Yorkshire, but now lives with his wife and three young daughters in Southampton.


Steve’s Links

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevemc79/

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/hellequinchronicles

Twitter : https://twitter.com/StevejMchugh

Website : http://stevejmchugh.wordpress.com

Book Links

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/197452731-atoned

Buy Links – https://mybook.to/atoned-zbt

The Child by Sebastian Fitzek – Audible Drama REVIEW

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Today I’m reviewing the Audible Drama, The Child by Sebastian Fitzek.

I do love a good audiobook and truthfully I needed something to keep me sane while I did the housework.. much to my dismay I’m unable to read and iron clothes at the same time. Audio seemed like the perfect choice!

I also really enjoy audiobooks simply because sometimes I’m too tired to read.. but still want my fix..

Here’s the blurb

My name is Simon. I’m 10 years old. I’m a serial killer.

Robert Stern, a successful defence lawyer, doesn’t know what lies in store for him when he agrees to meet a new client in a derelict estate on the outskirts of Berlin. To his astonishment, the defendant is a 10-year-old boy – Simon, a fragile child with a chronic illness who insists that he was a murderer in a former life.

Stern’s surprise quickly turns to horror as he searches the cellar Simon has directed him to and discovers the skeletal remains of a man, the skull split with an axe – just as Simon told him he would. But this is only the beginning, as Simon tells Stern where to find even more victims whose bodies have lain undisturbed for years. Suddenly the present feels murderously dangerous as well….

The Child is a darkly twisting thriller that will make your heart pound with adrenaline.

Review

One night Robert Stern’s life is turned upside down as he meets a young boy, Simon.

Simon is only ten years only but is convinced he’s committed murder. At first Robert thinks this is a joke, but when he decides to go along with the story and take a look in the location of the murder a grizzly sight is found.

Robert can hardly believe it! Even more so when the murder seems to have been committed roughly 15 years ago! How is it possible this ten year old boy knows this?

Well Simon isn’t well, he’s time on this planet is going to be short and as a gift he attended a regression session, to help him see that maybe this isn’t the end and that life goes on and has been for sometime..but what no one expected was Simon to see glimpse of what he thinks is a past life when he was a murderer!

More murders are discovered but what’s even more surprising Is Simon has even predicted a murder.. he doesn’t know who.. but he does know where..

There’s clashes with the police who struggle to believe the tale they are being told so at times they even consider Robert a suspect!

Robert would love nothing more than to step away.. forget about this case..but he can’t he’s sucked in and with the help of Simon they will see this through to the end!

I was looking for a decent psychological thriller but what I didn’t expect was amazing plot. No spoilers from me but how they tied everything up towards the end of the tale.. super!

The story is pretty bleak in it’s stroyline.. the victims aren’t really nice people themselves and as they dig a seedy underground is exposed and motivations become more clear.

As I listened to the Audible Drama version I have to comment on the narrators. Wonderful! Having a few different cast members helped the story flow well as the tone changed as we heard from each character. I’m always conscious I can zone out if I’m listening to one voice for too long.. (that’s why those sleep stories work so well for me ha ha) but with The Child I found myself engaged at all times.

To find out more head to Audible.

If you’d like to hear listen to Unabridged version check out Amazon!

The Rain by B.B Thomas – Audiobook Review

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Today I’m reviewing The Rain by B.B Thomas. An Audible Original Narrated by: Tom Petty, Catrin Walker-Booth, Katy Sobey

Here’s the blurb

A taut psychological thriller that will keep listeners guessing all the way to the end….

Rob and Emma have made a fresh start, moving away from London and back to her hometown. With their baby daughter Sophie, their family is complete.

Until one night, Rob arrives home from a late shift to find baby Sophie crying and on her own. Frantically, he searches the house and surroundings, but Emma has disappeared without a trace.

Rob is distraught. Emma couldn’t abandon their child – could she?

As rumours spread around the village, Rob uncovers secrets about Emma’s past life that shake his foundations about the woman he thought he married.

And when suspicion is cast on him, he must take desperate action to find out what happened to Emma. The question is, does he know his wife well enough to uncover the truth?

Review

Wow!

The Rain follows Rob, Emma and their little girl Sophie.

One night when Rob arrives home to find Sophie crying and Emma missing he fears the worst.. why would she leave Sophie like this… why would she not talk to him.

When the police arrive to help find his missing wife there’s speculation maybe Emma has just runaway, unhappy with her life… but Rob can’t accept that.

I’m trying to keep this spoiler free so let’s just say an event occurs that will shake Rob to the core.

Rob spirals and starts to look deeper into his wife’s past..there’s a secret she was running from but why? And what’s it got to do with her disappearance? Why now?

As Rob tries to come to terms with recent events and taking care of his daughter he builds a great friendship with Emma’s parents and together it seems like Rob might be able to move on a little..and he even starts to make a new friend…

But soon suspicion lands on him for Emma’s disappearance and with the police scrutinising his every move some of the things he’s done don’t look good… but things aren’t right..things have been twisted..but by who? And why? It’s not looking good for Rob.

The last few chapters are a chilling ride for the reader as the author puts the pieces together for Rob and the truth revealed.

When it comes to the plot I frigging loved this, very tense and chilling with twists along the way. Towards the end you are just waiting for that truth to be revealed and it’s very much the WOW moment but if I’m honest the whole story was a WOW moment for me.

I quite enjoy and audible book but truth be told my mind wanders a lot if I’m not reading a physical book so an author actually needs to work hard to grab my attention and this story certainly did, couldn’t put it down and it even led me to enjoy some of the housework like ironing and cleaning as it was the perfect time to put the headphones in and shut off from life for a little ha.

Narration wise I felt it worked so well. There was emotion and depth to the voices which perfectly suited the tail and it certainly added to the tense theme of the tale.

Very much a 5* from me and highly recommended to anyone who enjoys an audible tale.

To find out more head to Audible, Amazon or Goodreads.

The Wreckage by Robin Morgan-Bentley

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Today I’m going to be reviewing the Audio version of The Wreckage by Robin Morgan-Bentley narrated by Emilia Fox & Jack Hawkins.

Here is the blurb –

Genre – Psychological Thrillers

Things will never be the same again….

Ben is driving on the motorway, on his usual commute to the school where he works.

A day like any other, except for Adam, who in a last despairing act jumps in front of Ben’s car, and in killing himself, turns the teacher’s world upside down.

Wracked with guilt and desperate to clear his conscience, Ben develops a friendship with Alice, Adam’s widow, and her seven-year-old son, Max.

But as he tries to escape the trauma of the wreckage, could Ben go too far in trying to make amends?

Gripping and sinister, The Wreckage is guaranteed to keep you up all night….

Review

Ben is driving home from work but unlike his normal commute, today is the day he is going to be involved in an accident that will change his life.

We soon learn of Adam who commits suicide by jumping In front of Ben’s car.

What follows next was very believable as Adam’s wife Alice, and Ben both deal with this tragedy as best they can.

They both feel guilt and this guilt leads them to growing some sort of connection. The connection is disturbing at times, but you can see the motivations behind their actions.

Ben becomes obsessed with Alice and her little boy, he wants nothing more than to keep them safe, to love them, to be there for them. Alice on the other hand seems to only feel revulsion, she hates herself, but is still drawn to Ben.

A lot of what happens comes down to lack of communication or just moving way to damn fast, and it’s this that causes things to spiral out of control when the motivations are quite innocent really. Ben feels he’s offering support but Alice only sees this as Ben forcing himself into her life.. and at one point comes across as a bit of a stalker.

There’s a twist at the end I didn’t really see coming, it’s a little crazy to be honest but that’s what makes it a psychological thriller, it messes with the readers head too and makes you stop and say “Bloody Hell”.

The writing style was good for me and very easy to follow, it alternated perspectives allowing each character to develop and helped me form my own opinion on Ben and Alice and their unlikely connection. The story flowed well so it was a super quick book to get sucked into.

For me the biggest selling point that actually made me buy the book was that Alice as narrated by Emilia Fox who’ve I’ve been a fan of since I watched the remake of Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) some 20 years ago now! Jeez. For me it’s the narration from both Emilia and Jack Hawkins that make this a very easy book to listen to. I enjoy audio books but prefer the physical books as I get distracted far too easily if I don’t have something to look at.. but I was quite hooked as I wanted to see how the relationship would play out.

For a debut novel the author did a great job with the characters, their development and the emotions felt raw and real.

Very much enjoyed this one.

4/5 Stars!

To find out more head to Goodreads or Amazon!

Lucia by Steven A. McKay – Audiobook Review!

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Next up on David’s Book Blurg I’m reviewing Lucia by Steven A. McKay on available on Audible!

Here’s the blurb

At eight years old, Lucia is torn from the life she knew. Her village burned to the ground and parents murdered by Romans, she is kidnapped, sold and shipped abroad to the Villa Tempestatis in Britannia to serve the young Roman army officer Castus.

Faced with a bleak future of decades of servitude to her master, as well as sadistic brutality at the hands of his slave and manageress, Paltucca, she finds herself fixated by one thought alone. Fuelled by hatred and a belief that the gods saved her for a reason, she vows to never taste freedom until she gets her revenge.

As she and her fellow slaves are exploited mercilessly by the master and his ‘noble’ friends – and brutally punished for even the smallest misdemeanours – Lucia’s longing for vengeance only grows stronger. Despite warnings from her loyal friend, Sennianus, that her hatred won’t bring her happiness, she continues to plot the downfall of Castus and Paltucca.

When Paltucca performs an unforgivable act, cruelly destroying a chance of happiness for Lucia, the manageress seals her own fate and unwittingly becomes her own undoing. But what will become of Castus? Risen within the ranks and trusted by the master, Lucia must decide whether or not to exploit her power and risk everything to fulfil her lifelong desire.

Genre – Historical Fiction.

Review

Lucia is a slaves tale told from the very beginning when she is brutally taken from her family and those she loved left for dead.

Quickly Lucia learns her new place in life but struggles with the horrible Paltucca.. an evil manageress who never seems to be happy with the work no matter the standard.

Her master Castus is an enigma or sorts at first.. as a Roman officer he’s not always at home but when he is the wine and food flows.. some of his guests are less than delightful and their urges quite abhorrent. Castus shows himself to be a good master at times ensuring the youngest slaves aren’t unduly harmed but as time goes on he himself changes…his own deprived tastes come to the fore and Lucia feels the brunt of his affections for a time.

While Lucia learns to deal with her masters demands she proves to be a good slave.. she’s part of a family. Of course she hates those who oppress her and she swears one day to get vengeance on all those who have wronged her.

As time goes on some important events happen to Lucia and her fellow slaves..the most important is her saving the estate from thieves. It’s a catalyst which sees Lucia’s fortunes change.

To say Lucia is a tough read is an understatement… don’t get me wrong.. this tale is gripping and it’s tough to put down.. what I mean is it’s harrowing… real heart wrenching.. to see someone downtrodden..treated like they don’t matter.. it’s hard to imagine a time when slaves were common place. The hardships these people suffer arent easy to forget.

Along the way we see friendships forged..and tested. Sennianus wants nothing more than to live an easy life with Lucia but she’s broken…Senni stands by her but struggles at times to accept the situation.

Regalis is the biggest character for me and plays a pivotal part.. he’s a slave but also has the job of delivering punishments on behalf of Paltucca…the thing is everyone likes the man.. he’s as honest as they come and is just doing as commanded by his master.. there’s no malice in his actions.

Sosthenes, while not very well liked he knows his place. There’s a moment your feelings for him change as you see the man in a different light.

Dentatus, a horrible creature of a man who will do anything if it sees him in the good books of the manageress.

The point I hope I’ve made clear is that this story is not just of Lucia.. yes the main focus is on her life but there’s so much more going on.. each member of the cast play their part and stay with you… they each have their own motivations and you can’t help but feel for them all. Some find it easier to adapt to their new lives than others but under everything they are humans..and their lives are worth more..

Lucia is an Audible book only and the narrator Imogen Church did superbly at making me commit to Lucia with everything I had. I like audio but can get distracted easily..Imogen Church commands your attention.. her tone perfect for each character.. emphasis just when you’d expect.

A compelling 5* story from McKay, an author who continues to amaze me with his writing.

To find out more head to Audible or Goodreads!

The Serpent Sword by Matthew Harffy, Narrated by Barnaby Edwards – Audiobook Review

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Now I’m sure you heard of of Matthew Harffy before and If you’ve been following my blog for a while you’ll know I’m a massive fan of his work.

As luck would have it Matthew has kindly offered me the chance to listen and review a copy of the 1st book in The Bernicia Chronicles series, The Serpent Word.

I reviewed the physical book back in August 2015! Has it really been that long??? This series has come a long way since then and truth be told the Audiobook adds nicely to the collection.

I don’t want to cover old ground so if you didn’t see my original review click here to open a new window – The Serpent Sword.

Here’s the blurb about the story –

633AD. Anglo-Saxon Britain. A gripping, powerful, action-packed historical thriller about vengeance and coming of age. The Bernicia Chronicles are perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell.

Beobrand is compelled by his brother’s almost-certain murder to embark on a quest for revenge in the war-ravaged kingdoms of Northumbria. The land is rife with danger, as warlords vie for supremacy and dominion. In the battles for control of the region, new oaths are made and broken, and loyalties are tested to the limits. With no patronage and no experience, Beobrand must form his own allegiances and learn to fight with sword and shield.

Relentless in pursuit of his enemies, he faces challenges which transform him from a boy to a man who stands strong in the clamour and gore of the shieldwall. As he closes in on his kin’s slayer and the bodies pile up, can Beobrand mete out the vengeance he craves without sacrificing his honour…or even his soul?

So focusing on the Audiobook itself, what did it offer me over the written text? Well that’s easy, Barnaby Edwards the narrator.. Wow!

Now I’ve listened to a few Audiobooks so far and some things that can really bug me as a listener are the pace and also the oomph in which the tale is told. What do I mean by oomph? Well passion and emphasis..When I hear the narrator speak I want feel the emotion. This Barnaby Edwards got spot on for me. His tone of voice suited the tale and he just gave it that extra something to make the audio tale interesting. If a listener doesn’t like the narrator you’re screwed but Barnaby didn’t put a foot wrong for me.

Going back to the tone of Barnaby’s voice, well as I’ve said it suited the tale. He has what I can only describe as a grittiness to his voice and that was most enjoyable when changing from one character to another as he managed to make it feel like you were listening to different people.

Overall The Serpent Sword is one of my favourite books and the audio version does it justice.

The hard thing for Audiobooks is that I feel they need to work harder to keep the listener happy. With a written book the reader can read at their own pace and set the tone of voices and such in their own mind.. with audio you are relying heavily on the narrator.

So to summarise, this is one hell of a bloody and gritty tale perfectly narrated. The pace was spot on at just over 12 hours to finish the book and I bloody well enjoyed listening to it.

My only advice is don’t listen to it while your partner is asleep, when the action starts and you get excited they don’t seem to enjoy being woke up because you’re bouncing around the bed pretending you have your own sword.

If you want to know more about the book click the links below

Audible

Amazon 

My thanks go to the author for giving me the chance to listen to the book 🙂