A. Renee Hunt's Blog, page 2
October 14, 2019
Echoes in Onyx
Book 1 of the Uncommon Echoes series
written by Sharon Shinn & narrated by
Emily Bauer
When I found book 1 of the Uncommon Echoes series, I was a tad fearful of how this would all play out. I knew it was a dystopian fantasy, but was I going to be happy with the end result? Could that slap of romance ruin things?
The Uncommon Echoes series, written by Sharon Shinn, shares the telling of magical defense, as well as how money can't always buy the best of protection. Book 1, Echoes in Onyx is today's review. #element-29e90891-9208-4be8-ac01-152466478c07 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
So let me first say, Audible's Original novelizations have been remarkable- especially the audio dramas. Book one was full of major drama. I actually liked it. It's a period piece of magic, interesting characters, and yes: romance. So in order to set this review up, let me say that it feels Victorian, there's mystery and a bit of religious magic, but it’s the story that makes everything about this series.
The world is amazing easy to envision. The characters, the personalities and even the lifestyles were written so beautifully, I couldn’t help but love it all. I wanted to dislike the story, because I knew it would be all lovey dovey, but I was pulled in! I was caught up and fell in love with every aspect of the tale.
Brianna, a young lady of no nobility, wants a job and finds one as the maid to a Lady Marguerite. In this world, nobles have duplicates called Echoes. They are gifts from one of their goddesses, to assist those of noble blood with a bit of protection against assassinations. They are mirrors of the owner. Brianna loves her job, but when an incident takes place, while on journey to visit the crown prince, both she and her lady must enact a lie that could place all four of them on Amanda Plaza's wall, facing public scrutiny, humiliation and death.
This tale was so enjoyable, I'm going to give one positive and one negative. The positive is: The plot worked. For all that took place, even with the mushy stuff, I felt it could have made for a good movie. It was deep, but busy. Light but fearsome. The negative is that it was a tad bit predictable. I knew what was going to happen, on certain parts of the story, and that was okay with me, because I still liked it.
Echoes in Onyx is a three-book series and I'm heading into book two right now! Written by Sharon Shinn, and narrated by Emily Bauer, this book is a 4-star! Check it out while I move on the next read. Cheers!
Echoes in Onyx
from the Uncommon Echoes series
Written by Sharon Shinn
Narrated by Emily Bauer
Published by Audible Studios
Released March 2019
Runtime 15 hours 2 mins
written by Sharon Shinn & narrated by
Emily Bauer
When I found book 1 of the Uncommon Echoes series, I was a tad fearful of how this would all play out. I knew it was a dystopian fantasy, but was I going to be happy with the end result? Could that slap of romance ruin things?The Uncommon Echoes series, written by Sharon Shinn, shares the telling of magical defense, as well as how money can't always buy the best of protection. Book 1, Echoes in Onyx is today's review. #element-29e90891-9208-4be8-ac01-152466478c07 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
So let me first say, Audible's Original novelizations have been remarkable- especially the audio dramas. Book one was full of major drama. I actually liked it. It's a period piece of magic, interesting characters, and yes: romance. So in order to set this review up, let me say that it feels Victorian, there's mystery and a bit of religious magic, but it’s the story that makes everything about this series. The world is amazing easy to envision. The characters, the personalities and even the lifestyles were written so beautifully, I couldn’t help but love it all. I wanted to dislike the story, because I knew it would be all lovey dovey, but I was pulled in! I was caught up and fell in love with every aspect of the tale.
Brianna, a young lady of no nobility, wants a job and finds one as the maid to a Lady Marguerite. In this world, nobles have duplicates called Echoes. They are gifts from one of their goddesses, to assist those of noble blood with a bit of protection against assassinations. They are mirrors of the owner. Brianna loves her job, but when an incident takes place, while on journey to visit the crown prince, both she and her lady must enact a lie that could place all four of them on Amanda Plaza's wall, facing public scrutiny, humiliation and death.
This tale was so enjoyable, I'm going to give one positive and one negative. The positive is: The plot worked. For all that took place, even with the mushy stuff, I felt it could have made for a good movie. It was deep, but busy. Light but fearsome. The negative is that it was a tad bit predictable. I knew what was going to happen, on certain parts of the story, and that was okay with me, because I still liked it.
Echoes in Onyx is a three-book series and I'm heading into book two right now! Written by Sharon Shinn, and narrated by Emily Bauer, this book is a 4-star! Check it out while I move on the next read. Cheers!
Echoes in Onyxfrom the Uncommon Echoes series
Written by Sharon Shinn
Narrated by Emily Bauer
Published by Audible Studios
Released March 2019
Runtime 15 hours 2 mins
Echo In Emerald
Book 2 of the Uncommon Echoes series
written by Sharon Shinn & narrated by
Emily Bauer
Don't you just love it when book two in a series is just as good as the first book? Whenever I read books that carry more romance than deaths, I worry- BUT I didn't have to with this one. Echo in Emerald, by Sharon Shinn, kept me captivated. Not because it's a continuation of the first book, but because it carried on in the same world, but with different people! #element-23d31aa6-0c57-4d2f-92c7-2812a5e0ad34 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
So this time, there's an actual stone, an emerald stone, in the story to go along with the title. In Echo in Emerald, a young, female street urchin handles herself. She's been on the streets since she was eleven, she's honest, honorable, works hard... and she has two echoes! "Gasp!" You know why this is odd if you've read the first book or my review. But she can do things with her echoes that no one else has ever heard of, let alone what they can do their own!
Chessie, the non-royal, lives pretending her companions are good friends, but she carries a story like no other. The cool part of her life is that it crosses with the characters of the first book. The bad part is that someone's trying to kill the princes of Camarria- and she's next on the list! But why? Well, that's where the mystery takes place. It's also where the romance comes in- ugh! But it's good; I promise! It all begins when Chessie is hired to warn off an investigator, not inquisitor, of a possible assassination. That is when she meets up with the handsome Lord Dezmen, and things are never the same for her.
I know, everyone gets the guy with the money. That's just one of the things I've never liked about romances. No one ever walks away, as a main character, with the pig farmer or the pick-pocket. They've got money and blend into high society in one shape or another, but it's really good- I can't lie. I enjoyed it enough that I dived in to the third and final book! LOL
Check out Echo in Emerald. You'll like it, kissey faces, breathy name calls and all. I'm off to the next read. Cheers!
Echoe in Emerald
from the Uncommon Echoes series
Written by Sharon Shinn
Narrated by Emily Baier
Published by Audible Studios
Released March 2019
Runtime 13h 21m
written by Sharon Shinn & narrated by
Emily Bauer
Don't you just love it when book two in a series is just as good as the first book? Whenever I read books that carry more romance than deaths, I worry- BUT I didn't have to with this one. Echo in Emerald, by Sharon Shinn, kept me captivated. Not because it's a continuation of the first book, but because it carried on in the same world, but with different people! #element-23d31aa6-0c57-4d2f-92c7-2812a5e0ad34 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
So this time, there's an actual stone, an emerald stone, in the story to go along with the title. In Echo in Emerald, a young, female street urchin handles herself. She's been on the streets since she was eleven, she's honest, honorable, works hard... and she has two echoes! "Gasp!" You know why this is odd if you've read the first book or my review. But she can do things with her echoes that no one else has ever heard of, let alone what they can do their own!Chessie, the non-royal, lives pretending her companions are good friends, but she carries a story like no other. The cool part of her life is that it crosses with the characters of the first book. The bad part is that someone's trying to kill the princes of Camarria- and she's next on the list! But why? Well, that's where the mystery takes place. It's also where the romance comes in- ugh! But it's good; I promise! It all begins when Chessie is hired to warn off an investigator, not inquisitor, of a possible assassination. That is when she meets up with the handsome Lord Dezmen, and things are never the same for her.
I know, everyone gets the guy with the money. That's just one of the things I've never liked about romances. No one ever walks away, as a main character, with the pig farmer or the pick-pocket. They've got money and blend into high society in one shape or another, but it's really good- I can't lie. I enjoyed it enough that I dived in to the third and final book! LOL
Check out Echo in Emerald. You'll like it, kissey faces, breathy name calls and all. I'm off to the next read. Cheers!
Echoe in Emerald
from the Uncommon Echoes series
Written by Sharon Shinn
Narrated by Emily Baier
Published by Audible Studios
Released March 2019
Runtime 13h 21m
Echo In Amethyst
Book 3 of the Uncommon Echoes series
written by Sharon Shinn & narrated by
Emily Bauer
Wow, this was the best book of the series! Echo in Amethyst is an incredible telling of torture, sadness, royalty, romance and good overcoming evil. If you read any of the Uncommon Echoes books, this should be the one. Let me tell you why... #element-fcbbc672-2af0-4969-83b6-4c8aee2c9279 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
So you know the story has a background where those of noble birth have these duplicates of themselves, called Echoes. They were created by the Tai-Goddess as protection, due to the land's history of assassinations. The more echoes you have, the higher your status.
In Echo in Amethyst, Lady Elyssa detests her echoes. She can't stand the way they mimic her, the way they say nothing, and the way they seem to simply pull on her line of existence. Yet she adores that having three of them places her in higher standards than any of the other ladies waiting to marry. But in the meantime, she is cruel to them. She leaves them behind when their natural inclination is to follow, she cuts them, stabs and even breaks bones. And still, she does so much more.
But when her cruelty seems to awaken one of the echoes, and Elyssa's cruelty doesn't go unnoticed. When she works with the rebellion, to kill one of the princes of the Seven Jewels, her activities are watched by the one she hates most. Can this echo who's self-aware help when needed? Can she raise an unknown voice and do her bit for land and liberty?
So Echo in Amethyst was totally amazing. I liked it from the very beginning, unlike book one, where I even considered returning the book at first. I'm so happy I stuck it out, because book two was awesome and to end it with this one- the splicing of book 1 into this novel is what made everything come together. I can't believe I’m saying this, but I LOVED this!
Even the romance was nice and a change of pace, though making out in a temple was kinda crude. I loved it all though. The making out stuff wasn't heavy in this series, so it was tolerable, I even enjoyed the way things were described, keeping it clean and respectable. Other than the temple thing...
Anyway, if you like stories of intrigue, a little abuse and just the right amount of romance within a noble kingdom, Echo in Amethyst, of the Uncommon Echoes is the book for you. Check it out while I move on to the next read. Cheers!
Echo in Amethyst
from the Uncommon Echoes Series
Written by Sharon Shinn
Narrated by Emily Bauer
Published by Audible Studios
Released March 2019
Runtime 14h 57mins
written by Sharon Shinn & narrated by
Emily Bauer
Wow, this was the best book of the series! Echo in Amethyst is an incredible telling of torture, sadness, royalty, romance and good overcoming evil. If you read any of the Uncommon Echoes books, this should be the one. Let me tell you why... #element-fcbbc672-2af0-4969-83b6-4c8aee2c9279 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
So you know the story has a background where those of noble birth have these duplicates of themselves, called Echoes. They were created by the Tai-Goddess as protection, due to the land's history of assassinations. The more echoes you have, the higher your status.In Echo in Amethyst, Lady Elyssa detests her echoes. She can't stand the way they mimic her, the way they say nothing, and the way they seem to simply pull on her line of existence. Yet she adores that having three of them places her in higher standards than any of the other ladies waiting to marry. But in the meantime, she is cruel to them. She leaves them behind when their natural inclination is to follow, she cuts them, stabs and even breaks bones. And still, she does so much more.
But when her cruelty seems to awaken one of the echoes, and Elyssa's cruelty doesn't go unnoticed. When she works with the rebellion, to kill one of the princes of the Seven Jewels, her activities are watched by the one she hates most. Can this echo who's self-aware help when needed? Can she raise an unknown voice and do her bit for land and liberty?
So Echo in Amethyst was totally amazing. I liked it from the very beginning, unlike book one, where I even considered returning the book at first. I'm so happy I stuck it out, because book two was awesome and to end it with this one- the splicing of book 1 into this novel is what made everything come together. I can't believe I’m saying this, but I LOVED this!
Even the romance was nice and a change of pace, though making out in a temple was kinda crude. I loved it all though. The making out stuff wasn't heavy in this series, so it was tolerable, I even enjoyed the way things were described, keeping it clean and respectable. Other than the temple thing...
Anyway, if you like stories of intrigue, a little abuse and just the right amount of romance within a noble kingdom, Echo in Amethyst, of the Uncommon Echoes is the book for you. Check it out while I move on to the next read. Cheers!
Echo in Amethyst
from the Uncommon Echoes Series
Written by Sharon Shinn
Narrated by Emily Bauer
Published by Audible Studios
Released March 2019
Runtime 14h 57mins
October 9, 2019
Alien III, An Audio Drama
An Audible Orignal 
I remember when the very first Alien movie released. I also remember when it was okay to copy movies from the rental stores and play them in your homes- before pirating became a thing. My dad had a movie/video camera and we would invite family over and we’d have movie nights. When I first watched the Alien movie, it haunted me so completely, I slept in my brother's room that night. I've been watching them ever since. So to be sharing another audio drama, from the series, makes me proud.
Today, it's all about Alien III - a special, strewn together from what if's, and cuts of the movie. #element-797d9947-f353-4bc9-89d8-1cb7f198090d .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
What if Aliens ended differently. I'm not saying Ripley didn't escape, along with Bishop, Newt and Hicks. What I'm saying is, what if they'd been found long before their ship, the Sulaco, crashed onto Fiorina "Fury" 161, the prison colony. What if something took place long before that pod-landing and it didn't bode well, as usual, for any involved?
Alien III is a sort of 'pre-3' story, where you get to experience what could have happened from the floor bits. The action, the sound effects, the acting is amazing. It's easy to listen and mentally see what takes place- especially if you know the movies well.
This is William Gibson's baby, an untold story, that holds all the original charm of the very first movie, but with the wiles and memories of Aliens and Alien III. I found myself quoting lines to near perfection as Bishop narrated the opening and explained the in-between activity. I know they used Sigourney Weaver's recordings but they also voiced her later, practically matched! That's good since Michael Biehn and Lance Henriksen voiced our favorite peeps.
The story shares how the Sulaco is found and how another face-hugger left living gifts. When a new crew stumbles across the floating vessel, they suddenly realize, the sleeping passengers aren't the only ones aboard the ship.
Filled with thrills, exciting action and the screeches of the aliens we all know, despise and love at the same time. You've gotta listen to Alien III- Cheers!
Aliens III
Audio Drama by Audible Studios
Written by William Gibson
Voice Talents of Tom Alexander, Barbara Banres, Michael Biehn, Cliff Chapman, Samantha Coughlan, Ben Cora, Lance Henriksen and more...
Released May 2019
Runtime: 2h 16mins
I remember when the very first Alien movie released. I also remember when it was okay to copy movies from the rental stores and play them in your homes- before pirating became a thing. My dad had a movie/video camera and we would invite family over and we’d have movie nights. When I first watched the Alien movie, it haunted me so completely, I slept in my brother's room that night. I've been watching them ever since. So to be sharing another audio drama, from the series, makes me proud.Today, it's all about Alien III - a special, strewn together from what if's, and cuts of the movie. #element-797d9947-f353-4bc9-89d8-1cb7f198090d .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
What if Aliens ended differently. I'm not saying Ripley didn't escape, along with Bishop, Newt and Hicks. What I'm saying is, what if they'd been found long before their ship, the Sulaco, crashed onto Fiorina "Fury" 161, the prison colony. What if something took place long before that pod-landing and it didn't bode well, as usual, for any involved? Alien III is a sort of 'pre-3' story, where you get to experience what could have happened from the floor bits. The action, the sound effects, the acting is amazing. It's easy to listen and mentally see what takes place- especially if you know the movies well.
This is William Gibson's baby, an untold story, that holds all the original charm of the very first movie, but with the wiles and memories of Aliens and Alien III. I found myself quoting lines to near perfection as Bishop narrated the opening and explained the in-between activity. I know they used Sigourney Weaver's recordings but they also voiced her later, practically matched! That's good since Michael Biehn and Lance Henriksen voiced our favorite peeps.
The story shares how the Sulaco is found and how another face-hugger left living gifts. When a new crew stumbles across the floating vessel, they suddenly realize, the sleeping passengers aren't the only ones aboard the ship.
Filled with thrills, exciting action and the screeches of the aliens we all know, despise and love at the same time. You've gotta listen to Alien III- Cheers!
Aliens III
Audio Drama by Audible Studios
Written by William Gibson
Voice Talents of Tom Alexander, Barbara Banres, Michael Biehn, Cliff Chapman, Samantha Coughlan, Ben Cora, Lance Henriksen and more...
Released May 2019
Runtime: 2h 16mins
October 8, 2019
Even Tree Nymphs Get the Blues
A novella by Molly Harper and
narrated by Amanda Ronconi and Jonathan Davis
I received this audiobook free, via Audible. Even Tree Nymphs Get The Blues is a short story, in-between books one and two of the Mystic Bayou series, written by Molly Harper. I'd not read a book with fairies, let alone nymphs, in a long time so I thought I'd give it a short shot. #element-5a199d2f-fefd-4c90-9457-4ab439306987 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} 
The story's about a tree nymph named Ingrid. She'd left the forest and took on a life in the big city. She was running away from her past, hoping to find a simple life amongst the humans. After so long, she'd decided to return to the forest, landing in a small town called Mystic Bayou.
Known for it's odd community of shapeshifters, vampires, witches and more, she does her best to make a home for herself, away from every body, yet consumed determined to open a creamery made from the cream she'd take from her own farm of “special” cows. She expects to find peace, but could a chance encounter with a guy, consumed with her possible past, bring her happiness? Or send her on the run again?
This was a cute story. Running a little over three hours, I found it very cute and quaint. It's a standalone novella, so if you never read the rest of the books, you won't miss out- unless you are a paranormal romance lover. Then of course, you'll want to get in on the series! I, personally, don't do much romance, so I will probably pass, but this book is good.
It's written well, with Ingrid being a character who carries a rather coarse exterior, but with good reason. You get to watch her change, learn and become one of the locals with a sweet story to tell. She's not easy, making the love interest work for the possible romance- it's good. The maturity levels grow, the characters grow- even a tree grows in this book! Check it out for yourself. Even Tree Nymphs Get the Blues may be the books for you. Cheers!
Even Tree Nymphs Get The Blues
From the Mystic Bayou Series
By Molly Harper
Narrated by Amanda Ronconi and Jonathan Davis
Published by Audible Studios
Released June 2019
Runtime: 3 hours 3 minutes
narrated by Amanda Ronconi and Jonathan Davis
I received this audiobook free, via Audible. Even Tree Nymphs Get The Blues is a short story, in-between books one and two of the Mystic Bayou series, written by Molly Harper. I'd not read a book with fairies, let alone nymphs, in a long time so I thought I'd give it a short shot. #element-5a199d2f-fefd-4c90-9457-4ab439306987 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;} The story's about a tree nymph named Ingrid. She'd left the forest and took on a life in the big city. She was running away from her past, hoping to find a simple life amongst the humans. After so long, she'd decided to return to the forest, landing in a small town called Mystic Bayou. Known for it's odd community of shapeshifters, vampires, witches and more, she does her best to make a home for herself, away from every body, yet consumed determined to open a creamery made from the cream she'd take from her own farm of “special” cows. She expects to find peace, but could a chance encounter with a guy, consumed with her possible past, bring her happiness? Or send her on the run again?
This was a cute story. Running a little over three hours, I found it very cute and quaint. It's a standalone novella, so if you never read the rest of the books, you won't miss out- unless you are a paranormal romance lover. Then of course, you'll want to get in on the series! I, personally, don't do much romance, so I will probably pass, but this book is good.
It's written well, with Ingrid being a character who carries a rather coarse exterior, but with good reason. You get to watch her change, learn and become one of the locals with a sweet story to tell. She's not easy, making the love interest work for the possible romance- it's good. The maturity levels grow, the characters grow- even a tree grows in this book! Check it out for yourself. Even Tree Nymphs Get the Blues may be the books for you. Cheers!
Even Tree Nymphs Get The Blues
From the Mystic Bayou Series
By Molly Harper
Narrated by Amanda Ronconi and Jonathan Davis
Published by Audible Studios
Released June 2019
Runtime: 3 hours 3 minutes
October 7, 2019
Assimilate
Movie Review 
I came across this one by chance. Released earlier this year, Assimilate seems to have been lost in the shuffle, but it's actually a thrilling, lightly creepy, alien invasion movie. One I enjoyed as much as when I first saw Night of the Creeps, way back when I was a kid in the 80's! #element-19cf0786-107b-4f0f-a90a-cd03223d91fa .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
When two college-bound teens decide to make videos of small town, Missouri life, they come across some strange instances. In one video, the ants are not only working together, but filing in lines, two by two. A little boy is dragged home by his mother, while shouting, "You're not my mommy!" It's not until neighbor is attacked by something long, black and sluggish, that they realize something's terribly wrong.
Known for pranks and such for their videos, no one believes them when more of the townsfolk act strange and repeat, "Everything's okay" when it's evidently not.
Another chapter of the 1956 Invasion of the Body Snatchers, this one takes it one step further. It's not just being copied and going to sleep. You have to be bitten first. That's all I'm going to share, but know that this one's honestly a quiet keeper. I liked it. It wasn't gory, gross or filled with a torrent of foul language or sex. It's just a good, entertaining movie. Check out Assimilate. Cheers!
Assimilate
Directed by John Murlowski
Written by John Murlowskiand Steven Palmer Peterson
Produced by William Fey
Starred Joel Courtney, Calum Worthy, Andi Matichak and Katherine McNamara
Released May 2019
I came across this one by chance. Released earlier this year, Assimilate seems to have been lost in the shuffle, but it's actually a thrilling, lightly creepy, alien invasion movie. One I enjoyed as much as when I first saw Night of the Creeps, way back when I was a kid in the 80's! #element-19cf0786-107b-4f0f-a90a-cd03223d91fa .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
When two college-bound teens decide to make videos of small town, Missouri life, they come across some strange instances. In one video, the ants are not only working together, but filing in lines, two by two. A little boy is dragged home by his mother, while shouting, "You're not my mommy!" It's not until neighbor is attacked by something long, black and sluggish, that they realize something's terribly wrong. Known for pranks and such for their videos, no one believes them when more of the townsfolk act strange and repeat, "Everything's okay" when it's evidently not.
Another chapter of the 1956 Invasion of the Body Snatchers, this one takes it one step further. It's not just being copied and going to sleep. You have to be bitten first. That's all I'm going to share, but know that this one's honestly a quiet keeper. I liked it. It wasn't gory, gross or filled with a torrent of foul language or sex. It's just a good, entertaining movie. Check out Assimilate. Cheers!
Assimilate
Directed by John Murlowski
Written by John Murlowskiand Steven Palmer Peterson
Produced by William Fey
Starred Joel Courtney, Calum Worthy, Andi Matichak and Katherine McNamara
Released May 2019
October 2, 2019
Slimer
Written by Harry Adam Knight
Narrated by Hannival Hills
Before I go into this review, I have to say, this was narrated with the worst Mexican-American accent I've ever heard. It was like listening to an Australian John Wayne- worst ever! Okay, rant over- now on to the book, Slimer by Harry Adam Knight. #element-61758802-540c-4c66-b917-314c3342a894 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Slimer is the telling of a handful of ignorant young adults who thought it would be good to steal their father's yacht, travel to another country to get high, then buy drugs to sell back home. They set out on the word of a jerky Mexican-American - who nobody liked, at all - not even his own girlfriend! They partied, then on their way home, sank the yacht. Stupid.
After being lost at sea for so long, they found refuge on an oil rig that appeared to be abandoned. It's not. What's hiding in the shadows is beyond any of their worst nightmares.
Slimer, or Proteus if you watch the movie, is like the world’s worst 80's B-movie. It's covered in cornball innuendo and flat-out sexual rudeness. The American was so dreadful, I'm thinking Knight just detests Americans, and then the characters made the most (here we go) STUPIDEST of decisions! I mean, who goes onto a rig, finds nothing but numerous clues as to why you shouldn't be there, then takes off their clothes to go to bed? And don't even get me started about having sex! And you definitely don't put down the M80 machine gun (I think it was an M80. I could be wrong).
I wanted a monster story so bad, but I got this instead. The reviews had me thinking it was going to be excellent. Boy, were they wrong. Why? Because the characters were all idiots. There wasn't one brain amongst the lot.
Oh well. It just goes to show you that all the glittering reviews aren't gold. The story was interesting and the pace was Uber-fast, but I didn't like nor care anyone in the story. No one. See for yourself, but go in with your eyes open. The folks saying this is a fun read surely must be masochists! lol, jk
Cheers!
Slimer
Written by Harry Adam Knight
Published by Valancourt Books, Audible.com
Released April 2019
Runtime: 5 hours 46 mins
Narrated by Hannival Hills
Before I go into this review, I have to say, this was narrated with the worst Mexican-American accent I've ever heard. It was like listening to an Australian John Wayne- worst ever! Okay, rant over- now on to the book, Slimer by Harry Adam Knight. #element-61758802-540c-4c66-b917-314c3342a894 .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Slimer is the telling of a handful of ignorant young adults who thought it would be good to steal their father's yacht, travel to another country to get high, then buy drugs to sell back home. They set out on the word of a jerky Mexican-American - who nobody liked, at all - not even his own girlfriend! They partied, then on their way home, sank the yacht. Stupid.After being lost at sea for so long, they found refuge on an oil rig that appeared to be abandoned. It's not. What's hiding in the shadows is beyond any of their worst nightmares.
Slimer, or Proteus if you watch the movie, is like the world’s worst 80's B-movie. It's covered in cornball innuendo and flat-out sexual rudeness. The American was so dreadful, I'm thinking Knight just detests Americans, and then the characters made the most (here we go) STUPIDEST of decisions! I mean, who goes onto a rig, finds nothing but numerous clues as to why you shouldn't be there, then takes off their clothes to go to bed? And don't even get me started about having sex! And you definitely don't put down the M80 machine gun (I think it was an M80. I could be wrong).
I wanted a monster story so bad, but I got this instead. The reviews had me thinking it was going to be excellent. Boy, were they wrong. Why? Because the characters were all idiots. There wasn't one brain amongst the lot.
Oh well. It just goes to show you that all the glittering reviews aren't gold. The story was interesting and the pace was Uber-fast, but I didn't like nor care anyone in the story. No one. See for yourself, but go in with your eyes open. The folks saying this is a fun read surely must be masochists! lol, jk
Cheers!
Slimer
Written by Harry Adam Knight
Published by Valancourt Books, Audible.com
Released April 2019
Runtime: 5 hours 46 mins
October 1, 2019
Modified, Box Set 1-5
Written Kat Stiles
Narrated by Jennifer Gilmour
When you read Modified, by Kat Stiles, you have to check your frame of mind. Do not go into this as if you’re reading a novel. No, this is like a graphic novel on audible steroids. It’s fast-paced, weird, full of F-bombs and sex. Lots of gratuitous sex.
But it’s fun too, so let’s get on with this review! #element-9e37f391-7b6d-40b6-9157-27e9cbbcb89c .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Set in the future, Kate is kidnapped and returned without any memory, other than she hooked up with a sexy Brit who’d lured her to his car. She’s not stupid- she didn’t get in, but that changes nothing, she’d been taken... and hacked. Somehow, she’s able to do things, as if she’s got super powers! But these power come at a cost she’d never have paid of her own volition. Now the same person who’d given her the gift wants it back- at any cost. Things happen so fast in Modified, but that’s how comics and graphic novels move. That’s what I had to keep telling myself as I listened. This book is like an adult cartoon or adult read- and that’s not stated lightly. There are some situations that are both hilarious and a total mistake. That stated, I’ll share a couple issues...
1- Something happens that should have left Kate emotionally stunned, but how did she react? She went to a bar and tried to pick up men- I was like, this chick is crazy! And then in the same night, she slept with someone and the results? Murderous. And then something else happens behind that, and that, and that too! I was exhausted, as she should have been.
2- I feel there wasn’t enough backstory on some of the main characters: Jay, Vi and Steven. They were crucial pieces to Kate’s story but we only received the barest minimum. In a way, I guess that too can fit into the comic’s style of writing. You don’t always get it all.
Modified is fast, full of raunch, and quite disturbing at times, but it’s honestly, rather good. I loved the first person point of view, allowing you to get inside of Kate’s head, as she got into the headS of other people. The action’s cool, though how they all knew how to fight professional henchmen, I do not know. Again, a comic thing. I feel like I need to take up some martial arts or something.
If there’s more to come from Stiles, I’ll be sure to grab a copy or two. See for yourself, while I move on to the next read. Cheers!
Modified Volumes 1-5 Box Set
Written by Kat Stiles
Published by Kat Stiles via Amazon Digital Services
Released March 2019
Runtime 5 hours 39 minutes
Narrated by Jennifer Gilmour
When you read Modified, by Kat Stiles, you have to check your frame of mind. Do not go into this as if you’re reading a novel. No, this is like a graphic novel on audible steroids. It’s fast-paced, weird, full of F-bombs and sex. Lots of gratuitous sex. But it’s fun too, so let’s get on with this review! #element-9e37f391-7b6d-40b6-9157-27e9cbbcb89c .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Set in the future, Kate is kidnapped and returned without any memory, other than she hooked up with a sexy Brit who’d lured her to his car. She’s not stupid- she didn’t get in, but that changes nothing, she’d been taken... and hacked. Somehow, she’s able to do things, as if she’s got super powers! But these power come at a cost she’d never have paid of her own volition. Now the same person who’d given her the gift wants it back- at any cost. Things happen so fast in Modified, but that’s how comics and graphic novels move. That’s what I had to keep telling myself as I listened. This book is like an adult cartoon or adult read- and that’s not stated lightly. There are some situations that are both hilarious and a total mistake. That stated, I’ll share a couple issues...1- Something happens that should have left Kate emotionally stunned, but how did she react? She went to a bar and tried to pick up men- I was like, this chick is crazy! And then in the same night, she slept with someone and the results? Murderous. And then something else happens behind that, and that, and that too! I was exhausted, as she should have been.
2- I feel there wasn’t enough backstory on some of the main characters: Jay, Vi and Steven. They were crucial pieces to Kate’s story but we only received the barest minimum. In a way, I guess that too can fit into the comic’s style of writing. You don’t always get it all.
Modified is fast, full of raunch, and quite disturbing at times, but it’s honestly, rather good. I loved the first person point of view, allowing you to get inside of Kate’s head, as she got into the headS of other people. The action’s cool, though how they all knew how to fight professional henchmen, I do not know. Again, a comic thing. I feel like I need to take up some martial arts or something.
If there’s more to come from Stiles, I’ll be sure to grab a copy or two. See for yourself, while I move on to the next read. Cheers!
Modified Volumes 1-5 Box Set
Written by Kat Stiles
Published by Kat Stiles via Amazon Digital Services
Released March 2019
Runtime 5 hours 39 minutes
September 30, 2019
Hornwolf, from the RedLine series, Bk. 3
Sometimes you come across books purely by accident, and they turn out to be one of your best reads. They make you cringe, jump at the slightest sound or even burst with laughter. I found all of those things in Redline's Hornwolf, by Evan Romero, but I also found myself gasping, grossed out, and one time Totally Disgusted! But the book was... #element-d610d1d3-b4c1-41c1-8a09-d39c204bc5df .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
So before I begin, I have to properly state, Hornwolf is not a book for the faint of heart. This book is pure horror. It is pornographic. It contains scenes not suitable for most adults, let alone readers under the age of 18. Okay, so with my warning out of the way, that is not to state the book is no good. Quite the contrary. Though it went against everything I truly believe in, this book was all of those things I warned against, while snarky, adolescent, and funny horror story. It was good! So good, I'd have finished it sooner if it weren't my nighttime, iPad read.Something's attacking the residents of small town Ashwood. What first appeared to be grisly, animal attacks are much more. So much more. When the sheriff does her best with a few of the local yokels, as deputies, and a perv of a medical examiner -Scratch that: everyone's a perv in this book- she finds she is still ill-equipped at solving the case.
Every time there's a full moon, and a filling of other items I can't mention without giving away the story, some woman (and sometimes a man) is ravaged. Can Sheriff Cynthia stop it in time? And can she maintain her sanity in the process?
There are things that happen in this book that are beyond comprehension. It's like, I want to love this book, but I can't. It's so wrong! It's terribly gross, but I found myself laughing like a maniac. What does that say about me? I do have to say there are a couple of incidents sickened me- Meaning I didn't like it at all. I was disappointed and totally sickened and wanted to immediately delete the book. If you read Hornwolf, you'll know what I'm speaking of. Romero went too far, but the rest was pretty entertaining. My issue is, if all of Romero's books are like this, I don't know if I could stomach them.
Though I found a couple of typos in the book, it's written well, it's super fast-paced and the ending is out of this world, but... I'm telling you, this book is sick. Had it gone on longer, I'd have left it alone. Seriously.
Okay, I'm done. If I continue, I'll end up giving away the plot. Read Hornwolf... if You Dare. I'm off to the next read. Cheers!
Hornwolf
From the Redline series, book 3
Written by Evan Romero
Published by Redline
Released June 2019
112 Pages
September 25, 2019
Monsterland
Novel by Michael Phillip Cash 
What could be better than a theme park filled with real-life, werewolves, vampires and other supernatural beings? Um... Anything but werewolves, vamps and other supernatural beings! In Monsterland, the world was overtaken by such beings, so they came up with a way of removing them from the general population.
Was this a good thing?
#element-90ceefdf-106c-40ab-b1b9-32f5a19eafbd .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Youth, all over the world, have been offered options on how to live. They can either become blood-suckers, human eaters or werewolves. Wow! Since the young are so dumb, the government has decided to step in and cut down on such livelihoods, or so-called lives.
They went out into the world and offered every monster a contract, offering up money and a free way of living. Behind walls. Like a prison, but with freedom... Monsterland. This theme park will allow them to do as they please while being on display, like zoo animals. I call this the John Hammond Complex. Is it what they've always dreamed or nightmare? And will there be people lining up by the droves to see them in their naturally unnatural habitat?
Just like Jurassic Park, which is what I'm sure Cash got the idea, placing such creatures in one place isn't always a good thing. Then placing a price tag and sharing with people for entertainment is even worse! What in the world are folks thinking? As with the previously mentioned book/movie blockbuster, Monsterland attempts to control monsters, while using them to keep paying customers happy. You just can't do that!
Monsterland is ridiculously funny and adventurous. It's got gore, unimaginable fights and a takeover unlike any I've ever read. As foolish as the story was, it was pretty fun to read and I'm rather happy I own it. I think my son would like to read it one day, since he's in to the same sorts of stories. For the time being he can not read it, due to subject matter (no nudity or anything like that), but the tale is about some teenagers- as usual. They tend to say things I don't wish my boy to repeat.
The ending was satisfactory and I loved the sneakiness of one of the characters more than any other. They were pretty shallow and one was totally obsessed about a girl, but its worth the read. Check out Monsterland.
Cheers!
Monsterland
Written by Michael Phillip Cash
Published through Createspace by Michael Phillip Cash
Released 2015
What could be better than a theme park filled with real-life, werewolves, vampires and other supernatural beings? Um... Anything but werewolves, vamps and other supernatural beings! In Monsterland, the world was overtaken by such beings, so they came up with a way of removing them from the general population. Was this a good thing?
#element-90ceefdf-106c-40ab-b1b9-32f5a19eafbd .waddons-blog-image.hideImage { display: none;}
Youth, all over the world, have been offered options on how to live. They can either become blood-suckers, human eaters or werewolves. Wow! Since the young are so dumb, the government has decided to step in and cut down on such livelihoods, or so-called lives.They went out into the world and offered every monster a contract, offering up money and a free way of living. Behind walls. Like a prison, but with freedom... Monsterland. This theme park will allow them to do as they please while being on display, like zoo animals. I call this the John Hammond Complex. Is it what they've always dreamed or nightmare? And will there be people lining up by the droves to see them in their naturally unnatural habitat?
Just like Jurassic Park, which is what I'm sure Cash got the idea, placing such creatures in one place isn't always a good thing. Then placing a price tag and sharing with people for entertainment is even worse! What in the world are folks thinking? As with the previously mentioned book/movie blockbuster, Monsterland attempts to control monsters, while using them to keep paying customers happy. You just can't do that!
Monsterland is ridiculously funny and adventurous. It's got gore, unimaginable fights and a takeover unlike any I've ever read. As foolish as the story was, it was pretty fun to read and I'm rather happy I own it. I think my son would like to read it one day, since he's in to the same sorts of stories. For the time being he can not read it, due to subject matter (no nudity or anything like that), but the tale is about some teenagers- as usual. They tend to say things I don't wish my boy to repeat.
The ending was satisfactory and I loved the sneakiness of one of the characters more than any other. They were pretty shallow and one was totally obsessed about a girl, but its worth the read. Check out Monsterland.
Cheers!
Monsterland
Written by Michael Phillip Cash
Published through Createspace by Michael Phillip Cash
Released 2015
