Review: Kronos

Kronos by Jeremy Robinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Captain Ahab meets Navy Seal

First, a disclaimer to anyone eyeing the Origin series by Jeremy Robinson: Kronos is the 5th book in Jeremy Robinson's Origin series, but it isn't a series of sequel books -- they all have different characters, settings, timelines, etc., so read them in any order. I had acquired the 5th book first and waited until I owned and read all the other books before getting to Kronos. But that was foolish because I've since discovered that the so-called "series" is just a collection of Robinson's first five books, newly updated and republished. So grab them in any order. Every book in this freshly revised collection rates from good to excellent and is worth reading.

Much like other of Robinson's books, Kronos pulled me in and had me hooked within the first few chapters. The plot is an original take on several classic stories, simultaneously making it seem familiar and fresh. Some of the characters were a bit one-dimensional (I'm looking at you, Andrea), but the main characters like Atticus and Trevor Manfred were unique and had some depth. Overall, it was a great story and a good book.

Kafer's narration was spot on, as usual. My favorite part of the performance was the characterization of Trevor Manfred -- he nailed snarky sociopath.

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Review: Angels and the Bad Man

Angels and the Bad Man by M.K. Gibson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another hit for the Technomancer series!

Angels and the Bad Man picks up where the Flotsam Prison Blues left off, propelling the audience on a captivating ride through a post-apocalyptic world filled with abominations, mythological creatures, and, of course, more abandoned angels and devils. Unlike previous books, Angels and the Bad Man has a split-point-of-view format, following Salem’s adventures in the wilds of the post-apocalyptic hellscape, Vali’s self-imposed mission of vengeance, and Grim’s confrontation with ghosts of his past while trying to survive the Wild Hunt in one of the last remaining fae lands.

The book's strength (as with the rest of the series) lies in the characters' development and humor. As the story progresses, new characters are introduced, and old ones continue to grow in depth. In particular, I enjoyed Grim’s POV chapters and learning more about his past and powers. Gibson's world-building is also fantastic, and Angels and the Bad Man particularly shines in that aspect, as the reader gets to experience much more of the Technomancer’s setting than both previous novels put together.

There are not many flaws in this book, but I think Vali's subplot could have been more compelling. It was easily my least favorite part of the narrative, and I often felt disappointed when the POV changed from Salem or Grim to Vali. However, it wasn’t bad – just not as engaging as the other two storylines.

Jeffrey Kafer's outstanding performance makes Salem's snark and attitude come alive. The narration provides an immersive experience that adds to the book's enjoyment. His ability to make distinct character voices and his natural tone and voice is perfect for this type of story.

Special thanks to M. K. Gibson, who provided me with this book at my request.

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Review: Flotsam Prison Blues

Flotsam Prison Blues by M.K. Gibson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Prison Break Meets Post-Apocalyptic Urban Fantasy

Flotsam Prison Blues, the second book in M. K. Gibson's Technomancer Novels series, is a highly enjoyable read, recommended for fans of the post-apocalyptic, cyber-punk, and urban fantasy genres (as it is a bit of all three). The novel resumes from where its prequel, To Beat The Devil, left off, following the exploits of Salem, a Technomancer, and his growing cadre of allies. Flotsam Prison Blues focuses on Salem, as he is sentenced to the infamous Flotsam Prison, a structure that promises a terrifying and grueling experience for inmates.

The novel's setting, predominantly Flotsam Prison, renders the story a prison survival and escape tale, making it a fresh take on its predecessor. The book's most appealing aspect is the well-drawn characters and amusing dialogue. Salem is a tenacious, snarky, and sarcastic protagonist with interactions that offer humor and entertainment throughout. The banter, particularly between Salem and Grim, is well-written and engrossing. The novel is engaging from beginning to end, with no significant drawbacks. However, it is quite dark and foreboding, with gruesome and grim descriptions of life in Flotsam Prison, which may disturb some readers.

The audiobook narration by Jeffrey Kafer is excellent, with his style and delivery adding to the overall experience. Though any change in the narrator during a series is often a point of contention for listeners, Kafer was an excellent choice as a replacement. The quality of audio production and sound is crisp and clear, with Kafer's voice making Salem's snark and attitude come alive.

Special thanks to freeaudiobookcodes.com, who provided me with this book at my request.

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Review: SuperDrunk

SuperDrunk by Christian Mallia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I picked up this book, I was immediately thrown off by the seemingly ridiculous storyline built around what sounded like juvenile wish fulfillment. The story was about a bizarre superhero named Tom Brantley (no secret identity, he just goes by his actual name), who relies on alcohol and drugs to fuel his powers. Tom is worshiped by everyone, gets any woman he wants, and is literally the most popular person around. Despite being turned off by the novel’s basic premise, something kept me hooked and reading.

About a fourth of the way through, the story shifts into an odd, disjointed tone and uneven pacing. At first, I thought it might have been an amateurish writing style. However, as the main character's life descended into darkness and despair, I realized the writing was far from amateurish - instead, it was raw, real, and unapologetic. I discovered a story far from what I originally took it for; instead, it was original, unique, and undeniably dark. As I looked back to the earlier chapters, I realized that much of what I had mistaken for poor writing was part of the foreshadowing and hidden detail that hinted at the truth behind the story.


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Review: The Statement of Andrew Doran

The Statement of Andrew Doran by Matthew Davenport
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kicking Nazi ass, Lovecraft-style

Mathew Davenport’s The Statement of Andrew Doran is the first installment of an occult historical fiction trilogy that takes on a Lovecraftian horror twist. Found in a Nazi-occupied Europe pre-World War II setting, readers are introduced to the dynamic protagonist, Dr. Andrew Doran. Easily seen as a magic-wielding Indiana Jones homage character, Andrew’s exploits are entertaining, though his character is more somber and lacks Dr. Jone’s witty charm.

The narrative and plot are among the best aspects of The Statement of Andrew Doran. The plot rapidly engrosses readers, urging them to continue reading to keep track of the numerous twists and turns that the story takes throughout. The integration of Lovecraftian horror within the narrative was another notable aspect woven expertly into the plot by an author that is clearly a fan and student of the Cthulhu Mythos.

Undoubtedly, the novel shines primarily for its outstanding plot, but it is not without its flaws. The quality of writing was average, and the interplay dialogue between characters could have been more substantial and convincing. Additionally, the narrative seemed to jump between different scenes, making it challenging to follow and connect. This could be attributed to the fact that the book was initially published as an episodic serial adventure and later compiled into its current form as a novel.

Despite these minor shortcomings, the strengths of the book easily outweigh its flaws, making it an enjoyable read. The Statement of Andrew Doran is a must-read for those who love occult historical fiction and Lovecraftian horror, offering a unique and entertaining narrative.

The narration of the audiobook is adequate but not outstanding. Patrick Harvey’s even tone lends an air of confidence to Andrew Doran but is too calm to bring much excitement to action-filled or stressful moments. But characters are voiced well, with various accents and inflections, but overall the narration doesn’t particularly add to or detract from the enjoyability of the novel.

Special thanks to Mathew Davenport, who provided me with this book at my request.

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Review: Space Academy Rejects

Space Academy Rejects by C.T. Phipps
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

More stars explode, the Elder Races get riled up, and Vance becomes BFFs with the god-like Notha Emperor.

Space Academy Rejects is the second book in Space Academy Series and follows Space Academy Dropouts. The Space Academy series takes place in the “Starpunked” universe, sharing its setting with several other series by Phipps and Suttkus (though the other series occur at vastly different points within the timeline).

Space Academy Dropouts was a great read, but Space Academy Rejects takes the series to new heights. It strikes a perfect balance between classic sci-fi space opera and irreverent humor, creating a story that is both entertaining and engaging. The returning characters are more grounded and developed (and a bit less absurd), making them easier to relate to and invest in.

While Rejects delivers plenty of laughs through genre parody, it also has its share of serious moments. The plot is surprisingly complex, centering around galaxy-spanning exopolitics. The humor is well-timed and doesn't often detract from the story's coherence or depth. I’m also a huge fan of how Phipps manages to tell a story in each book that comes to a resolution at the end while threading a single, greater narrative arc throughout the entire series.

Overall, Space Academy Rejects is a well-written book that seamlessly blends a modern space opera with sci-fi comedy. The story is engrossing, the characters are likable, and I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series.

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