The Land: Founding:

The Land: Founding: A LitRPG Saga

Chaos Seeds, Book 1

By: Aleron Kong

Narrated by: Nick Podehl

Series: Chaos Seeds, Book 1

Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins

Unabridged

Release date: 04-27-17

I really did enjoy this audio it has a unique twist I do not play games so for me it was different and I liked it. The only things that got a little old is when he powered up. Don’t get me wrong I liked knowing what powers was given just having so much at once took my mind off the story. There are lots of twists and turns starting with (I think) a demon who wants to get off planet but can’t until he finds someone to start conflict. He needs humans but they have to come willingly. He has a great plan getting young teens to play his game and want to move up enough that they want to come and be a part of his planet. There are dangers at every turn that has to be worked out you either win or you die. I know I set there wondering what would happen if the characters died and was very pleased with the outcome.

Come take a journey as one young man fights his way to be the first person to go all the way to the top and win. The only things is what does he win and what he will have to go through to get there if he even can get there.

The narrator just a really wonderful job with the narration from the many different character voice to the emotions. I thought he had the right pitch and tone for everything each character went through. The volume never changed, no background noise and the music used fit the story very well, it wasn’t over powering, not to loud or two low. I could not tell if any breaks were taken. There was no repeating of words just a very clean and clear audio I got lost in. I had no trouble knowing who was talking or what they were feeling. The narrator normal voice was just as pleasant as his character ones. The male and female voices were outstanding. I really got lost in the story and had no trouble picturing the scenes at they were laid out. It was very easy to forget you were listening. I really loved this narrator and what he brought to the story.

I enjoyed the surprises as they came along, had a few heart stopping moments, a few times I thought wow this can’t be good. The story is a learning process just like a game. The author goes a wonderful job laying it out, pulling on your heart as Richter tries to defend his land and defeat the enemies. There is a lot going on in a short time but you never feel lost you always know what is happening. I felt I was right there going along for the ride, I even put my hands over my eyes a time or two thinking no no no and oh yes yes yes oh my what the heck. The author pulls you right in making you feel part of the story. It is very fascinating and I really enjoyed it. The ending leaves off where the next part of the story will begin.

Buy Links

Audible

https://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/The-Land-Founding-A-LitRPG-Saga-Audiobook/B071DNLS1F?ref=a_a_search_c3_lProduct_1_2&pf_rd_p=e81b7c27-6880-467a-b5a7-13cef5d729fe&pf_rd_r=F26ZVD25MX9H0RJY0T99&

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Land-Founding-LitRPG-Chaos-Seeds-ebook/dp/B0172GEB68/ref=cm_cr_if_orig_subj?_encoding=UTF8&linkCode=xm2&tag=audiblecom0f-20

B&N

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-land-aleron-kong/1124396863?ean=9781535020701&st=AFF&2sid=Goodreads,%20Inc_2227948_NA&sourceId=AFFGoodreads,%20IncM000004

Summary

*The Acclaimed Debut Novel of the Best Selling Chaos Seeds Saga*
*A mesmerizing tale reminiscent of the wonder of Ready Player One and the adventure of Game of Thrones*
*#1 Audiobook 2017*
*#1 in Cyberpunk and Video Game Fantasy*
*Over Four THOUSAND positive reviews on Goodreads*
*Welcome my friends!*
*Welcome... to "The Land!"*
Tricked into a world of banished gods, demons, goblins, sprites and magic, Richter must learn to meet the perils of The Land and begin to forge his own kingdom. Actions have consequences across The Land, with powerful creatures and factions now hell-bent on Richter's destruction.
Can Richter forge allegiances to survive this harsh and unforgiving world or will he fall to the dark denizens of this ancient and unforgiving realm?
A tale to shake "The Land" itself, measuring 10/10 on the Richter scale, how will Richter's choices shape the future of The Land and all who reside in it? Can he grow his power to meet the deadliest of beings of the land? When choices are often a shade of grey, how will Richter ensure he does not become what he seeks to destroy?
ps - Gnomes Rule

Night Whispers: The Complex

Night Whispers: The Complex, Book 0

Written by: Calinda B

Narrated by: Lynn Norris

Length: 7 hrs and 1 min

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:05-01-17

Publisher: Calinda B

What an interesting twist to the future and all it brings in this paranormal/Sci-Fi book. I really like the different mixture of people and how they learn to live together. There are some good times but more bad as a brother and sister try their best to make the most of the life they find their selves placed in. The author really goes into detail that really makes this story come to life with the vivid details she gives.  It was very entertaining grabbing your attention from the first page until the last. The dreams are a wild trip you do not want to miss. There are some very surprising twists along with a few heartbreaking ones.

Ms. Norris does an outstanding job her character voices are given lots of emotions that you have no trouble relating to. Her male voices are just as good as her female’s ones. You know what each one is feeling as they go down the path they must. There are no repeating of words, no background noises, if any breaks where taken I could not tell. The audio is very clear and crisp that really gives you a very enjoyable listen. I thought the narrator really bought out each characters feeling, you could hear the hurt, lost, love, caring and anger in her voice as she plays out the story. Her voice is very pleasant in and out of character. It is a voice you can get lost in and you will forget you are listening to an audio. This is the first work I have listened to of hers, I am very much looking forward to listening to more of her audio’s. Bottom line the audio is well worth your time, I do plan on listening to it again. Ms. Norris performance was outstanding bring to life the audio for me.

Night Whispers is a very original, creative story with a wonderful plot you will be hook on from the first page. It is well written and well thought out covering every point. I have mixed feeling about Sakhi’s brother. He comes across as a me me me person but he is likable. I understood why he felt the way he did but I didn’t like how he treated his sister later on in the story. Sakhi I really liked a lot her heart is in all the right places. Thrasyllus can be a little confusing until you get the all over picture and then he just takes your heart away.

I loved how the paranormal was written, so many different people with so many different needs, personalities. It was interesting to see how things change and how they stay the same but are different. There were times my heart stopped a few minutes with danger all around, people fighting and killing. You are left wondering who will live and who will die. There is adventure, thrills, chills, excitement and few heartbreaking moments. I totally enjoyed this audio and can’t wait to see more of the author and narrators work.

Buy Links

Audible

https://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Night-Whispers-Audiobook/B071YPMT94?ref_=a_listener__cco_1_1_t

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Night-Whispers-Complex-Book-0-ebook/dp/B01N07FRWX/ref=cm_cr_if_orig_subj?_encoding=UTF8&linkCode=xm2&tag=audiblecom0f-20

Summary

From New York Times best-selling author Calinda B, comes a dystopian tale of ruthless struggle and triumph.
For two long terrifying years, Sakhi Borren, and her beloved brother Reve, are headed to live at The Complex. An enclosed metal and concrete manufactured world on the barren planet Lorn, the Complex is some government's version of a good idea. Its sole purpose is to "heal the rifts between warring races" - a joke if ever Sakhi heard one. If she and her brother can survive to the end, they'll leave, far richer. In the meantime, all they can look forward to is co-existing with criminals and the scumbags known as Metas. She's scared of Metas. Her brother loathes them.
Strict rules and "guidelines" govern their every waking hour. Harsh punishment awaits all who violate the rules. It's a bleak, bleary, mind-numbing existence.
A telepathic dreamer, Sakhi does her best to get along and not make waves, working alongside her charming yet terrifying boss, Thrasyllus Blüthe, a decorated war hero. She dreads each night, where she'll wade through the hopes and fears of others, caught in their dream-state. It seems she can only escape one world to be entrenched in another. But soon its evident someone is stalking her in her dreams. It could be any number of Metas she works with. It could be her boss. But she suspects it's someone far more deadly - her worst nightmare and her greatest enemy - the Meta assigned as her parole officer. He wants her eradicated - only after he seduces her.
Surviving until it's over is no longer her only option. She needs to deal with what's right in front of her face - her present. With no one to turn to, she leans on her brother for strength and comfort. But he might have a few secret plans of his own that leave her with no recourse but to rely on her own faltering strength.

Since the Sirens

Since the Sirens: Sirens of the Zombie Apocalypse, Book 1

Written by: E.E. Isherwood

Narrated by: Nancy Peterson

Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:10-05-16

Publisher: E. E. Isherwood

I loved, loved this story there are so many interesting twists that really keeps you on the edge and holding your breath. Granny was a wonderful lady that keeps you laughing. Even at 104 her mind is sharp, quick, smart and very clever. There are serious scenes that grab you leaving you breathless but at the same time you can’t help but chuckle or laugh. It is a story I could relate to being a teen and not knowing how to talk to the elderly, being bored out of your mind, doing everything you can to relieve that boredom.  Zombies are not one of my favorite genre's although I have really enjoyed a few but this one I thought really blow it away from the characters to the story line it was very entertaining.

Ms. Peterson really impressed me with her many different characters and their voices that really fit not only the story line but the characters. She really brings this story to life with her very talented voice you forget you are listening to an audio as she gives very vivid scenes that takes you to another level in your mind as you picture the scenes before your eyes. There is no repeat of wording, no background noise or any place there was a volume change. If any breaks were taken I could not tell.  The audio is very crisp, clean with lots of emotion delivered in a way you feel each characters emotion, knowing just what they are going through and what they are feeling. She gives you a smooth listen with a rich voice that leaves you lost in the plot as she takes you away to another time and place. I have listened to a few of her audios and I think I like this one the best. I really hope she does the next book in this series and it will not be long before it is out. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

I found this story to be believable, rich and exciting. The author gives a wonderful plot that pulls you in, with a little spiritual in the mix giving you a meaningful listen but isn’t over powering. It was a wonderful clean read with a little romance mixed in. This is a story that would be for all ages and one a family can listen to together and really enjoy discussing it as they go along. It would be great for a long family trip with long hours of driving.  Liam is your normal teen but when it comes down to what is important he learns fast and steps up to the plate putting his grandmother first trying his best to get her to safety. There are many paths and road blocks they must get through along with a few lives lost that you feel to your bones. There is a play on the government and what they are willing to do and not do to help the people. So much unknown, excitement and thrills will come your way as you take a wild ride on a train with the zombies on the hunt never far behind and sometimes ahead. Bottom line I was hooked almost from the first page to the last. It was a very enjoyable listen from the plot to the narration.

Buy Links

Audio

https://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Since-the-Sirens-Audiobook/B01LYQ0UEF

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Since-Sirens-Zombie-Apocalypse-Book-ebook/dp/B018H82ZYU/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Summary

Banished by bad decisions to spend the summer with his great-grandmother, Liam Peters thinks his life is over. After all, Marty Peters is a tough woman to be around. Maybe she wouldn't be so bad if she'd just take an interest in the modern technology he loves. Sure, she has some insight to her...but the woman is practically "pushing daisies". Not surprisingly, as tornado sirens announce a city-wide emergency, Liam discovers why that term should be avoided...well...like the plague.
When Grandma Marty tries to send him on his way, refusing to abandon her home, Liam sees his situation in a new light. Something deep inside awakens - and he chafes at the thought of leaving his 104-year-old grandmother to die. Armed with two tiny pistols and an arsenal of knowledge from his overwhelming zombie book collection, Liam realizes he could be the hero and accomplish the impossible: rescue her.
With the interstate gridlocked, opportunist criminals looking to take what they can get, law enforcement desperate to keep the peace, and the military declaring St. Louis a war-zone, Liam and Marty find themselves wrapped up in a world of chaos and panic. But when the zombies begin to overshadow everything else, Liam comes to appreciate why there are no atheists in foxholes.
Since the Sirens is the gripping first installment of E. E. Isherwood's hit post-apocalyptic series Sirens of the Zombie Apocalypse. If you like to watch society collapse, zombie hordes bear down on the heroes, and skin-of-teeth escapes, you won't be able to pause this awesome story!

Sniper: Women of the United Federation Marines

Sniper: Women of the United Federation Marines, Book 2

Written by: Jonathan P. Brazee

Narrated by: Teri Schnaubelt

Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins

Series: Women of the United Federation Marines, Book 2

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:10-07-16

Publisher: Jonathan Brazee

This was an interesting story but I did find my mind wondering. The story is based on a military women and her career. It fast forwards a lot and skips over a few years through out. For me something is lacking, there is action but I just do not fill it. She has two love interests but that is about all we know.   Gracie has a very interesting career that is full of killing people and saving other military personal through her talents. She is a very talented sniper and does an outstanding job. The author takes you through lose of friends, bring back some that should have been dead. This is a story base on the future and the technology we could only dream about.   

Ms. Schnaubelt does a really good job with her narration, there are no repeat of words nor any background noises or anywhere that the volume changes. If any breaks where taken I could not tell. It is a very clean and clear audio that the narrator deliveries in a delightful way. After each chapter announcement there is a number I am unsure of what that is. I thought it was a page count but a lot of them have the same number which left me confused. Her character voices were outstanding you have no trouble understanding who is talking or what they are feeling. Her male voices were just as enjoyable as her female’s ones.  She puts emotion into her read you can feel each emotion as the characters go through their day to day life. I thought her performance was great except for those numbers after each chapter.  The narrator has a very pleasant voice that pulls you in giving you an in depth feel of the danger around them.

There is nothing in this book that really grabbed me and wouldn’t let me go. It isn’t boring at all just nothing that really held my attention. Too many years were skipped and I felt a lot had been left out. I enjoyed the audio just not one I would want to listen to again nor does it want me to want to read the other books in this series. It could be because I had not read the first one and I am missing something. I hope you will give it a try the narrator alone is worth the listen. You decided what you think of this and if it is something that you may want to listen to. It is a clean read which is pleasant.

Buy Links

Audible

https://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Sniper-Audiobook/B01LXFZV59

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Sniper-Women-United-Federation-Marines-ebook/dp/B01GE4I82W/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Summary

After a successful initial tour as a Marine rifleman, Lance Corporal Gracie Medicine Crow volunteers to become a scout-sniper, one of the deadliest - and most dangerous - military specialties in the United Federation Marine Corps. Gracie comes from the Apsáalooke Nation, a people with a long history of military tradition.
Small in stature and considered stunningly beautiful, she is often underestimated, but that merely drives her to be the best sniper in the Corps. Somewhat wary of her fellow snipers' attention and interaction with her, she maintains what she considers a professional front, but one that is not as well received by others - and one that earns her the nickname of "Ice Princess".
A technically skilled sniper, Gracie feels her shooting should speak for itself. But being a scout-sniper is far more than simple marksmanship. If she wants a career in the Corps, she must learn not only teamwork, but how to be a leader of Marines.
This is the second book in the series, but each book is standalone and does not have to be heard in conjunction with the others. The series follows two Marines and a Navy corpsman as they follow their individual career paths.