JOURNEY

Journey by Timothy Nugent
Book 1 in the Beast Invasion series
Narrated by Henry Schrader
Genre: post-apocalyptic fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobook

About Journey:

Drew's life had fallen apart. He was middle aged, estranged from his wife and son, and stricken with a disease that was progressively getting worse. Things changed however when the beasts invaded. Using power gained from the beasts he killed, Drew now finds himself in a young healthy body, unimaginable strength, and a desperate need to journey home to his family. Experience the collapse of society with Drew as he navigates its dangers, meets new friends, and steadily grows in power. This can be considered a Post Apocalyptic Progression novel. It has similarities to cultivation novels, but is not Wuxia, it is only slightly Xianxia.

Source: Info in the "About Journey" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/179032895-journey on 22/01/2024.

Buy Link(s):

 

My Thoughts:

This is my first Timothy Nugent read and I am glad I bumped into him! I looked for other works by this author and it seems that this is the only series he has thus far... Though, it seems like he is planning three trilogies for this series in which this is the first one. So, there are more goodness to come!

Having said that, I really do not like cliffhanger endings and that is exactly how this book ended! In fact, the entire book is just a chapter or two of a bigger book. In other words, there isn't much of a plot. A start of a plot, maybe. But not much else. All the characters are doing are journeying from A to B, and that is it. That is the whole story! Probably why the author titled it "Journey". Appropriate title perhaps but, plot-wise, it is quite very thin.

So, where did they come from? Why are they invading? I hope these get answered in subsequent books.

This is my first Henry Schrader audiobook and I would definitely buy audiobooks by him again! I love the way he used sound effects like the "roar" and how he "doubled" himself in line with the the narrative. The line was two people screaming the same thing at the same time. He must have taped himself and then replayed it together with him "screaming" the lines, so you hear two of him at the same time. I think it is very clever!

Not only is he a wonderful and talented narrator, he has a sense of style as well! Love his burgundy attire!

Quantitative Evaluation:

Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 4
Story itself = 3
Writing Style = 4.5
Ending = 2.5
World building = 4.5
Cover art = 4
Pace = (8 hrs and 55 mins listening time)
Plot = 2
Narration = 4.5

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 cherries

Books In The Beast Invasion Series:

 

Meet The Author

About Timothy Nugent:

Timothy Nugent is the author behind the Beast Invasion series, a post-apocalyptic progression action-adventure. Born in Houston, Texas, he’s an IT professional, avid reader, and cat-wrangler. He does his best writing in his RV, deep in the forest, away from civilization. Always on the move, Tim loves to hike to scenic vistas, summit epic mountains, visit tranquil lakes, and transport readers into his rich worlds. His work is available on Amazon in paperback, Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible.

www.timothynugentauthor.com | facebook | audible | amazon | goodreads

The Narrator

About Henry Schrader:

Versatile, highly directable voice actor in video games, anime, commercial, audiobooks, and just about anything else you can think of.

From Dallas, Texas, United States

henryschrader.com | twitter | linkedin | goodreads

FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.

INFECTED

Infected by Bobby Adair
Books 2 in the Slow Burn series
Genre: post-apocalyptic zombie urban fantasy
Format: ebook

About Infected

Slow Burn: Infected picks up the story of Zed, Murphy, and Jerome where Slow Burn: Zero Day ended. All three have all been infected but have not succumbed to the most pernicious symptoms of the virus. They’re not the mindless cannibals that most infected are. Nevertheless, their band of survivors, fearful about the trio’s infections, have ostracized them. Now, back on the street, with weapons to defend themselves but little food in their packs, they embark on a search for Murphy’s family while following the rumor of a safe haven in the form of a doomsday bunker under a house in east Austin. But the world is more hazardous than they could have guessed. They expect violence from the voracious infected but they have harsh lessons to learn about the lethality of the uninfected. And without people to support the infrastructure of modern civilization, they find that danger comes in many forms.

Source: Info in the "About Infected" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18633103-infected on 07/04/2023.

Buy Link(s):

My Thoughts:

Infected started exactly where Zero Day left off. This book continues the saga of Zed and company's struggle for survival in a zombie post-apocalyptic world. The same tempo. The same fight. Different day. Still beautiful world building and masterful story telling quality though! But I am starting to worry that this is going to start getting "same old, same old"...

This book tackles old societal issues like prejudice of things and people who are not exactly like us. Who got features which is different and if we can't find one, we make up one. Othering. And the burning desire in a lot of us, to do good. To be good. Hero complex. Real issues played out in fiction setting.

The ending, of course, was a cliffhanger.

Quantitative Evaluation:

Story telling quality = 4
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 3.5
Writing Style = 4
Ending = 2
World building = 5
Cover art = 3
Pace = 3.5
Plot = 2

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 cherries

Books In The Slow Burn Series:

 

Meet The Author

About Bobby Adair:

A bio is a weird thing to write.

Just trying to imagine presenting the highlights of ME sets off alarm bells in my head. Why would anybody want to know anything about me? What about me is remarkable enough to tell?

When I think about these questions, I recall lying on my bed back in high school, headphones muffed over my ears, heavy metal blasting through my head. As with most teens, music’s power seduced me, and as I listened, I found myself admiring the albums' cover art (yeah, I’m old enough that I used to by LP’s) and I found myself reading about the singers and guitar players and drummers in the liner notes. Why? Because those musicians had created something that was deeply personal, passionate, and wonderfully emotional, and they’d shared it with the world. They’d shared it with me.

It made me want to know them through more than just their music. So, I read.

Through the years, I found myself reading about writers I’d enjoyed, historical figures I’d admired, politicians who weren’t dipshits, and business leaders who’d built great companies. Again, why? Who the hell knows? We’re all just people. I think we find each other interesting. We like to feel connected.

And that was my answer, at least as to the WHY.

On the WHAT I can say about me, for those who feel moved by my work: I’ll give it a quick go.

I was born an Air Force brat and lived in a dozen states before I graduated high school. I’ve worked my way through a wide variety of jobs, left most on a whim, owned businesses, lived through times when I had more money than I knew what to do with, and worried my way through times when I wondered how I’d pay the rent.

Life has been boring at times, and it’s been plenty exciting, too. So far.

I’ve traveled to India, stood atop the tallest mountains around, swam with sharks, smarted-off to cops, and been arrested. I’ve tried beer and weed, but never made a thing of either one. I’ve been brushed too close by death a few times. Thankfully, doctors, EMT’s, and nurses were kind enough to put all the pieces together again. I've ridden my bike so deep into the mountains it felt like I was alone on the edge of heaven, and I've watched the red sun sinking on an evening so clear it looked like it was falling off the edge of the world.

I’ve always had a hard time being where I am, wherever that is. My daydreams forever call from just over the horizon.

I’ve been asked by a dozen bosses where I see myself in five years, and I've lied every time, always telling them what they wanted to hear. Because the only thing I knew for sure, was that I wanted to be anywhere but there.

www.bobbyadair.com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | amazon | goodreads

FTC Disclosure:
The various copy(ies)/format(s) of this book were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.

POINT OF IMPACT

Point Of Impact by Kyla Stone
Book 1 in the Nuclear Dawn series
Narrated by Stacey Glemboski
Genre: post-apocalyptic urban fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobook

About Point Of Impact:

Surviving the blast is only the beginning…

Dakota Sloane, a tough-as-nails former foster kid, has spent her life running from the past. Her only family is her little sister, still trapped in the system.

When the news shows the bombs striking several major cities, Dakota’s first thought is to grab her sister and get the hell out of Miami.

Logan Garcia is a man haunted by secrets. His life plan is to drink himself into oblivion--until the shockwave hits, shattering the world as he knows it.

In the moments before the deadly fallout descends, Dakota offers Logan a deal. She knows a place to ride out the coming chaos, a safe house deep in the Everglades.

If he helps her rescue her sister, she’ll take him with her.

But Dakota’s past has caught up to her. Someone is hunting her through the radioactive ruins of Miami. And he won’t stop until he has her...or they’re both dead.

An electrifying post-apocalyptic survival adventure, the Nuclear Dawn series features fast-paced action combined with strong, complex characters. Perfect for fans of Logan Keys, Jacqueline Druga, Mike Kraus, and Boyd Craven.

Source: Info in the About Point Of Impact was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43288746-point-of-impact on 10/10/2019.

My Thoughts:

This is my first Kyla Stone read and I like the way she tells a story. However, I do not like the way she cuts the book in a big cliffhanger such that there isn't any story building at all! This book is just a first chapter of a bigger book. The entire book is an introduction with not much of a plot. Nuclear boom. These are the characters. The end. And that is the main reason this book would never get a 5 out of 5 with me. The premise is interesting but the story building is non-existent. I've read a lot of book serieses and the first book does not necessarily have to be this plot-less nor just merely a first-chapter-seeming. This is my second series which is narrated by Stacey Glemboski and she is growing on me.

Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 3.5
Story itself = 2.5
Writing Style = 2
Ending = 1.5
World building = 3.5
Cover art = 4
Pace = (6 hrs & 19 mins listening time)
Plot = 2
Narration = 4

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 cherries


Books In The Nuclear Dawn Series:

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Meet The Author

About Kyla Stone:

I spend my days writing apocalyptic and dystopian fiction novels.

I love writing stories exploring how ordinary people cope with extraordinary circumstances, especially situations where the normal comforts, conveniences, and rules are stripped away. My favorite stories to read and write deal with characters struggling with inner demons who learn to face and overcome their fears, launching their transformation into the strong, brave warrior they were meant to become.

Some of my favorite books include The Road, The Passage, Hunger Games, and Ready Player One. My favorite movies are The Lord of the Rings and Gladiator. Give me a good story in any form, and I’m happy.

Oh, and add in a cool fall evening in front of a crackling fire, nestled on the couch with a fuzzy blanket, a book in one hand and a hot moche latte in the other (or dark chocolate!): that’s my heaven.

I mean, I won’t say no to hiking to mountain waterfalls, traveling to far-flung locations, or jumping out of a plane (parachute included) either.

twitter | facebook | amazon | goodreads

The Narrator

About Stacey Glemboski:

Stacey is an accomplished audiobook narrator and voice actor who has recorded books for many best selling authors. Though her favorite books have been for kids and teens, many other genres of narration appeal to her.

Her acting experience has been largely experiential and has been honed through singing, plays, life, choir solos, Barbies, and eventually teaching middle school. For Stacey, narration is about having fun breathing life into characters and getting as lost as possible in the story she’s telling. Outside the studio, Stacey is compulsively addicted to tennis but is not seeking any treatment for this condition.

An experienced copy editor, proofreader, and English teacher, Stacey is adept at understanding complex texts and subtleties of plot and character.

​ Her home studio is a WhisperRoom sound-resistant booth, and she uses a Neumann TLM103, MBox Mini 2, and a MacBook Air.

www.staceyglemboski.com | twitter | facebook | facebook page | pinterest | instagram | linkedin | goodreads

FTC Disclosure:
The different formats of this book were purchased with private funds.
No money received for this review.