Download Popular Titles Audiobooks in Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

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Title: The Exiled

Author: William Meikle

Narrator: Chris Barnes

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-18-14

Publisher: Gryphonwood Press

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 13 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

When several young girls are abducted from various locations in Edinburgh, Detective John Granger and his brother Alan, a reporter, investigate the cases from different directions. The abductor is cunning, always one step ahead, and the only clue he leaves behind at each scene are the brutalized corpses of black swans.

When the brothers' investigations finally converge at a farmhouse in Central Scotland, they catch a glimpse of where the girls have been taken, a place both far away yet close enough to touch. A land known throughout Scottish history with many names: Faerie, Elfheim, and the Astral Plane. It is a place of legend and horror, a myth. But the brothers soon discover it's real, and, to catch the abductor, they will have to cross over themselves.

To catch a killer, John and Alan Granger will have to battle the Cobbe, a strange and enigmatic creature that guards the realm, a creature of horrific power that demands a heavy price for entry into its world. The fate of both realms hangs in the balance... and time is running out.

Members Reviews:

Who's riding with the black cob?

Many thanks to Chris Barnes @ChrisBarnesVA for the opportunity to listen and review my first William Meikle @williemeikle book. I enjoyed it immensely, I really wasnt sure what to expect as I only read enough of the summary to know I was interested in finding out more plus the note from Chris which said: This is a Scottish book, by a Scottish author, read by a Scottish narrator featuring Scottish characters so it had to be great, right?

William grabbed my attention immediately and I was drawn in by the Granger boys depth of character from the off. A copper (John) and a hack (Alan) pressed back together to investigate a string of missing girls who are only linked by the broken carcasses of black swans left at the crime scenes. Unconditionally they take on the unasked responsibility to make sure another child doesnt go missing at the hands of who knows what. Our heroes are set to struggle against the unknown, against the authorities, against the powers of a dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in a far off realm.

We are introduced to a host of characters that are well devised and developed within the fast paced powerful plot. I loved the way they interacted with each other and how we couldnt easily work out who was on the side of good and who was riding with the black cob. I really wasnt prepared for the level of horror we would be subjected to, but the refined method of subtle introduction allowed me to develop along with it within the storyline, understanding and accepting its place within the text.

This was also my first listen to Chris and I was very impressed with his audio style, he brought the narrative to life and his Scottish accent added weight and authenticity to the characters and story line. Having lived in Fife for a couple of years in the late eighties his brogue transported me back to that now (for me) far off land. His inflection, intonation and enunciation added a warm-hearted contrast to the dark words we were hearing and I thoroughly enjoyed his most accomplished performance.

I highly recommend this superb piece of work, I havent read the written version but would urge you to listen to it if you have the opportunity as the narration really brought the piece together for me.

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Title: Revealment

Subtitle: Blood Badge, Book 2

Author: P.D. Musso

Narrator: Caprisha Page

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-03-14

Publisher: P D Musso

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 11 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Annie Bridges and Jared Remington are on their way to Nevada and Annie is excited to meet her first werewolf and the other demons employed by Jared's security company. Investigating a few deaths is nothing that a half-demon woman and her vampire boyfriend can't handle until the black-clad assassin from their previous operation returns and ensnares her in his world. Annie's demon side emerges more with each threat and with the strengthening of her blood bond connection with Jared until not even he can recognize her. In the end, Annie learns her heritage is not what she's been told and it will change everything - not just for her but for every vampire in the world.

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Title: Dr. Daedalus, the Devil's Army

Author: Philip Lee McCall

Narrator: Matthew Lloyd Davies

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-28-14

Publisher: Mythix Studios

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

London 1888, Jack the Ripper is on the loose terrorizing the citizens of Whitechapel. The Queen of England sends a mysterious agent to uncover the truth of the vile monster hunting England's streets. The trail of blood leads to an even bigger mystery and to a darker enemy of the Crown itself. While on Mont Orgueil, Grace Flynn, a prisoner of both England and France, awaits her execution for a very long list of crimes. She is considered a danger to society and even the Holy See has proclaimed her an evil most foul. Her executioners proclaim her life of misdeeds and escapades has drawn to a close. Until a living myth named Dr. Daedalus arrives with an unorthodox offer of freedom. Grace's redemption will be found through a journey skirting the bowels of Hell itself. She will face nightmares once thought to exist only in legend and superstition. A secret veil that hides things of the supernatural from mortal eyes has been lifted by the hand of the man who hunts them. Yet does he pose a threat to Grace as well... only Dr. Daedalus knows for sure!

Members Reviews:

Short, Sweet and Smart

great mix of fantasy, fact and alternative history. fast paced, quick witted and left wanting to see more of the core characters

Welcome Dr Daedalus and Grace.

This could quite easily turn into a very good series. The two main protagonists, Grace and Daedalus, meet in Grace's prison. Then they join together to save the world from great danger and live to fight another day. To tell anymore would need a spoiler alert. I enjoyed the story and the narration and hope there will be more from Daedalus and Grace in the future.

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Title: The Incunabula Papers

Subtitle: Ong's Hat and Other Gateways to New Dimensions

Author: Joseph Matheny

Narrator: James C. Lewis

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 50 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-17-14

Publisher: Joseph Matheny

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Incunabula/Ong's Hat was a bizarre Internet phenomenon: an immersive online experience - part mystery, part game, part who knows what.... The Incunabula Papers/Ongs Hat was, or is, a "many-threaded, open-ended interactive narrative" that "weds an alternate history of chaos science and consciousness studies to conspiracy theories, parallel dimensions, and claims that computer-mediated environments can serve as magical tools the documents provoked a widespread "immersive legend-trip" in the late 1990s. Via Web forums, participants investigated the documents - manifestos - which spun up descriptions of brilliant but suppressed discoveries relating to paths that certain scientists had forged into alternate realities. Soon, those haunted dimensions existed in the minds and fantasies of Ongs Hats many participants. That was evident as they responded to the original postings by uploading their own - all manner of reflections and artifacts: personal anecdotes, audio recordings, and videos - to augment what became "a really immersive world, and it was vast".

Members Reviews:

A Wonderful Adventure of Time Unfolding

The Incunabula Papers are required reading and I expect to periodically revisit and research the material. It just keeps on getting better. The only disclaimer is that you really should be feeling sound of mind before tackling this narrative. Anecdotal reports indicate a significantly high incidence of it precipitating temporary insanity in predisposed individuals. I suppose that counts as fair warning. Please enjoy responsibly.

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Title: Heraclix and Pomp

Subtitle: A Novel of the Fabricated and the Fey

Author: Forrest Aguirre

Narrator: Brandon Massey

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 7 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-14-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Heraclix was dead and Pomp was immortal. That was before Heraclixs reanimation (along with the sewn-together pieces and parts of many other dead people) and Pomps near murder at the hands of an evil necromancer. As they travel from Vienna to Prague to Istanbul and back again (with a side-trip to Hell), they struggle to understand who and what they are: Heraclix seeks to know the life he had before his death and rebirth, and Pomp wrestles with the language and meaning of mortality. As they journey across a land rife with revolution and unrest, they discover that the evil necromancer they thought dead might not be so dead after all. In fact, he might be making a pact to ensure his own immortality....

Members Reviews:

A Wild and Wonderful Ride

This is a solicited ARC that I agreed, with much anticipation, to read and fairly review. Full disclosure thingy you know. Now that all the ethical things are out of the way.

Get ready for a wild ride through the Holy Roman and Ottoman empires as Heraclix, a sort of Frankenstein's monster, and his unlikely companion, the fairy Pomp, try to find where Heraclix came from and what he was before he was sewn together by the sorcerer Mowler.

But Mowler wants to rule Hell since he figures he's already damned, why not at least be #1 in Hell and while he's at it why not take everyone else with him so he can be top dog of everyone. To do this he needs the Ottoman Turks to attack the Holy Roman empire. This background is what Heraclix and fey Pomp have to deal with as they try to get to Istanbul to find out Heraclix's origins and along the way Pomp learns what it means to be non-fairy, if that makes any sense.

Uncategorizable comes to mind. Is it historical fiction? Is it fantasy? Is it horror? The plot rolls from historical fact to to fantasy to pure horror at times and you never know how the various threads are going to come back together again especially after Pomp and Heraclix are separated. The plot seems random at times but just hold on, it's all making sense soon.

It is helpful to know what the Holy Roman and Ottoman empires were, and a little bit about eastern European geography. A little effort makes the ride a bit more enjoyable.

Fantastic!

Wow. This is fantastic in every sense of the word.

Heraclix and Pomp - A Mix of the Delightful and the Unsettling

Heraclix and Pomp is a rather dense novel. Shortly before finishing it I asked myself why, and I think I've got the answer. This excellent story, the first I've read by Forrest Aguirre, is one of the most descriptive pieces I've read in quite some time. Scarcely anything Aguirre shows you in this story lacks for a description, and some of the details are strikingly imaginative. As is the plot, which starts out as a simple quest for knowledge, yet develops some beautiful twists and turns along the way, long after you've stopped pestering the air around your reading chair with enquiries like "what, exactly, was that foul sorcerer up to and why does Heraclix want to uncover the painful secrets the sly magician left behind?". You stop asking, and file the questions in the back of your mind, because the book is such a joy to read, and the characters so engrossing.

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Title: Death House Jam Session

Subtitle: The Bluesman, Book 3

Author: Stuart Jaffe

Narrator: Stuart Jaffe

Format: Unabridged

Length: 56 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-18-14

Publisher: Stuart Jaffe

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

The Bluesman - musician, magician, lethal killer. Thrown to Earth from a parallel universe, the Bluesman seeks to save our world from being overrun by the horrid, mutated creatures that came with him. Armed with magic, skill, and his companion, Scotch, he faces these monsters hoping to create a peaceful world for all.

In Death House Jam Session, an after-hours barroom jam session turns deadly when a ferocious monster that likes dark places attacks. Scotch and Fuller try save those trapped in the bar but this time might be too much for them to handle. Unless Fuller is willing to use a spell that can hurt them as much as it does the monster.

Members Reviews:

Bluesman 3

Grabs your attention from the beginning. Well written! Well read! The question this reader wants to know is, "Will there be a Bluesman 4?"

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Title: Tears of Gold

Subtitle: Edinburgh Elementals, Book 2

Author: Gayle Ramage

Narrator: Chris Barnes

Format: Unabridged

Length: 32 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-05-14

Publisher: Gayle Ramage

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

The Brisingamen Necklace - A necklace forged by four dwarves in ancient times. It is said that, if worn, your tears turn to gold.

The Brisingamen Necklace - A necklace currently residing in a glass display case, on a shelf, in the bathroom of an Edinburgh townhouse belonging to a woman called Hattie.

The Brisingamen Necklace - A necklace soon to be stolen by an unsuspecting thief.

About the Series... Giants, pixies, mermaids - all creatures confined within fairytales. But what if these being were as real as you or I? They're not that easy to spot but if you look properly you will find them. Thanks to her different-coloured eyes, Edinburgh resident, Hattie, can clearly see that goblin sitting on the park bench tripping up passers-by, or the salamander that's relaxing in the flames of next door's bonfire. As long as the creatures don't bother her, she won't bother the creatures. But if they do cause trouble, they'd better watch out...

The second book in the Edinburgh Elemental fantasy series.

Members Reviews:

tears of gold review

What made the experience of listening to Tears of Gold the most enjoyable?

The narrator's voice for the characters.

What did you like best about this story?

The scene when the necklace is found.

Which character as performed by Chris Barnes was your favorite?

Again, Michael.

Any additional comments?

Again, like part one, this is an interesting short story.

Not a big fan

Any additional comments?

Book one and three were a lot better. I'm not sure why. I just didn't particularly like this one. I think maybe it was anti-climactic.

prefered the first book

Would you try another book written by Gayle Ramage or narrated by Chris Barnes?

yes to both... looking forward to them.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

a bit longer, more character development and more critters

Which scene did you most enjoy?

neh

Do you think Tears of Gold needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

yes i hope its part of a series

Any additional comments?

Hattie gets burgled and of course she has unusual things in her house. Sadly, all the witches in the town cannot seem to protect this lovely necklace that allows the wearer to cry tears of gold.

Hattie is keen to get this back as the wearer is not usually a very lucky one despite the gold.

After a bit skulduggery she tracks down the thief.

Whilst I enjoyed the story it did not have the belly laughs of depth of story of the first one, the creatures and myths were eluded to but never fully formed and Michael and his family were a mere after thought.

again Chris Barnes does a fabulous job of bringing what little character there was to life.

Short, but so endearing

Would you consider the audio edition of Tears of Gold to be better than the print version?

Is there a printed version?Chris Barnes succeeds in setting up a cosy and fuzzy atmosphere that I'm not sure I'd get by simply reading the text.

What did you like best about this story?

As astounded as I am about my saying so: the whole series benefits from coming in form of short stories rather than a longer novel. I'm fairly certain that the style and the stories wouldn't come over as well in a longer version.

What about Chris Barness performance did you like?

See above.

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Title: House of War

Author: Judith Tarr

Narrator: Ralph Lister

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 44 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-03-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

National bestselling author Judith Tarr returns to the world of her critically-acclaimed Devils Bargain as the sorceress Sioned and her half-brother King Richard once again face the Old Man of the Mountain, an evil sorcerer determined to destroy them.

Members Reviews:

enthralling alternate history and fantasy tale

On an Earth that never was but might have been, Richard the Lion-Hearted never died while battling against the infidels for control of Jerusalem. He went on to defeat Saladin and with the help of his half-sister Sioned he took away the precious Seal of Solomon from Sinan, the old man of the mountain. He was crowned king of Jerusalem and for over a decade he has reigned over the city he has come to love.

Although he is reluctant to leave, Richard I is ready to return to England to thwart his brother's plan to take the throne. However, Sinan returns more powerful than ever, eager to take his revenge on everyone who opposed him a decade ago. He kidnaps Sioned's daughter, captures one of Richard's castles, and lays siege to another. Sioned and her husband the Sultan of Egypt persuades Richard that the only weapon that could defeat their enemy is the Ark if they can find it.

Change the output of one pivotal event in history the way Judith Tarr has so brilliantly done and the outcome is a world that is completely different than the history books. Richard is presented as a noble warrior king willing to heed the advice of the people he trust but the star of HOUSE OF WAR is his baseborn sister Sioned, a powerful mage who has the wisdom and courage of Boudacia and Cleopatra. Fans of alternate history and fantasy will love this enthralling novel.

Harriet Klausner

Emotionally satisfying alternate history with great action

The old man of the mountain, Sinan, king of assassins, was defeated and killed, but Hell itself cannot hold him. Sinan is raising new armies against the crusader kingdom of Jerusalem, and his magic seems stronger than ever. King Richard the Lion Hearted sees his knights vanish and knows he needs to march out to battle, but he knows he is no mage--and Sinan can only be defeated by a magic more powerful than anyone has seen in two thousand years.

When Sinan captures her daughter, Siomed, half-sister to Richard, nearly goes crazy. Her husband and her friends call her back to reality. No matter how powerful her magic, she can't simply strike back. Sinan will absorb her power and turn it against those she loves. They need a tool--and in Jerusalem, the ultimate tool is the lost Arc of the Covanent. But the Arc has been lost for two thousand years and, even if it is found, only a few oppressed Jews know how to work its magic.

Author Judith Tarr paints a wonderful picture of an alternate history where magic is real, where Richard found a compromise in his crusade and built a crusader nation that welcomes people of many faiths, and where Christian, Jewish, Moslem, and pagan magicians strive in the perpetual battle against evil. Tarr's skillful use of the danger to Siomed's children increases the story's emotional intensity as does the growing affection between Mustafa and Giuliano. I also appreciated the sensitive way Tarr handled the cultural differences amongst her protagonists--using it to strengthen the story rather than glossing over it.

HOUSE OF WAR is a sequel to DEVIL'S BARGAIN and is, if anything, an even stronger work.

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Title: White Fire War

Author: Dean McMillin

Narrator: Craig R. Nickerson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-26-14

Publisher: Dean C McMillin

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

A swashbuckling, epic adventure across two worlds...

In a rainy forest on the lonely Isle of Exiles, a young swordsman dreams of a brown-skinned princess with golden eyes.

Chasing his dream, he finds a conduit between worlds, powered by a strange energy - a white fire.

His dream princess' desert realm is engulfed in war, a place where crystal airships powered by the white fire battle for the destiny of humanity.

An ancient prophecy foretells that that swordsman and his princess have linked souls, and that the power of that link can bring worlds together - or provide the power for the ultimate weapon. A weapon that ancient minds, hostile to humanity, will do anything to possess.

The White Fire War has begun.

An action-packed science fantasy adventure like nothing else!

Members Reviews:

No idea how the story is, the narration ruins it

Any additional comments?

I couldn't listen to the audiobook because the narration sounds like it's coming from the bottom of a trash can. It's tinny and awful. Ten seconds in I traded headphones in case that was the problem, then listened to another book. I just can't get past the audio quality.

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Title: Forced Magic

Author: Jerod Lollar

Narrator: Jerod Lollar

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-25-14

Publisher: Jerod lollar

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

In Forced Magic, Jack Dewitte starts his incredible journey into a new world. It started with just simply walking out his front door. With just a few steps, the world of magic begins to be revealed. Across a busy street is a beautiful fairy desperately trying to get his attention. With a step out into the street (resulting in Jack almost getting run over), Jack's whole life will be changed forever.

The fairy disappears, but the magic continues as Jack has to befriend a dragon, fight a group of goblins, and find a wizard that has promised to help him.

With a knapsack full of money and the knowledge that his brother has no memory of who Jack is, a quest begins that puts this ordinary fantasy fan in the path of Gnomes, elves, and garbage-eating trolls as he struggles just to fit in in this magic world where it seems that someone wants him dead.

Members Reviews:

Reader two thumbs down

I really wanted to like this book, but couldn't stand the reader more than about 20 minutes. I will try to check it out at the library and read it the old-fashioned way. Why are there so many over-readers??? Calm down, folks.