Get the Most Popular Audiobooks in Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Paranormal Most Popular

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Title: The King Slayer

Author: Virginia Boecker

Narrator: Nicola Barber

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-14-16

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 20 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Paranormal

Publisher's Summary:

Former witch hunter Elizabeth Grey is hiding within the magically protected village of Harrow, evading the price put on her head by Lord Blackwell, the usurper king of Anglia. Their last encounter left Blackwell ruined, but his thirst for power grows stronger every day. He's readying for a war against those who would resist his rule - namely Elizabeth and the witches, wizards, pirates, and healers she now calls her friends.

Having lost her stigma, a magical source of protection and healing, Elizabeth's strength is tested both physically and emotionally. War always means sacrifice, and as the lines between good and evil blur once more, Elizabeth must decide just how far she'll go to save those she loves.

In this sequel to The Witch Hunter, Virginia Boecker delivers a powerful story full of action, suspense, camaraderie, and romance.

Members Reviews:

Great Narrator but Boring Story

Nicola Barber is an amazing narrator. She is the only reason I was able to finish this book. She is an example of how story telling can be more powerful than the actually story. That being said, this story was so predictable with a weak plot. It's about 150 pages too long. A lot of fluff. Just not interesting, except for narration.

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Title: Guarded

Subtitle: The Silverton Chronicles, Book 1

Author: Carmen Fox

Narrator: Angel Clark

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-13-16

Publisher: Smart Heart Publishing

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 49 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Paranormal

Publisher's Summary:

When everyone's existence depends on the lies they tell, trust doesn't come easy.

Ivy's neighbors have a secret. They aren't human. But Ivy has a secret, too. She knows. As long as everyone keeps quiet, she's happy working as a P.I. by day and chillaxing with her BFF Florian, a vampire, by night. When a routine pickup drops her in the middle of a murder, her two worlds collide. While Florian knows how to throw a punch, deep down he's a softie. His idea of scary? Running out of hair product. It's time Ivy faced facts. Even with a vampire on stand-by, one gal can only kick so many asses.

For help, she must put her faith in others. A human, who might just be the one. A demon, who will, for a price, open the doors to her heritage. And a werewolf, who wants to protect her from herself.

Torn between these men, Ivy must tread carefully, because one wants her heart, one wants her body, and one wants her dead.

Members Reviews:

Cute but a bad narrator

First of all I want to say that I really loved the cover of this book. I liked the simplistic lines and bright colors. It was a significant reason for me choosing this title to listen.

This storyline is not necessarily an "off the beaten path" tale but does incorporate a multitude of paranormal characters and an intertwining plot that keeps you intrigued and interested until the end of the story.

A 25 year old female Private Investigator that has been raised as a "normal" child is finding out that her real roots are grounded in a multi-cultural background and as such is struggling with her newfound "powers"!

Yeah...being desired by almost every male in a half mile area could definitely be a "struggle"!

Even though raised as a "normal", Ivy had just recently escaped after being kidnapped by a powerful "kin" demon. A nasty little bugger that taught her (under duress) to make "guards" for paranormals to use as protective devices. He knew at 25 she would come into her real powers and wanted to keep her in Althea to combine her powers with his so he might gain majority control of his world. Ivy thwarted that plan by escaping to the "old world" before her maturity (and powers) kicked in but Lantham still haunts her dreams and seems to have a direct though weak connection to her mind. He will try anything to get her back to his realm.

Of course, there is a best friend, a hunky neighbor and another "potty mouth" hunky mentor that set the main stage for her dilemma. A simple case of retrieving an artifact for her boss turns out to be a major case of "foul" intentions of which she finds herself front and center in both the cause and the solution. Clues build around her bringing the different cases to a single "dangerous" assignment.

Ivy is your typical "don't tell me what to do" female that finds herself in some dangerous situations and begins to understand the significance of real "connection" with a mate instead of hot unbridled lust and passion. HMMMM...both would be nice! Not only does she have succubus powers but throw in some demon, slynth and who knows what else and you can understand her struggle to adjust!

I found this easy to listen to (save the narrators horrible reading) but thought Ivy's multicolored background a little much.

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Title: Black Beauty

Subtitle: Everleaf Series, Book 0

Author: Constance Burris

Narrator: Kila Kitu

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 26 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-13-16

Publisher: Constance Burris

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Paranormal

Publisher's Summary:

At Vista Apartment Complex, life drastically changes for four of its residents when they decide to do business with Crazy Jade, the supposed voodoo witch who can grant your wish - for a price.

Shemeya wants the confidence to stand up to the girls bullying her at school, but she soon has to choose between keeping her dreadlocks and living a normal life. After catching her boyfriend cheating, Latreece just wants to have the same curves as all the other girls. Ashley will do whatever she can to have "white girl flow" but takes her pursuit too far when she steals from Crazy Jade.

Everyone who comes into contact with Crazy Jade soon learns the true price of her magic - and how horribly wrong it can go.

Members Reviews:

Horror for the new generation

What made the experience of listening to Black Beauty the most enjoyable?

The narrator and her spooky voice. She had an eerie way of telling the story that made it awesome!

What did you like best about this story?

Definitely the diversity and the fresh new setting. Oklahoma is a place I've never read about in a book especially not with PoC protagonists.

Have you listened to any of Kila Kitus other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not, but she does an incredible job with this one!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Honestly, it spooked me out, especially Bug Boy.

Was that really it?

This book seemed to end very abruptly. Just when it started to get interesting it suddenly ended.

Exceptional

Though written in very proper English, taking from the realism of young adults today, Black Beauty is an exceptional read. The story was of great imagination and the characters were both likable and enjoyable. Since it's a series, I'm hoping the ominous, thrill of the unimaginable reigns enough for me to read more by Burris.

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Title: Sunglasses After Dark

Author: Nancy A. Collins

Narrator: Melodee M. Spevack

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-17-16

Publisher: Dreamscape Media, LLC

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Paranormal

Publisher's Summary:

Sunglasses After Dark, by award-winning author Nancy A. Collins, tells the story of a punk female vampire searching for the man responsible for turning her undead and her attempt to rescue an innocent man from an unholy faith healer.

One night years ago, American heiress Denise Thorne disappeared from a London nightclub, never to be seen again. That very same night, Sonja Blue, a tough-as-nails vampire hunter-slayer, conceived in terror and blood, rises from the city's gutters. Saved by modern medicine before completing her transformation into one of the undead, she becomes a living vampire, determined to fight for what remains of her humanity.

One of the first urban fantasy novels, Sunglasses After Dark has garnered widespread critical praise and is a winner of the Horror Writers Association's coveted Bram Stoker Award.

Members Reviews:

Predates Vampire Masquerade

Innovative at the time it was written, strong charming character

Great plot

Engaging story, though somewhat gruesome. Damaged and disturbed heroine is still likable. Con: spelling errors and occasional wrong words. Editing weak.

Read this one!!!!

Great book, will read her others about the main character. Would recommend it to my Mom- but she passed away.:(

Great book for the right person

So this is the first book of the series. One thing I hate about this series is that they are not really numbered so go online and look them up. Now the premise of this series is that you have supernatural's living among humans and the main character is a vampire...sort of. Been done right? Yeah not like this they haven't. This book has been around a long time way before the market exploded like it has. If you want to see some of the concepts we take for granted done in a new way this is the book for you.

Good

1: You will find no whiny hero's here. This hero is badass and more than willing to do what has to be done. She is the definition of hard core without acting like a robot. Their is no angst or drama in her game. She knows what she is and what she wants to do but without that weird driven thing that some authors do. You know the hero who is so driven he can light children on fire and just say well I have to kill my archenemy and this will draw him? Well she's not like that. This hero is tough but very human.

2: The books are written at a frantic pace you hope from turning point to turning point. Some of these are fights others are conversations but you never feel bogged down or bored. Really if you don't like all that boring stuff then you will like this book it moves like a roller coaster full speed ahead.

3: The side characters are just as interesting as the main. Someone once said don't put a character in you story unless you know that character. That there are no throw away characters. You see it in this authors story. To this day I remember one of the gang bangers in this story and he was just a vehicle just a person to get the hero to point B. If you like memorable characters then you will like this.

Bad

1: Okay the no book order thing is my big hate.

2: I believe a book has to be like a fine blade. Slim, tight and sharp. I don't want to know what they had for breakfast. Don't care what kind of gel they put in their hair or their favorite color.

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Title: Burned

Author: Benedict Jacka

Narrator: Gildart Jackson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-07-16

Publisher: Hachette Audio UK

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 29 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Paranormal

Publisher's Summary:

Alex Verus has a magic shop in Camden, London, and an uncanny ability to see the future. But suddenly everyone can see Alex's future. Because the Mage's Council of Great Britain just named him a traitor and ordered his death in seven days' time, and there's no way anyone can get out of that.

Alex's friends - Luna and the other apprentices he's taken in - are tainted by association. They'll be marked for death, too, when the ruling comes into play, and Alex becomes locked in a race against time to save them. But with only seven days to work with, will he have time left over save his own skin?

Critic Reviews:

"A deft, thrill-ride of an urban fantasy - a stay-up-all-night read." (Patricia Briggs on Fated)

"Harry Dresden would like Alex Verus tremendously - and be a little nervous around him. I just added Benedict Jacka to my must-read list." (Jim Butcher, author of the Dresden Files)

"Whoop-ass excitement from the new master of magical London." (Charles Stross on Chosen)

Members Reviews:

Great book

Fun, exciting, interesting characters and world and a great continuation of the series. I hope the next book comes soon.

Now what will happen?

What made the experience of listening to Burned the most enjoyable?

This is an author who involves himself deeply in his characters. That means that the story flows well and, okay, has some unexpected twists. All in all, this is a story of survival and friendship. I adore the characters, their interaction and the way the story develops. In fact, I was hooked from the first book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Seriously? It's a toss up between Alex and Anne. I love Alex's "dangerous coward" view of life and the curiosity of diviners. On the other hand, Anne is prepared to take serious risks to save those she cares about.

What does Gildart Jackson bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you had only read the book?

As I haven't read any of the books, I can't comment on that bit. Narration is excellent throughout all the books. A book heard brings the characters to life in a way that merely reading a book can't.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Several but one specifically. Towards the end, Alex touches Anne's face. No more, it would include spoilers.

Any additional comments?

Give us the next one !!!

Wow, didn't expect that.

What a fantastic book! Verus and his friends are involved in such twists and turns. You'll enjoy every minute and it will leave you wanting to jump into the next book.

hurry up with the next book PLEASE

totally invested in this series I so need to now what is going to happen next

Good series but starting to get stuck

I've been enjoying this series but it's starting to get stuck. The entire of this book was just set up for the next one, and in both this book and the last one the hero took a long time to achieve nothing. The list of bad guys continues to grow as no-one is ever defeated which means unfortunately the same people turn up over and over again which gets boring. If the series continues like this I'll have to give it up.

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Title: The City's Son

Subtitle: The Skyscraper Throne, Book 1

Author: Tom Pollock

Narrator: James Langton, Alison Larkin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 44 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-05-16

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 2 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Paranormal

Publisher's Summary:

Tom Pollock's debut novel and the first volume of the Skyscraper Throne series, The City's Son is an imaginative tale of adventure set in a city that is quite literally alive.

Beneath the streets of London lies a city of monsters and miracles, where wild train spirits stampede over the tracks and glass-skinned dancers with glowing veins light the streets.

Following a devastating betrayal, Beth Bradley, a sixteen-year-old graffiti artist, is suspended from school. Running from a home that she shares with her father who has never recovered after Beth's mother's death, Beth stumbles into the hidden city and meets Filius Viae, London's asphalt-hued crown prince. And her timing couldn't have been more perfect. An ancient enemy is stirring under St. Paul's Cathedral, determined to stoke the flames of a centuries-old war, and Beth and Fin find themselves drawn into the depths of the mysterious urban wonderland, hoping to prevent the destruction of the city they both know and love.

Members Reviews:

Imaginative magic and creative world building

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The Cityâs Son is the essence of urban fantasy: a tale of wonder, set in a city whose very foundations are alive with magic. In Pollockâs novel, London is the domain of Mater Viae, a powerful goddess who rules as Lady of the Streets. After reigning for centuries, Mater Viae has been mysteriously absent from her realm for nigh on 16 years, and a usurper is gathering his forces to take control of the city.

Reach, the Crane King (weâre talking the machinery crane, not the bird crane), is slowly overtaking London, increasing in power each day. A force of urban sickness, Reach is the âcityâs own greed, killing itself in its haste to grow.â With Mater Viae gone, the only person left to defend London is Filius, Mater Viaeâs 16-year-old son. The task seems impossible until Filiusâ path crosses that of Beth, a lonely human teenager whose recently-widowed father is too sunk in his grief to properly care for his daughter. Beth joins Filius in his quest to battle Reach and his minions, and The Cityâs Son chronicles their attempts to recruit the various magical beings living in London and wage war against the Crane King.

The Cityâs Son reminded me very much of The Night Circus, in that I enjoyed its creativity and imagination but wasnât sold on the characters and plot. What first drew me to this story was the promise of London being âa city of monsters and miracles,â and in this matter Pollock certainly delivered. Unbeknownst to most of Londonâs human inhabitants, nearly everything in the city is alive, animated by magic. The trains are powered by Railwraith spirits, and the streetlights are illuminated by glowing lamp people who communicate by blinking in flashes of semaphoring light. There are Scaffwolves â vicious metal beasts formed of construction scaffolding â and glass Pylon Spiders that scurry about the city via Internet/telecom wires and feast on peopleâs voices.

Pollockâs got a vivid imagination, and he fills his pages with inspired creatures and striking language. Filius has skin the color of cement, sweats oil, and has arms that can crush steel girders.

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Title: Dragon Gate

Subtitle: The Third Jonathan Shade Novel

Author: Gary Jonas

Narrator: Joe Hempel

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 30 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-22-16

Publisher: Sky Warrior Book Publishing, LLC

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 57 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Paranormal

Publisher's Summary:

A RITUALISTIC MURDER

Stephen Noble, a board member of Dragon Gate Industries (DGI), is decapitated. DGI, a front company for wizards, decides to provide executive protection services for Noble's son, Graham, and daughter, Rayna. But Graham doesn't trust wizards and refuses their offer, so DGI hires Jonathan Shade and his team to keep the Noble family safe.

GUILTY CLIENTS

The Nobles are from the other side of the Dragon Gate, and in that dimension, they committed crimes against the Marshall Clan. And now the Clan has come through the Gate to exact their revenge. While Graham and Rayna were too young to have been a part of the death and mayhem in the other land, honor dictates that they must pay for the crimes of their family.

INHUMAN ATTACKERS

How can Jonathan protect clients who are willing to kneel and accept death at any moment? How can he and his team handle thirteen deadly warriors willing to die to accomplish their goal? And how can Jonathan defeat the deadly creatures the Marshall Clan has brought with them to our world? Creatures that will destroy anything in their path as they hunt their prey.

Members Reviews:

Wow great story

What made the experience of listening to Dragon Gate the most enjoyable?

The narrator really brings the story to life. Makes each Character stand out.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dragon Gate?

When Brand gave up his power for Kelly

What about Joe Hempels performance did you like?

Gives life to each character. Makes them seem real.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. It was action packed all the way through

Any additional comments?

I received this book as a gift from the author/narrator/publisher for a honest review. I look forward to more in this series. This is the second i have read.

Another Jonathan Shade Hit!

This was a really good story and great performance, I will not hesitate to continue this series.

These books remind me of the Dresden series but more on the darker side. Dragon Gate moves at a steady pace, and has a good mix of action, humor and several gory scenes that made me cringe. However, what I really like best about the series and this story, is the characters and how the story is told from their different POV's. My favorite character is Kelly, I love her sarcasm and she really kicks A**. She had me laughing out loud. The other main characters Brand and Jonathan are funny too but Jonathan, who is immune to magic, has more lives than a cat and can get out of some of the most dire situations. He may not always have the best laid out plan, but he sure can think quick on his feet.

Jonathan and his team were hired to protect the Nobles grown children Graham and Rayna from being executed by the Marshall's family for crimes they didn't commit. Graham really did not want Jonathan and his team's protection but agrees for his sister sake. The only thing I did not like about the plot was Graham being killed, but hey I guess there is a moral to this story, if a group of people is determine to end you, you don't make yourself an easy target by continuously going to places you know they will be watching.

Joe's performance was great and he really delivered on this story. Each character had their own voice and he used the right amount of tone and inflection to convey the different emotions throughout the story.

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Title: Hell Freezes Over

Subtitle: A Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter Novella

Author: John G. Hartness

Narrator: James Foster

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-07-16

Publisher: Falstaff Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 54 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Paranormal

Publisher's Summary:

He's no stranger to blood. His uncle is Count Dracula, the most famous vampire in history, after all. But what he finds in a quiet North Carolina family home rocks even the jaded Quincy Harker. Families are being slaughtered, butchered like animals, and it seems like the loving fathers are to blame.

But a ghostly visitor shows Harker that there is more to the story than he can see, even with his mystical Sight. So he goes chasing justice, and his quest takes him deeper and darker places than even his guardian angel can follow, and pits him against foes stronger than any he has ever faced before.

Will Harker solve the mystery before more men, women and children are brutally murdered? Can he fight the powers that are moving behind the scenes to keep the truth hidden? And will he be able to stop the murderer when he finds him? Or it?

Members Reviews:

werw

Full of bada$$ery, wisea$$ery, and snarka$$ery!

A likely contemporary of Harry Dresden, Mercy Thompson, and Atticus O'Sullivan, Harker is a police consultant in Charlotte NC. His family line includes The Count, and he has a Guardian Angel? His partner is Detective Bex Flynn, and they share a mind link ever since he saved her life with a blood share. Add to all this, a demon, brutal murders linked to a parish church, and a nagging ghost of one of the victims, and a terrific audio performance by James Foster (I know him from Tesser), and you have a real winner! I had not encountered this author/series before, but you can bet that it is on my radar now!

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

only scratched the surface of the crazy adventures

Qunicy Harker, everyones favorite half vampire, magic wielding, demon hunting, homeland security agent, is back for another tale. My first impression was how different the cover artwork is for this fourth novella is compared to the rest of thee series. Going into this I was really hoping that the snarkiness and overall feel of the story is not different.

Harker has faced a variety of different foes in the previous stories, so I couldnt think of what could possibly be next. Let me just say this. Somebody makes a deal with a devil and there are not any winners and angels have their own issues. The reoccurring characters, Quincy, Smith, Flynn, all continue to evolve with more and more being revealed. I was surprised at how little his Uncle was in this one. Not complaining because all I want Harker, Flynn and their banter, with an occasional interruption from Smith and their banter.

Hell Freezes Over does indeed have a slightly different feel. Dont get excited, I do not mean this in a bad way. Here we have a series that is starting to grow up a little, yes just a little. What I mean is Hartness isnt focusing on the crass humor to carry anything in the story. While it is there, and I do enjoy it, just not as in your face.

Hartness was able to expand on the paranormal world that lays just on fringes of the mortal world. I really think that he has only scratched the surface of the crazy adventures that Harker will find himself.

I continue to see great things on the horizon for this series and wonder how long Hartness can keep it going with a fresh new story each time.

James Foster has made Harker his. Foster is Harker. Plain and simple.

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Title: The Physics of the Dead

Subtitle: A Supernatural Mystery Novel

Author: Luke Smitherd

Narrator: Luke Smitherd

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-25-16

Publisher: Flying Body Press

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 87 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Paranormal

Publisher's Summary:

The Audible UK #1 bestseller from the author of The Stone Man!

What do the dead do when they can't leave...and don't know why?

The afterlife doesn't come with a manual. In fact, Hart and Bowler (two ordinary but dead men) have had to work out the rules of their new existence for themselves. It's that fact (along with being unable to leave the boundaries of their city center, unable to communicate with the other lost souls, unable to rest in case The Beast catches up with them) that makes getting out of their situation a priority. But Hart and Bowler don't know why they're there in the first place; if they ever want to leave, they will have to find all the answers to be able to understand the physics of the dead.

What are the strange, glowing objects that pass across the sky? Who are the living people surrounded by a blue glow? What are their physical limitations in that place, and have they fully explored the possibilities of what they can do?

Time is running out. Their afterlife was never supposed to be this way, and if they don't make it out soon, they're destined to end up like the others. Insane, and alone forever....

In this creepy, mysterious debut novel from the author of the Amazon and Audible number-one best seller The Stone Man, the richly-built world of The Physics of the Dead will slowly draw you in with an icy grip until you are left gasping.

Members Reviews:

Unique Vision of Life, Death, Regret, Loss, & Hope

I can almost guarantee there is no other book like, "Physics of the Dead". On the surface, it is a story of two men trapped in an afterlife they don't understand. Where are they? Why are they there? Most importantly, is there any chance they can get out?

Beneath that story is the true brilliance of this book. You learn about these men. You feel what they feel--bored, lost, sad, scared, and alone. They only have each other to help pass the time and how long will that be? Forever? They don't know and neither do we.

There is an incredibly written story about a train ride that will make you understand the utter desperation of these men. It may also make you ache with compassion and wince at the agony felt by the man on the train. This train ride puts you into the mind and body of the man and you will feel his pain as he tries to hold on just a little longer.

This is a story of friendship. It is also a mystery of sorts, as they try to figure out where they are and if there is any way out. There are agonizing moments in this book, but there are also beautiful, life-affirming moments that show us what it really means to be human--even if you're dead.

I highly recommend this book. It tells us there are always consequences to our actions, but, more importantly, there is always hope to change and rise above our circumstances. And, whether you are alive or dead, having a friend who understands and loves you is priceless.

Absolutely fabulous story!

This story impressed me not only with its uniqueness, but with the author's lack of dumbing down for the reader. I enjoyed that many aspects of this story were left to the reader's imagination to understand the why of it all. The ending wasn't handed to you on a silver platter. Like many great stories, you are given just enough to let your mind create the scenario you envision for the lead character(s).

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Title: The Natural Order

Author: R.J. Vickers

Narrator: TK Kellman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-24-16

Publisher: Independent

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy: Paranormal

Publisher's Summary:

Tristan Fairholm has always liked fixing things. It makes up for everything in his life he can't mend - his parents' divorce, his father's alcoholism, and his little brother's weak heart. But when he kills his brother in a car accident, he destroys the only thing he truly cared for.

He has nearly given up when a mysterious woman appears and offers him a place at her school. Along with 15 other juvenile delinquents, Tristan is given a chance to escape penitentiary while he studies magic in the wild mountains of Canada.

As he learns to extract and shape raw magic, Tristan finds unexpected friendship in his fellow students, from lovable Rusty Lennox to mysterious fey Amber Ashton. But when the school is threatened by a vandal who endangers the lives of everyone living there, Tristan learns that the magic they are harvesting is being put to a dark and dangerous use. While he races to uncover the vandal before his friends are harmed, Tristan must decide if his new friends and his freedom are more important than his morals.

If you loved Harry Potter and The Magicians, you won't want to miss this new YA series.

Members Reviews:

Tristans sent off to magic school

Summary: Tristan Fairholm gets a second chance at an extraordinary school where not everything is as it seems.

Additional Comments:

Neutral:

- There are a lot of plot threads being juggled here. Overall, this is done well, but a few seem to have petered off. (ie. Evie and the twins)

- There are 15 students gathered from all over the US, but the story focuses only on 5-6 of them. (I believe thats for the best, but the number of overall students seems small. If the others dont matter, then why bring them up at all?)

- Content warnings: rampant casual cursing

- Theres not much explanation for the vast wealth of the school.

- Tristan makes some gains in many aspects but not the driving force presented at the beginning.

- Passage of time was sporadic. It was almost like a survey of the holidays.

What I didnt like:

*disclaimer I am a teacher, so my perspectives on how schools are run might be different than the average reader.*

- The idea of rewarding students by letting them out of an assigned homework is terrible. Homeworks not supposed to be busy work. Either it has value or it doesnt. If nobody needs to do it, then why assign it? If its vital, then letting some students skip it is kind of dumb.

- Theres a strong emphasis on hours of punishments and students working them off. The dolling out of such seemed a mite capricious. Keeping discipline and order is important in school settings, and I imagine thats magnified in a boarding school setting. However, when handing out discipline, its important not to punish oneself at the same time. Are the teachers working 90+ hrs a week?

- Some of the cardinal rules of the school seemed to matter one minute and not so much the next. (ie. can the students leave or not? Can anybody leave or not?)

- The vandals methods and logic are fundamentally flawed.

- The first practical exam was a terrible idea. The teachers admit this later, but its not really an exam if nothings taught first.

- Tristans acceptance of the end twists seemed way too easy. The mystery built up some good momentum then sort of fizzled.

What I liked:

- Theres a unique premise here and some nice twists in the end.

- The character development is pretty decent at least in the main character.

- I liked Amber and wish her role were expanded.