Wyldheart Reads

I enjoyed the characters and the twists and turns

Revisado: 11-12-23

Listened to audio narrated well by Stina Nielsen and Tim Campbell. I thought Nielsen did a good job narrating all the voices in the previous books but this latest installment switches out Campbell for Nielsen. Adding Campbel for Casteel's point of view. If you've listened to the previous books, it may be an adjustment.

'The War of Two Queens' starts where 'The Crown of Gilded Bones' ended. King Casteel De'Neer, husband to Poppy, is still in the Blood Queen's clutches, bound in chains, fighting off Craven and being regularly drained of blood.

Queen Penellaphie 'Poppy' sets plans in place to save Casteel and her father and wage war on her mother, the Blood Queen. Determined to free the people with a minimum of death and destruction from her mother's abuse and tyranny.

The Blood Queen touts an ancient prophecy claiming Poppy is the Harbinger of Death and Destruction, but Poppy refuses to believe it could be her, even given the depth and strength of her powers.

There's many more reveals and twists in this story but as much as I enjoyed the narration, I thought the story went on a bit too long and some threads could have been snipped.

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Hard to like the main character

Revisado: 10-25-23

Listened to audio narrated by Orlando Alvarez. Fairly easy listening but some voices were too similar.

Bryan Hicks is an African-American, divorced father of two. He's in the closet regarding dating a transgender white woman. Fearful of repercussions from his family, friends and at work, where he is a VP at multi-national oil and gas company.

This story is mostly centered around Bryan and his transgender girlfriend. Bryan is surrounded by those who are transphobic and homophobic and racist, including his mother. He's afraid to be exposed but risks losing Nadia if he keeps treating her like a dirty secret.

His mother adores her successful son, but it's conditional upon him falling into her vision of who he should be, and how he should behave.

I would have given this book a higher rating but I just didn't like Bryan. I tried to be understanding of his struggles and how that can affect behavior but the lies and treatment of his son just got under my skin so much I no longer wanted to read his story. When he did start to turn around, we got to see very little of that process, his complete 180 in attitude without seeing him go through it didn't feel realistic. Nadia saved this book from being rated lower. I liked her, she was a very interesting character, seeing her struggles handled with such grace opened my eyes to so many things I take for granted and some of the unknown struggles Transgender people face every day.

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this story, it's not for everyone.


Niggles-(spoiler)-





Bryan's mother's friend walking in on Nadia while she goes to the bathroom. She may have forgotten to lock the bathroom door but who walks into a bathroom when the door is shut? Hard to buy she didn't lock the door.

Wyldheart Reads

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Simple, easy to read fantasy story with TBC ending

Revisado: 09-06-23 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Listened to audio narrated by Lee Alan. Easy listen. Sound effects were just okay for me.

Grey Cloak is a half-elf rogue, determined to find adventure.

Dyphestive is an incredibly strong human fighter, content to follow where Grey Cloak leads.

These two are both fifteen and sworn blood brothers. They've been hiding on a farm but have decided to seek other adventures that land them in even more danger than when they started.

A little to campy for me, I didn't really like these characters, I wanted more depth but it often felt like scenes were created then stitched together.

A simple, easy read, dungeons and dragons story with a to be continued ending.

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Tragic but also amazing love story

Revisado: 06-06-22

"Listened to audio narrated well by Fred Berman.
This takes place before 'Born of Night'. Galene's son Talyn is considered a bastard with no parental lineage. He has to fight for every privilege, but all his gains are for nothing as his CO has it out for him and does everything within his power to harass and ruin Talyn's life. Talyn see's Felicia on an advertisement for a companion and he seeks her out. It's the only way he can have a female in their culture without going to jail or receiving a death sentence.

Talyn, who is also a bastard, becomes a companion to help her pay for her schooling and training to become a physician. She sees who Talyn really is and their story is both difficult and amazing to read. I love how she stands by him and is outraged on his behalf for all the injustices he endures.

Awesome story, didn't want to stop listening.

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A lot of activity but left feeling no progress

Revisado: 06-06-22

Listened to audio narrated by Lauren Fortgang.

Alina Starkov is the Sun Summoner. Raised on orphan with her best friend Mal, she never knew the extent of her power but now she has more than she knows what to do with, yet she seeks even more.

Malyen Orestsev is a tracker, with a talent for finding things no one else can. He's devoted to Alina but worries that the darkness may overtake her as they find more amplifiers.

The Darkling believes his cause is righteous and will use every ounce of his and others' power to force the world into his own vision.

Prince Nikolai Lantsov is many things and brighter light amongst all the darkness between the other three, but he has his own agenda too.

Alina and Malyen tried to escape the Darkling through the fold but hiding the fact that Alina is the Sun Summoner is no easy task. Danger abounds and a new 'hero' arrives to save at least one or two days... Prince Nikolai, but he has his own motives for helping Alina. In the end they must return and face off with the Darkling, try to destroy the Fold and save the world.

They thought they had rid themselves of the Darkling, consigning him to the fold but he survived and has a new devastating power.

How can so much be happening and yet leave a reader feeling like nothing was done?
I really wanted to like this story but by the end I was left feeling meh.

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What happens when a goody two shoes ends goes Hell

Revisado: 05-17-22

Listened to audio narrated by Amy Hall. Easy to follow.

Aaliyah was supposed to be an orphan but the first chapter talks about her parents. She grew up determined to always do the right thing, expecting to go to Heaven when she died at the age of twenty-five. So, imagine her surprise when she wakes up in Hell after her death

What happens when a good girl goes to hell? She throws out all the rules, becomes confrontational and can't seem to stop wanting to have sex with everyone, but doesn't seem to manage it. She has something extra making her stronger and drawing the attention of the Lords of Hell.

Squicky scenes as her sexual drive has her wanting to jump almost everyone she comes across including Lucifer Morningstar and his sons.

The ending leaves a reader dangling, wondering what just happened and where the rest of the story is. Nothing seems to be resolved, with too many dangling threads. The cover makes promises that this story doesn't deliver, maybe it will develop in future books.

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Interesting ideas but problematic execution

Revisado: 05-17-22

Listened to audio by Rebecca Cook. I thought she did a decent job with the male narration but she made Bridget sound very vulnerable and sometimes fragile which didn't seem to fit the author's description of the scientist.

Scientist Bridget Dutton has been fascinated by the ocean and its creatures since she was a little girl. All grown up she's a scientist on a research expedition when her boat is attacked and her whole world is about to change and expand.

Caderyn the Hunter is a Mer who lives with his people in the Abyss, cursed to never set foot on any other land than their island. When he saves Bridget from a watery grave, he hopes she'll choose him as her husband.

A new take on the Atlantis legend, where women are scarce and the rules aren't the same as above water. Bridget wakes after almost dying to a new world, that she has a hard time believing exists. The smart, logical and inquisitive scientist does some remarkably stupid things that have me doubting her intelligence.

While the story had good ideas, there were some that didn't make sense and others that were started but left like an unfinished thought. If you've read any of my previous reviews, you'll know i hate TSTL moments and there are more than one of these in this story. These things reduced my enjoyment of a story that had potential.

Content warning, some of the sexual scenes may be uncomfortable to sensitive readers with dubious consent.

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Amazing listen, surviving the aftermath of a comet

Revisado: 05-02-22

Listened to 3D audio narrated well by a full cast: Holliday Grainger, Esmé Creed-Miles, Himesh Patel, David Gyasi, Liam Cunningham, Caroline Ford, Indira Varma, Bella Ramsey, Freddy Carter, Chloe Pirrie, Michael Culkin, Owain Rhys Davies, Rodney Gooden, Lesley Ann Acheson, Danny Stokes, Maisie St. John, Amy Snudden, Bonnie Adair, James Kenward and more. An amazing list, right? I have listened to a lot of audio books and I haven't always been a fan of full cast narration or sound effects but this one blew me away. I LOVED it! It was so engaging I felt like I was listening to a movie in surround sound. I was so immersed I didn't want to stop listening. Even at the end I wanted more. I will definitely be listening to this one again.

Darcy and her little sister survived the crash and aftermath of a comet hitting Earth. The world is not the same since the sun was blotted out, deadly creatures who feed on humans have surfaced and the world is no longer safe.

Darcy has become a vampire hunter, determined to protect her sister and the settlement they live in. Her sidekick is Finn (spelling?), a friend who loves her but they both have resisted acting on their connection.

When the world changes some will adjust to it and others will strive to return to how things were in the past and foolish choices will endanger everyone and change their future forever.

An engaging story, even if some paths were predictable and a to be continued ending. I still enjoyed all of it and I'm looking forward to the next book.

Wyldheart Reads

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Who wouldn't want a sexy alien warrior devoted to

Revisado: 04-14-22 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Listened to audio narrated well by Keira Stevens and Troy Duran. These narrators were AWESOME! Duran's Kay'k voice gave me goosebumps and Stevens delivered an equally good performance. I highly recommend this audiobook and these narrators.

Alice and her cousin Natalie are trying to survive the Scourge invasion on their own. After Natalie is injured it's up to Alice to do the foraging. She's only been able to count on her cousin and herself. Her dreams of finding someone special up in smoke ever since the invasion.

Kaj'k is a genetic alien created to fight the Scourge. He's led a lonely existence but Alice gives him hope. When he scents Alice, he watches over her from a far over the winter. Once spring arrives, he starts to reach out to her, but once she's endangered by a human gang he places her and her cousin under his protection.

Lonely, incredible alien warrior protector wins Alice over and proves he'll not only take care of her but her heart as well, all while slaughtering the Scourge."

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The continuation of a fierce, strong enduring love

Revisado: 03-18-22

Listened to audio narrated well by Keira Grace. She really brought this second book in the series alive. I enjoyed all of her various voices, making listening effortless.

This story continues right where 'The Vampire Queen' ended, after a relived memory. Lady Elyssa is still Queen but she's also dying and Jacob is determined to be with her to the end. He will do whatever is necessary to help prolong her life and give her a chance to secure her people's safety.
Hill takes us into a highly sexualized world of Vampires who enjoy using their slaves in creative ways. But she also draws you into the special relationship between Elyssa and Jacob that is outside the norms of the vampire world. A love so fierce and strong it transcends time and the machinations of others.

I LOVE this couple and have re-read this story many times over the years. Now that I have it in audio and I enjoy the narration, I'll be revisiting their story more often.

Wyldheart Reads Reviews

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