Narrated by Joseph Baltz
Run Time: 16 hrs and 13 mins
Genre: YA, Action, Dystopia?
Summary:
Bensin gets accused of a crime he didn’t commit. He’s sentenced to death in the arena and winds up as a gladiator. Meanwhile, Coach and Bensin’s sister are trying desperately to find a way to free him before it’s too late.
Additional Comments:
- 4/5 Stars Main Characters: Bensin goes through a brief time of being a complete jerk, but he thankfully gets over that. Ellie’s cute, but in audio it’s just painful. That’s not the narrator’s fault. He does whiny girl well, but oy, still painful. Coach Stein’s a hapless but nice guy. These are all characters you can root for.
- Plot 4.5/5 Stars: It’s a very long book, but there’s excellent flow to what happens. There’s also good balance between the two stories: Ellie/Coach and Bensin.
- Performance 4/5 Stars: Joseph Baltz does a lovely job with distinguishing the characters. There were some annoying parts where he tries to convey speaking while somebody is chewing. I get that, and he does it well. Still doesn’t make those parts less annoying.
- World Building 5/5 Stars: The Krillonian Empire isn’t exactly one you’d like to live in, but it’s well described and very interesting.
- 4/5 Stars Cover and Title Fit: very well.
- 3/5 Stars Sense of Closure: You do get the sense that this ch closes, but there’s clearly a third book. It’s not exactly the sort of series you’d be okay to read out of order.
- 2/5 Stars Preview: This is probably just a pet peeve of mine. I find previews of future audiobooks terribly annoying, especially if the audiobook isn’t ready yet.
Conclusion:
A very, very, very long but good entry in an excellent series.
Audiobook Promotions …
Many of my 42 audible titles are listed on Audiobooks Unleashed.
Whether you’re looking for mystery or suspense or fantasy, I’ve got a title for you. Free codes are probably on audiobooks unleashed.
Normal links go to audible. *The Amazon labeled links are affiliate links. That means I get a very small payment from Amazon if you go through with a purchase.*
Note: Filter by US if you’re looking for those codes as many titles are out.
Ones I think may still have US codes: Reshner’s Royal Ranger, Never Again, Innova, The Golden City Captives, The Holy War, Reclaim the Darklands, Eagle Eyes, Treachery Makes it Tense, Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts, The Dark Side of Science, Ashlynn’s Dreams, Nadia’s Tears, Malia’s Miracles, and Varick’s Quest
There are plenty of UK codes, but not many US ones left.
Redeemer Chronicles (Fantasy)
Awakening – Redeemer Chronicles Book 1, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
The Holy War – Redeemer Chronicles Book 2, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
Reclaim the Darklands – Redeemer Chronicles Book 3, MG fantasy (Amazon) (free codes)
River’s Edge Ransom – Prequel to Redeemer Chronicles (Amazon) (email devyaschildren @ gmail.com for free codes)
Devya’s Children Series Links:
Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts – short stories featuring Jillian. (Amazon) (free codes)
The Dark Side of Science – official prequel to Devya’s Children; Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live. (Amazon) (Please email devyaschildren @ gmail.com for free codes)
Ashlynn’s Dreams – Genetically altered Dream Shaper learns her gift. (Amazon) (free codes)
Nadia’s Tears – Jillian tries to awaken her sister, Nadia, from a coma. (Amazon) (free codes)
Malia’s Miracles – Jillian and her siblings try to save a friend’s mother. (Amazon) (free codes)
Varick’s Quest – Jillian and Danielle get kidnapped. Nadia’s also in trouble. (Amazon) (free codes)
More Scifi:
Reshner’s Royal Ranger (epic sci-fi) just made it there. (Amazon) (free codes)
Guardian Angel Files:
Spirit’s Bane – Allister and Mina are training to be Guardians. Satan’s out to get them. (Amazon) (free codes)
Kindred Spirits – Mina’s exiled to Earth. Allister’s stuck in the Heavens. (Amazon) (free codes)
