Got My Book

Another entry in the Angels vs Demons genre.  Includes a unique take on Nephilim.

The Fallen have been content to live quiet lives on Earth since their banishment from Heaven. Rules have been placed for human safety and their celestial counterparts police them day and night.

New information will spark an uprising. The Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, holds a secret that will tip the scales of power to whatever side resurrects it first.

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The Kindle version of this book is currently free on Amazon.(This is an affiliate link; if you buy something other than this book, I may receive a small commission.)

SERIES INFO: This is Book #1 of 4 in “The Nephilim Chronicles.” The 4th, and final, ebook Horsemen of the Apocalype was just released. The first two are available on audio so far.

Alan is a deeply troubled & conflicted character, but despite his initial bad choices, he remains someone we can care about and root for. I like that, even with superpowers, it is made clear that his emotional struggles haven’t all gone away, and may remain something he has to deal with for life.

I like the portrayal of his Psychiatrist (she doesn’t bash reading and seems very real), but maybe she should have started him out with something easier than a school dance to get him out of his shell.

There is a good mix of male and female characters on both sides of the conflict.

I liked the very first scene and felt like it introduced his dilemma well. BUT, then all the flashback - flashforward - flashback began, and I thought it hurt the connection I was trying to form. I think maybe it would have been better to start with the bar scene (where he finally meets someone who can tell him what is going on with his apparent superpowers) and then do a single flashback which showed how he got to this point.

Other issues: Sorry, but keeping a book that tells how to build dangerous weapons just for cultural preservation is stupid, no matter how you try to explain it away. / There were waaay too many chapter breaks, and they don’t always come at a logical point. / A certain character's repentance seems to come too easily.

The ending wrapped up the current story arc, but gave us a very surprising twist to set up the next book (if Gabriel, is the Gabriel).

NARRATION: Nice sounding voice / A small thing - his “book text voice” (when Alan was reading) was especially good. / Female voices are ok. / Listened on 1.25 speed (my usual) -- Cons - His non-dialog narration was a bit matter of fact for me.

FAVORITE PART(S): Bad guy in a snazzy suit… and slippers / The zoo (wish we could have gotten the whole story) / My favorite scene is hard to include without spoilers. It was when one of Alan’s new “gifts” unexpectedly defends him in the museum (think blue).

WARNING: This book contains Christian elements

MY RATINGS:
Enjoyment: AVERAGE
Re-readability: AVERAGE
Narrator Impact: AVERAGE

I received this book free in return for an honest review, courtesy of Audiobook Blast.

Alan Price and the Colossus of Rhodes by Jonathan Yanez; read by Aaron Wagner; produced independently in 2015 / Length: 6 hrs 11 min (Unabr) / Available through Audible & Amazon plus iTunes

BONUS AUTHOR INTERVIEW

 

Tell us something about one of your lead characters that we don't already know.

Alan is actually my middle name. When I was searching for the perfect name for my main character I knew it had to be short since I was going to be typing it out hundreds of times over the course of the series. The name Alan was just unique enough and perfect for the role.

 

If you were to spend a day with your lead character, what would the two of you do?

We would definitely hit the gym and then I'd make him show me all his powers, maybe even talk him into taking me airborne for a ride.

 

Tell us something about yourself that we might not already know. .

I love pushing myself physically as well as mentally. I am a writer but that is not all I am. I enjoy mud runs, archery, martial arts, pretty much anything that would push me out of my comfort zone.

 

Audiobook / eBook / Paperbooks? Which is your favorite and why?

I love both but if I were forced to choose only one I would go with paper books. I think I'll eventually have to make the transition to an ereader but for now I just can't deny myself the feeling of a solid book in my hand, the smell of the pages and how my imagination transforms the written word.

 

What is the hardest thing about writing? The easiest?

The hardest thing is sitting in the chair and pumping out thousands of words on the page. The easiest is coming up with the idea and storyline. I'll be the first to admit I had to work very hard and am still working to become the best writer I can be. The ideas and stories on the other hand, I believe that is a gift I was given.

 

For more information, you can find the author at www.jonathan-yanez.com