Drumbeats: Special Edition

By: Kevin J. Anderson, Neil Peart

Narrated by: Kevin J Anderson, Joe Hempel

Length: 1 hr and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

A chilling tale of African drums and human souls from number one international best-selling author Kevin J. Anderson and legendary Rush lyricist and drummer Neil Peart

Early in their three decades of correspondence, Neil Peart sent Kevin J. Anderson extensive descriptions and travelogues of his adventures bicycling solo across Africa. Peart painted a vivid and unsettling landscape as memorable as the lyrics to his songs.

Anderson, award-winning and best-selling fantasy and science fiction author, used those descriptions as the backdrop for plotting an intense, atmospheric dark fantasy story that followed Peart’s experiences, though with a much more ominous twist. The two used their respective strengths to weave a memorable tale that will linger long after the last tick.

This special illustrated edition includes Anderson’s new introduction, written after Peart’s death on January 7, 2020, as well as the original afterword Peart wrote for the story.

©1994, 2020 Wordfire Inc (P)2021 Fireside Horror

2 stories: friendship and trip into horror

the development of friendship between Anderson and pert was great example of how appreciation and serendipity can lead to shared lives

drumbeats also reflects that. a shared collaboration which tells of one mans journey looking for new influences only to find both the experience and a new friend, though with horror twist. since it is a horror tale

good listen.

great book

This was a great find. I enjoyed the back story and the actual story very much.

Fantastic Collab

Rating: 8.5/10

This might be one of the coolest collaborations in history. One of the greatest authors of our time + a Rock n’ Roll LEGEND, ICON, YOU NAME IT produce an eerie, unforgettable tale with an utterly impeccable ending.

Being a super short story, it is hard to really go much into detail without giving anything away. Suffice it to say, it is a tightly woven story about a professional drummer (go figure :D) and his intrigue with a particular drum native to the land he currently resides. The drum itself gives off this otherworldly power when played and our protagonist finds himself searching for the creator.

While the story itself is the main event, the introduction from Kevin and the afterward from Neil bring so much more to the story. It is fascinating to hear how they became friends and stayed friends up until Peart’s passing in 2020. I cannot imagine receiving a letter in the mail from one of the best drummers of all-time because he enjoyed something I wrote; then to continue those letters and become a roadie for one of the greatest rock bands ever.

If I had to categorize this story, it would be horror (I guess). It isn’t scary so much as things jumping out and stabbing you, but the ending is certainly traumatic. I’d say it is standard fiction with some horror elements, and one that you should definitely give the 30-45 minutes it deserves.

A chilling tale written by two masters

This was a short one, even shorter if you include the fact that the Foreword and Afterword were written by Kevin J Anderson and Neil Peart respectively.

It was interesting hearing how the two collaborated together on the writings and how they met. I can only imagine how tough it was to make this happen.

The audiobook was a great listen, Joe Hempel delivers the story well, and Kevin J Andersons recounting of their early days was fun to listen to.

The one thing to mention is the audio quality. It was obvious Kevin recorded this in his home and did not get to a professional studio, but it was fine after a couple minutes. It might be jarring to have the two types of quality bump into each other (with Hempel having the much better quality - as he probably should), but you'll get lost in the chilling tale once it starts and it won't let go.

Very fun listen for one day, and definitely a world I'd like to see (hear) more about.

Intriguing

Huge Rush Fan
chilling inspiring story
descriptions made the world come to life
narrator did amazing

Anderson/Peart lovefest

It's cool to learn how the friendship grew between 2 prolific artists. The story is interesting, but the real story is in the intro and outro to this work.

A great short with an amazing history

This is a short story with both a forward and an afterword which gives the history of how it came into being. The collaboration of two amazing artists, one a drummer and one a writer. Both legends in their fields now. How they came to be in touch with each other and how this amazing tale came to existence. This tale will thrill and chill and the circumstances that lead to its creation will amaze you. The story itself is so detailed and based in fact that the supernatural elements blend into it perfectly. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher