The First

A Prequel to 'The Returned'

By: Jason Mott

Narrated by: Victor Bevine

Length: 33 mins

Publisher's summary

In Jason Mott's haunting and unforgettable debut novel, The Returned, an impossible miracle is occurring all across the globe. Read how it all begins in this short story, The First.

It's been just over a year since Edmund Blithe died, and just over a month since his fiancee, Emily, stopped wearing her engagement ring. Emily has finally begun to move on… Until Edmund mysteriously and inexplicably returns, sending the world - and Emily - into a tailspin.

Edmund is only just the beginning. Around the world, people's loved ones are returning from beyond, seeking only to reenter the lives they left behind. As the world dives deep into uncertainty, Emily and Edmund are determined to find their way back to one another…even if it means risking everything.

The reappearances continue in The Sparrow, and look for The Returned from Harlequin MIRA, a moving tale of a family given a second chance at life and a world where nothing - not even death - is certain.

©2013 Jason Mott (P)2013 Audible Inc.

Returned Prequel - First, Sparrow and Choice

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Probably not. There didn't seem to be much technical information or pretty much missing the answer to why. It feels these stories are concerned more with how people interact and relate to the situation of The Returned. I am not in the mood for a soap opera. I will wait for reviews of the actual book before I take the leap.

If you’ve listened to books by Jason Mott before, how does this one compare?

Have not.

What three words best describe Victor Bevine’s performance?

He is okay.

Was The First worth the listening time?

For free, sure.

same as Resurrection

Would you consider the audio edition of The First to be better than the print version?

I did not read the book but have watched the resurrection from the beginning, and if they have followed closely to the book than I am hooked.

What a Tease

Where does The First rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This audiobook was a great teaser intro to make a reader interested in reading the rest of he series. A free short story from the series, rather than just a chapter is a much better way to get somebody interested in buying into a new series.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The First?

This story, being a short story preview vs an advance chapter, gives you a little background and leaves you wanting more without just cutting you off at the end of the chapter.

What about Victor Bevine’s performance did you like?

Good.

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

Yes.

Any additional comments?

I can't wait for The Returned.

Entertaining and new storyline

What did you love best about The First?

That it is a fresh and unique sTory line not your cookie cutter book

Any additional comments?

I downloaded the three available prequels off of audible to see if the story interested me prior to purchasing the entire book. I'm fairly certain this is the first prequel. the book was interesting and had a unique story line about people coming back from the dead a year after they had passed away which naturally would shock your loved ones. the story leaves you guessing on quite a few fronts which typically happens in a short story since you're not getting the full and complete story. I will continue on to read the other two prequels

The First Prequel

Where does The First rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is the first one I've listened through to the end (yes, I know it's only a short one, but you have to start somewhere)

What other book might you compare The First to and why?

It reminds me of "The Green Mile", though largely because it was serialised. I enjoyed "The First", and am happy to see some prequel sequels available now ("The Sparrow" and "The Choice")

What three words best describe Victor Bevine’s voice?

Clear, precise, proper

If you could rename The First, what would you call it?

Monarch Green

I saw the tv series, then found these for free.

As I said, I first saw the TV series then found these three books for free on audible and I was delighted. These are short stories, each depicting the return of one person and the impact it has.

The narrator is very cool and calm in his story telling method which adds to the over all chilling effect of the stories.

That said, I found these stories to be very dark and for now, although I think this is a brilliant way to promote the full length novel, I will wait a bit before I buy the novel.

The TV series, although dark enough does not really convey the start reality of what it is like to have a loved one return from the dead, in that aspect these books should get a 5* rating for in these stories that reality is all too clear. Unfortunately the narrator is so good at his job that these stories, although I did not listen to them one after the other left me drained.

If dark and gloomy is your thing, then you will adore this. If not, why not give these a try in anyway they are free after all.

WaAR

The jury is still out

This short story preview shows that there is an interesting premise and potentially good book coming in The Returned. But I detected some weaknesses in the writing and narrating of The First that has me hesitating to order the next installment, and both have to do with Emily's mother. The bad southern accent in near-falsetto is distracting to listen to, and her POV telling her distraught daughter not to be so excited about about her beloved Edmund returning to life (don't worry, he'll call you when he can) is joltingly out of sync with the fear and awe the should accompany the cosmically mysterious event. Although the summary of The Returned suggests a completely different cast of characters (so perhaps I'd never hear Emily's mom again), I still wonder about the author's ability to develop characters whose actions appear consistent with the strange circumstances.

Short stories and novels are very different writing forms, and perhaps author Mott is better at the second than the first. But I think I will await some reviews of The Returned before deciding if it is a stronger effort than the short preview.

Not exactly the kind of story that I like

I was expecting a more darker story, the reader performance is great, the book I do not like, but it is just my opinion

Good start! Looking forward to the tale

This short tale works very well as a pilot to the forthcoming book. It focuses on a single "returned", and just by telling his tale and the tale of those he left behind, we're immediately educated on just how emotional, disturbing and disastrous the premise of the upcoming book can be.

Short and sweet. The narrator did a great job as well. I've preordered the book.

good start

Would you listen to The First again? Why?

to refresh t he story in my mind. It was a good start to let me know background of story.

What other book might you compare The First to and why?

Starting as sci-fi, but not sure I can compareit to any story