Forbidden: World of Nightwalkers, Book 1

By: Jacquelyn Frank

Narrated by: Xe Sands

Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

The unexpected happens in an instant. On her way to work, secretary Docia Waverley hurtles into a crashing crossroads, and she quickly begins to suspect that things will never be the same. Then, when a tall, blond, muscular stranger intervenes on her behalf, telling her it is his duty to protect her at all cost, what is just a feeling turns to proof positive. That is, as long as Docia's savior doesn't turn out to be a crazed kidnapper....

When Ram finds Docia, he has no doubt that she is his queen. But as this golden warrior sweeps in to protect her, he feels something more than body heat every time they touch. He is overwhelmed by a searing connection that goes deep into the twin souls inside him. A desire rises in him that is forbidden - this woman is his queen, the mate of his king, his leader, his best friend. And yet Docia is so vulnerable and attractive that she awakens a hunger in Ram that is undeniable, a carnal craving he cannot yield to...not without risking the very survival of the Bodywalkers.

©2012 Jacquelyn Frank (P)2012 Tantor

New Spin-Off Series. Not as Good as Shadowdellers.

I'm a fan of Jacquelyn Frank and of Xe Sands. So I'm a little disappointed that I couldn't get into Ms. Frank's latest Nightwalker branch-off series. I couldn't get over the whole one body, two souls concept.

But from reading some of my fellow Audible Book Readers reviews. A lot of you like this series very much. I'll have to wait for the next book (which is already in print) and see if it is more appealing to me. You never know.

I just wish she would write the 4th book in the Shadowdellers series. Now, that is a HOT & interesting series. One of my all time favorites.

Good story. Bad Narrator

I really enjoyed the story and look forward to listening to the rest of the series. I just hope the same narrator is not on all of them. I am getting ready to get book 2 so we shall see. You could not distinguish who was saying what as her voice never changed. The series needs Robert Petcoff or Lorreli King to read the story.

if you have patience

just as the reviews told me before I started listening to this. it's a slow start slow middle but very engaging ending. she's a great writer but this isn't her best work. the multiple points of views and multiple love triangle confuses you as to who the main characters are until the end. so as a fan I will say just be patient it'll get better.... at the end

Heads Up!

This is the first time I listened/read a Jacquelyn Frank book. For anyone that has not read Jacquelyn Frank,I would like to suggest that prior to reading this series World of Nightwalkers to first read "Nightwalkers". The first series Jacquelyn Frank wrote, that way you get to know and understand some history about the different types of characters.

For the first 10 chapters I was so confused I almost gave up. But since I read a lot of the reviews and most were very good, I continued with the book, I also had purchased all three at one time. I have over 300 books from audible and enjoy multiple series, so I usually purchase all the books in the series.

I gave this book a 4 star because finally by the end of the book I understood the story and enjoyed it. Xe Sands is a very good narrator with her different voices. Thank goodness for the different voices! if not I would have been completely lost. There are so many characters in this book and most of them have multiple names that my head was spinning. On top of the fact that they have multiple names most of the Egyptian names are very similar, or a least in my confusion it sounds that way.

As I previously said I have not yet read Nightwalkers, I wish I would have known to first read that series I would have been ready and probably understood more about the World of Nightwalker. On my way to book 2, I look forward to it since its about her brother, and I really like his personality.
Worth a credit? Yes.

Bias because of my expectations

I walked into this novel with a complex bias and high expectations. Part of me is excited to read a Frank novel and enjoy some of the best characters and world-building in a PNR and the other part of me is resentful that this new spin-off series had taken the Frank's focus away from the Shadowdwellers series which is one of my favorite PNR series of all time.

If you are a fan of Frank's work you must have read her Nightwalker and Shadowdweller series (if not, read them, now!). This new series takes place in the same world and revolves around a new species of Nightwalkers known as Bodywalkers. This installment introduces the reader to the world of the Bodywalkers; the origin and the process involved. We meet Docia and Ram as the main H/h in the story and within them we meet the Bodywalkers that share their bodies. Docia is a gentle person who hides her insecurities with quirkiness. Ram is an alpha male, extremely loyal in his duties and protective of Docia. There is a slew of supporting cast members that will help move the series a long. Frank does a great job in writing dialogues that deals with two distinct personalities and souls housed in one being. I was never confused or left to wonder who was doing the dominant thinking or talking. I think the issue I had with this novel is that because it is the first in the series, it had a lot of foundation to lay. There really wasn't an opportunity to fully engage in the main characters. It felt rushed towards the end and it made me feel a bit unfulfilled and disappointed. I also wanted to read more about the other Nightwalkers. I know this series is different in its own right, but I was hoping for a cameo or something from the other Nightwalker characters we've met in the other series.

Narrator:
Xe Sands
Performance: 3/5
The peaks and troughs of her voice was hard to hear at times. I found myself adjusting the volume too many times which I find distracting and annoying.(less)

Lookout of those nightwalkers!!!!

Where does Forbidden: World of Nightwalkers, Book 1 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

OMG!! This a facinating new series and I really enjoyed it. It has to be in my top five favorites.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Forbidden: World of Nightwalkers, Book 1?

One of the most memorable moments I had was when Docia was asked if she wanted to live or continue though the mist to death. She thought about all the deaths there had been in her family and all she had now was her and Jackson.

What does Xe Sands bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I would not have been able to hear the accents of the characters if I had just read it.

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

Definately!

"It's ménage à everybody!" ...I was so confused

I'm a HUGE Jacquelyn Frank fan (I've read all her books in print) and I absolutely love the Nightwalkers Series. However, this new race of Bodywalkers was a bit too confusing for me. The "blending" of the bodywalker with it's host was just too weird. I couldn't seem to figure out who the "main couple" really was?? Docia/Ram? Ram/Tameri? Vincent/Docia? I just couldn't reconcile in my mind who was really in love and who was just there for the ride. At one point in the book Docia says "It's ménage à everybody!" (which made it even weirder for me)
The best part of the book was Docia's brother Jackson who has a side story.

***Spoiler Alert: He is the main character in book 2. So I will most likely give that book a try as well.

Overall, not a bad concept but execution was a little too confusing for me. I just hope book 2 is better.

could have been hotter.....

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I'm interested enough to go to book 2....i'm hoping the momentum picks up and the heat being told to the reader exists, personally I didn't feel it.

Captivating!

What made the experience of listening to Forbidden: World of Nightwalkers, Book 1 the most enjoyable?

The narrator is a pivotal part to enjoying any audible book and Xe Sands is gifted. Just enough insight to keep you pulled in and wanting much more.

Who was your favorite character and why?

That's a tough one, but if I can only choose one, that would have to be Jax for his devotion, honor and snarkiness with his sis and buddies not to mention his love and respect for his K9 partner.

Have you listened to any of Xe Sands’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes and she just gets better with each book. Keep her busy please as she is very talented.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

If you blink the world could change!

Any additional comments?

Please extend the series by possibly going back into our history, possibly introduce both interesting men and women of the early 17th and 18th centuries.

Not much story

Nothing much really happened. Inner dialogue took up way too much space and time. I found it boring. I will try the next book to give it a chance because I really like this author