Blackout

By: Robison Wells

Narrated by: Ray Porter

The virus has spread...and four teens are infected.

This new life isn't what I asked for. And if I can't learn to protect myself, it will destroy me. My mission is clear. My enemies will fall. And nothing will stand in my way. I knew there was something wrong with me. But maybe I can be more than just a freak. People always underestimate me. They only see a pretty face. And that mistake is going to cost them.

©2013 Robison Wells (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

Wished for more.

I have enjoyed a few non-fiction books narrated by Ray Porter, but his fiction read was definitely lacking. He talks quickly and at times varied the speed of his voice, but it really felt unnatural. His voices are pretty good but the cadence of the speech didn't vary between characters, although it unnaturally varied within each character. The narration got in the way of the book instead of accentuating it.
I was also highly irritated by the mispronunciation of the city names Manti and Ephraim. Perhaps it is the producer's mistake but this could have easily been avoided.

The story itself just needs a better arc. This book is part of a continued story and there was really no good arc in this book that indicates that where this book ended was a good break in that story. Some of the character and group motivations are still completely unknown, and glimpses into that at the very least would have gone a long way.
In summary, the book didn't feel complete and the story wasn't compelling for the same reasons.

It is likely, though, that I will buy the next book, hoping for a better payoff.

amazing story and great reader

I loved the whole thing and the reader was great. really hard to stop listening to it. I can keep going everywhere I go

I did not want to stop listening to it.

I read it before, but forgot some of the story it was just as good listening to it. I could not stop listening and am so excited for the next book