The Hammer Falls

By: Travis Heermann

Narrated by: Charles Kahlenberg

Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

The next time he dies....
...will be the last.

Can he save the woman he loves before his heart gives out for good?

Horace “The Hammer” Harkness is a gene-modified pit fighter 20 years past his prime. He loves the life of screaming fans and thundering theme music, but too many injuries and resurrections have wrecked his heart. If he loses one more match, game over.

Now his big comeback is in deep, deep trouble. If he fails, how will he repay all the money he borrowed to finance this fiasco?

In a world of blood-drenched circuses and fleeting fame, can a battered pit fighter outsmart the Russian mob before they exact revenge on Lilly? Or will he die trying?

If you love stories with high-tech weapons, high-stakes action, snarky ninjas, and a touch of romance, you'll love The Hammer Falls!

Get it now!

©2019 Travis Heermann (P)2019 Travis Heermann

a great story from an absolutely new prospecftive

this story may foreshadow future of profession wrestling and the future the mega corporation are working hard to create. This tail may be a reality soon than many think.

Hammer Time

A while back, I decided to expand my listening experiences into genres I like, but at that point, wasn't reading that often. To that end, I found a web-list that advertised review copy audiobooks given for free with an agreement to post an honest opinion when finished. I requested "The Hammer Falls" from this list and have written this voluntary review.

This story centers on Horace 'The Hammer' Harkness, a genetically enhanced pit fighter that has seen his glory days pass by about 2 decades prior. In an effort to stage a comeback, he has borrowed a large sum of money from the Russian mob with the arrangement that he return payment after the bout. Circumstances prevent him from repaying the mobsters and he is now a marked man. Can he and his new companions get him out of this jam?

Travis Heermann has created a near-future world that seems all too plausible. MMA fighting is taken to the next, deadlier level thanks to advances in medical technology. Corruption is rampant. Technology is even more sinister and dangerous. And Hammer is attempting to maneuver through a world in which he is no longer relevant. Hammer's effort to help those he cares about sends him on a rip-roaring ride that will have readers on the edge of their seat. There is suspense and action, political and corporate intrigue and even a smattering of romance. What starts out sad, with Hammer desperately trying to reclaim his glory days, ends with him ultimately accepting help from those around him to save not only himself but the people he loves. It's an enjoyable redemption story full of grit and guts (literal and figurative) that will leave the reader satisfied.

Charles Kahlenberg's narration had to grow on me, but in the end it's a good performance. The banter between characters (my favorite thing about the narration) is superbly interpreted.

Recommended. It's a solid stand-alone novel.

You Gotta Love 'Em

This is not a "pretty" but, rather one that takes a battered, older Hero and puts him through Hell and back to try and make up for past mistakes both large and small. This dystopian future world holds horrors, and the bad guys are running the show. With a lot of help from his "friends," will our protagonist win victory AND live through it!?! Really enjoyed the story. The narrator did a good job but there's some sexy lady talk to which No Man can do justice.

Truly excellent!

This book is a lot of fun and the narrator hits it on the head! All the characters are memorable and full of personality. And the back-and-forth between them is brilliant. You won't regret listening to this one.

A great story

**** SPOILER ALERT ****
I read/listened to "The Hammer Falls' in Audible narrated most excellently by Charles Kahlenberg, more on him later. I would encourage you, my fellow readers, to get this book in whatever format that you prefer, hardcopy, ebook, or audio.
In "The Hammer Falls" Heermann gives readers a finely woven tapestry of a story that balances action and exposition.
The author does a superb job of world building and character development. 
For those of you that prefer to read this book by eye, you can skip this next bit as it's going to focus on the narrator and audio production values of the book.
Mr. Kahlenberg does a fantastic job of bringing the story and characters to life. His delivery puts me in mind of old time radio dramas of the golden age of radio.
As a long time patron of the Talking Book service provided by the Library Of Congress National Library Service, I can personally attest that the choice of a narrator is VITAL to the success of a book as a not so good narrator can destroy a "reader's" enjoyment of a book. Mr. Kahlenberg was a fabulous choice to narrate this book. Other Talking Book patrons will recognize the following as very high praise for Mr. Kahlenberg. Mr. Kahlenberg's narration of "The Hammer Falls" is on a par with that of Bob Askey.
Q: Can Horace survive long enough to save Lilly and the kids?
A: Grab this book and find out!!
In the interest of transparency: I was given a free review copy of this book and I am voluntarily sharing this review.
It is my own honest opinion.

Well, ... Wow!

This is a dark and gritty adult story. Not because of any explicit scenes. But, because a younger listener would not comprehend some of the dialogue. I can't say I was fond of Hammer until towards the end. I hope he continues to take advantage of his new heart.
This audio was given to me in exchange for an unbiased review.

Kickstart my heart

This isThe MMA of the future
A broken down pit fighter finally has something worth fighting for
A fantastic mix of crime thriller and sci-fi Technology
Lots of action and a fun tip of the hat to 80s wrestling highly recommended
I received a free review audiobook and voluntarily left this review

Great book!

A good story with on point narration that brings the characters to life!

The story follows a down and out fighter that has borrowed money from the wrong people to make a comeback, and the consequences of his actions and choices.

The story and nerration are reminiscent of "Sin City," "Dick Tracy," and other tough grimy stories where the protagonist is fighting an uphill battle.

I received a free copy of this audio book for an honest review.

I have to say that I am glad this one fell into my lap, because I really enjoyed it, and wouldn't have found it otherwise.

Well worth a credit!

His only friends, those that tried to kill him!

Horace “The Hammer” Harkness; an older pit fighter still in the ring beyond his years. Over his lengthy career, he had been killed and resuscitated twenty-seven times. His body, as well as his heart, had taken a terrible beating. How much more could his heart take? He had enough when he got wind of a fixed fight in his favor to take advantage of his popularity. Hammer made a couple of life-changing, drastic decisions, leaving the coliseum and his career behind. To escape, he caught a ride on a road-train owned by a well-known promoter. The train rode the rails from town to town carrying the promoter’s stable of fighters along with all the necessary tools of the trade, i.e. a full gym, cooking and dining facilities, and sleeping quarters. The rolling carnival would stop at a town, it’s car sides and top unfolding with lights, hologram posters, and awnings like an old sideshow. Hammer paid his way by talking with the fighters, teaching them the tricks of the trade and sharing his twenty-years of experience. His actions before leaving the coliseum were hot on his trail, threatening his life and endangering anyone he knew. His only friends in the world were those that had tried to kill him, and some had succeeded. Hammer was a lost soul, knowing his time was up but not knowing what to do or how to stop the people coming after him and his friends. How can he make the threats go away; is it even possible? Although he did bring it on himself, the pain and confusion Hammer suffered were real. I felt bad for the people who knew him; they were only guilty by association. Four.point.five. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Futuristic pit-fights think gladiator meets the year 3000 meets the Russian mafia

So I’d take a futuristic society where pit fighting is the blood sport of choice, fighters can be resurrected and the corporations and mob are in bed together. An aging pit fighter makes a deal with the Russians that will have dire consequences if he fails to pay. He has all intentions of paying until he gets a call from a friend in need. Cutting the head off the monster sent to get him and leaving it in his lap might not have been the best negotiating tactic. Now he’s on the run from he Russians, he falls in with a group of young fighters and tries to hide with them while helping to develop them. Of course the Russians will go after anyone who is aiding him as well. Enter the Italian mafia. A plot to take out the Russians. More deals made and consequences to suffer. Can this old pit fighter make it? Will any of his friends still be alive by the time he does? Great story. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher