Coup de Grâce

De: Paul Centeno

Narrado por: Rob Jones, Courtney Holly

The world has changed. Gone are the old gods. Nature withers and dies beneath the growing bane of machines and industry. Desperate to prevent their world from dying, citizens turn to science and sprawling cities of steam ruled by the Imperium. Kaimo de Morté has never known another life. He is an optometrist by trade but too poor to open an optical boutique. Forced to work in the mines, Kaimo has no idea how his life is about to change. A chance encounter with insurgents thrusts him into a battle for the very future of mankind. One he is ill prepared to fight. Kaimo uncovers hidden truths, forms alliances stretching to the highest halls of power, and becomes the catalyst for either saving the world or watching it end.

©2022, 2024 Paul L. Centeno (P)2024 Paul L. Centeno

Excellent Entertainment

In ‘Coup De Grâce,’ an inventive amalgamation of fantasy, science fiction, and steampunk by Paul L. Centeno, listeners follow the story of Kaimo de Morte as he undergoes dramatic life changes to his body, mind, and heart. Kaimo is an optometrist with extensive knowledge who wishes to study to become an Ophthalmologist. The loveable hero is filled with determination to reach his goals. He is forced to work in the mines to survive and possesses a robust set of honor-bound values. He ekes out a living working in the mines, yet uncovers a sinister plan and bears witness to multiple horrific crimes he cannot ignore.

Paul Centeno builds an exciting world containing steam-powered cities, automatons, incredible mechanical gadgets like the chainsaw sword, and a shattered gemstone that contains magical powers. When Kaimo discovers an imprisoned girl on a train, he decides to help and sets off on an epic journey that fans of quests won’t want to miss. The travel brings to life the people, creatures, and lives of those inhabiting this fascinating planet with three suns. Our pair of survivors are followed, beaten, betrayed, and presented with obstacles that test their tenacity: Bartholomew, the automaton with fun, unique words and interactions with his human friends.

The vivid world-building is believable as each layer is added to the perfect foundation. It's a wild, crazy ride across this world by all sorts of means, and our couple is constantly followed, beaten, betrayed, saved, and more. There are many twists as the travelers seek the source of the gemstone. They meet unusual characters. My favorite is the mechanical automaton assistant, Bartholomew, who possesses emotions like a person.

Two outstanding voices, Rob Jones and Courtney Holly, bring this wild world to life in the audio version. Each character matches the images painted by the author. The narration tempo keeps a perfect pace with the temps as the drama escalates. The delightful music and sound effects provide a remarkable experience in this flawless audio rendition.

Fans of science fiction with a side of steampunk will live within this captivating world of a fabulous industrial-age adventure of ‘Coup De Grâce.’ Snappy dialogue with touches of well-timed humor balances the dramatic challenges Kaimo faces in the changes and phases of his life. The believable storyline is structured by descriptive words that build this fascinating tale of adventure and strife to an unexpected, outstanding, nail-biting conclusion. Well done, Paul L Centeno, with the brilliant third dimension of Rob Jones and Courtney Holly.

A Surprisingly Good Steampunk Adventure

This book combines steampunk, fantasy, and sci-fi in a way that feels fresh and exciting. The story centers on Kaimo de Morté, a regular optometrist who finds himself stuck working in harsh conditions because he can’t afford to open his own practice.

His mundane life takes a dramatic turn when he gets mixed up with rebels and a powerful artifact, setting off a thrilling adventure.

The world Centeno has built is something else—imagine cities powered by steam, flying ships, and a world on the edge, all vividly brought to life. The audiobook, narrated by two voices, adds extra depth, making every plot twist even more engaging.

Kaimo’s transformation from an ordinary guy to a reluctant hero is full of unexpected twists and thought-provoking moments about survival and power.

If you’re up for a gripping adventure with a steampunk flair and a bit of magic, this book is a must-read. The world-building is solid and it’s an exhilarating journey that’s hard to put down!