Slave, Book 1

De: Laura Frances

Narrado por: Stacey Glemboski

There is no sun. There is no moon. There is only gray - the smog belched from coal-fueled factories. The Workers silently shuffle to their assigned posts. The Outcasts watch from the alley walls. On every corner, a Watcher stands stone-faced, a rifle in hand. This is the only life that exists. Beyond the mountains is a dream. But dreams are foolish in a place like this.

Hannah has spent 19 years dodging Watchers and doing as she is told.

Do not look Watchers in the eye. Don't give them a reason to notice you.

When she wakes to the valley exploding in revolution, Hannah is forced onto a dangerous path, where nothing is what she believed. Suddenly freedom is in her grasp, and the way there requires working with the men she fears most.

©2016 Laura Frances (P)2017 Laura Frances

It was good!

Love this narrator she’s good. She read another book I listened and I loved it. But I feel like she makes her sound to whiny all the time in this one. The main character is a little annoying but I hope gets stronger in the second book. And did the author really have to kill off Eden in is this book? I was a little disappointed over all I really liked it.

Worth your time

Any additional comments?

Great start to a series. Definitely worth your time. A creative, well written, very entertaining, completely engaging and thoroughly enjoyable book. Even though the story starts out a bit slow, it still pulls you right in from the start and keeps your full attention until the end. It was one of those books I wanted to listen to straight through without stopping. I listened every chance I could. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

After a lifetime of indoctrination Hannah's life is changed in an instant. Her whole life has consisted of constantly being afraid, controlled, watched and punished for any small infraction. A worker (slave) in a bleak, dreary, controlling and oppressive society. Suddenly, she and those in her unit are freed from their oppressors. They soon learn they have not been told the truth. There is a world beyond their valley that is different from anything they could have ever imagined.

A revolution is brewing. A revolution intent on freeing everyone from the oppressive Council. Hannah soon finds herself a participant in this revolution.

Great cast of characters. Loved both Cash and Eden but especially Hannah. Loved the growth/change in Hannah throughout the story. She was just an average girl in this world. Which just made her that much more likable. You could understand the wide range of emotions she was going through as her understanding of her world changed.

Several interesting and one heartbreaking twists that I did not see coming.

Stacey Glemboski does a fantastic job with the narration as usual. Every book that I have listened to that she has narrated has been a great listen. Pleasant voice that sounded age appropriate for the characters. Clearly spoken with a smooth even pace. Really good character voices. Her male voices could use a bit more distinction. She was able to convey all the emotions of the characters. She brings the characters and story to life through her narration. Hannah's thought's are a big part of the story. It was always easy to tell when it was her thought's or she was speaking. Not every narrator can pull this off. Hopefully she will be narrating the rest of the series. Very enjoyable

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook b the author, narrator or publisher.

loved

I was provided a free copy of this book for an honest review.

I truly enjoyed listening to this book. I lived the story and the characters. the author did a wonderful job hashing out the characters and the plot.

On the fence about this one

Pros:
1. Solid writing.
2. Likeable main character (kind of a nice change from these kick-butt heroines—I mean, not every girl/woman is a killing machine, which seems to be the standard in this genre these days.)
3. Interesting enough story—I was never bored.
4. Very good audio narrator.

Not so sure about:
1. This is in the adult sci fi category. Probably should be in YA, though the character is 19/20, and the “romance” is about 75% less nauseating than what you find in YA. But she seems young.

2. The novel is very interior—lots of Hannah’s thoughts and feelings and not a lot of action. I don’t need action-packed, but I think this could have used a bit more.

3. The world. All we see is this place (what seems to be a city) with only “workers” who are in essence, slaves. It’s a landscape of buildings and constantly grey skies—the main character has never seen blue skies, the pollution is that bad. They’re in a valley so I guess I’ll buy that. But where are the people they are slaving away for? The council is mentioned, but that’s it. Hannah works in the cosmetics factory but never wonders who uses the cosmetics or even how they’re used. You never SEE anyone but the slaves and the watchers—the black-clad men who keep the slaves in their places by shooting them for the most minor of infractions. They are told that beyond the valley are mountains where wild beasts are. Still, nobody tries to escape? Granted they are given only the minimal amount of food to survive so they aren’t exactly energetic but…

It was good enough that I'll probably listen to the next one as long as the price is low. I would not use an audible credit or spend more than a few bucks.

Good Read

I enjoyed listening to this book. It started off slow, but then the story began to build. Looking forward to the next book.