The Preacher

The Preacher Series, Book 1

De: Nathan Burrows

Narrado por: Bradford Hastings

Who is The Preacher?

Dawn. The English Channel. A small boat arrives crammed with exhausted migrants, not all of whom will make land.

Some of the shattered occupants have already paid for their journeys. Others have arrived with a debt still to be paid. One of the migrants isn't fleeing anything. He's not from Europe, or Africa, or the East. He's from Texas, and he's wearing a robe.

When the traffickers take some of their passengers to pay for their journey, they also take the man in the robe. That was their first mistake.

As the full horror of how the debt is to be repaid emerges, so does the gang's second mistake.

The man in the robe is much more than a preacher.

And this isn't his first rodeo.

©2023 Nathan Burrows (P)2024 Podium Audio

Could have been great, but loses some points.

However, for every complaint I have, there is a “but” or “that said…” or equivalent. Some counterpoint in its favor.
I wish I could give it a 4.25-4.5. An A-.

It was pretty slow. At first I appreciated the story crafting but then it became tedious. There were some things that seemed unnecessary or perplexing but whose significance is clear later. Still, It could have been several hrs shorter. I recommend trying to stick it out at least 4 hrs—if you still don’t care, it’s probably safe to call it.

Sometimes it seems to have a frustrating lack of urgency. Weeell life and death situation, but hey why not take a few minutes for a nap, picnic, chat or a prayer? Caleb is just a little too blank- I get his personality but it’s hard to get emotionally invested when the hero displays so little emotion.

Narrator is perfect though. Voice pleasant, good pacing, pauses in the right places. It’s easy to distinguish characters, and he does the detached wistful personality of Caleb very well. Very fitting.

The book loses the most points for the unbearably annoying female. I thought in the beginning she’d be ok- seemed sensible, level-headed. Yeah that didn’t last. She turns into that hysterical irrational female you hope you’d never be.

“WHAT IS HAPPENING?! TELL ME WHATS HAPPENING! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!
AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!! THEY’RE SHOOTING AT US! DO SOMETHING!!!”
Yup one of those. One that insists on being taken on a mission bc she’s so helpful. You know, the woman that has never shot a gun, admittedly is unwilling to kill anyone, screams every time there is s loud noise, rarely does what she’s told, and is constantly pestering everyone else on what is happening and what they are going to do about it. I’m surprised she never stomped her foot.
Of course she’s a total asset.

It’s a small thing, but bugged me. if I knew of human traffickers that routinely abduct children, sell them to pedophiles , and try to rape and beat me personally, I wouldn’t be horrified at the idea of their deaths. I wouldn’t make my savior and protector promise he won’t kill them. Yeah, not sorry—breaking their legs ain’t good enough.
ALL the people he tries to protect are like that.
Based on the reviews I thought there would be more justice and wrath. I was expecting a John Wick type situation. But he’s reined in by everyone, and that is unsatisfying at times.

There are too many POVs, especially villain POVs. This is particularly problematic for me when the topic is human trafficking. Too much time in the mind of sexual predators does not make for an entertaining read.

All that said, it is very artfully written.
It’s hard to describe when writers are particularly good at this, but his use of words is meaningful, phrasing good, easy to follow a long. While it was a bit slow, the pacing was even- not jerky or weird and was well balanced. Nothing was blatantly unnecessary. Writing itself was streamlined. It just unfolded slowly. I wanted to listen at accelerated speed to get to plot points faster

I’ve read many books that make these mistakes to a far worse degree and are inferiorly written.
I haven’t looked to see if the author is experienced or not, but he writes like he is.
Best I can explain it is word-crafting. Overall, while I didn’t like some of the choices, those choices were executed extremely well.
Definitely getting the next one

Couldn’t wait to see what happens next. Loved this book now on to book 2

I have found a new favorite author, couldn’t put the book down the narration was perfect

Nothing like Reacher

I read previous reviews after I listened to the book and was surprised to hear Caleb was Reacher-like???? Well, in the sense it was an action book and other general things...but not really. This was a good read. Good triumph over evil. I am waiting on the 3rd book! And hopefully others!

Very Enjoyable

Really enjoyed this story. Intriguing, a different take on The Equalizer. The protagonist is singular, unusual & a man that can deliver justice with wrath. He appears meek & mild but in reality, deadly, very deadly.I’m going to listen to the entire series. That’s for sure. The narrator has the perfect voice for this story.

One of those books that keeps you in suspense the whole time.

Loved it. Will definitely continue with this series. MC brings the vengeance to those who are evil, and yet seems such a soft soul. Read it.

This is a great start for a new series!

Nothing is overblown in this book. Although it seemed to start out a little slow, as it made sense, I realized it hadn’t been slow at all. It had purpose.

The Preacher

Caleb was a good character. The female characters were annoying and more than a little ridiculous.

The scriptures

I enjoyed the book. I was wondering what the preacher was about. I'm glad it was very good

Jack Reacher by a different name. MAJOR Disappointment.

This was absolute garbage!
Jack Reacher called by a different name, gets religion, and saves some trafficked women from disaster.
Think I’m kidding? Every time the reader says the name “Caleb,” substitute “Reacher,” and you’ll get my point.
I’d ask for my credit back but I listened to the whole damn book. UGH!!

Now through 45 chapters and nothing has happened

Supposed to be like a Reacher book. Doesn’t come close. Give me back a credit