A Glimmer of Hope

The Avalon Chronicles, Book 1

By: Steve McHugh

Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden

Length: 11 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's Summary

From Steve McHugh, the bestselling author of The Hellequin Chronicles, comes a new urban fantasy series packed with mystery, action, and, above all, magic.

Layla Cassidy has always wanted a normal life, and the chance to put her father's brutal legacy behind her. And in her final year of university she's finally found it. Or so she thinks.

But when Layla accidentally activates an ancient scroll, she is bestowed with an incredible, inhuman power. She plunges into a dangerous new world, full of mythical creatures and menace - all while a group of fanatics will stop at nothing to turn her abilities to their cause.

To protect those she loves most, Layla must take control of her new powers...before they destroy her. All is not yet lost - there is a light shining, but Layla must survive long enough to see it.

©2018 Steve McHugh (P)2018 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Back with the Hellequin gang!

Glimmer of Hope
The Avalon Chronicles, Book 1
By: Steve McHugh
Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden
Oh, it was nice to see/hear the gang again! Even Nate made a brief appearance in the end! Yippee!! This has all the excitement and thrills of the Hellequin series but focused on a different direction. Same characters but adding some new ones that are really special! Wow, are they. I say, plural form because she has souls in her, she is more than just herself. She opened a scroll and she now has the powers of those souls that were trapped in the scrolls now in her. All their skills, knowledge, powers, etc. One is a demon, a warrior, an assassin, and it will that time to work things out. It is an exciting story with kidnapping, fighting, creatures like blood elves, ogres, and more!
Since the main character is the gal with the all the spirits, the narrator is female this series which makes sense and she does a fantastic job! She performs the voices for the ogres, men, and other such things and I never stopped and thought, "Oh, that is a woman", nope! Not once!. It was done so well, I didn't question, it just flowed nicely.
Great job!

Enjoyable

Really good start to this to this series, I feel that the story will keep the listener engaged and the characters have a good feel to them. If there’s one criticism that I have regarding this story it’s when a storyteller always seems have character becoming anger regarding not being told about a certain issue. I really wish that a character would at times accept that they couldn’t be told everything regarding an issue and move on accepting that it was the correct decision. However, I will leave that to the listener because it’s just my opinion. Beyond that this is a good buy.

Disappointed and STILL hopeful for BETTER to come

I stopped listening to the audio version several times. Each time I started back up, it was out of respect for all the characters and story lines that came before. It was not until more than half way in, that the story began to resemble the original storyline that I had come to enjoy. As it is an offshoot of the Hellequin Chronicles I think it is a reasonable expectation to "see" the prominent bones of that storyline. In addition, the voice actor has a lovely voice that eventually grew on me. However, her voice just did not match this story in my opinion. A female voice is a nice change for these badass adventures, but her tone was just not right for me. At times I thought I was listening to a Disney story and was often thrown out of the world Mr McHugh was creating in this new series. I am an avid fan of audible storytelling and the voices really make the adventure for me. Lastly, perhaps they are trying to appeal to a younger demographic (sweet!), but do not insult the intelligence of all the fans by making us have high school flashbacks. I honestly felt a bit like someone's favorite nice got to write this book (lucky girl!). Mr McHugh, if you are listening...please, please, please...let the heroes grow up a bit more in the subsequent books. I miss Nate, all of his amazing companions, and his adventures. It was the expectation of more of the former storytelling-to-come and the further development of the new characters that made this book worth while for this listener.

Overall 5 Stars

This book seems to kick off where the Helliquin series ended. Or has the series really ended? There are still some unanswered questions. What happened with Arthur, Gawain, Merlin, Herra and the rest? Did Merlin get his mind back? Did anyone finally kill Herra and that mash mob? Did Nate find his mom? Glad to see Chole, Tommy, Casey, Olivia, Remy, Diana and the mention of Elaine back in this one. Waiting for the next one. Would like a conclusion to the Helliquin series.

Good start to the story.

The narrator took a bit of getting used to and the story was a bit cookie cutter. How can you avoid the similarities to the usual template when creating a new character with new found powers? It's extremely difficult but Mr Mchugh did an ok job. I've read all the Hellequin books so I know what to expect from the author and I'm strapping in for the ride.
I know 3 stars might not seem like I would keep going with the next books but people forget that not every review for a good book needs to be 5 stars.

Awesome Start, middle and End!!!

Love the characters as well as story line. Perfect fit the Helliquin series. Thank you.

Brilliant

In the beginning I was concerned the main character wasn’t going to be tough enough. Then as things went along not only did Layla show her strength she also became even stronger than I expected.

I am so excited to have more Avalon stories to enjoy. Thanks to the author for another amazing story. Also kudos to the choice of narrator, great job all around.

Can’t wait for more!!

great job

I really enjoyed listening to the story. I drive over and hour one way too and from work.

Good to see the story continue

took a second to readjust to the new character Dynamics, but Elizabeth brings forth the humor and comradre I enjoyed in the Hellequin series. it was nice being reintroduced to old characters. still loving Remy and glad to see the return of banter between him and Diana.

very entertaining from the start

I was hooked from the very start. it was easy to follow listening to one chapter a night and one hour in the morning.

Continuing the ride

I loved the Hellequin series and this is a great spin off. There are a lot of returning characters who I loved - a smart mouthed fox being one - and some new ones who I am already attached to. I can’t wait for the next adventure.

Another great read from Steve McHugh

It was great to revisit some of the old characters. Nate was sorely missed, until the very endand, I hope he comes back in force soon. I found the Naration to be some what lacking in this book and not as good as the Helaquin saga hence the four stars. If you enjoyed the previous books then I'm sure you will enjoy this one.

Another Mchugh Spellbinder

After reading, and thoroughly enjoying the Hellequin series I was a little apprehensive going into this book on account I don't like change. I needn't have worried. Rip roaring Spellbinder had me hooked. I switched between audible and kindle without any problem and even found myself reading with the audible narrators voice in my head. Go figure.

Great intro to a new story line

I absolutely love this author, his previous series got me completely hooked and had such a fantastic narrator.

A glimmer of hope took me a little while to get into with a combination of both new and old characters it kept me interested and the second half of the book has made me eager for more.

I found the narrator a bit more wooden but by the end of the book I couldn’t imagine anyone else.

P.s What happened to Remie’s fowl mouth I think the most obscene thing he said was arse very un-Remie like

Great story, awful narrator.

I am so disappointed with this audiobook. I was really excited to move onto the Avalon Chronicals following the past Hellequin series but the narrator is awful. All the characters sound the same soft spoken wishy washy character and the accents are rubbish. Where is Tommy's strong Cockney accent? Why does Diana sound English? I have had to stop listening and just read instead which is a real shame as I have much less time to read than listen. I can't understand how this narrator was hired. Awful.

Good book

Our hero did do the me me me thing, I have to save the day. Which is fine but her inner struggle does ware after the 3rd or 4 th time. I refer to the daddy issues rather than the demon. Having said all that the story is entertaining, the action excellent and everyone gets a good beating, here here.

No where near as good as hellaquin or rebellion

The main character comes across as a whiny sod and is difficult to like. The narrator is ok but not brilliant but you really have to listen this set to het the best out of the rebellion chronicles.

Ruined by Narration

This is the first time I have given up on an audiobook, so really my mark for the actual story is unfair - I haven't heard all of it. It could be great - I'll have to buy the kindle version. Does the narrator realize that she is reading fantasy/thriller? She is reading as though it's Jane Austen. I have never heard such an inappropriate narrative voice. Very poor choice.

Good book but HORRIBLE narration

I listened to this book just because I liked the Hellequin Chronicles. I will continue to listen also just because I want to find out how things work out at the end. BUT Ms. Knowelden's narration is not up to audible's usual standard. And that is saying it mildly. She is BORING. She mispronounces names. Her sentence articulation is way off. Please do not let her read any more action filled books like these. She kills them.

Girl Power

Could have been slightly cheesy but wasn't! Enjoyed learning about the characters and engaged with them. Story had some elements which have been "done before" but enough fresh stuff to make it work well. Loved the narrator. Thank you.