Alternate

By: Christopher James Buxton

Narrated by: Mark Delgado

Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

Jimmy Ray leaves his ordinary life behind, and embarks on an expedition through a diversity of fascinating worlds, with his co-traveler Cia. Will he adapt and find the key to the multi-dimensional system to bring the lost traveler home?

Mr. Ray’s exploration transcends deeper as each dimension becomes more sinister. Can he connect to his alternate self to seek the help he needs to unlock the distant reaches of the multi-dimensional map!

Jimmy Ray is selected by a highly classified agency Alternate to help find a lost traveler, stuck in a lost dimension Komodonia for nine years. Stepping into the volatile world of an "Alternate" traveler, he must learn fast, thrown straight into the action as the search begins.

An exciting, fast-paced sci-fi thriller with a small dose of fantasy. An entertaining journey through alternate worlds across the multi-dimensional system. Together with fun, exciting, and relatable characters, there is the odd humor, emotion, and plenty of exploration. This book provides intense action, mystery, and creative realities. For those who like the idea of alternate dimensions, you’ll enjoy this one.

©2020 Christopher James Buxton (P)2020 Christopher James Buxton

Intrigue and Multiverse Adventure

Jimmy Ray, a seemingly ordinary man with an ordinary life, finds himself on an extraordinary adventure in Alternate: A Jimmy Ray Journey by Christopher James Buxton (narrated by Mark Delgado).

The story about an average man who is recruited to become a member of an organization that travels to other realities seemed typical. Jimmy Ray has always been average, but he learns that his DNA allows him to reality hop. Not only that, but his DNA is even more special.

The plot seemed like the typical average person is really the Chosen One trope. In fact, on the surface the story seemed to be quite average. But, it was the stuff below the surface that made Alternate interesting. For instance, why is Jimmy Ray's DNA so different? Is he an alien? Is he from another reality? Also, the boss of Alternate seems to be up to something. Everyone from Alternate co-workers to Jimmy say Martin is up to something. The story's narrator even mentions his odd behavior. But right when you think Martin is going to reveal his true nature, his odd behavior is explained away... at least until the next time.

Buxton does an excellent job of providing red herrings and leaving you questioning everything. You even begin questioning if the apparent bad guys are even bad guys; at one point they seem to be trying to help Jimmy and Cia.

I did, however, notice some problems with the audiobook recording. There were times when the narration repeated a couple words as if there had been a second take that wasn't edited out. But, Delgado’s expert narration made the small mistakes virtually unnoticeable. Delgado was great at voice acting; each character had their own voice and Delgado stuck with it.

Finally, Buxton’s descriptions of action and location made each scene feel alive.

It may take you a moment to warm-up to it, but Alternate: A Jimmy Ray Journey is an excellent story for fans of intrigue and multiverse adventure.