Awakened

A Novel

By: James S. Murray, Darren Wearmouth

Narrated by: James S. Murray

Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

The star of truTV’s hit show Impractical Jokers - alongside veteran sci-fi and horror writer Darren Wearmouth - delivers a chilling and wickedly fun supernatural novel in the vein of The Strain, in which a beautiful new subway line in New York City unearths an ancient dark horror that threatens the city’s utter destruction and the balance of civilization itself.

After years of waiting, New York's newest subway line is finally ready, an express train that connects the city with the burgeoning communities across the Hudson River. The shining jewel of this state-of-the-art line is a breathtaking visitors’ pavilion beneath the river. Major dignitaries, including New York City’s Mayor and the President of the United States, are in attendance for the inaugural run, as the first train slowly pulls in.

Under the station’s bright ceiling lights, the shiny silver cars gleam. But as the train comes closer into view, a far different scene becomes visible.

All the train’s cars are empty. 

All the cars’ interiors are drenched in blood.

As chaos descends, all those in the pavilion scramble to get out. But the horror is only beginning. High levels of deadly methane fill the tunnels. The structure begins to flood. For those who don’t drown, choke or spark an explosion, another terrifying danger awaits - the thing that killed all those people on the train. It’s out there...and it’s coming.

There's something living beneath New York City, and it's not happy we've woken it up.

©2018 James S. Murray (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Good, but narrator talks really fast

This is a great story, but the author/narrator talks too fast sometimes. I get the feeling he is is trying to set a suspenseful mood for very tense scenes, but he doesn't realize that since readers don't yet know the story as well as he does as the author, those parts can be a little hard to follow. It also makes things sound a bit manic at times. He has a very nice narrating voice, but the speed detracted somewhat from the experience for me.

Of course, if you routinely listen to books on higher speeds, then I think this will be perfectly fine for you.

I will read the next one by this author--and maybe even listen to it--but I hope he slows down.

Did we listen to the same book?

All these 4-5 star reviews makes me think we didn't listen to the same book. Then I saw the other reviews that matched my thoughts. The writing was okay and an interesting story but the narration was annoying. Every single sentence was emphasized. There was no "conversational tone" and just didn't flow. I may have enjoyed this book more if I read it to myself. Like others said, cliche and predictable. I half listened (annoyed by constant screaming narrator) and couldn't wait for it to end. That being said, I'd try another book from the author - but not the same narrator, please.

Save your credits

I powered my way through listening to this thing to the bitter end so you won't have to. Spoiler alert: it's bad. Very bad. If it were a movie, it'd be The Beast of Yucca Flats bad. I wasted a credit on it. I could have stopped part way through and gotten a refund, but I wanted to write an honest review so that all you people wouldn't waste your credits and time on it. You're welcome.

crap fest story

this almost seems good but quickly falls off the rails. the characters are bland, boring, and stupid, the situation is just banal, and the entire thing just drags along. this turd belongs burried underground with its lame ass monsters.

Stick with it...

I love Impractical Jokers - so that is what brought me here. I will admit that in the beginning, I had to listen to this book at a slower speed because I couldn't handle how fast Murr was reading. Not to mention, he is not as eloquent a speaker as I am used to hearing on audible. However all of that aside, and after a slow start, I found myself on edge and ready to hear more. I have now downloaded the second book in the series and can't wait to hear it!

Author is an actor, please act

I'm going to buy the hard copy and read it myself but had to stop because, even though I love Murray from Impractical Jokers, he doesn't bring any life to his characters that he created. If someone is female offer French, change your tone/accent at least a bit. There was zero inflection. I was enjoying the story so I will get the book and read it myself, doing my own accents.

Bonkers

In the best way possible, it's really two books in one. Pleasantly discovered I had 5 hours left when I glanced down to see how many minutes were left.

It throws you around a bit like Die Hard with a Vengeance... but with monsters.

I really wanted to like this, Murr....

James Murray obviously tried to create something exciting here, and while it isn't terrible for a first novel, I have to wonder if it would've been published had he not already been a celebrity.
The characters and the story itself are all versions of things that had been done many times before. I tried to get into it, but I found myself losing focus constantly.
Murr's narration seems to echo my sentiment. He reads so fast it's as if he is also bored and just wants to get through it. He also sounds like the episode of Impractical Jokers when he gets all the novacaine... he stumbles over words and sounds like he has way too much spit in his mouth. Not to mention most of the characters have the same voice, which makes the whole presentation flat.
He probably has a chance at improving his writing and adding depth to his characters, but he should get someone else to do the narration, or at least swallow the soup in his mouth before reading.

decent

the story is pretty cliche. all the tropes we've seen before. Murray needs a bit more practice on his narration also. learn when to emphasize and speak without breaks and pauses.

Great Book

I love creature horror in all mediums. This book most definitely delivered. It was pretty original and kept me interested. It's a long way from Impractical jokers for James Murray but he did a great job! I look forward to hearing/reading more.

Did Not Work For Me At All

Why do some authors think they can narrate their own books? The narrator here, one half of the authors, hams it up for all its worth. There's no line that he can't William Shatner, no pause he can't impregnate, I'll give him props for the energy, he certainly goes for it. But, it all merges into one ear-numbing monotone.
Some of the story is interesting - certainly the opening couple of chapters lead you into thinking that there's an actual plot ahead. But then you hit the rest of the book and realise that you've gone past the best part. Such a shame. I really wanted to like this, diving into a switch off, entertaining action story. Sadly, this was not that for me. Your mileage may vary and I hope it does.

Gripping read! (and listen)

If you're looking for a gripping read, look no further! It will have you hooked from start to finish. By the end you will have your questions answered and will leave you asking more! It's scary, it's gruesome, it's awesome! Thankfully we don't have long to wait for book number 2! Cannot recommend highly enough. Enjoy!

Ok story poorly read

The story is fine and moves along at an ok pace with an interesting plot. However the author who is reading it gives no gravitas or dramatic effect.
A shame. I returned this after one listen

fun but forgettable

entertaining but nothing new that hasn't been done better by other people . starts good but quickly becomes predictable.

Good premise but falls flat.

The premise was interesting but the narration was comically bad, especially the french character.

Kinda basic… but entertaining

The premise is good and had me really excited since I have a weakness for creative books.
There were some things that stood out to me. One thing is the one dimensional dialogue and reaction patterns. The narrator gives his best but it comes across as whiny, overdramatic and unwillingly (especially with the french dialect) comedic.

There are some good things In this book also. The premise, the little mysteries and the fact that it tries so hard makes the cringy parts more digestible.

Hooked

Usually struggle to keep listening, but I couldn't stop! Awesome story and listen!
Thanks James!

Great book

loved it. I just wanted to keep listening to it. very good narration by James Murray. can't wait for the sequel

A Cocktail of Monster Mayhem

A heady monster blend with a splash of disaster classics and a twist of X-Files-esque paranoia to taste and served with a slice of Aliens on the rim.
With so many nods to so many influences in movies and literature it's amazing James Murray hasn't developed a crick in his neck though, as a fellow fan of such genres as Murr clearly is, I appreciate the familiarity of the tale with a distinct Big Apple flavour throughout.
It's not original but its engrossing, fun and leaves you eager for another sip.

WORST NARRATION EVER...

This book dissapoints on every level but mostly, especially, in the narration. The narrator (one of the authors), reads everything in this truly annoying cheery tone whether it's a character telling a joke or someoe being eviscirated bloodily, it is told in the same happy sing-song lilt. He has no concept of punctuation or drama or timing or accents...indeed every single character, male or female, has the same voice...apart from the French character who is worse.

As for plot...derivative does not begin to describe it. The characters are cut from the purest cardboard, all are walking chiches, indeed the entire book is told and voiced in cliche after cliche.

I regret wasting my credit on this.