Awakened

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.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Surprisingly Great!!!

This is an amazing story! I didn't want to stop listening. Way to go Mur!!!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Bit trashy but otherwise ok

Buy it if you're like me and think "hey I've not listened to anything decent in a while"

Won't set your world on fire but, not bad all things considered

Story was never sure what is was

What started as a political drama, moved to a high stakes terrorist story, and back and forth again between personal drama with sprinkles of monsters and political espionage. I really wanted to like this book. I loved horror novels (as it is described to be) and I enjoy James Murray. Not only is the story just never sure of what is supposed to be, but the narration is distracting and un-even. There wasn't a payoff and in the end we were just left with an evil corporation that needs to be taken down. Quite a let down, really.

Exciting, but...

Dear James S. Murray,

Fun story, but Scott Brick you ain't. Don't read the next one.

I wanted to like this

I didn't get through this. Maybe the story is good. But Murr sucks as a narrator. I love him on Impractical Jokers. I think he is a great person. I just can't listen to him read this book.

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.

WOW Murr You are indeed Talented

Loved it. The story was fun and had good action. Being your own narrator made an already very good book even better.

don't bother. waste of time. poorly read.

I struggled on a daily basis to listen to this story. Murr should not have read this. he is not a good narrator. the the storyline itself was brutal and almost was cheesy to a severe flaw

Fast as a subway train

The is a fast pace thriller that spans 3 hours of courage , cowardice and creatures. What caused the subway cars to come into the station void of people but not their blood? Wait what was that movement back in the darkness of the tunnel and who are these people if they're not who they claim to be.
A lot of the books I listen to, once I'm through with go on the shelf and I'm able cleanse the palate you might say for the next. book. This one is clinging to me like a second skin I can't completely cast off.

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!