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

not as good as expected

I heard this book was really good. I found it to be monotonous. Lack of plot line. I was bored.

The Best I Can Say Is Meh

This is one of those audiobooks you can walk away from to finish the laundry and not miss much... Formulaic “creature from the deep” adventure complete with monster-napped pregnant women and a shady secret organization in the background. Meh...

Intense and wonderful

I was so into this. I'm normally not a big "reviewer", but I felt compelled with this one.
1, I love and adore Murr. HUGE Impractical Joker fan. 2) his narration kept me enthralled and i felt the intensity of the story. 3) I was scared, I was sad, I was rooting on the good guys while my heart was racing. I loved this novel. 5☆s!!!!!

eh......had potential

I finished it....
Narration was not done well, maybe better to read myself. The story left some things unexplained. It had potential...

MURR!!!!

I love James Murray = Murr on the impractical jokers. I really enjoyed the book. It was like he really tried. Also it helped that he wrote the book with professional help, however it's a story we've kind of hear before - like other reviews say - it's just like "The Strain", like I am Legend, etc. etc. etc. It was action filled, and the research was good behind the subway system etc, but also it is sci-fi. The characters were interesting, but I feel like they could have had more. I guess it's a good book for his first effort. I would read another book by Murr, hopefully this would be a follow up or something totally different?!

Murr's narration was MURRTASTIC! yeah he has a new york or brooklyn accent what do you want! Plus how do you expect a ferrett to speak... MURR I love you!

Ok this review is totally partial because like I said - Murr! But if it was anyone else I would give it 2 stars.

Run!!!

Very gripping tale off survival under the streets of NY, with creatures around every corner.

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.

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!