Awakened

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.

7 of 9 people found this review helpful

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.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Surprisingly Great!!!

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

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Torn to Ribbons

The author uses the phrase torn to ribbons 5 times...I feel there is another way to describe being torn apart, but I’m also not a writer so who knows?

Awakened

One thing that has to be clear is this is not the Strain.
If Guillermo del Toro novel is diamond this will be zirconia. Both shine but are not equal.
This is a good story but for my taste is in the generic side. Action is good but lacks the wow factor if you had read Joe ledger novels you know what I mean.
The characters except 1or 2 are not very likable .
More in the “ is dead ok next”.
The narration is good but that he need it to finish the book so he can go to somewhere else , darn at some points I feel exhausted just to hear him narrate like 3-4 pages in one breath.
Is a good book and I hope the story telling will improve as he growth as a writer. I going to get the next book and give him a second chance . It has potential. This story will be great as a SYFY miniseries.

The Best Book To Change My Mind

This was amazing! James delivers a powerful performance that will give you all the feels!

Amazing!

James Murray did an amazing job writing and reading the story! Can’t wait for the second book!

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

This book would make a great movie.
I loved that James Murray read his book.
Can't wait to read your second book.
I loved this book, awesome job Murr!

Good , but burdened by questionable story choices

I enjoyed it up until the conspiracy was unveiled, which overshadowed the monsters threat, and was both unnecessary, contrived, and distracting to me to the end. Seemed to be inserted in as a shortcut to explaining the monster's origin and set up a sequel.

Unbelievably Poor

Why do some authors think they can narrate their own books? It's incredibly arrogant and such an insult to actors who have trained to do the job. 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 put in the wrong place, no accent he can't attack and leave injured on the floor and no emphasis in the wrong... place... It's dire. I'll give him props for the energy, he certainly goes for it. But, it all merges into one ear-numbing monotone.
There's the plot, which borrows so heavily from 'Aliens' that I'm amazed James Cameron hasn't been in touch. Some of the story is interesting - certainly the opening couple of chapters lead you into thinking that there's an actual story ahead. But then you hit the rest of the book and realise that you've gone past the best part.
And then there's the writing itself. No subtlety, no character development beyond people shouting at each other, backgrounds shoe-horned in at the worst time and with prose that hits you over the head to tell you what you should think of the characters.
I love me some cheese and pulpiness, but it still has to be well written and read. And this ain't that.
Despite this review, I'm not a fan of bashing books, but I've struggled to find anything good to say here. Do yourselves a favour, avoid this like the lexical plague it is.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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!