The Infernal Games

The Baku Trilogy, Book 1

By: Reed Logan Westgate

Narrated by: Zach NeSmith

Length: 14 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

What wouldn’t you do to save your soul?

Xlina’s move to Portland, Maine was supposed to be the start of a new life. A normal life. One that didn’t involve her magical-duty-obsessed druid father or her own legacy as a descendant of the Baku: an ancient creature that consumes nightmares.

But when the supposed social worker who pointed her toward Portland in the first place turns out to be not-so-human and puts a demon mark on Xlina’s soul, a normal life looks a lot less likely.

If she can survive what the demons have planned for her, maybe she can clean her soul. But to survive, she just might need to start listening to charismatic necromancer Oxivius, who wants her to embrace her power instead of running from it. And that’s a hell of a lot scarier than a demon mark could ever be.

©2020 Reed Logan Westgate (P)2022 Reed Logan Westgate

Essential Listening!

Westgate made the Urban Fantasy Genre, not something I usually seek out, accessible and interesting to me. He used a diverse group of characters to create a dysfunctional found family that will keep you coming back for more.

My only other foray into Urban Fantasy that I can recall was the Dresden Files, and I feel like this compares favorably to that series. A bit less self-serious with more tongue-in-cheek humor and heart than that series. The characters in this book are just more human and vulnerable than Harry Dresden and co.

The pacing was fast and kept the various obstacles and antagonists coming at our cast and it made me wonder how they could ever get out of these situations alive. The danger was there and you could tell the characters were always moments away from tragedy. This sort of pacing is clearly intentional and the sign of a well-crafted narrative.

Some of the trappings of this genre still aren’t my favorite things in the world: quipiness, detailed wardrobes, and other little nit-picky things, but Westgate makes them palatable. Besides, how can I worry about those things when the fate of Portland, Maine and more are on the line?

I encourage you to give this series a chance, even if you don’t like Urban Fantasy. I wouldn’t consider myself an Urban Fantasy convert, but I am a fan of what Westgate is putting out there!

On the fence.

The plot to this book was great and I felt like it had so much potential. The author created a fantastic world with amazing creatures, but....
It read like a man's fantasy of what women do at slumber parties. Xelina was clearly interested in Ox as well as Amber, however her inexperience with relationships held her back. Somehow this didn't stop her from becoming naked and intimate on some level with all three women that Xelina met throughout the story...but not Ox? She's clearly bi, but doesn't know it, and only gets physical with the women she meets. The whole thing was more than a little far fetched...like oops, all my clothes fell off, let's make out.
It also bothered me that there seemed to be several words repeated over and over throughout the story. I felt like if I heard the word maw one more time I'd scream. Switch it up...mouth, jaw, orifice, food hole, gullet...I could go on. Also, quip, that one was used a lot!
The narrator did a good job with the accents and bringing the characters to life, but the sound of heavy breathing and inhales detracted from the audible often.
Overall, the story was worth finishing for the awesome plot alone, but due to the ridiculous unnecessary and far fetched sexual scenarios Xelina continually finds herself in, I don't know if I'll read the rest of the series.

Captivating Story of Evil Monsters

Xlina was excited, she was escaping her overbearing, magic-focused Druid father and starting a new life. The social assigned to Xlina had a hidden agenda. An agenda that would spin Xlina down the rabbit hole. Xlina’s haunting nightmares are her weapon against evil and in her role as a Baku; she is a dark creature that consumes nightmares. Fold in Oxivius, a necromancer, and the clueless mean girl across the hall and you have a mix of characters that keep the action going.

The author Reed Logan Westgate creates a mystical world of creatures that are terrifying. Some of the evil is downright evil, while others use their evilness to right wrongs. The storyline flows well, each character's mannerisms are well detailed and clear. The situations created and the plot twists pushed the characters into situations that highlighted their weakness and strength within the story. The dialog was realistic and flowed smoothly between the characters. Westgate builds a connection between the characters and the listener. As a new author, Westgate delivers a captivating story.

The narrator, Zach NeSmith gives a solid performance that keeps the listener listening. The voices reflect the personality of each character well. He speaks clearly and keeps the story moving at a steady pace.
I highly recommend this book if you enjoy the supernatural and demons.

The production and quality of this audiobook were perfect. I encountered no issues; it was clear and crisp.

Disclaimer: This Audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.