Bang

By: E.K. Blair

Narrated by: Elena Wolfe

Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's Summary

Bang is one of the most talked about books of 2014, quickly earning E.K. Blair acclaim for her ability to weave a dark, twisted tale of revenge that will keep you on the edge of your seat till the last word.

They say when you take revenge against another you lose a part of your innocence. But I'm not innocent. I haven't been for a very long time. My innocence was stolen from me. Taken was the life I was supposed to have. The soul I was born with. The ruby heart embedded in a life full of hopes and dreams. Gone. Vanished. I never even had a choice. I mourn that life. Mourn the what-ifs. Until now. I'm ready to take back what was always meant to be mine. But every plan has a fatal flaw. Sometimes it's the heart.

©2014 E.K. Blair (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Just one more reason to love this book!

What did you love best about Bang?

I have to be honest and tell you I read Bang when it came out last year! The book “rocked my world”. It’s one of the “go to” books when a friend asks me to “What should I read?” It’s also the book that most of my friends text me and say “What the f did you have me just read & when is the next book coming out?”.
I found this book to be one of my latest genres of books to read. It’s an erotica book but also a mystery/thriller book.
This book can’t be summed up in a few words. Disturbing, depressing, life changing, hopeless and twisted are just a few words that come to mind immediately.
I have been listening to audible books a little more recently. This past September I walked a 3 day, 60 mile walk for breast cancer. To prepare for the walk, well, I did a LOT of walking. This walking surely interfered with my reading. How to sold that problem? Get audible. It was my saving grace. Almost all of the books I have listened to I have already read. But honestly, the audible version gives me a slightly different reaction. I am a fast reader and I feel I miss quite a bit. So going back and listening to a book on audible makes it that much better. I couldn't agree more with the audible version of Bang!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Declan - he made me smile! The narrator - did a great Scottish accent, to make the read more believable.

Which character – as performed by Elena Wolfe – was your favorite?

Nina - The narrator did a wonderful job and she read with such passion that I could almost hear the tears as she spoke at times. It makes me want to read Echo (the next book) even more now!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely. Time just doesn't allow it!!

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

Not for the delicate of heart

First off let me start by saying that if you can not handle reading about abuse both physical and sexual then this is NOT the book for you. This includes child abuse as it makes up the main characters painful history and future angst.
With that said.... I found this book to be very intriguing and it kept me hooked and on the edge of my seat the whole time. I felt that there was a good mix of romance, angst and trepidation that unfolds throughout.
I don't want to give anything away to potential listeners. The book has some very dark and sad parts but it also has some heated (consensual adult) sex. The narration is great, the writing style flows for a easy listen. Worth the credit!

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Did that Just Happen?

I liked the story, a lot actually....right up until the end. It was a little Gone Girl, and a little Broken....but still original. But the ending? seriously? There are only one of two explanations for the ending because the lack of reconciliation of the drama is unacceptable.

A, the author could not figure out how to wrap up all the storylines and twists and turns. or B this is going to be another book cut into three pieces and three credits to get the entire story.

Either way I hate hate hate the ending. You had me at Hello, Lost me at Goodbye.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

One wild ride

LOVED IT! I loved the book so much I figured why not try out the audible. So glad I did it really brought the story to life. The narrator did a great job switching between female and male voices and gave Declan a sec Scottish slur. Now I seriously have a major book/audio book hangover..... Can't wait for the next in the series..... ECHO!!!!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

I forgot how much I loved this story

This Audio had everything I needed to keep my interest away from every day life and focus solely on it. The twist and turns were never ending. The narrator did a fabulous job of performing both the male and female characters. I forgot how much I enjoyed this serious. The audio only made it that much better. We all want to believe things like this don’t happen in the world, but we’ve heard the stories and the cruelty can not be denied. The heart breaking love and the ending had me in tears. I can’t wait to start the second audio. Elizabeth deserves and needs her second, perhaps third chance at love, true love.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

OMG! Bang went me heart!!

I can't recall ever listening to something so suspenseful and had me more on edge.

This isn't my first E K Blair rodeo but is certainly the most suspenseful. Elena Wolfe's narration was smooth and gave me everything! I felt as if I was listening to her tell me this as if she were being interrogated- smoke filled room and all. I purchased Echo before I was 1/2 finished.

I am saddened that Hush isn't available at this time but am keeping my fingers crossed it will be some time soon.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Love/Hate

Ends in a huge cliffhanger! No spoilers.

I both loved and hated this book! Not a light happy read! The child abuse was awful to get through! I still don't have a clear read on most of the characters. Lots of twists. I think things are not what they seem but that is only my guess. I just preordered the 3rd book and guess I'll actually have to READ that one because I can't wait for the audible version to be released.

I listen to books all the time and rarely give out 5's anymore. (I'm getting jaded) There are a couple of times that the plot seemed a little implausible but I didn't roll my eyes once. If you are looking for steam along with suspense and mystery....this is it!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Amazing! 5+ stars!

Amazing book. A must read that will stay with you. I could not put this book down once I started it. It's a dark story with unseen horror of what an abused child in the foster care system that is forgotten by everyone goes through and what that childhood does to her and how if affects every aspect of the person she grows up to be. Highly recommended!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

I was on the edge of my seat

Would you consider the audio edition of Bang to be better than the print version?

Haven't read it, but the performance was really good.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

The scenes with D were too violent and rape-like for me. It was more like sexual assault than a steamy sex scene.
Also why is a man peeing into a woman's vagina? Just why....?

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book is really disturbing - if the reader has a history of physical or sexual abuse, this book might be too much as it involves intense scenes of both multiple times.

Any additional comments?

Dark, disturbing, and a 'page turner' for sure - although I was listening through Audible. I am starting Echo now!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Great Suspense and Erotic Romance Novel-Must Read!

Would you listen to Bang again? Why?

Again and again! The story, plotline and fully developed characters make this a contemporary classic. Narrative performances are perfect.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Bang?

Unconscious visit to the caterpillar.

Which scene was your favorite?

Elizabeth locked in the closet with foster brother Piper staying outside the door to keep her company.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Nina having her wrist scars , gently kissed by the love of her life.

Any additional comments?

Lots of twists and turns. Very moving.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Astounding!

I've read the book and it's one of the best I've read. So it was easy to make this an audible selection. I put off listening initially because of its dark content but it's one of the best audible choices I've made.
Elena Wolfe does a fabulous job of narrating the story and her voice gives a human edge over reading the book.
if I could award gold stars they'd definitely be 5 big gold ones. Awesome story and I can't wait to get into the sequel now.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful