Blood Codex: A Jake Crowley Adventure

By: David Wood, Alan Baxter

Narrated by: Jonathan Waters

Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's Summary

An ancient order.

A deadly conspiracy.

A race against time.

When Jake Crowley rescues Rose Black from assailants on the streets of London, the two find themselves embroiled in a mystery that could cost them their lives. People are dying, and all the victims have one thing in common with Rose: a birthmark in the shape of an eagle.

From beneath the streets of London, to castle dungeons, to the heart of Christendom and beyond, Jake and Rose must race to stay alive as they seek to unlock the secrets of the Blood Codex.

©2016 David Wood (P)2017 Adrenaline Press

A good writer and a very capable Narrator

If you could sum up Blood Codex: A Jake Crowley Adventure in three words, what would they be?

Very well done.

What other book might you compare Blood Codex: A Jake Crowley Adventure to and why?

N/A

Which scene was your favorite?

The two main characters escaping her apartment.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Love in Action.

Any additional comments?

The Author is talented and delivered an interesting story.

I received this book in return for an honest review...... as a result I tend to be very critical so as not to appear biased but this book including the performance was really worth the time.

Most people will find the book was worth the price or Credit.

33 of 33 people found this review helpful

Blend of adventure and a touch of mythical belief.

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

The prologue is in a time of warriors and kings of battle. I found I enjoyed Jonathan's narration of this from the first word. He voiced the two strong men with power and emotion that I believed them to be kings. When I started the book, I wondered if I'd listened to Jonathan Waters before as his name looked familiar but I don't think I have. I did enjoy listening to him here. He's someone I'll have to keep an eye out for. I love the different voice tones and personalities he brings to life! Even the teenage boy.

The POV's: Prologue, a king killed by invaders. Danny, Jake, and Rose. Even Margarete and a few others in short clips to show what's happening to others. We get most of the story from our main characters, but to complete the circle and explain things we get a few bonus views. This fills in the story where we need extra information.

I always enjoy adventures for the mystical unknown. This book takes Jake and Rose on an adventure they never thought to go on. They end up searching for the Devil's Bible. I did enjoy the journey. The rush to stay ahead of those looking for Rose. Then learning about the Devil's Bible and what they find. It's not the complete reason why the guys are after Rose, but it does back the reason. It sort of saves Rose's life as well.

I had a few small hiccups in the path. Do they have enough money to go on this adventure? They aren't using their credit cards or bank cards so they aren't tracked by those after Rose. And as for their professions...would they have the money to go traveling? Jake's a retired military man who's now a high school teacher. Rose is a historian at a museum. They seem to have no problems travelling freely though. And then the cell phone... a burner phone that's to have no tracking, and I assumed no connection to them. This is a small thing that feels an inconsistency for me, but I guess they would have downloaded their contacts to it so could call who they needed.

Those two small things aside, I enjoy how all they find and what's looking for them come together to complete each other. The information from two sides is like two pieces of a puzzle that fit together, filling in missing gaps and telling a whole story. Very cool.

Jake Crowley and Rose Black make a great team. And when Jake's friend Cameron joins them, he fits right in. This is a team I could see fighting side by side in the future. They have great contacts between them that can help find information they may need, Cameron filling these shoes as well as ready for a fight. Jake and Rose seem fearless and headstrong when it comes to a path they are to follow. They both fight for their lives, and seem to enjoy the touch of adrenaline that comes from the adventure.

I did enjoy the book and the adventure. I think there could be more to come with our characters (plus, it says book 1). I think there was a small thing with the "burner" cell phones they picked up that could lead to more in the future with the way this ended.

All in all, it was an enjoyable adventure. Always fun to hear the blend of adventure, thrilling, and a touch of mythical.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Another new co-authored series

This book just didn't have the spark that other David Wood books I've listen to have had. It was an interesting romp with unique places, but just not a typical David Wood book - which I presume is because it's a co-authored book. I'll give the next book a try to see if things improve. If not, I'll just wait for the next Maddock book to come out.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Has potential

The story is intriguing but I felt like I was reading a manuscript for an action adventure movie. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I do find that as a result of this I find it difficult to make a connection with the main characters as there is no deep character development.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Blood Codex

Overall, a good beginning of a series. It has a good mix of action and mystery with a little bit magic. I liked the narrator's performance. I received this audiobook for free through Audiobook Boom for my unbiased review.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A Pleasant Surprise

I went in to this story with modest expectations. I hadn’t heard of the authors nor the narrator. Both turned out to be adept at their respective crafts.
The story continues at a reasonable pace, and the main characters are well developed. The plot follows a reasonable path, considering the sci-fi elements that are included. The ending is a bit abrupt, however. The book finishes within 5 minutes of the climax, which is too quick for adequate/satisfactory resolution. I don’t want chapters of resolution, but usually it is easy to get 10-15 minutes of listening.
Jonathan Waters has crisp intonation, and a consistent voice. His reading was pleasant to listen to, and his character voices and accents made sense and were fairly believable. He has a mild British accent, but does not sound pretentious.
I enjoyed this audiobook and would be happy to read and/or listen to the contributors in the future.

Note: I received this audiobook for free in exchange for an honest review.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great adventure story!

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

I thought this was a pretty good book. I liked the adventure and by play between Jake and Rose. The action was fast paced and the story was full of historic references. The narration was great, too, so I thought this was a well rounded and enjoyable book. I'll definitely look for more Jake Crowley action.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Jake and friends get caught up in the hunt for the codes. A must for all thriller fans. I received this audio book for free at my request and voluntarily reviewed.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Excellent experience

An excellent book in this genre, well written with strong lead characters, no wishy washy hero/heroines in Book 1. The bad guys are a little inept at kidnapping. The story is strong and fast paced - it keeps you turning pages (or what is the equivilent on an audio book) right to the final page.
Jonathon Waters does a fine job of narration, clear and concise, accents distinct yet perfectly understandable.He has an easy voice to listen too.

I received a copy of this audio book at my request and voluntarily leave this review.

I highly recommend this book, and look forward to more from these authors & narrator - book 2 will be on my list.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Riveting!

action-adventure, suspense, wry-humor, horror -----
What's not to love with a book vetted by David Wood? All the action/adventure you've come to expect, more suspense than you could hope for, and solid historical research, plus incredible plot twists and engaging characters. The publisher's blurb is a good teaser and there is no need for spoilers, but that can't begin to prepare you for the addictive nature of this read. Just give in and read it!
I requested and received a free review copy via AudioBookBOOM.
Jonathan Waters is outstanding in his narration: good voice quality, British accent enhances the characterization, and conveys the calm or urgency as needed.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Good mystery kept me listening

As I've said in other reviews I am an avid audiobook listener. I love all genre and I enjoy listening to a wide range of narrators.

I received a free copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review.

I've never read or listened to anything by these authors and this narrator but I would definitely be interested in seeing what other titles are available by all of them.

The story follows the same lines as books by Andy McDermott, Matthew Reilly, and several others I've read/listened to, which combine action with history and myths.

There is enough in the writing to keep your attention, the plotting and the characters are engaging and have enough back story to keep your interest. It stands well in its genre and I would be happy to listen to the next in the series if it is in audible.

If you like action and history this is definitely a book you would enjoy.