Blood Codex: A Jake Crowley Adventure

Jake Crowley Adventures, Book 1

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.

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.

The Chase Is On

I love David Wood’s Dane Maddock and Bones stories, so I was afraid this tale would not live up to their exploits. Blood Codex was a very good adventure story that takes you across Europe at a very fast pace. This is great escapist fiction that keeps you guessing.
Jonathan Waters is an excellent narrator.
I was given a free copy of the books in this series in exchange for the honest review.

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.

Blood Codex

I liked this book.It had a great storyline,but I found it very long and drawn out at times. It was actually boring in places.The characters were likable.Jonathan WInters was a fine narrator.I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.

An interesting take on Norse mythology...

It's my introduction to works by both David Wood and Alan Baxter, and it's a very enjoyable one.

The book uses Norse mythology and Viking rituals as the starting point of the plot, and then goes on a rollercoaster of adventures, with one exciting event after another. The pace is really fast, the main characters likeable, the villains... well, villaneous and a bit crazy:) There are some improbabilities and implausibilities in the storyline, but as the book has the feel of the Indiana Jones movies, they do not bother the reader/listener so much.

Narration by Mr Waters is very good. He brings all the characters to life effortlessly, keeps up with the pace of the story, adding excitement to it and making it almost a cinematic experience. Definitely a narrator worth coming back to.

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

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.

Great start!

Fantastic start to a series!

It’s always kind of hit or miss when starting a new series. Sometimes it gets boggled down by the world building. Sometime its a new author that hasn’t exactly found their place yet. But sometimes you stumble upon some great material and you’re glad you gave it a chance.

Another Exciting Jake Crowley Adventure!

A unique birthmark found only on a few people brings danger to museum curator, Rose Black. When she is attacked, fortunately Jake Crowley is able rescue her—this time. That begins a wild adventure searching for the reason why. What does the birthmark mean? Why are men determined to capture Rose? From underground passages to moving walls to giant statues the hunt will thrill. The historical side to the novel adds so much interest.

Entertaining characters, similar to the author’s other popular series, The Dane Maddock series, fans will love it. New readers won’t want to miss the beginning of Crowley’s adventures.

This audiobook was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review. You will find my complete review at Mystery Suspense Reviews.

Epic listen !

"You'll be enthralled by the gripping story, and you'll laugh out loud from the snarky interactions between Jake and Rose I hope this is the first of many Jake Crowley adventures."

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.

Hugely enjoyable action / adventure!

History teacher / retired SAS officer Jake Crowley becomes embroiled in an ongoing attempt to kidnap Rose Black by a sinister Nordic sect. While they try to evade capture, Jake and Rose must delve into ancient Norse legends which hold the secret to Rose’s distinctive birthmark. This hugely enjoyable action / adventure will appeal to anyone who loved Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code, it’s fast-paced, trawls through mystical artefacts and bloodlines, and there’s plenty of shoot outs and chases. Jake and Rose both have archeological knowledge and combat skills - there are no damsels in distress here! Audio narrator Jonathan Waters is exceptional, driving the action and flirting at full-throttle and handling the gamut of accents with aplomb as the story takes us across Britain and the European Continent.

Excy

I was given this free review copy at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Excellent story & amazing narration.

Codex

I did enjoy listening to Jonathan Waters, he did a brilliant job on the narration.

I found myself enjoying this book from the start. Our two main characters meet by chance in a museum . From this the two are taken around Europe, running, hiding from a group of killers for they know not what reason. Well written.

An excellent thriller with a well written story

A great listen. A chance meeting in a museum takes the two main characters around Europe, fleeing from a bunch of killers for they know not what reason. Well written and gripping, kept me listening when I shouldn't have been! The US narrator made a good attempt at an English accent, and kept the tension going. There were a few odd pauses and phrasing, and the giveaway in the pronunciation of a few town names. (Berwick is pronounced Berrick, not Ber-wick), but overall an excellent listen.

Fascinating unexpected storyline

Fascinating story taking the listener through unusual areas and events.
A good introduction to Jake Crowley and hope to hear more about him.
Narration was very good and a pleasure to listen to.