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

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.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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."

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Very enjoyable story

This is the first novel by David Wood & Alan Baxter I have listened to and I found it very enjoyable. They write an action filled story full of adventure that takes Jake & Rose thru a number of life threatening challenges. The story develops at a very quick pace and it keeps you engaged in the book. Jonathan Waters does a very good job in the narration.

"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

Good Historical Adventure Mix

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have not read any books by David Wood so I do not have any of his prior works to compare this to as some other reviewers did. However, as a first time reader, I felt this was a really good adventure story with history and Norse Mythology thrown in. It did remind me of Dan Brown's "The DaVinci Code."

The main characters, Jake Crowley, a history teacher, and Rose Black, a museum guide, travel throughout Europe in search of historical clues to puzzle out why some men are trying to kidnap Rose. While you might say how would a history teacher and a museum guide have the wherewithal to travel and to stay one step ahead of the bad guys? Well, Jake is not just a history teacher, he is former military with specialized training. Rose has contacts everywhere who provide assistance and she is no slouch in the combat department. As for money for this adventure - unclear. But, in these types of books, you have to believe that the main characters will always be equipped with all they need to be successful in the adventure and just enjoy the ride.

I really enjoyed the historical and Norse mythology aspects of this book. The two main characters, Jake and Rose, are empathetic and at times humorous. They work well together. Although it seems that Jake is a lot more enamored of Rose than vice versa, I am guessing so that there is some basis for why he puts his life on the line for someone he just met. Putting that aside, I found the story moved along at a good pace and there were some good twists along the way.

The narrator, Jonathan Waters, did a great job conveying the lighter moments as well as the tensioned filled moments of the story through his vocal intonations. He did use different character voices and it was easy to understand who was speaking. I found his voice very pleasant.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Dane Maddock Fan Liked Jake Crowley

I'm a David Wood fan, I love the Dane Maddock (and of course Bones) books. I got into this story too. I'll listen to the next book. Like Kafer in the Maddock narration, Waters does a great job with this book. Crowley is a different character than Maddock but Maddock fans will like these.

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

Great start to a series

I really, and I mean, really love it when the female lead has some moxie. That's the case here. Rose is in the crosshairs of some bad dudes and though it's Jake Crowley to the rescue, Rose doesn't just wilt.

Jake Crowley was as good/bad as they come. I really liked him. He wore his heroism like a badge (which was a good thing!!)

I loved the narration! This was my first Jonathan Waters narration and he delivered. I am so looking forward to book two.

1 of 1 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

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.