Brief as Lightning

Publisher's Summary

Avery Nolan promised six-year-old Bay one thing - she’d bring his father home to him. That, however, was harder to accomplish than she’d thought. When Bay is abducted by his grandfather and taken to the Greensward, Avery now has two people depending on her, but she’s unable to find a way into the illusive land and no one seems able to help. 

Until a visit to her mother provides her with a cryptic message, “Find the rainbow people.” Avery has no idea what this means, but ICE agent Graham Braddock does and he thinks he may have found a portal into the Greensward. 

Except nothing is ever that easy. 

Taeseus, the Lord of the Frostfell, is not a man to take lightly. And then there’s Avery’s father. As Taeseus warns, “I am a tame house-cat compared to your father. You’d do well to understand that when you threaten to unleash a dragon such as he.” 

At this point, Avery doesn’t care. She’s about to unleash the dragon.

©2015 ML Hamilton (P)2018 ML Hamilton

In a fantasy world meeting the parents is NOT good

Avery Nolan’s adventure to recover her lover and his son continues in this book as her and ICE special agent Graham Braddock. They know they must find a portal into the Greensward and rescue both Duncan and Bay from Taeseus, Lord of the Frostfell. After her mother provides her with a clue, both Braddock and Avery set off into the wild unknown in the dead of winter! Avery tangles with Taeseus where she’s ready to unleash the dragon.

There’s a love triangle of sorts – Braddock is falling for Avery, but Avery can only see Duncan. Bay breaks her heart when she sees how frightened he is of his grandfather, stoking the anger Avery barely holds in check. I feel for Braddock, especially after his decision.

The rainbow people are a hoot and one only has to wonder (ok, not really) what was in the water from Greensward that Avery gives the old dog and grandfather.

The story continues to move at a steady pace, new adventures each time for Avery, Braddock, Duncan and Bay. While each book has moved us closer to meeting Avery’s father … and we actually do this time …I cannot wait to see who wins the test of wills … father or daughter! My money is on Avery – there’s nothing more vicious than an angry woman who is protecting her home and family!

Well written, the plot moves forward in a satisfying manner. We’re given new insights into Braddock, the rainbow people, Duncan and the sisters! The characters are growing and changing with each book providing more comfortable and stronger connections. I cannot wait to see what Avery will be like once she comes fully into her own powers.

The dialog is realistic and smooth, including the aunts getting a cell phone! There are moments where laughter cannot be held back, there are times where the tears could flow easily and there are nail-biting, lip chewing times as well.

M.L. Hamilton has created a world that is both fascinating and riveting. Her narrator, Kelley Hazen once again performs the audio expertly and with a finesse that makes the listener fall into the story completely. She sounds just like I expect Avery Nolan would sound like if she were real. I cannot wait for the next book!

There were no issues with the production or quality of the audiobook.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author/narrator/publisher.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog.

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2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Will she finally find Duncan and Bay?

In the third installment of the series Avery, with agent Braddock's help, finally sets off to find the portal to Frostfell - and again not everything goes according to plan...

I liked this part of Avery's adventure as well as the previous ones when it comes to the plot, the pace of the tale, the twists and turns in the storyline... But at some point Avery started to irritate me - that's why I deducted one star from my rating for the story. What was the reason for my annoyance with her? Well, when you try to get a stranger to help you, you probably shouldn't blurt out "I'm not human" to them out of the blue or start talking about portals to other dimensions - they'd take you for a crazy lunatic for sure and call for some mental help, not go to the woods with you to look for standing stones. Avery's behaviour at that point struck me as a bit out of her character - true, she was emotional and acted faster than she thought in previous books, too, but she also kept her feet on the ground. Now I suddenly felt it was a bit too much and instead of coming out as brave and loyal she felt just downright stupid and immature... But - if you look for some justification for her behaviour - you may assume that she finally snapped as a result of living under pressure fo so long and then accept the whole thing as logical consequences of that breakdown... I didn't, I'm sorry - it just didn't work for me.

But other than that small fault in Avery's character I think the book is a great continuation of the first two parts. There's a lot of action, we meet new fantastic characters - the last of the Rainbow people - and as usual, we get a surprising ending to the adventure, being really the opening/teaser for the next book in the series...

The narration by Ms Hazen is very good; I especially like her voicing of all the kids in Avery's class:) And as usual, the pace is just right and emotions conveyed perfectly. It's a very good interpretation of an emotionally engaging story.

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

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great Book

Brief as Lightning (Avery Nolan #3) by M.L. Hamilton was a great read. After Duncan’s disappearance, Avery promised Bay that she would find his father. Little did she know Bay would go missing after his grandfather abducted him. Avery and Graham, the ICE agent, go looking for both Duncan and Bay. I loved reading this book and can’t wait to read the rest of this series.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Awesome Listen!!!

This is the third book in the series by ML Hamilton. It is a continuation and a standalone. Some questions are answered while others are not. The story is gripping with excellent narration that pulls one in. Its emotional and suspenseful, has endearing characters, unexpected twists, and extraordinary situations. I loved the vivid imagery and how Avery was able to complete her promise to Bey. Basil continues to be a wonderful part of the book too. Kelley Hazen put so much emotion into her performance that it was hard to pause for even a second. I love it when a book pulls me in so much.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

An Awesome Listen

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the narrator and found it very enjoyable. This is the third book in the series. Avery finally has the opportunity to keep the promise she made to Bay. With the help from her mother and an ICE agent she finds her way to the Greensward. She doesn't get the ending she wants though. The narration and story is so intense at times, you lose all sense of time while listening. Definitely looking forward to book four.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES

This is a great series that keeps you listening. Each book manages to take Avery in a whole new direction with a whole new set of obstacles. Her whole life is turned upside down in Book 2 and she is almost helpless to restore it to balance until an old friend reappears. Then a brand new attack must be made in order to save the people she loves. It's interesting to consider - and isn't that what adventures are about - an ordinary woman in extraordinary circumstances. I find myself wondering if I would react that way, how I would feel. I really like this is not a mindless shoot em up but at the same time I can give over and just enjoy the story and the in's and out's without working too hard. Looking forward to Number 4. I really appreciate the books are releasing quickly.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

The adventure continues.... and so do the laughs!

The Avery Nolan adventure continues.... but before anything else, if you haven't read or listened to the previous two books first, I recommend you do so. It is worth it. The books in this series are definitely connected.

I am addicted to Avery's story. The book is full of twists and turns, fabulously quirky characters, funny moments and adventure. In this book Avery is fighting to get back her new family from the Frostfeld. She seems surprisingly normal with her teaching career in a small community. Meanwhile she is struggling against magical "giants" from another dimension.

I thoroughly recommend this series. It is so easy to commit to the characters and the story. Additionally, Kelley Hazen really picks up on the subtle nuances and brings the story to life with her performance. This audiobook has your attention from start to finish!

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Wow

I really can't wait for the Forth book. I've listened the the first three back to back.