Carnage

By: Sandra R. Neeley

Narrated by: Loretta Rawlins

Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's Summary

Carnage is a Gargoyle. He's also volatile, dangerous, unpredictable, and lonely. One evening minding his own business at the edge of the sanctuary he calls home, he spies a female. A human female, and she's running headlong into his swamps, with no regard for her own safety. Then he sees the reason; three men, and they're hot on her trail, torches in hand, hell bent on catching her before she can get away. 

He watches as they get closer and closer to her, easily following her trail. Carnage makes a snap decision that changes both their lives forever; he drops out of a tree right behind her, slaps one clawed hand over her mouth to keep her from screaming, wraps her in his huge arms and goes right back to the treetops. He shelters her while the men traverse the ground below, unable to determine why her trail disappeared. 

Carnage admires this little female - she was brave to run into the swamps alone. There are many creatures lying in wait for just such a meal. But she no longer has to worry about that, because now she's his. He only hopes that she doesn't fear him too much once she gets a good look at his blue-grey skin, his fangs, and his horns. Because regardless of what she thinks, or the rules of his community - he's not giving her up. 

Contains mature themes.

©2018 Sandra R. Neeley (P)2019 Tantor

Whiny narrator, but I did enjoy the story

I enjoyed the story, but the narrator has a very whiny voice. I went on a purchased the 2nd book in the series because the story itself intrigued me. I always thought that Gargoyles turned into stone when the sun came out, so for this story to say otherwise was like Okay, I can dig it.

The female leads voice was very childlike which is possibly due to the reader having a very childlike voice. It was as if a high school aged person was reading the story. At times the book sounded as if she was simply "reading" it.
I did enjoy the story and am curious to see how Destroy's story pans out.

6 people found this helpful

I have been waiting for this!

I have seen this book on Kindle for so long now and every time it would come up in my recommended I would look at a couple reviews and it always intrigued me. I also attempted...every single time to type the title into Audible search after reading the reviews and was disappointed every time. I reallllly hoped Sandra R. Neeley was not one of the authors that wouldn't make her books available in audio format.
When I saw Carnage come up on my AUDIBLE recommended list I was thrilled and began listening immediately. This book didn't let me down. It was well worth the wait. Although I wish I didn't have to! :o
I love the characters. I love Carnage, Enthrall, and Destroy. I can't wait for book 2...I think it is Destroy. I don't want to give spoilers but will say this is, of course, a supernatural type of story but it is different than so many others. Sometimes I feel like everything is starting to sound the same. This book is a breath of fresh air!

4 people found this helpful

Kindergarten Presenter/Speaker

This book was hard for me to finish. First, the speaker enunciated every word to where I felt like I was back in kindergarten learning to read myself. The story was very wishy washy and very predictable. This book was rated as sexy... I must have fallen asleep because I didn't find this sexy at all. Did I miss it somewhere. Honestly the speaker and presentation was the worst. The story could have been told much better.

2 people found this helpful

NOT WHAT I EXPECTED

I thought this was going to be more in line of a dark fantasy/paranormal story, but it's not. It's more on the cutesy side. The female narrator is not good at all with male voices. They sound more like prepubescent boys. The narrator also sounds like she's reading to young children at a library. Not for me.

7 people found this helpful

Barely passable story, awful narration

Barely passable story, awful narration. Took me 4 tries to stay awake to the end of the book - real torturous session (don't know why I did especially since it wasn't worth the effort).

3 people found this helpful

Best I’ve read in years

What a fantastic discovery- I didn’t expect a lot, but as it turned out I absolutely loved everything about this book.
The story development was layered and beautifully written, flowing naturally and somehow realistically given that this is a fantasy world where unnatural things are happening.
The characters were the standout- it is so rare to find an author that can draw the reader in where you feel attached and connected to every character and what happens to them. The characters are all flawed, but you care about them and makes you like them better.
Somehow the whole story conveys an honesty and freshness that I haven’t experienced in a written in a long time. No cheap cliches or ridiculous trite tactics.
Wish there were more audio books by this author

1 person found this helpful

Beautiful: My Favorite Type of story

A lovely spin on beauty and the beast! I can’t wait to read what happens with Destroy. Please Ms. Neeley find it in your heart to continue stories of “Whispers in the Bayou. “ I absolutely loved “Enthrall”. And Carnage did not disappoint. I’m happy to have my own Carnage in my life which is why his story is so sweet. I cried tears of sadness then later pure tears of joy! For moments well spent, I escaped the realities of our world to visit Whispers.

After reading Enthrall, I wondered how in the world a Gargoyle and a human would create Sweet Lily. The love and passion between Carnage and Lily moved this story at a good pace. The loyalty and love of the friends in Whispers made this story riveting. I wonder if there will be future connections between Lore, Lily and/or the dragon tree?

The audible version is well spoken. Lovely voice and intonations. My goodness, this feature is helpful while I’m completing chores.

1 person found this helpful

Love! love ! love !

The sweetest love story ever! It makes me want my own Gargoyle like Carnage! I can't wait for the next story! I've already pre- ordered Destroy..

1 person found this helpful

Fairytales with names like Murder

I enjoyed this story that was a romance fully enveloped in fantasy. It was enjoyable and you get to like the Goyle. The speech was at times annoying but love seems past that.

1 person found this helpful

Loved

I loved this book when I read it and I still love it on Audible. I think the narrator does a fantastic job - especially for the first book of the series. I am excited to hear the books to come from this author!

1 person found this helpful

Carnage....♥︎

I do have a secret obsession when it comes to books like this and this book was well worth the listen.... It is different from your every day paranormal/fantasy book which was a nice surprise.. I have now listened to the first and second book in this series and can't wait for the next one...xx

Loved this book.

Great story. Can't wait for the next to see what happens to the others in the swamp.