City in Embers

Collector Series, Book 1

By: Stacey Marie Brown

Narrated by: Amy Landon

Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's Summary

Zoey Daniels has been tossed from foster home to foster home, where she grows up fast and tough. When she is placed in her "last chance" home, she finds a reason to stay and turn her life around: her foster sister, Lexie, who is paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair.

After high school, Zoey is hired by a special government agency, the Department of Molecular Genetics (DMG), where she meets the other reason to remain: Daniel, her coworker. The man she loves. But there is something unique about Zoey. She can see fae. Because of this, the DMG hires her to work as a Collector: catching, researching, testing, and using the fae to save human lives. The work never registers on her sympathy radar. She was raised to think of fae as beasts that feed on humans and want to destroy them.

When devastation hits Seattle, Zoey's whole world is turned upside down. The electric storm connects her to a ruthless fae, a Wanderer named Ryker, whose dealings expose them to even more trouble and danger. They embark on a journey, running and hiding from both the government and fae, both of which threaten their lives and those they love.

©2015 Stacey Marie Brown (P)2016 Tantor

Fastest Review Ever

Seriously. This book had me clenched in waiting most of the time. I have downloaded book 2 even before finishing book 1 because I knew it would be a cliffhanger type of read. First let’s talk about Zoe “HUMAN” as she was often called. Zoe has so many emotional issues, I almost feel like the book needs a break from the story and a fast forward through 6 months of her doing Yoga and Meditation to work through her problems. She is so hard on herself that is it unattractive. No man is encouraged by that. Now to Ryker, he has some real macho issues and lack of trust, even of his own feelings, it is annoying and I truly think he should move past them. So far the author has not revealed what or why he is a brut. Spider Monkey shed some light on the “Viking’s” ill manners, but I think they (bad manners) are unnecessary. BUT I LOVE THIS DYNAMIC! She has tried to do nice thing and show she cares often. I love the reluctant friend and hero complex he has with her. AND I CAN NOT WAIT until he gives in to his feelings. Book 2 better have something for me on that front or I am going to be seriously disappointment. Additionally, the plot of the gang members, while additional bad guys was nice, was a little over run. I do like how she came to terms a little with who she is after the fight club scene. That was a very needed nice touch from the author. This book was very engaging despite the high amount of personal monologue. I enjoyed it so much I have immediately begun book 2. Great job Stacey M Brown.

a totally enthralling budding romance

Zoey, a tough and independent young woman, who has learned to fight for herself growing up in various foster homes, is a Collector working for a secret part of the government called the Department of Molecular Genetics (DMG). Together with her co-worker Daniel, with whom Zoey is desperately in love although he is considerably older and hasn't been reciprocating her advances, they track and collect fae. However, when Seattle is devastated by a powerful, magical electrical storm, Zoey's entire life changes, as she finds herself thrown together with Ryker, who is a Wanderer, a merciless and intimidating fae. Ryker hates humans. Zoey catches fae. Not a promising basis for a functioning relationship that both of them suddenly have to rely on.

City in Embers started out a bit strange in the way the characters, their backgrounds, and the world around them were introduced. It sort of threw you into the action and then took a step back, which was confusing at first, but in hindsight, actually worked well with regards to the plot development. I knew I had to listen to the second book long before finishing this one. I became so enthralled with the characters, the dystopian setting (cleverly linked to the author's Darkness series), and the mystery surrounding the DMG, Daniel and Zoey. I loved Sprig, the talking, narcoleptic monkey fae! His obsession with honey, his love for his cuddly toy, and some of his remarks were just absolutely adorable and so funny. There is no insta-love in this and no love triangle. Instead, there is a totally enthralling budding romance with a lot of sexual tension. Age wise, I think this is New Adult material and should appeal to anybody who enjoys paranormal romances. I've previously listened to Stacey Marie Brown's Darkness series. If you enjoyed that series, you are bound to love this one, too.

The narration by Amy Landon was excellent. She was a very good fit for Zoey, and I was happy with her male voices, too. Good acting, in particular when voicing Sprig, without overdoing it. Nice pacing and delivery. There were no problems with the quality of the audio production.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author.

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

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Weak characters

What would have made City in Embers better?

If your main character is a former street fighter, and trained in combat... how is she CONSTANTLY getting her butt handed to her? I mean, pretty much, every foe she deals with gets the better of her. It is a little silly.
And enough with the mooning over someone she never even had an actual romantic relationship with!!
The characters of Daniel and Lexie were shallow and one note. A 12 year old was reduced into a self absorbed potty mouth and Daniel was a reserved over achiever- who, due to circumstances, should have "loved" her even more than he did.

What could Stacey Marie Brown have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Just have Zoe not be so.. whiny and unlikable.

What about Amy Landon’s performance did you like?

She does a great job voicing the characters.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Ryker

Ok, stick with this series.... It gets incredible.

What made the experience of listening to City in Embers the most enjoyable?

The story was good, and the narration was interesting. I got annoyed with Zoe at times, and SPRIG!!! always interrupting hot and steamy moments. That's why I gave this book four stars overall instead of five. I am usually not patient with authors that dangle romance the way Stacy does in this book, but I stuck with it and was rewarded in the second book in this series. This series is a realistic portrayal of a budding romance that takes time and doesn't happen overnight. You will love this book if you like an action and paranormal romance story to stretch out with the same characters over a series of books, and you don't mind waiting for the finger licking romance scenes to come.

What was one of the most memorable moments of City in Embers?

When Zoey jumps.

Have you listened to any of Amy Landon’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes! this one definitely doesn't disappoint!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Rhyker comes for her when she's in the ring.

Any additional comments?

Stick with the series, it gets better

Really great NA Urban Fantasy!

Overall Assessment:
Y’all. I am in love with this series. I’ve actually owned this audiobook for over a year because I bought it on impulse, but never got around to reading/listening to it. I’ve been reading a little more romance lately and wanted something that wasn’t quite YA, and not quite PNR either. I read the reviews on this one and it seemed to be a happy medium.

The description pretty much tells what the plot is without me having to further delve into it. Overall, the story moves quick. The audiobook is about 11 hours long and not once did I get bored. The first chapter draws you in as you meet our main protagonist, Zoey, and get introduced to her world.

About Zoey – she is tough, and not the kind of tough where the author just tells you about it, but you never see any evidence of it in the story. Zoey is not only a formidable fighter, but she also possesses a mental hardiness and resilience that she acquired from bouncing around foster homes the better part of her life.

And Ryker—sighs dreamily. He is described as a Viking, so naturally I just picture Ragnar from the TV show Vikings. Ryker starts out as kind of an asshole, but you can tell there is a squishy center under all the brooding. I know, this sounds like another case of the “bad guy becomes good” trope, but it is done really well. It’s a very slow transition for him, and he’s not quite a “good” guy, just complex.

The chemistry between Ryker and Zoey is great. It’s definitely going to turn into a romance in the following books, but it’s a verrrrryyyy slow burn. They pretty much bicker the majority of this book, but it’s laugh out loud funny at times. I found myself grinning like a fool several times while listening.

What I liked:
– Strong female protagonist!
– The build up to an epic romance between Zoey and Ryker.
– Sprig, the lovable little monkey sprite. There were times i wanted to ring his adorable little neck because of the “moments” he accidentally broke up, but he adds some extra comedy to a sometimes dark story.
– Brown does a great job at getting you attached very early to supporting characters. I won’t say anything else about that because of spoilers, but lets just say I may or may not have been crying by chapter 3.

What I didn’t like:
– I really can’t think of anything I didn’t like.

Final Thoughts:
– It ends on kind of a cliffhanger, but you learn a major plot development point right before the end. Plus the next book is already out, so quit complaining about it 😉

Wow!! Perfect Y.A. novel for mid 20s!

Went into this book blind and was blown away by the creative story! Had my feelings all jumbled with every chapter! Voice performance was top notch. Perfect "young adult" novel for mid to late 20s that doesn't feel like its written for 16 year olds.

Good Fae Entertainment

I definitely was eager to listen to this book daily. There was a lot of character development, but at times a bit monotonous. There was some nice sexual tension between the characters which I hope gets resolved in the second book, along with more magic use. Overall, a good read.

I LOVE this audiobook

I read the book and listened to the audio and fell in love all over again.

Amy Landon's Sprig is wonderful. Can't wait until the while series can be heard! Stacey's books belong here!!!!

*NOT A YOUTH BOOK!*

Don't usually read these types but it came up in a conversation about a similar genera I had mentioned liking. Lady stated her teen daughter had mentioned liking it...it is most definitely not a book for youth or younger teen girls due to language at the minimum. For the rest of us I was minimally impressed it was actually a good story and I'll finish the series.

Great story... Some scenes not for kids

Sometimes I wish that there was a content rating system for books, like we have for movies. This book is full of action and great characters but includes detailed intimacy. Just thought I would pass that on...

I love this series!!

This story is fast paced, thrilling and a definite must read/listen to. I love Sprig, he brings some light hearted humour at some really tense and inappropriate times 😊. Having read all of the books several times now it was a treat to listen to this book on audio. The narration is seamless and easy to listen to drawing you in from the very start of the book.

Hooked from the start!

Wow! Fast paced, character driven, all action adventure. Fantastically written. A real page turner! Bring on book 2

Addicting & Dynamic

If you read Savage Lands and wonder if her previous series are equally good, this one definitely is.
Also highly recommend it to all fans of paranormal romances. All 4 books are so fast paste, full of action and fighting. Plot twists and turns like crazy. I binged them all in 4 days!
Main couple is beautifully toxic and their slow burn have so much drama, I loved it!
Overall I had great time on this adventure.

Could have been a really good story

Writer failed to bring drama and intrigue to the storyline. Really wanted to connect to Zoey and Riker but couldn't not enough detail. If you are looking for a SMART, STRONG female led try sarah j mass or nalini singh books.