Don't Fight the Spark: Soldiers and Mercenaries Story

By: Kasia Bacon

Narrated by: Michael Fox

As the Light Festival draws near, the Něssyrians craft paper lanterns, awaiting the most important holiday of the year. The Lyliňg Fighting House, too, prepares for celebration - by laying fresh sand onto the arena and setting up a match against their top pit fighter, the unrivalled Yüuzuki Ōren. His last match. One he can’t win.

With the odds more than stacked against him, the gorgeous Barbarian is as good as dead. Unless his lover, healer Ĥaiatto Ẽkana, proves himself every bit as determined as he is clever and finds a way to protect the man he’d stop at nothing to save.

©2019 Kasia Bacon (P)2019 Kasia Bacon

I’m intrigued for more!

I sort of read the premise on this, but mostly picked it based on length (I usually prefer audiobooks that are 6 hours or less), so I was planning on being surprised. Not having read any other of Kasia’s books, I was expecting to be a little lost but am glad it wasn’t the case. There was just enough information for me to understand the world and characters without detracting from the shorter storyline. I’m actually really impressed overall. In a limited amount of time, you get to really know who Ĥaiatto and Yüuzuki are at the core and I definitely got more invested in their outcome than I thought possible. Yes, it’s a very serious issue in [what seems like] a serious world, but Ĥaiatto is actually humorous in the book, in a bumbling sort of way that brings some light into the darker circumstances. Like I mentioned before, I’m not familiar with Kasia as an author, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that there’s a book out there about Master Revendi and Feninghan because I’m going to be all over that like white on rice! And just so any darker elements don’t turn people away completely—it *does* have an HEA (and fairly adequate man-on-man action). The narrator, Michael Fox, was also completely new to me and he was awesome. The different accents, pitches and intonations he did were completely on point. And that accent....*swoon*. Nice work, you two! I’ll be looking into more from both Kasia and Michael for sure.

Amazing tale of holding tight to love through all

I loved this story of a love that spanned hidden trysts, to fighting for their freedom, and breaking out into a new light! Kasia never fails to tell a heart pumping, blood boiling, tale of passion and sweet moments that wraps you up and takes you away into it's own wonderful world. Michael does an Amazing job of making you forget your listening to only one person too!! I loved this book and the whole series and highly recommend the ebooks as well!

The Desperation of True Love

Don't Fight the Spark was a delightful surprise. Ĥaiatto's determination and desperation to save his love, Yüu had me on the edge of my seat. I felt the unfairness of their situation so keenly, but the lengths Ĥaiatto went to protect the man he loved the most had me cheering and biting my nails. I really hope there will be more stories with both of them.

5 stars

Kasia Bacon has the ability to pull me completely into this world from the first word. She is able to pack a full story into a shorter amount of space and each scene, each sentence, is handled with great care. We get caught up on the background of both men quickly and fully with a few well-crafted sentences and learn how their love story started.

Everything works in this story, from the pacing, to the tension, to the intrigue of all the characters and the world they inhabit, as well as the title itself. Bacon is a fantastic fantasy writer that never fails to deliver and always leaves me wanting more. I now look forward to once again spending more time in this world.

Michael Fox is a new narrator to me and was an absolute pleasure to listen to. His voice captured the tone and feel of the characters and the setting and elevated a great story.

Interesting

This is the first book by this author for me. The storyline was different but interesting. The narrator did a good job making the characters interesting.

Good story. Great narration.

This was a romance with a sense of dark resignation, but a thread of hope, inspired by the main character's determination, keeps the story from feeling oppressive. The relationship between Haiatto, the MC, and Yuuzuki is tender and intense. The author does a nice job of building a connection between the two in a very few pages.

The story is short and action-packed with hints of future stories involving the cast of this book. Michael Fox has a lovely voice, and his performance was a great addition to the story.

Lovely gem with sharp edges and plenty of sparks

Both Kasia Bacon, the author, and Michael Fox, the narrator are new to me. When I started this story, my desire was just to try it out. The story, given that it’s a very short one, started strong and fast. Michael’s accent was lovely but I had to get my American ears adjust quickly to the British accent and once adjusted the rest was simply a wonderful experience.

One of our MCs, Yuu has been injuired and have been brought to Haiatto, the healer and our other MC, for quick recovery so that he can fight again very soon for what is likely to be his last match (as it will be to the death). We get to know both Yuu and Haiatto very quickly (and along with Haiatto feel very very sad for Yuu and what he’s gone through in his life so far) and get to experience their love for each other. Sparks fly!

As a listener/reader, you are really hoping for a miracle and if there’s a miracle for the lovers! And thus, we see how Haiatto sought to avert the doom that’s about to fall for them, hope for the best, and succeed.

Even though the story is brief, I admit I fell in love with them. The side characters add lovely color and background to the story. It’s a quick listen but very satisfying. Definitely makes me want to read the main series where this little gem is placed in.

Loved it!

I really enjoyed this story on my Kindle and had high expectations for the audiobook. Plus, I'm admittedly picky about audiobook narrators. I can't tell you how lovely it is to genuinely like Michael Fox's voice and characterizations! He brought some of my favorite characters to life--he's a natural. I'll definitely listen to more of his work.

Lovely short

Even if you think you hate short stories/novellas - check out Kasia Bacon’s work. Seriously, I cannot get over how she can make a 2 hour audio feel like a complete and whole story. Especially in a fictional universe with it’s own language, society, and history.

Note: While part of the Order Universe this can be read on its own. Honestly. There are names from other books mentioned, but nothing happens that eludes to other storylines/events.

Told entirely from healer Haiatto’s perspective - this is a beautiful story of a seemingly “weaker” mate doing what he can to save his warrior love. Yuu & Haiatto have such a deep love and respect for each other and the lengths they’ll go to in order to protect the other is so sweet.

Narration:
Michael Fox’s narration is lovely. He handles all of Bacon’s made-up names and words fluidly. It’s an easy listen.

good side story

the narration was lovely. the pacing was good as well as the clarity and tone of the story.

the story is very short but good and to the point. I would have liked it to be longer and it did leave me wanting more and I hope we get a story about the sad assassin/spark that was introduced at the end of the book. glad there was a happy ending.

a free copy was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.