Edge of Darkness

Alpha Core Trilogy, Book 1

By: Vikki Romano

Narrated by: Shawn Compton

Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's Summary

In 2065, corporate sponsored governments jockey for supremacy in the biotechnical arena. Bullets and missiles take a back seat to cyber-enhanced soldiers and pulse weapons. In this extreme environment, only the most hardened body and mind can survive.

Calder McKenna was a failed experiment in the military's push for power. Now a special agent for the metro task force, he lives day by day trying to forget the ones that were lost, the ones that he could have saved.

When technology and humanity collide, Calder is forced to make desperate decisions, but how do you destroy the monster without becoming one yourself?

©2016 Vikki Romano (P)2016 Vikki Romano

Edge of darkness

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was great from start to finish! Calder gripped me from the very first page till the last chapter . Sierra has balls of steel and made me admire her.

I received a review copy courtesy of Audiobook boom.

(Vulgar) romance... set in the future

Story: 1 out of 5 stars
Narration: 4.5 out of 5 stars

I've sat down a few times to write my review on this book. There are some parts of it that just completely rubbed me the wrong way. The intro (first few minutes) felt completely unnecessary. I'm a guy, but hearing about a guy needing to (I'm not even going to write it here for fear of Amazon's review policies) in the first minute of a Science Fiction novel really threw me for a loop. Another issue that I had with this is the absolute vulgarity of it. I curse... a lot in my everyday life. And there are definitely books where swearing and cursing are completely fine (I've read some post-apocalyptic novels where it just worked). But, there was something about the tone of this book that the cursing didn't seem to match.

The story itself was semi-interesting, though a lot more of it focused on romance than I'm comfortable with. After I finished it, I ended up looking at other reviews and I notice a few commonalities. The reviews were all from readers who aren't normally into science fiction. Well, if you're into romance this book is for you. Also, if you're into books where the main character curses for no apparent reason, this book is definitely for you. If you're looking for a science fiction book with a great plotline and good character development -- there are other books out there for you.

I ended up not being able to finish it. If I had read this book on my own, I might have only read 20 pages before I gave up. But since I was listening to it, I gave it more than a fair chance. Shawn Compton was the only reason I almost finished this book. I enjoyed his narration so much, I'm having a hard time rating this book. The book itself, in my opinion, was only 1-2 stars. But Compton's narration is easily a 4 or a 5.

I should have known by the cover of it that this wasn't going to be for me, but I let myself get sucked in by a well-written synopsis.

I think the most frustrating part is that the book still sounds good to me. I just took a moment and re-read the synopsis and I would pick it up again. But I just couldn't get into it. I think if the book was focused more on what was written in the synopsis and less on the main characters sex drive it would have been a hit.

I genuinely feel terrible writing reviews like this, but sometimes a book just hits a nerve at the right (or wrong) time. I wish the author nothing but the best of luck, and I hope that she see's continued support from non-sci-fi fans.

I was given a free copy of this book. This has not affected my review in any way.

If you enjoyed my review, please vote for it! If you want to see more reviews like this, please check out BriansBookBlog DOT com.

Really good book

I loved Sierra and Calder. And it was refreshing to read a female lead who isn’t a pushover and wasn’t ugly about it. The narrators performance was really good as well. This is the first book for me by this author but it won’t be my last.

Great story. Glad I read it

I really enjoyed this book. This isn’t the type of science fiction book I usually read. However after reading this book one I’m going to finish the trilogy. I thought I had a great mix of adventure action and romance. Characters were deep and you felt like you knew them

Recommend this series. Can’t wait to read next one. Already downloaded book two and ready to read it

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

Tons of action

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, It was good all the way thru the book

What was one of the most memorable moments of Edge of Darkness?

When Calder and Sierra finally get together

What about Shawn Compton’s performance did you like?

Did a great job on the narration

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

It all was good

Any additional comments?

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

I am ready for the next one!

the narrator's voice was crisp and clean like I imagine the soldier. I didn't want it to end. ready to hear the second book!!

Edge of Darkness

Any additional comments?

Really good start to a series. Interesting, engaging and entertaining. It took me a bit to really get into the story, but once it gets going it's pretty fast paced and keeps you glued until the end.

Corruption, modified soldiers, tech, underlying hints of future romance, PTSD, abusive boyfriend and much more all woven into a story full of action, intrigue and suspense. Interesting and creative the world the author has created.

Good interesting cast of characters. Especially Calder of coarse. Who doesn't want a hot alpha male bad*ss as the lead in their story.

Shawn Compton did a good job with the narration. Pleasant voice. Clearly spoken. Nice even pace. Good character voices. His female character voices were good. He didn't try to do a high falsetto for the female characters( I hate that) just a softer tone, which was great. Overall, an enjoyable listen.

Looking forward to listening to the next installment in the series.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher.

Tons of action!

Would you consider the audio edition of Edge of Darkness to be better than the print version?

I did buy the ebook, but I have not read it yet, though I did receive this audiobook for free in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The books starts out with actions and remains fairly fast paced! I loved the use of tech in the book. It kind of reminded me of Deus Ex.

What does Shawn Compton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I think a good narrator can make a book better or worse based on their performance. Shawn has a good voice and decent range. I thought his pacing was good also.

This novel has everything that you could want in a book in it.

This is a fast paced exciting book that is plum full of action from beginning to end. Although it has lots of action it also touches on so many other aspects that range in diversity from domestic violence to P T S D. It even has a little romance thrown in for good measure. I would recommend this book to anyone. I was voluntarily provided this review copy by the publisher author or narrator

Exciting intro that left me wanting more!

What did you love best about Edge of Darkness?

Pretty much everything. The plot flows quickly and determinedly from one event to the next. The characters are dynamic and easy to relate to. There is a great balance of action, detective work, and personal events. The narrator "puts on and wears" the characters and fades into the story, letting the book shine.

What did you like best about this story?

All of the technology that Calder has at his disposal is really the star of the show. The augments define his character right from the get-go, and continue to influence events in the story all throughout the book. My favorite scene was his "activation" when he finally assumes complete control of them.

What does Shawn Compton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

In a word? Everything. He has the ability to fade into the story and let the book shine, which I always say is the hallmark of a truly talented narrator.

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

Towards the end of the book, when Calder and Sierra grow closer and finally bond (trying not to spoil any of the plot here) does a great job bringing an anticipated plot arc to a close and also setting up the next book.

Any additional comments?

This book was provided to me free of charge in exchange for an honest, unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

"No intimacy, no longing, just lust and relief"

Any additional comments?

Before, as a soldier and, especially, as one in Special Ops. Calder learned to reject any thought of personal commitment - other than friendship's loyalties. When a package arrives containing a data chip which interacts with and overrides the augmentation in his head leaving him other than himself, it is his police partner Sierra who first finds him, and later joins him in an attempt to bring down the corporation behind the experimentation.
The story is told from the points of view of both Calder and Sierra. A fast paced, science fiction adventure thriller, the author does not ignore character development as the lives of these two main protagonists, both physical and emotional, are slowly, often painfully, revealed as the book progresses. Shaun Compton effectively becomes the voice of them both as well as that of the lesser players, and his English accent for Agent.Gage is exemplary. He reads well, infusing the whole story with excitement.

Much to commend about this book which explores several issues of morality, personality and relationships in addition to that of cybernetic implants all within the confines of a good adventure story. And well narrated. My thanks to the right's holder for the gift of this book, via Audiobook Boom.