Empty Threat

The Black Pages, Book 1

By: Danny Bell

Narrated by: Whitton A. Frank

Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's Summary

Elana Black has the power to make herself fictional. But when she decides to start saving all the people in books and TV shows who die just for the sake of advancing the plot, she quickly learns that she's not the only one with her powers. All Elana wants to do is save people. But these others don't want the stories to change, and they'll do everything they can to stop her. If you had the power to change fate...to create a happy ending where there wasn't one before...would you do it if it meant risking your own?

©2017 Danny Bell (P)2017 Danny Bell

Like to get lost in stories? This book's a nod to you

I thought Whitton Frank's energetic, youthful, and engaging narration was a good match for author Danny Bell's quirky yet grounded (and delightfully flawed) protagonist. The world building of Empty Threat is a nod to book lovers. Are you an introvert who prefers books over people? Ok maybe you don't have to be that extreme... but do you get lost in a story, or ever imagine living with fictional people? Empty Threat takes an old sci-fi idea and gives it a new twist. The concept of jumping into books to save characters who normally die will make you really consider your own morality. What is right here? Preserving literary works, or using your powers to help others?

Can't wait for the next one!

This is a great start to a new series; and, a refreshingly new take on the genre. It's full of magic, action and adventure. Once you start, you won't be able to put it down! The narrator did an excellent job. There are numerous characters and each had a distinct voice.

I received a free review copy and voluntarily left this review.

A Unique,one of a kind novel - a must read!

Would you listen to Empty Threat again? Why?

Yep. They felt like my friends and the story had real depth

What other book might you compare Empty Threat to and why?

can think of any, really unique

Which character – as performed by Whitton A. Frank – was your favorite?

main character, Alana.

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

Right when we found out her talent. An endless opportunity of stories.

Any additional comments?

There's so many wonderful things to say about this novel I don't know where to start. The overall concept is brilliant, with an endless source of new exciting new worlds to explore, keeping the reader forever off balance. I must also add this is some of the best character development work I've ever seen. It might be because I read the audiobook and the voices of the narrator really bring the people alive. The main characters are so real you feel like you could pinch them, and the sinister ones - oh my! They make you skin crawl!

Never predictable, never dull, this a must read.

Interesting concept and pulls you into the story.

This took me a few chapters to get into the story. The introduction to Elana as our "hero" was slow and I wasn't quite sure where the story was going, or even if i liked Elana. But eventually i just kept wanting to know more and Elana's quirkiness really grew on me. It was a very different concept of magic and has a rich world that has near endless possibilities. Once i finished it I immediately started the second book because i needed to know what would happen to Elana and her friends. That is usually what I consider a good book, one that pulls me into the story and characters till i need to know what happens next.

P.S. The narrator Whitton A. Frank really nailed Elana's quirky spirit.

A Compelling Read for Everyone

Spoiler Warning: I tend to play fast and loose with book spoilers, but I try to keep things as vague as possible.

Have you ever wondered what happened to the miscellaneous characters in fiction? The buddy who dies just to prove how tough the bad guy is- the barber who gets robbed during a superhero's origin story. The various no-names who get devoured in the latest episodes of "The Walking Dead" while Rick Grimes gets to look sad about people dying under his watch?

Probably not. I certainly didn't, until I read this book, that is.

"Empty Threat" is a story that analyzes fiction through the lens of someone who is able to travel into fiction- Alanna Black. "Empty Threat" does a great job of looking at your typical fantasy novel- and offering a new perspective on things. Things that you would expect to happen, don't (no romance, whaaaaaat? Alanna is defined by her actions and not who she's in love with!?!?) and things that you wouldn't expect to happen, happen in extraordinary ways.

"Empty Threat" is certainly not a perfect book, but the novelty of it is so refereshing that it's good to see this sort of take on fantasy literature. I'm most definitely going to be looking forward to the sequel- and giving copies of this as presents to some of my friends and family.

Fun Story!

Creative and enjoyable story can't wait to see more from the author!

It's great to have a female protagonist and a relatable origin story.

Strong Females for the Win

Danny does a wonderful job of giving life to a relatable, strong, female main character, which is a breath of fresh air in a genre where men tend to lead. To anyone who's ever found themselves lost in a book, her adventures will seem like an all too possible occurrence, which some of us may wish we had but that is not without consequence.
The decision to nake the voice actor for the book female as well is lovely, and she does an excellent job of bringing life to the characters and scenes.

Original & Intriguing!!

Empty Threat was unlike any book I have read with fresh and new ideas. I was sucked in from the beginning to end and thorughly enjoyed watching Elana grow and learn about her powers. The narrator was was great with distinct and easy to understand charater voices. I look forward to more in this series and from this Author

When is fiction not really fiction?

Danny Bell weaves an interesting tale of a woman basically floating through life who has a special ability that she uses to escape. That ability comes back to haunt her when she learns that she is not truly unique in her ability, and she has broken many unwritten laws by using them.

Follow Elana Black through the fictional and real world as she learns what she is capable of and what kind of consequences her abilities can have on everything and everyone around her. This is a unique tale of magic, belief and worlds colliding. I for one cannot wait to read the next book in line. This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

You won't want to stop!

To start off, I normally don't listen to audiobooks because I have the attention span of a squirrel, and start to tune out the story. However, the moment Whitton started reading, I knew this would not be the case. Her voice is engaging, her inflections and accents are incredible, and she is exactly what I would imagine Elana's voice to sound like.

Empty Threat is written in a detailed, interesting, and at times, hilarious way to keep readers of all ages, from young adults to the elderly, invested an wanting (more like demanding) to know what happens next. I laughed, I cried, I almost punched a wall at one point. This story has it all.

Elana is an extremely easy to relate to, with quirks and flaws that most can identify with. Danny Bell's use of imagery, humor, and overall character development will leave every reader and listener wanting more.
I am SUPER excited to see where Elana's journey takes her, and how the world will react to the choices and decisions she will ultimately have to make.

Anything is possible with this series, and the sky is the limit. I can't WAIT for the next book!!!

Utterly Magical

Empty threat is a fantastical story about Elena Black who is able to put herself into books and movies and 'become' part of that world as it were. But when she tries to change the outcomes or the plotlines because she believes that the characters in the stories are actually not fictional but living their own real lives, things start to get messy and others don't want her to change the outcomes. Whitton's performance is fantastic, I love the clarity in her voice and I would certainly listen to more of her work. Fantastic job.

Fantastic. Was sad to finish.

Not normally my sort of thing but came highly recommended. Compelling listening that kept me up more than once. Very much enjoyed the narration of Whitton Frank and will be searching out her other work. Wonderfully read.