Flux

By: Kim Fielding

Narrated by: Joel Leslie

Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Ennek, the son of Praesidium's chief, has rescued Miner from a terrible fate: suspension in a dreamless frozen state called Stasis, the punishment for traitors. As the two men flee Praesidium by sea, their adventures are only beginning. Although they may be free from the tyranny of their homeland, new difficulties await them as Miner faces the continuing consequences of his slavery and Ennek struggles with controlling his newfound powers as a wizard. In this sequel to Stasis, the fugitives encounter challenges both human and magical as they explore new lands and their deepening relationship with each other.

©2011 Kim Fielding (P)2017 Kim Fielding

Part 2 gets our heroes into more trouble!

What did you love best about Flux?

This is part 2 of a trilogy. I enjoyed the first book, despite the terrible narration. The story gets our heroes into more dangerous situations as their love grows. Kim Fielding adds new characters and another country for our heroes to adventure into. The writing was very good and the story was intriguing, keeping my interest throughout. I can't wait for Book 3!

What did you like best about this story?

I really enjoyed the parts where Ennek and Miner stayed with a family in their new found land, despite the language barriers. The sweetness of the ladies who realized that Ennek and Miner were lovers and welcomed them into their homes, one of whom even paints a picture of the two of them holding each other that captures the beauty of their love. Also, we have Ennek's Wizard powers developing, but he is still connected to his mentor, Thelieus, despite Thelieus being in stasis. This allows him to tap into Theliues's powers. He is still kind of a loose cannon and does some bad things, but you'll have to listen to find out what those are! No spoilers!

What about Joel Leslie’s performance did you like?

Thank God for Joel Leslie taking over the narration! I hope he does part 3! Joel adds such depth and life to every book he has narrated. He is able to do just about any voice and any accent with a realism that is just right for that particular character. He becomes those characters.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I would have liked to, but too long! I have a one hour drive each way to work and back, so I listen in the car and get roughly two hours listened to per day, so most books are done in a week or so. I will also listen at home before bed for half an hour to an hour.

Any additional comments?

Since I don't know when Book 3 will be available on audio, I will add the next to my ebook collection so I can see where the story goes next. I can't wait that long until it's out on audio!

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

enjoyed it

📖 Story comment: good pace, likeable characters, interesting story.
Kim Fielding has a knack for detailed worldbuilding and well developed characters, add in Joel Leslie for the narration and I'm guaranteed hours of my senses and emotions being engaged while I'm transported into the lives of the characters.

Flux picks up where Stasis left off, so is best listened to in order. It held my interest from start to finish, there's always something going on - although I wouldn't call it "light and fluffy", there's torture, Pirates and multiple near death experiences. I enjoyed Ennek's "magical growth" and the time spent with others whose language they couldn't speak. These two are far stronger together than apart.

🎧 Narrator comment: Joel Leslie is one of my favorite narrators and he has done a stellar performance on Flux. I had no problem distinguishing characters and the rhythm, inflections and intonations all worked to bring the book to life. The multiple accents really work to enhance the "travel to foreign lands" adventure we're taken on.

📌 Where does it fall on my personal scale? 7.5
• 1 not my thing • 2 didn't like the narration • 3 didn't keep my attention • 4 was good, but once was enough • 5 enjoyed it • 6 will listen again if i'm in the mood for the narrator • 7 goes on the "re-listen" list [4⭐] • 8 kept me up past bed-time [4.5⭐] • 9 recommended to family/friends [4.75⭐] • 10 own it in multiple formats [5⭐] • 11 keep a copy with me at all times [5⭐]

Characters written to behave foolishly

This book has been frustrating because The main characters how is written to act loosely whenever they walk into a dangerous situation.

So dark and compelling - excellent!

Wow. Kim does not want to let these guys catch a break! Ok… That’s not true. She does. But she sure makes them work for it!

We left our guys escaping from Praesidium and poor Miner having to endure living on a boat while he’s terrified of water. Well, he sure overcomes that! As though it weren’t enough – all they’ve endured – in book two our poor MCs meet Pirates, evil slave masters and yet another evil magic user!

One thing that remains and, in fact, grows stronger, for these two – their love and respect for one another. That alone makes this an amazingly touching story to experience.

Audio:

Thank goodness for the narrator change! Joel Leslie brings this series to life! From an interesting, but maybe not quite so magical story (with the narration of book one) to a fairy tale full of captivating and enthralling characters. As fits with the “fairy tale” style, Ennek and Miner are given sort of British accents that absolutely suit them. Throughout their visits they encounter various peoples and Joel gives them their own unique accents to really bring home the “travel” and “exotic” nature of this part of the series. I LOVED the accent he chose for the evil magic user near the end – Akilina – it suited her perfectly!

This is ABSOLUTELY the best way to experience this story as it really adds some color to Kim’s dark tale.

This is absolutely a must for fans of book one, and this is a series that must be read in order.
4.5 of 5 stars overall

I just flat out enjoyed this audio.

Any additional comments?

I love that each of the titles to this series are so apropos to the content.

Told from Miner’s POV this time, the story is quite a whirlwind of all the things that happen to the two men: Pirates, another evil Wizard, a foolish King, a Slave Market, almost dying multiple times…

While this was interesting from Miner’s point of view, I missed having Ennek’s. I regretted that the interesting things that happened to Ennek were mostly off page with anecdotal recounting by Ennek later to Miner. Those were action moments I really wanted to read.

That’s not to say Miner’s adventures were minor, he does go through quite a lot, mostly getting captured, being hurt, and then being rescued by Ennek, but the reality is Miner continuously saved the day. He saves Ennek’s life, he prevents Ennek from embracing his inner Monster, he physically prevents Ennek from being trapped and used…just as in Stasis they both continue to save each other.

Joel Leslie does a terrific job with the narration here. His character voices, timing, pacing, and emotion are all fantastic.

I just flat out enjoyed this audio.

Once again, this is a low steam book with a cliffhanger ending. Yet it’s not the kind that leaves you angry, and remember, the final book Equipoise has already been released.

I’m looking forward to seeing what happens to Ennek and Miner next.

Loved it

So good I loved it better that the first. I love Joel Leslie performance .