H.A.L.F.: The Deep Beneath

By: Natalie Wright

Narrated by: Andrew Tell

Length: 8 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

H.A.L.F. 9 has taken his first breath of desert air and his first steps in the human world. Created to be a weapon, he proved too powerful for his makers, hidden from humans and sedated. H.A.L.F. 9 has escaped the underground lab he called home, and the sedation has worn off. He has never been more alive. More powerful. Or more deadly. 

Erika Holt longs to ride her motorcycle east until pavement gives way to shore. She bides her time until graduation when she'll escape the trailer she shares with her alcoholic mother and memories of her dead father. But a typical night in the desert with friends thrusts Erika into a situation more dangerous than she ever imagined. 

Circumstances push the two together, and each must make a fateful choice. Will Erika help H.A.L.F. 9 despite her "don't get involved" rule? And will H.A.L.F. 9 let Erika live even though he was trained to kill? 

The two may need to forget their rules and training if either is to survive the dangers of the deep beneath them. 

©2015 Natalie Wright (P)2015 Natalie Wright

Got it for free, but a little in love

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

Yes. The book is perfect escapism. I was engaged from the start, and at no point was I jarred by an inconsistency.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I think the first alien hybrid was named nine and the one after was named ten. I enjoyed ten the most. Nine was a bit soft, and the "people people" were okay. Secretly, I want ten to turn into a Deadpool like character. Be all badass, working for number one, and unapologetic about it all.

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

His reading voice is deep, and without accent. I like this because I was listening to the book at 2X and above. At those speeds he came out clearly, and I followed along nicely.

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

No - who has time for that?

Any additional comments?

Well I have to be honest and say: This audio book was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com. But, that said, I enjoyed every minute. To escape the more painful realities of life I have consumed a fair number of books. Mostly fiction. In particular, Science Fiction. So I am a bit of a junky connoisseur. While I listened to this audio book I was not putting milk and yogurt away for minimum wage, but rather running around a desert with this predictable but fun lot of characters.

Book 1 down... on to Book 2!!! Yes its that Good!

I enjoyed this new YA series so much that I went right to book two when this one finished. I just had to know what was next. Not only did I fall in love with the main characters but love how each character has a storyline that is written in and enjoyed following them all. A lot of times when a book jumps around from character to character I get lost... but the between the way it is written and the narrator... LOVED IT!

"I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the publisher/ author but voluntarily give my honest review."

Okay

BOOK REVIEW.....
Young adult fiction is not normally on my to read and review list however, this sounded good, But this book was only just okay to me. Wright has crafted an intriguing tale with characters that were interesting. It's just the story itself that fell flat to me.

AUDIO REVIEW......
I found the narrator to be good at reading the book as well as giving the characters life and voice.

"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com".
L.

Really Great Listen!

Narration - Andrew Tell - Really Good
I honestly can't say much about his narration. He was such a good story teller, that I didn't notice his narration (which is the mark of a great narrator). Great voice, good pace, no annoying character voices, it all was just a smoothly told story. Very nice!

The book was really interesting. I don't read/listen to much Psy-Fi, but I really enjoyed this book.
HALF.9 is a hybrid human/alien who escapes from the underground environment where he's been kept for the past 17 years. He runs into three teenagers out in the desert and rescues them from some pretty bad guys then rescues them again from one of his creators and their adventure begins.

The book has POV chapters all told in third person AND it ends on a cliffy!

Really Great Listen!

I was given this audiobook free of charge from audiobookblast in exchange for an unbiased review

An Amazing New Young Adult Series

* I received a free copy of this audiobook from AudioBookBlast in exchange for an honest review.

H.A.L.F. 9 has finally escaped his lifelong cell and has breathed in the desert air for the first time. He was created as a weapon, but he exceeded his creator's wildest imaginings of his power and has spent his entire 17 years of life sedated and hidden away from humans.

But now that H.A.L.F. 9 has escaped the underground lab and the sedation has worn off, he realizes just what he has been missing and just how powerful he really is.

Erika Holt can't wait to graduate high school and get the heck out of her small hometown. Ever since her beloved father died when Erika was only twelve years old, it had been up to Erika to take care of her alcoholic mother. She is sick of it and upon graduation she plans to hop on her motorcycle and drive as far East as it is possible to go.

Erika does not drink alcohol. She knows that most of the high school seniors do, but living with an alcoholic has put her off alcohol for good. She was supposed to attend a party with her best friends: Ian and Jack, but Erika convinces them to head out into the desert instead.

Erika had no idea that deciding to head into the desert on that particular night would end up changing her life forever.

Erika and H.A.L.F. 9 have a fateful run-in in the desert and somehow their fates and their very lives end up inextricably linked together.

This audiobook is a terrific Young Adult tale. It is the first book in a series.

H.A.L.F. 9 is a terrific character. The author could have taken him in any direction she wanted. She writes his confusion with what the real world is really like brilliantly. He may be super-smart from a purely intellectual point of view, but learning from books and only approved websites has left him severely socially handicapped.

The narration of this audiobook was EXCELLENT. It was clear right from the beginning that this narrator is a professional. I'm not sure what else to say about it because, quite frankly, it could not have been any better. The narrator was able to draw me into the story right away and allowed me to follow along without ever having to wonder if I had missed anything.

My favorite character in this book has to Dr. Randall. Despite the fact that he is the co-founder of the HALF program, he is a good man with a good heart who wants to do the right thing.

Dr. Lily Sturgess is the perfect villain. She is condescending to her subordinates. She is devious. She believes that her intellect is superior to everyone else. Basically, she is a bully who has power and that power is more important to her than anything else.

Dr. Dolan is the grandfatherly figure that listeners cannot help but be drawn to.

I rate this young adult audiobook as 5 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Half Isn't So Bad After All

We all want to know what happened at Roswell and Natalie Wright gives us her fantastical spin on what may have very well happened and what we have done since then. In her story we encounter a human-alien hybrid who just wants to be free but that freedom comes at a cost. Making new friends, meeting family he didn't know existed, and meeting his alien "cousins" leads to an epic, bloody battle of wills and perseverance.

It was quite enjoyable and easy to follow along. I only question what Wright's intention were on the scale of believability-- Teens fighting highly trained soldiers, and following around aliens is just a bit hard for me to grasp as being plausible; but it is a science-fiction novel, so maybe that won't bother anyone who reads this genre.

Andrew Tell's narration is pretty good. I enjoyed his pacing, and overall timing. I thought his read was a little lack-luster in the sense that it was monotone at times and it was hard for me to distinguish a few characters from one another. His voices for the H.A.L.F's were perfect and overall he does a fine job bringing this story to life.

I would recommend this book to all.

This audiobook was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Great story

I’m already starting book 2. Soooo much was packed in to this story.
I think I know why what happened to Jack at the end of the story but I guess I’ll find out soon enough.
I really wanted Electo to come around but maybe eventually she will. The characters are well written and I’m loving this series.
Narration by Andrew Tell was excellent as always.


I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrator.

Sci-Fi Adventure

I agreed to review all three books in this series. I didn't know what to expect when starting, but after this book, I can't wait for the next two. This was a great sci-fi adventure. I'd definitely recommend this book to just about anyone. I was surprised at how good it was. The author could easily match some of the bestseller authors we all know.

Narration was great for this book. I hope it's the same narrator for the rest of the series.

I requested and received a free copy of this audiobook from the author, publisher, or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review. I was NOT required to write a positive review and this reflects my honest opinion of the work.

What really happened at Roswell?

For decades a secret experiment has been going on under the sands of the South West. Scientists have been working to create a human and alien hybrid super being in a top secret lab.

Dr. Sturgis and a secret government group have been experimenting in secrets with genetics. Her plans are thwarted when the latest hybrid, Half 9, escapes from the lab and goes on the run across the Arizona desert. Half 9 encounters three teens in the desert and rescues them from an attacker. They join forces and go on the run. In the process, Half 9 discovers his humanity with the help of Erica, Ian, and Jack (who are struggling with their own identity).

This book mixes a science fiction, adventure, and mystery with classic coming of age elements. I'm looking forward to the next two books in the series!

While the narrator does a good job overall, his voice ranges from an even tone to a whisper. I was constantly adjusting the volume on my stereo.

Disclosure: I got a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review via audiobook boom.

Great Book!! Should be a movie or TV show

This is a great book you start to fall in love with halfs almost from the start. The writer envelops you into the world of the HALFs and it is a story unlike others I have read. Great Premise and if you like SciFi with a little "magic" this book will scratch that itch.

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

Excellent

A great book. I loved the characters. Half-9 complimented by the humans drawn on his journey pursued by his paranoid military ‘mother’, brilliant. It’s a rollercoaster of a sci fi escape story with great detail set in our normal every day world. All of the elements work really well together and the pace is brilliant.

I loved the narration, it really compliments the story and has a great sense of pace.

Excellent all round!
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review."