His Consort

By: Mary Calmes

Narrated by: Scott Smith

Length: 8 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

A new life in New Orleans is all Jason Thorpe had hoped: His quaint little store attracts a devoted staff, and his warm, loving heart grants him a loyal circle of friends. He's perfectly content, having left behind the chill of a confusing and danger-filled night in Washington, until he discovers something unbelievable lurking in the steamy darkness of the shadowy streets of the Vieux Carré, something that turns out to be terrifying...and utterly mesmerizing.

The prince of the vampires, Varic Maedoc, is visiting New Orleans when he finds out the man who once helped his counselor is there in the Quarter. He thinks to simply meet and thank Jason - until he lays eyes on him. Varic’s devoted himself to protect the honor of his race, and he's never wanted a mate before...but he immediately knows he must have this man, and no one else will do.

Varic may want to bring Jason safely into his world, but someone who doesn’t like the human's soothing influence on vampires has deadly plans that would disrupt Varic's dreams. Now, unable to tell friend from foe, Jason finds himself wondering how to hold on to the prince’s heart when he’s fighting for his life.

©2018 Dreamspinner Press (P)2018 Dreamspinner Press

Wow!

I have both read and listened to a number of this author's books and enjoyed every one. I must say, however, in my opinion this is one of the best. I was so enthralled with the story (and narrator) that I listened to the entire performance in one sitting (which includes bathroom breaks and taking out the dog). The protagonist, Jason Thorpe, is someone most of us have met in our lifetime...just a good guy with a good heart. I very much enjoyed the fresh and unique perspective on vampires (vampyr).

The narrator of an audiobook makes or breaks the book. Although sometimes whether one enjoys the narrator or not is a subjective experience I can not think of anyone who would not enjoy listening to Scott Smith. He adds so much to any story he narrates. His repertoire of unique voices for the characters in the story is amazing and he brings each character to life.

Although not a cliffhanger, the ending of the novel suggests a second book will be forthcoming. There are a number of potential stories involving the relationships between other characters and I hope in time Ms. Calmes will bring them to life.

Regardless, kudos to both author and narrator for job well done!

Hoping for a series!

His Consort is the story of how ex-special forces soldier Jason Thorpe stumbles upon the secret world of Vampyrs and learns some secrets which will change the course of his life and entwine it inexorably with the vampyrs forever.

Fans of Calmes Change of Heart series will find similar world-building and premise, including the main characters not actually meeting until almost halfway through.

Jason's the every-man character dealing with the ins-and-outs of a world that he thought was only made up. He's got a heart of gold and and a thick head, which helps when dealing with millennia old creatures who think they know everything.

Scott Smith does a good job with unique character voices, a good pace, and I love that he doesn't just robotically read, but infuses emotion to the text. He brings out the humor, emotion, and suspense of the story well.

His Consort is a single POV, urban paranormal featuring vampyrs, with action, intrigue, and some romantic elements, and a HFN/HEA ending. I'm really hoping this turns into a new series. There's definitely the set up for one and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a book 2.

Not for me

So this was a difficult one. I have thoroughly enjoyed each of Ms. Calmes stories that I have previously read... this one, not so much. Well developed world, underdeveloped characters, odd peripheral characters introduced randomly throughout. I feel though, that my biggest frustration with this book was the affectless narration. Each character was given a speaking voice that never seemed to change with passion/anger/sarcasm/incredulity etc. Often the words spoken and their tone were at such odds that it was difficult to understand what was actually happening between characters. This was almost a DNF, but since I used my credit, I couldn't waste it. I may read the kindle version in the future and see if my internal narration helps.

love it, great narrator

I love it, Mary Calmes first vampire story it was awesome!!!😍😘 I highly recommend it, you won't be disappointed. I hope he makes it into a series it will be awesome.

Too heartfelt. Too sweet. Too much talking.

I have read all of Mary Calmes books and I usually love them. But this one was just not good. A Jory like character that everyone loved that always gets in trouble but manages to extricate himself or the Prince saves him. And talk talk talk. All so sweet and tender I think I got cavities from reading it. I hope for better in the future.

I wanted to like it , I really did

Jason annoyed me, I kept hoping he would wise up. who goes walking the streets at night when someone is trying to kill you. the world in the story was exciting a very different take on vampires that I like. the ending was a bit abrupt .

Accidental listen

Thought the consort was female listened anyway. Long drawn out boring piece of nothing.

The narrator was good the story

The narrator was good but the story was not so good. The MC was like a Mary Sue in his own story. And seemed too good to be true. I finished it only because I don’t like not finishing a book unless it is absolutely dreadful.

Great stroy

Very well done. Good character development and excellent plot. I certianly hope that there will be more books in this universe with these characters.

A Refreshing New Redefinition

His Consort is a refreshing new redefinition of the tried and true Vampire genre, in the model of Dracula, to one of co-evolution with humans of a different species called Vampyrs. Gown is the sleeping in coffins, bursting into flames in sunlight, garlic aversion, wood stakes, and the mindless blood lust to dink only human blood. Blood drinking remains but only as a civilized consensual act. Humans are genially off the menu by order of the Vampyr monarchy centered in Malta. The other tip of the hat to traditional vampire lore is the need for humans to give consent for a Vampyr to enter their home. Finally silver has been modified so it no longer burns Vampyr flesh but will weaken their powers so they may be bound.

With the above flexibility Mary Calmes has fashioned an action packed story that forms the background to a romance between the Prince of the Vampyrs and a human, ex-special forces military, with a recessive gene, bridging the gap between the human race and the Vampyr race; making them ideal mates. All this occurs in the middle of factions, conspiracies, and betrayals by Vampyrs motivated by greed and lust for power. This action makes a good read and a great listen.

This story is narrated well by Scott Smith. Mr. Smith provides multiple voices and accents for the different characters all with a pleasant tambour to the ear.

My Review

This is a brilliant story about the two men coming together but I wish there was a second one because you left a cliff-hanger

A nice romance.

An enjoyable and easy story, typical of the genre. The narration was a little rushed in places with the beginning and ending of sentences sometimes difficult to unpick. Overall, a good performance of a sweet narrative.

What a mess of a book!

This was long winded, confusing with convoluted worldbuilding of the vampyre world.

Three hours in we are still getting over-the-top explanations of the Vampyre hierarchy and the ridiculous made up names for each class, vamp type and what they do. Maybe reading this and seeing those words would have made it easier to understand, but in audio I just became more and more confused trying to understand what the story was supposed to be about. The writing was not good- rushed, and not of the standard expected for Mary Calmes.

The narration was passable at most. Every male character other than jason had the whiney brat voice of a teenage boy...or a man desperately needing a bathroom break. I lasted 3hrs and couldn't take any more.

If you want to hear a fab alternative take on vampires try Jordan Castillo Price's books. Refreshing and great!

My opinion

I adored the narrator's voice, it's soothing to listen to and adds a wonderful aspect to the book.

The story in itself had me quite torn. While I found it lovely and endearing with the wonderful friendships, the possessive nature of characters could be a bit much at times.

Not that I don't like a possessive romance in a story but because I felt like the story consisted of strong, independent characters that were reduced to lesser than they could have been by it.

However, I know a lot of reviews I've read certainly haven't done this book justice. The world building is wonderful and I like how the main character retains his curious and questioning quality throughout the story. It's a good read and interesting plot with twists that while can be expected are nice and fit well within the story.

There were a few minor plot details that can be overlooked and don't ruin the overall narrative.

Good story

Like the way it's written is a good and easy read. Hope there is more to come

fabulous

Please please give me more ... I need more! the narator is perfect so if you do more don't change that please !