Inside

By: Bill Carey

Narrated by: Andrew Babb

Length: 5 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

This story is told in the third person. Inside is a YA fantasy novel with elements of romance, heartbreak, tragedy, and comedy.

The hero, Michael London, is a young man living with his fiancé Jeremy in Brooklyn, NY. When Jeremy dies unexpectedly, Michael finds himself alone, soon unemployed and homeless. Intending to return to his boyhood home in Tennessee, he instead finds himself in "Inside", a town populated by descendants of ancient druids, a place completely unknown to the outside world. Here he finds a new purpose, new hope, and in time, a new love, and at the same time, is able to help a troubled Insider find his own purpose in life.

Michael learns that Inside, governed by Seers who possess all the knowledge and power of the druids, is controlled by an invisible force called Seghva: not just a destiny, but a plan for life. He also learns that Seghva is not a force to be trifled with. After challenging an unpleasant but confirmed Seghva (the untimely death of an infant), Michael is forced to endure a terrifying vision: He is placed in the midst of the utter, violent destruction of a French Inside centuries earlier, the result of one man defying Seghva.

Michael is the first Outsider ever to set foot Inside, but he is not the last. A few years after coming Inside, Michael is summoned before the Seers and asked about Laura Stevens, a close friend he once knew. He is stunned to learn that her Seghva is to be brought Inside. They are reunited, and Inside, Laura finds love that has long eluded her.

©2006, 2022 Bill Carey (P)2022 William H. Carey

Engaging, Comforting and More

Michael London loses himself when his fiancé dies unexpectedly. Lost in his grief, Michael heads back home to Tennessee to grieve and recover. A slight detour and Michael finds himself in a unique place called “Inside” filled with seers, and descendants of ancient druids. Unknown to the outside world, the Inside provides Michael with hope, love, and a passion for life.

The author, Bill Carey creates a new world by weaving a fascinating story that enables the characters to grow authentically. The story flows smoothly; the characters are well-developed. Each character is engaging, accessible, and familiar. This is much more than a fantasy, Carey weaves several themes throughout the story, including everyone has a purpose.

The narrator, Andrew Babb captures the personality of each character and provides a unique voice for each. His smooth delivery and steady cadence provide a soothing listen. Babb speaks with clarity and keeps the listener engaged.

Although I am a fan of horror, I found this book highly enjoyable, and it continued to remain with me for days after.

There were no issues with the sound or quality of this audiobook, it was well done.