Jacob

Nightwalkers Series, Book 1

By: Jacquelyn Frank

Narrated by: Xe Sands

Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Since time began, there have been Nightwalkers - the races of the night who live in the shadows of the moonlight. Love with humans is absolutely forbidden, and one man makes certain to uphold this ancient law: Jacob, the Enforcer.

For 700 years, he has resisted temptation. But not tonight... Jacob knows the excuses his people give when the madness overtakes them and they fall prey to their lust for humans. He's heard every one and still brought the trespassers to justice. Immune to forbidden desires, uncontrollable hungers, or the curse of the moon, his control is total... until the moment he sees Isabella on a shadowy New York City street. Saving her life wasn't in his plans. Nor were the overwhelming feelings she arouses in him. But the moment he holds her in his arms and feels the soft explosion of her body against his, everything changes. Their attraction is undeniable, volatile, and completely against the law. Suddenly everything Jacob has ever believed is inflamed by the heat of desire. Bring on the night.

©2006 Jacquelyn Frank (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"I loved this book!" (Christine Feehan)

Mixed emotions about this book

What did you love best about Jacob?

Once I could get into it, I was really interested in the whole "race war" that had happened in the past to leave the nightwalker world as it is now. The entire idea was interesting and I enjoyed how they folded in humans and non-humans into the story

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

It took me a while to adjust to Xe Sands. I almost couldn't listen at first because she does that bedroom voice thing that female narrators do in romance novels that makes me want to punch her in the face. She does it most/ worse with Isabella. I'm not sure if I would have found the character as annoying if I'd just read it instead of listening, but it was bad. I don't like that character at all, and I'm afraid it's a lot to do with how Xe Sands narrated her. I think I'm weird like that because everyone else seems to think she's just so amazing, but just throwing it out there, in case I'm not alone in this.

Any additional comments?

I picked up the next book in the series because a) I was intrigued enough and b) I wouldn't be hearing Sands do Bella voice as much. Bad idea. Lena's voice took on Bella's breathiness and the story fell painfully plat on it's own face. I actually returned it to Audible that's how much of a letdown it was, and that was after 4 hours of listening. So keep that in mind if you are looking for a new series, and think this might be it for you.

great new story

This book made me wish that it was part of a series. I had a great time getting to know the characters. It has a unique twist on demons, making them into just another of the "nightwalkers", like vampires and werewolves. A human gets sucked into the mix and becomes part of a strange, pre-destined plan for the future of the race. With lots of spicy sex scenes (this book is not for your teen-age daughter), it keeps your interest throughout. It is, at heart, mainly a love story, but definitely weaves in the story of the future of the demon race into it, along with great ground-work for future stories with other characters. Not a deep story-line, but a really fun read.

Loved it

Where does Jacob rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 10

What was one of the most memorable moments of Jacob?

too many to have just one

Which character – as performed by Xe Sands – was your favorite?

Bella - She has some sass!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

My reaction was to immediately download the next book. Love the series, love the Narrator

Beautiful Brave and Sensual

Any additional comments?

J.Frank pulls you into the world of Nightwalkers and you will not want to come back. The characters are deep and she weaves history and culture into them. Love and loyalty are at war with predjudice and fear. Strong passion is matched with total committment. This is an exciting, sensual tale of courage and sacrifice. Sands is an amazing narrator. You wil loose yourself in a wonderful book experience.

Liked but didn't love this book. However....

I found this while searching for a new paranormal romance series after listening to the Imortal Guardians and Night Huntress series. Both really good if you haven't tried them yet. This book was ok in story, the narrator was amazing with exception to the voice of the main character Isabella. Her voice has forever left me with the impression of a pouty 16 y/o with her "hands on her hips"....which you'll be reminded of constantly. The other characters were vey well done and the authors take on Nightstalker lore was interesting (not to mention some really good steamy scenes) so I ended up listening to the next book. The second book was so much better than the first in my opinion, so if the narration of Bella was the only thing that turned you off like it was for me, give the next on the series a try. I'm currently on to book 4 and still intrigued.

oh, d*mn! I might need a cold shower.

I was not expecting a really detailed story-line or even really well-developed characters - but I got at least part of a good package from this book. It was more than steamy in several parts and while I was skeptical about the narrator initially (due to her almost whispery/sultry tones), it added a lot to the chemistry between the main characters. I also thought the main characters were decently filled out, but was somewhat disappointed with some of the secondary characters' development and motivation - and felt let down by the 2-D quality of the villains.
If you're just looking for something light and yummy - it's definitely worth the listen. And maybe a re-listen.

Great story..but

Any additional comments?

I liked the book well enough but I have to tell you I don't know if I'll read/listen to any more of this author's books. She likes to just tell you a story too much and doesn't like to involve the players. There's just too often that you have to go for pages and pages without anyone saying anything. I know a lot of you enjoy that but I don't happen to be one of those. I liked Jacob and Bella and they made it a wonderful love story. I do get tired of so much angst and misunderstandings and this didn't have that. I guess that's what helped to get past the pages of no dialogue. I also liked Noah, Gideon and Legna, too.
The narrator did a good job with the voices but not so much with emotions. And emotions are what really make the book. IMHO

A little less talk and a lot more action

The storyline was interesting but proceeded slowly. This may be because it was the first book in the series and the Author was setting the storyline and introducing all the future characters. But it got tedious when the main characters had to discuss their feelings, thoughts and actions to the point of stalling the story. When they droned on and on the main female character started to sound childish and the male pompous. The narrator did a fine job on the voices for the secondary characters but the voice for Jacob was like gravel and Bella was high pitch and whinny. Several times I almost gave up, but the secondary characters sound more interesting and give me hope that the other books won't be so plodding.

Lovely story & narration. It sucks you in.

I started listening to this on Friday night. I was hesitant, put listening to this one off for a couple of weeks because I was unsure how much I trusted the positive reviews it got. I'm amazed and won't doubt the reviews here again. This story sucked me in. I wasn't too far into it on Friday night, so that was ok, but by Saturday, I didn't want to go to bed. Sunday, we had errands to run and I knew I couldn't even start listening to it or I'd be sitting on the couch all day. I'm still not quite to the end, I finally had to tear myself away last night because I had work this morning... I've loved the book and can't wait to hear the rest of this one and the rest of the series as well.

Did not care for the narrator. At all.

Interesting story but won't be buying any more audible books in the series. Awful narrator.