• Children of Wrath

  • By: T.A. Ward
  • Narrated by: Tom Askin
  • Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (19 ratings)

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Children of Wrath  By  cover art

Children of Wrath

By: T.A. Ward
Narrated by: Tom Askin
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Publisher's summary

Five years after working triage during America's terrible Day of Destruction, Dr. Ethan King wants nothing more for himself and his wife than a normal life. In the aftermath, however, life is anything but normal. The mysterious nerve gas unleashed during the nationwide terrorist attack has left its disturbing mark among the millions of victims, namely brain abnormalities in unborn children.

These children, dubbed "Inexorables," live up to their name: They are ruthlessly violent, irrepressibly psychopathic, and incurable. They kill without thought or remorse, and inflict torment on their victims with childish glee.

In his pursuit of a normal, peaceful life, Ethan tries as best he can to put these grim realities to the back of his mind. But one cold night, when he comes face to face with an abandoned Inexorable freezing to death in the snow, he must make a choice that could cost him everything and unravel a thread of dark woven secrets. As he races to find a cure for whatever is creating a generation of doomed children, Ethan discovers that doing the right thing in an evil world is never as clear and easy as it seems.

©2017 T.A. Ward (P)2018 T.A. Ward

What listeners say about Children of Wrath

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Strong premise but it just doesn't follow through

Published by T.A. Ward Books in May of 2018.
Read by Tom Askin.
Duration: 8 hours, 41 minutes.
Unabridged.

In this science fiction novel, the United States suffered a horrible day of terrorist attacks known as the Day of Destruction in the 2040's. There were nuclear attacks in some places but Philadelphia was attacked by a nerve gas called Obcasus. The gas itself was bad enough, but the side effects are worse. Women who were exposed give birth to children with brain damage that makes them uncontrollably violent - even as infants. They are called inexorables.

Our main character is Dr. Ethan King, a Philadelphia infectious disease doctor that has treated patients for Obcasus exposure since the Day of Destruction. He is happily married but he and his wife cannot have children.

One day, Dr. King spots a starving, nearly dead Inexorable child as he is leaving the hospital late at night and he decides to take it home...

The premise behind this book was very strong. However, I did not enjoy the presentation very much. There is way too much description in scene after scene. There are also long soliloquies and strange turns of phrase by Dr. King that I can't imagine people actually saying in real life. On top of that, I cannot imagine that no one has figured out the big mystery in this story before now.

I listened to this book as an audiobook. The reader, Tom Askin, has a pleasant voice but reads with a soft tone, like a parent might read a bedtime story to a child. He also makes strange pauses, like William Shatner. It made for an odd listen.

There is a sequel to this book and I will not be listening to it.

I rate this audiobook 2 stars out of 5

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Chrildren of Wrath Makes You Feel

There was no "waiting for the story to pick up" with Children of Wrath. T.A. Ward had me hooked from the very first moments of the story when we meet Dr. Ethan King on "the Day of Destruction." Her use of imagery was masterful and diverse, encompassing a vast array of visual, auditory, olfactory, and tactile imagery--it was as if I could see, hear, smell, and feel what Ethan was experiencing from the very first page. When coupled with the third person point of view, making readers privy to Ethan's inner monologues, I felt as if I was standing right there in the midst of the drama. It was as if I were right next to Ethan as he listened to news coverage of the bombing on the Capital, when he watched as the dirty bombs, filled with a toxic nerve gas, were dropped on his own city of Philadelphia, and as he and his co-workers scrambled to decontaminate and treat survivors of these horrific attacks.

Five years later, Ethan and his wife are struggling to come to terms with their new reality. We learn that this new reality includes Inexorables, the children born to women who were exposed to the toxic nerve gas, children who are "ruthlessly violent, irrepressibly psychopathic—and incurable. They kill without thought or remorse, and inflict torment on their victims with childish glee." Despite these dangerous, horrific qualities, Ethan recognizes that Inexorables are still children, human children, and faces a moral dilemma when he encounters an abandoned young Inexorable, freezing and in grave condition after exposure to the elements. He quickly decides to take the child home with him, a decision that changes everything for him, and for his wife Liz, a resilient, loyal woman who desperately wanted a child of her own.

As Children' of Wrath progressed, I found myself fully engrossed and completely invested in the characters. Ward's description of the Inexorables left me feeling torn--one moment I was cringing at the description of their violent outbursts, wondering how Ethan could subject himself (or Liz) to such risk, and the next, I was learning how the government was "dealing with" Inexorables at "Assistance Centers," and fighting tears for the horror and indecency of it all.

This book will make you feel things, all kinds of things. I felt uneasy, wondering how much Ethan should trust his co-workers, the government, the media, the employees at the Center, even his longtime friends. I frequently wondered how I would react to events in the book. I found myself questioning what it means to be human, what it means to be humane, what kinds of moral obligations we have to other living beings if it is ethical or moral to cause harm or pain to some in order to protect the masses.

I pondered my own strength and considered how I might cope if exposed to a nerve gas that dashed my dreams of one day being a mother, of raising a healthy, happy child. What would I do if I thought I had the opportunity to fulfill that dream, only to learn that my baby was destructive, relentless, and sadistic, hell-bent on hurting everyone around them?  What I would do if faced with Ethan's situation. I wanted desperately for Ethan and his wife to enjoy a happy, stable relationship and have the opportunity to raise a family in peace. I wanted Ethan to find the answers to what was really going on with Inexorables.

I wanted him to find a cure. In short, I wanted everyone to live "happily ever after." I can't tell you if I got any of what I wanted because the answer to that question would involve too many spoilers. I do encourage you to check out Children of Wrath for yourself and feel all the feels.

Tom Askin's voice felt like a perfect fit for Ethan and I thought he did a sufficient job voicing the female characters as well. His voice was generally soft but expressive, booming on occasion to add drama and his tone was easy to listen too. However, there was something a bit off with his cadence. Askin would pause or speak in a halting manner, in a way that at first seemed intentional, as if an attempt to bring to life the fleeting, halting thought patterns Ethan might be experiencing during traumatic moments...but it continued for the duration of the novel. I found it a bit disruptive and annoying at times, so much so that I took a star off of the "performance" portion of my audible review for what was otherwise a solid performance. I requested a free copy of this audiobook which has not affected my review in any way.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Listener received this title free

Really good, but... (mild spoiler alert)

Very well written, and the story/plot was interesting. Characters were believable and fleshed out well. Narrator paused between his words frequently, and that was annoying but not a deal breaker.
Now for the part that surprised me (and not in a good way)………………

There was no happy end to this story, what there was (at least for me) was an ugly cry. I was really attached to these characters, and although the end was totally unexpected, I would have rather had a more predictable happy ending. To each his own I guess.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Listener received this title free

Emotionally powerfull, gripping story

This audiobook grabs you from the very start and keeps a hold of you till the absolute end. It is anxiety inducing, heart wrenching, suspenseful and yet also full of love. From the nuclear and chemical attacks at the start, to brain damage, soul-destroying decisions, intrigue, secrets and unconditional love, this story is intensely gripping. The narrator truly does an excellent job of drawing you into the story, making you care about the characters and actually feel the powerful emotions. Your heart breaks for the Inexorables, for Ethan, Liz and their children, for what everyone unknowingly endures, and for the callousness that power and money can cause. At times this story was so intense I had to pause listening for a minute because it was so anxiety inducing. It is a very well written, compelling story that feels real from the start, makes you think and leaves you shell shocked at the end. I can’t wait to hear to the next installment of this story.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed the storyline!

It took me a little while to get into the story, but once I did, I found the plot very interesting and could hardly wait to see how it would play out. There are some interesting moral dilemmas, too, that I wanted to see how the characters would handle. The style of writing and point of view it's written from isn't quite what I prefer - there's a lot of descriptive language, at times almost a bit too much. Overall, though, I enjoyed it!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

I really loved the mix of elements in this story

I really loved the mix of elements in this story, the medical and science side with a thriller, that and a great engaging story. It sucked you in from the very first page, you want to know more about this world built by the Author. You want to see what happens to this family the Author has sucked you into liking.

It would have been very easy for the Author to get stuck on the terrorist element, but I am thankful that she didn’t. Looking forward to the second. Can easily be read as a standalone. The second follows a different MC.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Thought Provoking

I would have to say this was an excellent book. There were a lot of highs and lows in the book but they take you with them. You find yourself asking yourself would you do what Dr King did to save a child not of his blood. I honestly can't answer that. This book has a huge cliff hanger and until we find out if Dr King damaged his own child to save another it will remain. I just think cord blood... would have worked but would not have created the drama you experience while reading this book. The narrator did a fantastic job bringing life to the characters and making them 3 dimensional. You could feel the pain and horror the characters were experiencing. Great book that makes you think.. what would you do. Great add to your library. Can't wait until the next book comes out.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very good

This book was very good. I wouldn't say great because of the ending. A bit disappointing, but other than that it was good. Readers voice was nice and editing was great!! No mishaps. Can't wait for the second one.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

great start to this series

I enjoyed listening to this story. I have not read this author before but I like the writing. It didn't take long for me to be invested n the story and the lives of the characters. I can't wait to read the next book. I enjoyed listening to the narrator too. I thought he did a good job. I would recommend this book to others.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wow!

Children of Wraith is a story of one man and his wife who have taken in a brain damaged child. There is so much within this story that hurt my feelings...the government did it, but why? Then then hid it, but why? Refused to allow a cure to be developed, but why? There is so much conspiracy and intrigue that is like a never ending roller coaster of emotions. I enjoyed this book very much. I listened to the audiobook version of this book and the narrator does a fantastic job of emitting the thoughts, emotions and his characters are real enough to be believed.
I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to book 2.

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