Pathfinder

By: J.A. Jaken

Narrated by: Dan Calley

Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Shai discovers he is a pathfinder and is desperate to find a genetically suitable partner to prevent his extrasensory talents from running amok. Unfortunately those talents make him a target for the brutal crime lords and other violent denizens, who inhabit the city of Nhil-Rhar. Shai needs to learn how to use his pathfinder senses - no matter how much they terrify him - before he's trapped in a partnership that will enslave him for the rest of his life.

©2019, 2021 J.A. Jaken (P)2021 J.A. Jaken

This is an lgbt story

I really wish audible and authors would specify when a book is lgbt. I have no problem with lgbt but when I read a romance I want one that reflects my own needs/desires. The narrator was good and the story seems like it would be interesting but I didn’t finish it.

Another Winner

Warnings - rape, underage sex, kidnapping.

This author and narrator make a great team. Once again, Dan Calley brings the story to life.

The futuristic world here seems bleak, but the main character, Shai, has found peace with his place in it - until he finds out that he is a Pathfinder and that everyone wants to control him because of his special ability to 'see' things, past and future.

Pathfinders were genetically created to have the 'seeing' ability, but it was found that they could become lost in the trance when they are 'seeing'. 'Guides' were created to help pull a Pathfinder back out of the trance, but they have to be bonded to each other for things to work.

And of course, the quickest way to establish a bond is though sex.

Shai's initial situation isn't good, with a Guide being chosen for him by 'the Agency'. His Guide is patient and explains how things work, but the fact still remains that Shai has no choice as to who his Guide will be.

Then things get worse as Shai gets kidnapped by another mob. Their Guide isn't so patient in getting the bond established.

I won't go more into the plot from there as it may spoil a few surprises.

I'm also glad to say that the next audio book in this series is out, and I already have my copy.

It’s...something

I think I liked it okay? The performer did a great job capturing each character. This book probably needs a trigger warning though. There’s quite a few rape scenes that are described in detail. Which kind of makes the book feel cheap and dirty, borderline romanticizing rape and sexual assault. Also the fact that the MC, Shai, is only 16, and is the victim of the sex crimes. Even when there’s a “consensual” sex scene with the other MC, Lorne, it’s too weird/gross to think about a 16 year old having sex with a 26 six year old. The age doesn’t add anything to the story so maybe if the author had made Shai at least an adult it wouldn’t be so weird and uncomfortable. I skipped past every single scene, they go on a while at least a chapter, at most a chapter and a half each. The idea of the plot is kind of cool but it’s kind of just a different take on the alpha/beta/omega world. If you can get past that I guess this would be a good book for you. The characters are likable enough I guess.

A captivating world! But somewhat problematic...

Long story short: The world this story is set in is so interesting and the writing style is great! But graphic rape is frequently used as a weapon and I wasn't prepared for that when reading the synopsis.

Long story long:
(spoilers indicated)

I love the concept of this story and the power set is really unique. I also really enjoyed the strong-willed intelligent protagonist. However, the protagonist is 16, and the love interest is around 28. Also, I was not prepared when I read the synopsis for how frequently sexual assault, rape, and molestation are used as weapons in this book. it was especially difficult to swallow because the victim of this abuse was a 16 year old and the author often blurs the line between consensual and non-consensual touching.


***SPOILERS BELOW***
The thing that blew it over the top for me was when Shai finally escapes from a man who rapes him repeatedly and beats him. The first thing that his love interest does is rape him while he is unconscious (because of contextual power set reasons).

I finished this book despite these concerns because the reality is that rape IS used as a weapon. People do survive sexual assault and are still strong, intelligent, and able to thrive. I continued reading hoping that would happen for Shai.
It did not.
He ended up paired with someone who ultimately raped him (plot contrivances aside it did not need to be written this way). And it is VERY unclear how much control he has over his own body. For these reasons, I will be returning this title.

If you are an adult reader who understands from the beginning the dark corners this book lets you peer into. You will probably enjoy this title as it is well-paced and intelligently written.

Loved loved this!!

I listen to many books and I loved this one!! It’s different from your usual romance. I don’t want to say to much so I don’t give anything away. This was a new to me author. It definitely won’t be close to my last book from her. I’ve listened to Dan Calley many times and he’s just incredible in everything!! I can’t wait to listen to book two. Pathfinder definitely has some darkness but it was just so good. I like the dark books anyway so to me it was just an added bonus. Highly recommend

Definitely a recommendation!

5 Blue Roses, 5 Blue Flames, 5 Headphones 🎧 🎧 🎧 🎧 🎧

Bring your torches, Maglites, headlights, and flashlights. This futuristic post-apocalyptic sci-fi was dark, dark, dark. Narrator Dan Calley managed it all while he kept his wits about it. Talk about a sticky situation. More like tarry opposing to wishing the audiobook never ends. Should I rewind and listen to that again versus how many times is it OK to rewind and re-listen to it before it NOT cool anymore. I loved how Dan paced himself, I could hear he consciously slowed himself down, stopped, and took a few breaths, to accentuate the angst, but also give the listener a chance to gather reflections on the emotions Shai is experiencing. Truly a 5-star delivery, and the perfect voice for this trope.

The author wrote something I did not expect and neither heard before. I loved the writing style, how the plot was laid out. So many gears were turning while we experience world-building and character development, all the while multiple non-consensual sexual scenes or episodes are happening. I fell in love with the main characters nearly instantly. I barely survived the tension while I got swept up in the mystery of the founders of this dystopian thriller. There is no cliffhanger, but definitely an excellent build-up to book 2. I can’t wait to hear about the more sinister background and the cause of this genetically designed animalistic behavior.

Definitely a recommendation. Please if you have an aversion or experience a trigger due to forced sexual accounts, do not attempt to listen to it.

Happy Listening

Great listen from a new to me author

Full disclosure, I've not read any of JA Jakens work before, Sci-Fi and fantasy isn't really my thing, but knowing the narrator and seeing the blurb for this, I decided to give it a whirl, and I'm glad I did.

Not overly heavy on the Sci-Fi/fantasy front, it was easy to believe in the world which was created and the fact there are Pathfinders and Guides also how they are bonded together. The scene setting was good, and the story well paced. I would just have liked some more background into Shai, and also a Lorne, but with a second book in the series I expect once I step into the pages there i might get those answers.

I really enjoyed Dan Calley's narration, the tone and pace were perfect for the characters and I knew instantly who each character was and got a "feel" for them.

Looking forward to the next one!