Phantom Pains

City of Monsters, Book 2

By: Nick Noble

Narrated by: Melanie Hastings

Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

My life changed forever when I was attacked by that monster and became a Champion. Now, I'm on a mission to save the city from the strange phenomenon that's making the monsters go Feral.

As I delve deeper into this new reality, I discover new allies who are eager to help me on my quest. Tabitha the werewolf is still by my side as my mentor, and she has some life-changing news for me. She's pregnant and carrying my first-born son. Not only do I have to protect her, but I also have to ensure the safety of my soon-to-be child.

Io the sultry lamia is ready to pass on her powers to me, while Euna the sweet slime girl is always there to help in any way she can. And now, I meet four more powerful beings who want to help me in my mission. Hannah, my ex-girlfriend, is back in my life, and she's ready to use her magic to help me. Lana, a tiny fairy, is a force to be reckoned with, and her tiny size belies her strength. Autumn, a wooden sprite, is fiercely protective of the city, and Gabby, an angel, brings a sense of hope and guidance.

But they all seem to want me, despite the war raging on. And as I navigate through this new world of magic and monsters, I find myself having to protect more and more women with each passing day. Each of them brings their own unique skills and powers to the table, and I have to balance my feelings for them with the weight of my mission.

The journey ahead won't be easy, but I'm determined to save the city, protect Tabitha and my child, and find a way to defeat the Feral monsters. And I'll do it with my new allies by my side, as we fight to save our reality. And I fight to protect my girls. And keep my son safe.

©2023 Nick Noble (P)2023 Nick Noble

Bit of a slide

Embarking on the exhilarating journey that is "Phantom Pains: City of Monsters, Book 2," I found myself enthralled by the magical realm created by Nick Noble and expertly brought to life by the talented Melanie Hastings. This audiobook is a captivating sequel that seamlessly continues the story of our protagonist, delivering a perfect blend of fantasy, action, and romance that keeps listeners hooked from start to finish.

The narrative unfolds as our Champion protagonist, now grappling with the responsibility of safeguarding the city from the mysterious Feral monsters, finds himself surrounded by a diverse and powerful group of allies. Tabitha, the loyal werewolf mentor, brings unexpected news that adds a compelling layer to the story, while Io, Euna, and the newly introduced characters, Hannah, Lana, Autumn, and Gabby, contribute their unique skills to the mission.

One of the strengths of "Phantom Pains" lies in the author's ability to build a fascinating world where magic and monsters coexist. The intricate relationships between the protagonist and his allies create a dynamic and engaging narrative that explores themes of love, sacrifice, and camaraderie. The diverse cast of characters, each with their distinct abilities, adds depth and excitement to the plot, making every moment an adventure.

Melanie Hastings' narration is nothing short of exceptional, bringing each character to life with distinct voices and a captivating tone. Her performance elevates the audiobook, making it a truly immersive experience. The pacing and energy she infuses into the narration contribute to the overall enjoyment of the story, making it a joy to listen to.

Contrary to some critical reviews, "Phantom Pains" stands out as a thrilling continuation of the series. The plot, far from being a mere extension of the first book, delves deeper into the complexities of the magical reality our protagonist navigates. The introduction of new characters adds a fresh dimension to the narrative, providing a welcome expansion to the existing world.

Addressing concerns about the erotic elements, it's worth noting that the story maintains a delicate balance between romance and action, creating a narrative that is both emotionally resonant and thrilling. The relationships that blossom among the characters feel genuine and contribute to the overall richness of the plot.

While some discrepancies in character histories have been mentioned, the compelling nature of the story overshadows these minor inconsistencies. The fast-paced, action-packed sequences keep listeners on the edge of their seats, demonstrating Noble's skill in crafting a narrative that seamlessly blends magical elements with intense, heart-pounding moments.

Looking ahead, one can hope for a bit more downtime in the next installment, allowing for a deeper exploration of the characters' relationships and personal growth. The desire for more character depth is a testament to the investment listeners have in the City of Monsters universe.

"Phantom Pains: City of Monsters, Book 2" is a commendable addition to the series. Nick Noble's imaginative storytelling, coupled with Melanie Hastings' stellar narration, makes for an audiobook that effortlessly captures the listener's attention. It's a delightful journey into a world of magic, monsters, and the unwavering determination of a Champion fighting to protect those he loves.

Stupidity abound

The vast majority of the issues in this book wouldn’t even of been a thing if people would just use their dam words. Everyone’s “I can’t tell you” “just don’t do it” “why won’t you do this thing that you have no information about”. The MC is a sad sack and everyone around him just expects him to jump at what they say without any explanation which causes him to do nothing which is 90% of the book.

It was ok

Well the second book was a drop off from the excellent first book. The mc became a very arrogant very insensitive and very unmanly mc. I think the author has never met a man or is extremely clueless about the true nature of most men. No man on any planet would use the term “ dry spell” to describe saying no to his 5 girlfriends for weeks.
The story and plot is still good and narration is great . But the mc is just not very likable as he was in book 1.

Ryan, you dick

First let me say, I absolutely loved this book. As much as I was a Ryan fan in the last book, in this one I found him to be an arrogant douche!! My favorite part had to be when his friend set him straight while sacrificing for the cause. some of the dick talk gets redundant but over all it's a great book, and one I will revisit.

Much the Same ... Not as Fun

The sequel to City of Monsters and it is pretty much like the first ... a male adolescent fantasy. The zombie plot was fun ... but was only part of the story that seemed to have trouble staying on point and needed the great performance of the narrator to power though. There was a lot more focus on the erotic than the previous story (or maybe it just got old quickly).

I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

#PhantomPains #FreeAudiobookCodes #KindleUnlimited

retcons and the power fantasy of a 13 year old boy

The first book was alright, really dug the premise of the dude's powers, but the plot armor OP MC with the giant pickle is literally what so many young teenagers want to be. I can get behind a harem fantasy when done right, but this is just a "my character is the most powerful character and is so powerful that every woman wants him, even a lesbian."
Which brings me to the retcons, dead girlfriend was a virgin in the first book, but they had "relations" a lot in their past in the second. Dead girlfriend's bestie was a lesbian, but she gets with MC in the second book.

The ONLY reason I could even get halfway through was the amazing work of Melanie Hastings. Other than that, this series is just leading up to be another carbon copy of Randy Darren and the like. Only difference is the books actually have different titles not just "title 1|2|3|4|+"