Risk

By: Dannika Dark

Narrated by: Nicole Poole

Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's Summary

Simon Hunt is a masterful Mage when it comes to knives, solving puzzles, and women. But when a Mageri councilman asks for a personal favor, his skills are put to the test. He reluctantly accepts the impossible job of training a young Learner who is beyond anyone's help. She's beautiful, cunning, and disabled. If he succeeds he'll receive a hefty paycheck. But if he fails, more is at stake than merely his reputation.

Risk is a compelling tale about two lost souls and the unique connection they share. Simon is her last hope...and perhaps she is his.

What happens when a game of chance becomes a fight for survival?

©2016 Dannika Dark (P)2016 Tantor

Take the Risk

About 2 years ago I finally decided to listen to another blogger and picked up a Dannika Dark novel. I was awed by her work thunderstruck by the way she took a common paranormal subject like shifters and turned it into a world that was completely unique. I started with the Seven series then went on to devour the Mageri series, falling in love with each character including Simon. Simon is a brilliant character, so carefree and yet so grounded. We find out so much of what has made him the Mage he has become and of course who his maker was. Simon is a strategist he picks up signals that place him at a higher advantage than other Mages. Simon is also a tech specialist which means he’s one hell of a hacker. Simon is also a teacher and he’s a brilliant negotiator. Did I mention Naked Twister? *Laughs*He will need all his skills when he meets Hanna’s Learner, Ella. Ella is special in many ways more than she knows. Ella was a victim of an attack that left her deaf and Hanna thinks her flawed, in a race that values perfection this can be the death of her. Hanna hires Simon to teach her Learner and seems almost desperate for her to have skills that she feels she cannot teach. Hanna can’t bear the thought of having to terminate her learner and has made plans that only an ancient like herself can consider acceptable in this modern world. Hanna also has a secret that can affect her standing with the council; unknown to Hanna her past mistakes will come back to haunt her. Levi was an awesome addition to this story and becomes a big help to Simon, he also is a very caring Chitah who helps Simon deal with emotional luggage from his past. The end leaves Ella on top of the mess and Simon smiling with pride.
Nicole Poole narrates all Dannika Dark novels, which is awesome. I can’t begin to tell you that I greatly dislike when publishers vacillate between narrators. Ms. Poole is fantastic. When she narrates she grasps the personality of each character, becoming them and flawlessly changes between each as needed. Her talent captures the imagination of the reader and listener drawing them into the story. I could never be happier than turning on a story narrated by her, I turn myself over in complete trust that I will be experiencing an awesome ride. The combination of a story penned by Dark & narrated by Poole is a win win in my book!

The Oracle Reviews provides only honest reviews.

Brilliant! Loved It!

This was the first story in the Mageri series I've listened too, and it was fantastic! For being book six, the plot was well written, full of action, had lots of twist, and gave enough details, I understood the past events that lead up to these characters story, and never felt lost.

Dark did a outstanding job with the world building, and the magic, but the characters really made this story! They came to life, were multi-layered, and had distinctive personalities. I especially liked Simon, he was smart, sexy, full of life, and I loved all his witty flirtatious dialogue. Even when he was down, or stuck in hard place, he had something witty to say! His character really made this very entertaining story!

Nicole Poole did an outstanding job narrating. I loved how she performed Simon's character, and though she did a great job on the accents, as well, delivering on all the different emotions.

Well worth the time and credit!

I just knew it would be Amazing!

Must read the first books in the Mageri series before enjoying this gem! Although it is a standalone, there are lots of spoilers, if you intend to listen to the series (and I highly recommend that!).
Nicole is fabulous and her rendition of Simon is as spectacular as I thought it would be.
For almost 5 years I've waited for this book and was not disappointed. Simon is delicious, sassy, compassionate, and of an intelligence that makes me tingle all over. Smart is so damn sexy!!
Anyway, moving on... (Sorry, thinking of Simon makes me distracted!) Risk was the most anticipated story since Shine, the last Mageri Series book. Some parts of Risk got intense and serious, but never lingering on the painful parts of Simon's life. There were plenty of his known and adored cheeky humor, fun and flirtatious bits to keep me salivating all the way throughout the story.
Ella was amazing! I fell in love with her right away and marveled at how stunningly beautiful she was created and developed. A true fighter and wonderful match for our beloved sexy British lover. Great read indeed!
But if you are looking to truly appreciate all that comes with this sexy beast of a man, you must check out Sterling. He is in incredible delicious form there. His introduction is marked as one of the highlight moments of the entire series, in my opinion.

Love this book

What a wonderful story. It really holds your attention and is not predictable. I will be listening to it again many times.

Love Simon!

Since reading Mageri series I've wondered about Simon and his past. Dannika did an awesome job with this story in letting us see into Simon's life and past. I love Simon's humor, loyalty and love how on the audio you get to hear his accent. I also love the interactions with other characters in the Mageri series. I didn't want this story to end. And can't wait for Dannika's next book! And glad Nicole Poole is the one narrating. She is perfect for these stories.

Best one yet

I love everything Dannika Dark. Good twists and turns and great story. Will read it again and again!!

Not disappointed

I have been waiting for months for Risk to be released and I was not disappointed. Dannika Dark delivers another wonderful story with all the characters we have grown to love. It was wonderful to pop in to check in on the characters and see what they have been up to and gain more incite into past motives (and the "Easter eggs" were fun). My only criticism is for Nicole Poole and that she changed the way she narrates Novis. After 5 Mageri books to change his voice now seems wrong. I know it has been a while since the last Mageri book but still...it was a little jarring. Still worth the wait.

Doesn't Disappoint!

What did you love best about Risk?

The book was well written, entertaining and I love the characters. Simon is a great character. I loved him more in the other books. It Just feels like I didn't get enough of him in this one. I Want more Simon. more more more!

If you’ve listened to books by Dannika Dark before, how does this one compare?

They are all great book by Dannika! I have read them all minus Closer (next on my list) and by all I mean all of her books not just this series.

What about Nicole Poole’s performance did you like?

Oh Nicole Poole is a stellar narrator. She has great projection, clarity and tone. I can listen to her for ever!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Simon is a manly man who would rather suffer than look weak. So, when Simon was trapped and Levi saved him which inadvertently caused him to find out about his haunted past, I was sooo touched at the verbal and emotional exchange between these two and then his other friend showed up to help, Simon then realized that he actually had two loyal friends who did not want something in return.

Any additional comments?

I would like to see a part two or a follow up novella of Simon and the gang. Unless there are more full length books to come. I just feel unfulfilled. I would like a nice closer for the crew and for Simon to live happily ever after.

Love it!!

Love Love Love Simon Hunt!!! This was a look into his world like never before. Highly Recommend this and all of Dannika Dark's books!!

Risk is out of order

Would you listen to Risk again? Why?

No

What does Nicole Poole bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She's good

Any additional comments?

This book should have come BEFORE the gift. Matter of fact, at the very end of Risk, Silver and Logan get the phone call about the bidding for the child, which is then fully explained and drawn out in the Gift. You did readers a disservice having us read the Gift first.

so in love

i'm so in love with dannika daek and her books.
every story , every character , every detail is so good! i love it!

A family game

Any additional comments?

Ella is a difficult learner that Hannah can’t wait to be rid of. When Hannah arranges for Simon to train her learner, he doesn’t know what to expect but he certainly doesn’t expect her to be deaf. A mage with disabilities is unheard of in their world and he sets about putting the learner to the test. He soon finds out that not only is she a brilliant fighter who can compensate for her inability to hear but they have a unique gift between them.

Stepping out of Silver’s life and into Simon’s we get a different perspective of the Mageri world. Simon is the ultimate playboy with a liking for leather trousers and weird humour but he’s also a strategist which makes him one of the most interesting characters in Dark’s Mageri world.

Ella is a fantastic strong female with a unique sense of strength, humour, and abilities. Dark has a real talent for crafting brilliant, strong female leads and Ella has to be one of my favourites. She matches Simon’s intellect and compliments him in every way making me itch to read more about the couple.

The story has an ongoing theme to fit into the series but it also really explores a different side to the Mageri world and with every story I read this series just gets better.