The Burn Zone

By: James K. Decker

Narrated by: Jeannie Lin

Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Plagued by overpopulation, disease, and starvation, humanity was headed for extinction - until an alien race called the haan arrived. And then the real trouble began.

It's been a rough day for Sam Shao. As part of a program that requires humans to act as surrogates to haan infants, Sam has been genetically enhanced to bond with them. So when three soldiers invade her apartment and arrest her guardian for smuggling a dangerous weapon into the country, Sam can sense that something isn't right. One of his abductors is a haan masquerading as a human, and the supposedly fragile haan seems to be anything but. Racing through the city slums, trying to stay one step ahead of the mysterious haan soldier, Sam tries to find the man who, in her 20 years, has been the only father she's ever known.

Could he truly have done what he is accused of? Or did he witness something both human and haan would kill to keep hidden? The only thing certain is that the weapon is real - and lost now somewhere in a city of millions. Fighting the clock, Sam finds an ally in Nix, a haan envoy devoted to coexisting with humans, or so it seems. But what she really needs are answers. Fast. Or else everything she knows - and everyone she loves - will burn.

©2013 James Knapp (P)2016 James Knapp

Excellent

This book was non stop action with excellent narration that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The characters were well developed and believable. It ended with lots of unanswered questions and a Twilight Zone type cliff hanger.

"This audio book was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobookboom"

An Odd Invasion

The Burn Zone is a rather unique, full tale of an alien... invasion? I'm not sure how to exactly classify the scenario. It isn't a typical hostile alien invasion scenario, or V type false friend invasion. The book starts years after a rather cataclysmic accidental appearance of an alien species on earth, where a war didn't erupt with an overpopulated, tired, hungry humanity, but instead humanity more or less accepted the apologies and help the aliens were offering. In the ensuing years, resentments fester of various levels, from the person on the street to leaders, on both sides of the 'invasion', and at the extreme end of these resentments (once again on both sides of the invasion) devastating plots are put into play by people of authority on both sides of the invasion.

The story is pretty rich, and in some places complicated, but it primarily is told from the perspective of a young female, Sam, who is suddenly thrust into the middle of the whole mess. The overall length of the novel is also just right. It isn't too short, or too drawn out, and reaches a satisfying end.

Both the author and narrator are new to me. The author has another audiobook (under the name James Knapp) which I now have on my wishlist. Jeannie Lin did a wonderful performance with the book, adding a lot of life and distinction to the characters and story.

I did receive this audiobook as a review copy, and I am glad to have the opportunity for a unique tale like this.

Riveting from start to finish.

This story line was very well thought out. All the dots connected in the end.
The only criticism I could have is that the story takes place in unfamiliar location. The details are their for the city, but unknown to most readers. That being said story still held my attention all the way through.
The performance was fantastic and exuberant at times. A little loud on the yelling parts, if using headphones or ear buds. But wonderfully done.
I would put the story on par with the likes of Blade Runner. Would love to see this made into a movie someday.
I thought it was a good choice to end it as a stand alone work or continue the story about the young girl and old man.
All in all I highly recommend it.

Great sci-fi!

Any additional comments?

I love science fiction and dystopian worlds so I was pre-disposed to like this listen. Turns out, it was even better than I hoped.

The twists and turns to this story are many and varied. The tech-centric future (past?) was very detailed and the writer and narrator were able to create a very visual world right down to the smell.

The heroine, Sam, had moments when you just wanted to smack her but man, oh man, did she prove her worth.

The narrator was very good and she made a convincing series of artificial voices as well. Way to go!

All in all, a very good listen.

I liked it!

I was surprised that I liked this book. good story and I liked the characters. the narrator was really good I enjoyed her voice.

This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

Sci-fi action

Very vibrant, detailed wold and characters created. The story was very involved and took awhile to hook me, but it's interesting. Great sci-fi action.

The narrator did an awesome job. Great performance.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.

Great coins have been outstanding

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com

There were some gaps in the knowledge of the reader and the technology that should have been filled in. Additionally, I think it would have helped had there been more background on the arrival and integration of the aliens.

The story and characters were interesting I just wish I had less to fill in on my own in regards to a few of the technological details. Well worth your time to listen / read.

Not your usual Sci-Fi Invasion Story

This is a really faced paced story that seems to draw some of it's inspiration from District 9, with a really great twist at the end!
Jeannie Lin does a great job with the narration, bringing a unique identity to each character.
Overall, this book is well worth a listen.


This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.

The Burn Zone

Ok let me put it this way. this story was weird but intriguing. It was action but love and it was entertaining. I would recommended this book to anyone liking alien book.

I received the book free in return for a unbiased review.

Waaaaayyyyy too many people on the planet!

What did you love best about The Burn Zone?

I liked that even though the alien race that is in the book have technology that way surpasses our own, they still have a great flaw in their anatomy, which is they are very fragile when it comes to physical duress.

What other book might you compare The Burn Zone to and why?

Probably the closest I could think of is the Lorien Legacy series where the aliens in this book are sort of a mix of the two races, the one that wants to help us, and the other that wants our planet.

Which scene was your favorite?

I thought it was really cool at the beginning when she is falling and a portal opens up beneath her and she falls through it and gravity switches so she starts falling sideways and her impact is much less intense.

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

The moment after she gives back her surrogate and realizes what that entails, I won't give any spoilers, but what happens made me rather angry and sad.

Any additional comments?

I received this audiobook from the author, narrator, or publisher for free via audiobookboom in exchange for an unbiased review.