The Calling Series: Pestilence & War

By: Kim Faulks

Narrated by: Azalea Blau

Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

The Calling Series includes two books: Pestilence and War.

Pestilence

The apocalypse isn't just coming. It's already here.

Four riders are hunting a fallen woman. One that will seal this world's fate. And they'll leave behind utter devastation in their wake.

Pestilence. War. Famine. Death.

Harlow Morgan is lost in a dying world, desperate to find a reason to live. She finds that reason in a filthy bathroom stall, with the rush of Nirvana in her veins and the whisper of God in her ear. A calling she cannot shake.

Armed with a Bible in one hand and a gun in the other, Harlow won’t wait for the horsemen to find her. She's coming after them with the wrath of God on her side.

She'll defeat them any way she can...body, mind, and soul. All in the name of salvation.

War

War is coming, and she’s not ready. She doesn’t think she’ll ever be ready.

She’s got Pestilence in her basement. He’s bound, gagged. His blood slick on her hands. His touch warm on her body.

And he’s calling the others - the three riders she’s hunting.

But she’s been given a mission - a calling to her tainted soul.

Lamb, Pestilence calls her. But she’s no lamb. She’s a lion. Her name is Harlow Morgan, and she's the last hope a dying world has left.

Please note: This is a postapocalyptic reverse harem series filled with danger, lust, and dark romantic themes. The audiobook includes a bonus teaser of Ace from Zodiac Guardian series, included for your enjoyment.

©2019 Kim Faulks (P)2020 Brandon

Good story

I really enjoyed this book. I am not quite used to audio but I am getting there. The story is well written and I enjoyed the narrator.

Eagerly awaiting the next installment !!!

Wonderfully written, apocalyptic love story! I don't like the way it ended, with no knowledge of when or if an ending will occur. Hoping the next part will be available soon!!

Pretty good

I've enjoyed a few of Kim Faulk's books in the past, so it's not surprise that I also enjoyed these two. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, where Harlow, our female MC is doing her best to survive in a world that has been destroyed (though she's a bit of an addict in the beginning). She's hearing voices throughout the story, and it turns out they're coming from one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. By the end of the first one, Pestilence has been revealed to Harlow and he's called for the other horsemen. In the second book, War has come. You can see that the RH aspect is coming into play, but it would be nice to get more books and see how that's going to play out with all of them. All in all, I'd say this is a story worth checking out.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Unfinished series

First, cliffhanger. Harlow, the female protagonist, has been left alone to fend for herself in a dystopian world where it is every man or woman for themselves. Her father left her set up pretty well when it came to shelter and water, but she still had to forage for food, drugs, and munitions. And you got to have munitions. There are two groups that need to be avoided at all costs - the Lost Boys and the Mighty.

Harlow has a drug-induced vision one night in the bathroom of an old subway station. God visits her and tells her that she must defeat the four horsemen. They are coming for her. She sets off on her quest, trying to help people along the way. She somehow seems to always fail to make a difference. She will meet Pestilence, or does she already know him? Then War makes an appearance, just in the nick of time. But her new savior complex is going to cause her to fail once again and end up in the last place she ever wanted to be. A stunning revelation occurs just as book 2 ends.

I found Harlow to be pretty annoying. She presents herself as strong and independent, but she does some pretty stupid stuff and whines a lot, at least internally. She hears her father's voice in her head, sometimes this is helpful but often she ignore his advice - usually to her peril. I am going to see if I own the other two books. (I found out she never completed the series. I reduced my rating by one star since I got left hanging. ) I got a free copy of this audiobook from the author. My review is voluntary.

Interesting take on the Four Horsemen

The Calling Series: Pestilence & War is a two-book YA bundle centering around Harlow Morgan as she attempts to survive in an apocalyptic world caused by a plague. She has lost her family, is hearing voices and losing hope. Harlow finds a Bible and experiences the Calling, which she interprets as a charge to help people instead of hiding and looking out for herself. As she attempts to help people, she gains a friend named Angel, finds out how the plague is now spreading faster, meets Pestilence and War, and discovers something very interesting about herself.

I've read and enjoyed other books by Kim Faulks (Zodiac Dragon Guardians!) so I wasn't surprised to also enjoy this story. As with her other books, this one starts out a little slow, but then you get drawn into it and don't want to put it down - you just want to know what happens next. I think it is a slow start because the author works hard to make you feel, experience, and become immersed in the environment. Be prepared for a gritty world, and a big reveal at the end, which made me immediately want to read the next book which, unfortunately for me, is not yet available. I was a little concerned about the fact that this is a YA/NA book, as I am very far from that age range, but that didn't become an issue. As for the audio, I wasn't sure at first if I would like the narrator Azalea Blau, because Harlow's voice sounded the same as the story elements. As the story progressed, though, she did a good job of indicating the different characters and I hope she is used for the subsequent books. This was a solid offering and if you liked her other series, then you should also enjoy The Calling.

Convoluted

This audio book was one of the biggest mistake purchases I ever made on audible. I will not listen to it again. I wish I could get the wasted time and money back I spent on the book.

don't waste time or money

storyline too hard to follow had nothing to get u hooked. but narrator was good I recommend looking for something else read by this narrator