The Dane Maddock Adventures

Volume 1

By: David Wood

Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

Length: 22 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Looking for a modern-day version of Indiana Jones? Dane Maddock is your man! This box set includes the first three books in the Dane Maddock Adventures series plus a bonus story.

Dourado

A sunken treasure. An ancient Biblical artifact. A mystery as old as humankind.

In 1829, the Portuguese brig Dourado sank off the coast of Indonesia, losing its cargo of priceless treasures from the Holy Land. One of these lost relics holds the key to an ancient mystery. But someone does not want this treasure to come to light. When her father is murdered while searching for the Dourado, Kaylin Maxwell hires treasure hunter and former Navy Seal Dane Maddock and his partner Uriah "Bones" Bonebrake, to locate the wreckage and recover a lost Biblical artifact, the truth behind which could call into question the fundamentally held truths of human existence. Join Maddock and Bones on a perilous adventure that carries them from the depths of the Pacific to ancient cities of stone as they unravel the mystery of the Dourado.

Cibola

Dane Maddock returns in another unforgettable adventure! When Maddock rescues beautiful archaeologist Jade Ihara, he joins her on asearch for the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola. Cibola takes the listener on a journey across the American southwest, where the ruins of the mysterious Anasazi hide deadly secrets, and foes lurk around every corner. Maddock and his partner "Bones" Bonebrake must decipher clues from the fabled Copper Scroll, outwit their enemies, and be the first to unlock the secret of Cibola.

Quest

Dane Maddock is back. Deep in the Amazon, a university group encounters a horror beyond their darkest nightmares and vanishes without a trace. Called upon to undertake a daring rescue mission, Maddock and Bones must trace the true path of Percy Fawcett's final expedition, but the secret that lies at the end of the search might be even deadlier than the enemies who seek it.

©2015 David Wood (P)2017 Gryphonwood Press

Need an Adventure Fix and on a Budget? Check...

Need an Adventure Fix and on a Budget? Check This Box Set Out!

Book One: Dourado

This is part of a bigger box set that I have out but I wanted to break the reviews up into book-by-book since that’s how I do all the other ones. I’ve read a few other books in this series and the other series related to Dane and Bones – but went back to the beginning with Dourado. It was cool to go this far back to see what Wood used to do as an author (how he’s improved and the “winning” moments that he’s kept in most of the books.

I usually call out the narrator later – but there was something that Kafer did in this book that I don’t think he does anymore.  When a phone call (or radio call, I believe) happened – he would distort the audio a little to make it sound like it was coming from a radio/phone. I absolutely loved that. I don’t know if everyone would – but in books like this, it was a really nice effect without going overboard.

Dourado was an interesting story.  I couldn’t really tell what the “treasure” part of it was going to be.  There was a part that I thought “okay, I think the book could end” but there was another couple of hours.  It was nice, and kept me on my toes! The lead up to the ending was perfectly thrilling without being overdone – a classic Wood tactic.

Overall, I thought that Dourado was enjoyable and definitely a great lead into this box set.

Book Two: Cibola

Cibola introduces us to Jade Ihara (a staple in later books) and it didn't go the way that I expected it to. Leave it to Wood to write me a story (especially since I'd read further books in this series) that just blew my mind when it came to Jade. This book did revolve around Jade quite a bit but it was still definitely the Dane and Bones show.

Their back and forth banter and ability to play off of each other in any situation really make these books for me.  They always crack me up and Cibola was no different.

The story (and legend) in this was awesome.  I've heard of this one but the way that Wood writes it out.  The people and organizations that he picks to be the antagonist are so topical it's ridiculous (even years after this was written and recorded).

If you have enjoyed any of the other Dane Maddock stories or if you're just a fan of Adventure novels - Cibola will definitely be a winner for you.

Jeffrey Kafer is the perfect voice for this series - I know that I've listened to quite a few since these original books came out, but Kafer just crushes it.  He's able to voice Dane and Bones in just the perfect way.  Especially the way that they play off each other.

Book Three: Quest

As anyone who reads my blog or reviews know; I love Jeffrey Kafer’s narration.  He does such a great job narrating that you forget that you’re listening to a fictional book.  He’s just able to bring the characters alive and make you forget you’re reading altogether.

I had to take a day or two after reading Quest to actually come up with a description that wasn’t full of hyperbole.  I enjoyed this story so thoroughly that I was in a book hangover once I finished.  About midway through, I realized that this was the third book in the Dane Maddock series, and quickly and frantically searched for more of them, to quickly realize that I already own some of them. (Yay me!)The story was just fascinating.  Mixing in old world history with new world adventure.  Think the Da Vinci code mixed with Indiana Jones.

The adventures that Maddock and crew take will bring the reader to numerous places both in the cities and deep in the Amazon.  The search and discovery parts made for a really fast-paced fly by the seat of your pants kind of adventure.

If you’re at all into an adventure that’s mixed with some amazing historical research — Quest is definitely for you.  I will be quickly checking out the other Maddock stories soon.

Bonus Short Story: Aztlan

This short story was, I believe, less than 30 minutes long.  But wow did it ever make me feel. I won't really go into what happened since it was such a shock (and it's super short and easy to read).  Just know that you are in for all the feels when you start and finish Aztlan.  It was such an interesting short story that grabbed my attention from the beginning.

Light and occasionally annoying.

Action and adventure mixed with history and this is a decent entry into that field. The negatives come from my finding Maddock mostly an ass. His relationships with women are high schooling and superficial. Female characters are stereotypical at best. Overall characters are one dimensional. The books are a decent listen but for more depth and better overall stories I have other go to authors. All that being said, the books aren’t bad and the action is plentiful. If you’re looking for deep character development in addition, look elsewhere.

Lots of fun

I want more, I wish the books were longer. I want more more more. just can't get enough. I am hooked

Good read.

Stories were entertaining and humorous. Albeit, some of the adventures were a bit over the top. They found every treasure they looked for! Even though they never reaped any rewards from the spoils. Entertaining never the less.

This is a great series

Much like other action adventure historical fiction books, this book follows the man character, Dane Maddock, and his number 2, Bones, through adventures. These adventures, though, have some biblical base and they are trying to thwart a villainous group threatening to purge the world of undesirables. I love the narrators voice.
10/10 recommend

A good series of pulpy adventure yarns

Let me admit this right from the start: I'm an adventure genre junkie. These books certainly fit the bill, including all of the wonderful tropes that seem to have become hallmarks of the genre.

The two main characters are ex-Navy SEALs, now working as marine archaeologists. In the course of their exploits, they get dragged into the search for lost treasures, priceless artifacts, lost cities, and objects of a mythical or legendary nature.

This series is in the same vein as the Dirk Pitt series by Clive Cussler (but without the maritime-centric plots that dominate most of Cussler's work). If you enjoy that series, you will probably enjoy these.

At first, I had a difficult time warming up to Jeffrey Kafer's narration -- it sounded like he was trying to narrate previews for 90s action movies. However, the story grabbed my attention, and soon I was too interested to be bothered anymore. This was most notable in the first book. In the subsequent books, Kafer seems to have toned down the macho-dramatic tone, and overall I would say he does a good job.

My only other complaint is the narrator's mispronunciation of "Deseret," the territory that would eventually become Utah. He pronounces it like the name Desirae. It's a fairly minor annoyance, and I probably only noticed it because I have lived in Utah.

Bottom line: If you are a fan of Indiana Jones, Uncharted, Tomb Raider, etc., and can't ever seem to get enough, you will probably enjoy this series.

First time reader of David Wood

I’m so happy to have found another author I really enjoy reading…well, listening to their work. I enjoy the characters and their personalities. I also enjoy the story lines and how they connect to some grand macguffin!

some pretty good entertainment

I think this box set is a good summer listen, made me laugh, kept my interest.

Love this adventure series

So many breathtaking moments made these stories a great listening experience. Mr. Wood has a talent for describing the environment. And what can I say about Jeffrey Kafer? He's simply the best!

fun read

its not the best thing youll ever read but it is fun. ill probably lisen to the rest. the females in it are kind of annoying. but i love Bones enough to continue.