The Wasteland

Their Champion, Book 1

By: K. A. Knight

Narrated by: Hollie Jackson

Length: 6 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's Summary

The world ended, and with it, so did the rules.

I was stolen from my family and raised in the wastelands to the north. I did what I had to ensure my survival. I became the Champion, with my history carved into my skin for all to see.

Now, I spend my days drinking and hiding from my past, until four newcomers offer me a job I can't refuse. When my past and future mix, I must once again rise and fight. This time it's not for my freedom, it's for my happiness.

Contains mature themes.

©2018 K. A. Knight (P)2019 Tantor

This isn't a video game people!

This book started out well enough to catch my interest even though the writing wasn't great. I was cautiously optimistic.
We are introduced to a woman who goes by the name Worth. She is self sufficient, doesn't trust anyone, was the victim of abuse and grew up in a post apocalyptic "everyone for themselves" environment. She is pressured into accepting a job guiding a group of 4 guys into the wasteland. This is where the writing gets extra sloppy and the relationships start to feel extremely rushed and forced. Every few minutes I would find myself thinking "Waite, did she really just do or say that? WTH!".
The time line of past events was a problem for me. Worth was 12 or 13 when everything collapsed but the way the world is described it sounds like it's been at least a few decades since then. How old is she anyway? I found my self confused and wondering about the time-line instead of listening to the story.
I think the authors research for this book was limited to watching movies and playing video games. Her wardrobe choices were ridiculous for the environment, there was no mention of basic practical things like how they're carrying enough water and fuel for their trip and no one was wearing goggles or any kind of head covering. They're riding motorcycles across a post apocalyptic desert under an extra hot sun. All of the characters dieing from infections or exposure would have been the logical end to this book.
The four guys who were supposed to be her love interests felt like half finished caricatures.(I think this is a common failure in the RH genre in general.) The only positive was that the guys weren't controlling "I know what's best for you" alpha males. I think one woman having multiple (RH) relationships in the context of this post apocalyptic, cutthroat society actually could make sense and be very interesting. Unfortunately the plot is thin and full of missed opportunities to develop the characters and the world they inhabit.
There were some entertaining moments and Worth didn't turn into a whiny idiot like a lot female characters do. Between that, the lack of the typical "alpha" males and the hope that it might get better (it didn't) I managed to finish the book. The narrator did a pretty good job and her accent was mostly consistent.
I wish I could recommend this book but I really can't. Have publishing standards always been this low? Good books seem to be quite literally one in a million these days.

If you are looking for a decent read/listen I can recommend Ilona Andrews The Innkeeper Chronicles (extremely slow burn) and the Hidden Legacy series (medium/slow burn). Both are imaginative and well crafted though more on the fun side as apposed to gritty. If you are looking for gritty and/or post apocalyptic check out their Kate Daniels and The Edge series. I didn't really like them, to serious but the writing was pretty good. (“Ilona Andrews” is the pseudonym for a husband and wife writing team.)

Patricia Briggs's Mercy Thompson series is also not a personal favorite but it is well done and I respect it. It's more serious than I prefer. It's urban fantasy.

Dianne Duvall's Immortal Guardians series is one I re-read often. Book 1 is a little shaky and the series isn't perfect but it's full of great characters you want to go hang out with. It's not "dark and gritty" but there are a lot of battles and sword fights. It is very definitely in the romance category.

Michelle Diener's Class 5 series is sci-fi and good overall. It's actually relatively clean, the story is interesting and I like the characters.

If you want something that is pure entertainment check out Lisa Shearin's SPI Files series. There is a little romance in it but I wouldn't classify it as romance. I introduced my husband to it and now he's hooked. I hope this list is helpful. Good hunting.

Dark and disturbing

If you are into very dark reverse harem romances, this book is a must read. Or must listen, in my case. The narrator for this audiobook was great and drew me into the story, once I got over how distracting her accent was because it didn’t fit with the main character in my mind.

This is different from any reverse harem I have ever read because the main character is so emotionally detached. I like her and think she is a bad ass, and I look forward to the next book.

Just be warned, there is a lot of violence. I mean a lot. It’s graphic, bloody, and gory. So if you’re not into that, I recommend you pick a different book.

Such a strong, smart heroine!!

That was one of the best female lead characters ever! I can’t wait for more. I can not wait for the rest of the series on audio. Hollie Jackson did a fantastic job. Please continue to record the series!

Love Hollie’s rendition of The Wasteland

Really enjoyed this audiobook! I had already fallen in love with these characters but it had been awhile since I had read this particular book and the audiobook does it so much justice. Let me first start off with the story. KA Knight makes you fall for Worth and her rough edges. We get to see her walls peel back a bit to let in her 4, maybe 5 lovers. She is so BA and totally owns everything she does (except when it comes to expressing her feelings hahaha). I loved her relationship with the guys and the side characters. I loved how she ended things with Major in this one (and what he did for the slave woman), on the fence about Dray when just looking at this particular book, not the series. Also her relationship with the older lady at the inn. She was amazeballs and hilarious. Now to her guys....SO MUCH SWOONING!!! I think Jax and Maxen are my favs, but Thorn and Drax are a close 2nd. I love the different dynamics and how each guy is still BA and no one is meek. They are all warriors, can kill someone easily, but are so perfect for Worth. Some are gentle, some allow her to take control, while others take control away from her. Perfect system ❤️ The cliffy at the end caused a little bit of heartache but thank goodness books 2 and 3 are out now too!

For the narration, Hollie does a phenomenal job. I was kinda taken aback in the beginning but she reined in some of the accents that were consistent and made it a great rendition. I think sometimes when the guys are excited/scared/etc. her voice wavers a bit because its hard to keep the accent at that point. Those are the only reasons I didnt give her a 5 star. It was more like a 4.5 star to be honest. She was already on my radar of narrators and this cemented her on my list of acceptable and go-to narrators. Great job, already listening to book 2 because I couldn’t just stop at 1 hahaha.

Definitely recommend this series and the books on audio ❤️

Wonderfully brutal!

Where to start with Wasteland...hmm. This first book of the Their Champion series was amazing! It's my second book by K.a Knight (the first being Rage) and I'm so glad I discovered this fantastic author. There was the perfect amount of action, tenderness, and edge of your seat suspense. And the sexy times were 🔥🔥🔥! I was not expecting that ending and I'll be immediately buying the next one to see how things progress. I normally don't read post-apocalyptic books but this one drew me in. I wasn't sure I even liked Worth at first, but by the end I wanted to BE Worth. The men are absolutely drool worthy. And the icing on this hot and intriguing cake is Hollie Jackson's narrating. I wasn't crazy about Worth's accent at first but after a few chapters, it seemed perfectly natural and fitting for who Worth is. There's a reason she's one of my all time favorite narrators! I highly recommend this one, and I'm so hoping the last book of the series will become available soon. I'm sure I'll be dying at the end of book two, as well!
Tw - multiple mentions of rape, references to torture, and child deaths (not witnessed, just talked about, but could be disturbing for some readers...it's a dark and brutal world K.a.Knight has shown us)

Perfectly created

Some people say the narrator was bad but I loved her! The story is violent, bloody full of sex and murder....Its fantastic! Well written and evenly paced, it's a series I will listen to again and again and I dont say that about many. If you are at all squeamish though steer clear.

It's OK.

She's a badass when she's not brooding. I think the immature thoughts are the frustrating part for me. Telling us that she's had her heart hardened against trusting others, but almost immediately trusts these people she just met. Not realistic.

The "bond" with these men seems rushed and forced by the author. I don't like that all they had to do was be around for more than a day and she softens to them.

The fighting and gore is great though.

loved it

what another great book by K A Knight! I love this author and her reverse harems! So glad I decided to try her! WOW what a great audio!