Volt

By: Dawn Brazil

Narrated by: Erin Chmela

Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

A lie. A death. An unthinkable opportunity. A Robot, reapers, boys… and manipulation so great, the truth sounds like a tall tale.

Seventeen-year-old Samantha wakes months after a car accident, throttled with grief and unanswered questions. The universe has a habit of crapping over her desires so, answers are doubtful. The one person able to wrench her from the throes of depression lost his life in the accident: her boyfriend, Ryan. Sedated for her protection, she wakes in a city called VOLT (Village of Lost Things). She’s allowed to see Ryan again in VOLT. In this eccentric town, the heartbroken are reunited with their lost things – people or objects. Sam knows how implausible a place like VOLT is but her heart can’t take more disappointment.

Except, Ryan isn’t where he’s supposed to be. And VOLT’s promise of a sweet reunion appears as likely as being tied to a hog and dragged around the moon.

Eighteen-year-old Joe is an egotistical, whiny, momma’s boy with a knack for verbally eviscerating those around him. At least, that’s Sam’s evaluation of him when she meets him in VOLT. He lost his mother several months ago and comes to VOLT often. His mother insists he becomes Sam’s official guide to find Ryan.

Fifteen-year-old Ferris has a borderline personality disorder. Several years ago, he lost his mother also. He’s been in VOLT the longest and appears to be a great addition to aid them in finding Ryan. Or stop Sam and Joe from killing each other. He just needs to remember who he is – which appears impossible.

Finding Ryan is Sam’s last effort to reconnect to a life teetering by a string with an anvil attached. She must decide between the living and the dead. If she were keeping tally, she’d be closer to a corpse than a teenager. And her traveling companions aren’t too far behind her.

Trigger Warnings: Death, Suicide, Sexual Abuse (mention only)

©2014, 2022 Angelica Steward (P)2022 Angelica Steward

Loved it!

Extremely well written fantasy novel that actually addresses mental health, death and suicide.
Lots of twists and turns!

Great story

When her boyfriend dies, our main character finds herself in the mysterious village of lost things. Story is well written and whimsical, with a funny main character. I liked how she used states instead of swears. It’s a slower start but then the story draws you in. The characters have good chemistry. The narrator is good. 4.5 stars rounded up. I received a free copy of this audiobook and am leaving an honest review.

Loved it

This book was an emotional roller coaster for me personally, it was sad and heartbreaking but also I couldn’t stop until the end. The story is so deep, especially for someone who has lost a loved one and would have done anything to have them back.

Clever Fantasy

This was my first experience with Dawn Brazil's work, and I found most of it entertaining. I liked the world building and the creative imagining of "The Village of Lost Things". I appreciated that the characters were flawed. My greatest issue was that it just seemed to take a long time before things started happening. As I was listening to the audiobook, my attention would start to wander and then something would happen, and I would become wrapped up in the story again. Erin Chmela's narration was fine. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.