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*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
The powers of the Republic will do about anything to stop the Outworlders after their latest attack. They destroyed a station with many powerful and elite captains present then stole of the two powerful space ships that were the only thing strong enough to fight the Outworlders. On a secret order, Captain Olis Mann is to do anything to kill who killed their people and stole the ships. Captain Mann feels creating a crew of ex-military and now prisoners with nothing left to lose is the answer.
Jeff is one of the most entertaining voice actors I've listened to. And I will continue to listen to him. He has a voice for every single character, no matter how large or small the part. When we have more than one character responding, we hear more than one character responding. Jeff truly brings the story to life when he tells it. This book is no different than I'd expect from Jeff.
So I know I enjoy M.R. Forbes's books. I know I love listening to Jeff Hays. And I absolutely love this title and description. How could I go wrong when I see it up for review? I HAD TO HAVE IT!
Forbes dives right in with events that shows us the Republic is struggling with Outworlders. There is a real battle between them in the universe. And being in space, it's life or death, and they are fighting for life.
We do get a large cast of characters. Each is in a different place or side of the battles. In doing this we get to see all that is happening, giving the story and world a large feel.
In getting these many different characters views, a few of them are lives that are extinguished with the battles they fight. Sad, but gives us a great view without giving away the "bad guy" and their full intentions. It also gives us the information that another character is sent to investigate while we follow our main characters. There are views from solid characters we follow through the book. Abigail Cage is one of these characters. She's severely wronged. Then someone wants to use her. But she's stronger than them - mentally. She outwits them. Though, because of that she almost gets overlooked when Captain Olis Mann going about fixing things (so we think) is looking for help. Captain Olis Mann is a man on a mission. He's to do what it takes to stop the Outworlders. The Republic have given him free rein to find the ships stolen, and kill who took them and killed so many people in the process.
It's mentioned by a few characters of how the Republic is corrupt. We start to see that with some of the actions being done to and with a few characters. There really is something more than meets the eye with the Republic that's to be good. I'm guessing the Outworlders have very good reason to fight them. But it's sad to see so many lives lost. We also see the Outworlders are not the innocent side either. But in the end we see there may be a third option here. Who are these people and what side are they on? If they are even on a side.
The universe is large. We get many different beings in this book. There are many different aliens (and I'm including humans as we are a being in a vast space system) in this world. I love it! It adds diversity to the cast but also adds to their personalities. Who they are and what they believe makes a huge difference in how they react.
I enjoyed this story. The crew too. A bunch of misfits, or rejects as the title says, that are brought together. But they make an awesome crew with some conflicts mixed in. The crew has a feel like the crew on the tv series Dark Matter. I enjoy this blend of personalities.
This story is all science fiction, though not heavy in the way of trying to understand technology. It's in space, on spaceships, with neat things they all can do. But! There is an element of something more. You get a paranormal feel at the very end of the story. Is it divine or is it alien powers? I don't know, and that's an added curiosity to keep me coming back for more!
Why did I read it? Because I had enjoyed the author's Lewis trilogy, and I had hoped for something similar.
What's it about? Niamh and Ruairidh MacFarlane are two islanders who build up a textile business, Ranish Tweed, and while on a visit to Paris, a car bomb goes off. As the investigation gets under way, Niamh struggles to come to terms with a life without Ruaridh.
What did I like? There were parts set on the island, and, as always its character shone through. Both narrators were good, and it was interesting to have one for the present, and one for the past. The downloaded audio file was clear.
What didn't I like? It is unfortunate that this book failed to hold my attention. I kept leaving it, coming back, then leaving it again. This was not helped when, in the back of my mind, I held an idea about the direction of the book from the time of the car bomb. I ploughed on, despite not being gripped by the story line, or the characters, and with clues seemingly corroborating my thoughts on an outcome. When, finally, the end came, it was merely a confirmation.
The characters could just not hold my interest, and the hints about events in the past of some characters were frustrating, especially when the author would elaborate later in a flashback chapter - the waiting seemed so unnecessary. Niamh was the most developed character, but I had no sympathy for her, or indeed with any of the characters, no empathy, or any kind of connection really. Each seemed predictable, and flat.
Having that feeling about the story line's conclusions put me off, and I felt really let down by this book. I wanted to like it so much. I wanted it to grip me and hold me down to it until the bitter end as the Lewis trilogy had, but it just whimpered quietly, and I was frequently able to leave it alone.
I guess my disappointment is showing, but it's really how I felt at the end.
Would I recommend it? Please don't let this be your introduction to Peter May's work; he has written better. Overall, I cannot recommend "I'll Keep You Safe".
Note: As this is Book 4 in the series, you really need to enjoy the previous books to get what’s at stake in this story.
Whew! Such a mix of feelings over this book. It was a great, wild ride but I am sad to say it looks like this is the end of the series. First, it was awesome to see Dani back in the mix. She is so good for Conor and just a great character herself. I love her snark and quick comebacks and her absolute certainty once she’s made a decision. There’s some unfinished business between her and Conor and that might break them apart. I was on the edge of my seat for part of the story waiting to see how things would be resolved between them.
Frank, the trogre, continues to be the heart of this little adventure group. Amos is a jerk with a noble cause (protect Dani). Prythi is also back and her cyber skills are put to the test. Then there is Ash, Karatona’s son. He’s a young dragon that owes his life to Conor.
On the other side, we have Samedi. He’s gathered so much power from tricking and cheating Conor. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Conor and his team try to stay one step ahead of Samedi… and sometimes failing. The woe! But Conor and crew rally each and every time. Even though there are zombies.
Death also enters the fray. Yep, that Death. Conor has to figure out what side he’s really playing for. There were so many ways for all to have been lost for our heroes. I was caught up for the entire story! I especially liked Forbes’s take on the Morrigan in this tale, even if the trio create a serious headache for Conor.
The ending was a deliciously tense bit! Conor has been dying for years from cancer but I really didn’t know how things would fall out for him. I also feared for his companions. Even throughout the action, there’s bits of humor tucked in everywhere. Ash and pixies and all of Amos’s comments! Snort laugh! The final ending was very fitting. Perhaps we will see Conor again some day but if this is all we get, it’s been a worthy series. 5/5 stars.
I received a free copy of this audiobook.
Narration: Jeff Hays has done this series justice! He has a great, rough voice for Conor. I also love his voice for Amos, who is sarcastic or dissatisfied or making lewd comments all the time. All his female voices are feminine (he does a great job with them) and I loved having Dani back. He went the extra mile with the ultra-creepy voice for Samedi. There’s quite the range of emotions in this book, especially for Conor and Hays did a great job performing those emotions. 5/5 stars.
