Audiobook Review: Last Dragon Standing by Rachel Aaron

Author: Rachel Aaron
Narrator: Vikas Adam
Title: Last Dragon Standing
Series: Heartstrikers #5  
Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, UF, YA
Format: Audiobook 
Published: March 1, 2018
Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

Dear Reader,

There is no way to write a blurb for this final book without spoiling all of the others. Suffice it to say, mysteries resolve, dragons war, pigeons abound, and Julius must risk himself in ways he never dreamed possible as Bob’s grand plan finally comes to fruition.

But the Great Seer of the Heartstrikers isn’t the only one whose schemes are nearing completion. The Nameless End is coming, and even the machinations of the world’s most brilliant dragon seer might not be enough to stop it. As the world comes crashing down, it’s up Julius to prove what he’s always known: that seers can be wrong, and Nice Dragons don’t always finish last.

Review:

*sniff* We are at the end. I love this series so much. 

Everything comes together at the end. The future is uncertain. It will be up to Julius and his allies, friends, and family to save the world from the Nameless End. 

Everyone is together and fighting side-by-side. All of Julius' niceness has brought these dragons, humans, and more together. It's honestly beautiful. Even with all the characters the author did a great job not making it confusing or overwhelming. The narrator did a wonderful job too using all the different voices. Beautiful blend that made a great story. 

I am so sad to be at the end of the series again, but it was great reading this again. I honestly forgot some of the details so it was nice revisiting and seeing how they did it. 

Awww Justin. I wish we had more of him but there were so many faces running around. I hope we get a short story or something with Justin finding a HEA ;)

Bob!!! 

Julius you nice bean you!!!

Chelsea!! Squeeee. 

Amazing narration as per normal. 

This is a must-read series for sure. 

5 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Justin

Least Favorite Character(s): The Nameless End of course. 

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #48

Re-Listen: A Dragon of a Different Color by Rachel Aaron

Author: Rachel Aaron

Narrator: Vikas Adam

Title: A Dragon of a Different Color

Series: Heartstrikers #4

Genre: UF, Paranormal

Format: Audiobook 

Published: July 28, 2017

Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

To save his family from his tyrannical mother, Julius had to step on a lot of tails. That doesn’t win a Nice Dragon many friends, but just when he thinks he’s starting to make progress, a new threat arrives.

Turns out, things can get worse. Heartstriker hasn’t begun to pay for its secrets, and the dragons of China are here to collect. When the Golden Emperor demands his surrender, Julius will have to choose between loyalty to the sister who's always watched over him and preserving the clan he gave everything to protect.

Review:

This series is just SOOOOOOOOOOO good. I am so happy to be re-reading it!!!!

We pick up where we left off. Julius is grieving, but he has to keep going. There is a new threat to his clan and the world. There are more secrets from the past that could ruin everything he dreamed of. 

The first half of this book broke my heart again. Poor Julius. Poor Marci. I KNOW what happens at the end but it still killed me. I get WHY it had to happen, buuuuuut still...my poor heart. 

I think Julius found a nice balance of being "nice" and being a dragon. Love his character growth through these books. 

Chelsea is bae. 

Amelia!!!!

Oh Bob. 

We didn't get to see my boo Justin as much, but he's recovering. 

There is a LOT of talking here. Politics, unraveling secrets, fixing relationships, magic....and etc. It seemed like a lot last time, but I think I actually enjoyed it more this time! Maybe I was overwhelmed last time? There were things said that I didn't remember so I'm glad I got to re-read and catch the little things. Things made more sense this read through. 

And the narrator? Flawless of course. 

The first time I read this I had given it a 4. I'm bumping this up to a 5!!!!

Favorite Character(s): Chelsea and Amelia

Least Favorite Character(s): The Empress (*hiss*)

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #43

Re-Listen: No Good Dragon Goes Unpunished by Rachel Aaron

Author: Rachel Aaron

Narrator: Vikas Adam

Title: No Good Dragon Goes Unpunished

Series: Heartstrikers #3

Genre: UF, Paranormal

Format: Audiobook 

Published: August 5, 2016

Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

When Julius overthrew his mother and took control of his clan, he thought he was doing right by everyone. But sharing power isn’t part of any proper dragon’s vocabulary, and with one seat still open on the new ruling Council, all of Heartstriker is ready to do whatever it takes to get their claws on it, including killing the Nice Dragon who got them into this mess in the first place.

To keep his clan together and his skin intact, Julius is going to have to find a way to make his bloodthirsty siblings play fair. But there’s more going on in Heartstriker Mountain than politics. Every family has its secrets, but the skeletons in Bethesda’s closet are dragon sized, and with Algonquin’s war looming over them all, breaking his clan wide open might just be the only hope Julius has of saving it.

Review:

Going through this series again! It feels good going back!

Here we are...Julius overthrew his mother and took control of his clan. However, he is nice and wants to share power. Nice on paper, but hard to share power with power-hungry dragons. To keep his clan together and his body in one piece, Julius is going to have to find a way to convince his family to play fair. He will soon learn that there are secrets upon secrets that might ruin everything he has fought for. Along with this, Algonquin is ready for war. She wants the dragons gone. Will Julius and Marci survive...will their dreams survive? 

Love, love, love this series. Before reading the spin-off I wanted to go through this series again. Why not?

Julius is a gem. So nice. Such a dreamer.

Marci is amazing and powerful.

Justin is my lovebug! Literally a gem and needs a short story or something. 

Ooooooh Bob! Chelsea!!!! AMELIA! Love them all.

 

Algonquin and Bethesda are scary ladies, but I respect them in a weird way. I can see their points...kinda.  

Lots of politics and talking in this one. There is a lot of set up for the next book, but it is never boring. 

I still have the same one issue....Marci and Julius are barely together in this one. :/ I wanted more time with them together. They are the perfect team. Yes, yes, it was done on purpose and they have their own journeys right now. Sighs. 

Great narration as per normal. His voice is literally made for these stories. 

4 stars. READ THIS SERIES RIGHT MEOW!

Favorite Character(s): Julius and Justin

Least Favorite Character(s): Gregory and David

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #42

Blodeuedd's Tuesday Review: By a Silver Thread by Rachel Aaron

Series: DFZ Changeling (#1)

Format: 380 pages, Paperback

Published: May 2, 2023 by Aaron Bach LLC

Own/urban fantasy

What can I say, in the end nothing compare to Heartstrikers. I know, I lost my heart and soul to that series.

This is DFC many years after what happened there. Now more beings have come to light, or are still hiding. Among them fairies, and Lola is a changeling. A magical thing brought in to existence. One that should have faded but she is still alive thanks to a bloodmage named Victor that uses her for his own good.

And so Victor goes missing. She needs him to stay alive. She meets new friends and foes and something sinister is growing in the DFC.

There was danger and intrigues. It was good, but alas nothing compares....

In the world’s most magical metropolis where spirits run noodle shops and cash-strapped dragons stage photo-ops for tourists, people still think fairies are nothing but stories, and that’s exactly how the fairies like it. It’s a lot easier to feast on humanity’s dreams when no one believes you exist. But while this arrangement works splendidly for most fair folk, Lola isn’t one of the lucky ones.

She’s a changeling, a fairy monster made just human enough to dupe unsuspecting parents while fairies steal their real child. The magic that sustains her was never meant to last past the initial theft, leaving Lola without a future. But thanks to Victor Conrath, a very powerful--and very illegal--blood mage, she was given the means to cheat death.

For a price.

Now the only changeling ever to make it to adulthood, Lola has served the blood mage faithfully, if reluctantly, for twenty years. Her unique ability to slip through wards and change her shape to look like anyone has helped make Victor a legend in the DFZ’s illegal-magic underground. It’s not a great life, but at least the work is stable… until her master vanishes without a trace.

With only a handful left of the pills that keep her human, Lola must find Victor before she turns back into the fairy monster she was always meant to be. But with a whole SWAT team of federal paladins hunting her as a blood-mage accomplice, an Urban Legend on a silent black motorcycle who won’t leave her alone, and a mysterious fairy king with the power to make the entire city dream, Lola’s chances of getting out of this alive are as slender as a silver thread.

Re-listen...Audiobook Review: One Good Dragon Deserves Another by Rachel Aaron

Author: Rachel Aaron 

Narrator: Vikas Adam

Title: One Good Dragon Deserves Another

(Heartstrikers #2)

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fiction, Paranormal

Format: Audiobook 

Pages: 487 

Published: August 1st 2015

Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: After barely escaping the machinations of his terrifying mother, two all knowing seers, and countless bloodthirsty siblings, the last thing Julius wants to see is another dragon. Unfortunately for him, the only thing more dangerous than being a useless Heartstriker is being a useful one, and now that he’s got an in with the Three Sisters, Julius has become a key pawn in Bethesda the Heartstriker’s gamble to put her clan on top.

Refusal to play along with his mother’s plans means death, but there’s more going on than even Bethesda knows, and with Estella back in the game with a vengeance, Heartstriker futures disappearing, and Algonquin’s dragon hunter closing in, the stakes are higher than even a seer can calculate. But when his most powerful family members start dropping like flies, it falls to Julius to defend the clan that never respected him and prove that, sometimes, the world’s worst dragon is the best one to have on your side.

Review:

Re-read book 1 for book club and I couldn't resist doing the rest of the series. Love this series so much!

Julius and Marci barely survived after the last book. Estella is back and is desperate to win at any cost. Julius and Marci will have to use every tool to survive and find a future that can work for everyone.

It was so fun going back to the beginning. Loved seeing everything with knowing eyes. Even though I knew what was going to happen I was still on the edge of my seat. Awwww. 

Julius is so sweet. Sometimes too much, but that is what makes him a bad dragon. 

Marci is adorbs. 

Amelia and Bob are still my favorite dragons. 

Again...I still feel for Estella but she went too far. I wanted more for her, but she made her bed. 

The ending is just so good. You need to read the next book to see if Julius' plan works. I know what happens but I'm itching to start it. 

The narrator is fabulous as always!!

Such a good series. Loved this book even more than when I last read it. 5 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Bob and Amelia

Least Favorite Character(s): Bethesda

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #27

Audiobook Review: Nice Dragons Finish Last by Rachel Aaron

Author: Rachel Aaron

Narrator: Vikas Adam

Title: Nice Dragons Finish Last

Series: Heartstrikers #1

Genre: UF, Paranormal, SciFi

Format: Audiobook

Published: July 11, 2014

Where I got It: My shelf (gift)

Summary: 

As the smallest dragon in the Heartstriker clan, Julius survives by a simple code: keep quiet, don’t cause trouble, and stay out of the way of bigger dragons. But this meek behavior doesn't fly in a family of ambitious magical predators, and his mother, Bethesda the Heartstriker, has finally reached the end of her patience.

Now, sealed in human form and banished to the DFZ--a vertical metropolis built on the ruins of Old Detroit--Julius has one month to prove that he can be a ruthless dragon or kiss his true shape goodbye forever. But in a city of modern mages and vengeful spirits where dragons are considered monsters to be exterminated, he’s going to need some serious help to survive this test.

He only hopes humans are more trustworthy than dragons...

Review:

Picked this for book club because I have been itching to give this a re-read. 

Julius is nice and that isn't very dragon-like, so his mother kicks him to the curb to make something of himself before he can come back to the family. He has one month. But he is dropped into the DFZ and this is a city where dragons are illegal and labeled as monsters. He will have to find an ally or two in order to make it before the deadline. 

Awwwww it feels so good going back to the beginning of the series! Love this world and love these people. Julius is so nice. Justin is a hot-head, but I am in lovveeeeee with him. Chelsea is scary. Marci is the best thing for Julius. And Bob....well.....you can't help but love him and his pet. 

There are loads of characters we get to meet but the author does a good job dancing them around the stage. It never feels confusing or overwhelming.

Honestly, it was nice getting through this much quicker. Last time I wasn't able to because of the lockdown. It took my eons and it would be days before I had a chance to really sit down and listen. This time I was able to listen to my normal pace. 

Between that and knowing what happens next...I think I like this even more than my first listen!! This series is for sure a series you can listen to multiple times. Lots of little clues and foreshadows that I didn't catch the first time. 

The narrator? Awful. JK. I love him to bits. He is fabulous. Like I've said before some of his girl voices are a touch silly, BUT he makes sure every girl voice has their own voice so you are never confused. His accents are great and fit. 

All-in-all, this series is a must listen. Sure you can read it, but where is the fun in that? Listening is the way to go. 

Originally I gave this 4 stars, but I am going to bump this up to 5 because why not???

- Favorite Character(s): Justin and Bob

- Least Favorite Character(s): Mama Heartstriker

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #24

Blodeuedd's Monday: Hell for Hire by Rachel Aaron

By: Rachel Aaron

Narrated by: Nicholas Cain

Series: Tear Down Heaven, Book 1

Length: 10 hrs and 56 mins

Release date: 05-22-24

Urban fantasy/bookbeat.fi

It took me a while. I did not get into it, and then like 2 weeks after I tried again. It took a while but then I got into it.

I also felt the world maybe needed some more explaining.

Anyway, Bex is a demon who gets hired to protect Adrian who is a witch. He likes being a witch, but the powers that be wants him to be a nasty warlock and he is all f that! And he will hurt anyone trying.

So the book is building up for that final showdown when they are coming for him, and then slowly it turns out Bex is in trouble too.

In the end I did like it, but for a Rachel Aaron book is sure took time for me to enjoy it.

The narrator was good, but who knows, maybe I needed someone else

The Crew

A hulked-out wrath demon who eats gamer rage and loves cats, a shapeshifting lust demon who enjoys their food a bit too much, and a void demon who doesn’t see the point of any of this. They’re not the sort of mercenaries you'd hire on purpose, but Bex wouldn’t trust her life to anyone else.

Ever since the ancient Mesopotamian king Gilgamesh decided death wasn’t for him, killed the gods, and conquered the afterlife, times have been rough for a free demon. But the denizens of the Nine Hells aren’t the quitting sort, and Bex and her team have been choking a living out of the Eternal King’s lackeys for years. It’s not honest work, but when Heaven itself declares you a non-person, you smash-and-grab what you can get.

This next gig looks like more of the same…until Bex meets the client.

The Job

Adrian Blackwood is a witch with a problem. His family has skirted the edges of King Gilgamesh’s ire for centuries, but thanks to a decision he made as a child, Adrian is personally responsible for putting his entire coven in Heaven’s crosshairs.

Determined to set things right, Adrian drags his broom, caldron, and talking cat thousands of miles across the country to Seattle where he can fight the Eternal King’s warlocks without bringing the rest of his family into the fray. But witchcraft--like all crafts--takes time, and if the warlocks catch him before his spells are ready, he’s dead. So Adrian does what any professional witch would do and hires a team of mercenaries to keep the warlocks off his back. He didn’t expect to get demons, but when you’re already on the killing-edge of Heaven’s bad side, what’s a bit more fuel on the fire?

Sometimes you get more than you paid for.

Neither Adrian nor Bex knew what to expect when they signed their contract, but witch-plus-demon turns out to be a match made in the Hells. With this much chaos at their fingertips, even impossible dreams can come back into reach, because Bex wasn’t always a mercenary. She used to be the Eternal King's biggest nightmare, and now that she’s got a witch in her corner, it’s time to put the old magics back on the field and show Adrian Blackwood just how much Hell he’s hired.

Best of the Year!

Welcome to the BC Awards!!! We will be showcasing our favorites from the year!

Best Movie:

Blodeuedd's pick......Nimona (2023)

Carole's pick.......Taylor Swift - The Eras Tour (2023)

Best Show:

Carole's top 3 (no order).....

The Rookie

Queen Charlotte

Reservation Dogs

Blodeuedd's top 3 (no order).....

Hilda

The Rookie

What We Do in the Shadows

Best Book Cover:

Blodeuedd's pick.....

Carole's pick......

Best Audiobook:

Blodeuedd's pick...........Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare

Carole's pick........Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs

Best Book (ebook, paperback, hardcover): 

Carole's pick......The Moonlight Child by Karen McQuestion

Blodeuedd's pick........The Last Remains by Elly Griffiths

Best Re-read: 

Blodeuedd's pick......Heartstrikers series by Rachel Aaron

Carole's pick........The Empress of Rome series by Kate Quinn

Notable Mentions: 

Carole's pick......You Can Thank Me Later by Kelly Harms

Blodeuedd's pick......The Others series by Anne Bishop

And that is the end of the BC Awards. I am excited to see what 2024 has in store for us!!

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Forever Fantasy Online by Rachel Aaron & Travis Bach

By: Rachel Aaron, Travis Bach

Narrated by: Josh Hurley

Series: Forever Fantasy Online, Book 1

Length: 19 hrs and 23 mins

Release date: 06-05-18

Publisher: Audible Studios

Own /Fantasy

Ok so this took me forever, not because it was bad, but because I had decided to listen in my car, and most of the time I just want music. It took me so long that bookdepo went under and now to get more of these, sigh, well this might just be the end of this series for me. Damn bookdepo.

And yes, it is that Rachel Aaron, but it so Heartrstrikers quality book

Tina and James are playing a game called FFO, and suddenly the game sort of just continues. It takes them a while but they soon realise that they are in the game, and if they die...do they die for real? Not to mention all monsters are angry and the NPPs are even angrier. And all are angry at Players. The scum of the earth.

There is a lot of fighting, against baddies, and to survive in a very hostile world. How they ended up there and how it is real I do not know. I do want to know and how it turns out. I did enjoy the book even if it took me forever,.

Good narration. Constant action made it a good book to listen to

In the real world, twenty-one-year-old library sciences student Tina Anderson is invisible and under-appreciated, but in the VR-game Forever Fantasy Online she's Roxxy—the respected leader and main tank of a top-tier raiding guild. Her brother, James Anderson, has a similar problem. IRL he's a college drop-out struggling under debt, but in FFO he's famous—an explorer known all over the world for doing every quest and collecting the rarest items.

Both Tina and James need the game more than they're willing to admit, but their escape turns into a trap when FFO becomes real. Suddenly, wounds aren't virtual, the stupid monsters have turned cunning, and death might be forever. Separated across a much larger and more deadly world, their skill at FFO is the only thing keeping them alive. But as the harshness of their new reality sets in, Tina and James soon realize that being the best in the game is no longer good enough.

Blodeuedd Discusses the Heartstrikers series by Rachel Aaron

 

They are my comfort books. And they are so fun listening too.  Rachel Aaron is an amazing author, and Vikas Adam is a fantastic narrator. He truly makes these books. They are a MUST listen.

I will say it with pictures. I did my best to find fan art. But there is not much out there

Julius Heartstriker by Caffinated-Pinecone on DeviantArt

I Love Julius! The best nice dragon ever

Bob the Seer by Sammybunny711.

The mastermind behind it all.

I have re-listened to book 1 2 and 3. Good times. I am on book 4 but I had to take a break and get some other books in

Audiobook Review: Last Dragon Standing by Rachel Aaron

Author: Rachel Aaron

Narrator: Vikas Adams
Title: Last Dragon Standing

Series: Heartstrikers #5

Genre: UF, Fantasy, Paranormal
Published: March 1, 2018

Where I Got It: Xmas Gift

Summary: 

Dear Reader,

There is no way to write a blurb for this final book without spoiling all of the others. Suffice it to say, mysteries resolve, dragons war, pigeons abound, and Julius must risk himself in ways he never dreamed possible as Bob’s grand plan finally comes to fruition.

But the Great Seer of the Heartstrikers isn’t the only one whose schemes are nearing completion. The Nameless End is coming, and even the machinations of the world’s most brilliant dragon seer might not be enough to stop it. As the world comes crashing down, it’s up Julius to prove what he’s always known: that seers can be wrong, and Nice Dragons don’t always finish last.

Review:

I have mixed feelings.....I have been excited about this one, but I also know this is the final of the series. I AM NOT READY TO SAY GOODBYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *sobs*

Everything has come to a head. The Nameless End is coming and the world is crashing down. It is up to Julius the Nice Dragon and all his friends and family to try and stop it. Can seers be wrong? Julius and everyone will do everything they can to prove that seers can be wrong sometimes. 

Make sure to read the other books first. Lots of references and important events from those books will impact this one. 

This had me on the edge of my seat. Everything has come down to this final battle. Decisions made by everyone will dictate the future. HOWEVER, I took my time with this because I am sad this series has come to a close. Yes, I believe there is a spinoff BUT I love Julius and everyone. JUSTIN! Bob! COME BACK! *shakes fist*

But like all good things....it must come to an end eventually. 

I don't want to spoil anything but this is everything. Between the great narration, our characters, and the story. Yes, there is a lot of talking and planning, but it was needed and wasn't too long. I think the author did a good job switching between POVs to break up the long-winded speeches by our beloved Julius (love him but he does talk A LOT when he gets on a soap box) and magic talk. 

The epilogue had me squealing in joy and sadness!!!!!!!!!! WAH!

Overall, what an excellent way to end this excellent series. I can for sure see myself revisiting this in the future. It feels extra special since it is set in Detroit in my home state. I think I may pick Book 1 for my book club to read someday. ANYWAYS! Read this series. Narration is best but I'm sure print is just as good. 5 stars from me. 

Challenge(s):

- #33 for Audiobook challenge

Audiobook Review: A Dragon of a Different Color by Rachel Aaron

Author: Rachel Aaron

Narrator: Vikas Adam

Title: A Dragon of a Different Color

Series: Heartstrikers #4

Genre: UF, Fantasy, Paranormal, YA 

Format: Audiobook

Pages: 512

Published:  July 28, 2017

Where I got It: My shelf (Birthday gift)

Summary: 

To save his family from his tyrannical mother, Julius had to step on a lot of tails. That doesn’t win a Nice Dragon many friends, but just when he thinks he’s starting to make progress, a new threat arrives.

Turns out, things can get worse. Heartstriker hasn’t begun to pay for its secrets, and the dragons of China are here to collect. When the Golden Emperor demands his surrender, Julius will have to choose between loyalty to the sister who's always watched over him and preserving the clan he gave everything to protect.

Review:

Finally diving into book 4. Got sidetracked by other books, plus....I'm getting sad the series is nearly over. 

We continue on Julius' journey to make his clan better. He has had to step on a lot of tails, but he has made a lot of allies too. A new threat arrives though so things are about to get a whole lot worse. Heartstriker has more secrets to pay and the China dragons have come to collect and demand their surrender.

Awwww Julius....Marci....Bob! Chelsea! SOBS! I can't believe there is only one book left after this!

We picked up right after book 2 ended. Lots of crazy things have happened. Eeee I don't want to spoil anything. But things go from bad to worse. Julius will have to face the Golden Emperor. Marci will have to face....stuff. There is a lot going on and everyone and everything is at risk. 

I really, really enjoyed this one. I wish there had been more Justin though! Sobs! Love him! I'm sure he'll be back in with a vengeance in the last one, but I missed him. 

There was a lot of talking in this one. I was happy we got to learn a LOT, but sometimes some scenes felt a little stretched out. 

The narrator has returned and he is still amazing. Perfect voices for these characters. I couldn't imagine anyone else. 

In the end, I wanted more Justin, but we got to meet a lot of new characters SO it makes sense some other sides had to take to the bench. Other than that I adored this. We got to learn so much and so many questions have been answered. The ending has me itching for the new book, but I want to hold out a bit since it is the final book. Eeeek! Things are all coming to a head that is for sure. But yesssss this was great. 4 stars from me. 

Challenge(s):
- #18 for Audiobook challenge