Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Beyond by Chloe Neill Narrator: Amy Landon
Series: Devil's Isle #4
Published by Tantor Audio, Ace on June 4, 2019
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 352
Length: 9 hours, 59 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble
It's been a year since the Veil between the human world and the world Beyond was torn apart, and war began again. Sensitive Claire Connolly and bounty hunter Liam Quinn have been helping their human and paranormal allies fight back against the ravaging invaders and save what's left of New Orleans.
But a new enemy has arisen, more powerful than any they've seen before, and even Devil's Isle cannot hold her. . .
When Claire learns of a new magical weapon—one built by paranormals themselves—she knows it could turn the tide of war. But to reach it, she and Liam will have to cross into the Beyond itself. In a world full of hostile magic and dangerous foes, she'll have to channel the powers she once kept hidden in order to survive. New Orleans hangs in the balance, and the storm is growing closer...
I love this author and I have loved this Devil’s Isle series from the start. Somehow, this is an audio series for me. The world and the character of Claire are something special. Claire is mature; she’s had to be, since she is on her own. Her skills and practical nature reflect her upbringing.
At the end of The Hunt, I expected war. Claire had also just reunited with Liam. I wasn’t sure what to expect in The Beyond. Well the title and blurb tells me, but I didn’t realize it. The whole team has been preparing, improving their magic skills. The paras and humans are working together better. When a new offensive happens, much of Louisiana evacuates. But our group of friends stays and joins the fight.
Claire ends up coming to terms with many things. She sorts out her feelings for her biological mother, for Liam and whether she will stay and fight. The whole group gets a big taste of the other side when they go into the Beyond. I won’t spoil all the reasons and what happens. The Beyond (place) is not what I expected. It’s not what Claire expected either.
Liam seemed like he was in the background even when he was there. Gavin was much more active in the story and spouting off with his jokes and teasing. Many of the characters from the series made an appearance. But those most active were Claire, Liam, Gavin, and Malachi. Liam and Claire do have a few things to sort out as they go along.
The series overall has aspects of social castes and prejudice. There are also the issues of politics, political power and those who only care about their own power or wealth. Huh – that sounds normal. There is plenty to think about here. There are also battles and action, problem-solving and strategy, with a touch of romance, which make it exciting! The appearance of many favorites is a treat in this great ending for the series.
Narration:
Amy Landon is a narrator I enjoy and she is Claire for me. I really enjoy her varied voices particularly the female ones. I like the male vocals for Gavin, Moses and Gunnar, especially. In the last book, Liam sounded different and also in this one. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Amy Landon
Amy Landon is a classically trained actress with numerous off-Broadway, film, and television credits. Her voice can also be heard on many television and radio commercials. She has an easy facility with dialects, which she also coaches and teaches, and she is happy to find her lifelong obsession with books is matching up with her acting and vocal work.
About Chloe Neill
Chloe Neill is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Captain Kit Brightling, Heirs of Chicagoland, Chicagoland Vampires, Devil’s Isle, and Dark Elite novels.
She was born and raised in the South, but now makes her home in the Midwest, where she lives with her gamer husband and their bosses/dogs, Baxter and Scout. Chloe is a voracious reader and obsessive Maker of Things; the crafting rotation currently involves baking and quilting. She believes she is exceedingly witty; her husband has been known to disagree.
Photo by Dana Damewood.
| Rating Breakdown | |
|---|---|
| Plot |
 |
| Writing |
|
| Characters |
|
| Dialogue |
|
| Narration (Audio) |
|
| Overall: | |
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
- 🎧The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang #YouYeong-Gwang #RosaEscoda @AceBooksPub @acebookspub.bsky.social @penguinaudio.bsky.social @PRHAudio #LoveAudiobooks - January 23, 2025
- 🎧 Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis @JillShalvis @andi_arndt @WmMorrowBooks @avonbooks @HarperAudio #LOVEAUDIOBOOKS - January 21, 2025
- Sunday Post – 19 January 2025 @caffeinatedreviewer.com @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality - January 19, 2025
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2019 Audiobooks
- 2019 Releases
This is a series that I’ve had my eye on since the beginning, but just need to get to at some point. I do love it when a narrator is so perfect that they are the voice in your mind for the characters.
While there have been a few ups & downs in the series, I have enjoyed it a lot. I really like the narrator in her fit as Claire.
great cover and i do love her work
Yes I have really enjoyed the covers for this series. I like the audio cover especially. I try to read everything by Chloe Neill.
Oh yes I also had a good time with this one!
I enjoyed it too.
My sister really enjoys her books and that usually means I will too. Got to try this series!
I hope you enjoy them.
I started this before my audio addiction set in, plus she is a local author and I needed my books signed..lol
Lucky you! She has been at several of the book events I have attended and I only attend about 1 a year. And I started my audio addiction with CDs from the library and publishers since my old car had a CD player. So I have signed audiobooks from early in the series. 🙂 XD
This one was a fitting conclusion for the series. So glad I didn’t stop after book 3! As you know, I tried the audio for the first time and I didn’t care for it as much as you – but that’s more due to the fact she sounds like a cartoon character I used to watch. So it was tough for me to separate that. Nice review.
Yes the Hunt was difficult and until the last part felt like disorganized bits of information. This one held together a bit better but still started up slowly. It had the pieces to give closure and make a good series ending.
I think sometimes the narration is affected quite a bit by speed. Some I have to speed up or slow down more than others to sound right to me. I like Landon’s overall voice and for Claire but not her voice for Liam.
This sounds like a great ending to an intriguing series, Anne! I loved that this one surprised you a bit with where it went. I am taking note for when/if I’m looking for this type of series. Wonderful review!
Yes it’s more my typical reading genre and an unusual one for you.
Another series I have on my TBR! I’m happy it’s a shorter one (easier to catch up on) but also sad that if I love it, there’s only 4 books, lol.
I’m glad it ended well. 🙂
I really enjoyed it quite a lot. I really like the main character Claire.