Audio: The Beyond by Chloe Neill @chloeneill ‏@AceRocBooks @TantorAudio #LoveAudiobooks #JIAM

Posted June 4, 2019 by Anne - Books of My Heart in Book Review / 16 Comments

Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.


Audio: The Beyond by Chloe Neill @chloeneill ‏@AceRocBooks @TantorAudio #LoveAudiobooks #JIAMThe 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
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three-flames
One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

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
One StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Writing
One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Characters
One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Dialogue
One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Narration (Audio)
One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Overall: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Anne - Books of My Heart
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

  • 2019 Audiobooks
  • 2019 Releases

Posted June 4, 2019 by Anne - Books of My Heart in Book Review / 16 Comments


16 responses to “Audio: The Beyond by Chloe Neill

    • 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

  1. Jen

    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.

  2. 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!