Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Totality by Kim Harrison Narrator: Xe Sands
Series: Eclipsed Evolution #2
Published by Penguin Audio on May 7, 2024
Genres: Science Fiction Fantasy
Length: 4 hours, 41 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Audible, Libro.fm
Dr. Renee Caisson never expected that her scientific expertise would lead to a role playing interpreter between humans and the demonic-looking Neighbors. When the door between their worlds opened, she was drafted by the government to study the otherworldly beings and was able to prove her theory: the Neighbors had been to Earth before—and now they simply wanted to save their dying planet.
At least, that’s the story, and everyone—both human and Neighbor—is sticking to it. The Neighbor in charge of the new portal’s operation, Noel, isn’t that sure anymore. Having succeeded in finding a new planet to inhabit, the leaders of her world have made the dark truth of their existence clear to her: the Neighbors forcibly tried to make a foothold on Earth in the past—and they can’t afford to fail again.
I loved the continuation with the scientific aspects of learning about the Neighbors and August learning about the plants and animals on Earth. We are seeing things from Renee’s point of view, which is naturally more focused on the scientific wonder of this opportunity.
We start to learn more about the political and business thoughts. I don’t know if I trust any of these folks with their greed and controlling attitudes. But I get it. The military will rightfully be more cautious about protecting Earth and our people. It feels repressive to Renee (and so us also) but Renee is compassionate and a bit impulsive. I agree with her wishes to make them more comfortable and certainly not to use them for science experiments.
The Neighbors are trading out personnel now. Noel who has headed the project for the Neighbors now has “higher ups” controlling the narrative and forcing her to do things that make her uncomfortable. We start to get some of Noel’s point of view now. She is sent to Earth and ordered to bring August back.
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Emergence by Kim Harrison Narrator: Xe Sands
Series: Eclipsed Evolution #3
Published by Penguin Audio on June 4, 2024
Genres: Science Fiction Fantasy
Length: 6 hours, 12 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Audible, Libro.fm
As time has passed, Dr. Renee Caisson has begun to see the demonic, alien August as more than a research subject or an unlikely colleague—they’ve become friends. And together, she and August have helped the two societies of Nextdoor and Earth through the confusion of first contact, the danger of misunderstandings, and the anger of mistreatment.
But when a popular blogger and conspiracy theorist twists August’s words, an uproar ensues, turning a powerful section of human society against the Neighbors—and resulting in Renee’s house arrest. “To protect you,” her could-be boyfriend, Major Jackson says, though that’s not how Renee sees it.
Torn between duty and friendship, August jumps Renee to freedom using the labyrinth, fully aware the journey might reveal more to her than she should know. The wily Neighbor has pieced together that Renee has been unconsciously using their magic, a fact that, if revealed, will cause more, not less conflict between their worlds.
Renee and August have continued their friendship and their joy at learning and discoveries about the worlds. They have helped to diffuse issues and solve problems. Major Jackson has decided it is best to introduce the world to the Neighbors because misinformation is leaking. The leaks are by those who see the Neighbors as a threat to Earth.
I don’t know who to trust. I think Major Jackson is ok, but I don’t like Hanover, Monroe, Taylor or the therapist Vaughn. I don’t trust Vaughn at all. There have been clues about him but it’s unclear what they mean. It seems like he is influencing Renee somehow as she always gets headaches around him.  Taylor as the scientist who harmed the Neighbors has never been trustworthy.
In Emergence, we have less of the fun scientific aspects and more of the power brokers fighting for their wants and positions. While August protects Renee, he seems in the dark about the political forces in his world. August and Renee are getting answers about those behind the harming of the Neighbors and the leaks but it just gets them further in trouble all around, although they do find answers.
Noel gets a powerful device to install so that the Neighbors are able to keep the portal open at any time they need. She uses it to travel where she wants and effect her own justice and perhaps her own plans.
Renee plans to leave the project but then she is offered a spot to go study in the Neighbor’s world. Major Jackson is against it since he wants to date Renee and is concerned for her safety. Vaughn wants her to stay on Earth and stay with the project. Noel wants her away from Earth and out of communication so she can implement the Neighbor’s plans. So the ending is a bit of a cliffhanger and I am very worried for Renee. I really hope there will be more books and stories in these worlds.
Narration:
Xe Sands is a favorite narrator. I appreciate her distinct voices for the different characters, and even aliens.  The most active characters are Renee, August, Major Jackson and Noel, but there are others. I listened comfortably at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Xe Sands
Award-winning narrator known for credible characterizations and an intimate delivery with more than a decade of experience bringing stories to life through narration, performance, and visual art. I believe an authentic performance demands authentic connection to the text and subtext.
About Kim Harrison
Kim Harrison, author of the New York Times #1 best selling Hollows series, was born in Detroit and lived most her her life within an easy drive. After gaining her bachelors in the sciences, she moved to South Carolina, where she remained until recently returning to Michigan because she missed the snow. She’s currently working on the Peri Reed Chronicles, and when not at her desk, Kim is most likely to be found landscaping her new/old Victorian home, in the garden, or out on the links.
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.
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- 24-COYER
Glad you’re enjoying this series, hopefully you’ll get to read more since it ends with a cliffhanger. Great reviews!
Thank you Naida. It’s a different lens since the main characters are scientists rather than politicians or business people. They have more integrity. Unfortunately, the players with less integrity are controlling many things.
I like the way these are being published so close together. It really does sound like a great series, and it sounds like there might be more books coming.
yes, these are very short so they could easily have been published as all one longer book. I hope there are more books!
Sounds like some good rising action in the series arc and interesting suspense around the motives of everyone around Renee.
I like the science aspects but it is interesting to have the POV from the science side. Those with less integrity are not interested in the science only the power involved.
Mhmmm this series sounds interesting.
It is! And they are rather short. All three are like one longer book.
Sounds like another great series! Wonderful that Xe Sands is narrator.
yes I love her narration. The books are short and could be done as one really long book but the shorter length makes them more accessible.
I’m going to put this in my wishlist to read at some point, it does sound good.
I hope you love it! I think it will continue; this is just the start.
I enjoyed the first two, the second not as much as the first. I probably won’t continue with the series until more installments are out seeing this ends on sort of a cliffhanger.
yeah, it wasn’t as much fun when the bad guys of the business and military and political came in with their decrees. I’m looking forward to it continuing though.
I agree the final audiobook leaves the door wide open to revisit. Great reviews. My review of Emergence will post next week, but we felt similarly.
Thanks Kimberly. I enjoy this type of story but I want to see the bad guys crushed and our possibly naive scientists succeed.
I’ve been hearing such good things about this series that I probably need to give them a try! Great reviews!
Thank you Lisa. I’m enjoying them and feel like there must be more after this short trilogy.
Xe Sands narrated one of the first audiobooks I ever listened to. I like her too. 🙂 I really want to give this series a try. It sounds like each book keeps getting better.
Well we certainly learn more as the series progresses.