Betrayal

Girl from Above, Book 1

By: Pippa DaCosta

Narrated by: Jeff Hays

WARNING: Adult content. Including sex, drug use, violence, and swearing.

After Captain Caleb Shepperd escapes from prison, all he wants to do is keep his head down and earn a living smuggling guns and drugs through the nine systems. But, when a synth known as #1001 stows away on the captain's ship, bringing with her a ton of problems - including guilt-ridden secrets he thought he'd left behind - he'd prefer to toss her out the airlock. The problem is, she's priceless tech and he's fresh out of credit.

#1001 is no ordinary synth. She's programmed to kill. While human memories of murder and betrayal riddle her synthetic systems with faults, she's thinking only of revenge.

For Captain Shepperd, there's nowhere left to hide.

©2015 Pippa DaCosta (P)2016 Pippa DacCosta

Interesting characters with a twist.

The story does not wrap up at end of book 1 so you must buy book 2 to continue the story.

Perfect Start to a New Series!

I absolutely LOVED and enjoyed this story by Pippa DaCosta (Pippa Lancaster). I really wished I didn't have to hear the name Sheppard in it the entire time but it's all good, after all both of my children (adults now) have that last name. A fantastic sci-fi story that you can't help but love and want to listen to more. I can't wait to the next book on audio format. Pippa is a wonderful writer. She writes with such imagination, she makes the stories feel so surreal, and her stories are always packed with action and adventure.

Omg....I'll say this forever Jeff Hays is a star 🌟 and this young man is going straight to the top and anywhere he really want to go. Just like the narrator Bill Russell did, he's now on the TV show Nashville. If any author doesn't hear this man and can't see his talent then honestly you need new ears.

Not trying to offend but he's amazing!!!! I do mean when you hear him you'll be like is that a woman because it reads Jeff on here. Yeah, he's that darn good. He puts very well known narrators to absolute shame. I'm sorry I speak my mind, rather write it.

Very Good Book

I am impressed with the story can't wait for more and the performance by Jeff was very good like watching a movie with different characters distinguished with own voice bravo Mr. Hays.

Amazing narrator

I am really enjoying this series. Fun, gritty, action packed space opera. Cal Shepherd is like a more messed up Han Solo that I can't help falling for.
But what is really standing out for me is the narration. Normally I prefer a female narrator as I can't stand most males doing a female voice - pulls me right out of the story. Here I wasn't sure it was still Jeff doing all the parts - his women characters sound real. Love this. It feels very immersive.

Interesting story mostly good production

Fun story, but a little disappointed at the end. It was almost a great ending. The performances were very good but the production had some noisy points. They had the ability to have higher production.

I would get the next in the series if released.

Unusual space opera with smugglers, pirates and synthetic people. Believable world and character development.

Caleb his first mate Francisca and a Synth are smugglers. The company's owner is the creator of the synths. There is however a sinister reason for their construction.

The concept of the story was masterful.

It was hard to hear at times. Some dialogue was too low. The story was great otherwise.

I didn't quite expect to enjoy it that much!

Would you consider the audio edition of Betrayal to be better than the print version?

With audible vs print, I would always go with print. However, I think the right narrator can bring the story to life in a way that sometimes defies the imagination and Jeff Hays is that narrator. Book 2 is not yet on audible and I almost hate to continue the story without the audible version. He was THAT good! I thought I had read the information wrong and there were multiple narrators because when chapter one started with the female Synth, I heard a female voice, not someone named Jeff imitating a female voice. I had no issues distinguishing the multiple characters or the tone of the dialog. I think I have a new favorite narrator, as well as author.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked that the author didn't make the story predictable. Just when you think you knew what would happen next, there was a twist you didn't expect. The characters were believable...even the synthetic! I could tell that Caleb was kind of a good guy that just couldn't catch a break. I almost wished I could pat him on the back and buy him a drink. And Fran...I was a little leary of her from the beginning with the suspicious passenger, slowly I came around to appreciating what seemed to be loyalty, and ended up hating her because it felt like she betrayed me too. It was like the author makes the reader trust Fran and then WHAM!...she's Fleet. I mean come on! Caleb was going to let his brother die because he blamed him for the Fleet soldiers finding them, when it was Fran all along. As for #1001, the journey to her returned memories was just crazy but I didn't think shold would shoot Caleb...oh, right she didn't...had to restart my heart at that point. Sheesh! a girl can only take so much! Killed by her father and her lover did nothing but watch. Yeah, given the chance, I probably would have done the same...scared the holy hell out of him! LOL!

Which scene was your favorite?

The entire book was my favorite scene! There are some books that help kill some time and then there are those that stay with you. In other words, it was hard to find a good stopping point because I had to know what was happening. Never mind the fact that its a book and, if I just don't turn the page, I won't miss anything; or if I turned the page I could simply turn back. Nooooo...I quickly became obsessed with this story and can't wait to continue the series.

Sci-Fi As It Might Be

The twist was well worth it. No complaints. Voices worked well for the characters. Can't say I loved it. But I definitely enjoyed it. just the right amount of action with the drama and romance, and not so romantic moments. Recommended to anyone over 16 that likes Sci-Fi.

Mixed Feelings on this One

I love Pippa DaCosta's stories, but this one was way different from what I have read of her stories before. Not sure I liked this type of story, but I will listen to the next one to see if I can get into it. The Veil Series was excellent and I will give this series a try. As I said, very different from the other series I listened to. Not saying that I didn't like it, just didn't know what to expect.