Black Ruins Forest

The Elders Series, Volume 1

By: Karen DuBose

Narrated by: Rachel Leblang

Fate must've been bored. They’ve decided my life cycle needs to be shaken up a bit. It's bad enough waiting and wondering which of the four shifter animals I'm going to turn into.

To top it all off, I have these weird and crazy daydreams that come and go whenever they want, leaving me disoriented. They’ve gotten me into trouble more than I like to admit. Then I come to find out the Elders want to kill me or use me for some unforeseen reason. So, here I am on the run just to survive. With my best friend Kira, my mom, and a bunch of dragon shifters I barely know. Oh, and the crush of my life cycle, Kiernan. I’m really missing my old boring life cycle right about now. If I can ever get back to it, I’m not taking it for granted again.

Will the Black Ruins Forest hold the answers we are all seeking, or will it just make things worse? There’s only one way to find out and pray to the source we all survive long enough to get those answers.

©2018 Karen DuBose (P)2018 Kingston Publishing Company

Mary Sue alert

I really wanted to like this series or duet or whatever (there's only a two books on audiobook as of this review). That aside, besides the bad narration, we also have a Mary Sue of a main character, major plot holes, lazy pacing, gaps in time that are solved by characters just passing out continually, insta-love teen style and lastly we have a piss-poor effort of world building.
I won't be moving onto book 2.

Loved the story!!

Story is wonderful. The narrator seems like this is her first ever recording. It sounds like she's sitting at her computer and reading it for the first time. I enjoyed the story so much I really didn't mind.

Good story yet bad narrator

I just got done listening to this book. The story it’s self was good. I didn’t like how some of the names were so close to each other and it made it hard to keep track of who was who. More so since the narrator didn’t change voice from female to male and even character to character. The narrator was monotone most the time. At times there was some change but just was not enough to make the book good. I think if I would have read the book over listening to the book I would like it more. I will be reading the next book and not listening to it to make sure.

Also the book is very long for not much action yet I have a feeling it’s just setting up for the next book that will be more action and faster moving.

I loved this book.

The author's eloquent prose creates vivid imagery that not only paints a picture of the settings but also evokes a range of emotions, effectively transporting the audience into the very essence of the story. From the sweeping landscapes to the intimate moments of vulnerability, readers are given a front-row seat to the unfolding drama, making them feel as though they are a part of the narrative itself. The dialogue is sharp and authentic, adding depth to character interactions and enriching the overall reading.

Narrator? Um No

Okay, I knew the narrator was going to be bad from the reviews, but wow. I’m pretty sure during one chapter she had a cold. You could hear her sniffing. The editing was ridiculous, the lady would read something then clear her throat and do it again. What sucks is the story itself is great. I can’t decide if I can bring myself to get the next book and put up with that narrator. I’ve already checked, it’s the same reader. Bummer

very good

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! good overall