City in Embers

Collector Series, Book 1

By: Stacey Marie Brown

Narrated by: Amy Landon

Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Zoey Daniels has been tossed from foster home to foster home, where she grows up fast and tough. When she is placed in her "last chance" home, she finds a reason to stay and turn her life around: her foster sister, Lexie, who is paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair.

After high school, Zoey is hired by a special government agency, the Department of Molecular Genetics (DMG), where she meets the other reason to remain: Daniel, her coworker. The man she loves. But there is something unique about Zoey. She can see fae. Because of this, the DMG hires her to work as a Collector: catching, researching, testing, and using the fae to save human lives. The work never registers on her sympathy radar. She was raised to think of fae as beasts that feed on humans and want to destroy them.

When devastation hits Seattle, Zoey's whole world is turned upside down. The electric storm connects her to a ruthless fae, a Wanderer named Ryker, whose dealings expose them to even more trouble and danger. They embark on a journey, running and hiding from both the government and fae, both of which threaten their lives and those they love.

©2015 Stacey Marie Brown (P)2016 Tantor

Good book just not for me.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No. I did not like how the book keeps repeating thing about the main character, it just very old fast. It also seemed to me the author hates men, all but two of the men in this book where not gross pigs. I did like the main story line though.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Saw it coming.

Which scene was your favorite?

The monkey was the best part about this book.

Did City in Embers inspire you to do anything?

Only to not finish the rest of the books.

Good Potential, Okay Execution

It took me a couple tries to get invested into this story, but once I was there, it became easier to finish. Despite a lot of the subject matter being for more mature audiences, the book had a YA feel to it, and not in a good way. I liked the fantasy world created, and many of the creatures and abilities that go along with it, and there's some setup with the overall story of the series that started to draw me in. However, I didn't really care for Zoey as the female protagonist; she was a bit too angsty and unappealing. I'm interested enough to continue with the next one, but I don't have high expectations.

The performance was okay as well. Could have been better, could have been worse.

I obtained this through one of Audible's sales, and if you can get it from one as well, then it might be worth a listen.

Wowza!

Fantastic, first off, about Fey, not for kids hahah. Defiantly adult fantasy very well written and performed.

Amazing story

I love the story of right and wrong and the challenge of questioning pre-perceived values. Zoe is a strong character and her journey is long, eventful and deep.

I liked this audiobook although it was difficult at first to get into the story because the narrator had a tendency to use a robotic voice. It was easier the more I dwelled into the story and the narration became a bit more personal for each character. I am definitely going home to listen to the other books in the series.

Audio book

I did like it, however, here were times that I got irritated with the hatred between them that went on and on. The one thing I truly loved and adored, though was the little fur ball. He was hilarious! There was one thing that got confusing....the picture on the book cover was no where near how the author described him in the book. I don't care for dreadlocks at all so it was hard to like him. Now.....the book cover....that was how I tried to thing of him!! Oh, and I listened to it via audio. The lady narrator was pretty good. She did different accents. Overall was great!

a totally enthralling budding romance

Zoey, a tough and independent young woman, who has learned to fight for herself growing up in various foster homes, is a Collector working for a secret part of the government called the Department of Molecular Genetics (DMG). Together with her co-worker Daniel, with whom Zoey is desperately in love although he is considerably older and hasn't been reciprocating her advances, they track and collect fae. However, when Seattle is devastated by a powerful, magical electrical storm, Zoey's entire life changes, as she finds herself thrown together with Ryker, who is a Wanderer, a merciless and intimidating fae. Ryker hates humans. Zoey catches fae. Not a promising basis for a functioning relationship that both of them suddenly have to rely on.

City in Embers started out a bit strange in the way the characters, their backgrounds, and the world around them were introduced. It sort of threw you into the action and then took a step back, which was confusing at first, but in hindsight, actually worked well with regards to the plot development. I knew I had to listen to the second book long before finishing this one. I became so enthralled with the characters, the dystopian setting (cleverly linked to the author's Darkness series), and the mystery surrounding the DMG, Daniel and Zoey. I loved Sprig, the talking, narcoleptic monkey fae! His obsession with honey, his love for his cuddly toy, and some of his remarks were just absolutely adorable and so funny. There is no insta-love in this and no love triangle. Instead, there is a totally enthralling budding romance with a lot of sexual tension. Age wise, I think this is New Adult material and should appeal to anybody who enjoys paranormal romances. I've previously listened to Stacey Marie Brown's Darkness series. If you enjoyed that series, you are bound to love this one, too.

The narration by Amy Landon was excellent. She was a very good fit for Zoey, and I was happy with her male voices, too. Good acting, in particular when voicing Sprig, without overdoing it. Nice pacing and delivery. There were no problems with the quality of the audio production.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog

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City in embers by Stacy Marie brown

I have delved into the authors world and can't wait to find out where it's going. Love the monkey. He's a hoot. Zoey is my mind of gal. And in my timer is yummy.

Keeps you wanting more

This is definitely the best book I have listened to in a long time. It is Very exciting, the characters become alive in this story. The story never seems to lag. This book definitely keeps you wanting more.

Love this series

I’ve read this before but not for a long time. Thought I’d give the audio a go as a reread and I’m so glad I did!!
The story is still as fantastic as I remember with lots of action and some great humour and some slow building but hot chemistry.
Amy Landon does a great job with the narration and I found her voice to be easy to listen to.

Kept me curious for more

This book is a great escape from reality, with a story that keeps you on your toes. If you like fantasy and thrills, I recommend this for you.