Empire of Ashes

The Augmented, Book 1

By: Ben Hale

Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer, Jay Snyder, Reba Buhr

Across thousands of planets in the Krey Empire, all humans have a single title...Slave.

Born into oppression, Siena is an ordinary young woman, until an act of defiance leaves her scarred and marked as a rebel. She's sold to Ero, a fallen Krey with a desperate plan to redeem his once-powerful family. He intends to enhance slaves by altering their genetic code, increasing their value through an illegal experiment.

Reklin, a bone-armored soldier, hunts them both. His orders come from a mysterious source, but his loyalty to the Empire has no limits. Noble, soldier, and slave, they are about to discover a dangerous truth - that humans can be augmented. But none can predict the abilities they'll unlock, or the rebellion they'll unleash.

Experience this start to an epic space-opera saga from number-one Amazon best-selling author Ben Hale.

©2021 Aethon Books (P)2021 Podium Audio

Another great book!

I have loved all of this authors books. This one just adds awesome history to the story and puts more pieces of the puzzle together. One of these days, when Ben has completed this story, I will enjoy going through it in chronological order.

Ben has gotten better

Look massive improvement as a writer. Good listen albeit a tad corny sometimes. Good listen for me

Overall it's a good story...

Initially I had trouble finding my balance listening to the book... it felt flat and very info dumpy, right from the start. Perhaps that's what made it impossible for me to suspend my disbelief, and if you can't manage to do that, it doesn't bode  well for the book...
So, I put the book down for a while. When I picked the book up for a second time, somewhat later, I had an epiphany! It wasn't the writer's fault at all. I realized I didn't care for Jay Snyder's performance, his voice is pleasant enough, but I found his delivery rather flat, and that's what had bugged me! The other two narrators were great, btw, and once I figured out what my issue was, I found myself able to sit down and enjoy the story! (Yes, even Jay Snyder's part, after a bit ...)

Over-all I'll give the story ⭐⭐⭐⭐ because I want to follow the action of Sienna, Ero, and Rekin as they face unknown danger!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reba Buhr
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Eric Michael Summerer
⭐⭐⭐ Jay Snyder

Absolutely fascinating!

First off, I love Ben Hale’s imagination and beautiful way he writes!
Second, I love how it’s bringing in the back story of Aero and Scorn because I hated them in Jack of Thieves trilogy lol it’s given me a different perspective of the pair and I can’t wait for the next book!!

Better than expected

First of all I am a Ben Hale fan. This is a great start to a series that has promise. I could not wait to go to the next book and I can tell you now I have already pre-purchased the third one. If you enjoy Ben Hale you will enjoy this series. This will be a series that I will purchase as soon as available. So if Ben is listening... keep it going and take my money.

more!

it's hard to find a space opera that grabs your attention. this did not dissapoint.

Great sci fi

Awsome book and really interesting characters some that I hated at first and eventually liked towards the end. The explanation of the augments left much to be desired but I'm willing to look past it as long as the series continues with strong characters.

Take the pill

took a couple of hours to get into it, but learning all the weird names was worth the joy of the adventure

Excellent start of new series

Ben Hale is a top tier author and he only adds to that esteem with this new series. While there was slow movement in terms of the human augmentation story arc is concerned, the lengthy backstories of all of the key players involved was critical in establishing them as interesting characters on their own. Book 1 could be considered a lead up to a coming-of-age story arc that leaves no doubt that Book 2 will move the MCs and ancillary characters story-arcs more excitingly forward.

While I'm not usually impressed with multiple narrators, Eric Michael Summerer, Jay Snyder and Reba Buhr performed extremely well at giving their character roles a very realistic and enjoyable performance.

If you like high intrigue fantasy drama, get this book, you won't be disappointed.

very entertaining

loved it. I am bed ridden and can't stand the boredom. this book gave me hours of entertainment when I can't sleep or medical waiting rooms.