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The Zakota Chronicles, Book 1

By: Janet Swan

Narrated by: Kasey Logan

Try listening to a unique twist on a science fiction novel based on an alien tribe secretly living on Earth.

Greer McClelland, a young, recently divorced pediatrician, is driving to Seattle on a cold, treacherous night when her car spins out of control. Waking up after her accident, she finds herself at the mercy of an underground hybrid alien-human people with special abilities and a fascinating history.

The Zakota people welcome her, but in doing so, have sealed her fate: she’ll never be allowed to leave. Greer rebels against this, struggling to come to terms with her new reality.

Her life takes on as many twists and turns as there are dark passageways in the underground cavern where she now lives. She discovers a simple way of life, yet with unexpected, advanced technology. As Greer comes to know these people, including two potential love interests, she’ll be forced to decide between staying with the Zakotas, or escaping back to the outside world.

©2020 Janet Swan (P)2021 Janet Swan

Not really my cup of tea

If you like alien romance books you will be good and enjoy it. For never listening to this narrator Kasey Logan did a good job separating characters. I feel like the story was rushed a bit and needs deeper development for my taste of listening, it left it open for book 2-3. If you have a credit and like syfi, alien romance, fantasy it worth the time. Being a post apocalyptic style person I was expecting some big action or escape attempts. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'

Sci-fi fantasy (+ adult romance)

This is a simple, adventurous story with a little bit of Native American, a little bit of sci fi, a little bit of fantasy, a little bit of mythical lore that would be a perfect and exciting read for teens and pre-teens... except that there's a few very adult scenes sprinkled in. The writing feels like it's definitely geared towards a young teen-type audience, except for those sex scenes. If it weren't for those, this would be a great roadtrip listen.
The story itself is interesting and I like the idea. I think it's an original story borrowing bits from ideas that have been written before. It's about aliens that came to earth in the 1800s due to a planetary war and have been living in caves/canyons in the forests of Oregon, along with an alien bigfoot-type race and a third small elvish alien people. I like the idea that women who have gone missing (and been presumed dead) throughout the past 150 years have actually been rescued from bad situations by a hidden, loving race and adopted into their family. That makes my inner idealist very happy.
This story could be developed a lot more and I hope it is. I'm definitely curious enough and enjoy the story enough to listen to book 2 when it becomes available. It's a very fun read.
Kasey Logan does a nice job narrating. The story is read clearly, without mispronunciations. Each character has a personality, which comes through in the reading.
I would read another book by this author as well as listen to another read by this narrator.
I was provided this book in exchange for an honest review.

Not my normal book, but I need to know more!

I will preface this by saying that this is not the normal genre I read, more romance-y and modern than I read.
That being said, I really enjoyed this story. I was sad when it ended as I wanted to know what was going to happen next.

The mix of modern, sci-fi, and colonial story-telling and components.

While I struggle a bit with books with traditional gender roles, this book has a nice twist to it. It very much feels like people are encouraged to be who they are and what they want to be, even if they often fall into standard roles.
The imagery and descriptions are helpful and done well for someone who is unable to visualize images. Not too wordy so that I forget things, but also referenced again every now and then to keep the idea of the space active in your brain.
The variety of story aspects is nice to have, the calming and relaxing environments, the intrigue and science.

One great thing, female rulers, empowered women y'all. Who doesn't love that with every fiber of their being? Women who are listened to and respected. Viewed as equals to the men in their life. Just as powerful and magical, worthy of love and respect. They may have an important role as mothers, but they are also important in their own right as people.



This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Interesting

I had a hard time getting into this. It took me more than a hour. But then I started to enjoy it, it's a good beginning for a series. I can't wait for more of this, I want to say more about this story but I absolutely hate spoilers, so I won't go into details.
I do look forward to the next part, hopefully it will get better as the series progresses.

The narration ended up drawing me in.

I've had several conversations with people that have said that one of the things they'd like to see in a review is if I'd read/listen to it again. So I'm now adding that to my reviews. Yes I do believe I'd reread/listen.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Romantic, Wonderful characters, Great world building, Unpredictable, Original, Entertaining, Whimsical.

This audio book was given to me for free at my request from the publisher or author or narrator and I provided this unbiased voluntary review.

Great first in series

Great story. I am polyamorous so the multiple husbands things didn’t bother me at all. The gender roles were a bit antiquated but it is done in a way I can understand it. I really loved the story and Greer. She is an amazing character. I want a Zeus! I did feel that the mistress, lady and lord thing was a bit overused. Almost a bit like page filler. Also the continual use of ‘female’ to describe every woman was a bit overused as well. If there was a point being driven home here I got it. If you are offended by the word ‘female’ please just skip this one. I know so many are now-a-days… that being said the word is fine with me but it did get a bit repetitious. I never had or wanted children so being seen as nothing more than a baby making machine and being happy about it not something I’ll ever understand. Plenty of women are baby crazy I’m just not one of them.
Narration by Kasey Logan was great. I think there are some off kilter moral dilemmas here the author is putting forth but I can get behind some of it. Lol
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

beautifully written story

I am huge fan of alien romance books and I have to say this book gave me a completely different view on aliens this book is like no other alien romance I have I listened to and it kept my interest throughout the story! my favorite character is lady Greer she is very brave and talented she is a little stubborn in the beginning but under the circumstances I can't blame her at all! I highly recommend this book and also it was beautifully narrorated which for me is a deal breaker if I can't get past the narroration I often find myself unable to listen and this was not the case here loved the voice reading the story.
*I received this free audiobook for an honest review*

Mountain folk and sci-fi mash-up

Plot: The main character in this book, Greer, is a young, female doctor. An unfortunate accident leaves her in the hands of a group of... well... human-like creatures. They won’t let her leave. What will she do, assimilate or find a way out?

The setting is Northern California, Mount Shasta. I can tell you that’s a great backdrop; there really are amazing caverns, mysteries and magic around that mountain.

Narration: It’s OK. It sounded a bit robotic, so much so I wasn’t sure if it was a stiff voice or a really good A.I. The tone was pleasant enough though, and it went at a good pace.

Listener’s impression: The plot is unique, it was not predictable – I truly didn’t know what was coming. That said, at times it was a bit too unpredictable; several of the story lines interrupted others and/or fell off suddenly. Listening to the story, it felt like 3 or 4 stories back-to-back. Almost like four series of the X-Files. I liked that show, so that’s not a negative, but it did jump a bit. First it seemed like a wilderness survival and secret society book, then a romance, then an AI/Alien tale, then a few new characters appeared towards the end of the book. Towards the end, the story focus moved to a set up for the new book. It felt like the book couldn’t stay focused; it was not a cliff-hanger, but didn't feel complete. However, the journey was interesting and the story was engaging, so 3 stars.

I thought the book was entertaining and appreciated the character development. I would listen to the author and/or narrator again.

I was given this review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this honest review.

Imprinting From Another World

When Greer gets into an accident and wakes up to a new life and an old one that she cannot return to it is quite the adjustment. She finds out that her rescuers are aliens from Mars no less and that they have been interbreeding with humans for years and have powers. They are a large family unit where everyone works together for the whole and it takes Greer some getting used to. Her background helping children is a tremendous help as there are not many girls being born and she is able to help that change. Those who are rescued can never go back to the human world and become part of a bigger family that is better than what they left. Once imprinted the love is forever with two husbands taking care of the woman. There are others from Mars that could be nice or hostile since they were at war on their own planet and fled. So many twists and turns but is a fantastic story that I would definitely listen to the sequel!

Mesmerizing

The first book in the series sets up a unique and fascinating World of an alien-human hybrid species living on Earth with varied characters from old age to babies. I can’t wait to find out what happens to them in the rest of the series. Narration was good with Kasey Logan doing a great job of the voices of different characters. Loved a science fiction story set near Shasta Mountain where strangeness abounds in real life.

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This was a good story.I found it easy to listen to.It was low key,more romance than I normally like.Greer is hurt in an auto accident and found by a Fae like race of people,she can not go home.Her acceptance into their world is puzzling ,but welcome.Kasey Logan was a fine narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'