Mine

By: Brett Battles

Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne

Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Something happened that night in the woods at Camp Red Hawk. But all Joel and Leah can recall is sneaking out for a late hike with five camp friends - and that only the two of them and their friend Mike returned. They have no memory of what happened to the others. No memory of anything after leaving the camp.

In the years that follow, they realize something has changed inside of them. They are different from others in ways they never should be. In ways that send their lives down disturbing and terrifying paths. As they grapple with adulthood, their only hope for understanding why they've been altered lies with them finding each other again. But how is that possible when their memories of one another have been erased?

©2016 Brett Battles (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

amazing and original

unique concept - marvelous narrative - still mulling over story line and how it seams possible. ,"Read, glump glump, read now, glump glump, are your circuits working? glump MINE"

Mine

When I started this book, I was expecting a horror novel. There are definitely some twisted and messed up things that happen, but I wouldn't put this in the horror genre. I'm not really sure how I would characterize it. I enjoyed the story, because it flowed nicely, was well-written, and had some unexpected things happening. The character development was a little lacking, but not bad. The ending was vague, which I like.

Strange one this

I have 100's of Audiobooks, but this one I really don't know what I Think? The start was promising but slow. I kept with it and enjoyed the tension and build-up between the Satellites, Translator and Reclaimer to the denouement. Can't say I was mesmerised by it, but ... when I get to the end I found it had kept my interest and kept me engaged and I enjoyed it. 1 minute I want rate it 3 stars, next 4, sometimes 5 and then cycle back again. A bit like the book. (3.8 and a half stars thro' 4.4 stars). How's that for indecision. Overall, at the end I say I enjoyed this story and would listen to the next one.

Contemporary Sci-Fi that Reads Like Good Horror

In the deep woods adjoining a summer camp for kids there’s a fenced off area with signs prohibiting entrance. It lures seven campers for a midnight investigation. They cross the wires, enter an abandoned office building, and find a blocked door that they manage to jimmy. Something happens but only three of the seven return, with no memory of what happened and substantial time loss.

What happens to the three who survived and how, in later life, they are drawn together to investigate the strange happenings fills the rest of this very interesting book. Two of the survivors, Joel and Leah, find that they’ve developed exceptional skills. Leah has developed tremendous strength and speed. Joel wakes with bruises everywhere on his body that quickly disappear. He has learned that these are the marks he will leave on people who are abusive to others. Leah and Joel both have a tough emotional time dealing with their new powers, but the third survivor has been placed in an institution for the insane.

Brett Battles set an excellent pace in the book as the mystery of who or what altered their lives is gradually revealed. It’s contemporary sci-fi that reads like a good horror story. In fact the line between the genres is blurry at best. The entity underground has plans for the earth and the three, once united, have to confront the cause of the destruction of their lives, both as retribution and to halt the progress of that entity.

The characters are well formed and likeable, even the highly damaged Mike, the third survivor. The narration focuses on one character in each chapter switching between Joel, Leah, and even “The Reclaimer” which allows for a building of tension and pulling the reader along without revealing too much too early. As it stands, what the Reclaimer is and its purpose never becomes clear until the very last chapter. And while Battles brings the story to a full conclusion there’s ample room for a sequel which is, apparently, the subject of Mine: The Arrival which I’ll be looking for and adding to my reading list.

A fun book for any sci-fi fan or fan of writers like Stephen King. Well written and exciting with excellent action and a well-formed relationship among the three main characters.

Science fiction

An ok story but miss the terrier military writing I enjoy from this author alot

Good sci fi

Sci fi is not my preferred genre. read through but will not follow the series.

horrible first 45 minutes

I left a 1 star review after first 45 minutes. then saw someone else said kids died and were tortured, I forgot it was a scifi book, I bought this year's ago. listened more.

it's actually really interesting, not finished yet, but wow. worst opening 45 minutes I have heard in some time. narrator takes a while to grow on you.

Delightfully Different

What made the experience of listening to Mine the most enjoyable?

This was my first Brett Battles book and this one rocked!! Without spoilers, its a story that follows the lives of some kids that experience something together at a summer camp. If you like alien/mystery/sci-fi/paranormal thrillers, you will enjoy this story. I would say this is 60% mystery and 40% suspense.

I love the narrator Kirby Heyborne. To those who enjoyed his narration of Gone Girl, you will also love this one.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character was Mike probably because I had the most empathy for him. The author created some great characters that you will want to route for!

Which character – as performed by Kirby Heyborne – was your favorite?

He does a great job with all voices but I especially enjoyed the reclaimers voice.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Reclaim This.

Any additional comments?

I'm so excited about the possibiity of a sequel. More please!!

When you go out to the woods tonight....

Battles and Heyborne take a time-worn formula ( preteens wander off into the woods during summer camp ) and spin it into an intense journey, both plot-wise and character-wise. One could quibble over some of the plot jumps and the resulting suspension of disbelief asks, but that would be petty.
This is a solid offering, consistent with other Brett Battles ventures, and is more than ably brought to life by Kirby Heyborne.

I am just now migrating my way through Battles worlds, and this made the start of that journey worthwhile. Highly recommended!

Not what I expected

first time with the author. very happy with story and characters. worth the read of you are looking for something different!