Pandora's Grave: Shadow Warriors Series

By: Stephen M. England

Narrated by: Michael C. Gwynne

An American president who will do anything to win reelection. . .

An Iranian leader who will stop at nothing to bring about apocalypse. . .

An ancient evil, only waiting to be reborn...

High in the Alborz Mountains of northwestern Iran, an archaeological team disappears. American citizens are among the missing...

Days later, imagery from U.S. spy satellites reveals detachments of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps descending upon the site...

With the presidential election only months away, President Roger Hancock authorizes a covert CIA mission into the mountains of Iran. Their objective: rescue the archaeologists and uncover the truth.

With fifteen years in the Clandestine Service, paramilitary operations officer Harry Nichols is unquestionably the man for the job. He's a tough, ruthless veteran operator. He's led his men into harm's way time and again. For him, it's all about the mission. It's all about the team. He's never seen anything like this before...

Drawn into a web of conspiracy that reaches half-way around the world and into the highest levels of the U.S. government, he soon finds that nothing is as it seems. The mission itself is suspect. His team can no longer be trusted. And a misstep means world war...

©2011 Stephen England (P)2014 Stephen England

Critic reviews

"A terrific read from a great new author. Highly recommended." (Brad Thor-author of Full Black)"A story equal to the thrillers of Vince Flynn and Brad Thor. . .will keep you turning the pages till it's done." (Doug Dorow-author of The Ninth District)"A balanced narrative. . .thoroughly believable." (Suspense Magazine)

Brilliant

Probably the best thriller I've listened to this year. It is a very complex plot, superbly crafted and laid out.
It is gripping and fast paced throughout. I have placed it in my reread pile it is so good.
I received a free copy of this audio book at my own request and voluntarily leave this honest review..

Terrible narration! !

I had to make myself finish it. It seemed amateurish. I have listened to a lot of audible books and this was the worst
The written book may have been better.

You can’t trust anyone

This book is about a virus... but the virus isn’t the focus. It’s more a spy mystery with twists, turns, betrayals and both joys and heart breaks. James Bond with more depth of intrigue and less charisma / ego in the main character. I enjoyed it.


I received this book for free.

Boring

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No. This book is filled with cliches and characters that have been taken from other books of this type. The narration was so bad I had to stop listening to the book.

Would you ever listen to anything by Stephen M. England again?

No. Not unless he develops a style of his own.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

He was over the top with his attempt to add substance to the book.

Was Pandora's Grave: Shadow Warriors Series worth the listening time?

No.

Great Story

What did you love best about Pandora's Grave: Shadow Warriors Series?

The story was very interesting and very well told

What other book might you compare Pandora's Grave: Shadow Warriors Series to and why?

The old Clive Cussler books

What aspect of Michael C. Gwynne’s performance would you have changed?

He is a good narrator, but sometimes he overacts

Any additional comments?

Stephen M. England did a fantastic job with Pandora's Grave. He sets the stage like an old master of the Adventure genre, pulling the reader into a great and thrilling plot.

The action moves blazingly fast from the US to Iran and to Israel, keeping you on the edge of your seat with lots of twists and turns.

I really enjoyed the mystery behind the story, the lifelike characters, the interesting locations, the suspense, the covert operations and I must point out the respect Mr. England showed towards the special operators.

Pandora's Grave is an immersive book about religion, an ancient evil, biological weapons, black ops, politics and brave men. Be warned! Start it when you have time on your hands because you'll not be able to put it down.

I'm convinced that a lot of research has gone into writing Pandora's Grave and I think that all Thriller and Adventure fans will enjoy this 1st book in the Shadow Warriors series.

Awful narrator almost ruins a great book

I have to begin with the narration which is terrible. The narrator is melodramatic and is often heard exhaling through his nose and smacking his lips. He manages to make every character sound like the are 100 years old and when he is in narrator mode he seems to be trying to be a Shakespearean actor.

The story is good, but at times convoluted. There are a few plot twists that are over the top and so outside the bounds of reality that even without any background in the subject matter they will probably leave one scratching their head. I don't want spoil the story by offering specifics. But despite that the story is interesting.

Good story but over-the-top narration

Characters were decently fleshed out, with layers added throughout the story. Interesting idea and decently developed - stays within reasonable limits. The narrator was just too melodramatic for me: the tone and tenor was beyond realistic and seemed good for maybe some YAs rather than adults. Would like to try another of the series, given to good reviews…but hesitate due to the narrator. Sigh.

great book

had a hard time getting to know the characters, but once I got it the book ended great. book in hand probably would have been better in that regard, placing more of that issue on myself than the author. recommend!!!

A little more demotic than I’d prefer

But if Tom Clancy is your thing, this is for you. Lots of research packed into a twist filled dramatic plot, edge of the seat narration, and characters on all sides of the drama with believable and complex motivations. If Clancy is not quite your thing, you may find England somewhat better. If you hate Clancy for reasons that are not highly specific, probably best to look elsewhere.

You'll like this book

Very well written, great actipn, keeps you wanting to listen more, picked a voice that went with the story. Highly recommend.