Salazar (2121, Book 1) A Dystopian Fantasy Series

By: Chariss K. Walker

Narrated by: Mike Piscitelli

A postapocalyptic, dystopian fantasy story

Salazar, a descendent of Serena McKay, seems to be the only one who understands that his city, August City, faces apocalyptic annihilation, while its wealthiest citizens are spirited away and to safety by spaceships.

Is there any hope?

The wealthiest residents have fled. An unprecedented and unprovoked air raid shatters August City. A biological toxin is released on Earth.

Is there any safe place to hide?

Fortunately, Salazar remembers the stories his grandmother told about a city beneath August City, possibly a safe place to weather an unparalleled attack. But, as he leads his mother to this proposed shelter, they are attacked by crazed residents who have inhaled toxic fumes that alter their personalities and turn common men into killers. Can Salazar and his mother find safety before these madmen kill them both? Is there a future worth fighting for?

©2020 Chariss K. Walker (P)2023 Chariss K. Walker

A bit stiff in the telling

Not a horrible story, had a lot difficulty getting into the rhythm with the narration. Found the whole book stiff. Will be the first and last of this series I listen to.

“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”

A good start

I am a fan of Dystopian Post-apocalyptic books. Salazar was a good start to a series and I am looking forward to the other 2 books.
Th character building was done very well. The story kept me engaged and left me wanting more.
The narration was good but I feel could have been better with more editing.
All in all this was a good listen.

Dystopian setting

a good entry into the dystopian apocalyptic genre.
the authors political views were displayed to the point of distraction.
I'm interested to see further developments in this literary work.

I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an unbiased review.

Great Dystopian!

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

This was a great dystopian, post apocalyptic book. I loved the main character. He had a great personality and was someone who I felt I was WITH the entire story. I was hanging on every second, trying to figure out the way the story would go. I was rather invested in the story from the first chapter.

The narration was good and I loved the way the characters were brought to life. There was no monotony but I did end up speeding the pace up to 1.4x.

Good

Lots of the things in this book is very relevant to todays events. Really interesting read.

A Great Listen

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request, and have voluntarily left this review. The rich and powerful rocket away while the common people are exterminated in the tale of the future. A few pockets of people manage to escape death to start a new world underground. They're new leader is Salazar, a teenager, wise beyond his years. Interesting characters, suspense and lots of action will keep you listen until the very end. Looking forward to book 2.

Bit cookie cutter, bit original

This is the first book I have read/listened to by this author and I am curious listen to another. I can’t say I was really into this book, but I’d like to see where it goes. I found the dialogue, especially between Salazar and his mother (in the first few chapters), was stilted and unnatural. It was like their words were to prove a point rather than a natural conversation between traumatized people trying to figure out their new normal. I do like how the events have enhanced the characters individual unique abilities or predilections. It was a bit awkward in that almost all those who went underground were cooperative and unrealistically communal, and those who stayed above were the ones altered negatively- they became disfigured, excessively angry, etc. There doesn’t seem to be an in between with personalities. So far this touches on the perfect new age, enlightened society with the opposite existing above ground. I’m curious what comes next. ——-

This is the first book I have listened to by this narrator ( Mike Piscitelli ). I found his narration monotonous to a degree. He attempts to give characters separate voices but uses the same inflection and cadence. His portrayal does not vary based on the characters mental state. ——-

There are no explicit sex scenes, there is violence, but not excessively described, I don’t recall swearing. ——-

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.

Story 3/5
Narration 3/5

Dystopian

A good start for a series. Almost a cliffhanger ending, I dislike strongly cliffy's. I can't wait to hear what happens next. It also mentioned some of Salazar's ancestors. They sound like they should have their own books.
The narrative brings the story to life. I definitely will be listening to it again.
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.

A New Eden!

It is the year 2121. In August City, explosions can be heard in the distance and coming closer. Our protagonist Salazar is gifted with prescience and he knows something bad is coming. He recalls his grandmother told him about a tunnel in the city. He tells his mother to prepare and insists that they leave their home immediately. As they make their way to the entrance, others see them and follow. Before the attack begins, the elite of the city escapes in spaceships. There are fourteen people in the tunnel out of the one-half million that was in August City. Sandra, one of the fourteen, had the gift of precognition and has visions about Salazar as leader of the group. As time goes on, it is apparent that these fourteen people were drawn together for a purpose, and each added a unique benefit to the whole. The bombing continued for three days and included a biological component. We’ll follow our group of survivors as they explore further into the tunnel. Will the tunnel sustain them for shelter? What will they find when they return to the surface for food and supplies? How has the biological agent affected any surviving people and animals on the surface? These questions and others will be answered as you continue with the story. The epilogue confirms that this book is the first in the series, and that “Sandra” is book two, and “Dinah” is book three. I enjoyed the story and found it quite interesting. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Awfully exciting!

This was absolutely wonderful! The only problem I have with this book, it’s too short. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in the series! You will feel the same! In the first 20 chapters, the author does an excellent job of bringing reality into the story. You definitely need to read this to find out what I mean. The modern day similarities will leap out of the pages!However, once the story starts to evolve, you soon forget about reality and find yourself immersed in the fantasy.