Title: Cronin’s Key II
Author: N.R. Walker
Narrator: Joel Leslie
Publisher: Self-Published
Run Time: 7 hours and 42 minutes
Category: Urban Fantasy, Vampires
At a Glance: It really is nice when a series has the same narrator throughout. Here, the balance between the lovers and the story mesh really well. Walker gives Leslie a fine platform to dive from, and he dives into the deep end with wonderful results.
Reviewed By: Mike
Blurb: History isn’t always what it seems….
With the battle of Egypt behind them, Alec and Cronin are enjoying the thrill of new love. Though fate doesn’t wait long before throwing them back into the world of weird.
They know Alec’s blood is special, though its true purpose still eludes them. And given Alec’s inability to be changed into a vampire, Cronin is free to drink from him at will. But the ramifications of drinking such powerful blood starts a ripple effect.
With the help of Jorge, a disturbing vampire-child with the gift of foresight, Alec and Cronin face a new kind of war. This time their investigations lead them to the borders of China and Mongolia – but it’s not what lies in the pits beneath that worries Alec.
It’s the creator behind it all.
In the underground depths of China, amid a war with the Terracotta Army, they will find out just what the Key is – and what Alec means to the vampire world.
Review: After the nearly world ending battle in Egypt, Cronin and Alec, fated lovers, are trying to find the balance of a mixed relationship—one a vampire, the other stubbornly mortal. The action in book two picks up almost exactly where book one left off, but this time, the trouble is in China. The Terracotta Warriors play a part in this book’s mayhem, but this time Cronin and Alec can’t refrain from constant lovemaking. Vampires have huge appetites in all things and so do their fated mortal lovers. Old friends return to help, first to figure out why Alec won’t turn; then, none other than Genghis Khan is the leader of the Chinese coven hell-bent on capturing Alec, the key, and taking over the world.
Urban fantasy can be a tricky thing, but Walker makes it work with enough history and plausible motivations to keep the listener interested in what happens next. And here’s where the talents of Joel Leslie come into play. His voice work is once again a highlight, and reason to buy and listen to this audiobook. Characters are treated with respect, and the listener benefits from his extensive talents. Leslie also narrated book one, and is the narrator for book three. It really is nice when a series has the same narrator throughout. Here, the balance between the lovers and the story mesh really well. Walker gives Leslie a fine platform to dive from, and he dives into the deep end with wonderful results.
The various plotlines come together with the words Walker wrote and the voice work that Leslie puts on. We meet a few new characters also: Jorge is a child vampire with special gifts. Leslie gives this character all the weight he deserves; the voice is childlike but wise, and intriguing as well. Other minor characters are distinct and well-acted. Buy this book because it’s good fun, steamy as only new lovers can be, and a fun ride with a bit of history thrown in for good measure. This book will not disappoint you.
You can buy Cronin’s Key II here:
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