Audiobook Review December 2019:
I’ve been listening to this series from the beginning recently but with the holidays fast approaching I have not yet got around to writing my reviews for books 1-3 so don’t be surprised if some of what I say in this review shows up in those as well, particularly anything pertaining to the narration.
There is really nothing I can add to my original review from last year in regards to the story and the characters. I still don’t want to give anything away, the book might have been around for over a year now but I’m sure there are plenty of readers out there that have not yet visited Haven Hart. Black and Quill still seem like a complete trainwreck waiting to happen on the surface but once you get to know them you realize how perfectly suited they really are.
Now on to the narration. I’ve never listened to audiobooks with two narrators before so I wasn’t sure how I would like it. Well, I love it! Both Joel Leslie and Philip Alces capture their main character(and others) expertly. They are easy to listen to and they both make everything come alive visually. I often say when an audiobook is read wonderfully they remind me of the old radio shows of the 30s & 40s that I collect well not only is From These Ashes read wonderfully but having the dual narration makes it even more reminiscent of those old radio shows. Add in the brilliant storytelling of Davidson King and I swear I’m listening to Suspense and expected at any minute for Harlow Wilcox to break in with the Autolite Spark Plug sponsor ad. Now I realize most people have no idea who Harlow Wilcox was(he’s one of the more well known pitchmen of the era) but I included that tidbit in my review to properly express how the dual narration came across as more than just another audiobook reading. Joel Leslie & Philip Alces bring to life Davidson King’s incredible words that will entertain for decades to come, I’m sure in 80-90 years people will be collecting audiobooks as I do radio shows and they will be enthralling a whole new generation.
Original Review December 2018:
Black closed his heart off to more than one night stands years ago but a chance meeting could change that. Quill has spent his life surviving but never quite living than a moment of timing changes that. When Black and Quill’s worlds collide will they be able to resist the changes they face? Will they even be able to survive before they have the opportunity to rise again?
Davidson King has done it again! I really find myself at a loss as to what to say and not give anything away. Haven Hart Universe just keeps getting more and more interesting. I’m not sure which intrigued me more: Black’s gruffness hiding his heart underneath or Quill’s fears hiding behind his peppiness. On the surface, not only are these two polar opposites but they really shouldn’t even exist in the same universe let alone interact but then you get to meet them and I mean really meet them and you realize they are perfect together. Looks don’t determine the man and both Black and Quill have weaknesses and strengths that have made them into who they let the world see which is why they balance each other out, that is if they let the other one in to see the real person and for that you have to read From these Ashes yourself. I’m not even going to attempt to touch on the action/mystery/thriller side of the story because . . . well just . . . WOW! . . . and I’ll leave it at that: WOW! and DOUBLE WOW! and a HOLY HANNAH BATMAN! for good measure?. Oh, and it is set at Christmas so what more can you ask for?
I must be honest, Black and Quill are probably my least favorite of the pairings so far in Haven Hart. Now, having said that, if I was to actually rate the couples the difference between all four would be only about .93. It’s kind of like me admitting that The Phantom Menace is my least favorite of the Star Wars films and yet of the 8 main saga films so far, all 8 are in my Top 15 Films of All Time so TPM still ranks pretty darn high and that is exactly what Black, Quill, and their journey in From These Ashes do: rank pretty damn high on my “Fiction Fantastical” list. As the Haven Hart Universe continues to grow and more of the characters are revealed so does the talent of storyteller Davidson King. Since I mentioned it you are probably asking why Black and Quill are #4? I could be superficial and say its Black’s hair(I’m not much for long hair in men, just doesn’t tick my boxes) but I’m not that superficial. Truthfully it really comes down to just the timing. Had they been the center of book 1 then they would most likely be my favorite. It happens almost 99% of the time when a series focuses on different pairings in each installment, the first is always my favorite.
One of the things I love most about the Haven Hart Universe is, yes these situations and people are not the kind of thing every town or city faces but at the same time the characters are so genuine and real you actually feel like you could meet them pumping gas, dropping off Christmas packages at the post office, or waiting in line to get your morning hot chocolate(sorry I’m just not a coffee person?). So no matter who is your favorite in this series you will never be disappointed, the author’s talent for storytelling will never leave you wanting. A true gem and classic in the making.
If you are asking can you start with From these Ashes, I suppose technically you could since each entry features a new couple but I highly recommend starting from the beginning. Characters, situations, plot points can pop up and carry over though Davidson King does a pretty good job of “recapping” so you aren’t lost but it just flows better in order. Personally, I can’t imagine visiting Haven Hart in any order other than it was published. And yes, I said “visiting” not “reading” because you find yourself getting so sucked in that you reach for a tissue or drink(trust me you will need both for happy and sad times) you expect to find the characters sitting next to you. So sit down, buckle up, and hold on because you are definitely heading for a bumpy but exciting journey.