Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes. I would probably recommend it regardless of what genre they read, and ask them to at least listen to the end of the book. I suspect I wouldn’t need to urge anyone if they stick to it past the first half.
What other book might you compare Challenge to and why?
I don’t think I can bring myself to compare the book to others, since the ones that come to mind take such a different direction, but I can say that the story takes a few turns and loop de loops with its story beats, usually going quite well.
Which scene was your favorite?
The ending. The entire story was a telling from Jack’s perspective, but the ending gave me hope that we can see a longer book with more perspectives that will expand the story out even further beyond.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Satisfaction.
Any additional comments?
If I had to summarize the story without any comments, I would say that Unbound Deathlord is competent. It doesn’t get caught up in its own storytelling and manages to keep action descriptive and fresh. The MC seems a little too competent at times but it’s mostly in such a way that their decisions impact the entirety of the story, and uses that as an excuse to touch on politics to expand worldview some. The actions taken can seem a little too loose and carefree at times considering the setting, but considering some of the insights you get into Jack’s psyche when going back to listen/read you get an entirely different perspective on things, exactly like how a good book should read.

And touching on the narrator, Jeff Hays is a narrator I like, but not adore, yet I will say that he nails pretty much every line in this novel with a flair that seem rare in other books yet is abound in this one.