An adventure read nearly deadpan.

The Narrator reads with a rhythmic tempo that is more robotic than human. It may be accentuated by the simple speech patterns given to the characters in the adventure. This is not a terrible reading, but he is no Scott Briggs.

I enjoyed the overall story – it is one of those relic stories that is probable if you do some accurate researching, and suspend a bit of reality. I also enjoy the mentioning of the arcane so that I can research it independently. The different aspects of setting described in the narration were easy to visualize, however, they were not supplied with enough historically significant details for these places to seem real and tangible. I feel that as a writer, visiting your setting so that you can pen about it later is important, and brings a bit more to an Historical thriller, mystery, suspense, or any genre really. It is believability.
Character development is lacking as well. I could not get a true sense of the MC Skull. At one moment, he is brave and stealing computers and motorcycles(no in depth explanation of the acquisition of said skills), and at another point, Skull is terrified to be groping along a statue looking for a hidden chamber on the upper portion of the statue by shuffling on tiptoe. Inconsistancies with all characters,(as well as character development that does not develop anything at all – plot, theme, character) is distracting to the reading. Skull’s daughter is a constant flashback scene. In Action novels, if a character who is related to,, but separated from(and important) the main character, this is typically a signal that something will befall this character. I keep waiting for the daughter to die, as did her mother, making a connection to something pertinent to the Cidex Giga. it never happens. Likewise, many actions of all of the characters are unexplained, unsupported, and underdeveloped. There is no afore mentioned history, no revealed secrete, no nothing. It was maddening to think…”…and why did this character act this way?” or “now where did that character suddenly get that skill?” I feel that all characters need their history, skill set, behavior, etc. pre-written so that the reader can see when the characters are acting as predicted, taking a risk, or using something from a past experience.
I do have to say that every author has to start somewhere. As an author writes, and consequently grows, and honest book reviews are taken into consideration, there will be a critical development in a writing career. Justin Hyde has incredible potential as an historical thriller genre. Research done to create this novel was of good quality, which is a big plus for a reader like me who want near facts incorporated in the tale. I predict that in time, with the right editor(and narrator), Justin Hyde could be a NY Best seller’s list candidate, but just not yet.
I DO think this book is worth the read, or listening to. ????