This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Published by Audio Flow
Released on August 29, 2019
Format: Audiobook
Source: Author
The Delight
When I spotted the title and then read the blurb, I was hooked. New to me author and narrator, a snarky necromancer on a journey quest to find answers including about herself- oh yeah. And, this opener has left me a taste for more Octavia adventures.
Review
Octavia is on the road with her pet resurrected pig, Bacon, to discover the truth of the love of her life’s death and disappearance (yes, in that order). She rolls into Seattle when a strange request is brought to her. A grieving family is under a curse of their child aging rapidly beginning right after his hospital nurse is murdered. They beg Octavia to help them and she does knowing she’ll have to resurrect the nurse to get some answers.
Octavia’s past fails with her magic have left her leery of using her magic. She lost her family, many foster care homes, and was forced to leave another place because she made mistakes with her death magic or scared people because of it. She’s a loner now and feel it is best to stay that way so she doesn’t get hurt again by someone’s rejection. This quest to solve the mystery about the one person who loved her no matter what is what drives her now.
The humor in this first installment and getting to know Octavia had me smiling and rooting for her quickly. Bacon, her resurrected pig, had me chuckling. Her snarky outer shell and need to push back with attitude made me want to hug her poor bruised soul even when I know she would bristle at the thought. For all her bristles, she’s a generous, caring person who set out to help strangers in this one and mourned over each loss.
Brenda Scott Wlazlo’s narration work was superb and well-matched to the story and as the voice of Octavia. She was also versatile with the other voices in the story and kept up a good pace to whatever was going on in each scene. I hope she is doing the whole series.
To wrap up, it was a sensational first in series and I look forward to more of Octavia’s adventures. I think paranormal cozy or urban fantasy fans should give this one a go.
My thanks to Caffeinated PR Services for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange of an honest review.
Challenges Met
New Release #136
Audio #76
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This does sound like a lot of fun. They would be new to me author and narrator too. I’m going to have to try to find time to try these.
Melanie, I say this with near certainty, this book is you. 🙂
Fun!!
You know it, Carole!
That sounds like a really good book.
It turned out to be sensational, Mary. I think you’d get a kick out of her adventures. The second one is in Vegas. 🙂
Octavia sounds like a fun character, and I’m happy to hear the narration was good. I’ll have to check this series out. 🙂
Her personality is that tough girl (don’t hurt me b/c I’ve been kicked around enough) who thought she had seen it all. It was a neat start and the rest of the stories just built on it. And, oh man does she get into trouble without even trying. 🙂
This sounds like a fun one. I’ll have to see if the site I use for audio has this one. She sounds like a fun character and I also like the sound of her pet pig bacon. The mysteries and her reluctance to use magic also sound interesting. Great review!
Oh good! Hope you find it on the list. It’s a fun one. 🙂
This sounds great. Great review. Added to my TBR!
Woohoo! Glad you found one you might like.
Yay. Isn’t this a fun series! Perfect for audio 🙂
Yes!!!! Definitely one that was better on audio.
Sounds like a fun/thrilling read. Glad you liked it!
Most definitely, Sarah!
I enjoyed this one too.
I just had to snag the rest of her series when Kimberly offered it. 🙂
This sounds like such a fun series. I love that she has a pet pig named Bacon. I may have to give this one a try.
Bacon was a fun addition to the team. He has his brave moments, but he is also a great companion for her. Scene stealer at times. 🙂
I’m glad it worked out well for you; it sounds like fun. Wonderful review!
The whole series turned out to be a blast, Anne. 🙂
Ooh this sounds good. Is there a romance at all?
It’s a blast. There is a romance, but it doesn’t start to blossom until book five since she’s on the road following her route back to the beginning to get answers.
I just bought it. Was only $4.86 on Audible.
Crossing my fingers you end up liking it, Lorna. 🙂