Ares: Nomad, Book 1 (Unabridged‪)‬

*This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com, at my request.

The Foundation Council is now more determined than every to take control of the colonies here, in a sector where criminals reside, and the location of a lost secret project that was to have been performed and destroyed. There are a few who are with the Foundation, and were involved in the secret project, who hope all evidence is destroyed and gone. No one's ever fought back against the Foundation. Captain Gryffin is protecting his villages as The Nomad has agreed to do. But it seems nothing will stop the powerful Foundation. But the illegal ship of Gryffin's will do their best. But by doing so, Gryffin, who hides his metal augmentation and implants, is recognized and the Foundation wants more than just the colonies. Those that created him, want their successful project back. And to create more.

So much to share on this enjoyable story! Where do I start?!?

Keith's voice is a low rumble that I enjoy. Keith is a wonderful fit for the many voices of Ares. There are many male voice, but there are females as well which he softens his voice to portray. At times he reminds me of Sam Elliot when doing Gryffin's voice. He is talented at the accent of some of the Foundation officers and Hunter crew. There are many characters here and Keith does well to differentiate their voices in slight changes of tones and softness to his voice. I really like the way Keith does the Scientist. lol. He switches through voices with ease as we listen. Nice. He does the gruff feel for Gryffin in the way a dangerous Captain would be. Keith is a wonderful pick for the story.

The cool thing about this audio... You know in the movies when you hear a voice and you know that voice, but you don't see the character physically? That happens here a few times and I found that I was holding my breath, waiting to see the character. Or in this case the solid definite name. It was that I knew but had to have that solid evidence to back me. And the impact that goes with that evidence. Just wow.

At first I re-listened to the beginning of the story. I was getting my people mixed up as we start with seeing Captain Gryffin then go to a view with Roman. I wasn't sure who these people were yet or who they are affiliated with. In re-listening I learned they are not together. Gryffin is captain of his own ship and Roman is captain of his ship that's part of the Foundation and there's a battle happening. Yet some are of the same crew and they are doing things that I wouldn't think those of the same crew would do. This is where things start for us, and we see that something is not right with a few people. But, at this early in the game, we never imagine the depth of how things are twisted.

A space opera through and through. So many lives connected and affected here. There are conspiracies and dark secrets in every organization. Deceptions and new allies. All collide here with Foundation Council wanting new colonies, Admirals and their own secret project, Someone on Ares twisting things against Gryffin, Gryffin struggling with his mechanical tech wanting to take complete control of him. The Foundation ship has her own stories and connections between the crew and other characters. There is a deep story here.

I think this science fiction story is one that all, male and female, can enjoy. There is lots of fighting and action that fit to the deep story and the secrets everyone holds. I love the important pieces we get constantly through this story. The information is worked in with each scene and so important. There are a few times I had to stop the audio and digest the impact of the important pieces at the end of the story. They are huge and mean so much! Well played. Well played. There's a loyalty of the ships, or questionable loyalty as well. But there is a love intertwined to the characters as well.

There seems to be an attraction, and potential love interest, from the first meeting of Gryffin and Terra. Well...maybe not at first meeting, but after she wakes up from the drug he gave her. He had reason. ;) lol. It's cool and I enjoyed their meeting. Terra also never seems to be dissuaded from looking or interacting, even yelling at, with Gryffin. Terra sees something else in him that no one else ever has. She's strong in her convictions and also a kind soul.

This is an emotional science fiction. I loved this story as it has so much I wanted and enjoyed. The characters become as emotionally invested as I did. The fear of what could happen, has happened, curiosity as to the hidden secrets, and love. There is a growing love that could pull deeper and help. There comes a point I feel my heart and stomach drop. What Gryffin has created for what's to come, it's not what you would expect but is exactly what Gryffin would do. I feel terrible for Gryffin now.

Gryffin...Now Gryffin is a very special character. What he's gone through in his life has created the man he is now. And is also why he fights with himself. He's man and part machine. This creates much pain and torment for his mind and body.

The ending had me hanging on every action. It moves fast with short sections from different views so we get the who battle in the moment. It's exciting and drawing!

My only complaint of the book, is the cover. The cover looks like it's a YA story, that the characters are young kids. But it's not. The characters are adults - Terra is 25, Gryffin is early 30's. But if that's it, I'm A-okay with that!

KA Finn has created an outstanding first book here! I'll be anxiously awaiting NEMESIS to come out. KA has set the bar high with this mesmerizing first book and I can't wait to see the crew again!

Ares by K.A. Finn is the first book in a series called Nomad. Set in vicinity of a series of planets that the main government organization called the Foundation is trying to civilize, Griffin of the rebel group Nomad are insistent on keeping the colonies free of Foundation control and within Nomad protection. In addition to the Foundation trying to control these free planets, Griffin and the Nomad also have to contend with a rival rebel group called the Hunters. While he is the leader of the Nomad, Griffin must also fight himself for control of his own actions and feelings. Griffin is no ordinary man. He was kidnapped as a child and modified to be a cyborg: part human, part machine. Mind control implants in his head push him to extreme violence when Griffin is not in control of his mind. Right around the time that Griffin meets Foundation officer Terra Rush, everything in his life begins to spin out of control. Fighting himself and his feelings for Terra, he must find a way to keep the colonies under his protection and free from Foundation control.

This novel grew on me leaps and bounds and I was completely engrossed by the end. The plot is winding and there are a lot of moving parts, but they work together really well. The relationships between the characters are well thought out and not revealed until opportune moments with great effect. Some of these reveals/twists can be guessed, but others left my mouth hanging open! During the novel, however, some of the feelings between characters seem to grow intense abruptly. For example, the romance between Griffin and Terra is extremely abrupt – no reasoning, just deep love seemingly out of nowhere. While this definitely induces a few eye-rolls, once I was able to get past this, their romance was fun. I liked all of the characters and I understood their motivations for the actions that they take. They each have depth of experience guiding their actions. The end is exciting and there is a definite conclusion, while leaving so much more to be revealed as the story progresses in the next novels. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

The narration by Keith Michaelson was excellent. He really captures the tone of the characters. I liked the varied accents and the creepy voices left me cringing. He did an excellent job. The production quality was good as well. Something to keep in mind overall, the tense of the novel is in active. This took me off guard as apparently most of the books that I listen to either don’t use this tense or I don’t typically notice. It took me about an hour to put my finger on it, but it bothered me for a bit. However, I stopped noticing as the novel progressed and the plot became more complicated. I would recommend this novel to anyone who loves space based science fiction, outlaws, and fighting against the establishment.

Audiobook provided for review by the author.

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