Provoked (Unabridged‪)‬

AudioBook Review Stars: Overall 5 Narration 5 Story 4.5

AudioBook Review
Stars: Overall 5 Narration 5 Story 4.5

Kane is the ‘logical brother’, tightly controlling his emotions and edge to apply logic to situations to emerge with carefully laid plans that will aid the Realm in the war. With Jase still being held by the Demons, suffering unimaginable torture, Kane has been sent out to find the most elusive of them all, a Demon Destroyer. Not quite sure that any actually exist, he has been drawn by the power signatures to a honky tonk bar.

Amber is the one sending off the signals – pushing at Kane with her power, although her control and knowledge of who he is, and what she is are limited. Kane finds her attractive and intriguing, if wholly frustrating, and the two butt heads almost instantly.

Kane was the least ‘present’ of the Kayrs brothers throughout the earlier books: sure he popped in, but his scientific leanings, his solid belief in logic and the hoops he’d seen his brothers jump through because of their enhanced human women leave him delightfully perplexed and give us plenty of information about how his mind works and his personality. Amber was the first female in this series that I didn’t instantly like, and found her difficult. She’s a vegan, a preachy one, and her environmental stance would have been a better point of conflict / compromise in their story had she not taken every opportunity possible to give a lecture on veganism, the environment and her beliefs. All that aside, you could see how her illogical approach intrigues Kane, and how they work toward a relationship, with Amber finally learning the depth and scope of her powers…

Mixed in with Amber and Kane are moments with Jase and the tortures the Demons are inflicting – it just brings the reader deeper into the urgency that the Kayrs brothers feel, and the stakes for this war become apparent with these scenes. Further along in the story, we have been waiting for Janie’s full story, and with some lovely insets her growth and the choices between Kalin and Zane become more muddled in her head and ours. There is a certainty in this storyline- the war won’t end until Janie has her story, but the events along the way are one hell of a ride.

Narration in the entire series is provided by Karen White, and I don’t think I have anything new to say…her work is terrific. Characters from earlier books that pop in here are instantly recognizable with distinct voices, delivery patterns and tiny quirks. Amber and Kane have clearly been imbued with overriding personality traits (Kane’s struggle for a logical explanation with a touch of puzzlement is wonderfully done) and emotional moments made clearer and more impactful with pauses, hesitations and tone variations. The moments that build tension are vocally presented with rushed or hushed moments, forcing the listener to sit up and pay attention – something big is happening. The dictionary would take on new meaning if White were to narrate it – she adds greatly to the don’t miss this series statement.

I received an AudioBook copy of the title via Audible Communications Team for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.