Solitude: Dimension Space, Book One (Unabridged‪)‬

I honestly didn't even see the comparison to The Martian and I Am Legend (I try to not read the synopsis of a book that I'm pretty sure I'm going to love) -- but that is a great combination of exactly what this story was.  I hate copying exactly what is written in the description on Amazon, but when it's right, it's right.

Dean M. Cole can write! Every time I thought "okay, this is it, he's got it!" or "she's got it!" he continued to throw everything at the two main characters.  It got to the point where I was pretty sure that both of them were going to give up numerous times.

A story about what could potentially be the last two people in the world and one of them is stuck on the International Space Station is already a story that I would read in a heartbeat.  Then you throw in that R.C. Bray and Julia Whelan are going to dual narrate it? Okay, now I'm salivating. Oh, and it's funny and heartbreaking at the same time like The Martian? Jesus, okay, I bought the book, let's go!

We're almost at the half-way point of the year and I believe that I may have found my audiobook of the year already.  Ironically it follows a similar type story as last years -- but this one has even fewer people in it.

There was a part of the book where I was a little worried around R.C. Bray narrating it -- not because of him or his narration at all (he's seriously one of the best in the world and is the sole reason you're reading this blog today).  It was because there was a character named Mark.  And I couldn't get "Whatney" out of my head every time he would say his name.  I was seriously concerned, but my concern didn't last as long as I'd expected.  There was even a line that made me pause the audiobook:  "...duck tape... Oh right, you're Mark Whatney and this is The Martian".

I honestly don't even have to go into Bray and Whelan's narration of this because it was spot on and perfect.  One of the best audiobooks I've ever listened to.  Definitely up there with The Martian as Bray's best performance.

Overall, Solitude is easily one of the best books I've read in 2017 and will be in my memory for years to come.  I will gladly be recommending this to all of my friends and family -- especially those who loved The Martian (or enjoyed I Am Legend).  Dean M. Cole has shot himself up to the top of my 'to-read' list and I will be eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.

I was given a free copy of this which has not affected my review at all.

This is an ok book, but certainly not one of the best. It ends without answering how or what exactly happened. Maybe this book will be part of a series.

I had the pleasure of reviewing Dean Cole’s Duology of Sector 64. This made me extra super excited to have the chance to listen to Cole’s newest, Solitude. I have seen ads running in different places that calls this a cross between The Martian and I Am Legend. I know, right?! This got my interest doubly piqued. But, I don’t think I would have compared this to I Am Legend. Because, well, there were no zombie vampire-like creatures.

Let me say this, Cole has quite the imagination! Basically, there are two separate stories going on untile they merge closer to the end. There is a mission on the space station when the apocalypse happens. Most of the crew was killed, one was spared or more like stranded. On Earth, two guys are in a zero-G room when it happened. They were spared because they were not technically on the planet. With a nice surprise that I didn’t see coming at the end. Very curious as to where Cole is going to take this story. Ok I have said enough here.

Cole wastes very little time for anything to happen. We are introduced to the characters and them BOOM! The apocalypse happens. And we are left with the two protagonists dealing with the fallout. Emotionally, mentally and physically.

Cole was able to make the events of his apocalypse so vivid, so intriguing, with multi-faceted characters and circumstances. I devoured this audiobook so fast, I almost listened to it again, just because I didn’t want it to end. I will be first in line for the rest of this series.

What can I really say about RC Bray and Julia Whelan that you do not already know? Both are at the top of their game. The chapters and sections were read alternately. I found that Whelan’s portions were noticeably louder than Bray’s, the first switch made me jump out of my skin. That’s the only negative. Cole was smart and/or lucky to get two of the best voices in the business for this project. I really hope that they both stay on board for the rest of the series.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog

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