Trevor H. Cooley

*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 land of Dremaldria has been ever changed due to the war. It's over now, and people try to rebuild.

Tarah returns to her home land expecting to be seen as the coward who ran from the war. She hopes, the guild will accept her because she's one of the best trackers around. When she returns home she finds the exact opposite. She's show more viewed by the people as a hero.

Tarah had taken what appeared to be a magically spelled sword from a bandit on her way to Sampo. With no post of someone looking for it, Tarah agrees to take it to the Mage School for a finders fee. And while on her way there, she agrees to take an easy job of escorting a couple and their son to the school. Easy money... right? Tarah sees the tracks to a rare, unbelievable beast but keeps moving with the family. At the Wizard Academy, Tarah's asked to be a specialist on a contract job. To help track a Rogue horse. For the money and easy sound of the job, she takes it.

I've grown to really like background music when narrators read the title page of a book. Sets the mood for what's to come. Andrew is a narrator I've listened to and enjoyed. When I see a book in the genre I enjoy, I have to have it. This book holds true to his fantasy narrations. He does different tones and emotions for each character, making them distinct for us. I do enjoy his different inflections and timber for individualizing the characters. His voice is clear and easy to listen to.

Tarah knows what she did when the war was happening. She ran. People died. She wasn't here to help them. And it all weighs on her mind because they think her a hero for what she did in Pinewood. Tarah also has her Papa and Grampa Rolf in her mind reminding her how she should act and what she should do. They are like her conscious.

There's Djeri. He becomes Tarah's travel companion, co-worker in a sense. But Djeri the Looker becomes much more than just that to Tarah. They both start to realize it as they are there for each other through this travel and obstacles of threats. I like how this relationship evolves through the book.

When we meet Arkon I'm caught by him. It's a quick intro to him and Melinda. Their connection is a unique one here in this world, and I'm getting the feel an unwanted one. The magic and assassins sent after them are wild. I love it! Arkon is a mage and has his own tricks. I'm thinking he might be my favorite character but because of the mystery surrounding him.

I've not read or listened to any of The Bowl of Souls series, though I'm wanting to. I've started in with this book with fresh eyes. I'm not aware of the ways of this world or the war that has ravaged the lands, but it was easy to understand the world. Tarah is even haunted by her past during the war, those that she didn't save and how she ran. It leaves a mysterious feel to Tarah and keeps me wondering the whole story with her past, keeping me listening to learn.

There is a moral to the story, it's tied to Tarah struggling with who she is. She doesn't understand who's inside because she's left other people's thoughts of her affect her. She comes to learn from Djeri, who becomes dear to her, that she's who she is through actions not what people think of her. This is a strong lesson for Tarah, and what readers can take from the story too.

The epilogue introduces new characters and new troubles to be followed in the next book. I'm curious how this will cross with Tarah Woodblade's next mission, which we know of by how this book ends. show less

ABR's full Eye of the Moonrat audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.

Look at that cover! How could anyone say that they didn’t want to know what this story was about after seeing that calm yet creepy cover. As soon as I saw it I needed to know more. Thankfully I am well aware of the narrator, yet the author is new to me, so I had some idea of what I was in for.

This is a total unadulterated fantasy story. Full of all of the creatures one would expect, Ogres, show more Orcs, Gnomes, Goblins, Elves, Dwarves, and many other fantastical and potentially magical creatures and races. The main focus is on a young man, Justan, who has tried for his entire adult life to get into the prestigious battle academy. Here was a guy that didn’t think he needed to do anything difficult in life and everything should just pan out. This was not working for him. Now this is his last chance to get enrolled and this time he is given a trainer. Here we get to see Justan grow from a cowardly youngster into a brave adult. While some of his dreams are met, others are seemingly taken away from him without reason.

Eye of the Moonrat has a lot going on, many things that seemed disjointed, slowly came together, even though not close enough for me, the nearer I got to the end. As there are several side stories happening at the same time, I think, as Justan’s. They never did merge into one, however I do see that happening in the future.

Trevor H. Cooley did a great job creating a world that, while familiar to fantasy lovers like me, still has an originality to it all. The characters are given space and time to grow and develop. Descriptions of the scenery would make you swear that he has been there.

At first it felt a bit sacrilegious to hear James Foster be anybody other than Adrian Ring. I did eventually get used to this and allowing Foster to lull me into my imagination. He has a certain calming quality to his voice that allowed me to forget that I was in pain, forgive me I listed to most of the audio book while on an epic 30 mile bicycle ride. I think this is the highest amount of characters that Foster has had to deal with in one story. Happy to say he pulled it off very well. I especially like his take on the dwarf Lenny, er, Lenry, whatever.

If you are looking for a fantasy story that tells itself to you, rather than lecture, look no further. While some may say it is juvenile, I would saw that you have to start somewhere and might as well be the beginning. I am looking forward to being able to listen to book two in this fascinating series.

Audiobook provided for for review by the narrator. show less

Messenger of the Dark Prophet
The Bowl of Souls, Book 2
By: Trevor H. Cooley
Narrated by: James Foster
Love where this is taking me...a thrilling ride so far! Magic, wizard, ogres, orcs, strange creatures, golems, and elves all presented as if I could see, hear, and smell them. Suspense abounds along with many surprises, friendships, and deceit. Lots of unpredictable situations, great characters and amazing world building brings this fantasy adventure to life! The narration is absolutely wonderful!

On my toes

Every chapter of this book will keep you on edge, I tend to get bored of plots that are easy to foresee and this plot kept twisting in unexpected ways, love this series