The Expendables meets Monster Squad

What made the experience of listening to Damoren the most enjoyable?

This was a solid book on all counts. The pacing was just right, it never felt that the story was languishing at any point - it always felt like the characters were moving towards a clear goal and there was always a sense of urgency.

Character development was handled skillfully as well. There are a LOT of characters in this book since we're dealing with effectively, an entire secret order of demon hunters. Add to that each of these hunters possesses a holy demon-killing weapon which is also, in and of itself, a character. Naturally, it can be difficult to progress and develop personalities within this large "cast" without feeling like you're getting bogged down with exposition. However, without getting into a lot of backstory on each individual - we are still able to learn about each character through their interactions with each other and with their environment.

I'm a sucker for good world-building, and myth-creation and I think Seth Skorkowsky does a fantastic job on both counts. The locales are easily visualized, and feel real and fleshed-out. The mythology surrounding the supernatural elements was an interesting twist on explaining the existence of monsters.

The action in this book is fantastic! The battle scenes are well-paced and fantastic fun to read. Major battle scenes play out pretty much as you'd expect if you were watching an R-Rated action or horror film - read: it gets pretty graphic at times. So if you're not a fan of that stuff, then this book may not be for you - but I am, so five stars all around from me!

Finally, R.C. Bray is fast becoming one of my favorite narrators on Audible. The guy has a pretty good range, and does a decent job of inhabiting the different characters (although sometimes his accents can be a little unconvincing). Also, his deadpan delivery of some of the funnier lines and observations from characters injects some extra levity throughout the story.

What other book might you compare Damoren to and why?

This is the first book I've read in the urban fantasy genre, so I can't compare it to any other books.

That said, the story, pacing, and mythology in Damoren were similar to that of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Hellboy, and even League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

What does R. C. Bray bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Honestly I don't know. At this point I pretty much just read books in "his voice" in my head now.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely.

Any additional comments?

The main character has an old-world pistol with the blade of a holy sword affixed to the barrel.

If you think that image alone is even a little bit awesome - then you need to read this book.

22 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

A DEMON WITH A MACHINEGUN

ONE RAISED A RED HANDED AXE
First chapter was fantastic, exciting, got me excited. Chapters 2-9, I am thinking I will be buying all the sequels. I am thinking this shows so much potential for prequels, short stories, side stories, etc. Chapter 10-15, what, another fight scene. Do I really care about these characters? Is there a plot?

I liked the concept, I liked the history, the amount of demons and the encyclopedic explanation of each was cool. Starting with chapter 10, I was getting bored. I hung on longer than I would for most books, hoping it would get back on track. With two hours left, I called it quits.

Bray is great and makes most books a better listen than a read.

15 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Skorkowsky is onto something with this series!

Where does Damoren rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's one of the most captivating audio books I've sampled.

Have you listened to any of R. C. Bray’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

R.C. Bray really gets to stretch his legs on this one. His masterful use of pacing really jives well with the plot progression - he's a top notch narrator

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Sure, but I ain't got time for that!

Any additional comments?

When I bought this audiobook, I was a bit worried it'd get into religiosity - which can be a drag, since the book revolves around 'holy weapons', and all that. Skorkowsky avoids the trap and sticks strictly to the action - and is it ever a great ride. The sometimes oblivious and reluctant hero, characters that leap off the page, and spy movie action make for a fun audio book experience. Truly entertaining, and I must say I was bummed that Audible does not have any follow-ups in this series (perhaps they're not out yet?). But, I'll await Vol. 2 eagerly!

11 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Damoren was a really good read!

This book surprised me I didn't expected it to be as good as it was. This book will pull you in from the beginning and not let you go tell the end. I don't often write reviews but I wanted to give it four and a half stars but couldn't from my phone. I'm a truck driver that runs over night and enjoy my books on the road. This book kept me going the entire 10 hour hale.

10 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Fantastic!

Would you listen to Damoren again? Why?

Yes, I would listen to it again because the story is very intricate, layered, and I know I will get more out of it each time.

What did you like best about this story?

It was so unique. I thought it was going to be like Supernatural, but it wasn't at all. It was a completely different dynamic.

Have you listened to any of R. C. Bray’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I hadn't heard him before, but I liked him very much. His characterizations were extremely well done.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I prefer to listen to audio books in my car and over several days/weeks time. It gives me a chance to go back and listen to chapters over again, if I think I missed something.

Any additional comments?

By far one of the best 'debut' novels I have heard or read in a very long time.

8 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Wasn't what I expected

If you could sum up Damoren in three words, what would they be?

Unique, action packed, a good listen.

What other book might you compare Damoren to and why?

I compared it a lot to Monster Hunter Inc. but it's a lot better than that.

What about R. C. Bray’s performance did you like?

He did a pretty solid job in the voice acting. Though his girl impersonation is a little poor, not bad though.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Kind of, I usually listen to it during my 8 hour shift.

Any additional comments?

I'm looking forward to the next book, the ending really got me intrigued about the origins of the weapons and all that fun stuff.

8 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

An Action Movie in a Book

If you could sum up Damoren in three words, what would they be?

Captivating Suspenseful Intriguing

Who was your favorite character and why?

Matt

Which character – as performed by R. C. Bray – was your favorite?

Malcolm

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The Weapons of the Demon Protector

Any additional comments?

Expertly narrated by RC Bray. I did not want to take a break from listening and now I can't wait for the rest of the series.

7 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Demon beware!

What made the experience of listening to Damoren the most enjoyable?

Damoren is a rare treat, a wonderful sword-swinging story with a well-chosen narrator who never gets in the way of the words, but delivers a really solid performance of a book that needs little embellishment, only clarity and grace in delivery.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Matt Hollis, who is the guy who's carrying the sword DAMOREN from the title, is the hero, and rightfully so -- a bit flawed, a bit of a daredevil, he's not a member of the Valducan elite in good standing, which makes him even more fun to root for. Of course, you can always root for the knights' sentient weapons...

What about R. C. Bray’s performance did you like?

This narrator, R. C. Bray, voiced every character, from the Englishman to Luiza, the lady with a sword, and even the samurai and voodoo priest, distinctly, making each one memorable. A fine performance.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Demons beware! Five swords know your name...

5 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Not to shabby!

Great narration is something that is very important to me when choosing a book. This one has an awesome narration in R.C. Bray and the story is solid. It's not 5 stars but a solid 4 stars. I'm looking forward to the next chapter.

5 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

demon hunters, occult, action, adventure with a...

Young Spencer and his family are attacked by flesh eating monsters.  His family is lost, but luckily for him, a stranger named Clay had been tracking the demons and saves the boy’s life.  With nowhere to go, Clay takes Spencer under his wing and trains him as a tracker and killer of the many hidden creatures living among us.

Demons can’t be killed by ordinary weapons, which will only kill the host body they possess; it takes a holy weapon, one blessed with special and rare properties.  Clay’s ancient pistol, called Damoren, is such a weapon.  When he killed the demons attacking Spencer’s family, one of the bullets passed through the monster, killing it, but also lodging itself into Spencer’s body.  Instead of killing the boy, it gave him some special abilities: almost instant healing, the ability to understand and speak any language as well as use his own blood to track demons.

The Valducan are an ancient order of demon hunters who have vowed to protect the blessed weapons which can kill demons.  One by one, hunters and their precious weapons are being killed and destroyed.  Now they need Spencer and his unique abilities to help them as they become the hunted.

Damoren, Valducan is an exceptionally entertaining book.  There are many familiar themes in the novel, but the author has made them uniquely his.  He introduces many characters in addition to Spencer (now Matt as an adult), and each is given unique and appealing qualities.  They are flawed, make mistakes, but are loyal to each other and to their blessed weapons like lovers.

R. C. Bray performs the story in his unique baritone and could read a dictionary and make it exciting. He is just that good. There are many different accents for him to contend with in the story and he handles all of them well.  He has a way of conveying a character’s emotions in his voice that adds greatly to the novel.  It doesn’t get better.

Damoren, Valducan book 1 is the first in a series of unknown length.  The novel wraps up well enough to stand alone, but exciting enough you will want to continue on to the next in the series.  If you enjoy demon hunters, occult, action, adventure with a touch of romance, you will love this series.  Highly recommended.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author.

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

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4 personnes ont trouvé cela utile