Author: Jessica Gunn
Narrator: Shannon Condon
Length: 6 hours and 42 minutes
Series: Hunter Circle, Book 1
Publisher: Jessica Gunn
Released: Aug. 16, 2018
Genre: Urban Fantasy
I’m Krystin Blackwood, and I’ve only ever been good at one thing: killing demons of Darkness. But at 24, I’m about to face my toughest challenge yet: shifting from working alone to joining a team of three other Hunters. Newbie Hunters.
They don’t know their magik, they barely know their place in the world, and when they find out the secrets I’ve been carrying, they’ll definitely decide it’s safer if they don’t know me.
But unfortunately for them – and me – Darkness has other plans. Lady Azar, Darkness’s heir, stole my new team leader’s kid two years ago. Now, she and her lackeys are rallying to exchange Ben’s kid for me because of the power I wield. I’m one half of a prophecy to save an ancient city the Powers of Good lost centuries ago. And if I fail or die before that happens, the destruction of that city will be felt across all planes of existence.
If we can’t find Ben’s son before All Hallows’ Eve and somehow save him without putting my life at risk, that existential explosion will absolutely happen. But it’ll be nothing compared to the destruction wrought if Lady Azar changes Ben’s son into a demon…and her minion
Because the only thing more dangerous than me with a blade is a father’s wrath.
Jessica Gunn is a New Adult author and avid science-fiction and fantasy fan. Her favorite stories are those that transport the reader to other, more exciting worlds. When not working or writing, she can be found binge-watching Firefly and Stargate, or feeding her fascination of the ancient world’s many mysteries. Jessica also holds a degree in Anthropology.
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Shannon Condon is a New York City based Actor, Voice Actor, Improviser and Filmmaker. Shannon is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA, and is recognized by her unique voice and quick-witted humor. When not recording, she can be found playing with her dog/best friend, Maple. For more updates visit shannoncondon.com
Website
*~*Top 10 List*~*
Songs that could be in the soundtrack for this book
-
- Five Become Four – Yellowcard
- The song, word for word, line for line, could have been a conversation between my characters. This album came out when I was first writing what would eventually become book four of this series, The Hero, for the first time.
- Uninvited – Alanis Morissette
- My critique partner sent me this song and said it reminded her of Giyano and Krystin, and I love it so, so much.
- We’re All To Blame – Sum 41
- There’s an awful lot going on in this world, and at the end of the day, they’re all to blame.
- Spirits – The Strumbellas
- This song is Krystin 100%. When I first heard it, it was like I finally understood her.
- Believer – Kill Hannah
- At some point, they all decide they’re done running. All they can do now is believe.
- Be The Young – Yellowcard
- The more things change, the more obstacles challenge the characters, the more things stay the same. They persevere and remain.
- You’re Gonna Go Far Kid – The Offspring
- A song for Krystin to sing to a certain someone.
- Lights And Sounds – Yellowcard
- A song about what the Hunter Circles can do–and has done–to their Hunters.
- This Is War – 30 Seconds To Mars
- This one is pretty self-explanatory I think!
- With Me – Sum 41
- Spoilers 😉
- Five Become Four – Yellowcard
*~*Author Interview*~*
- Tell us about the process of turning your book into an audiobook.
It was so fun! To be able to work with Shannon has been a dream. I got to experience this story for the first time, which is such a surreal experience. But Shannon really brought the world and characters to life with her performance. This entire process has been so amazing and exciting 🙂 (And yes, magical!)
- Do you believe certain types of writing translate better into audiobook format?
No. I think any type can work into the audiobook format as long as the narrator fits and works their magic 🙂
- Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing?
No! Never! I never thought I’d have the opportunity to work with a narrator and make The Hunted into an audiobook. I’ve always seen it as a movie in my head, but never this. So this is super exciting!
- How did you select your narrator?
I have the privilege of knowing Shannon “in real life” and have seen her incredible acting ability, so of course I asked if she’d be interested in narrating the Hunter Circles Series!
- How closely did you work with your narrator before and during the recording process? Did you give them any pronunciation tips or special insight into the characters?
We worked together before recording on names and world-specific words like the word-magiks. Other than that, I didn’t really give Shannon any direction or insight into the characters. She nailed how I envisioned every single of one of them on the first chapter!
- Were there any real life inspirations behind your writing?
A few, actually! I LOVE Boston. The city has just always felt alive to me, so of course I had to use it as a setting. I also think a lot of superhero shows and movies have informed these books too.
- How do you manage to avoid burn-out? What do you do to maintain your enthusiasm for writing?
This is a tough one, especially lately. I love writing, but I also make sure to spend time with other hobbies and loves as well. I watching TV series new and old and I also play D&D. Both are still creative outlets for me, but in very different ways, AND they’re both relaxing. These work together to rejuvenate me and keep my motivation going 🙂
- Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you?
I am! I love how versatile it is. Being able to “read” while driving or cleaning or taking a walk and not having to hold the book while doing so is amazing. I also love listening to ways narrators interpret the world, characters, and story. There’s something special about this format!
- Is there a particular part of this story that you feel is more resonating in the audiobook performance than in the book format?
I think what comes through better in the audiobook format–and it really is a testament to Shannon’s interpretation and performance–is how alive the world feels as well as the characters. Especially their personalities, and especially Krystin!
- What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?
That they’re missing out and I’m sad for them. I’d recommend an audiobook and insist they give it a try. It’s not “cheating”, it’s reading when you otherwise might not be able to. It’s convenience and a lot of narrator performances are just as amazing if not more so than the book they’re reading from! It’s up to personal taste.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Jessica Gunn. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
The Hunted is a new paranormal urban fantasy story kicking off a series full of action, fast-paced scenes, and lots of angst. We have witches and demon hunters, and of course demons, but also additional magical powers. We have a cast of young hunters who each have a particular demon on their hit-list, for various reasons. And for good reason- Giyano is a parent-killing, son-kidnapping type of demon. But there is more than meets the eye with him.
Our main character duo – yep this is an alternating POV book – both have a backstory. Krystin is of the Blackwood line, and is prophesized to be “the one” and Ben’s son was kidnapped as a baby and he’s fighting to get him back before he is used as a pawn for evil darkness.
Sometimes it feels like there is a lot going on, but it happens so quickly. The book is full of fight scenes, ambushes, and angst. While we understand our main characters’ motivations, I feel like there’s more that we’re not told yet. More depth that maybe the future books in the series will deliver.
This is the type of book that would make a fabulous episode arch in TV shows like Supernatural. Though my boys would have ended things differently I tell you, the sort of cliffhanger makes it so future books are possible. It definitely had a “battle’s done and we kinda won” feel to it (thanks Buffy) but it wasn’t fully satisfying because of the challenges and difficult decisions.
As for the narration, it was quite good! I will say I sometimes had a difficult time remembering who was narrating that chapter if I came back to it in the middle. But otherwise the narrator did a great job with the fast-paced action and the emotional angst felt by our characters and was pleasant to listen to.
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The Hunted Giveaway: 6 -month Audible subscription
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It’s a piece of big news that you are having an audiobook tour. I admire this book so much that I manage to get a copy of its audiobook. I love the soundtracks also that made the audiobook more exciting.
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