Dangerous Ground

Fiona Carver, Book 1

By: Rachel Grant

Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky, A. T. Chandler, Michele Yatchmeneff

Length: 11 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

In the remote and unpredictable Aleutians, danger comes without warning in an adrenaline rush of a novel by USA Today bestselling author Rachel Grant.

Archaeologist Fiona Carver has unfinished business in the Aleutian Islands. After an emergency evacuation cut her first expedition short, she’s finally back. But time is not on her side as she races to finish documenting the remnants of a prehistoric village, recover missing artifacts, and track down missing volcanologist Dylan Slater.

Having bluffed his way onto Fiona’s team with fake credentials, wildlife photographer Dean Slater is willing to risk more than federal prison to find his missing brother, but he needs Fiona’s help. She knows the inhospitable terrain better than anyone.

When the two set out together on a perilous journey, it becomes more than a recovery mission. In their fight for survival, nature isn’t the only threat. They aren’t the only ones on the hunt. Mile by dangerous mile, someone is hunting them.

©2021 by Rachel Grant. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

A very complicated but intriguing story

This review is for both the ebook and the Audible. This is the first book in a series about Fiona Carver, an archaeologist based in the Northwest. The premise for the book seems simple enough, a volcano expert, Dylan Slater, that was working with Fiona at a remote island in the Aleutian Islands is missing. His brother, Dean Slater, a wildlife photographer has joined the expedition, borrowing the identity of a real bird expert, in order to find his missing brother. Then everything goes haywire. There is so much lying among the members of the expedition that it's impossible to know who to trust.

In addition, the backstories of Fiona and Dean is also shrouded for most of the book. But they are constantly fighting their attraction to each other. That was the only part I found irritating. Dean kept fighting the attraction to Fiona because he believed Fiona was Dylan's girlfriend. Even when she denied it, he still believed Dylan was interested in her. Other than that, I found the book very intriguing. I also would read about something in the book that sounded interesting enough so that I would go online to check it out. There was so much going on in the background that at times it was too much but luckily the issues became clearer in a few pages. Beware of claustrophobia during some parts of the book.

I did not like the voice of the narrator for the men. Not sure why. But I loved the female narrators, especially the one for Fiona. Unfortunately the Audible for the second ebook has the same narrator. Maybe he will grow on me. One can only hope. In which case I will revise that section of my review.

He grew on me. Revised rating to 5 stars.

Not what I was looking for. Not true archeology.

Narration was fine but I was not looking for man/woman sexual connotations. Wanted a rousing archeological discovery story.

Exciting from beginning to end. Really good.

Suspenseful, educational and a great love story. I will read it again.

I can't wait for book two. Spoiler Alert: If they don't resolve their issues in the 2nd book it will break my heart.

very enjoyable

What a great story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was very difficult to predict what would happen from point-to-point. Author Grant did a really nice job plotting this story.

Low on romance

The story is really good, but I don’t think I would call it romantic suspense.

Danger and intrigue make for a great story

What happens when a renowned wildlife photographer impersonates an endangered species specialist? Lots of action on an isolated Aleutian island! Dean Slater does nit believe that his brother went off-grid as the email from his work account stated and he’s about to investigate. Naval archeologist, Fiona Carver, is tasked with collecting data to determine the feasibility of installing a submarine base on an Aleutian island. She becomes suspicious of a couple of men assigned by the contractor who is assisting with the study. When Fiona and Dean are left stranded on the island without communication, it becomes obvious that there’s more to volcanologist Dylan Slater’s disappearance. The story is intriguing and fast paced and keeps you engaged. Narration team dud an excellent job bringing the characters to life and pulling you into the story. Looking forward to the next book.

A 4.5 Star Adventure. Great Narration.

I listened to the audiobook and discovered A.T. Chandler is a very familiar voice. I would caution you that if you are looking for a HEA or even a HFN this is not the book. It also doesn't really end on a traditional cliffhanger.

That did not bother me at all. Dean and Fiona literally took a journey full of intrigue, suspense, danger, action, and adventure. I enjoyed the bit of history, information about archaeology, volcanoes, and survival skills.

For once, in quite a while, I was able to read about a FMC that was not irritating. Even when she had her suspicions, she wasn't irritating. There is a touch of romance, but not too much, just enough.

I listened until I fell asleep, and woke up to finish the book. I am looking forward to the next in the series, and I am hoping Dean's brother Dylan gets his own book. 4.5 stars.

Sigh, I Like it… Buttt

Not sure if it’s a spoiler… so read at your own risk:

I like the story, honestly. I’m not even done and I know that I like it. The only thing that’s really annoying me is this love triangle that’s not even a triangle. Why on earth won’t Dean take Fiona’s word for it that she’s not involved with Dylan?!?! Even if Dylan has a crush… like come on?! How old are they again? Let Fiona decide for herself who she’s interested in. Why hold back on account of someone who is:
A. MIA
B. Allegedly lied.
B.1. Who probably lied just to get his brother off his back about setting him up with some random model?!

Other than THAT. It’s pretty interesting.

WOW

Performances were amazing, story was phenomenal. Action packed, incredible setting, loved every bit of it!

Harrowing Action and Adventure

Fiona is just doing her job and trying to protect an historical evacuation. Dean has bluffed his way into the project in the Aleutian Islands to find his missing brother. They are both being thwarted by some very bad guys who want the valuable minerals found in the ancient lava tubes. It's action and adventure with solid Archaeology themes. Characters are well developed and you growth to care about them, as they grow to love each other.