Desolation

Powers Legacy, Book 1

By: Starr Z. Davies

Narrated by: Cole Robert Eubanks

Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Paige and Gavin Powers are unique. It's in their very DNA–a gift from their legendary father, the current Minister and Hero of Elpis. But the two are nothing alike.

Gavin, the wonder child, displays multiple unfathomable superpowers. He can manipulate matter and energy to his will, dissect information in seconds, and he remembers everything he learns perfectly. The limits of his potential have yet to be determined.

Beside her brother, Paige’s Muscle Memory is good for one thing–a special military program her father doesn’t want her to join.

Overshadowed by her gifted brother and famous father, Paige yearns to prove that she is just as good as they are. That she is a Powers through and through. So when a mysterious signal hints the citizens of Elpis may not be as alone in the world as they were led to believe, Paige eagerly joins a mission into the desolate unknown to uncover answers–accompanied by her brother and four others.

But as the reality of the outside world closes in on them, Paige and Gavin tumble into a desperate fight for survival.

Desolation is the first book of Powers Legacy, following the children of Ugene Powers as they forge their own place in the shadow of their father's legacy. A perfect series for fans of Red Queen, The Maze Runner, or The Darkest Minds. The series twists dystopian, post-apocalyptic, sci-fi, and fantasy together, adding a dash of superpowers.

©2023 Starr Davies (P)2023 Starr Davies

Now I want to listen to the original series.

I was given a free code in exchange for an honest review.

Like many other new authors and books that I've read, the cover caught my attention first. Then I read the blurb and thought it would be an interesting listen. Plus it's free. Little did I know that they pulled a Costco/BJ's on me. Meaning I got a free sample then got hooked on it. After listening to this I went and purchased the original Powers series. I want to finish that before I re-listen to this one, then binge on the next 3 in this series. The story is really well done, with enough twists and drama to keep you interested and to keep the story moving at a good pace. This series really should have more reviews. I'll be recommending this series to both my daughters who are avid fans of this genre.

I will also say that I was pleasantly surprised by how well Cole Robert Eubanks narrated this audiobook. I usually prefer dual narration but this works just fine. The premise of a book where the kids of the original (Power) series MC's are now the mc's of their own series is pretty cool. Sometimes the switching between pov's was a little annoying but I got used to it. All-in-all this was a pretty good listen that kept me engaged in the story the whole time.

Post-Apocalyptic Subsequent Generation Exploits

I enjoyed this first book in the "Powers Legacy" series that featured the trials and tribulations of Paige and Gavin Powers. Both children have a lot of expectations to deal with as the children of Ugene Powers, who was now the Minister of Elpis. I liked the characters. I appreciated the relationship between the two siblings. The story was so absorbing that I listened to the audiobook in one sitting. This book ended on a cliffhanger, and I'm looking forward to the next book with great excitement. Cole Robert Eubanks' narration was fine as his voice was pleasant. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.

Captivating!

This is the first installment in the Powers Legacy Series, a sequel to the Powers Series, following the children of Ugene Powers, the Minister and Hero of Elpis. This is a great mystery YA Sci-Fi Dystopian Saga. Paige and Gavin's story is entertaining and captivating. They are both interesting characters. The supporting characters are intriguing. The storyline is complex, original, intense, and enthralling. I liked the characters, the world building, the action, and the twists and turns. Cole Robert Eubanks did an outstanding job bringing this story to life. I enjoyed it. The story ends with a cliffhanger, and I am looking forward to listening to Infiltration, the next installment in the series. #StoryOrigin

A monumental series begins

Received as an audio review copy from Story Origin, this is an honest review. Wonderfully narrated by Cole Robert Eubanks, Desolation is the story of what's has come since Eugene Powers and trusted cohorts forever changed Elpis from the day they challenged their ruthless, structured government. Now it's Eugene's children Gavin and Paige to begin to make their upon Elpis. It begins when a mysterious signal is discovered that could mean of those that call Elpis home, there many be other humans outside of their sheltered walls. The dangerous mission finds both Gavin and Paige proving their worth to each other along with showing their superiors they are far more than just the children of the legendary Eugene Powers. What is discovered beyond a crumbled world is individuals on the hunt for new recruits and tributes for a hidden kingdom that Paige finds herself embroiled in that could alter far more than future of Elpis. Poignant, intense and captivating, Desolation is your complex adventure of the summer.

Highly recommended.

Paige and Gavin

Paige is trying to live up to her father's legacy and up to Gavin as being the smarter one. Paige signs up for a mission when a mysterious signal comes through. Gavin tags along to watch for his sister.

Loved it!

Okay this book is SOOO good! I am hooked. I realized there is so much more to the Powers World, a whole other series actually! I can’t wait to dive in to each one of the books in this world. The author did an amazing job building characters and growing this world in a way that you feel connected to everything as it happens!

A Good Start to a Good Series

I received this audiobook free in exchange for an honest review.

Having read this series in written form already, I can say straight away that I enjoyed this series a lot. So much so that I'm now going back to re-consume the entire series in audio form. The series, I believe, only gets better as it goes on to the point where I found myself unable to put the books down, and chomping at the bit for the next one to come out after I was done reading the prior one.

This series is a sequel series to the Powers Series which takes place about 20 years prior to this series. While I enjoyed the first series, I found this one in many ways more engaging. This book in particular sets the stage for those to come and so while it isn't perhaps as action-packed as some stories to come, it does a good job in getting the ball rolling, introducing characters, and whetting the appetite for more. A fair warning, however, this one book does not in any way encompass a complete story arc in and of itself. If you plan to read this book, you'll want to commit yourself to reading the series as a whole. Fortunately, that's a rewarding commitment.

As I'd already read the novel, much of my focus was in the narration of this book. The narration had its ups and downs, but in all, it works. The number one killer of audiobooks is a narrator that is monotone. Here, Cole Robert Eubanks does not let down. Main characters have unique, easily distinguishable voices, and sensible intonations for the most part. I found the distinguishing features of some to be a bit distracting, though. Of the main characters voiced, I found Paige's voice to be great. Gavin's speech mannerism took a chapter or so to get used to (it's a bit... jerky/hesitant at slightly odd times), but any detractions quickly were forgotten as the story progressed and the voice became natural to the character. The only trouble I really had voice-wise was Zephyr. I felt his voice was too artificially low, was delivered in a very repetitive and definitive cadence pattern, and he was given an accent (specifically dropping the 'g's off of 'ing' words) which wasn't in the written word. That character, along with one other, left me feeling that Cole does better (to my ear) with female and what one would picture as the skinny/lithe/nerdy guys, and has a harder time realistically portraying voices for the tougher/stronger/broader/'manlier' men. That was the impression I got anyhow. Still, as I became more used to the character's voice, it detracted less from the story than it originally did for me. I'd much rather have that character's voice seem off to me, however, than have a monotone narrator that doesn't distinguish between characters or emotional states. The voicing was clear and crisp enough that I was able to clearly make out every word despite listening at times with a lot of obscuring background noise coming from my environment. I also can't mark down the performance much for the voice, because thanks to it's uniqueness, it's the only voice I can hear in my head when reading the text-copies now, so of all the voices, that one has now become the greatest embodiment of its character for me, despite my original reaction to it.

I've enjoyed the series in writing, and I'm enjoying the audio version too. I would certainly recommend this to others (in fact, I have many times). Now... off to listen to book 2!

ANOTHER GREAT POWERS SERIES

ANOTHER GREAT POWERS SERIES START WITH, WELL LISTEN TO IT BECAUSE ITS A THRILLER WITH LOTS OF TWISTS.

ACCEPTABLE FOR TEENS AND UP.

NARRATORS ARE GREAT, WELL SPOKEN AND EASY TO FOLLOW.

Epic

Storyline is different than what I’m use to so it took me a little to get into but the moment I got into it I couldn’t stop it. Great story, cannot wait to to continue. The narrator did a great job in separating the different characters by individualizing each person.

Desolation

My kids loved this book. It was a good story and easy to follow.