Don't Fight the Spark: Soldiers and Mercenaries Story

By: Kasia Bacon

Narrated by: Michael Fox

Length: 2 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

As the Light Festival draws near, the Něssyrians craft paper lanterns, awaiting the most important holiday of the year. The Lyliňg Fighting House, too, prepares for celebration - by laying fresh sand onto the arena and setting up a match against their top pit fighter, the unrivalled Yüuzuki Ōren. His last match. One he can’t win.

With the odds more than stacked against him, the gorgeous Barbarian is as good as dead. Unless his lover, healer Ĥaiatto Ẽkana, proves himself every bit as determined as he is clever and finds a way to protect the man he’d stop at nothing to save.

©2019 Kasia Bacon (P)2019 Kasia Bacon

I’m intrigued for more!

I sort of read the premise on this, but mostly picked it based on length (I usually prefer audiobooks that are 6 hours or less), so I was planning on being surprised. Not having read any other of Kasia’s books, I was expecting to be a little lost but am glad it wasn’t the case. There was just enough information for me to understand the world and characters without detracting from the shorter storyline. I’m actually really impressed overall. In a limited amount of time, you get to really know who Ĥaiatto and Yüuzuki are at the core and I definitely got more invested in their outcome than I thought possible. Yes, it’s a very serious issue in [what seems like] a serious world, but Ĥaiatto is actually humorous in the book, in a bumbling sort of way that brings some light into the darker circumstances. Like I mentioned before, I’m not familiar with Kasia as an author, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that there’s a book out there about Master Revendi and Feninghan because I’m going to be all over that like white on rice! And just so any darker elements don’t turn people away completely—it *does* have an HEA (and fairly adequate man-on-man action). The narrator, Michael Fox, was also completely new to me and he was awesome. The different accents, pitches and intonations he did were completely on point. And that accent....*swoon*. Nice work, you two! I’ll be looking into more from both Kasia and Michael for sure.

Amazing tale of holding tight to love through all

I loved this story of a love that spanned hidden trysts, to fighting for their freedom, and breaking out into a new light! Kasia never fails to tell a heart pumping, blood boiling, tale of passion and sweet moments that wraps you up and takes you away into it's own wonderful world. Michael does an Amazing job of making you forget your listening to only one person too!! I loved this book and the whole series and highly recommend the ebooks as well!

The Desperation of True Love

Don't Fight the Spark was a delightful surprise. Ĥaiatto's determination and desperation to save his love, Yüu had me on the edge of my seat. I felt the unfairness of their situation so keenly, but the lengths Ĥaiatto went to protect the man he loved the most had me cheering and biting my nails. I really hope there will be more stories with both of them.

5 stars

Kasia Bacon has the ability to pull me completely into this world from the first word. She is able to pack a full story into a shorter amount of space and each scene, each sentence, is handled with great care. We get caught up on the background of both men quickly and fully with a few well-crafted sentences and learn how their love story started.

Everything works in this story, from the pacing, to the tension, to the intrigue of all the characters and the world they inhabit, as well as the title itself. Bacon is a fantastic fantasy writer that never fails to deliver and always leaves me wanting more. I now look forward to once again spending more time in this world.

Michael Fox is a new narrator to me and was an absolute pleasure to listen to. His voice captured the tone and feel of the characters and the setting and elevated a great story.

Interesting

This is the first book by this author for me. The storyline was different but interesting. The narrator did a good job making the characters interesting.

Loved it!

I really enjoyed this story on my Kindle and had high expectations for the audiobook. Plus, I'm admittedly picky about audiobook narrators. I can't tell you how lovely it is to genuinely like Michael Fox's voice and characterizations! He brought some of my favorite characters to life--he's a natural. I'll definitely listen to more of his work.

Lovely short

Even if you think you hate short stories/novellas - check out Kasia Bacon’s work. Seriously, I cannot get over how she can make a 2 hour audio feel like a complete and whole story. Especially in a fictional universe with it’s own language, society, and history.

Note: While part of the Order Universe this can be read on its own. Honestly. There are names from other books mentioned, but nothing happens that eludes to other storylines/events.

Told entirely from healer Haiatto’s perspective - this is a beautiful story of a seemingly “weaker” mate doing what he can to save his warrior love. Yuu & Haiatto have such a deep love and respect for each other and the lengths they’ll go to in order to protect the other is so sweet.

Narration:
Michael Fox’s narration is lovely. He handles all of Bacon’s made-up names and words fluidly. It’s an easy listen.

good side story

the narration was lovely. the pacing was good as well as the clarity and tone of the story.

the story is very short but good and to the point. I would have liked it to be longer and it did leave me wanting more and I hope we get a story about the sad assassin/spark that was introduced at the end of the book. glad there was a happy ending.

a free copy was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.

good book

I liked the book when it came out so I figured the audio would be worth a go. Good characters liked the plot, The narrator did a good job with the voices.

Giving your all to save the one you love

Some slight spoilers

I really enjoyed this short listen from a new author and narrator for me. Although it doesn't appear that same sex relationships are completely taboo, Haiatto the healer and Yüuzuki the barbarian have kept their relationship private for years.

The grandson of the fighting house that Yüuzuki has found himself a member of has decided to take his revenge on the man who spurned him. As the Light Festival draws near, the more dangerous the fighting becomes. Every time he fights, Haiatto fears he won't be able to use his spark to save his life. Now, the vengeful man has come to the end of his patience, and has a special fight planned that both MCs know what the outcome will be.

Haiatto decides to take matters into his own hands and approaches one of the most feared orders in the area. He makes a deal that might be his downfall, but he is willing to do anything to save his love. He just has to believe in Yüuzuki's promise.

This is the start of a new series, but from what I understand, it's part of a larger picture. I will definitely be searching out the other parts of this world if it does exist. Although not necessarily a cliffhanger, it's definitely a happy for now ending.

The narrator did a great job with the narration. His character differentiation was very good, and his pacing was smooth.

* I received a free copy of this audiobook and I am leaving my honest review. *