Shadow Zone

By: Iris Johansen, Roy Johansen

Narrated by: Jennifer Van Dyck

While mapping the ancient underwater city of Marinth in the Atlantic Ocean, submersible designer Hannah Bryson makes a shocking discovery: she may have finally uncovered the truth about the once-glorious city’s mysterious demise. Long ago, it was a thriving metropolis bursting with culture and life – Marinth’s sudden disappearance has puzzled scientists for years. But now, with her unexpected new findings, Hannah realizes that the ancient city’s explosive secret could have dire consequences for the modern-day world.

But Hannah isn’t the only one who realizes it. When her key artifact is hijacked en route to a research lab, she is thrust into an adventure in which she must match wits against a terrifying enemy who will kill anyone who stands in his way. And when Hannah becomes his target, she knows that her best hope for survival lies with Kirov, a mysterious and deadly man from her past. Together they will race to unravel Marinth’s last great secret in order to prevent a catastrophe of global proportions. Before the lethal game is over, however, Hannah will realize that no one is above suspicion.

©2010 Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen (P)2010 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"In this adrenalin-accelerating tale of a high-stakes, high-seas conspiracy, the Johansens adeptly juggle multiple points of intrigue, smoothly balancing the prerequisite whirlwind pacing with plausible, even restrained, personal relationships. And Hannah emerges as a prepossessing, determined heroine who is more than capable of sustaining this absorbing series." ( Booklist)

a little sluggish

starts really slow but slowly gets better. not my favorite. I usually like all Iris's books but the extra author seems to slow the story down.

Shadow Zone

loved this book as always with all her books. would recommend this book to my friends.

Got this book on a whim

Any additional comments?

I bought this one almost a year ago. My wife likes to point out I stick with the same authors, and I need to expand my horizons. So to prove that my horizons are just fine, and I'm not afraid to expand them, I spend a few hours looking for a new author and book to read/listen to. This was the book I came up with. I even started reading the book, but after the trellis is taken out of the depths of underwater city, the story got really boring. I put it down, as it couldn't hold my interest.

So this month, I went through my monthly book before the fifth of the October. Wanting to stick to my budget, I decided to give this book another try. Once again, I found the opening few chapters fascinating, but the book's character changes from one of discovery of an ancient civilization (Super interesting) to a plot to develop a bio-terrorist weapon and sell it to the highest bidder. I did finish the book but there was a lot of unanswered questions and a failure to tie up some of the loose strings.

Character development was a bit weak. The main protagonist was a too smart and too rigidly tied to a moral and values system to be a real character. In reality, we are all dichotomous creatures, containing both good and bad impulses and characteristics. These characters were either good or bad, not a mix of both. Perhaps I have been spoiled by reading too many George R. R. Martin books, where the characters are complex.

The narrator was very good. So, I am a guy, and one of the problems of being a guy is we tend to visualize women. If your a guy you know what I am talking about. I can't tell you how many times I want to see the woman on the other side of the phone, just on the basis that the person "sounds cute." The narrator's voice for Eugenia, is such a character. I couldn't help myself, Eugenia just sounds so dang hot! Anyway I digress, in the end, I wish I had expanded my horizons with a different author, or perhaps I could just listen to the narrator use that sexy Russian accented voice read War and Peace.

Nice sequel to Silent Thunder

It was nice to revisit the old characters from Silent Thunder. Good plot. A little bit of a cliff hanger with room for another book. Just enough romance

Good Listen

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes, the characters were interesting.

What could Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

The story was very predictable in several areas. I enjoyed the dolphins, the relationship with the main character's nephew. All the characters were developed. I really liked several of the characters and that made it a good read. The characters were very interesting. I wanted to know more about the characters, their past or experiences that made them who they were.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The characters were very interesting. I wanted to know more about the characters, their past or experiences that made them who they were.

Any additional comments?

The mix of competing commercial interests, philanthropic concerns, archeological, and government war use of the alga was interesting, however predictable.

Something new for me by this author

Shadow Zone by Iris Johansen narrated by Jennifer Van Dyck
Date 2010
Unlike other work that I have read by her prior to this, I still found it a nice and easy read. Her characters are as always likable and this time around not as damaged as her previous protagonists.
Finding a civilisation underneath the sea, older than imagined, a question arose – what caused their decline? The answer is enough to get an international arms dealer involved. The result is a fast paced race against time.
I really enjoyed this book, it was everything I want in a read, it made me relax and kept me entertained.
The narrator Jennifer Van Dyck did a great job in making the characters voices fit their description in the book and making the reader like some better than others. Narration a 4.5 * rating.
The book in total--
5 * rating for sure
WaAr

Awesome story line!

Johansen and her husband both write amazing thrillers and world crime stories. This is one of the best. Dolphins who save the world and a lost city combined with spies, agents and an international arms dealer. The only drawback for me is the narrator, who she uses often is always flat and uninspired. Ignore her, the book is worth it!

Just ok

What did you like best about Shadow Zone? What did you like least?

Had a hard time getting into this book. I really need to listen to demo before purchasing

Would you be willing to try another book from Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen ? Why or why not?

Maybe

Would you be willing to try another one of Jennifer Van Dyck’s performances?

Hum...

Could you see Shadow Zone being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No

Well written if shallow thriller

Personally, I think the narrator made this book for me. The story was average with a couple of comic lines for relief. However, the narrator was wonderful with all the various accents and personalities.

Time wasted

What would have made Shadow Zone better?

A plot. This book was a complete waste of time and money it was a silly book written for a six year old.

What was most disappointing about Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen ’s story?

It was just just a empty book.

Would you be willing to try another one of Jennifer Van Dyck’s performances?

No

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No

Any additional comments?

She should retire.