Untethered

The Listening Cities, Book 1

By: Michael Alwill

Narrated by: Lisa Larsen

After five years of silence, Nicholas Reid’s visions are back.

The yellow diamond. The counting chorus. A place he’s never seen before.

It’s been a while, but Nicholas knows the drill, even if he doesn’t understand it. What he’s not ready for is the occasion: A day that starts with him losing his job and turns into him meeting the mysterious Kat, a young woman who can make the impossible possible just by tying together a few pieces of string.

For Nicholas, that’s only the beginning.

Hot on Kat’s heels are a couple of tattooed memory divers looking for a mystic knot called the Untether. They’ll do anything to get it and when Nicholas gets in their way he’s forced to relive shattered memories of his past that send his visions into overdrive. Outmatched and on the run, Nicholas and Kat must navigate the uncanny underbelly of New York City, contending with friend and foe alike as they try to figure out who they can trust and who wants the Untether for themselves.

All the while, Nicholas’s visions grow stronger and more unpredictable. Why have they returned now? What’s their connection to Kat and the coveted Untether? And why does something suddenly seem off about Nicholas’ childhood memories?

Untethered is a gripping urban fantasy psychological thriller perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, and V.E. Schwab.

©2019 Michael Alwill (P)2019 Michael Alwill

Fun new world of magic and self discovery

I really enjoyed this book. The setting was what really caught my eye and made me want to read it. I love the dystopian feel of a new world and order. The main character is well developed and battles with himself to determine how to unlock his magic. It’s fun to see him go through ups and downs and learn to trust himself. I liked that the magic was not all the same for every person in the story, which made it feel realistic and exciting. I’ll be excited to listen to book 2! I received this book in exchange for an honest review, but it’s entirely my own.

Great first book in Series!

Alwill has written many memorable characters in his hard hitting magical thriller that is multifaceted like the yellow diamond in Nicholas's visions. With most everything happening in the dark and murky places of New York it is fitting there's an indestructible marvel-like character called Salamander. And though there are several disreputable magical characters to dislike Needle was my favorite. I liked Kat and want to know a more about Madam. Lots and lots of twists and turns plus a surprise ending.

A great original story

All in all this is a very good book by a very talented author.
In some parts the story gets a little bogged down in the imagery the author is trying to impart and he uses to many similes in the pursuit of this imagery. But that is really the only problem I have at all with this book. The story is fantastic and there are several twists that I didn’t see coming. I would absolutely recommend it to fans of fantasy.