Narrated by Elizabeth Wiley
Originally reviewed by Brenda on June 20, 2013 – reposted for Halloween week 2015!
Tempted is the third book in Elisabeth Naughton’s Eternal Guardians series which takes Greek mythology as a basis with seven warriors – descendants of the original seven Argonauts who journeyed with Jason to find the Golden Fleece – as heroes. They live on their own plane of existence and must protect the Greek Gods who blessed their race with this home and the humans on earth where they will find their soul mates among the misos (half argolean/half human). They keep their people safe from an army of daemons led by a rejected Argonaut who has made a deal with Hades for immortality and now seeks revenge and control of all the worlds.
I’ve had the first book in this series, Marked, on my Kindle for over a year but decided to start with the third, Tempted, after I heard the audio version would be narrated by Elizabeth Wiley. I was determined to find one of Ms Wiley’s narrations within my chosen genre after hearing her participation in the VA Festival of the Book panel discussion, Falling Headphones Over Heels. Both her personality and her voice had intrigued me, so I was pleased to see this Title on Tantor’s Coming Soon list.
The overall theme of large male saviors who consider themselves family has been done multiple times since my original introduction to this style with J.R. Wards Black Dagger Brotherhood. I find I prefer the types that add a healthy dose of levity to the mix as opposed to the angst ridden. Judging from Tempted, this series falls into the second category with the dark and brooding Demetrius determined to keep his soul mate Isadora at arm’s length for good reason. Nonstop action with several interesting twists and plenty of drama ensues.
But I’m pleased to report that the listening itself was an undisputed success. Elizabeth Wiley has an excellent feel for the story and those inhabiting it – providing the correct attitude and personality for a large and complicated cast of characters. How she kept the multiple distinct voices for them all in order is mind boggling. In what is to be taken as the highest of compliments, she reminded me of Kate Reading’s narration with Christine Warren’s The Other series. There is the same large variety of characters with many great voices (especially the males in Ms Wiley’s case), some okay voices, and no truly bad voices. I found the narration completely engaging as she drew me through Tempted.
I was able to orient myself within the first couple of chapters despite having started at book number three in the Eternal Guardians series. Happily Elizabeth Wiley continues to narrate with the fourth and fifth stories which are also available.
In looking for audio versions of the first two entries of this series, I saw the second book, Entwined, had been produced by Dark Desires Audio but is no longer in circulation. I went to Elisabeth Naughton’s web site looking for more information and found this announcement dated March 2, 2013.
“The Eternal Guardians books (all of them!) will soon be available in audio format! More info to come so stay tuned! “
Fans of the series will be hoping the skilled Elizabeth Wiley stays at the helm when these additional titles become available! (Editor’s Note: Find the series here!)
Brenda
Narration: A
Book Content: B- (angst isn’t my thing but I’m a minority)
Steam Factor: Glad I had my earbuds in
Violence: Fighting
Genre: PNR
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Tempted was provided to AudioGals for review by Tantor Audio.
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