Eclipsed Evolution Series

I was hooked by these three novellas immediately. They go together to tell a single story; if you are anything like me you’ll want to binge-read all 3 of them. I did just that months ago and waited way too long to write my reviews (I know I need to work on this!). I remembered the story just fine but I couldn’t remember exactly where each installment left off. So I decided to give them another go and liked all 3 of them just as much the second time around.

I received this book for free from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

First Contact by Kim Harrison
Narrator: Xe Sands
Series: Eclipsed Evolution #1
Published by Penguin Random House Audio on April 2, 2024
Genres: Fiction / Fantasy
Length: 5 hours 27 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
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In the wake of the solar eclipse, a portal between our world and a paranormal realm opens—and a scientist’s life will never be the same, in this thrilling serialized adventure from the New York Times bestselling author of The Hollows.

Dr. Renee Caisson knows there are worse things than an attractive man in uniform drafting her into a secret government project—especially when Major Jackson makes it clear that he isn’t bothered by her questionable past. But when her labs come back with decidedly odd results, the Major is forced to come clean over who the government is actually studying. Renee is shocked to learn her subjects are demonic-looking beings who call themselves “Neighbors”—refugees from a dying world, who arrived during the nation-wide solar eclipse.

The Neighbors’ technology is unlike anything Renee’s ever encountered. At first, she dismisses an injury that inexplicably heals as “just one of those things”. And surely August, the most gregarious Neighbor, begins to speak English overnight because of the team linguist’s skills?

Not until August begins evolving in real time to withstand Earth’s brighter, dryer atmosphere does she admit that the Neighbors’ “tech” feels less like science and more like magic—the same magic that brought them here in the first place, and the same they’re trying to rekindle with a mysterious labyrinth in order to return home and save their world.

At least, that’s what August claims they came for…

This was fantastic! I was drawn into this story right away and loved getting to know this varied cast of characters. A solar eclipse helps to open a portal to another world, The Neighbors send as many individuals as they can hoping to make a connection that might help to save their world. Dr. Rene Caissen is drafted to help determine if their presence might be a danger to humans on a biological level. She forms a connection with the leader of the group, August, and soon holds a pivotal role in communication between species.

I could not put this book down! The characters were incredibly likable, except for a few we are meant to dislike, and I wanted to see things work out for everyone involved. Xe Sands did a phenomenal job with the narration which really helped to bring the story to life. The voices that she used for the key characters made me feel like I was right in the middle of everything. I couldn’t wait to listen to the next part of the story.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Penguin Random House Audio.

I received this book for free from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Totality by Kim Harrison
Narrator: Xe Sands
Series: Eclipsed Evolution #2
Published by Penguin Random House Audio on May 7, 2024
Genres: Fiction / Fantasy
Length: 4 hours 41 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
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After a solar eclipse opens a way between our world and a paranormal realm, and the dark side of first contact emerges, one woman’s loyalties will be tested in this gripping serialized adventure from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Hollows series.

Dr. Renee Caisson never expected that her scientific expertise would lead to a role playing interpreter between humans and the demonic-looking Neighbors. When the door between their worlds opened, she was drafted by the government to study the otherworldly beings and was able to prove her theory: the Neighbors had been to Earth before—and now they simply wanted to save their dying planet.

At least, that’s the story, and everyone—both human and Neighbor—is sticking to it. The Neighbor in charge of the new portal’s operation, Noel, isn’t that sure anymore. Having succeeded in finding a new planet to inhabit, the leaders of her world have made the dark truth of their existence clear to her: the Neighbors forcibly tried to make a foothold on Earth in the past—and they can’t afford to fail again.

But the Neighbors’ ability to magically teleport from place to place has convinced Major Jackson that the only way to keep control of the situation is to embrace it and tell the world of the Neighbors’ existence.

Unfortunately, not everyone agrees.

The continuation of this story did not disappoint. I like August, Rene, and Jackson more and more as the story progresses. In this installment, we get to know The Neighbors a little better and find out what happened to some of their people when they first went through the portal, and it is not good news. The differences between the worlds are quite interesting and there were a few things that made me question what the real motivation was for both species.

Xe Sands has proven herself to be the perfect narrator for this series. The way that she has been able to bring The Neighbors to life was flawless. I was able to get a feel for their language and enjoyed watching them learn our manner of speaking. I had a hard time putting this installment down and couldn’t wait to dive into the third part of the story.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Penguin Random House Audio.

I received this book for free from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Emergence by Kim Harrison
Narrator: Xe Sands
Series: Eclipsed Evolution #3
Published by Penguin Random House Audio on June 4, 2024
Genres: Fiction / Fantasy
Length: 6 hours 12 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon | Audible | B&N | Kobo | Libro.fm

For better or worse, a solar eclipse brought humans and paranormal beings together, sparking one woman’s battle to master magic or lose our world, in this riveting serialized adventure from the New York Times bestselling author of The Hollows.

As time has passed, Dr. Renee Caisson has begun to see the demonic, alien August as more than a research subject or an unlikely colleague—they’ve become friends. And together, she and August have helped the two societies of Nextdoor and Earth through the confusion of first contact, the danger of misunderstandings, and the anger of mistreatment.

But when a popular blogger and conspiracy theorist twists August’s words, an uproar ensues, turning a powerful section of human society against the Neighbors—and resulting in Renee’s house arrest. “To protect you,” her could-be boyfriend, Major Jackson says, though that’s not how Renee sees it.

Torn between duty and friendship, August jumps Renee to freedom using the labyrinth, fully aware the journey might reveal more to her than she should know. The wily Neighbor has pieced together that Renee has been unconsciously using their magic, a fact that, if revealed, will cause more, not less conflict between their worlds.

For if the people of Earth can master their magic and exile his people again, the Neighbors will not survive.…

This was such an exciting installment! The Neighbors are here and everyone now knows about it. August, Rene, and Jackson are all fantastic characters and I trust their motives but I am not so sure that any of them know their superiors’ true motivations. The stakes are high in this installment and I worried about the safety of some of the characters more than once. I loved that the story kept me guessing and left me questioning everything.

I think that Xe Sands really took this story to the next level with her expert narration. I felt like I was right there with this group of characters while they tried to smooth relationships between their two worlds. I really enjoyed the voices that she used for the various characters and thought that she added just the right amount of emotion to the story. I hope to see more stories featuring this fantastic group of characters very soon!

I received a digital review copy of this book from Penguin Random House Audio.

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