New to audiobooks? Then read the Winter series now

Alex Callister is my hero. If you are new to audiobooks, start with her Winter series (start with Winter Dark). When you read, your mind will conjure images, when you listen, it is still your mind but there are so many other tangible aspects. Sounds repeat themselves like an echoing memory, the characters' voices grow on you, and just as in life you begin to feel the intake of their breath, read the anger in their tremoring voices, and for this, Ell Potter, the narrator, certainly excels as well. But more than that, Callister writes so that the aural and your conjured imagery combine to make something so powerful you feel as though you are there. And if you have to be any place on any given day, then there is no more exciting of a spot than side by side with Winter and all of Callister's other characters.

Winter, who in my previous review of Winter Dark, I described as a female Bond, has gone beyond Bond. Why, well because she is contemporary, hates introspection unless it ties to her work, really is sexually omnivorous (you will get it when you listen to Winter Dark) and pushes the limits of feminism in some remarkable ways.

Callister's writing works within intersectionality to blur gender and particularly gender roles, as is evidenced through Winter's thoughts and actions. Reading previous reviews of Winter Dark, I was surprised, no, astonished, by the negative reviews, and then I realized something. If you are looking for staid, sexually proper thrillers, and, dare I say it, if you are a man and do not like to see women doing what you think only men should do, you won't enjoy Callister's writing. But, if you are male, female or however you might identify, living today, thinking about what the internet has given us and the dangers it could bring, you are tired of gender conforming ideals that belong in the past, you want sex that takes you there without revealing it all, and you are willing to suspend what we believe is possible, then this author is going to hit all the right notes with you.

Winter Rising takes up where Winter Dark left off. The story moves quickly, and as each book completes itself, you gain a better grasp of Callister's mastery of writing. Winter Rising keeps the pace pushed on all levels, you want to hear more but you want to go back and find out if you heard that correctly. Are you guessing what is going on, or are you confused? Listening to an audiobook, you could rewind, but it is like life, sometimes something rings so loud and clear, you are focused on it and you miss something going on in the background. Your mind tells you WAIT, STOP, THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU JUST HEARD, but you can't because you are in the moment. Ell Potter and Callister's writing is sweeping you into its narrative and you barrel forward. That is the beauty of this book, you can't help but be there with the characters, as confused as they are or as determined as they are, realizing in hindsight, the danger they are in. And so, you become part of the story, and for that reason alone, Alex Callister is my hero. Get this book, get the whole series. Think about human nature, think about how our world has progressed, think about what is possible, what you never thought would be possible, and then sit back and watch Callister lay it all out for you in a delicious, enthralling package that I hope continues for many more books to come.

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awesome book

great story, lots of twists ..... leaves room for speculations, but surprises with often unexpected turns .... all plausible though .
thrilling mix of logical chase, suspense and passion...... while sometimes violent , not leaning on gore as driver .
also, great performance .

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Best Narrator!

The story is fast-paced, unexpected plot turns, evocative descriptions, and a fantastic lead character (fantastical too, but that's OK with me). I've listened to the first two and am looking forward to the next in this series. The narration is superb! She switches genders, characters, and accents flawlessly. The reading is well-paced, pauses, and vocal emphases give appropriate space/tautness in the flow of the story.

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Another Wild Winter Ride

I'm enjoying this series way too much. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks. As a narrator Ell Potter is surpassed only by Michael Sheehan reading Philip Pullman’s latest Lyra books. She is mesmerizing.

I would mention though that anytime a major character is referred to only by name and never by pronoun, it sends up a red flag, not to say a red herring!

Highly recommended--what fun!

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Gripping!!

...And the saga continues...
Can't wait to read the next one to find out what happens next!!!

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Worth listening to.

Very good story. Some of it was predictable but enough surprises to keep it interesting, and I had to be willing to suspend belief at times, but no more than with every Bond or Bourne story. The vivid descriptions of the sexual encounters were unnecessary, could have been done more tastefully.

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Captivating!!

The details made listening like watching the movie except better. The narrators voice was perfect for all the parts!

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Amazing

This is the second book by this author and narrator I've had the pleasure of experiencing! So good, kept me on my toes the entire time. I'm sad it's done!

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Winter Rising

I highly recommend this audio book! The plot was well planned and I didn’t expect the end!

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Loved it

Great story great narration. It’s totally worth a listen. . . . …… and the fact that they have

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