by Joss Ware
Series: Envy Chronicles #1
Narrator: Sebastian Fields
Length: 10 hours and 34 minutes
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Heat Level:
Narration: 4 cups
Everything they knew is gone...
From the remnants of devastation, five men emerge with extraordinary new powers. They are humankind's last hope, but they cannot survive this devastated world alone.When Dr. Elliott Drake emerges from a cave after traveling fifty years through time, the world as he knew it is gone. Cities are overgrown jungles, and what's left of civilization has been repressed by crystal-wearing immortal beings. But even more unsettling: Elliott has acquired an extraordinary ability--the power to heal.
But even that gift, in a world that lacks the technology and infrastructure of his past, is a two-edged sword for Elliott.
Jade Kapiza, who'd been imprisoned by the immortal beings, has been in hiding for years. But now she's determined to help the human race fight back against the control of her captors. She can trust no one...but when Elliott comes into her life, he pushes at her defenses and begins to tear down the walls she's built so carefully.
Yet the mysterious doctor seems to have secrets of his own. Can Jade trust Elliott with her heart, even as they risk their lives to save a band of innocents?
And can Elliott find a new place for himself--a home--in this new, ravaged world?
Lorna from Rabid Reads placed Envy Chronicles on my radar with its zombie-like creatures, post-apocalyptic world, and paranormal elements. Beyond the Night by Colleen Gleason writing as Joss Ware, is the first book in the Envy Chronicles. I chose to listen to the audiobook narrated by Sebastian Fields. It is currently 2.99 through Audible.
Five reasons to grab your earbuds and listen to Beyond the Night
- In 2010 most of the world’s inhabitant died. Not by a virus or natural disaster nor was it a war. An unknown group referred to as the “Strangers” appeared shortly after in small numbers and began taking over. These strangers are immortals wearing odd crystals. Strange zombie-like creatures known as Gangas roam the planet. These oversized monsters, appear at night and have razor sharp claws. They all moan the same message.
- Our story begins fifty years later when Dr. Elliott Drake emerges from a cave with friends to discover they have traveled in time and the world as they know it is gone. As an added twist Drake discovers he can heal with his touch. What unfolds is a dystopian, apocalyptic, zombie, paranormal romance mix up.
- Beyond the Night offers suspense, horror, a little bit of mystery and even some heat. The danger will keep you on edge. As we get to know all the players I was never quite sure of everyone’s intentions. Most of our time is spent in the human settlement town known as Envy. We get everything from political plays to boarder patrol as this group protects their own. The town is well established and even boasts a bar with nightly entertainment.
- The story isn’t perfect, but I was curious about the world and its secrets. I struggled with Drake’s emerging Alpha tendencies, and the relationship he had with Jade Kapiza. These aspects pulled me from the other threads that I found fascinating. Jade was a bit of a mystery and a total badass. She is a loner hiding from something but joins up with Drake and a relationship develops. Both characters have secrets, and I will be curious to discover them.
- Ware laid the groundwork for the Envy Chronicles revealing enough to hook me and lay the foundation for questions that need to be answered. The ending wrapped up nicely while leaving the door open for the next book in the series.
Beyond the Night offered an exciting start to the Envy Chronicles. Sebastian Fields did a stand-up job narrating the story, and I will continue on audio.
Beyond the Night by Joss Ware offered an exciting start to the Envy Chronicles #audiobook Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Olivia Roach
This sounds like a decent read for this genre. I haven’t read too many amazing zombie books. I only like a few though, like a select few. This sounds pretty good but I think I am still gonna skip over it. It’s great it kept you interested all the way through!
kimbacaffeinate
I recommend the Newsflesh trilogy by Mira Grant.. It is about a group of bloggers in a zombie infested world.
Bookworm Brandee
Lorna put this series on my tbr as well. 😉 I’m glad you enjoyed it for the most part. I like your description of “a dystopian, apocalyptic, zombie, paranormal romance mix up.” I know I was unsure about the zombies but I’m just so curious about the world. I’ll get to this series once I finish the Gardella series. 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Brandee, I am going to listen to the next one.
Tyler H Jolley
Thanks for sharing, Kimba. It sounds really suspenseful.
kimbacaffeinate
It was different, and has me curious to see what develops.
verushka
Dystopias aren’t my cup of tea exactly, but there are elements of this I am curious about, especially the powers.
kimbacaffeinate
The setting is dystopian but it has a strong paranormal romance vibe.
Naomi Hop
Looks like this was a good set up for the series Kimberly.
The Bibliophile Babe
It does sound very exciting!
kimbacaffeinate
I am curious to see what develops
Sophia Rose
You’re ahead of me. Lorna’s reviews grabbed my attention, too, but alas, the series waits still. I like the mash-up of genres you describe here and the tough and mysterious heroine.
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, I have started so many back series my head is swimming, but I am doing the Backlist Reader Challenge next year and hope to put a dagger in all of them!
Cyn
Good deal audio! Glad you enjoyed the listen and this was a good start to the series!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Cyn!
Tracy Terry
Feeling I’ve overdosed on this genre over the last year or two – I’ve certainly read more supernatural, other worldy etc novels than ever before though this number probably pales in comparison to others who are big fans of this type of book – I think I’ll pass on this one … for the time being.
kimbacaffeinate
I love the genre, but then I read 20-25 books a month and bounce between genres so as not to burn out. I learned my lesson after reading only historical fiction for 3 years.
Lorna
I am glad it was a fair read for you Kimberly, It does get a lot deeper into the whys and who’s as you go and the story does leave Envy at times. I still have at least 2 more to go.in the series.to find out how it all ends 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I plan to continue Lorna 🙂
Dragonfly
I think it’s great there is no war, virus, but these new gangas creatures 🙂
Though the “zombie like” may be a turn off for me. My shelves have always been zombie free zone 🙂 Glad it kept you interested Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks, yeah I am curious as to what they are.
sherry fundin
Great cover. Sounds good. I like when there is no cliff hanger, even though there is more to come.
kimbacaffeinate
Exactly Sherry.
kindlemom1
I’m not sure if I will like this one or not but it does sound really interesting. Great honest review for this Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Ali 🙂
Debbie Haupt
Sounds like a good beginning Kim and 2.99 hmmm, maybe its time I went to the dark side 😉
kimbacaffeinate
It was, I plan to continue.
Anna
It sounds intriguing. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
kimbacaffeinate
It was different and I am curious to see how it develops
Silvia
I don’t know about this one in particular, but I’ve been meaning to try one of her books for quite a while now. Hope you keep enjoying this series and that every instalment gets better! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Silvia.
blodeuedd
I have been wondering about this series for years
kimbacaffeinate
It’s different and I have lots of questions.