Caffeinated Reviewer

Also referred to as the Shining Smith series, Junkyard Roadhouse by Faith Hunter is the fourth book in the Junkyard Cats series narrated by Khristine Hvam. This science fiction novella with it’s dystopian setting is addictive as Shining Smith, her cats and motley crew work to survive. A little humor and a whole lota action make this series an autobuy for me.

Shining Smith stands on the brink of achieving her goals, and yet now she could lose everything.

The presidents of four motorcycle clubs are coming to claim blood sacrifice and to ink her with motorcycle club tats. Her new roadhouse and its charter have to meet their approval or the roadhouse has no future, and neither does Shining.

An injured kid shows up at Smith’s Junk and Scrap, but collapses before he can speak.

A note arrives containing a warning and a plea for help, addressed by someone who knows Shining’s most intimate secrets—her history, her plans, and the names of her friends. The sender claims his daughter has been kidnapped by Shining’s enemies. To keep her secrets, he wants Shining to get his daughter back.

In order to rescue the hostage and keep her junkyard, her roadhouse, her people, and the cats alive, Shining Smith will have to suffer, fight, and bargain her way out of danger. All without accidently transitioning anyone—creating an accidental thrall—no matter how much her nanobots want her to.

Lock and load. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Shining Smith is ready to open her Junkyard Roadhouse and become the leader of her own club. It involves approval from the presidents of the other motorcycle clubs and painful tattoos. I slipped right in and became caught up when an injured man arrives. Once they get him patched up, they discover his uncle sent him because his daughter has been kidnapped. The tale that unfolds was action-packed.

Hunter has created a gritty, dangerous world laid desolate after wars. Technology is both cool and scary as Shining is infected. Then we have cats that communicate with her, and motorcycle gangs vying for territory, product and power. It is not a place for weak of heart. For each tidbit we learn, I want to know more… it’s addictive.

I love Shining and the motley crew she surrounds herself with from a lover to AI. All Shining and the others want is to live life on their terms. Each novella is well developed and contains a mission or situation while advancing the overall arc and relationships. I highly recommend listening in the order of their release.

Khristine Hvam does a stellar job of giving voice and personality to Shining, the cats, other characters and AI. She enhances my overall enjoyment of the tale. I couldn’t imagine not listening.

Fans of science fiction, post-apocalyptic worlds and well-developed characters need to grab this series.

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About Faith Hunter

NYT Bestselling author Faith Hunter writes three series: the Jane Yellowrock series, dark urban fantasy novels featuring Jane, a Cherokee Skinwalker; the Rogue Mage novels, a dark, urban fantasy / post apocalyptic series and role playing game featuring Thorn St. Croix; and the Soulwood Series featuring Nell Nicholson Ingram.

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About Khristine Hvam

Khristine Hvam is a professional voice artist whose work includes audiobooks, video games, and voice-overs, including as Professor Juniper in the Pokemon television series. Among her narrations are the Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa, Dare Me by Megan Abbott, and Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor. Khristine lives in New York City.

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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2024 Audiobook Challenge

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. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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