Caffeinated Reviewer

Junkyard Riders by Faith Hunter is the fifth audiobook in the science fiction fantasy Junkyard Cats. I have come to enjoy the adventures of Shining Smith, her cats and the motley crew who have become her found family. The Dark Riders are closing in and Shining is looking to protect what is hers. CAIT, the AI on the junkyard’s crashed spaceship has her own ideas.

Shining Smith returns, taking on the “Dark Riders,” a paramilitary group motorcycle gang searching for Gov. political power, military connections, and alien tech. The Dark Riders are closing in on Shining’s secrets and, while she would rather nest in her new roadhouse, Shining must protect her own, once again taking the battle to the enemy.

Unfortunately, CAIT, the original AI on the junkyard’s crashed spaceship, has its own agenda buried in the ship’s code and choses this time to implement it. There is nothing Shining can do to stop it, except what she does best–plot an offensive, get her people in place, and hope Jolene can outsmart the virtual alter ego.

But the cataclysmic snow storm crashing in with all the power and subtlety of Mateo in his WarBot suit could be the end of them all.

The setting is a dystopian wasteland set in the future after Chinese Mamabots destroyed most of the world in 2043. I estimate this timeline to be some twenty years later. While each of the audiobooks addresses its own issue, the overall series arc and characters demand they be listened to in the order of their release. With Khristine Hvam narrating the story I promise you won’t be disappointed.

A snowstorm, an ornery AI and trouble knocking at the door have Shining leaving the comforts of the roadhouse. At just under five hours, Junkyard Riders packs a bunch. We’ve got climatic scenes and plenty of danger as the Dark Riders go after territory under Shining’s protection. They are into all kinds of shady stuff including sex trafficking. To do this she is going to need help from her allies as protecting her own will mean going against the Gov and his military.

I of course devoured Junkyard Riders and have come to care for these characters. Shining puts out this tough as nails image, but inside she truly cares about her people even as she makes tough calls that she’ll have to live with. Hvam who narrates captures Shining perfectly allowing the listener to see all sides of her. The voices for secondary characters even jerks like Jagger and the villains make listening a must.

Amazon | Audible

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:

• 2026 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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