Audiobook Review: The Guardians (Guardians #1) by Mandy M. Roth (Narrator: Sarah Van Sweden)

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The Guardians Book Cover The Guardians
Guardians #1
Mandy M. Roth (Narrator: Sarah Van Sweden)
Paranormal Romance - Urban Fantasy
July 28th 2014
Unabridged Audiobook
6 hours and 28 minutes
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Ass-kicking Guardian, Madelyn Mason, is the only female in a sea of supernatural males. College student by day, she spends her nights fighting for mankind - the innocents, the ones who have no clue that the things of nightmares walk among the living.

Larger than life Hollywood hunk, Brady Devens, has won the hearts of millions of adoring fans. But, the only heart he wants to win is that of his mate, Madelyn. She hasn't shown an interest in him as anything more than a friend, and he's beginning to think the Powers That Be goofed.

In this world of magik, mishap, demons, gods, and pleasure nymphs, anything is possible. Can they find a love that transcends time and space or will the Powers That Be decide maybe they weren't destined for one another after all?

 

The Guardians is book one in the Guardians series by Mandy M. Roth.

The author was offering up many of her titles for free on Authors Direct a while back and I decide to pick up a few in audio to give them a try. I’ve enjoyed Roth in the past and was interested to try out this new series.

The Guardians had it’s good and bad moments. Their where things I enjoyed and others that where odd. It didn’t help that the story felt disjoined and that the relationships between everyone introduced where confusing.

Madelyn Mason, is the only female Guardian in a sea of males. Brady is her friend and roommate. Madelyn wants to tell Brady who she is, but humans can’t know about the supernatural world. He’s been in her life a long time and has put off telling her who he is, until she is ready to see him as more. Their relationship is friends to lovers.

Their is a sea of secrets being kept from Madelyn. Everyone in her life is keeping something from her. Even with the knowledge that she gains she can’t connect the pieces. We get information showing her past, who she is, what she is to become, and information on her mate. It was a dump of information on the reader and characters. I didn’t feel it was spread out enough. Just an overload of information coming all at once. When things do start coming out I felt that Madelyn was way to complacent in her reaction. She just accepted it all. I felt she needed to have more of a reaction like a smart ass comment or get a little mad at all the secrets being kept from her.

The author also introduces a plethora of characters. We get God’s, Powers, lycons, vampires, and more. It was a bit overwhelm all these characters and what they can do and their relationships to Madelyn.

Last, Brady and Madelyn’s relationship is an up and down ride. One minute they get along; then something happens and their not sure. I will say that the sex is steamy and hot.

Narration: Now I’ve only ever listened to audios on Hoopla, Overdrive, or Audible apps never on Authors Direct until now. I had some trouble with the audio. It was choppy, disjointed, and didn’t flow. I tried it in 1.1x, 1.2x & 1.3x, but it still had all those issues so, I continued to listen in the 1.0x.

Sarah Van Sweden’s narration was just ok. Her tone and pacing to discern each character was minimal, but became more pronounced as the story progressed. I did notice that she did tiny pauses at each syllable and that each word was articulated; which left me knowing that the text was being read. It made the story disjointed and upset the flow.

The Guardians was an ok listen, but at this time I don’t think I’ll be continuing the series. If the blurb intrigues you, I urge you to give it a shot. Just because it did not work for me does not mean it won’t for you.

Rated: 2.5 Stars

Was this review helpful? If so, please consider liking it on Goodreads (Angela)!

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I'm an outdoor sun loving reader living near San Fransisco. I’m a mother, wife, animal & book lover. I'm the owner, reviewer & mind behind Angel’s Guilty Pleasures. My favorite animals are horses & dogs. As for reading I love all things paranormal & urban fantasy & my favorite shifters are dragons.

12 comments on “Audiobook Review: The Guardians (Guardians #1) by Mandy M. Roth (Narrator: Sarah Van Sweden)

  1. Great cover and sounds like a good book 🙂

    • Thank’s for visiting!

  2. I do have a thing for butt kicking female characters and this is a new series and author I’d like to try.
    Laura Thomas recently posted…Spotlight and Giveaway ~ Grey Skies by William BeckerMy Profile

    • I do too enjoy a butt kicking female character. Thank’s for stopping in.

  3. This sounds like an interesting premise. I’m not familiar with Authors Direct at all. Thanks for the review.
    Jen recently posted…Review: Once Upon a Wedding AnthologyMy Profile

    • I get most of my audios through the library or audible, so trying a different app was interesting. I listened to audible’s snippet for this audio and it had the same issues as I had on Authors Direct, so I don’t think it’s the site, just the narration. Thank’s for stopping in.

  4. I’ve read a couple of her stories, but I’ve not tried any of her audiobooks.

    • Ya, I’ve read a few of her books, but this was my first audiobook by this author. Thank’s for stopping in.

  5. I have the audio of this, too, but haven’t listened to it, yet. I’ll be keeping your review in mind!

    • Thank’s Janie for stopping in. You might have better luck then I did. I wanted to like it, but it just had to many issues for me to really fall for the series and continue on.

  6. Excellently reviewed angela!!! Shared on my socials!??

    • Thank you, Kathy!