I don't talk much about my day job here. There are a couple of reasons for that, but mostly it boils down to Social Media Policies. I've signed social media policies for the last two jobs I've worked at and they always boil down to the idea that because you work for the company you are the face of the company in all your interactions. Yeah. I prefer to keep my personal and craft business world separate from the day job that pays my bills. So, I can, and will because it's relevant, tell you that I am a "Data Entry Specialist" in the billing department of a medical lab. If a more tedious and boring job has ever been invented (and I'm sure it has) then I have never done it and I'm not currently aware of it. This means I have a lot of time to listen to audio-books and podcasts. You know, something like 40 hours a week, sometimes more.
While surfing through my regular podcasts and downloading new episodes, I followed various sidebar links to other shows and stumbled across the Secret World Chronicles. First, I will say that Mercedes Lackey is the creator and collaborates with other authors to tell a truly intriguing story. I love Mercedes Lackey and I haven't read any of her books in, probably, a year or more. I've never been disappointed by a book bearing her name, or at least not so disappointed that I can't admit it was a good book.
Second, the website describes the books as "firmly in the realm of superhero science fiction." Oh man, if that wasn't enough to intrigue me. The website doesn't give a very good description of what the book is about, but I can sum it up in three words. Superheros/Meta-humans, Nazis, and Time Travel (shhhh, we're counting Time Travel as one word because it's one description). Are you intrigued?
I've read books that dabble with Hitler's obsession with the occult and with the creation of the ubermensch and genetic-alterations. I think we're all aware of Heroes, even if you didn't watch it (or didn't watch past the first season because it spiraled out of control into pure confusion and far-fetchedness). But, this book isn't them. This book combines all the best part of superhero and thriller fiction. In fact, it is so good that it caused me to lose track of time several times! An especially important quality in an audio-book when you're working overtime and ready to go home.
But that reminds me, have I mentioned the best part? I mean, the best part beyond this book series existing? The entire thing is available in the form of a serialized podcast for free. Yes, you read correctly. The first five books are completely available online as podcasts for FREE. But, it gets better, the sixth season is currently being produced. In fact, the newest chapter was just released Jan 28, 2013. Of course, the books are also available in print and would be 100% worth the purchase.
There are only a couple of things I can even think to complain about with the podcast. The reader doesn't always leave a long enough pause to indicate a page break. This is especially annoying when you switch between characters and locations. One moment you're chilling with John Murdock in New York and the next minute you're in Echo headquarters in Atlanta with very few cues as to the change in location and characters. There are also a few places where it would appear the reader lost his or her place and repeats a line or a fraction of a line. But overall, these are minor things when you consider the entire book is being pumped into your ears for no cost to yourself.
The Secret World Chronicles is a great fiction series that is worth picking up whether in print or audio form. Honestly, how can you resist a series centered around Meta-humans, Nazis, Time Travel, and more.
While you check it out, I'm going to head off and download the second book, and maybe the third, because I just can't turn it off!
~Talk at you later,
Valerie, the Super Nerdy Hooker
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