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Wanderers Series #2
Apprentice
Rafe survived the fight with the renegade Wanderer, Rowle, but was unable to defeat him. As promised, Fate finds Rafe an apprentice. He arrives at Wilford Hall expecting to find a seriously injured veteran, what he didn’t expect to find was a veteran missing a couple of limbs, who was female, the lovely Therese Sylvan. Regardless, his only way to convince her to leave with him is to heal her minor injuries and tell her that he can also restore her limbs. Fleeing just ahead of the military police, they ride into the night on Beast, Rafe’s manticore possessed Harley-Davidson. While Tess recuperates, Rafe begins her training, a long process that is interrupted time and time again by Rowle’s machinations. Rafe knows he cannot defeat Rowle single-handedly, but can he train Tess fast enough to prevent the on-set of Ragnarök?
- GenresFantasy
314 pages, Paperback
Published December 14, 2015
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 24, 2017
Apprentice: Wanderers, Book 2
Written by: Richard A Bamberg
Narrated by: Johnny Mack
This is an audible book I requested and the review is voluntary.
This is book two of the series but I think a reader could read this without reading the first one and not get lost. In this one, Rafe is getting an apprentice, of course she didn't know about it until he just shows up to get her. He has to heal her missing leg, hand, and burned face. Stealing her from the hospital didn't go well by the hospital staff but it was great. Rafe's familiar, Beast, is a mythological creature that shape shifts into a Harley. Of course he talks which is something he has to do in private, makes things a bit awkward otherwise. Since the cops are after them, they stop off at a place Rafe knew from 20 years ago. This might not have been a good idea, he meets an old fling who is still there and has aged, he hasn't. He had loved her and she loved him. She has a son about what age Rafe looks, but is it his son?
There are also portals being opened, creatures coming in. Trying to figure out who and why this is happening. Apprentice to train and to finish healing. Women to deal with. Oh, my! Fun book. I liked the first one better but this is still great. Great fantasy, magic, touch of romance, action, adventure, and battles.
The narrator is still the same, which I am glad. He is awesome. It also is nice to have the same voices for consistency. He can do all these voices wonderfully esp. Beast!
Written by: Richard A Bamberg
Narrated by: Johnny Mack
This is an audible book I requested and the review is voluntary.
This is book two of the series but I think a reader could read this without reading the first one and not get lost. In this one, Rafe is getting an apprentice, of course she didn't know about it until he just shows up to get her. He has to heal her missing leg, hand, and burned face. Stealing her from the hospital didn't go well by the hospital staff but it was great. Rafe's familiar, Beast, is a mythological creature that shape shifts into a Harley. Of course he talks which is something he has to do in private, makes things a bit awkward otherwise. Since the cops are after them, they stop off at a place Rafe knew from 20 years ago. This might not have been a good idea, he meets an old fling who is still there and has aged, he hasn't. He had loved her and she loved him. She has a son about what age Rafe looks, but is it his son?
There are also portals being opened, creatures coming in. Trying to figure out who and why this is happening. Apprentice to train and to finish healing. Women to deal with. Oh, my! Fun book. I liked the first one better but this is still great. Great fantasy, magic, touch of romance, action, adventure, and battles.
The narrator is still the same, which I am glad. He is awesome. It also is nice to have the same voices for consistency. He can do all these voices wonderfully esp. Beast!
September 15, 2017
Apprentice is Book 2 in the Wanderers Series and can be listened to as a standalone, although it is best appreciated and understood if you have listened to Wanderers: Ragnarok first. Rafe's mission to prevent Ragnarok continues when it is revealed to him that his apprentice is a severely injured female soldier named Therese. Their escape from the hospital where she is a patient leads them to the same town where he fell in love many years ago. He discovers that he's not the only one keeping secrets - his former lover has secrets of her own.
I was eager to continue with this series and was delighted to find that Apprentice was just as fun as the previous book. Magic, action, humor and romance have all combined to create a great series that I'm really enjoying. The fact that Rafe's apprentice was a female added interest to the story, along with the revelation concerning the teenage boy. Johnny Mack as narrator was terrific once again. I'm looking forward to the rest of this series and I would recommend Apprentice: Wanderers, Book 2.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This review is my honest opinion.
I was eager to continue with this series and was delighted to find that Apprentice was just as fun as the previous book. Magic, action, humor and romance have all combined to create a great series that I'm really enjoying. The fact that Rafe's apprentice was a female added interest to the story, along with the revelation concerning the teenage boy. Johnny Mack as narrator was terrific once again. I'm looking forward to the rest of this series and I would recommend Apprentice: Wanderers, Book 2.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This review is my honest opinion.
December 26, 2015
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. Rafe is back and so is Beast and it looks like Fate has more than one surprise for him. The series takes a surprising turn and it's all good because as usual Rafe gets himself in a few messes some because of his arrogance others because he has the can't help its. All in all we are once again following along with his escapades and having a great time doing it. This series just keeps getting better!
January 20, 2016
I received a free copy in exchanged for an honest review. Just as good as the first, but introduces a new facet of the Wanderer as he becomes a mentor to a new Wanderer. This book flowed really well and was hard to put down. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
September 19, 2017
Very fun and entertaining. I didn't listen to the first book in the series but it didn't take me long to get caught up in the story. Even though there references made to the first book in the series it basically can be listened to as a standalone story. The story is told in a way that everything you need to know is filled in throughout this book. I enjoyed this book so much though that I will go back and read the first book in the series. The story pulls you in immediately and it held my attention from start to finish. Between the humor, storyline and characters it's just an entertaining, interesting and very enjoyable story.
Enjoyed the mythology woven into the story.
Great cast of interesting well rounded and likable characters. You can't help but like Beast. He's a different sort of character.
While training and healing his new apprentice they seek refuge at a place from Rafe's past. It was close and Rafe thought it would be safe. While it is a safe haven for them in many ways, Rafe is in for one heck of a surprise upon his return.
Johnny Mack did a really good job with the narration. Nice voice that is easy to listen to for long periods of time. Clearly spoken with a nice even pace. Good character voices. Male and female. I like that he doesn't try to do a falsetto female's voice. Just a slight change in cadence is enough to distinguish the characters. Perfect tone and delivery of the humor. He brought the story and characters to life. Very enjoyable
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily provided this review.
Enjoyed the mythology woven into the story.
Great cast of interesting well rounded and likable characters. You can't help but like Beast. He's a different sort of character.
While training and healing his new apprentice they seek refuge at a place from Rafe's past. It was close and Rafe thought it would be safe. While it is a safe haven for them in many ways, Rafe is in for one heck of a surprise upon his return.
Johnny Mack did a really good job with the narration. Nice voice that is easy to listen to for long periods of time. Clearly spoken with a nice even pace. Good character voices. Male and female. I like that he doesn't try to do a falsetto female's voice. Just a slight change in cadence is enough to distinguish the characters. Perfect tone and delivery of the humor. He brought the story and characters to life. Very enjoyable
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily provided this review.
December 16, 2017
The second book in this series sees the titular Wanderer Rafe gain a new apprentice named Tess and the underlying theme of the book is introducing her to this new world she finds herself dropped into with no notice.
The author did a good job of expanding our knowledge of the wider magic world with a number of new monsters and a possibly significant new character who has his own motivations that prevent him from being declared friend or foe at this stage.
I was pleasantly surprised that the author didn't take any of the easy options with regards to the non-recurring supporting characters of this book and decisions by Rafe had actual consequences.
The narrator continued to give a strong performance for the main character, but I think he will need a bit more time to fully get comfortable with the personality of Tess as she didn't seem quite as polished, but this did not detract from the overall performance.
Overall, I found this a very enjoyable book and will be eagerly awaiting the next one in the series.
[Note - I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.]
The author did a good job of expanding our knowledge of the wider magic world with a number of new monsters and a possibly significant new character who has his own motivations that prevent him from being declared friend or foe at this stage.
I was pleasantly surprised that the author didn't take any of the easy options with regards to the non-recurring supporting characters of this book and decisions by Rafe had actual consequences.
The narrator continued to give a strong performance for the main character, but I think he will need a bit more time to fully get comfortable with the personality of Tess as she didn't seem quite as polished, but this did not detract from the overall performance.
Overall, I found this a very enjoyable book and will be eagerly awaiting the next one in the series.
[Note - I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.]
December 9, 2017
I don't feel it was as good as the first book in the series. Not much plot which had no closure-TBC in next book.
January 14, 2016
Our journey with Rafe picks up shortly after where it left off in the first book. True to her word, Fate has found Rafe an apprentice to train. This is important now more than ever since Rafe has learned that he is one of the last of his kind. However, Fate has broken tradition. Rafe's new apprentice is female. Considering the side effects that working magic with a partner can cause is going to make training the new apprentice interesting for Rafe.
This book feels as though we take a short break from the over arching story of Rafe's pursuit of Rowle and the quest to stop Ragnarok. The story is full of action and there is rarely a lull. It is also fully of twists and turns that will surprise the reader and keep them guessing who Rafe can actually trust.
The story does tackle complex relationship themes like sexual tensions that often arise between mentor and trainee when consisting of opposite genders as well as the complex emotional state of obligation and responsibility that can cloud judgement when those you care for are in danger.
This plot is a great follow up to the storm that Bamberg started brewing in book 1.
Disclaimer: I have received this title at a discount in exchange for a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed above are 100% my own regardless of how the title was acquired.
This book feels as though we take a short break from the over arching story of Rafe's pursuit of Rowle and the quest to stop Ragnarok. The story is full of action and there is rarely a lull. It is also fully of twists and turns that will surprise the reader and keep them guessing who Rafe can actually trust.
The story does tackle complex relationship themes like sexual tensions that often arise between mentor and trainee when consisting of opposite genders as well as the complex emotional state of obligation and responsibility that can cloud judgement when those you care for are in danger.
This plot is a great follow up to the storm that Bamberg started brewing in book 1.
Disclaimer: I have received this title at a discount in exchange for a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed above are 100% my own regardless of how the title was acquired.
October 8, 2017
The pain of loss affects us more than the joy of winning!
Apprentice is #02 of 05 in the Wanderers Series by Richard A Bamberg. There are currently 03 published with 02 being in audio. The author plans for 2 more bringing the total for the series to 05.
Johnny Mack continues to narrate the series, and is also slated to narrate the future titles.
This is a continuing main character story-line so even though it is not quite a cliffhanger at the end, there is also no HEA either.
I would suggest reading these in order!
Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins
Warning: SEX!
As with the first one, Rafe manages to find his way into bed with multiple women, and now he has a female partner who is just as bad as he is, so yes, there is sex. You have been warned!
Trigger Warnings
Both of our wanders are veterans, and "chosen" from familiar battles. They have memories played out on the page with Rafe's going back to Vietnam.
“Did you tell him how a Wanderer is born?” . . . . "We’re harvested from the killing fields by a Valkyrie" . . . . “I thought the Valkyrie were reapers of the dead.” . . . . “Exactly”
♥ Story ♥
SPOILER WARNING
If you have not read/listened to book 01 in this series, some of this review might be spoilery for you.
Part 2 picks up not long after part 01. Rafe is getting an apprentice! Although he knows what it takes to join the Wanderer club, he still isn't expecting the condition in which he finds his new trainee. The fact that his new apprentice is a woman is one for the record books. Allegedly, there has never been a female wanderer, but part of me feels like we will find out that is wrong.
“My name is Raphael Semmes, my friends call me Rafe. You and I are going to travel roads few people ever experience.”
The world building continues with more glimpses into other dimensions and the creatures they contain. Norn Fate Verðandi makes another appearance, for what I feel like is too little, too late. Seriously, that chick really sucks! We also get to meet another Godly being, to which I am not fully sure of his intentions. But given who it is, that is to be expected.
Loki grinned and for the first time I saw his legends appear in his features. “We wager loyalties, territory, and lives. For, in the long run, what else is there?”
Rowle is not seen in person this book, but that doesn’t mean his presence isn't felt. He is busy spreading rumors and instigating havoc throughout the realms which puts a chink in Rafe's training plans. On a positive, I don't think Rowle knows about the new apprentice. Yet!
Through Tess we get to learn more about the life and times of what it is to be a Wanderer. We also get backstory clips from Rafe's short time with his mentor Walt. It is sad and a bit alarming how much Rafe doesn’t really know.
Ragnarök would open the gates between Earth and the dimensions that held the old gods and all manner of mythological creatures.
There are twists and turns that take a toll. Hind sight is 20/20 and we do the best we can at the time, but it still cuts deep when you learn that you could of done it differently.
I can't really comment more without spoiling something. And trust me, there are things I want to say about some of his regrets, but I will have to make this series a part of the Read Along With Me titles, so look for it over there hopefully soon.
♥ Author ♥
This is my 02 read/listen by Richard A. Bamberg, and I want more! He is a mythology geek after my own heart! Sadly I will have to wait on part 03 from the Wanderers Series. :-(
I am itching to get my hands on Monster Hunting 101!
Richard has 04 Audio Titles
♥ Narrator(s) ♥
This is my third listen by Johnny Mack, and I'm still not tired of his performances! His voice definitely works for the rough around the edges Rafe as well as the sassy Tess. He can also manage to set apart all the other voices to create separate characters that are each their own person. It's easy to get lost in the wonderful world created by Richard when Mr. Mack is telling you the story!
Johnny has 25 Audio Titles
Ebook obtained through Kindle Unlimited
Audiobook obtained for free at my request and I am voluntarily leaving this unbiased review
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