Audible Book Review - Swords of Exodus by Larry Correia and Mike Kupari

I was anxious to get to Words of Radiance to start this one. Don't get me wrong, I loved Words of Radiance. I was just looking forward to a faster paced book. And like before Correia and Kupari delivered. I was impressed with the direction this book went and with the change in tone. Where the first book felt like a military thriller this one had more a more subtle vibe with the usual pedal-to-the-metal action. There seemed to be a deeper drama in this one. I did like how the drama was well scaled. The authors didn't feel the need to create romantic drama between two of the characters. Yes, they disagreed. Yes, they are romantically involved. But their relationship wasn't in danger. They just worked out the problems. It was refreshing. Here's a link to the Audible page for the book. It was again beautifully narrated by Bronson Pinchot who put his considerable talent into creating unique voices for every character (and even those characters' characters). Again, I find my recommendation of this book tainted by a warning on the language. I will say that there seemed to be less language in it than the first (perhaps because Taylor isn't in this book) and, like the first, it was used appropriately - not just thrown out to make an impression. It was a very intense book in different ways than the first and I can't wait for the third to come out.

Plot: Michael Valentine is in trouble. More specifically he is in jail. A top secret government jail that specializes in getting information out of people in the most unusual ways. Water-boarding would be a treat compared to what he has to endure. But there are people that owe him their lives and other people who think that he's the key to understanding Majestic's infamous Code Blue. In order to get him out they go to the best - Lorenzo. Brought out of retirement to save a man that has shot him (three times) is not Lorenzo's idea of a good time. However, one of the people that want Valentine free is Lorenzo's own brother, Bob, who has gone missing. The other group that want's Valentine, Exodus, knows that Lorenzo will do anything for family and so makes a deal with him - Help them get Valentine and they will help him get Bob. Come to find out, Bob was last seen in the den of the biggest, baddest, scariest criminal in the world. The man who took control of Big Eddie's holdings and who is able to keep order there with the help of only three bodyguards. And Exodus whats this man dead. Lorenzo and Valentine, again unlikely and unwilling allies, find themselves faced with slave armies, old enemies, and a man who is described simply as "the devil himself." Exodus, Valentine, and Lorenzo cannot emerge from this conflict unscathed.

My personal favorites: The characters I loved were back. Lorenzo and Valentine are both intriguing, competent, engaging, complex characters. We learn a bit more of their backgrounds and motivations. Ling and Jill are also engaging, complex characters. The villains were well done, terrifying, and logical. I loved a lot of the side characters too and felt for them what hardship occurred. I particularly liked the reference to Mormon missionaries. As I mentioned earlier, the tension and drama felt a little different from the first book. This was well done. The books are similar, but didn't feel that way because my emotions where manipulated differently. I'm already considering listening to it again.

Considerations: Like the first book this one has blood, violence, and language. There didn't feel to be as much blood and language as the first, but they are still at levels that I can't give a blanket recommendation for the book. Also, the book does have a pretty significant cliffhanger - so be prepared to wait.

Swords of Exodus was a total rush, particularly coming off of the epic fantasy Words of Radiance. I loved the drama, the action, and humor. The plot was straight-forward without being simple. The action was incredible (like the first). And the characters just made it awesome. The total length was just under 17 and half hours.