I Sing for The Singer

I listened to this book, which is the second in the Irin Chronicles series. The first book blew me away, not only with the richness and depth of the story and characters but also by the intelligent, moving and powerful narration by Zachary Webber. Audio books are always a crap-shoot depending on the narrator and this time Audible.com (or whoever produced it) got it right.

This is a wonderfully conceived and developed mythology and tale of half-breed angels (both good and bad), a woman, Ava, who struggles with voices that she cannot elude not knowing or understanding that she is an Irina (a remale Irin)and an Irin, Malachi (one of the half-breed good guys)--their story of falling in love and commitment and of the supreme sacrifice made by one so the other could live. The second book picks up where the first ended (thank god) and we learn of how Ava and Malachi's love endures beyond the pale and how Ava's love for him is the catalyst for an epic deed.

Unfolding along side this powerful love is the onslaught of the Gregori (the bad guys) and the Fallen Angels who control them as they war with the Irin (and Irina, as the women are called). The magical world of these beings is of such incredible depth that I often had to delay listening further so I could bask in the substance of the story and it's characters.

I thought The Elemental Mysteries was a spectacular series...I was not prepared for The Irin Chronicles to be as good (if not better) and I am now bereft of this world until Book 3 is released. If you enjoy paranormal romance (hell, paranormal LOVE) coupled with a very powerful and smart writer AND a gifted narrator, DO NOT MISS THIS SERIES.

24 people found this helpful

Gut wrenching

If you could sum up The Singer in three words, what would they be?

Loved it more the second time around but was a little lost with the addition of all the new characters .Hunter truly puts to words what it feels to have lost such a vital part of ones life.Well written, well narrated , and although I found book 2 a little dryer with the story of the Irinas, now that I've gone back to re read after completing the series, it makes a whole lot of sense.Great read, in depth characters and still my one of my favorite series.Ah the sex is more intense, I thought it was important to let you know. Not for young listeners.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mal

Which scene was your favorite?

Reunion

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The reunion

Any additional comments?

👍

8 people found this helpful

Come back to me, Malachi!

Any additional comments?

I am writing this review after a marathon re-read of books 1 and 2 now that book 3 has finally been released on Audible. After a second read, I find my opinion remains decidedly the same. I feel the loss of the true Malachi. I have to assume this is Hunter's goal with this book...by bringing back an amnesiac-like version of Malachi; we mourn him right alongside Ava and his fraternal scribes.

At the start of The Singer, we are quickly given the major plot: the joyful reunion of Ava and Malachi following his miraculous return from heaven. Hunter does a great job with this...she really builds anticipation for the event much in the way that she built anticipation for the blossoming romance between these two soul mates in book one. However, I couldn't help but feel a bit let down after all of the build-up.

With that said, I did enjoy learning more about the Irina - the female "singers" to the male "scribes." Hunter did not disappoint in this aspect of the story. As much as the first book was about Ava's discovery of the male Irin, the world-building and history lessons broaden to set the stage for an epic conclusion of the chronicles in book three.

As for the narration of this story, I must once again give Zachary Webber my commendation on an exceptional performance. He handles accents with ease and gives each and every single character in this book a unique voice which makes conversations easy to follow. I have listened to a lot of audio books and he is by far my favourite narrator. I love that when shouting is called for, he actually SHOUTS so that you hear the tension and cracking in his voice (and that the shouting is expertly sound-edited not to deafen). Zachary doesn't just read these books - he performs them as if acting on stage in front of an audience.

I like the books I read to meet a list of criteria – romance, mystery, levity, and sadness. I want to actually laugh out loud and sometimes even cry. The Singer delivers, but I feel I cannot give it a full five star rating because I just didn’t enjoy it as much as the first book, The Scribe. However, it was still a “must read” for me.

4 people found this helpful

I could not finish this book.

This book has amazing potential. The history and lore of The Fallen and the Irin is fully realized and the world in which they live is beautifully imagined and portrayed. What I cannot understand is why is Ava such a brat? Why have such a weak character at the center of your story? The adventure of a life time waits for her and she can't get out of her own way to experience it. Maybe it was the narrator's voice or the constant whining and attitude with which she was written, but listening to a tale about a Millenial with a trust fund and an attitude is not the best premise for a novel. Very disappointed. The first novel in this series was amazing, the second not so much.

3 people found this helpful

Not enough plot :-(

*Semi spoiler alert*
I loved the first book. In this sequel, however, 3/4 of the book felt like one giant chapter where nothing really happened. Just when things started to happen, the book ended. Also, I was starting to lose my patience with Ava when she kept drawing back emotionally from Malakai due to his memory loss. The man literally DIED for Heaven’s sake! Give him a break! He fought for her, gave her a chunk of HIS power, died for her, and came back for her, and after all that, she can’t get over the remaining pieces of his memory loss. LOVE IS PATIENT. If she truly believes he’s her soulmate and loves him, then she should show more support and patience as he goes through this period, especially given the fact that he DIED for her.
Okay, sorry, had to get that off my chest.
The writing style and voice were just as beautiful as the first book. I loved getting to know Damien and Sari (sp?), and I love the humorous scenes with Rhys and Malakai. LOVE those two, especially when Ava is involved. 😹😹😻

3 people found this helpful

Interesting story and world building

However the more I read/listen to the story the less I like Ana. She is told she has danger everywhere has seen how dangerous the situation is first hand and instead of learning how to protect herself and those she cares about she refuses to learn magic or take precautions. She becomes ever more petulant and petty self indulgent. I want to shake her silly. Why does anyone even like her? Ugh

3 people found this helpful

Story Dragged Out

I liked the first book, but this one was painful to endure. I finished it because I had invested time in it, but in retrospect - I would have skipped it. The story is dragged out unnecessarily, "Should we tell her - How will we tell her - When should we tell her", that stuff from several people that just drags the story out. It could have be half the time it actually took.

2 people found this helpful

Come back to me. ~ Ava

What did you love best about The Singer?

I loved the dynamic between the Irin (males) and how their roles differed from the Irina (females).

What did you like best about this story?

I liked that the mythology of the Irins, Fallen and the Grigori was fleshed out in greater detail with the mystery of why Ava was an Irina at its center. There was also an interesting twist on amnesia and how that impacted Malachi's Irin brothers and Ava. I enjoy a good mystery, so puzzling out Jaron’s role in all of this was a nice challenge.

Which scene was your favorite?

I ♡ the meadow scene in Ava and Malachi's dream walking.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Their reunion and Malachi hearing how much Ava actually loved him were two really beautifully moving moments.

Any additional comments?

Audiobook narrator Zachary Webber continued to please my oratory senses. I began my listen of The Secret immediately after hearing this concludes this audio program. I'm still hooked!

2 people found this helpful

Awesome series

Second installment just leaves you wanting more. Glad I can go on to the final of the trilogy, The Secret.

2 people found this helpful

This story & narration are everything!

Loving this series so much. I’m binging on it.
And this is the best I have heard Zachary Webber! His performance is magnificent. The emotion, accents, even quiet moments bring this book to life like none other! ❤️

1 person found this helpful