Listen free for 30 days

  • Zero Derby

  • Ocean Slayers Racing, Book 2
  • By: Alex Knowles
  • Narrated by: Travis Baldree
  • Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (13 ratings)

Thousands of incredible audiobooks and podcasts to take wherever you go.
Immerse yourself in a world of storytelling with the Plus Catalogue - unlimited listening to thousands of select audiobooks, podcasts and Audible Originals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.
Zero Derby cover art

Zero Derby

By: Alex Knowles
Narrated by: Travis Baldree
Try for £0.00

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £22.89

Buy Now for £22.89

Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.

Summary

Family. Cultivation. Racing.

Oto has taken his first steps towards the life he’s always dreamed of, but that means he has more to lose than ever before.

Dreams are expensive, though, and the Ocean Slayers need cash to pay their debts - and safe cash isn’t fast enough.

With his options disappearing quickly, only bad choices remain. He'll have to push himself and his team to the brink just for the chance to keep all of their dreams alive...

Some things are worth risking everything for.

©2021 Alex Knowles (P)2021 Alex Knowles

What listeners say about Zero Derby

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    11
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    10
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    10
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Even better than the first

If you’re reading this and haven’t read zero car yet I’m very surprised and saying now to go back and read it. That being said, this is a fantastic sequel and I would even consider it better than the first book👏👏 More character building, some more world building in this incredible and diverse world and enough loose ends to make me eagerly anticipate the next installment in the series but not too many to make it annoying.

Very enjoyable and I really recommend. Brilliantly written and brilliantly preformed👏

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

It's Car razy.

This LitRPG continues to delight in being different. Whilst in keeping with the genre.
Travis is his usual high standard when it comes to reading.
A few more highs and lows.
Look forward to the next one.

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

good sequel

book 2 of the series. A good sequel which answers many of the questions from book 1.

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great!!!!!!!!!!!

what can I say, another banger by alex as the story is a bit slower placed then the first but that dosnt make the story any worse but in fact makes it better with all the character development and world building as well as how the system works. definitely recommended!!!!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Listener received this title free

A nice follow up

I enjoyed this almost as much as the first book. Looking forward to getting the next one in the series.

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The race is on.

Once again Alex Knowles knock’s it out of the park, as the story continues as Alex and Oto strive to survive against seen and unseen forces, dragging their friends and colleagues along for the ride.

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Listener received this title free

Great book

loved it narrator done a great job love the people action look forward to the next one

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Brian
  • Brian
  • 06-10-21
Listener received this title free

So. Much. Action.

Zero Derby is the second book in the Ocean Slayers Racing series and what a series it is so far. Knowles really knows how to take my emotions through a rollercoaster in this one. Zero Derby has some of the darkest scenes in this series so far but is able to do so in such an entertaining and interesting way. I think Knowles knew exactly what they were doing and would throw a cute scene in one moment and then they’d be fighting for their life another. Or it would be all good then, BAM curveball. I love the back and forth and it made reading this so fun and entertaining.

It’s really hard to write a review of a book like this without talking about the things and the scenes that really stood out. Especially since some of them were towards the very end of the book. But, if I could sum it up in some way it’s that the bonds that are made in Zero Derby are amazing. Each one is different and the ways that Knowles was able to write different bonds between different characters and things really made this one for me. They were able to really show different sides of each character while also creating deeper roots to the things that we love about each one. Oto, for example, has always tried helping others. He’s challenged in Zero Derby to his core and he’s really forced to make hard decisions numerous times.

The different styles of races in this also added to my enjoyment. The derby was action-packed and even the training for it made for some really interesting scenes. But the final race (see front cover) was really something. I’ve watched real races that were similar (obviously they weren’t being attacked by creatures) that make teams race an endurance-style race, but Knowles really took it up a notch or two with this one.

Overall, Zero Derby was a blast. Fast-paced action with characters you fall in love with. What more could you ask for? Oh yeah? Still not sold. Travis Baldree narrates it. Yeah, that’s what I thought. (In all fairness, if you don’t know how good Baldree is, pick up one of the Ocean Slayers Racing books and be prepared to be blown away – he’s the gold standard for LitRPG books, and for good reason).

I think my favorite part about each one of Knowles’ series is that they have similar “feelings” as a reader I was made to feel deeply and care about these characters. But each one has a different plot and a different setting allowing each one to feel completely different and unique.

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Corey j smith
  • Corey j smith
  • 14-09-22

awesome book

I listened to zero car and just finished zero derby . I'm a mechanic so this book really spoke to me ! combining something I love (racing) with so much more action and drama , I can't get enough of it . hopefully the third book will make it to audible soon !!!

the narrator made it interesting with the ability to change pitch and tone and the multiple character voices . you knew who was talking everytime and their emotions . it felt more like I was watching it in my head than listening to a book . thank you for your excellent performance and thank you to the author for such a great story line .

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Kindle Customer
  • Kindle Customer
  • 02-04-22
Listener received this title free

Racing litrpg with cultivation?! Sign me up!

This was very interesting to read, I had not seen many racing litrpg, and while I have seen combinations of cultivation with litrpg, or at least it is easy to make the comparison, I had not seen all three together. And I definitely enjoyed it. It has a lot more to get into, but it was fun, kept me glued to the headphones and wanting to know more. A great story of growth, realization and adapting to change. Our protagonist has to race some more on his amazing sentient, talking, superpowered, racing car. Also in motorcycles while fending off monsters, and try to keep himself and those dear to him alive in all kinds of situations. The audio is really good, no complains at all. I would definitely recommend this!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Josh Noneya
  • Josh Noneya
  • 06-12-21
Listener received this title free

thrilling!

Great story and narration!

A boy and his car! Okay, so a young man and his sentient vehicle. The gang is back, with more races, cultivation, and intrigue! The series continues in an epic way with this book!

Travis does a fantastic job with the narration!

This is a phenomenal second book of a series!

I love this story and can't wait to find out what happens next!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Danny Moody
  • Danny Moody
  • 18-11-21
Listener received this title free

Fun sequel

It is cool to get more content in unique cultivation world. I really enjoyed the progression through the book. It is exciting that there should be another book in our future too! Baldree is a fantastic narrator.

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Ben
  • Ben
  • 01-11-21
Listener received this title free

fun book!

this book was awesome! I really like the twists and turns that the story takes! I never thought I'd like a racing book but I found a series I do! if real racing was like this I'd be a fan for sure!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Lonnie-The GreatNorthernTroll-Moore
  • Lonnie-The GreatNorthernTroll-Moore
  • 01-11-21
Listener received this title free

Ohhhh did I mention Dragons!

This was a perfect union of gamelit, and racetrack hijinks! As Oto cultivates to get stronger, his racing team has his back, and the alliance he's formed with his AI enhanced car (Ivory) is getting stronger and stronger, although in this book, Ivory gets very little track time, as she is mostly out of action, getting a major overhaul!
Debts owed keep mounting up, so the team and Oto take some risky gambles, that should they win, will make the team some quick money...
One of those is a highly risky race where if they win, they'll win big! It's a no-holds-bard cross-country rally held in a very dangerous section of the "Wilds" where crossing the line first isn't the issue, but surviving to cross the line is! Alek's on his AI Motorcycle (Ren), and Oto playing defense swords ready!
If you love Zero Car, Car Racing stories, edge-of-your-seat action or Gamelit you're gonna need to pick-up Zero Derby... Oh and did I mention Dragons?!?
Best of all, it's read by none other than the Ever Amazing, Travis Baldree!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Kim F.
  • Kim F.
  • 19-10-21
Listener received this title free

Excellent 2nd book

The continued story does not disappoint. It's the little things, pieces of seemingly random humour, interactions between the characters and nuances in the world that brings the book together.

Looking forward to book 3

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for D
  • D
  • 16-10-21

Another great book in this unique world!

Didn't think racing would mesh well with cultivation but I'm glad I was wrong. I can't wait for the next book. if you liked the first one don't miss out on this one either!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Joshua Ellis
  • Joshua Ellis
  • 11-10-21

Great continuation - great hidden gem

Book 2 continues where book 1 left off. I strongly recommend reading book 1 before book 2

The story continues to be more of a slice of life / drama romance than a racing story but instead of normal progression from book 1 this introduces and focuses on a secondary progression area with elemental infinity instead of raw stats.

The story itself is still well written and kept me engaged the whole time. Alex and Travis works seem to be performed in sync and did not find myself wanting more from the performance to match the words.

Overall, this book should be getting more recognition from the litrpg/gamelit genre than it has. While it’s not the typical combat combat combat, the story is one of the more polished I’ve had had the pleasure of listening to.

1 person found this helpful