Audiobook Review: Head Rush by Carolyn Crane (@mlsimmons, @CarolynCrane, @audible_com)

Posted July 2, 2017 by Melanie in Audiobook Reviews, Melanie, Reviews, Urban Fantasy / 24 Comments

Head Rush by Carolyn Crane
Narrator: Rebecca Wisocky
Series: The Disillusionists #3
Published by Audible
Published on: October 25, 2011
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased

JUSTINE JONES FACES HER ULTIMATE ENEMY: HERSELF!

In an attempt to put her unhappy past behind her, Justine Jones throws herself into nursing school and planning her wedding to Otto Sanchez, the man of her dreams. But something is off. Random details aren’t adding up…and is it her imagination, or are her friends and fiancé keeping secrets from her? And what’s with this strange sense of unease, and her odd new headaches?

Justine tries to stay upbeat as Midcity cowers under martial law, sleepwalking cannibals, and a mysterious rash of paranormal copycat violence, but her search for answers leads her into the most dangerous mind game yet.

With the help of unlikely allies, including her paranoid dad and best frenemy Simon, Justine fights her ultimate foe…and unravels the most startling mystery of all.

So the previous book ended with quite the cliffhanger. I’m really glad I didn’t have to wait for this book. I’m trying to decide how much to go into this story without giving away spoilers to this book or the earlier books, if you haven’t read them yet. I’m going to with, if it is covered under the blurb, it can go into this review. Make of that what you will. I will summarize my thoughts in the final paragraph (if you don’t want to read the middle because of possible spoilers, I completely understand).

This story picks up about two months after the end of Double Cross. Justine is studying to be a nurse. Yep, hypochondriac is reading up on all the many different ways she could die. She’s doing all of this without zinging (where she pushes her fear into another person). Between the studying and planning her wedding to the mayor, she hasn’t had much time to think about unlikely deaths (though it does still bother her at times).

The city is under martial law because the cannibals (mentioned in Double Cross). Justine isn’t allow to go anywhere without a bodyguard. Otto gives new meaning to overprotective (more like smothering). Justine isn’t happy about it. It does cause issues between her and Otto.

This is where I’m stopping about the plot. I can’t go into more without spilling the beans. What I will talk about is Justine’s father. I really liked him. He is hypochondriac, too (apple didn’t fall far from the tree), but his fear isn’t Vein Star Syndrome, but bacteria and germs. She doesn’t like to leave his house without full hazmat gear, respirators, full suit and all. Don’t think that makes him weak, because I really thought is was strong when it counted for Justine.

So to summarize, this story wrapped up this series really well. I loved the uniqueness of this series. The characters were all very likeable. This series isn’t all hearts and flowers. There are some hard deaths. There are some difficult choices that the characters have to make at times. I love how they want to do the right thing, but that isn’t a black or white issue. If you’re looking for an unique story, this trilogy will give you that.

Narration
I really enjoyed Rebecca Wisocky’s narration of this series. I think she did a good job with male and female voices. I liked her pace and tone. I don’t foresee her making my list of favorite narrators, but she did a good job. I will be more than happy to listen to her again.

Listen to a sample at Audible.com.

The Disillusionists Series
My Review	My Review

Melanie Simmons

I’m Melanie and I live in Ohio. I have two horses and a dog. I’m an animal lover, avid book reader and audiobook listener. I like to live vicariously through fictional characters. I enjoy reading and listening to mostly fictional books in the paranormal genre, including Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance and Horror. My favorite paranormal creatures are shifters, doesn’t matter the flavor.