And it keeps getting better...

I loved the first book in this series, Hell & High Water, and if it is even possible, I loved this one more. Dex and Sloane are just the perfect couple, minus the baggage, secretiveness, and emotional distance. But through the course of working together and recognizing the bond that they share, the cast of characters and the thrill and mystery of journey kept this story moving faster than I would have liked. Mark Westfield's narration was again, fantastic and added so much to Charlie Cochet's words. I cannot say to much with out spoiling, but if you read the first one...the second one is a definite must read. On to the next one in the series...

7 people found this helpful

Amazing sequel!!!

In this sequel we find Sloane and Dex still trying to get that evil Issac and his anti-Therian thugs. This plays in the background while we watch the developing romances of (practically) the entire team Delta Destroyers. And it is AWESOME!

Sometimes the second book in a series can have a tough road to travel because they are stuck in the middle – the relationship has started, but it is not in its dramatic finish-stage. There are only a limited number of mile-stones that can be covered. This sequel has absolutely no problems keeping things moving and keeping us on the edge of our seats.

First, Sloane has some deep, dark secrets that are keeping him from letting Dex “in”. When one of the psychiatrists from the early days of THIRDS is captured, Sloane’s secrecy is threatened. Sloane has to decide if he wants out of the relationship now, or dig in deeper.

Second, Dex is facing his own inadequacy issues: he isn’t Therian, he isn’t ex-military, he isn’t Gabe… But he doesn’t spend a lot of time dwelling on this. That just wouldn’t be him. Instead, Dex continues to be hysterical and we get another drunken night out, this time with the ex! Lou is great and ends up giving Sloane pointers on how to handle Dex.

The other team members (Calvin and Hobbs, Cael and Ash) have their own stories move forward too. I am hoping to see their stories in the “Couples TBA” at the end of the series.

I absolutely love Charlie’s version of shifters. My favorite part of this book was Therian training where Dex is being shown how Sloane (in Jaguar form) is bonding with Dex. It is HYSTERICAL but oh so damn sweet too. I hope we get to see more of the Therians in their animal form in future books.

There is a partial ending in this book that leaves you very satisfied but the door is still wide open to trouble, setting the stage for book 3. I love the advancement of all the relationships in this book and look forward to seeing who does what next.

6 out of 5 stars, even better than book one! I highly recommend this book and the entire series!

Audio:

Mark Westfield did another amazing job with this narration. Sloane is delightfully growly, Tony is deep and rumbly, Isaac is twangy and greasy… all the guys are well represented. I really enjoyed the dream sequences and the “coms” where Mark alters his voice to sound like it’s being broadcast over the airways.
I really think he adds to the story and makes it even more of a great entertainment than just reading it alone.

I think you I can easily say this is a book narration that makes the listening as adventurous (or even more) than the reading.

I highly recommend this narration and give it a 6 of 5 stars.

3 people found this helpful

Defining relationships and Work expectations

Book 1 felt like a probation period for Dex. This book saw Dex embraced as a member of The THIRDS. It also saw Dex and Sloane trying to figure out what exactly they were doing with each other.

Favorite audiobook moment was Cael telling Sloan about Dex and the Vaccum. Funniest scene EVER. I kept rewinding it and laughing. Excellent rendition by the narrator. I read some reviews where Dex's humor annoyed those readers but it's because Dex hides a lot behind jokes, laughter and a jovial personality. It's his coping mechanism with life's hurts and he has had a lot of hurts.

Given the drama with these two, I certainly see why fraternizing with co-workers is frowned upon. It has brought tension to the workplace and it clouds judgment. I also wonder how the people tasked with protecting society can't tell everyone in their organization is boinking their partner.

I am impressed with the writing because it is full of humor and the world building is good. I look forward to book 3 and more about the vigilante group. Face it, the tide didn't turn until the vigilantes got involved, so I actually like them. I will wait for the audiobook Jan 2015.

I enjoy the narrator and the job he is doing.

2 people found this helpful

Interesting

I listened to this book because i like sci-fi or fantasy and liked the fact that it didnt sound like one more of the one million shifterstories that you cant tell apart. And even though it is -sort of - a shifter story, its not like the ones i have read before and the univers the author has created is very interesting. The story holds a lot of promise and i will listen to the third book when its released. That being said, i think the MCs needs a character boost - you dont really get the feeling that you know them, kind of like they are unfinished somehow. The second book helped- so Im hopefull.

2 people found this helpful

WOW!!! Even better than the first book

I love this book and this narrator! With out mark Westfield I doubt Dex would be as memorable. Best book!

1 person found this helpful

I'm a New Fan of the Series!

I want more, and more, and more... this series is like one of those addictive tv series that you wait all week for and then as soon as its over, you count down until the next week. In a mishmash of romantic comedy and superhero manga, the books will hook any reader that gets through the world building details in book one. With book two, the action steps up and the characters shine even brighter. You've gotta love the way the narrator tells this story.

This series has a new fan in me!

1 person found this helpful

Excellent 2nd installment

This is a great series, but you really have to read in order to get the full effect. In this installment Dex and Sloane's relationship continues to progress, however Sloane is having a hard time moving forward from Gabe. He continues to push Dex away until he realizes how much he has to lose if he loses Dex. There is action and drama as the search for Isaac continues and we get more insight to some of the other couples in Destructive Delta. The witty banter and interaction between the characters continues to be my favorite thing about this series. I've already read the 3rd book and can't wait for it to come to Audible. The narrator's silky bass voice is great for most of the characters and he does a great job. Definitely worth a credit.

1 person found this helpful

A Great Second Book

What makes the THIRDS series so addicting is the humor and banter that are prevalent throughout the book. The THIRD agents of Destructive Delta are working to find and contain the members of the domestic terrorist hate group, the Order of Adrasteia. The law enforcement work was decent and provided a nice back drop for all the drama, romance, and suspense.

Mark Westerfield did a phenomenal job with voicing the characters and creating a wonderful performance in the audiobook.

Overall Rating: 5 Stars. The writing style was well done and the pacing of the book was perfect. Dex and Sloane are some of my favorite characters, and their relationship and partnership is intense and with incredible chemistry.

Another Home Run!

I can’t say enough about this series! I’d rate it higher if I could. Sloane and Dex are so awesome together! They need each other at work and at home. You will not be disappointed listening to this.

Must Read and Great Series Entry

Blood & Thunder Audiobook Review October 2019:
Once again the THIRDS gang has completely enthralled me. I wasn't going to listen to more than the first entry for my Halloween 2019 readings(listenings) simply because there were just too many stories I wanted to experience but once I listened to Hell & High Water there was no going back. So I jumped into Blood & Thunder and guess what? I LOVED IT!!! Dex, Sloane, and the whole gang is even more wittier, more bickering, more sexiness, and well . . . just more😉. Charlie Cochet is a master at mixing danger, romance, destruction, heat, and humor creating a whole package of unforgettable yumminess. Mark Westfield returns to bring life to all of it in a way that makes everything in this shifter and human world seem real, the next time I look up and see a local cop drive by I expect to see the THIRDS logo on the vehicle instead of the local RFPD image.

Authors can often make characters appear real as if you could meet them getting milk or pumping gas but when an author(and narrator) can make paranormal characters appear just as real, just as likely to see the next time you go the store or library then you know you have found a talented storyteller, one that you want to experience everything they write. That's what Charlie Cochet has become for me and though I have read many of her stories there are still plenty I haven't and I look forward to experiencing them all.

Original Overall ebook Review for Books #1-4 October 2017:
I'm going to start by saying that some of my most trusted book lover BFFs have been singing the praises of Charlie Cochet's THIRDS for ages now, I've even had the first two in the series on my Kindle for nearly three years. With it coming up on October, I decided it was a perfect time to give it a read for my paranormal posts. Simply put: THIRDS is BRILLIANT!

When I started Hell & High Water I thought, hmmm Dex is interesting. Talk about an understatement. As a high school graduate of the Class of '91, I grew up with the music of the 80's, now I can't say they ever filled me with the "drop everything, sing, & dance" adrenaline rush that Dex brings to the team, but it made me smile every time he starts singing. As a life-long devoted Star Wars geek, I really loved Sloane's closeted geek side that he shares with Dex.

As for the mystery side of the series, to say it had me on the edge of my seat from cover to cover may sound cliche but its no less true. I won't touch on the plot as I don't do spoilers but let me say I could not put it down, when I finished one I immediately started the next. The characters just blend together so well, even when they are at odds, as in Dex and Ash, he is not a fan of Dex's fire or his love of everything 80s. As for the romance, well lets just say that its off the charts and the chemistry between Dex and Sloane is what we all hope to find.

Dex, Sloane, and Destructive Delta is the paranormal equivalent of Abigail Roux's Ty, Zane, and Sidewinder. Now, I am not saying its a copy, far from it! No, what I mean is the passion, anticipation, intrigue, excitement it sparks in me is similar to how I felt with the Cut & Run series. THIRDS is most definitely an incredible, emotional roller coaster all on its own and I can't believe it took me so long to check it out because now I'm waiting on tender hooks waiting for more of Delta's adventures.