Brilliant reader, Brilliant book

Jack LeFleur is an amazing reader. This isn't the first book he's read that I love. I don't know if he picks the books he read (fantasy/sci-fi/romance) or if he's assigned to the genre, but either way he is very well suited. This book is also absolutely brilliant. I found that the combination of a great plot and an excellent reader left me standing staring into space completely focused entire on the words I listened to. Jack LeFleaur puts so much animation, so much emotion, so much emphasis in the way he reads that it's like listening to a movie. I highly recommend the book, am now a new fan of these authors, and I strongly recommend the reader. He could read the phone book now and I'll listen. Good audiobook overall! Five stars!

29 of 29 people found this review helpful

Outstanding Fantasy/Real Story/Real People

What did you love best about Dark Edge of Honor?

The realness of the characters. Growing up during the Cold War Era I could relate to the two protagonasts. This is a true real-life style love story!

What did you like best about this story?

The fact that they rose above all of the political plays by others and ended up loving each other despite their vastly different life experiences

What does Jack LeFleur bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He brought the story and characters to life. His changing accents and ways of speech were believable

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

After Sergei was injured by friendly fire and lost his arm and was on the brink of losing his life he told Mike that he just wanted to make love to him one more time. He just wanted to be held by him one more time.

Any additional comments?

Alexsandr Voinov is an excellent author. I have enjoyed all of his books that I have read. I am constantly on the look-out for more of his stories

13 of 13 people found this review helpful

More Jack LeFleur, please?

What made the experience of listening to Dark Edge of Honor the most enjoyable?

See the above title. I'm new to audiobooks, especially erotic romance, but listening to Jack LeFleur's outstanding narration got me hooked on the concept, very, very quickly. Unlike the handful narrators in this particular genre, he really gets into the book and just mesmerizes you with his voice.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sergei, of course. For a large, hard bodied space-Russian who could probably kick my ass, I wanted nothing more than to wrap him up in a blanket and hug him. If you look up the term

Which scene was your favorite?

Oh jeez, my favorite scenes would probably get this review kicked for violation of some conduct code. So, my favorite non-love scene is Sergei not quite getting the concept of a partnership and involves this line

Any additional comments?

No, seriously, heed my title. Pay this man whatever he asks, just get him to read more for Audible.com. Heck, I'll buy a dictionary if he'll read it.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

A really subtle and unusual love story

Sergei and Mike work for two very different militaries Think the US military vs the Soviet military at the height of the cold war. Mike seduces Sergei but soon falls for him. What makes this book so good and so unusual is its exploration of the mixture of betrayal and love and the complex motivations of all the characters. It works and it works well.

Mike's character is perhaps a little thin, but the authors do a really great job with Sergei, getting you to understand his world and his love for it even though it constrains him terribly.

There are several EXTREMELY graphic sex scenes. Frankly, as a big believer in less is more, they could have been toned down for me.

This book gets better and better is it progresses. It is an excellent and deceptively complex story. I highly recommend it.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Enticing Plot and Thought-Provoking Themes

One of the few pieces of fiction that I've enjoyed in my life. Great story, imagery, themes, and character development.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

My first boy romance

I loved the story. I loved the characters, I loved the setting. I will be listening to more boy love stories now because of this!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Loved it in print - even better in audio

Would you listen to Dark Edge of Honor again? Why?

Absolutely. It is an excellent story and the narration brings the characters vivdly to life.

What did you like best about this story?

The complexity and strength of the characters which made it easy to become completely swept away by the story. It also has a lot of the same themes as Special Forces, another, much longer, work by Voinov which is one of my favorite stories.

What does Jack LeFleur bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He brings the characters, especially Sergei, to vivid life.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Interesting sci-fi & romance mash. Top Narration

Would you consider the audio edition of Dark Edge of Honor to be better than the print version?

Probably. The narrator was excellent.

Would you recommend Dark Edge of Honor to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes, though it may not be of general appeal.

What about Jack LeFleur’s performance did you like?

Good pacing and pronunciation. Good use of accents to differentiate speakers without falling into caricature. Good intonations to reflect moods and feelings.

Any additional comments?

I felt the romantic part of the novel was unfulfilling. The sexual descriptions were good, but the motivations of the characters (especially Mike) were sparse. Sergei was also unbelievably passive and accepting of things without needing resolution.

Interesting premise to the relationship, and good military/sci-fi backdrop, but not quite developed enough emotionally to engage the reader fully.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Pleasantly surprised!

If you could sum up Dark Edge of Honor in three words, what would they be?

Intriguing, exciting and beautifully simplistic (all one word, lol).

What other book might you compare Dark Edge of Honor to and why?

I've never been much into sci-fi and was embarassingly naieve to the fact that this was a mm erotica novel, lol. I'm sure the look on my face during the first sex scene was priceless. The authors are surprisingly strong writers but I've never seen the likes of this before.

What does Jack LeFleur bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Jack LeFleur is a brilliant narrator. His voice is so relaxing and it allowed me to just sit back and truly enjoy the novel. I would buy books simply because he was chosen as the narrator.

Who was the most memorable character of Dark Edge of Honor and why?

Sergei was my favorite character because he overcame so much. Daring yet conservative.

Any additional comments?

I was worried this book would be a typical, trashy erotica and was very surprised to find such an exciting storyline. I wish it had been longer and more in depth. I think it would make for a great series.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Dark Edge of Honor

Where does Dark Edge of Honor rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's a very erotic & emotional story of struggles, both inside and out. Very thrilling and engrossing.

Would you recommend Dark Edge of Honor to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes, the internal and external struggles based on duty, upbringing & loyalties span many prejudices and are relatable for many timeframes. Thoughtful & eyeopening.

What about Jack LeFleur’s performance did you like?

Amazing! He has the best voice! Low, sexy, enthralling...and that accent!! Yum!

If you could take any character from Dark Edge of Honor out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Do I really have to choose? A ”Mike/Sergei sandwich” would be yummy!

Any additional comments?

I think it's wonderful to explore new genres and subject matter to expand your mind and enhance your experiences.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful