Great start to the series

I'd already read this book before getting the audio version so.I knew that I enjoyed the story but you get a different dimension when you listen to it versus reading it. Not a better experience but, if narrated well, an equally good one.
The narration was excellent and I'm pleased to see that the same narrator does the other books so that's something I will be looking forward to.
If you like law enforcement shape shifters, bad guys, conspiracies and m/m relationships with snappy dialogue that had me laughing out loud (thank god I was in the car!) then this might be one for you.

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Loved it!

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I loved this series when I read it the first time so I was super excited to start the audiobooks. Mark Westfield is a superb narrator, I just fell in to this world again and was so immersed in the story I felt like I didn't take my headphones off for 2 days. I exploited every little opportunity to listen to it.

So this is book 1 where everything begins. This is the story of Sloane and Dex, but so much more than that it's the introduction to this fabulous world Charlie has created. Dex has been working for the human police force as a detective for ten years. Following an intense court case involving Dex having turned his partner in for murdering an innocent civilian he is dismissed from the police force.

Sloan Brody is a defence agent for the THIRDS and also a Therian. A virus that spread rapidly during the war was treated via a vaccination Eppione.8 thus starting a waterfall of events that lead to the mutation of the virus which changed human DNA creating Therians - humans who can shift in to animals. Sloane is a jaguar therian and team leader of destructive delta at the THIRDS (Therian-Human Intelligence Recon Defense Squadron).

Following his discharge from the HPF Dex is sent to work at the THIRDS and becomes Sloane's new partner. They get off to a rocky start as Sloane's original partner was murderered on the job and he's chased away every partner since. But Dex with his happy, teasing, snarky attitude eventually wins him over. I LOVE Dex, he's such a loveable MC and he's up there with some of my favourite book characters of all time. Sloane is more reserved and still full of hurt and pain following the death of his partner but I loved him too.

Secondary characters are absolutely amazing and so well developed. You can tell that every character has been thought out and planned and each with their own personality and style. Mark really portrays this well when you are listening to it and I commend him for being able to switch between voices so easily.

There's plenty of action, adventure, twists and turns and psychopaths in this story. Loved listening to book 1 and cannot wait for the others! On to book 2!

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Absorbing

We learn step by step with Dex as he is integrated into his new team, about this dystopian world with it's foibles and forces, it's foes and friends. Such a well thought out premise, well researched, encompassing and intriguing with the added spice of a budding romance in this action/thriller.

Delightful MCs well described and delineated, who stand up strongly to each other to give contrast and drama, as well as well written banter. The comedic undertones crop us just when you're not expecting them.

So happy to have stumbled on this series and am contemplating investigating the follow on 9 books of this series.

Not encountered this narrator before, and found his tone and presentation perfect for the genre, not over egging the pudding just because he can, which gives a charming "it's all in a day's work" aspect to the tale. A good one Audible.

LOOKING FORWARD TO BOOK 2

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One of the best

One of the best series I have ever read (or listened to). Amazing characters and creative story lines. Love it

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Great Read

loved it from start to finish, funny, witty , all wrapped around a serious story.

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MM Shifter Series

I first read this series a few years ago, and now I'm starting again, but in audio.

When you first meet Dex and Sloane, you will never forget them. I have laughed so hard at Dex's antics and have come to think of the whole team and everything to do with Thirds as real life. You end up so immersed in their world that you believe it to be real.

Charlie Cochet can write, and this series is among her best work; her world-building skills go above and beyond.

Mark Westfield narrates these books. It took me a while to gel with his voice, but after three books, I was convinced.

Hell & High Water
THIRDS, Book 1
By: Charlie Cochet
Narrated by: Mark Westfield
Series: THIRDS, Book 1
Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins

❤❤❤❤❤ Overall
🎧🎧🎧🎧 Narration
📚📚📚📚📚 Story
Read at 1.15 speed on Audible

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loved it

Love this series and the narrators voice is amazing. I have the paperback but even better on audio.

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Enjoyable Story

A well written story with and interesting  concept.  The characters are likeable and the narration is very good.

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Good story. Graphic moments

I really enjoyed the story. The narrator really brought it to life. Be warned though, some of the initimate moments a pretty graphic.

There is just the right balance between thriller, fantasy and humour. The lead character, Dex, is both annoying but one of those guys you would want as a friend. A great character, well written.

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4 stars read/listen

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Dex makes a testimony that puts his police partner in jail. It also makes him boyfriendless and almost jobless. But his adoptive father steps up, and pulls Dex into the world of the Thirds, a shifter police-type force trying to keep the peace between the humans and the shifters. SLoane is the leader of the team DEx is placed in, and from the very start, he knows they still haven't dealt with the loss of their team mate, the one Dex replaces. There are other, darker forces at work, and when faced with the death of 3 HumaniTherian activists, Dex knows he has his work cut out to make the team accept him, especially Slaone, to whom Dex has a powerful reaction to.

A different take on shifters, the Thirds agents are mostly Therian, cat shifters of some kind, and they need extra special care after shifter, hence the need for a partner. Sloane and Dex have an head butting reaction, and its quite amusing how Dex deals with it differently to Sloane. Dex is witty, has excellent taste in *old music* but Sloane is straight laced, down the line, lets get this work done! These two, along with the rest of the team made for some interesting reading.

I enjoyed it, and will keep going with this series, Dex and Sloane dont get a full HEA, just a happy-for-now sort of ever-after, so there is more to come from these two! And it isn't going to be a picnic, I can tell!

Mark Westfield narrates, and this is the first I've listened to by this narrator. He has a deep clear *reading voice* and a clear distincion between the characters, making conversations between multiple characters clear and concise and with no problem making out who is talking at which time. Emotions come across in all the right places, and you get all the drama too, just where you need it. His voice made it easy for me to listen, and I will certainly listen to other work narrated by him.

4 stars for the narration, 4 for the story, and 4 overall.

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5 people found this helpful