Interesting story.

I enjoyed this story and I expect I will be listening to it again. R.C. Bray does an awesome job bringing the characters to life giving each of them unique voices.

This is the first book of Rhett C. Bruno that I have listened to. I would happily try another of his books.

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Dark but Deep Tale

This is a well written dark anti-hero story and is masterfully brought to life within a down on its luck industrial town as is the hero who once fought for its citizens. The comparison between the two and the peerless gravelly voice of RC Bray works wonders as we are drawn into the world and forced to care about its characters.
I throughly enejoyed this and the Q & A at the end is very good as well and a nice touch.

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Nice change from all these super power stories

predictable but fun, always worth it for R.C. I will recommend to my comic book friends.

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When a superhero is very dark flawed & very human

This is a very dark view of a very troubled and broken "superhero" but this is no billionaire with every bit of tech at his disposal. A person who despite a grim beginning devotes everything to the city populace at great personal risk. relying only on his wits and a lot of kevlar. Only to suffer an accident that leaves him in a wheelchair. There he simmers and pretty much tries to drink his demons to death.
Now that sounds all really negative. Nope, he is rather dark and bitter but the story isn't. There might be a bit of a glimmer of a redemption and that keeps you listening. It's the other characters that he encounters that I find rather intriguing and their story after he interacts with you are left to develop in your own imagination.
I don't normally read books that are in this realm but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Rhett C Bruno is a master story teller and when he lets his imagine run riot I love to follow the words.
The narrator is R C Bray. There is a common saying that he could read the telephone directory and it would sound interesting. Yep he could try that. But I'm glad that he sticks to reading these books out loud. Yet another sterling job.

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Pretty Good

Fast paced. I like that in a book. Even the retrospect and flashbacks were quick and contributed to the story, rather than taking the reader away from the immediate action. I’d read a sequel if he gets super strong robot legs. That would be cool. Or maybe a super powered wheelchair. Not sure about Laura’s character though. She’s fickle in the end of this book when she was so emotionally attached to the roach throughout. I guess high risk moments change a person. I’m sure this writer knows what he’s doing. Apparently won lots of awards, so I might as well check out his other books. I couldn’t hear the interview in the end as the recording sounds like it’s on the phone and garbled. Too bad.

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Riveting listen

The combination of Rhett Bruno and RC Bray has resulted in a totally enjoyable listen .. I really couldn’t stop ... The plot is character driven and the main character is very dark , but enjoyable, and suits RC Bray beautifully..it feels like a really good film script ..a real joy to listen to ...

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Finally, some originality in the superhero genre.

I always enjoy books narrated by RC Bray and I also really liked the Children of Titan series of books. So it's no surprise that this was a great listen for me.

However, I was blown away by this book in particular because it's offers a perspective that I don't think I have seen before in this genre and tells the story so intimately.

Basically, I can't recommend it highly enough if you enjoy superhero stories but if you also read a lot of crime thrillers, like I do, this is definitely for you.

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2 people found this helpful

"Sort of like Robin Hood."

Rhett C.Bruno has provided us with get another complex character: The Roach, a superhero keeping the Iron City free of crime and fear.

Except, well, he isn't.
Instead he's a sad remains of a man, now wheelchair bound, paralysed from the waist down, bitter, paranoid and hiding from those people he'd once tried to help. Forgotten, mostly, except by Laura, the last victim of crime that he almost saved, who still comes to look after him, sometimes, despite his pleas to her to leave him alone. And unwelcome Chuck, the journalist who was obsessed with outing his identity and calling him a criminal in his articles.

Rereading, this time as an audiobook, some three months later, the Roach has lost none of it's sparkling originality and tension, excitement and underlying sadness. R.C.Bray's narration carries the whole gammit of emotions in his charismatic reading, bringing the broken character even more vividly to life. A fine performace.

Great writing, as with all of Bruno's work, and a character, flawed and sad, the fallen comic book hero, to incite both pity and jdisgust. My thanks to Aethon books for freely gifting me with a complimentary copy of this Audible edition. Great story for all comic book fans, and great, too, for readers curious about the inner workings of the heart and mind, for those looking for a thrill ride - or just a really good read.

Recommended.

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dark and gritty

Dark and at times violent it's a thought provoking look into disability and the seamier side of life with a really interesting main character and great world building. The end just fits so well. I could listen to AC Bray all day, he is the perfect narrator for this story

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What a ride. Highly recommend

First things first, trigger warning. This book deals with sexual abuse.

Now onto the review.

The Roach tells the story of a washed up vigilante confined to a wheel chair after his last rescue. No friends, no millions or rich and powerful friends to rely on. His only true friend is his next bottle of whiskey and even that company is turning sour. But things begin to change when he hears one more cry for help.
The story gives off vibes more in line with The Watchmen and a Raymond Chandlers Noir detective novels more than a super hero novel, seeping grit with every page. Yet while I name these other works, this is truly something of its own. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Narration
R.C. Bray if you are familiar with him has already sold you this book. If you are not, then you are in for a treat. He has the voice of a man larynx has been dragged over rough pebbles. It draws you into the story, sending you in the murk of the tale and bobbing and weaving with each bout of action. R.C. Bray doesn't just narrate a tale, but enhances it with every word. Yet despite his distinctive voice, he is more than capable of alteration, bringing different characters to life and making each recognisable. This is what for me really pulls it to 5*.

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1 person found this helpful