As stated by others, I have had some trouble focusing in on the book despite a great performance by Soundbooth’s VO team. The issue, for me, has come with the pacing. Specifically, the author seems to be in a rush to get past this opening part of the story as quickly as possible without really allowing any of the emotional depth inherent to the concept to settle or even to explore much about any of the characters. I have to assume that there’s something a few books in that the author really cares about, because I didn’t find it in this book.
That said, several times thus far I have been slapped in the face by the casual and unapologetic use of the R slur for mentally challenged folks. This would be a vicious stain on a good book. Here, it’s not forgivable.