The First is pretty much a classic superhero book. The protagonist, Sophia Dennison, is a smart, moral woman who finds herself with unstoppable superhero powers. The whole book is about her figuring out why she has the powers, what all she can do, and then seeking revenge on the people who killed her husband and framed her for it. There is a lot of action, especially at the end when she finds the people responsible and brings them to justice. The narrative bounces between Sophia & Special Agent Mark Armitage. Both characters have a strong moral compass in a world of mostly unethical people. About 70% of the story is Sophia trying to evade Mark & figure out who the bad guys are while exacting some vigilante justice on bad people. Its overall a fun book, I would say there is almost too much trying to justify her powers and discover the bad guys and it kind of drags in the middle. My other issue with this is that there is too much swearing. It's definitely written as an adult book because the character is an adult, but I felt like the swearing was just put in at nauseum to make the characters seem tough. The dialog also isn't the strongest in the book and it does read like a really campy super hero movie, especially with the narrator trying to do the make voices. (Though I really liked the narrator overall.) Overall, a fun super hero book with plenty of action and a feminist spin. The story isn't really anything original but it's fun.

NetGalley Review

Star Rating: ★★★★☆

I was surprised with this one. I needed multiple audiobooks for a long drive. Found a couple and requested them. Got lucky and got them relatively quickly. Didn't need anything particular. Just needed something to make the drive shorter and keep me focused and awake. This story was fantastic. I liked the characters, their development, and sci-fi piece was rather intriguing. Though, I have a soft spot for mechs and serums that make you super. This was an author I'd never tried before and an audiobook narrator I'd never heard before. Both blew me out of the water and I can't wait to read more of this series!

Like always read it and decide for yourself!

At first I was completely obsessed. Great hero, her backstory of innocence really followed that grab your attention formula you need for a fantasy book.

But I'm kind of confused, because the description sells it from the POV of the investigator, and to me he's just a side character, not the main hero.

And then I was completely lost when our black, incarcerated, female MC called herself a "registered republican" without any backstory or anything, it was kind of wild and threw me off.

I went into The First by Kipjo K. Ewers blind without any knowledge of the publication history. I just assumed it was a new release that was a bit of a period drama as it's set in 2008. So I was shocked to find that it was published in 2013 and that two more installments were already published. This book is so incredibly good, I can't believe I haven't heard of this series until now.

The novel centers on Sophia Dennison, a doctor in her 30s who is sentenced to death for the murder of her husband. She maintains her innocence all the way to her execution. Just minutes after this execution, she comes back to life with brand new super powers that continuously adapt to her injuries.

The central conflict is the mystery of where her powers came from and who the real murderer of her husband is. Following Sophia through the unraveling of these questions also sheds greater light on what a layered and fascinating character she is. I love that she's able to be ruthless in getting justice against genuinely terrible people and the narrative doesn't demonize her for it.

This novel is very much a gritty super hero origin story. Ewers writes specifically to this genre, embracing, joking with, and averting the common convention. My only criticism is from the villain monologuing that over-explained the story unrealistically since there was no reason for the villains to start explaining things other than to helpfully provide valuable information to the reader and the characters. That is element of the super hero genre, so it's hard to be too critical. But it was a little annoying.

Overall, I gave this a 4.5, but rounded up to 5.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The First is, at face value, a superhero story, though more in the vein of early 2000s superheroes than modern Marvel and DC stories.

The book opens with Lauren, an inmate on death row, being executed for allegedly murdering her husband. However, after she is pronounced dead, she comes back to life with superpowers. Cue her trying to find her husband's real killers and subsequently uncovering the nation's biggest secret.

I was immediately drawn into this novel. Lauren's execution, resuscitation, and prison break had me hooked. Unfortunately, as soon as we got the FBI guy's POV, it started to fall apart. My biggest complaint with this book is the dialog and characterization. All of the characters speak exactly the same. If someone is surprised, they tell "aw s***!" And if someone is mad at another person they call them a b****, and is someone is scared they says "Oh god oh god oh god". The dialog became unbearable for me very early on. On top of that, the characters all seemed fake, with overexaggerated characteristics and no depth.

I do appreciate a story where a Black woman is the superhero. It's unfortunate the characterization in the book is so terrible. Also unfortunate is the sexualization of Lauren. While it's common in comics and this book was published 11 years ago, it immediately turned me off to the book.

The actual story in this wasn’t bad. It's quite the undercover conspiracy and had many twists and turns.

I listened to this audiobook and did not enjoy the narration. It's hard to tell whether it was the narrator or the source material.

Overall, I didn't love this one and wouldn't recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

The first is the first book from the series with the same name bye Kipjo K. Ewers. In the book of She Denison is put to death for the supposed murder of her husband after her execution a few hours later while being transported to the morgue she wakes up and gasp for breath. She escapes from prison but not before killing people breaking down brick walls with her new super strength. Two agents Mark and Dustin are put on the case but they will not be the only people hunting down Sophia and there’s way too much to the story to give a good summary because her execution isn’t even the first time she dies. There was a lot of things I liked about this book I liked Sophia I thought the story of her husband‘s murder was intriguing and I couldn’t wait to find out what really happened not to mention how the hell did she all of a sudden have supernatural strength and why did it keep increasing? That’s just a couple of the interesting questions that pop up throughout the story I do want to say I could not stand Mark and Dustin especially Dustin… I mean he graded on my nerves with a sneering and racist attitude but there were other things that were wrong with this book. With the first chapter alone I found multiple things wrong with this book like her having all her friends tell her goodbye, that would never happen because for one thing people about to be executed or sent to the death house and they’re not in general population where you could go and hug your cell mates goodbye not to mention even if you pled guilty you’re still on death row for way longer than four years I know these simple facts have nothing to do with the overall arc of the story but I hate when I hear something so wrong with the plot because it makes me wonder about things I am not so familiar with them whether they are true or not having said that I still found this book very entertaining I listen to the audiobook and thought the narrator Tallia Collier did a pretty good job narrating. I did feel bad for Sacha by the way because it seemed she didn’t know whether she was coming or going every time it seems she found freedom someone else found her but it’s still a pretty OK book and one I recommend.#DreamScapeLore, #NetGalley, #KippJoEwers, #TheFirst,

This book is either every conspiracy theorist’s dream or nightmare.
I’m pretty sure the author drew inspiration from a lot of those theories and built his story around them (which, to be fair, is a pretty solid way to go for superhero origin stories).
The plot was exciting start to finish and super fast-paced, but there was never any down-time, not for the characters nor for the reader. I also didn’t like the ending/epilogue as the primary reason for the last thing a character did became null and void without any explanation as to why.
For most of the characters, I was also conflicted as especially in the beginning the FBI agents were very unlikeable and annoying (to me). I did like Sophia though and she was the only character making sense most of the time.
As for the world building/science behind all the superhuman stuff… I can tell it was well-researched, but sadly that did not make it believable at all. Basically, the author seemed to want an all-powerful, unkillable main character, which in my opinion does not make for that good of a plot (and it wasn’t, to be honest) and doesn’t make you actually worry for the character, which takes a lot of the tension out of the book.
Still, the book was interesting and entertaining.

The cover of the 2024 audiobook re-release of "The First" by Kipjo Ewers is beautiful. Originally published in 2013, the book is set in 2008, giving it the feel of a period piece with various references to that time. This can be something to keep in mind when reading it.

The story begins with Sophia being executed for a crime she claims she didn't commit. Things take an unexpected turn during the execution, and we follow Sophia's journey as she transforms into a superhuman. The viewpoints of federal agents and other characters add depth as the events unfold, revealing the extent of the situation. I particularly empathized with Sophia as she attempts to clear her name and uncover the truth about her transformation and her husband's death. While there is some scientific jargon, it is presented in a way that is understandable for the average reader.

The plot is a supernatural murder mystery with plenty of twists. The fast pace kept me engaged without feeling rushed, allowing sufficient time to delve into Sophia's character and her surroundings. Questions are answered at a good pace, leaving room for new ones to arise. The world-building is well-crafted, and the superpowers are intriguing, with everything falling into place by the end of the story, making for a satisfying mystery.

Narrator Tyla Collier did an excellent job with the narration. Her pleasant tone and distinct character voices, especially for the more challenging characters, immersed me in the story and brought it to life like an audio drama.

Thank you to Kipjo Ewers, Dreamscape Lore, and Netgalley for the gifted audiobook, on sale now.

‘The first’ is the origin story of Sophia Dennison, the first superhuman on earth. We follow her as she discovers her newly gained superpowers, investigates the events that lead her to death row, and hunts for the people that are pulling the strings in the background. We also see how some government agencies deal with this ‘crisis’. This is an action filled superhero origin story, with some murder mystery elements.

The book starts with an exceptionally strong opening, as Sophia is executed for a crime, she claims she did not commit. The whole sequence is full of emotions, angst, and anticipation regarding what will happen next.

Throughout the story, we learn more about Sophia and how she was convicted of murder. While I found this premise to be fascinating and imaginative, this potline had some inconsistencies and seemed a bit farfetched at times. For example, why was Sophia never tested for drugs? How could they confuse her with another woman? Why did her attorney not argue this? I feel like these inconsistencies could have been explained as a system failure, a corrupt attorney or through other means, but these possible explanations were never mentioned.

Some male readers might be “triggered” by this, but our protagonist, the superhuman, is a woman, and she is not only physically strong, her mindset is extraordinary in her determination. The antagonists of this book are predominantly male, a representation I find accurate. I have seen some reviews in which this was criticized, but if you look at other superhero tales, this isn’t much different either. But don’t worry, not all males are bad in this book 😊 We also have a likable (male) FBI agent sidekick.

Military conspiracy is a big part of the plot and while I probably would not have said so previously, this conspiracy does actually make sense in this context and somehow also elevated my experience with the book, because it makes the supernatural explainable.
While the new cover is beautiful, it created the false expectation in me that this book is somehow tied to space. If you get similar vibes from the cover, please keep in mind that this book is not tied to space or space exploration in any way, and is in fact set on planet earth.

All in all, I really liked this book and the themes expressed in it. I think it would make an excellent base for a movie. I listened to the audiobook, so it was kind of one step closer to that envisioned movie, and I recommend the production. The narrator did a magnificent job.

I have seen in some reviews that this book was previously published, while it wasn’t edited to its full potential yet. I could see no traces of bad editing in the audiobook I listened to. So please take into account that the overall rating of this book might be lower due to its first edition.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for gifting me this ALC of the audiobook to review. All opinions are my own. I was not paid to leave this review.

It was really cool listening to this book, like daydreaming of superheroes..
I love powers & action scenes in books & this was packed from start to finish!
I LOVED Tyla Collier, She was absolutely perfect for this.
I'm looking forward to book 2!

Publisher's summary
After spending four years on death row for the brutal murder of her husband, Sophia Dennison takes her final walk in the Mountain View Facility in Gatesville and is put to death by lethal injection at 12:00 a.m. Several hours after Sophia's execution, FBI agent Mark Armitage is called to investigate a serious disturbance at the prison.
Upon arriving he finds the place a war zone. After being debriefed by his friend and partner, Dustin Mercer, he views the videotapes and learns that the source of the destruction is Sophia. Footage reveals that seven minutes after her execution, she miraculously resurrected, breaking free of her bonds and overpowering several guards. Sophia Dennison has escaped and is now on the run....
The hunt is on for the first actual superhuman.

Thanks to NetGalley & Dreamscape Lore for the ALC of this book!

The First
By: Kipjo Ewers
Narrated by: Tyla Collier
Series: The First Series, Book 1
Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins
Release date: 07-16-24
Publisher: Dreamscape Lore

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!

This story was a good one! It had everything...an execution gone bad, murder, government cover up, secret government assassination crew with cool tattoos and jazzy outfits, enemies turned friend, found family, ugh! I AM FULL!

I received the audio version of this book and the voice actor was great. She perfectly relayed the emotion in each scene and delivered with the tone of an RKO Radio broadcast feature! I did not want to put it down but did not want it to end quickly either.

This will not be my last read from this author!

DNF @ 50%. Thanks Netgalley for the audiobook but oof.

Literally halfway through and I just couldn't do it anymore. The concept was so solid and I did like the beginning, but the further in I got the more of a struggle it was to really care about the characters, since basically everyone encountered was awful in one or more ways. Character interactions were weird, the writing itself seemed to dip in quality, and the editing seemed to be minimal.

The story was good and plot twist was just wow. The science is easy to understand and does not get in the way of enjoying the story. Her motivation make sense and are relatable which made me enjoy Sophia's character. The description of her powers is very vivid and I liked that a lot. The bad guys in the story, their motivations are very eiry. The narrator did an amazing job bringing this story to life.

I'll admit, the cover of the 2024 audiobook re-release got me really intrigued to read this superhero mystery story that felt almost like a throwback to Heroes, The 4400, or other shows that came out around the late 2000's with a supernatural mystery vibe. It was a fun experience and adored this exploration of superpowers that goes deep and hit many of my super niche must haves in stories.

First, this is NOT for everyone. There's plenty of graphic violence, description of sex crimes, profanity, and other things that might not be suitable for some readers. Second, this was originally published in 2013 and takes place in 2008, which means it can feel like a period piece of that timeframe in history with the various references, which isn't a bad thing, but something to be aware of when reading.

With that out of the way, the story beings as Sophia as she's executed for a crime she claims she didn't commit. And then things get wild as the execution doesn't go as planned. It took me a few chapters to fully immerse myself into the story, but after the first 10% or so, I was intrigued in the direction the story went into. We follow not only Sophia in her journey as she transforms into a superhuman, but get the viewpoints of federal agents and other characters as the events unfold and we discover how far things go (one of my favorite plot lines). I especially felt for Sophia in her situation as she's trying to clear her name in whatever way she can, and figuring out what's happened to her body and what occurred when her husband was killed. There is some scientific jargon, but it's not too much to get the average person lost.

This plot is a supernatural murder mystery and quite a twisty one. It kept me on my seat with a very fast paced, but didn't feel rushed, as we got enough time to know about Sophia and the others around her. We learn the answer to one question and get more questions at a good pace. The world building is well thought out, with interesting superpowers, with just about everything making sense by the end of the story, which is the best type of mystery.

The narrator, Tyla Collier, was excellent on narration. Her normal tone was very easy on the ears, and I loved her voices for the other characters, especially for the delivery in terms of the jerk characters, really made me feel like I was in the story, gave it an audio drama.

I will say that the editing could have used a little more work, especially since this is a re-release of a decade old book. While the prose is mostly smooth, there were major timeline discrepancies that didn't match up and a bunch of small things that threw me out of the story more than once, mostly relating to when the initial murder happened and the timeline of this story.

This is just the first of a series, and the other two books in the series are also available now, but I might wait for updated audiobooks to see where the rest of the story goes, as while things are mostly wrapped up, there's a sequel hook to keep going. If you're good with the content, give this one a look.

Quick Summary: A powerful, action-packed sci-fi/fantasy adventure

My Review: The First by Kipjo Ewers is book #1 in the series of the same name.

Book #1: THE FIRST
Book #2: EVO: UPRISING
Book #3: GENESIS

About the Book: "The First tells the origin story of Sophia Dennison, the first and most powerful superhuman on the planet.

Sophia Dennison wanted a normal life. She wanted to raise a family with the love of her life, and further her medical career as an up and coming surgeon in neurology… But everything changed when she was convicted and sentenced to death for the brutal murder of her husband.

After four years on death row, Sophia takes her final walk in the Mountain View Facility in Gatesville and is put to death by lethal injection at 12:00 AM midnight.

Several hours after her execution, FBI Agent Mark Armitage is called to investigate a serious disturbance at the prison. Upon arriving he finds the place a war zone. After being debriefed by his friend and partner Dustin Mercer, he views the video tapes and learns that the source of the destruction is Sophia. Footage reveals that seven minutes after her execution she miraculously resurrected, breaking free of her bonds and overpowering several guards before being viciously gunned downed and dying for a second time.

Sophia Dennison has escaped, and is now on the run…. The hunt is on for the first actual superhuman."

About the Audiobook: This book was narrated by Tyla Collier. She did a magnificent job. I was utterly captivated by her rendition. It's hard to believe that this was narrated by one person. Brava!

My Final Say: WOW!!! This audiobook was next level greatness. I absolutely loved it! It was like a superhero story for adults. It was all cloak and dagger, black ops stuff. It was crazy good! What I don't understand is why there is not more buzz around this book. All I know is that it was non-stop action on top of action on top of action.

Other: I hope all of the books in this series are released as audiobooks. Book one has convinced me to invest my time and attention to reading the entire trilogy.

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level:
Triggers: Yes
Audiobook: Yes
Narration: +

Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media, Dreamscape Lore), and to NetGalley. Thank you so very much for granting access to an ALC of this title in exchange for an honest review. It was an absolute pleasure to review this work. I look forward to acquainting myself with more novels by this writer.