The Dresden File Series by Jim Butcher

Author: Jim Butcher
Narrator: James Marsters

Publication: 2000- present

Publisher: Roc

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Audience: 18 and up

Rating: 5 out of 5

Source: Purchased/Public Library

Photo credit: Google Images via www.ichimonchi.com

I probably have no right to discuss this series, as it is one that I have been working on for some time. I believe I got all the way to Small Favor before graduate school took over my life. So I get credit for reading over half the series, right? This series was ruined for me by the friend who likes to ruin all book series for me. However, since he told me this ending, more books have come out to add onto the series. Anyway, I am currently re-reading them and prepping for the new book, Skin Games which is due out on May 27, 2014.

When I meet people who love to read, especially love to read urban fantasy, I suggest this book. My friends and patrons who have actually gave this book a chance have ALWAYS come back telling me how great it is OR they ask me the title of the next book.  I strongly suggest listening to the audiobooks. Especially if you are a Buffy fan, that guy that played Spike, yeah, he is the narrator and a darn good one too! If you are not into audiobooks, then go to your nearest library and check it out or buy it on Amazon. Sorry hardback book lovers, but the first three are super rare in hardback and worth lots of money, so it will be paperback. Better yet, just get the audiobook, you won't regret it!

So you are probably wondering what the book is all about. It is essentially a grown up Harry Potter, set in our world, Chicago to be exact, during modern, current time. Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden is a Chicago wizard who is listed in the phone book and sometimes works on police cases for the Special Investigations Department. The book series really develops Harry in a way that he almost feels like a real person you know. He is awkward, but strong. He even battles with himself over the good and the bad he could do. This is something we all battle with at times. He is just a real-life like character and so loveable (to me anyways). You want to help defeat his adversaries, and unfortunately, Mr. Dresden has quite the army against him. However, he does not go into battle alone. He has his own army of friends to support him.
I like most of the characters in the book. A few really creep me out like the skinwalkers and the fallen angels. Of course, any friend of Harry's- I pretty much like. I love Molly, Toot Toot, Mister, and Mouse, and Thomas. I especially love Mab. She works herself into Harry's life...and he can't really wriggle free of her icy grasp.
You get a little bit of everything in this series. From faeries to Santa being of the high faerie court himself to a walking, talking, breathing archive of the world, to the Billy Goats Gruff to dinosaurs. It seriously has some fantasy topic for everyone.
 Sorry if I am being a bit vague, but I don't want to ruin anything for you because seriously you HAVE to go now and get Storm Front ASAP! NOW GO!

On a side note, my husband and I went to a convention in February and got to meet the author of the series, Jim Butcher. He is such a cool guy. I said some really awkward, uncool, fan-girl stuff in front of him, but I managed to keep my cool. Inside though, I was flailing about, crying, and screaming. It was one of the best days of my life. Here is a picture of me, Jim Butcher, and my husband. My husband had made each of us a wizard's staff before meeting Mr. Butcher, and we carried them with us. Have you ever met a favorite author?

Red Glove by Holly Black (Audiobook)

Author: Holly Black

Narrator: Jesse Eisenberg
Title: Red Glove (Curse Workers #2)

Publication: April 12, 2011

Publisher: Listening Library

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult
Length: 7 hours 5 minutes

Pages:  336

Audience: 15 and up

Rating: 4 out of 5

Source: Public Library

Synopsis (from goodreads.com ): Cassel always thought he was an ordinary guy, until he realized his memories were being manipulated by his brothers. Now he knows the truth—he’s the most powerful curse worker around. A touch of his hand can transform anything—or anyone—into something else. That was how Lila, the girl he loved, became a white cat. Cassel was tricked into thinking he killed her, when actually he tried to save her. Now that she’s human again, he should be overjoyed. Trouble is, Lila’s been cursed to love him. And if Lila’s love is as phony as Cassel’s made-up memories, then he can’t believe anything she says or does.

When Cassel’s oldest brother is murdered, the Feds recruit Cassel to help make sense of the only clue—crime-scene images of a woman in red gloves. But the mob is after Cassel too—they know how valuable he could be to them. Cassel is going to have to stay one step ahead of both sides just to survive.

My thoughts:
I enjoyed this book better than White Cat. Issues with his family really start to effect not only Cassel, but his entire family. I felt like they all needed a wake up call to lure them from their destructive paths, but I don't see that happening any time soon. This book throws in a mystery that I actually did not know that answer to (it was not mentioned to what I listened to of the third book). Just from being a some what smart person, I thought I had the mystery solved, but Cassel is never sure about his answers and it always made me question mine. However, at one point I was like, "Okay, this person MUST have done it! There is no evidence of anyone else." I was right! Besides a mystery that Cassel is forced to solve, he realizes how precious and valuable friendship truly is. He is also trying to get on the right path in life. He is the lovable bad guy and you kind of feel sorry for him. It wasn't really his fault he was dealt the cards of life that was handed to him. So he struggles with his inner goodness and the devil on his shoulder through out the novel. It is a great sequel to White Cat.

White Cat by Holly Black (Audiobook)

Author: Holly Black
Narrator: Jesse Eisenberg

Title: White Cat (Curse Workers #1)

Publication: May 11, 2010

Publisher: Listening Library

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult
Length: 6 hours 41 minutes

Pages:  320

Audience: 15 and up

Rating: 3 out of 5

Source: Public Library

Synopsis (from Goodreads.com):
Cassel comes from a family of curse workers—people who have the power to change your emotions, your memories, your luck, by the slightest touch of their hands. And since curse work is illegal, they’re all criminals. Many become mobsters and con artists. But not Cassel. He hasn’t got magic, so he’s an outsider, the straight kid in a crooked family. You just have to ignore one small detail—he killed his best friend, Lila, three years ago.            
Cassel has carefully built up a façade of normalcy, blending into the crowd. But his façade starts to crumble when he finds himself sleepwalking, propelled into the night by terrifying dreams about a white cat that wants to tell him something. He’s noticing other disturbing things too, including the strange behavior of his two brothers. They are keeping secrets from him. As Cassel begins to suspect he’s part of a huge con game, he must unravel his past and his memories. To find out the truth, Cassel will have to outcon the conmen.

My thoughts:
I had picked this book up about a year ago, but never got the time to read it. I was at my library looking at books and picked up Black Heart. I got about half way when I realized that there was a lot to explain in three more discs. I went to Goodreads and it explained that Black Heart was the third book in the series! I quickly returned it and checked out White Cat because I was intrigued. I kind of knew what was going to happen due to my book mix up, so it wasn't a thrilling of a read for me. I guess that is why it got a 3 out of 5. It isn't a bad book, but I was listening to find out how Cassel became who he is in the third book. Separating myself from the fact that I ruined a good book for myself, I think it would be a neat read. There were some twists I was not expecting. There were a few I were expecting but did not happen (it must be in book two, which is waiting for me in the car). Either way, Cassel's antics and faulty memory are pretty funny. This book however, is basically setting up characters and the story line. In the book , some humans have/contain magic. You touching someone is all you need to do, but each time you perform your magic there is a blow back as a consequence. It is kind of an alchemy/magic, which is really cool. The cat is one of my favorite characters because she adds some humor to the book. 
I have heard great things about Holly Black and I'm enjoying this series. Mr. Eisenberg is a great narrator. If they ever made a movie of this book. He would have to play Cassel. I imagined him as Cassel the entire book. He is surprisingly a great narrator. I'll admit, I'm not a huge fan of his acting, but he is a fantastic voice actor. Anyway, if you are a Holly Black or Jesse Eisenberg fan, you should check this book out. It is a short, fun read.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth (Audiobook)

Author: Veronica Roth
Narrator: Emma Galvin

Title:Insurgent

Publication: June 4, 2013

Publisher: Harper Audio

Genre: Dystopian, Young Adult
Length: 11 hours 22 minutes

Pages: 544

Audience: 16 and up

Rating: 5 out of 5

Source: Public Library

Synopsis (from Amazon.com):
One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

My thoughts:
Wow! I really wish someone had forced me to listen or read this series sooner. Veronica Roth is great at writing dystopian novels. This novel starts off where Divergent left you. This time though, Tris has changed. Her actions and their consequences have left her in pieces. So you watch her deal with her grief. It can be frustrating at times, but grief is such an odd emotion that takes time and patience. In her grief she is also dealing with guilt. I think it made Tris more human. To mull over what she did and how it changed her. Anyone in the same situation would probably do the same. However, the grief and guilt causes a riff between Four and Tris. I think they should just sit down and talk it all out, but with an uprising and possible war in their future, talking about feelings is the last thing on their minds. There is a scene towards the end of the middle (if that makes sense. It is a large book!) and it actually made my heart hurt and my eyes tear up. I think I may have shed a couple of tears. It was such a well written scene and Emma Galvin read it with such emotion that it made me emotional. I hugged my fiance' a little tighter that night. It made me appreciate all that I had a little more. So this dystopian, young adult book really effected me in a way that a book hasn't been able to in a while. This book is full of death, sadness, guilt, and grief. It was harder to read at times with all the emotions, but that is what made it a wonderful read at the same time. Of course, this book also ends on this huge bombshell. I cannot wait for October to roll around because I'm buying the darn book and reading it. I'll listen to it later because I think Miss Galvin is a fantastic narrator, but I need to know what happens next!

 

The Nightmare Garden

Author: Caitlin Kittredge

Narrator: Katie MacNichol
Title: The Nightmare Garden: The Iron Codex Book Two

Publication: February 14, 2012

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers /Listening Library

Genre: Graphic Novel, Comic Book

Pages: 432
Length: 14 hours and 19 minutes

Audience: 16 and up

Rating: 4 out of 5

Source: Public Library

Synopsis (from the Amazon.com): Everything Aoife thought she knew about the world was a lie. There is no Necrovirus. And Aoife isn't going to succomb to madness because of a latent strain—she will lose her faculties because she is allergic to iron. Aoife isn't human. She is a changeling—half human and half from the land of Thorn. And time is running out for her.

When Aoife destroyed the Lovecraft engine she released the monsters from the Thorn Lands into the Iron Lands and now she must find a way to seal the gates and reverse the destruction she's ravaged on the world that's about to poison her.

My thoughts:

 My plans were not to continue with the series, but I could not get the characters or the story out of my head. I also accidentally read the cover of the last book in the trilogy, and I just knew I had to read it. After listening to this novel and the first, I have come to the conclusion that the first book is mainly to set the stage and introduce all the characters. This book is mainly action and a lot of truths come out in this one. The evidence behind the truth was always there, but were you clever enough to catch it? I wasn't and at first I was shocked, but when I thought back on the story the little revelations made a lot of sense.
Aoife really steps it up in this book. She is no longer the good, quiet Victorian girl. She is her own woman whether or not others like it. She also makes her own decisions and pays dearly for their consequences, but she is not as naive and is ready to face the challenge. Her brother Conrad is such a jerk in this novel. I'm not sure how she ever looked up to him. Dean is just as charming. Aoife and Conrad's father is now in the picture but he cannot make up for lost time. Plus, Aoife is smart and has already made up her mind.
There are some new characters and they help the action sequences along. I feel like Aoife really steps up to the game and accepts the responsibility for all that she has done and will do. She is such a strong willed character. There is more action in this novel than the first. From the synopsis of the last book, it looks like it will be filled with some action and life or death situations.
 I really enjoy Katie MacNichol's audio performance. If there was ever a movie production of this series, she would have to play Aoife (as well as Dean, Betina, and Conrad, Narissa, etc). She does the narration so well! There is never any confusion of who is speaking when and the voices she does for each individual character has been unique. She is a wonderful narrator and makes this crazy, sci-fi, dystopian, steam punk story an enjoyable story to listen to. I cannot wait to get my hands on the audio version of The Mirrored Shard.

Scarlet Lunar Chronicles Book 2: Audiobook

Author: Marissa Meyer

Narrator: Rebecca Soler
Title: Scarlet Lunar Chronicles Book 2

Publication: February 5, 2013

Publisher: Macmillan Young Listeners

Genre: Young Adult, Futuristic, Cyber-punk

Length: 11 hours
Pages: 464

Audience: 15 and up

Rating: 5 out of 5

Source: Public Library

Synopsis (from Goodreads.com): Cinder returns in the second thrilling installment of the New York Times-bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother and the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she has no choice but to trust him, though he clearly has a few dark secrets of his own.

As Scarlet and Wolf work to unravel one mystery, they find another when they cross paths with Cinder. Together, they must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen who will do anything to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner.

My thoughts:

 Oh man, you guys! This series is a must read. I know my review and thoughts are a little late, but the audiobook for the Lunar Chronicles is well worth it!
This book picks up where Cinder left off. From the synopsis, I was wondering how Marissa Meyer would add another important/ main character and wrap her into the whole story. She does it perfectly! The storyline switches from back and forth from Cinder to Scarlet's perspective throughout the novel. As you also know, Scarlet is supposed to be a re-imagined, updated Red Riding Hood, so I was also intrigued as to how she would add that to the plot as well. One of my favorite characters from Cinder was brought back. I was a bit worried because I really liked the character and was unsure of their livelihood. New characters were introduced... and old evil ones were still there to make your blood boil from their wickedness. Wold was an interesting character and kept me second guessing my readings on him. I'm still trying to decide what I think about him. Cinder was not the main focus and Scarlet is a new leading lady. I liked them both and even though the book focused slightly more on Scarlet than Cinder, I still felt like there was a balance of the amount of time that was spent on each to character. I cannot wait for the next book, which according to Ms. Meyer's website is due out in 2014.
The one thing that really makes me love this series is the audio format.Rebecca Solar is great. She sounded a little different at first like she might have had a cold when recording the first part of the novel. After a while she started to sound like she did in the Cinder. I LOVE the French accents she had in this novel. I love all the accents she did, actually. She differentiates for each character. From memory there are three French characters and I could tell them each apart while listening to the novel. I apologize for the review being posted so late, but trust me the audiobook is worth a try and you will be not disappointed!

The Iron Thorn, The Iron Codex Book One: Audiobook

Author: Caitlin Kittredge
Narrator: Katie MacNichol

Title: The Iron Thorn, The Iron Codex Book One

Publication: February 14, 2012

Publisher: Ember

Genre: Young Adult, Horror, Sci-fi, Fantasy, Steampunk

Length: 13 hours
Pages: 512

Audience: 17 and up

Rating: 4 out of 5

Source: Public Library

Synopsis (from Goodreads): In the city of Lovecraft, the Proctors rule and a great Engine turns below the streets, grinding any resistance to their order to dust. The necrovirus is blamed for Lovecraft's epidemic of madness, for the strange and eldritch creatures that roam the streets after dark, and for everything that the city leaders deem Heretical—born of the belief in magic and witchcraft. And for Aoife Grayson, her time is growing shorter by the day.
     Aoife Grayson's family is unique, in the worst way—every one of them, including her mother and her elder brother Conrad, has gone mad on their 16th birthday. And now, a ward of the state, and one of the only female students at the School of Engines, she is trying to pretend that her fate can be different.

My thoughts:
Umm...well...where to begin? I picked this book up and was interested by the cover and synopsis. So here is a quick run down of my reactions to the book. I was excited, I was a little nervous and thought it was weird, then I loved it, then I hated it and wanted it to be over, and then I was angry because it got pretty good at the end and left me hanging. The final book to the trilogy just came out so I can finish the trilogy...maybe. I'm just not sure I want to. This book makes you think you are reading a harmless young adult, dystopian, fantasy, steampunk novel...but in reality it drops you into a world of creatures orginially created by the master of horror,sci-fi, and fantasy himself, H.P. Lovecraft. If you love H.P. Lovecraft then I suggest you read it. Ms. Kittredge made many, many references to him and his works. I think she throws everything into the novel except Cthulhu (he may appear in the later novels). I know I put this in a horror genre. I wasn't really scared, but some of the descriptions were so gross and the monsters so scary that I would define it as more of a light-horror (if there is such a thing! Ha!)
The characters in the book are the only things that seem real in this crazy weird story. Aoife (pronounced like Ee-fa) is our main leading lady. She is strong willed, a bit naive, a bit gullible, but she won't let her disadvantages get in her way. Her disadvantages include being a girl and possibility of going mad on her 16th birthday. Like I said though, she is a tough character and I can respect her for that. Her best friend Cal, I wish he would have been killed off because he was so whiny and scared through most of the book. It really grated on my nerves. Dean was the sexy bad heretic who helps Aoife and Cal find their way. I really liked him because he looked like the big bad wolf, but inside he was a soft marshmallow. One character I just loved who was not a main character was the maid, Betina. I have no idea why I loved her because she could be annoying at times, but her accent was awesome, and she was a bit loveable with all the craziness around.
The audio was performed by Katie MacNichol. She was really great to listen to. She did different accents to a believable Scottish to a manly Cajun accent. She was really great and I enjoyed her audio. When she played Aoife she really acted the part. If Aoife was out of breath, angry, or crying Ms. MacNichol acted it out as she read. She kept me entertained even though the story seemed to drone on and on in parts. The audio was superb, the story was entertaining enough that I stuck with it. I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars.

Audiobook Review & Giveaway: The Juror By George Dawes Green

Title: The Juror
Author: George Dawes Green

Narrator: Lolita Davidovich and Jon Heard 

Publication: June 29, 2009

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Source: Gift

Genre: Psychological Suspense
Length: 2 hours 59 minutes
Format: Abridged

Audience: 17 and up

Rating: 4.5 out 5

Amazon|Goodreads|Website

Synopsis: Annie Laird is Juror 224. A sculptor with a career going nowhere. A single mother struggling to raise a son. A good citizen who has been summoned to what looks like a routine tour of civic duty. But the trial she is called to serve on is no ordinary trial. It is a mob trial, whose outcome has been meticulously orchestrated by a man of insidious power and deadly precision. A man who lives by the teachings of Lao Tsu...whose magnetism is irresistible...whose mind is as brilliant as it is twisted.

He is known to some as the Teacher, and he's set his sights on Annie Laird. Pulled into the most chilling depths of the criminal underworld, Annie will be seduced by double-edged promises, stalked by the spector of terror, then, finally, driven to a shocking decision by the most basic motivation a woman can know.

The Juror is a tour de force of crime and obsession, evil and innocence -- a story that taps into fears so primal they linger long after the last word.

My Thoughts: I know that I will have to read this one, at some point, as the audio is abridged. Just knowing that I'm missing some things (no matter how insignificant) is bothering me. Annie Laird is performing her civic duty as a Juror in a mob trial. She has no idea that her selection is not a coincidence and her life depends on the outcome of the trial. Annie is a strong woman. She is a single parent and a struggling artist. The "teacher" comes into her life and changes everything. There is a strong and tragic attraction between them. Will Annie make it through the trial unscathed?

This is a multi-voiced production. Lolita Davidovich and Jon Heard do an excellent job of differentiating between each character. Davidovich and Heard make the book more interesting. I had no issues with the sound of this audio (listening in my car). There is music played during the audio. It is used to build suspense and does an excellent job at this.  This is an abridged audio. The abridgement worked well. I don't like missing things and it was easy to tell where some of the abridgement was. It was not difficult for me to determine where each abridgement was. 

This giveaway is for a used Audio in new condition (only listened to once) and is only open to US/CAN residents.


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Audio Review: Butterfly's Shadow by Lee Langley

Title: Butterfly's Shadow
Author: Lee Langley

Narrator: Laurel Lefkow

Publication: April 15, 2011

Publisher: Story Plant

Source: Purchased

Genre: Historical Fiction
Length: 10 hours 54 minutes
Format: Unabridged

Audience: 17 and up

Rating: 4.5 out 5

Amazon|Goodreads

Synopsis: In a Japan still rigid with tradition, an apprehensive 15-year-old tea-house girl prepares to welcome her first client. In his gleaming white uniform, Lieutenant Pinkerton walks up the hill to a house in Nagasaki to find the female he has purchased for a few weeks. When he sails away, she waits, aching for his return. It is one of the world's great love stories. And, as the curtain falls on Madame Butterfly, Cho-Cho hands over her son to his American father, before killing herself...

Lee Langley's bewitching story of lost hope and thwarted love opens where Puccini's opera ends. In America Joey grows up torn between two cultures, haunted, like his parents, by their memories of what really happened on that fateful day. But just as Joey's fate is inextricably linked with the country of his birth, so too is the fate of America, and both of their paths will ultimately lead to Nagasaki.

My Thoughts:  PageTurner says I read the saddest books. I have tried to disagree with her but I'm beginning to think she is right. This book holds a place on my sad book list. I really enjoyed this audio. I didn't know anything about Puccini's Madame Butterfly before I began this audio. Having some knowledge of it would have prepared me for the sadness in the story.

This is a heartbreaking story of Joey and his parents. This story begins in 1923 and spans 20 years. The reader gets to experience the highs and lows this family face throughout the years and how the country (USA and Japan) changes during that time. The story opens with Joey's mother, Cho-Cho, waiting to meet the man who is to become her husband. She is full of hopes and dreams that will lead her to America. She is very young and naive. 
Joey's father, Pinkerton, on the other hand is looking for a good time while he is in Japan; the marriage is just a formality to him. This marriage changes their lives forever. He didn't plan on Cho-Cho getting pregnant nor does he believe that the child is his. He thinks that she is just some tea house girl that will say anything.  

This is a single voiced production narrated by Laurel Lefkow. She did a wonderful job narrating this. Her pacing was perfect for the story. Each of Lefkow's characterizations added to my listening experience. Lefkow differentiated the characters clearly through tone, tempo, accent, and inflection.  I found it easy to identify the character who was speaking. Lefkow's variations in gender and accents was done very well. I only had one complaint during the entire performance and that was the long pauses between chapters. Other than that the pace was well maintained during the production. There are no sound effects or music used during the production. I don't feel that it would have enhanced the production in any way. 

Audio Review: Cranes Dance by Meg Howrey

Author: Meg Howrey
Narrator: Justine Eyre
Title: The Cranes Dance
Publisher: Black Stone Audio INC
Publication: May 15, 2012
Genre: Fiction
Length: 11hrs:41mins
Format: Unabridged Audio
Source: Purchased
Rating: 3 out 5

Amazon|Goodreads|Website

Amazon Synopsis: "I threw my neck out in the middle of Swan Lake last night."

So begins the tale of Kate Crane, a soloist in a celebrated New York City ballet company who is struggling to keep her place in a very demanding world. At every turn she is haunted by her close relationship with her younger sister, Gwen, a fellow company dancer whose career quickly surpassed Kate’s, but who has recently suffered a breakdown and returned home. 

Alone for the first time in her life, Kate is anxious and full of guilt about the role she may have played in her sister’s collapse.  As we follow her on an insider tour of rehearsals, performances, and partners onstage and off, she confronts the tangle of love, jealousy, pride, and obsession that are beginning to fracture her own sanity. Funny, dark, intimate, and unflinchingly honest, The Cranes Dance is a book that pulls back the curtains to reveal the private lives of dancers and explores the complicated bond between sisters.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed the story. It is about Kate Crane and her relationship to ballet and her sister. The story is told from Kate's perspective. She spends a lot of time complaining, especially about her sister, which gets old. Even though Kate is the oldest and all throughout childhood has gotten what she wanted, it is Gwen who really has everything. At times it felt like Kate was her "sister's keeper" although she gave herself that role and she seems to resent every minute of it.

I loved the descriptions of the ballets. Getting to know each person's role in a ballet and everything that it takes to put on a ballet was great. Those were things I never thought about. Knowing the dancers practice and realizing how intense it is, that's to different things. I also found the discussion on the top pay for ballet interesting. I don't know why I thought it would be more. It would have been great to hear the music usually played during each particular ballet when it was discussed. 

This is a single voiced performance by Justine Eyre. The performance was "OK" for me. Eyre's reading was without emotion and give me the feeling that she couldn't be bothered. Her tone during the entire audio was lackluster. I'm not sure if that was intended by the producers or not. I found that it was difficult to keep my attention. Eyre's pacing was perfect for the story. There is slight differentiation in Eyre's tone when speaking in the voice of other characters. Eyre does a great job with accents, however. The sound volume was perfect. I listened to this on my kindle with headphones.

Audio Review: Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

Author: Gabrielle Zevin

Narrated by: Cassandra Morris
Title: Elsewhere

Publisher: Listening Library

Format:Unabridged Audio CD

Length: 7 hrs: 3 mins

Publication: 2005

Source: Library

Amazon|Goodreads|Website

Goodreads Summary: Welcome to Elsewhere. It is warm, with a breeze, and the beaches are marvelous. It’s quiet and peaceful. You can’t get sick or any older. Curious to see new paintings by Picasso? Swing by one of Elsewhere’s museums. Need to talk to someone about your problems? Stop by Marilyn Monroe’s psychiatric practice.

Elsewhere is where fifteen-year-old Liz Hall ends up, after she has died. It is a place so like Earth, yet completely different. Here Liz will age backward from the day of her death until she becomes a baby again and returns to Earth. But Liz wants to turn sixteen, not fourteen again. She wants to get her driver’s license. She wants to graduate from high school and go to college. And now that she’s dead, Liz is being forced to live a life she doesn’t want with a grandmother she has only just met. And it is not going well. How can Liz let go of the only life she has ever known and embrace a new one? Is it possible that a life lived in reverse is no different from a life lived forward?

This moving, often funny book about grief, death, and loss will stay with the reader long after the last page is turned.

My thoughts: This story is about coming to terms with change. Zevin makes the hereafter real and something to look forward too. We have all wondered "what happens after I die?" Liz Hall gets to find out all too soon. Liz dies in a tragic accident. She is really struggling with the fact that she is dead and the circumstances of the afterlife. Getting to experience all the stages of grief with Liz was emotional. I laughed and cried right alone with her. Elsewhere is very similar to traditional ideals of heaven, beautiful, no growing older, and no sickness. Liz spends a lot of time whining and scheming. Her behavior is understandable. She had so much to live for and so many plans. Liz breaks the rules, makes new friends, and finds love. This is a great book, depending on what's going on in your life it could be extra emotional. 

This was my first time listening to an audio narrated by Cassandra Morris. She did an excellent job. Her narration made Liz real. I enjoyed how she would change her voice and tone for the other characters in the story. She was able to keep my attention and evoked emotion when necessary. I will defiantly listen to another audio narrated by her. 

Thoughts on Leven Thumps Series by Obert Skye

How did you stumble across Leven Thumps?

Cricket: Um, I work in a library...and I'm always browse the childrens' department for something to listen to in car. Don't like having to hear all that radio repetition, it works my nerves after awhile.

Ashna: Cricket told me that I should listen to the audio. She knows that I spend an hour in the car daily and need new audios to listen to. 

Who is your favorite Character?Why?

Cricket: Clover! He is just so mischievous, adorable and funny. Love him!!

Ashna: I agree with Cricket. Clover is the best. You never know what he is going to say or do. (Or what his food will do to you)

What to you think the narrator's ability to portray the characters and Foo?

Cricket: I think E.B. Stevens does an awesome job of breathing life into the characters. Skye has created a wonderful fantasy world.

Ashna: He did an amazing job. All the characters are so real and distinctive.  

Do you think this works well in audio format?

Cricket: Yes, because I listened to all but one of the books, as the library didn't have them all and I found I preferred the audio. I think I was spoiled by that point, needed to hear all the sounds and different voices.

Ashna: Yes, Stevens gives so much life to the story. It's really a performance. 

Would you like to see this made into a movie?

Cricket: I think it would be a cute movie, if the right cast is found to pull it off. I was be thrilled to see Clover on the big screen. I was doing some research and saw that the author optioned away the movie rights,but nothing has happened yet. Excited!!

Ashna: Yes, I would love to see the characters come to life. Especially Clover.  

So, would you recommend this series?

Cricket: Definetly, there is even a spin-off series Beyond Foo, which follows Geth and Clover on new adventure. I think this whole series is great read for boys and girls. They will fall in love with the magic of Foo.

Ashna: Yes. This is a great series suitable for all ages. It has humor, mystery, suspense, and no series is complete with out a love interest. 

What would your sycophant be like?

Cricket: A male like Clover, with humor and cuteness. His name would be Bandit.

Ashna: I would want a female sycophant. A pale pink color. She needs to be fiesty yet sweet. She must to get along with Cricket's sycophant since they will be spending time together. We can't have them fighting. 

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Audio Review: The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group

Author: Catherine Jinks

Narrated by: Grant Cartwright
Title: The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group

Publisher: Listening Library

Format:Unabridged Audio CD

Length: 12 hrs: 10 mins

Publication: 2011

Source: Library

Rating: 3 out 5

When Tobias Richard Vandevelde wakes up in hospital with no memory of the night before, his horrified mother tells him that he was found unconscious. At Featherdale wildlife Park. In a dingo pen.

He assumes that his two rambunctious best friends are somehow responsible, until he discovers that they're just as freaked out as he is. Then the mysterious Reuben turns up, claiming that Toby has a rare and dangerous 'condition'. Next thing he knows, Toby finds himself involved with a strange bunch of sickly insomniacs who seem convinced that he needs their help.

It's not until he's kidnapped and imprisoned that he starts to believe them - and to uinderstand what being a paranormal monster really means.

Thoughts: My favorite part of this audio is the narrative voice. Cartwright gives the characters a rich Aussie accent, which is appealing to the ears. The story line however becomes frustrating as Tobias's mother and he himself are so daft that they wont listen to the truth until Toby ends up in a precarious situation. Well the whole story isn't bad just that part grated on my nerves but the humor manages to shine through nonetheless. The production is well done. I like for my audios to grab my attention and if the vocal part isn't crafty enough to do that on it's own then pffft! I'm not going to be able to delve into it at all. I can say that this is not an issue. I liked that the lead character is male, which should appeal to young boys as there are so few books lately that have a good male protagonist. I think it's cute that the vampires and werewolves are working together, even though traditionally that's usually not the case. Overall, it is a ridiculous book in a funny way. 

Audio Review: Speak No Evil by Allison Brennan

Title: Speak No Evil

Author: Allison Brennan

Narrator: Tim Lundeen

Publication: February 16, 2012

Publisher: Audible, Inc.

Source: Purchased

Genre: Romantic Thriller, Adult

Audience: 17 and up

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Amazon Summary:

Silence is deadly.

The murder of eighteen-year-old Angie Vance was exceptionally vile–her mouth was sealed with glue, an obscenity was scrawled across her skin, and she was suffocated in a garbage bag. The killing seems personal, so police detective Carina Kincaid focuses her efforts on the victim’s much older ex-boyfriend, Steve Thomas. But without physical evidence, Carina can’t make a collar or a case. She also can’t stop Sheriff Nick Thomas, the prime suspect’s brother, from conducting his own unwelcome investigation. 

Though Nick is still scarred and unsteady from a recent confrontation with a serial killer, he’s determined to prove his brother’s innocence. But his confidence is shaken when he learns of Steve’s dark side, and when a friend of the murdered girl meets a similarly gruesome fate. With no time to lose, Carina and Nick work together to trap a psychopath, before another unlucky woman faces an unspeakable end.
Evil has spoken. Now see what it can do.

My Thoughts: Tim Lundeen does an excellent job narrating. His voice is smooth and sexy. He even adds a slight southern drawl when narrating things from Nick Thomas' point of view. Lundeen also does a good job of transitioning when narrating the female story line. His narration drew me into the story and kept my attention. This story is about a police detective’s efforts to stop a serial killer. 

Carina Kincaid and Nick Thomas are the main characters, along with the serial killer. I really like Carina. She is a strong woman and doesn't take anything off anyone. As a female detective you know she has her work cut out for her. Nick Thomas is a sexy Sheriff from Montana trying to clear his brother's name. I like that Nick is open minded and views the evidence along with his personal knowledge of his brother. Nick is there to stop a killer even if it happens to be his brother. 

This well written story grabs a hold of you and doesn't let go till the very end. The story was not predictable even thought once I got the profile of the killer I was able to identify him quickly. Though he is so carefully I had to keep listening to see if Carina would catch him. As with all great stories involving a hot Sheriff there's a romance bubbling to the surface.