Tag Archives: audiobooks

Apr 26 2016

AudioBook Review – Riders of the Purple Saga

Written by Zane Grey, narrated by Ann M. Richardson.

A western… oh my goodness I actually listened to nearly 12 hours of a western. Where were the space ships and aliens…. haha.

Seriously if you love westerns this is a total classic, and a joy to listen to. 🙂

 

Review is ————-

 

“Different….”

The beautiful thing with Audio Books is that you can listen to them and do a hundred other things. For me it’s driving.

I used to watch and read westerns when I was much younger, but I admit I’ve never picked this one up.

It is a classic, and beautifully written, with long descriptive prose and imagery. This is the first book of Ann M Richardson’s I have listened to, and despite the genre not being something I would avidly seek out, I was totally swept away in her narration of Jane. Ann, has a fantastic ability to perform both side, male and female and to draw you in with the characters wonderful accents. It really was a joy to listen to, and I would defo look out for more books by her.

As for the genre and story, I think what surprised me more than anything because of the era and generation of the characters in the book, I really wasn’t expecting there to be as much sex, romance and violence, haha, but they were all very pleasant surprises, and I can totally see why this was a book that marked the era from which it came from, it’s so distinctive and well thought out. jane’s got so much going on, she turns to one person and things go from bad to worse, for her personal character I could only wish that many of my friends were as strong and had as much courage as Jane. With her religious beliefs and her upbringing she really stands out. I couldn’t help myself but like her.

The author tied in so many smaller plots, and wove the whole world together so very well that even though this was a long piece for me to listen too, it was still very much an enjoyable audio.It also left me thinking about picking up another western, I guess I’m not totally against any genre now. I’ve listened to so much more than i’d ever thought I would by becoming an Audible member : )

I would highly recommend this for someone who has already read and loved the book, or for those who would like a taste of life back in this era it is just so full of life, it’s hardships and it’s loves. A fab tale to become totally engrossed with.

I was given a copy of this audio in exchange for an honest opinion by the narrator.

Apr 22 2016

AudioBook Review – The Anonymous Source

A very stressful week in work, but I’ve had this amazing book to listen to. Not one I’d normally pick up, but I can’t help but be a Jeff Hays fan now 🙂 hhahaa
This book by A.C Fuller and narrated by Jeff Hays is well worth a listen if you already love the genre!
Review is as follows —————-
“So interesting…. “

One of the best things I’ve loved about AudioBooks is that I’m really opening up the kind of genre’s I usually read etc. And I’ve been pleasantly surprised about a lot of them.

I’ve never really read anything in the crime/thriller category. So this was a first for me. What I enjoyed the most has to be the character element in here. Alex and Camilla are so deeply drawn that they could almost be my next door neighbours. There were some amazing character flaws that they both had, Alex so uptight over food and the fact he was fat, totally resonated with me, suffering with Anorexia for 16 years. But Camilla’s almost nonchalance over what she put in her mouth was brilliant. They are chalk and cheese and their being in this awful situation, and investigating it puts them each others pockets.

Jeff really does bring this story to life in the most amazing way, from their voices, to their eating and running. The food side of things, very distracting, when you’re listening to the book and driving a food van, I’m sure I ate more than usual this week, and I’m blaming this book!

I found that the whole AudioBook was alive. Both characters had deep problems, and inner turmoil which was played with great attention to detail by the writer and tone by the narrator, this really made the exciting scenes, tense and fast, and the slower scenes, where Alex and Camilla talked to each other about their lives deep and meaningful.

There were many twists and turns in here, and I won’t spoil it for anyone, especially the ending.I have to admit that one of my fav moments was when Alex admits to Cam, that he’s falling in love with her, and she tells him not to.

I’m a sucker for a really good story and with it being around 9/11 which even for me from the UK was hard to watch (I’d had major knee surgery the day before) and was at home when it hit out news. It was well crafted, brilliantly paced and full of little tips and hints for Alex and Camilla.

The only reason why I marked it down a little was because of the ending, maybe it’s just the genre, but I did expect more from it. I think this is something I need to listen to more of before I can totally judge it though.

Very glad I picked this one up still. 🙂 and will look out for more.

Apr 20 2016

AudioBook Review – Broken Skies Book 1

Getting through my Audio list, haha but it’s tough, so so many good books to choose from. And the last couple of days I’ve had the pleasure of listening to Broken Skies by Therresa Kay and narrated by Andrea Emmes. I’m a fan already of Andrea and this was a must listen to in my book because of the premise, I just adored it.

So review as follows, and I admit, this is the first one in a series I’m totally disappointed that there’s not a second narration for me to buy. boo hooo….

🙂 you can pick up the book here – http://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Young-Adults/Broken-Skies-Audiobook/B00LSYXFZY

and my review is –

—————–

“Very cool!”

There were several things I really loved about this story, and a few I wasn’t so keen on.

I did receive a code from the narrator for one of her books in return for an honest opinion, but I can’t remember if it was this one or the last one I listened to, so I’m saying this one, and either way all reviews off me are honest wether they be gifted or not.

Jaz-Jasmine was a good character for the most part, but her panic attacks and personal weakness grated on me quite a bit. I have to admit I loved the story line and most of what she’s been through, but there were moments when I really think especially towards the end of the book that she would just get a grip and start to process things and move forwards as her own person. She was almost there when she first faced her brother, but she almost insisted with real conviction that things were the same, and they really weren’t. I had hoped she really knew and understood that before that moment.

The whole Lir storyline was very interesting and well written. (I do wish that Jax was a little more grown up with it, but she’s a young, and love struck teen who knows nothing about the aliens or their love/bonding rituals, so I can kinda forgive the writer for some of these things.

For the most part this story kept me on edge and I wanted to know what happened. I can’t believe the Author hasn’t had the narrator back to do the second book, I’m just gutted, so much so I had to buy the book, and I don’t often do that. I don’t have the time to read a real book. So I do hope that the author will have this on the cards next.

The narrator brings such an abundance of life, joy, love and heartache to Jax, that you just can’t stop listening even though sometimes, or most of the time she’s a pain in the butt and really can’t see the wood for the tress, silly girl.

So yeah, I was left with a book/narrator hangover. and I’m not used to that. You both make the best combination. And I do hope you’ll work together again.

~ Dawn

 

Apr 18 2016

AudioBook Review – WormWood Dawn Ep 1-3

I had the wonderful opportunity to listen to this series, last week. With the hope of buying more!
I’ve never really been into Zombies, or the Apocolypse, but I admit this was fun, scary and the characters go through so much, I really enjoyed them all.
You can pick up the series from –
My reviews are as follows 🙂
Episode 1
“Pretty scary suff! “
What did you love best about Wormwood Dawn?

I’m not an active horror pursuer, but I do like zombie films, so this was a good change. I loved the sense of humour of the main character, Dan.

What did you like best about this story?

It has to be Dan, as the world ends around him he’s just so bent on getting wasted still that you just can’t help but feel for him. A normal day starts out and ends pretty badly for him. The end of the world and he’s goosed, but his outlook is still awesome.

What about Clifford Edwards’s performance did you like?

This was the first one I’ve listened to from Cliff, and I enjoyed the fun he brought to Dan’s character, in the darkest moments, Dan’s thoughts are delivered with just the right amount of sarcastic and edge that you really do believe he’s telling you his life story. Great job.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were some pretty gruesome moments, and at the time I started to listen to this, 6am in the UK, there was a nice blanket of Fog, which I was driving though! the atmosphere created with the narration and my actual life was just so freaky, it scared me silly. haha.

Any additional comments?

I’ve listened to all three so far, so I’m going to post a longer review on story and content there.

Thanks!

 

Episode 2 

“Great second episode!”
Would you consider the audio edition of Wormwood Dawn, Episode II to be better than the print version?

I haven’t personally read the book, but the narration always adds another dimension to a story. Because they put so much into the acting. There is a lot of work gone into this and it’s obvious. 🙂

What other book might you compare Wormwood Dawn, Episode II to and why?

I’m not a huge zombie reader, so can’t really compare, I do however like the Dawn of the Dead movies, and Shaun of the Dead, which is the more comedic version. I defo love the comedy side of this, and the eery side. It’s not quite zombies, but mutations as well, so it adds that extra layer, which is horrid and gruesome, but fascinating as well.

What does Clifford Edwards bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The humour, Dan’s inner dialogue can be so brilliant. Like you’re thinking it, but Clifford delivers perfectly.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I’m not so sure ‘moved’ is the right term, but there are plenty of ‘egggh’ and ‘yuk’ moments, described very well and given just the right tone in delivery that you really do feel utter sick by the gruesome monsters in this story.

Any additional comments?

Nope, reserving it for the third 🙂

Ep 3

“Just gets better! “
What did you love best about Wormwood Dawn, Episode III?

These characters are just so ‘real’ that the story is fab and this episode is by far the best as things come to a real head for the group…

What was one of the most memorable moments of Wormwood Dawn, Episode III?

There have been a few good memorable moments throughout the series so far. I have to say that Dan’s own internal transformation is starting to rock. He started out such a loser, that bumbled along with his life and he really made you feel sorry for his stupid life, but here he is fighting for survival with friends, and friends he now cares about. What a change in his whole attitude.

What does Clifford Edwards bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Again, just the whole tone and characterisation of all the characters, he does a great job with them. Personality and flare.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I listened to all three in three days. I drive for a living, and can listen to 4 hours or more a day, this was a great way to spend my time. 🙂

Any additional comments?

Okay, so some major thoughts here…. I can’t not say that the recording quality difference was apparent from ep 1 and 2 to this one. But, it certainly doesn’t detract from the effort by the narrator or the written story. In all honesty I actually think it added to the ambience of the world Edward created.

I also have to admit here, that because I listened to them all at once, 3 days in a row, I can’t remember which Ep certain key moments are in, but I’ll mention the ones that stick in my mind the most.

The fact that Dan is a loser and a drunken one at that, is kinda hard to get into at first, he really doesn’t help himself at all be being as he is. His life seems so meaningless and his outlook is pretty bleak. But he’s funny, and that carries him, I like his attitude even though it is pretty selfish. Drink or pills, and I’m kinda glad he changed his mind and went for the pills. I actually don’t read the blurbs or other reviews, so when it started off, I had no real clue it was a proper horror/zombie story.

The sickness is awful and described very well, makes you feel yuk yourself. What I liked about this one more than anything is that Dan’s now got a friend and I don’t mean the cat… although that was one horrible and scary darned cat, you know 😦 I felt sorry for it, can understand why Dan did too.

EP 2 This is a more interesting Ep because of Drew, and the bulletin board, meeting Jake is very cool, the dog also, although I was worried it would end up like the cat. There are some amazing creepy things going on with the whole world. The cat, the fact the horse is bitten and we know it’s going to turn, (just when) and then the psycho serial killer whose house they burn down. Gee what a neighbourhood this guy lives in, I kinda think no wonder he was a drunk.

The third guy they team up with while out getting supplies is sad, he loses his brother here and that does suck. They’re really up against a lot of crap here and now and it really hits the fan towards the ending when the rogue military groups turn up and start to blast his house apart. However we think that he’s going to be captured, and he’s not, it’s this psycho killer who nabs him, the one whose diary he’s been reading and finding out about, the shocking truth is that he’s alive and changing! into what we’ve no idea, but it’s not looking good for Dan if he’s ended up in this guys clutches….

So, overall I really enjoyed these so far, I was given them so I’d provide honest feedback, and I have, however, I’m now off to buy the next installment! haha.

Thank you very much Clifford and Edward for a very entertaining few days. 🙂

 

Apr 18 2016

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