MBS 2018 Audiobook Challenge Mid Year Update

2018 Audiobook Challenge Update:

I am in good shape since my Challenge goal was:
Marathoner (Look Ma No Hands) 50+
I completed 79 Audiobooks in 2017 so I am well on my way to beating that.
5.0 - 4 overall plus 3 narration.
4.75 - 2
4.5 - 9

1. A2018- Audible Book Review: Year One by Nora Roberts;Fantasy, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, Supernatural; my rating 4.25.
2. ATBR- Audible Book Review: One Year After by William R. Forstchen; Post-Apocalyptic, Thriller; my rating 4.25.
3. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Storm Front: The Dresden Files, Book 1 by Jim Butcher; Fantasy, Paranormal, Private Investigator, Wizards; my rating 4.25.
4. ATBR- Vintage Sci Fi - Audible Book Review: Time for the Stars by Robert A. Heinlein; Classic, Space Marine, Vintage Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.
5. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Emerald Atlas, Books of Beginning; Fantasy, Middle Grade (ages 8-10), Siblings; my rating 4.25.
6. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Ubik by Philip K. Dick; Classic, Sci Fi, Vintage; my rating 4.0.
7. A2018- Audible Book Review: Island by Aldous Huxley; Classic, Vintage Sci Fi; my rating 2.0.
8. ATBR- Vintage Sci Fi - Audible Book Review: X Minus One: A Gun for Dinosaur (March 7, 1956) by L. Sprague de Camp; Classic, Time Travel, Vintage Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.
9. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Brothers in Valor, Man of War, Book 3by H. Paul Honsinger; Sci Fi, Military, Space Opera; my rating 4.5.
10. A-ABB- Audible Book Review: River Rising, Carson Chronicles, Book 1, by John A. Heldt; Adventure, Time Travel; my rating 4.0.
11. A-Author- Audio Review: The Earth Bleeds Red by Jackson Baer; Mystery, Thriller; my rating 4.0.
12. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Scarlet, The Lunar Chronicles, Book 2, by Marissa Meyer; Adaptations, Alien, Fantasy, Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.
13. ATBR- Audible Book Review: For We Are Many by Dennis E. Taylor; Sci Fi; my rating 4.75.
14. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Golden Son, Red Rising Trilogy, Book II, by Pierce Brown; Dystopian, Fantasy, Sci Fi; my rating 5.0.
15. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Dead Ever After, A Sookie Stackhouse Novel, Book 13, by Charlaine Harris; Fantasy, Paranormal; my rating 4.0.
16. ATBR- Audio Book Review: If I Run by Terri Blackstock; Christian, Mystery, Suspense; my rating 4.25.
17. A2018- Audible Book Review: If I'm Found by Terri Blackstock; Christian, Mystery, Suspense; my rating 4.25.
18. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Hell Divers, The Hell DIvers Series, Book 1, by Nicholas Sansbury Smith; Dark Fantasy Sci Fi, Technothriller; my rating 4.0.
19. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Quarter Share by Nathan Lowell; Mercantile, Sci Fi, Space Opera; my rating 4.5.
20. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Lords of Space by Michael Wallace; Action, Sci Fi, Space Marine; my rating 4.0.
21. ATBR- Audible Review: Xenos: Warhammer 40,000, Eisenhorn by Dan Abnett; Fantasy, Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.
22. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Warship by Joshua Dalzelle; Sci Fi, Space Opera; my rating 5.0.
23. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Fledgling by Nicole Conway; Dragons, Fantasy Adventure; my rating 4.25.
24. ATBR- Audible Book: Across the Nightingale Floor, Tales of the Otori, Book One by Lian Hearn; Asian, Fantasy; my rating 4.25.
25. ATBR- Goodreads Audio Book Review: She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith; Classic, Poetry & Drama; my rating 5.0.
26. ATBR- Goodreads Audio Book Review: Dagon by H.P. Lovecraft, Booktrack Edition; Horror, Short Story; my rating 4.0.
27. ATBR- The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wild; my rating 4.5.
28. ATBR- Audiobook Review: The Mysterious Howling, Book 1 by Maryrose Wood; Children, Fantasy, Growing Up, Middle Grade; my rating 4.25.
29. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Portrait in Death by J.D. Robb; Female Detective, Mystery; my rating 4.75.
30. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Devil's Due: Destroyermen, Book 12, by Taylor Anderson; Alternate History, Sci Fi; my rating 4.5.
31. A2018Author- Audible Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Hunting in Bruges by E.J. Stevens; Paranormal, Urban Fantasy; my rating 4.0.
32. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Never Hero by T. Ellery Hodges; Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Time Travel; my rating 4.5.
33. A2018- Audible Book Review: Start with Why by Simon Sinek; Business, Inspirational; my rating 4.0.
34. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Cold, Cold Ground by Adrian McKinty; Irish, Mystery, Police Procedure; my rating 4.0.
35. ATBR- Audible Book Review: NPCs by Drew Hayes; Fantasy, Humor; my rating 4.5.
36. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Zombie Fallout, Book 1, by Mark Tufo; Horror, Humor, Post-Apocalyptic; my rating 4.0.
37. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Aspire by Kevin Hall; Communication, Inspirational, Self-Development; my rating 4.5.
38. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Joshua by John S. Wilson; Post-Apocalyptic, Sci Fi; my rating 4.0.
39. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Geekerella by Ashley Poston; Adaptation, Fairy Tale, Romance; my rating 4.0.
40. ATBR- Audible Book Review: Koban: The Mark of Koban, Volume 2 by Stephen W. Bennett; Alien Invasion, Colonization, Sci Fi, Space Opera; my rating 5.0.
41. ATBRSYNC- Audio Book Review: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater; Fantasy, Romance, Teens, YA; my rating 4.0.
42. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Vanished Man: A Lincoln Rhyme Novel by Jeffery Deaver; Detective, Police Procedures; my rating 4.5.
43. ATBR- eBook Review: Audible Book Review: Leader of the Pack by David Rosefelt; Legal Thriller, Mystery; my rating 4.0.
44. ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Search by Nora Roberts; Contemporary, Romantic Suspense; my rating 4.0.
45. A2018BR- Audible Book Review: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black; Bullying, Fae, Fantasy, YA; my rating 4.0.
46. ATBR- Goodreads Audible Book Review: Monster Hunter Nemesis by Larry Correia; Fantasy, Paranormal, Sci Fi; my rating 4.25.
47. ATBR- Goodreads Audible Book Review: Trackers by Nicholas Sansbury Smith; Post Apocalyptic, Suspense; my rating 4.0; Narration 3.5.
48. A2018- Goodreads Audible Book Review: A Rare Book of Cunning Device by Ben Aaronovitch; Fantasy, Shortstory, Supernatural Detective; my rating 4.0; Narration 5.0.
49. ATBR- Goodreads Audible Book Review: Beneath the Skin The Sam Hunter Case Files By Jonathan Maberry; Fantasy, Paranormal, Short story Collection; my rating 4.5 for story (language); Narration and Overall 5.0.
50. ATBR - Heartless by Mary Balogh; Historical Romance; my rating 4.5; Narration 5.0.

Audiobook Review: The Mysterious Howling, Book 1 by Maryrose Wood

This is a fun and charming story for all ages.

The Mysterious Howling, Book 1
The Incorrigible Children Of Ashton Place
by Maryrose Wood
Read by Katherine Kellgren

Children Ages 8+ • 5.5 hrs. • Unabridged • © 2010
Publisher: HarperAudio
Genre: Children, Fantasy, Growing Up, Middle Grade
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0
Narration: 4.5

Newly graduated from England's Swanbourne Academy for Poor Bright Females, prim and very proper Miss Penelope Lumley is hired as a governess for three children living at Ashton Place. The 15-year-old Penny takes it in stride when she discovers the children were raised by wolves and communicate only in barks and growls. Katherine Kellgren's outstanding interpretation sets just the right tone in this clever and amusing tale. Her ability to speak effortlessly with varying British accents—from aristocratic to Cockney—allows listeners to become completely absorbed. Kellgren's reserved Miss Lumley rises to the challenge when the snobbish Lady Ashton insists she must civilize the three orphans before her holiday ball. Kellgren's charming narration will leave listeners howling for the next installment. L.A.C. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2010]

Review:
Miss Penelope is just 15 years old when she accepts her first governess position. She has just graduated from England's Swanbourne Academy for Poor Bright Females and expects to be prim and proper for her new position. She doesn’t expect to find three feral youngsters who were raised by wolves. Lord Ashton has taken the children on as curious wards. His new, young wife wants nothing to do with the children, except that he insists. Lady Ashton claims the children are incorrigible and is ready to send them away unless Penny can prepare them to behave properly for the holiday ball she will be hosting.

Penny has always worked well with animals and she quickly manages to establish a report with the children, allowing them to choose their own names: Alexander, Beowulf, and Cassiopeia. They are bright and fast learners under her kind and imaginative training. The children seem to be ready for the ball but it is hard to anticipate what might happen with mischievous children. Penny becomes alarmed when she hears some of the guests talk about hunting as it sounds like they planned to hunt the wolf children! Things go fairly well with the children even prepared to provide entertainment. Then the snobbish Lady Ashton tries to drown her sorrows and the hired entertainers bring on a threatening situation causing an uproar to ensue.

I was caught into the story right away and enjoyed the light eeriness of it. Penny is a remarkable young lady and I enjoyed her undefeatable attitude and her references to the quotable wisdom of Ms. Swanbourne. The children are precious in their own growly way. This is a delightful and charming story, certainly suitable for young audiences as well as adults. I recommend this to middle graders and adults who enjoy childhood charm.

Audio Notes: Katherine Kellgren does a wonderful job with the narration. The British accents are precisely fitting from lofty to low, and she has fun with the howls and grunts of the children!
This is definitely a fun experience in audio.

Source: SYNC 2013 Download. This qualifies for 2018TBR, Audiobook and Alphabet Challenges.