Audible Book Review: The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

This is a wonderfully entertaining story that champions Hope!!

The Girl Who Drank the Moon
Written by: Kelly Barnhill
Narrated by: Christina Moore

Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins
Release date: 08-09-16
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Middle Grade
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
A young girl raised by a witch, a swamp monster, and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon must unlock the dangerous magic buried deep inside her in this epic coming-of-age fairy tale from the highly acclaimed author of The Witch's Boy.
Every year the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope this sacrifice will keep her from terrorizing their town. But the witch in the forest, Xan, is kind and gentle. She shares her home with a wise Swamp Monster named Glerk and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon, Fyrian. Xan rescues the abandoned children and delivers them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest, nourishing the babies with starlight on the journey.
One year Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, filling the ordinary child with extraordinary magic. Xan decides she must raise this girl, whom she calls Luna, as her own. When Luna approaches her 13th birthday, her magic begins to emerge on schedule - but Xan is far away. Meanwhile, a young man from the Protectorate is determined to free his people by killing the witch. Soon it is up to Luna to protect those who have protected her - even if it means the end of the loving, safe world she's always known.
The acclaimed author of The Witch's Boy has created another epic coming-of-age fairy tale destined to become a modern classic.
©2016 Kelly Barnhill (P)2016 Recorded Books

Review:
The people in the town of the Protectorate are under a dark sorrow as each year they leave a baby as an offering to the witch in the forest. They’ve been told by the elders and the sisters that this sacrifice keeps the witch from destroying the town and keep it safe from the nearby volcano. No one ever dares watch what happens to the infant so they don’t know that there really is a witch, Xan, who ‘rescues’ the children and takes them to safe, welcoming families in other cities.

One year, Antain, an boy serving as an elder-in-training, accompanies his uncle, The Grand Elder, to pick up the child from the parents. The mother is clearly unhinged at the thought of giving up her baby and the Elders have to take the child by force. The mother is then locked away in the tower of the sisterhood. The event of witnessing the distress of the mother and the abandonment of the infant traumatizes Antain who can’t forget the mother or the child.

Xan retrieves the baby, but on the way to another town she accidentally enmagics the child with moonlight instead of just starlight. Xan decides to raise the girl, Luna, at the broken-down castle, with the help of Glerk, the gentle swamp monster (bog giant), and Fyrian, the tiniest dragon who fits in pockets.

The over-magicked toddler is inadvertently dangerous to herself and others, and Xan takes drastic steps to control the flaring magic. Years pass for Antain and Luna, but they are on a path to meet. As Luna’s 13th birthday nears, her magic begins to emerge on its own. Luna doesn’t realize what is happening as an ailing Xan has gone off on her own to rescue another baby. Concerned for Xan, Luna sets off after her with Glerk and Fyrian in close pursuit. Antain is on the way from the other direction thinking to save his town by killing the witch. He is oblivious to the evil presence hunting him and an unexpected ally that follows too. All of these characters are on a collision course that will change the lives of everyone.

This is whimsically magical and entertaining (and there are paper birds in the story). The characters are unique and delightful, and the story is woven from sorrow to hope. The story format is interesting with chapter titles following the form of “Chapter 1 In Which a Story is Told”. It took just a short time for me to get pulled into the story. I did enjoy the prose although I was a little disappointed with some predictability. Overall though, I found this to be a delightful fairy tale I recommend to tweens and adults.

Audio Notes: Christina Moore does a beautiful job with the narration. The characters have distinct voices, including deep voiced poetry from Glerk and high-pitched excitement from exuberant Fyrian. The audio experience was completely entertaining.

Source: February 2017 Audible Credit. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

#FraterfestRat eBook Review: Witches and Poppets: Steampunk Vasilisa the Fair by Melanie Karsak

This is a quick, charming story.
Witches and Poppets: Steampunk Vasilisa the Fair:
A Steampunk Fairy Tale Short Story
by Melanie Karsak

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08L3XLZYW
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Clockpunk Press (October 11, 2020)
File size ‏ : ‎ 1812 KB
Genre: Fairy Tale, Retelling, Steampunk, Witch
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

Just in time for Halloween! From New York Times bestselling author Melanie Karsak comes a spooky retelling of the fairy tale Vasilia the Fair.
Vasilisa's father is dying. When her stepmother sends her to a witch for a cure, Vasilisa knows she must be brave. Rumors abound that the witch eats children, but Vasilisa would do anything to save the father she loves. Even if it means risking her own life.
From the fairy tale world of Melanie Karsak comes a new short story to delight the senses this spooky season.

Review:
This is definitely a perfect fit for October. I am not familiar with the fairy tale of Vasilia the Fair. This reminded me of Cinderella with a wise witch rather than a fairy godmother. It is nicely written and would work well for young people and adults. At 12 pages it read very quickly, and it made me smile. I recommend this to readers who enjoy fairy tale retellings.

Source: Source: October 2021 Author notice of free Kindle day. This qualifies for #FraterfestRat.

Book Review: Frosted (Regency Retold #2) by M.C. Frank

This is an engaging, rich romance.

Frosted (Regency Retold #2)
by M.C. Frank

ASIN : B08L5PMRMY
Publication date : February 20, 2021
File size : 1508 KB
Print length : 362 pages
Genre: Fairy Tale, Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.

Can two people hate each other more than these two?
She has a heart of stone. He is the notorious pirate every lady swoons for.
They have vowed never to meet again.
Captain Timothée Vaughn
Heart: Broken
Face: Gorgeous
Tone: Acidic
Pirate: Yes, he is
Marital Status: Forced into an engagement
Willing to: Break his own arm to escape his wedding tomorrow.

Lady Stella DeWinter:
Heart: Frosted
Face: Angelic but sad
Tone: Silent
Secrets: Many, but one in particular. A very dark one indeed.
Marital Status: Jilted Captain Vaughn right before their wedding, five years ago.
Willing to: Do anything to meet Timothée one last time.

Question: Why? (on earth)
Meeting place: The Frosted Ball.
What follows: Chaos. Noisy ballrooms. Starry skies. White flurries. Hungry kisses. Haughty stares. Frozen lakes. Shaking breaths. The truth. Finally.

Frosted is a heart-wrenching romance about a pirate and an ice-cold lady who seem to have hated each other for years, inspired by winter-themed fairytales like The Snow Queen and The Steadfast Tin Soldier. It is set in a witty, glittering Regency world made up of a little bit of Jane Austen, a little bit of Georgette Heyer, and a lot of a modern heart yearning for romance, passion and a tall gentleman with a smoldering gaze. This is a broken tale of beauty, dark secrets and love lost.
Frosted is the new enemies-to-lovers Regency novel that will melt your heart.

Review:
Timothée Vaughn had a difficult childhood growing up and losing his parents during the French revolution. He is sent to live with his English uncle who sends him off to boarding school. Like many young men at Eton, the moody man is more interested in play, drink and women, then in his studies. Then he travels to the countryside to spend Christmas with a classmate. There he meets a young woman, Stella, who changes his life.

Stella is a young woman who was taking care of her ailing father and enjoying her days of youthful independence. Unlike other young ladies her age, she isn’t focused on finding the right man for marriage. While out riding, Stella and a handful of friends meet a group of young men. One young man, Vaughn, is the most handsome man she has ever met but that doesn’t turn her head.

When Stella is thrown from her horse, Vaughn carries her home and waits to make sure she is alive. As the days pass, he falls head over heels and Stella warms to his attentions. After more time together during the summer, the pair are deep in a whirlwind romance. Vaughn returns to school and tries to focus seriously on his studies as he counts the days till they are to be married. Then he gets a letter from Stella terminating their engagement with little understandable explanation. She hides and refuses to see him. After repeated attempts, a devastated Vaughn heads off to the sea, maybe to drown. He learns that Stella marries a wealthy neighbor who dies on their honeymoon, leaving her the ‘icy’ widow, Lady DeWinter.

Five years later, Captain Vaughn, aka L’Ange Noir, injured during his privateering adventures, has become a wealthy, sought after bachelor. He has been trapped into an engagement and wants his friend to break his arm so he can avoid the wedding day. He is shocked when he discovers Stella in the shadows eavesdropping on his conversation. She begs him to help her with a task, but he refuses. Yet, now his overwhelming feelings – love despair, anger, hate – have been awakened. He is only more confused when Stella interrupts and stops his wedding. Why has she taken that action when she still refuses to see him?

Stella has a secret that she holds tight. She never meant to cause such pain to Vaughn (or herself), but she thinks it is necessary. She has worked hard to control her emotions and show a certain face to the world. Vaughn thought he had buried his emotions too, but his sensitive nature keeps surfacing when it comes to Stella.

This is a very emotionally rich romance (with a stunning cover too). The author takes some interesting liberties on grammar rules, but I felt they fit the story. I did get a bit frustrated by Stella's stubbornness, but I loved the quiet touches of faith that help these characters move forward. In addition to the lush emotions, the author shares some poignant observations regarding the growth struggles of the characters. She makes a particular statement about swimming and faith that is awesome: ‘Going past where your feet can touch… Swimming takes faith.” And what requires the greatest faith??? Read this luscious story to see what the characters discover.

Source: PDF Arc Received from author. This qualifies for 2019Author reading goal.

Audible Book Review: Red Winter, Book 1, by Annette Marie

I liked this engaging fantasy and plan to continue the series.
Red Winter
Red Winter, Book 1
By: Annette Marie
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins
Release date: 01-03-17
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Genre: Asian Myth & Legend, Fairy Tale, Fantasy Teen & YA
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Emi is the kamigakari. In a few short months, her life as a mortal will end, and her new existence as the human host of a goddess will begin. Carefully hidden from those who would destroy her, she has prepared her mind, body, and soul to unite with the goddess - and not once has she doubted her chosen fate.
Shiro is a yokai, a spirit of the earth, an enemy of the goddess Emi will soon host. Mystery shrouds his every move, and his ruby eyes shine with cunning she can't match and dares not trust. But she saved his life, and until his debt is paid, he is hers to command - whether she wants him or not. On the day they meet, everything Emi believes comes undone, swept away like snow upon the winter wind. For the first time, she wants to change her fate - but how can she erase a destiny already wrought in stone? Against the power of the gods, Shiro is her only hope...and hope is all she has left. ©2016 Annette Marie (P)2017 Tantor

Review:
Emi is a special young woman. As a child she didn’t choose to be privileged but when she exhibited the mark of the goddess, she did choose to become a kamigakari. She shunned usual young girl past times and natural relationships as she was shut off from her family and trained to become the human host of a goddess. She ate a certain diet, trained her body and mind, did nothing that would endanger her life, and kept herself pure so that she would honor the destiny she was told she was chosen for. She has been moved from temple to temple to keep her safe from those who seek to kill any kamigagari before they can unite with the goddess who has been absent for a hundred years. Just weeks before Emi is to merge with the goddess, she learns a stunning secret. She doesn’t know if it is true, but it makes her question her fate for the first time.

In a moment of frustration and doubt, Emi dodges her guards for a short time alone. She impulsively decides to seek something she hasn’t been allowed – to sit on a horse. The horse bolts and runs off to the mountains, stranding Emi in the dark, dangerous forest where there are dark creatures which would seek to kill Emi and even more so if they knew who she was. She is frightened when she stumbles upon a white fox with ruby eyes. But that isn’t the creature to fear – it is the giant monster chasing the injured fox. Emi manages to save the fox and soon learns that it is Shiro, a yokai, a spirit of the earth whom she has been taught is an enemy of her goddess. Emi shouldn’t trust Shiro, but it appears that he is the only person she can turn to for help to learn the truth and maybe to escape her fate.

Emi’s character has a lot of strength and courage although she is clearly naïve due to her restrictive upbringing. I never perceived her as a snob or unkind to those around her. Sadly – she has spent her life staying aloof by the choices she made and the mentors who have trained her. I appreciated her character and her concerns about trusting a possible enemy. Shiro is a mysterious character who reminds me of Loki, a mischievous, cunning trickster. He also has a certain charm and likeability.

The story starts a little slower as the author introduces the reader to the history of the kamigakari. It is worth pushing through to get to the action, magic and the touch of romance. The story does have a YA vibe but it is interesting enough for more mature readers like me. I recommend this to fans of myths and fantasy.

Audio Notes: Emily Woo Zeller is an excellent narrator. Her character voices are distinct and fit the personalities. She also manages all of the unusual words. The audio enhanced my enjoyment of the story and I hope to listen to the rest of the trilogy.

There are apparently very nice illustrations in the print and kindle versions.

Source: May 2018 Audible Daily Deal for $3.95. This qualifies for 2021TBR, 2021Audiobook, 2021Alphabet, 2021Season and 2021Color goals.

Audible Book Review: Followed by Frost by Charlie N. Holmberg

I liked the fairy tale nature of this story.

Followed by Frost
By: Charlie N. Holmberg
Narrated by: Angela Dawe

Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 09-22-15
Language: English
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Romance, Teen, YA
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.250; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Seventeen-year-old Smitha has the wealth, status, and beauty that make her the envy of her town - until she rejects a strange man's marriage proposal, and disastrous consequences follow. Smitha becomes cursed, and frost begins to encompass everything she touches. Banished to the hills, hunted by villagers, and chilled to the very core of her soul, she finds companionship with Death, who longs to coax her into his isolated world. But Smitha's desire for life proves stronger than despair, and a newfound purpose gives her renewed hope. Will regrets over the past and an unexpected desire for a man she cannot touch be enough to warm Smitha's heart, or will Death forever still it?
©2015 Charlie N. Holmberg (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved

Review:
Young Smitha is self-absorbed, vain, proud, shrugs her chores and allows her sister to take the blame for some of her mischief. Her father has taken on a stranger to work in the family business. The dark, mysterious man is infatuated with Smitha even though she snubs him. He finally gets her alone to propose and she rejects him cruelly. Before disappearing, the angered man curses Smitha to be like her cold heart. Immediately she becomes chilled and frost spreads on everything she touches. If she stays in place the snows become relentless.

Smitha is sent away when it is feared that her remaining at home will bring death to her own family as well as the community where one young boy has already sickened and died. Smitha isn’t prepared to live in the wilds alone, but what choice does she have? Death invites her to become his companion but Smitha refuses that offer even as she struggles to stay alive.

After years wandering Smitha gets a chance to use her curse to help people. Even then, people fear her and she has to live in solitude. She begins to develop a relationship with a fierce warrior but circumstances beyond her curse will apparently keep them apart. Will there ever be a chance for Smitha to live without her curse? Will she succumb to Death’s offer so she won’t have to be alone?

Seventeen-year-old Smitha isn’t the most likeable girl. I did like her determination and strength to survive. I especially liked how her spirit and character grew. I was glad when she began to accept responsibility for her actions. Her warrior friend is a complex, attractive character and I found myself rooting for a way for them to find a way to be together.

I was impressed with the clean writing, imaginative settings for the plot and nice moral messages. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this story and I was pleased to enjoy it. I recommend it to readers (teens or older) who like fairy tale quality stories.

Audio Notes: Angela Dawe does a fine job with the narration. The reading is crisp and direct, with distinct male and female voices. I enjoyed the audio presentation.

Source: February 2017 Audible Daily Deal $2.95. This qualifies for 2019 TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.

Book Review: Coiled by H. L. Burke

This is a wonderfully engaging fairy tale.
Coiled
by H. L. Burke

File Size: 4134 KB
Print Length: 235 pages
Publisher: Uncommon Universes Press LLC (June 15, 2017)
ASIN: B0713VTDB3
Genre: Adaptations, Fairy Tale, Retellings
My Rating: 4.75 0f 5.0

As the ugly twin to a perfect sister, Princess Laidra lives her life in the shadows—until her parents offer her as bait for a giant serpent.
Her escape attempt leaves her shipwrecked on a secluded island with only one inhabitant: Prince Calen, who lives under a curse. If anyone looks upon him, he turns into a giant serpent. Speaking to him in the darkness, Laidra sees past the monster to Calen’s lonely soul, and she determines to free him from the magic’s hold.
But if Laidra can’t break the curse in time, Calen will become a mindless creature of scales and fangs forever.
A YA mythology/romance that retells the myth of Eros and Psyche with adventure, magic, and true love.

Review:
Princess Laidra and her twin sister, Ellea, were cursed at birth. Ellea is beautiful but her beauty is enhanced by her acts of cruelty to others, such as crushing a small bird. Laidra has the gift of healing but with every healing touch she becomes uglier with moles and wiry hairs on her face and body.

Laidra’s mother insists she cover herself with a cloak and hood and forbades her from healing. But Laidra still helps the servants when they are ill or innocents who are injured. Since she knows she is already hideous she finds her worth in healing and helping others.

In another empire Prince Calen and his twin brother, Volen, suffer from a different curse. Volen becomes a monster serpent if he is left alone with no one to see him; Calen becomes the monster when anyone sees him. Their father chose to protect Volen by assigning him guards to be in his presence at all times while Calen was sent to a private island with a servant who is invisible and doesn’t trigger the curse.

Volen and the King think that perhaps the curse will be cured, or at least ‘fixed’ if Calen murders (eats a princess) or if Volen marries one. They have planned to take Laidra to abandon her to Calen or they will marry Volen to Ellea.

Laidra escapes and comes to Calen’s island where he rescues her from the waves. Now Calen and Laidra develop a friendship as they talk and share music together, but never look upon each other. Could either of them risk committing the other to a life long tie if the curse isn’t cured for either or both?

Meanwhile the man/god who started the curses is surprised by Laidra’s play in events. He wants to continue to punish his old enemies. But perhaps the other gods will step in to allow the young people to change their undeserved fates.

I really found this a charming fairytale. It is a story of evil intentions and good souls facing obstacles. There is sorrow, fear, character growth and love. The writing is clean and a good blend of description and character building although there were a few scenes that didn't seem to have complete follow through. I am not familiar with the Eros and Psyche mythology that this is based on so it does make me curious about that story. It also made this story 'new' to me. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a good fairy tale with curses, magic and love.

I received this from NetGalley and it was the final read in my 2017 NetGalley Challenge.

Book Review: A Curse of Ash and Iron by Christine Norris

This is a lovely, imaginative and creative spin on the Cinderella story.
A Curse of Ash and Iron
by Christine Norris

• File Size: 1438 KB
• Print Length: 300 pages
• Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press (May 20, 2015)
• Publication Date: May 20, 2015
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• ASIN: B00Y13JU4Y

Genre: Fantasy, Steampunk, Fairy Tale
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Benjamin Grimm knows the theater is much like real life. In 1876 Philadelphia, people play their parts, hiding behind the illusion of their lives, and never revealing their secrets.
When he reunites with his childhood friend Eleanor Banneker, he is delighted. His delight turns to dismay when he discovers she has been under a spell for the past 7 years, being forced to live as a servant in her own home, and he realizes how sinister some secrets can be.
She asks for his help, and he can't refuse. Even if he doesn't believe in 'real' magic, he can't abandon her.
Ellie has spent the long years since her mother's death under the watchful and unforgiving eye of her stepmother. Bewitched and hidden in plain sight, it seems no one can help Ellie escape. Not even her own father, who is under a spell of his own. When she sees Ben one evening, it seems he is immune to the magic that binds her, and her hope is rekindled along with her friendship.
But time is running short. If they do not find a way to break the spell before midnight on New Year's Eve, then both Ellie and her father will be bound forever.

Review:
Ellie and Benjamin were best friends as children of 10, even though she was the daughter of a known and respectable Philadelphia family and he was only the son of their wonderful cook. The pair were abruptly torn apart when Ellie’s new step-mother, Olivia, her former governess, fired Ben’s mother. That was another step of the terrible sorrows that began with the accidental death of Ellie’s mother. Now Ellie has spent the last seven years as a servant in her own home. She cannot escape because she must remain to take care of her father whose illness of the past year has gotten worse.

Rebecca, Ellie’s step-sister, is fascinated by clockworks. But she is trapped by her mother’s ambitious machinations as Olivia seeks a rich husband for Rebecca. Olivia has her eye on a certain sophisticated young man of the ton, Hamilton Scott. Hamilton is bored by the match-making mother and the witless young girls being pushed at him, but finds himself oddly attracted to Rebecca’s mysterious companion.

Ellie knows from what she has observed that she and her father are under a spell and curse caused by her step-mother. She doesn’t fully understand it but she senses an urgency to reverse the spell and escape before it is too late. Ellie is delighted to see Ben after seven years apart but she must act with stealth to meet him. She must dare to share her secrets in the hope that he will believe and help her.

Ben is fascinated by magic but knows that it is based on the arts of science and illusion. He finds it hard to believe in curses and spells until strange experiences and revelations begin to make that possibility more real. He and Ellie always promised to be there for each other and he doesn’t want to let this lovely young woman down. He will do everything he can to help her.

This is a lovely, imaginative and creative spin on the Cinderella story. There is a wicked step-mother, a kind, but equally trapped step-sister and a behind the scenes angel or fairy godmother. However the story is more intricate with a curse as a good twist and a love triangle adding conflict and interest. I loved the steampunk and clockwork elements to the story too. The writing has a very nice lyrical bent, with wonderful descriptions. I recommend this to readers who enjoy creative storytelling with good writing, and also to those who enjoy fairy tales with a twist. And of course those who like steampunk and clockwork will like that aspect too.

I received this ebook through NetGalley for an honest review. It qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge.

Audible Book Review: The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen

This is an interesting classic (the inspiration for Frozen) although I did not find it gripping. 

The Snow Queen
Written by: Hans Christian Andersen
Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Length: 1 hr and 14 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:12-12-14
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Fairy Tale Classic
My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Audible's 2014 Narrator of the Year Julia Whelan performs one of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved fairy tales, The Snow Queen. This classic tale is a fantastical fable of two dear friends - one of whom goes astray and is literally lost to the north woods, while the other undertakes an epic journey to rescue him. This charming, strange, and wonderful story is a timeless allegory about growing up and the challenges of staying true to one's self, and it served as the wintry inspiration for the blockbuster hit Frozen.
Public Domain (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Review:
This tale is told in seven short stories, or chapters. It begins with two lovely young friends, Gerda and Kai, enjoying roses and snowflakes at the feet of sweet grandmother. A wicked gremlin takes an evil mirror that shatters into a million tiny pieces. Anyone who looks through this mirror sees good as ugly and ugly as good. A tiny piece, no bigger than sand, falls into the eye of Kai and a piece settles into his heart, changing him. He runs off and becomes enthralled and ensnared by the Snow Queen. Gerda sets off to find her friend and faces magical creatures, dangers and adventure along the way.

This story is a classic fairy tale with dark overtones and good winning over evil in the end. I don’t really recall this one from my childhood. It is a sweet story with some dangers posed - one child falls to the dangers while the other struggles through to ultimately rescue her friend.

Having watched Frozen, I can see the basis that led to that tale. The original story has a stronger religious message than the modern take-off, but this production left me with no real excitement. Although I enjoyed this, oddly it didn’t stick with me. I actually had to go back to listen to the last chapter in order to recall the details.
.
I recommend it because it is an easy way to read (listen to) a classic and it is timely to anyone who might watch Frozen with their children/grandchildren.

Audio Notes: Julia Whelan did a good job with the narrating and voices. I think she captured both the sweetness and the dark elements. Unfortunately there was nothing really enthusiastic or gripping in the tale or reading. I don’t know if reading this would have been more enjoyable - I might have had the same reaction. I liked that it is a quick listen of a classic.

This was a free Christmas gift to Audible subscribers in 2014. It adds to my Audio challenge. 

Audio Review: Enchanted by Alethea Kontis

This is delightful and entertaining.
Enchanted
by Alethea Kontis
Read by Katherine Kellgren

Listening Length: 7 hours and 51 minutes
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Audible.com Release Date: May 8, 2012
ASIN: B0081CDUII
Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Audie Award Nominee, Best Teens Category, 2013
It isn't easy being Sunday's child, not when you're the rather overlooked and unhappy youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week. Sunday's only comfort is writing stories, although what she writes has a terrible tendency to come true. When Sunday meets an enchanted frog who asks about her stories, the two become friends. Soon that friendship deepens into something magical.
One night, Sunday kisses her frog goodbye and leaves, not realizing that her love has transformed him back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland - and a man Sunday's family despises. The prince returns to his castle, intent on making Sunday fall in love with him as the man he is, not the frog he was. But Sunday is not so easy to woo. How can she feel such a strange, strong attraction to this prince she barely knows? And what twisted secrets lie hidden in his past - and hers?
©2012 Alethea Kontis; (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Review:
Enchanted is a charming story of the woodcutter’s seven daughters and sons, focusing on the youngest daughter, Sunday. The story incorporates features of many well known fairy tales, including the frog prince, the bean stalk, Cinderella’s lost slipper and many more.

Each of the girls relates to the character traits stated in the old name rhyme. Sunday generally lives up to being 'bonnie and blithe and good and gay' even though she doesn’t always want to be good and gay. She wants more than sitting at home and doing chores. She loves the stories her father tells and writes her own thoughts and stories in a journal. She is careful to write the history of her family as there is some suspicion about what happens if she writes about possible future events.

Sunday finds a frog in the woods and begins a friendship, reading him her stories. She kisses him a few times but nothing happens. One day she kisses him and rushes home not realizing that the spell has finally been broken by their love for each other.

Prince Rumbold, restored from his frog state, returns to the castle where he has learn to live again as a young man. He also has to face the dark forces that included the spell. The Prince wants to go after Sunday but he knows her family resents the King and everyone at the palace. Can the Prince and his friends stop the evil before another of Sunday’s siblings is lost? Will he be able to convince Sunday to love him as a human and leave her family to be with him?

I really enjoyed this fun fantasy. There were twists and turns and varied interesting talents of Sunday and her siblings need to use to defeat the dark magic. The whole story was entertaining.

Audio notes: Katherine Kellgren does a wonderful job of narrating this tale. She uses inflection beautifully to enhance the sensitive, sweet moments and the intense, suspenseful dangers. I highly recommend this story in Audio.

I received this audiobook through the SYNC Audio Program in August, 2013, paired with the Classic: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS by Lewis Carroll, Narrated by Miriam Margolyes (Bolinda Audio).

This is part of my 2015 Audiobook Challenge, the 2015 TBR Pile Challenge and the TBR Double Dog Dare.

Book Review: The Wanderers by Cheryl Mahoney

This is a delightfully creative and fun read!

The Wanderers
by Cheryl Mahoney

• File Size: 2023 KB
• Print Length: 341 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0615912680
• Publisher: Lucky Cat Press; 1 edition (November 13, 2013)
• ASIN: B00GI9A48K

Genre: Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: November 13, 2013
Any wandering adventurer hoping to survive needs rules—and Jasper has many. There’s Rule #2: Never make plans; Rule #20: Never make a Good Fairy angry; and the surprisingly challenging Rule #18: Always travel alone.

The talking cat breaks Rule #18 badly enough. The witch’s daughter, desperate to escape her horrible mother, is even worse. Between them, they up-end Jasper’s previously simple life (when all he had to worry about was an occasional giant or dragon), and prove that sometimes, rules are no help at all.

You might recognize the countryside and you may think you know what to expect. But whether it’s a refined ogre, a youngest son in need of lots of questing help or a very dangerous Good Fairy, things here rarely go quite as the Brothers Grimm would tell it.

You’ve strayed beyond the tales…

Review:
Jasper is a young man who has spent his adult years as a wandering adventurer. He sees it as his job to rescue girls from... well lots of dilemmas and monsters. There are evil wizards, dangerous witches, a lonely and angry sea queen with a sea serpent monster for a pet and more. The trick for Jasper is to arrange for a cash reward and avoid having to marry the girls, many of whom are beautiful but not always kind or intelligent. Jasper has developed rules for success. Rule #18 is to “Always travel alone.”

During the first adventure in the story Jasper is successful in defeating a wizard who has enslaved a talking cat. No, it’s not a human under a spell, it is a cat who fell under a spell that allows him to talk. Tom, the cat, follows Jasper and since it isn’t exactly breaking rule #18, Jasper allows it.

They head off to rescue a girl from a witch. The rescue seems rather easy and, as usual, Jasper has to refuse to marry the girl. This should be okay since the mother, who is a nasty piece of work, is looking for a prince not an adventurer to marry her daughter to. Jasper and Tom make their escape but the girl, Gwendolyn, escapes to follow them. She claims her mother treats her as a slave and her interfering fairy godmother is no help. To escape the godmother Gwendolyn, renamed Julie by Jasper, claims that she is on a quest, the only thing that can keep the godmother from zapping her back home. Jasper doesn’t want a companion but he agrees to take her along to the next town rather than abandon her in the woods.

One day moves to another and towns are passed as too small or too close. Other adventures are selected and surprisingly, even with limited skills, Julie is able to help Jasper. Each chapter has a new adventure with magical beings and places. The challenges take a combination of battle skills and creative trickiness. Along the way Jasper meets other champions who are seeking to rescue the beautiful girls. Some get in the way and some are in for a surprise.

I found this story wonderfully imaginative and very fun. Each story presents a different riddle with a little poking fun at traditional fairy tale scenarios! Along the way it is clear that Jasper and Julie are becoming attached although Tom sees that they may need a little help to realize and acknowledge their feelings. This is suitable for young adults but good for adults who enjoy fairy tale stories filled with adventure, magic, charm and a little gentle romance. I look forward to enjoying more adventures!

I picked this title to read because it was written by a blog friend author.  I'm glad I picked it up and happy to recommend it!