Audible Book Review: The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell

This is a fun, fantasy adventure for kids and adults.

The Wizards of Once
By: Cressida Cowell
Narrated by: David Tennant

Length: 5 hrs and 56 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 10-03-17
Language: English
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Genre: Children, Fantasy, Middle Grade (ages 8-10)
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
In the first book of a new series by the internationally best-selling author of How to Train Your Dragon, the warring worlds of Wizards and Warriors collide in a thrilling and enchanting adventure.
Once there were Wizards, who were Magic, and Warriors, who were not. But Xar, son of the King of Wizards, can't cast a single spell. And Wish, daughter of the Warrior Queen, has a banned magical object of her own. When they collide in the wildwood, on the trail of a deadly witch, it's the start of a grand adventure that just might change the fabric of their worlds.
With Cressida Cowell's trademark wit and the same stunning combination of action, adventure, humor, and heart that made How to Train Your Dragon a beloved best-selling franchise, The Wizards of Once will transport and enchant listeners.
©2017 Cressida Cowell (P)2017 Hachette Audio

Review:
Xar, son of a Wizard, shows no magical ability although he is of an age to have come into those skills. Across the woods and the wall is Wish, the clumsy daughter of the Warrior Queen who has banned magical objects. Wish has suddenly obtained a magical spoon and, more alarmingly, she has acquired a magical sword which indicates it was formerly used to kill witches.

Xar wants to find a way to impress his father. He takes some of his friends into the wildwood to hunt for witches. Xar’s many companions include a slow, sweet giant, Crusher, a wise raven, Caliburn, and squeaky sprite, Squeezjoos. Most of his friends have tried to talk Xar out of this adventure because witches are supposed to be dead and they are in danger of coming across Warriors.

Wish likes to visit the woods to get away from the disappointed frowns and remarks of her mother. She takes along her grumbling and frustrated guard and a new ‘friend’, a talking spoon. She also has spirited away from the fort a special magical, therefore forbidden, sword.

Wish and Xar stumble on each other in the wildwood. Wish gets captured by Xar who steals the sword. Xar causes Wish to remain overnight at the Wizard camp but later Xar follows Wish back to the Warrior Fort. Their confrontation results in a reluctant friendship where they have to work together learning dark secrets of the Warrior Queen and facing dangers as they escape the Queen’s dungeons.

I was pulled in right away by the likeable fantasy characters. The story is told by a character who remains unidentified, challenging the reader to guess who it is. The writing style creates fun characters and an engaging story. This is an lively adventure that should delight children but can be enjoyed by adults too. There is disobedience which isn’t good and gets the kids into trouble. But there is also a fine underlying message about accepting your own talents or lack thereof and learning to work around them… especially with the help of friends. I enjoyed watching How to Train Your Dragon and I recommend this to readers who liked those stories and like fun adventure. Although I was delighted by the audiobook, I encourage parents to “look inside” and see the very cute illustrations.

Audio Notes: David Tennant does a wonderful job with the narration. He provides good voices for the different characters and imbues them with fun and feeling. The audio contributed to my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 12/2/2018 Audible Daily Deal $1.95. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: The Emerald Atlas, Books of Beginning

This is a fun listen good for children and adults.
 The Emerald Atlas, Books of Beginning 
By: John Stephens
Narrated by: Jim Dale
Series: The Books of Beginning, Book 1

Length: 11 hrs and 44 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 04-05-11
Language: English
Publisher: Listening Library
Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade (ages 8-10), Siblings
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Kate, Michael, and Emma have been in one orphanage after another for the last 10 years, passed along like lost baggage.
Yet these unwanted children are more remarkable than they could possibly imagine. Ripped from their parents as babies, they are being protected from a horrible evil of devastating power, an evil they know nothing about.
Until now.
Before long, Kate, Michael, and Emma are on a journey to dangerous and secret corners of the world...a journey of allies and enemies, of magic and mayhem. And - if an ancient prophesy is correct - what they do can change history, and it is up to them to set things right.
The Emerald Atlas brims with humor and action as it charts Kate, Michael, and Emma's extraordinary adventures through an unforgettable, enchanted world.
©2011 John Stephens (P)2011 Listening Library

Review:
In the middle of the night a mother kisses her children goodbye and leaves them to be delivered to an orphanage. Kate is old enough to remember her mother’s message: ‘take care of her brother and sister’. Ten years later the three have gone through numerous orphanages and are shipped off to a last resort orphanage. The building is very strange as it has a dormitory for children but appears to have been closed for years. There is a strange cook/housekeeper, Miss Sallow, and a peculiar handyman, Abraham, but the head of Cambridge Falls, Dr. Pym, is nowhere to be found.

Abraham tells the children not to wonder the halls as they might get lost. He hands them an old photograph and tells them a few broken tales of years past when children lived in the village by the nearby lake. In spite of the warnings, Kate, Michael and Emma begin to explore the mansion, as children will. They discover a dark study and a strange book. Then their adventure begins as they are dropped into a time and place full of magic, greedy, evil witches, dwarves, rumors of treasures and more.

The story pulled me in quickly and moved at a good pace. I enjoyed the characters, the mystery and the danger. The reader knows from the beginning that the children are special and there is a need to protect them. Slowly the events, and characters, such as Dr. Pym and the witch/Countess, begin to reveal the secrets of the children’s abilities and their connection to the book.

Although there is danger and suspense, this is appropriate for middle school children. The fantasy is fun and the plot well developed with twists and turns. I recommend this to readers looking for a lighter, engaging fantasy.

Audio Notes: Jim Dale, of Harry Potter audio fame, is a delightful narrator. I really enjoyed this listening experience.

Source: Audible 2012. This qualifies for 2018 TBR, Audiobook and Alphabet Challenges.