Audio Book Review: The Dragonet Prophecy (Wings of Fire #1) by Tui T. Sutherland

I enjoyed this dragon story which had good lessons for children although there was violence.
The Dragonet Prophecy (Wings of Fire #1)
Series: #1 of Wings of Fire
Written by: Tui T. Sutherland
Narrated by: Shannon McManus

Duration 8 hours 32 minutes
Release date: 07-01-12
Publisher: Scholastic Audio
Genre: Action & Adventure, Dragons, Fantasy, Growing Up
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Summary
A thrilling new series soars above the competition and redefines middle-grade fantasy fiction for a new generation! The seven dragon tribes have been at war for generations, locked in an endless battle over an ancient, lost treasure. A secret movement called the Talons of Peace is determined to bring an end to the fighting, with the help of a prophecy -- a foretelling that calls for great sacrifice. Five dragonets are collected to fulfill the prophecy, raised in a hidden cave and enlisted, against their will, to end the terrible war. But not every dragonet wants a destiny. And when the select five escape their underground captors to look for their original homes, what has been unleashed on the dragon world may be far more than the revolutionary planners intended . . .

Review:
Five unique dragonets have been raised together hidden deep underground. The five are supposed to be the elements of a prophecy to end the continual wars between the seven dragon tribes. There are problems though because these five dragonets are not all of the intended original babies. At least two of the selected eggs had to be replaced.

The dragon ‘nannies’ have been faithful, although a bit harsh, in trying to train the young dragonets whom they deride and often seem frustrated by and disappointed in. Each of the dragonets has their own strengths but it is not clear they will be able to survive once they enter the world and face the threats of many dragon tribes who don’t want peace.

There is a set time that the dragonets are supposed to venture out in accordance with the prophecy but the young friends fear one will be killed if they don’t escape, especially after another of their friends has been taken out by his tribe leader. It doesn’t take long before the escaped dragonets are being chased by warring dragons seeking to destroy them.

This first story focuses on Clay, a mud dragonet. Clay is quiet and hasn’t been able to learn to fight in spite of his trainers abusively pushing him. It is sweet to watch Clay take a position of leadership among his friends even though he doesn’t seek that responsibility.

This has been on my TBR for a while and I pulled it out since my granddaughter was reading it too. I liked the unique characters of the dragonets and watching them discover their talents. There is violence in the forceful training and more out in the world when the young friends face the warring dragons. But the reader can see that the dragonets are willing to seek alternatives to avoid the extreme violence. The next stories are intended to tell the stories of each of the five dragonets but the series is now up to book 15. I think they would be interesting, although I may not jump to get more. I do recommend that fans of dragon fantasy characters should try this series.

Audio Notes: Shannon McManus does a good job providing distinct voices for the characters. There is also clear energy although there is some girly sound in the early part of the book. Overall I did enjoy listening to this story.

Source: 7/5/2018 won with 7 other titles from Audiobook.com through Beth Fish Reads. This qualifies for 2023TBR and 2023Audiobook goals.

Audio Book Review: 'Tis the Season (Main Street #3) by Ann M. Martin

This is a sweet Middle Grade story and an easy listen.
'Tis the Season (Main Street #3)
by Ann M. Martin
Read by Ariadne Meyers

Audio CD, 4 CDs, Unabridged
Published November 1st 2007 by Scholastic, Inc.
ISBN 0545025354 (ISBN13: 9780545025355)
Genre: Family Life, Holiday, Middle Grade, Tween
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0, Overall, Story and Narration

An unforgettable holiday story in Ann M. Martin's timeless new series

It's looking to be a hard holiday season for the girls of Main Street. For Flora and Ruby, it's the first Christmas without their parents around. For Olivia, gift giving and tree decorating must be balanced with the fact that both of her parents need jobs. And for Nikki, there's the presence of her mean, angry father to reckon with. Luckily, the girls have each other--and the community around them. As Camden Falls prepares for its annual festivities, Flora, Ruby, Olivia, and Nikki all find that the hard things become easier when there are family, friends, and neighbors to share things with.

Review:
Flora (10-11 years old) and Ruby (8-9 years old) have lost their parents and have moved to Camden Falls to live with their grandmother, Min. The girls have made new friends, especially Olivia who lives next door and Nikki. Flora and Ruby love helping and doing crafts at Min’s store Needle and Thread. This is the first year the girls will spend Christmas in Camden Falls and now they are learning to accept the joy of the season with the help of their friends and the love of close neighbors.

Olivia’s parents are struggling financially, and she is worried her parents will have to move out of town to start a new business. Nikki has always had to cope with an abusive father but this year he is leaving home for work elsewhere. The family waits to see if he will send any money home to help or if he will come back with his anger.
This is a middle grade story which is warm and easy to read. It shares problems that young girls might experience and shows how friends can help as well as a small, close community. The story addresses some adult issues like loss and grief, abuse and alcoholism. It also shares in a very touching way how others can be Santa’s helpers. This read fine as a standalone although I imagine starting at the beginning of the series would be good for the intended audience. I recommend this to tweens and their parents.

Audio Notes: Ariadne Meyers does a really nice job with the narration. She provides different voices for the characters and is able to portray the emotions of the children and the older characters. I enjoyed the listening experience.

Source: Purchased used at Library Book Sale. This qualifies for 2018 TBR and Audiobook Challenge.

Audio Book Review: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

This is a YA story with strong, sometimes dark, magic elements.

The Raven Boys
by Maggie Stiefvater
Read by Will Patton

Young Adult Ages 12+ • 11 hrs. • Unabridged • © 2012
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Teens, YA
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

"Do you believe in magic?" Answer that after you've listened to the first title in Stiefvater's new Raven Boys series. Narrator Will Patton takes you into a world of psychic powers, legends of the Welsh King Glendower, and the ley lines (mystical energy fields) that transect a sleepy Virginia town. Patton inhabits young Blue Sargent, who is raised in a family of psychics but whose own power amplifies what others see or sense. Blue is justly wary of the boys from the elite private academy, known as the Raven Boys. Listeners, like Blue, are fascinated and snared by the quest for Glendower led by Raven Boy Gansey. Patton is masterful with the suspense and the mysticism and seductively plays the emotional line of real and imagined events. Don't miss this compelling listen, and pray that Will Patton has already signed on for the other titles of the series. R.F.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2012]

Review:
Blue is a teen who has been raised by a psychic mother and two other eccentric female relatives. Blue isn’t psychic but her presence amplifies the skills of the others. Blue’s mother has drilled into her how she can’t trust boys… not only because they are male but also because of a unique reading for Blue herself and what will happen to the first boy she loves.

The Raven Boys are mostly wealthy young students of the local elite academy. The strongest of these boys, Gansey, gathers others around who need his help even as they resist his handouts and leadership. Gansey is stubbornly set on finding the ley lines that will lead to Welsh King Glendower and a legendary favor.

But Gansey isn’t the only one seeking the powers of the lines and the favor of the legend. And at least one of these seekers is willing to try any ritual and go to any lengths to be the first to find the lines.

I really liked the Wolves of Mercy Falls series by Ms. Stiefvater so I have been meaning to try this. I liked Blue and her strange family. I also liked the varied Raven Boys and was surprised by the revelation of one of the characters. The rival seeker is an evil man and poses great danger. The story is a bit disjointed, as it jumps among the characters and scenes. Still, it is very entertaining. I may not get the rest of the series as I enjoy werewolves more than relying on magical elements. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy stories about ley lines and magic – some good, some bad.

Audio Notes: I thoroughly enjoyed the narration by Will Patton. His voice is whispery to fit the magical tone and he delivers the characters with good personality, emotion and energy. I am glad I listened to this.

Source: 2013 SYNC.This qualifies for 2018TBR, Audio Book and Alphabet ("R" title) Challenges.