Audible Book Review: Robinson Crusoe 2244 by E. J. Robinson

This dystopian post-apocalyptic is interesting though not gripping.

Robinson Crusoe 2244
By: E. J. Robinson
Narrated by: Malk Williams

Length: 8 hrs and 1 min
Release date: 05-27-15
Publisher: E. J. Robinson
Genre: Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, Teen & Young Adult
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's summary
Two centuries after mankind drove itself to the brink of extinction, a new civilization rises from the ashes of what was once Great Britain. But when deadly strife breaks out among their ranks, the teenage son of one prominent family finds himself fleeing in the dead of night, only to wind up shipwrecked on the forbidden continent of America. Armed with only his wit and the most unexpected of allies, the teenager struggles to survive in a wasteland filled with unspeakable horrors. In the end, he must uncover the one secret that can either save his own people, or spell doom for mankind forever.
©2014 Erik Robinson (P)2015 Erik Robinson

Review:
Robinson Crusoe is a teenage son of Tiers, a prominent family in the new regime of New London a community behind the Wall that keeps out the monsters. The One People have rules that help maintain peace, health, and security by controlling the classes, prohibiting weapons, and restricting freedoms. If you violate the rules, you may be executed in public to send a message to others.

Robinson is now turning of age and graduating from school when he will be expected to apprentice under his executive father. Robinson has caused mischief all of his young life and his latest antics are causing embarrassment. But there is other trouble in the wings as some of the Tiers seem to be plotting a campaign of rebellion. Events take a tumultuous turn forcing Robinson to flee his Regen and travel to the far distant land of America. His landing isn’t secure and he soon is struggling to survive in a wasteland filled with Renders, the mutated remnants of humanity. And he suspects that he has uncovered a huge secret that concerns his own family. He latches onto an old man who teaches him how to hide and hunt. And then he learns about other monsters who show up once a month.

Robinson finds a friend in a mutated dog that is friendly rather than vicious. And when the old man disappears, Robinson rescues a caged young woman who is more of a fighter than he is.

Clearly the title and text has parallels to the original 1719 book, Robinson Crusoe. But this story veers with the dystopian world, monster beings, and political scheming. I found the story entertaining with danger, action, secrets, and intrigue. I liked how Robinson grows to survive the struggles he faces, but there were plot issues and character developments that seemed contrived to move the story forward. I might continue the story in the future, but it is a must move forward series for me. I recommend this to fans of dystopian with teen heroes, especially readers who might enjoy the tie to Robinson Crusoe.

Audio Notes: Malk Williams does a good job with the narration. The British accent fits the story and he provides distinct voices for the characters. He also gives clear intonation to the descriptions that make it visual. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 7/17/2022 I got a $7.00 credit so this book from my wish list ended up costing $.49 since I already had the Kindle copy. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Number goals.

Audio Book Review: Discovery of the Five Senses by K.N. Smith

 Check out the Tour and Giveaway Post - HERE -

This is an interesting 'superhero' fantasy.
Discovery of the Five Senses
The Urban Boys
Written by: K.N. Smith
Narrated by: Glenn Steinbaum

Duration: 8 hours 10 minutes
Release Date: December 2022
Publisher: Author's Republic
Genre: Fantasy, Teen & Young Adult
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 3.75.

Summary
A suspenseful incident in a forbidden preserve heightens the senses of five friends. Sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell become super-gifts that forever change the world. But furious battles confront the boys as they try to understand their sensory super powers in a race to save mankind. With light beings and mysterious strangers complicating their plight, can the boys defeat the evil Druth before it’s too late? Get prepared for the twisting and grinding of this award-winning, action-adventure story — an edge-of-your-seat narrative for young and mature readers alike.

Review:
There is a forbidden preserve on the edge of the rural town of Danville Heights. The preserve is surrounded by mystery and preserved as dangerous due to a murder that occurred there years ago. In current day a group of young men dare to go into the preserve while celebrating. They are visited by beings of light although they don’t fully remember what happened. Suddenly, they each have a different sense that is heightened and discover that their senses are even more intensified when they are working together. The boys are confused at first and alarmed when some thugs show up trying to kill one of them. They are able to overpower the attackers and then follow them to a neighboring town where they find complete devastation.

The group of teens begin defending their hometown and taking the fight to the enemy. The situation is not without quandaries as they have to sneak out at night, at least one has to break dates with his girlfriend, and they don’t fully understand what they are doing. Finally they get some help understanding their powers when they are visited by a mysterious stranger who explains that their enemy is a man known as Druth.

Druth wants to steal the powers of some of the newly gifted members.  The light beings fear that Druth will ruin their efforts at peace by continuing to spread his evil. Are the boys ready to fight the evil to save their own community and beyond?

This story has interesting world building with the light beings protecting their special life giving nectar by providing superhero powers to the unsuspecting teens. The story also has plenty of action and mystery to engage the reader/listener. Unfortunately, I was distracted by the author’s interesting writing style. I like good description, but it seemed to me that the author went overboard using personification in almost every other sentence. This writing style makes for good prose but in this fiction setting I found it annoying. Since I was listening to an audio version, I decided to treat it more like a cinematic presentation or screen play script. This made it a little more palatable although I still winced or got exasperated as it continued to the end.

Additionally, I felt there were many unrealistic actions in the story. The boys go off on their vigilante missions while the adult mysterious stranger stands back and watches them go into danger. Later, the adult stranger hides in the bushes while the young men have to address their riled parents. While I appreciate the good versus evil aspect, I had some concern that the boys’ actions could be perceived as subtle permission to commit violence in the pursuit of safety and revenge. If parents were monitoring the reading of this story, they could discuss this with their children.

Overall, the story is engaging but my rating is lower to reflect my concerns. Other readers/listeners did not seem to be disturbed by these issues so readers interested in YA fantasy may want to give this a try.

Audio Notes: Glenn Steinbaum does a nice job with the narration. For the most part he does a good job with the varied voices, although a couple of the thugs had awkward ‘dumb’ sounding voices. I was glad to have an audio version which made it easier for me to get this read.

Source: May 2023 Audiobooks.com Credit for Caffeinated PR Tour. This qualifies for 2023Audiobook and 2023Tour goals.

Audible Book Reviews: Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

This is a wonderful fantasy. I have to get book two.

Six Crimson Cranes
Six Crimson Cranes, Book 1
By: Elizabeth Lim
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

Length: 12 hrs and 54 mins
Release date: 07-06-21
Publisher: Listening Library
Genre: Fairy Tale & Folklore Adaptations, Teen & Young Adult
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
A princess in exile, a shapeshifting dragon, six enchanted cranes, and an unspeakable curse....
Drawing from fairy tales and East Asian folklore, this original fantasy from the author of Spin the Dawn is perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone.
"A dazzling fairytale full of breathtaking storytelling." (Stephanie Garber, New York Times best-selling author of Caraval)
Shiori'anma, the only princess of Kiata, has a secret. Forbidden magic runs through her veins. Normally she conceals it well, but on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, Shiori loses control. At first, her mistake seems like a stroke of luck, forestalling the wedding she never wanted. But it also catches the attention of, Raikama her stepmother.
A sorceress in her own right, Raikama banishes the young princess, turning her brothers into cranes. She warns Shiori that she must speak of it to no one: for with every word that escapes her lips, one of her brothers will die.
Penniless, voiceless, and alone, Shiori searches for her brothers, and uncovers a dark conspiracy to seize the throne. Only Shiori can set the kingdom to rights, but to do so she must place her trust in a paper bird, a mercurial dragon, and the very boy she fought so hard not to marry. And she must embrace the magic she's been taught all her life to forswear - no matter what the cost.
Weaving together elements of The Wild Swans, Cinderella, the legend of Chang E, and the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, Elizabeth Lim has crafted a fantasy like no other, and one that will stay with listeners long after they've turned listened to the last minute.
"A stunning remake of a fairytale. Six Crimson Cranes is the perfect blend of whimsy and ferociousness, with twists and turns that will tug at your heartstrings." (Chloe Gong, New York Times best-selling author of These Violent Delights)
"Fast-paced excitement is balanced with a satisfyingly intricate plot that weaves in elements from Western fairy tales and East Asian folklore." (SLJ, starred review)
"A richly imagined landscape...vibrant, fast-paced." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)
©2021 Elizabeth Lim (P)2021 Listening Library

Review:
Princess Shiori hides that she has magic skills in a country where magic is forbidden. She loves her brothers, but they do not know her secret. Her only real friend is Kiki, a paper bird she has brought to life. On the morning scheduled for her to meet her betrothed, she jumps into the lake. As she is drowning, she is alarmed to fall into the hands of a dragon. She awakens to learn she was saved by the dragon. She develops a secret friendship with Seryu who offers to train her to use her magic.

Shiori suspects her stepmother, Raikama, is keeping a secret too. When Shiori discovers that Raikama is a powerful sorceress, Shiori runs to her brothers to seek their help to tell their father. Before they can get to their father, their stepmother turns the six brothers into swans. She then curses Shiori so that she will not be recognized as a princess and if she speaks, her brothers will die.

Shiori finds herself alone, miles away from home, with a bowl on her head to cover her eyes, her magic blocked, and unable to speak. She struggles to find a job, first to eat and then to escape to find her brothers. She learns of a conspiracy but cannot speak about it. After an attack, she is rescued by a young man who takes her to the kingdom of her betrothed, Takkan. She is shocked to learn the true identity of this young man.

Shiori cannot tell others the dangers that surround them. She has to rely on the help of Kiki, her dragon friend, Seryu, who has reason to be upset with her, and her betrothed who is under attack through betrayal.

Shiori isn’t particularly likeable at the beginning of the story but she begins to grow in character when she is cursed. I liked the dragon Seryu and how he interacted with her. As the story progressed, I enjoyed the sweet, protective character of Takkan and how the romance developed. There are common enemies and twists to be discovered in who is friend and who is foe.

I was pleasantly surprised by this YA story. There were myths woven into the story which added to the interest. The ending didn’t quite go where I hoped, but ended at a point that requires more danger and adventure for Shiori. Now I need to get book 2. I recommend this to fans of fairy tale adaptations.

Audio Notes: Emily Woo Zeller is a skilled narrator. The voices are distinct, and Zeller delivers a strong performance with these characters. The narration added to my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 6/17/2022 May Audible Credit. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, a2023Number, and 2023Color goals.

Audio Book Review: Quest of Heroes by Morgan Rice

I enjoyed this coming of age with magic story.

Quest of Heroes, A & Slave, Warrior, Queen Bundle
By Morgan Rice
Narrated By: Wayne Farrell

Duration: 16 hours 28 minutes
Publisher: Findaway Voices
Genre: Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery, Teen & Young Adult
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

In the #1 Bestseller A QUEST OF HEROES, Thorgrin, a special 14- year old boy, the least loved of his father, learns he has powers he does not understand. An outsider, he must fight for acceptance as he strives to become a warrior, to join the King’s Legion, and as he falls in love with the king’s 16- year old daughter. Most of all, he must learn who he really is, and why his destiny is so important.

Review:
Thorgrin is frustrated when his father refuses to let him go with his elder brothers to have a chance at being picked to be trained as a warrior in the King’s Legion. He goes forward anyway and is mocked as too young and too small. When he runs to the forest in anger he comes upon a strange man in a clearing. Thorgrin is shocked to find himself face to face with the King’s own Mage advisor. And the man brings to Thorgrin’s attention that he has special powers that he needs to learn to use.

Thorgrin kills a wild beast in a remarkable way with his newly emerging skills. Bolstered by this success, Thorgrin makes his way to the King’s city to force his way into the Legion. He faces opposition but manages to convince a handful of influential warriors to take him on. Thorgrin finds favor with the King and several of the royal children, including the Princess. But the King has enemies, even in his own household and not everyone likes Thorgrin and his interference. Thorgrin tries to warn the King of an assassination attempt but the warning goes awry.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I am not always into coming-of-age stories, but I totally enjoyed this one with its touch of magic Thorgrin is brave and means well even in his foolish impulsivity and naivety which made me roll my eyes. The theme of farmer boy making it good in the King’s forces isn’t new but it has a certain charm in this book. Further, although the characters are not greatly developed, there is a good mix of good guys and grades of bad to evil guys. I enjoyed the action and the bits of humor. This ends with a cliff hanger so part of me wants to get the next book to see what happens next. No big rush on this. Readers who enjoy magic and don’t stress on writing form may well enjoy this story.

Audio Notes: Wayne Farrell does a fair job for the work. He actually helps to deliver Thorgin’s youthful emotions. I am glad that I got to listen to this on audio.

Source: I've had this on Kindle since 2003 (it's still free). I picked up the audio at May 2020 Audiobooks.com bundle for $.99. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Audio Book Review: Olivia Twist by Lorie Langdon

This is a fun and interesting “twist” on a classic.

Olivia Twist
by Lorie Langdon
Read by Pearl Hewitt

Young Adult
• 9.5 hrs.
• Unabridged
• Black Hills Audiobooks • 2018
Genre: Clean & Wholesome, Romance, Teen & Young Adult
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

British narrator Pearl Hewitt introduces listeners to the mysterious Olivia Brownlow, a London-born debutante whose high-society friends are unaware of her untraditional upbringing. Hewitt characterizes Olivia with graceful and elegant tones as she mixes with elite crowds. When Olivia ventures into the dark London nights as Ollie, a kindhearted boy who looks after a group of homeless orphans, Hewitt arms her with a rougher British accent and a wise voice. When Jack MacCarron, another character leading a double life, is introduced, Hewitt seamlessly switches between the man's false Irish accent and his true English tone. Though switching between two main characters, who both have dual identities, poses quite the challenge, Hewitt accomplishes it with a smoothness that is found in only a select few narrators, flawlessly pulling off the performance. V.T. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2019]

Review:
Olivia has a lot of interests and emotions to balance. She is more than her London society friends know as once upon a time she was a street urchin known as Ollie. Now she sneaks out at night to help a current group of homeless orphans.

Olivia is surprised and distressed when she comes face to face with another imposter. The debonair Irishman, Jack MacCarron, was Ollie’s childhood friend, Dodger, whom she believes betrayed her. On the other hand, Jack is willing to help protect the orphans even if it means he has to take risks of resurfacing as the Dodger.

Olivia has the chance to secure a safe position for herself and her ailing Uncle with her wealthy fiancé. But Olivia feels no spark with Max and he doesn’t understand her obsession with street orphans. Meanwhile, Jack has uncovered a threat to Olivia and he is determined to protect her. As they meet in secret Olivia has to fight the emotions pulling them together.

I enjoyed the characters with their dual roles. There was good chemistry and tension both in the romance and the murder threat. I admit I was a little surprised about the extent of sensual innuendo when this is promoted as “teen & young adult clean & wholesome”. It caused me some concern for my church ladies but the first couple I talked to about the story enjoyed it. I did enjoy the overall package and recommend it to fans of Dickens and historic romance.

Audio Notes: Pearl Hewitt does a remarkable job portraying the characters with their changing personas and accents. She presents the story with appropriate pacing and emotional depth. I enjoyed the audio experience.

I bought the print book for Ladies Book Club which we will discuss in April (if we meet).
Source: June 23 SYNC Audio 2019. This qualifies for 2020TBR, 2020Audiobook and 2020Alphabet goals.

#NetGalley Book Review: Fledgling by Molly Harper

This is another fun adventure filled with magic and mystery.
Fledgling
by Molly Harper

File Size: 3440 KB
Print Length: 267 pages
Publisher: NYLA (July 23, 2019)
ASIN: B07SPGBSRW
Genre: Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Teen & YA
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

“Molly Harper’s Changeling is masterful fantasy—a spunky Cinderella story with a heroine who’s equal parts compassion, determination, and pure magical delight.” —Rachel Vincent, author of the Soul Screamers series and The Stars Never Rise, on Changeling
Days away from completing her first year at Miss Castwell’s Institute for the Magical Instruction of Young Ladies, Changeling-born Sarah Smith might just get away with posing as an upper-class Guardian girl named Cassandra Reed.
But strange visions of a Lightbourne destroyed by Miss Morton’s revenant army keep Sarah from enjoying her achievement. Plus, the Mother Book, Sarah’s one secret advantage and the ultimate entrée in Guardian society, suddenly stops revealing itself to her…putting her in a precarious position with the Guild. On top of all that, her former lady’s maid left Miss Castwell’s, and the new hire is, well, taking some getting used to.
If it weren’t for her two best friends, Alicia McCray and Ivy Cowel, who will do anything to protect her secret, Sarah doesn’t know if she’ll make it another year. When the three girls take summer holiday with Alicia’s family (chaperoned by an exacting and very disapproving Mrs. McCray), a relaxing vacation in Scotland is the last thing they’ll find.
Mrs. Winter is thrilled that Sarah is spending time with the influential McCray family, but Sarah can’t help but feel that her real purpose is to find other Changeling children like her, and free them to realize their own magic. Can she find genuine satisfaction in her accomplishments when she knows there are others like her out there who need her help? Will the three girls uncover the deeply-held secrets they’re looking for in the mysterious mountains of Scotland? Will the Mother Book finally start talking to her again? And will Sarah come to understand the importance of her connection with Ivy and Alicia, and the true nature of her own power…before it’s too late?

Review:
Sarah was born a Snipe expected to remain in the serving class like her parents. But she possesses magical skills that only the Guardian class are supposed to have. Her parents’ employer, society influencer, Mrs. McCray, took Sarah on and transferred her into a Guardian girl, presenting her to society as a niece, Cassandra Reed. (Book One Changling.)

Sarah/Cassandra has almost completed her first year at the elite Guardian school, Miss Castwell’s Institute for the Magical Instruction of Young Ladies. This term she has strengthen her friendship with Ivy and Alicia. She has also made other friendships with a ‘room’ study group while she waits for the Mother Book to talk to her again.

Sarah discovers someone else who may have a surprising connection to the Mother Book. That reminds her that she needs to intensify her efforts to locate other Changling Children who have powers like her. Sarah discovers a location for a training school of Changling Children and she, Ivy and Alicia make plans to visit the place during summer holidays.

They will have to be creative to escape Alicia’s strict mother and to stay away from other threats. Their adventures are filled with magic and tension.

This is a good sequel to the first book. I enjoyed Sarah’s quick thinking in times of danger. She tries to protect her friends, not realizing how much she needs their help. The strong loving friendship of the young women is engaging. I am interested to see what will happen in the next book. I recommend reading the books in order and enjoying the adventures.

Source: 2019 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2019NetGalley goal.

Audible Book Review: Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick

This is a surprisingly touching listen!

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie
By: Jordan Sonnenblick
Narrated by: Joel Johnstone

Series: Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie, Book 1
Length: 4 hrs and 21 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 02-20-11
Language: English
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Teen & Young Adult, Cancer, Diseases, Humor
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

Publisher's Summary
Thirteen-year-old Steven has a totally normal life (well, almost): He plays drums in the All-Star Jazz Band, has a crush on the hottest girl in school (who doesn’t know he’s alive), frequently finds himself sitting across from his school counselor (who bribes him with candy), and is constantly annoyed by his five-year-old brother, Jeffrey (who is cuter than cute). Oh, Steven has parents, too (the kind that embarrass him). But when Jeffrey gets sick, Steven’s world is turned upside down as he is forced to deal with his brother’s illness, his parents’ attempts to keep the family in one piece, the band, overdue homework, girls, and of course, Dangerous Pie (yes, you have to listen to the book to find out what that is).
In a debut that has won raves, Jordan Sonnenblick digs deep into the heart of a family in crisis with humor, hope, and impressive sensitivity.
©2005 Jordan Sonnenblick (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Review:
Steven is a ‘mostly’ normal 13-year-old with two working parents and a sort of pesky younger brother, 5-year-old Jeffrey. Steven plays drums in the school jazz band, stares at the back of the popular girl he’s crushing on and he finds friendship with the young piano player who is always kind to him. Things are going along fine in eighth grade until Jeffrey is diagnosed with Leukemia.

Steven’s mother has to leave work and the family struggles with treatments, care and costs. His parents don’t have much time for Steven who continues to put forth a good front. But in truth Steven is shutting down at school where no one knows why. His teachers send him to the school counselor who bribes him with candy to encourage him to talk. The only time Steven gets away from his thoughts is when he is in the groove playing his drums.

Then one day Steven’s mother gets sick and he and his dad have to rush Jeffrey to the hospital. Now Steven sees a whole new view and starts to open up to his family and friends.

This wonderful story is told in pitch perfect first person. Jordan Sonnenblick does a remarkable job developing the characters, especially Steven. The story is extremely touching and even brought tears to my eyes. Don’t judge this by the cover or the title – it is well worth picking up and reading/listening!

Audio Notes: Joel Johnstone does a perfect narration. Just as the story is pitch perfect, the narration is pitch perfect. I am very glad that I picked this up on Audible.

Source: 4/30/2017 Audible Daily Deal $1.95. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.