Reviews By Martha's Bookshelf: The Clay Lion

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Audible Review: The Clay Lion by Amalie Jahn

This is a remarkable story of an emotional journey through loss.

Written by: Amalie Jahn

Narrated by: Lorelei King

Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:09-18-15
Publisher: Creative Content
Genre: Sci Fi, Fantasy, YA
My Rating 5.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary

Winner of the YA category in the 2015 Kindle Book Awards

What if you could go back in time to save the person you love the most? The rules are simple. If you want to travel back in time, you need to be at least 18 years old. You can travel only within your own lifespan for a maximum of six months. And, above all else, you must never, ever change the past. But that's exactly what Brooke Wallace plans to do.

As Brooke faces existence without her beloved brother, his life cut short by a rare disease, she can think of only one solution - travel back in time to prevent his death. Along the way she discovers the truth about loss, second chances, and the power to shape our own destinies.

Review:
Brooke Wallace is a senior in high school when her 14 year old brother, Branson, dies unexpectedly of a rare disease. Brooke is devastated and deeply depressed. But in Brooke’s world it is possible to travel back in time with strict rules. Each person over the age of 18 gets only one trip, they must travel within their own lifespan for no more than six months, and it is illegal to change the past. That last rule is not going to stop Brooke’s determination to travel back to save her brother.

Brooke decides she knows the cause of the disease and she plans to prevent the event that will trigger it. During Brooke’s journey she gets the joy of sharing days with her brother again but she must also share the pain of watching him get sick again.

I was quickly entranced by the characters and story. Each chapter pulled me to the next. I was initially concerned that I wouldn’t care for the YA setting. Instead that element was expertly used to reflect Brooke’s changing attitudes. I enjoyed that the family was a loving one rather than a dysfunctional unit full of shallow teenage angst. The intense emotions in this story were perfect to portray the maturing life lessons that include an investment that can result from loss.

I like time travel stories and Jahn made effective use of that concept to share an emotionally gripping story. I feel I cannot share any more detail of the story without edging into spoiler information. I am interested in the sequels in the series although I wish they were available in audio format. I found this thoroughly engaging and I highly recommend it.

Audio Notes: I immediately recognized Lorelei King’s voice and had to remind myself that this was not one of a couple of series that I love to hear her narrate. Lorelei does a beautiful job with the first person storytelling. The audio version is well worth the credit.

I was very fortunate to be offered this audio from the publisher through Audiobook Jukebox. It is part of my Audio Challenge.