Audiobook Review: Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews

Format: digital download
Length: 15 hrs 6 min
Pub Date: July 30, 2013
Publisher: Recorded Books
Narrator: Renee Raudman

I'm kind of over the whole "Can't wait for xyz book" phase I had when I first started the blog. Don't get me wrong, I love books. I still have my favorites. But with so much overkill on the buzz factor for new books, I've developed a finely tuned filter. Meaning...I don't pay attention. I certainly don't preorder books. This year, I preordered exactly three books: Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs, Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh, and Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews. Both the Briggs and Andrews books I also purchased on audio.

When I first read that Ilona Andrews had gone with a different publisher for the new Kate Daniels audiobook, I was disappointed. I love Recorded Books, but I was attached to Renee Raudman, the narrator for the previous installments. I don't know what magic they employed, but somehow, the publisher managed to snag the same narrator to continue the series. With that news, I was on board to listen to the newest installment.

Review: Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (Audio)

Format: Audio (download)
Narrator: Lorelei King
Length: 9 hrs
FTC: Purchased myself

The Blurb:

Mercy Thompson's life is not exactly normal. Her next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she's fixing a VW bus for a vampire. But then, Mercy isn't exactly normal herself.

I admit it. I was one of the few holdouts who hadn't read the Mercy Thompson series. But after downloading the first few books based on recommendations I received from Twitter, I am thinking I will pick up print versions (or maybe ebooks) of the entire series so far.

I bought the first book for my husband, the avid audiobook fan. We've listened to Lorelei King's narration before with the Stephanie Plum series and decided to take a chance on the books. He really enjoyed them, and the Mercy series has now become one of his favorite audiobook series. At his urging, I decided to move the first book, Moon Called, up on my audiobook TBR.

There's nothing all that original about this book. There is no groundbreaking, genre twisting innovation. But  I really like the characters. And the sassy sense of humor. My husband was chortling with laughter when he discovered what field Mercy's college degree was in. Because mine is the same. With the same lack of marketability. *sigh*

Falcon at the Portal [audio]: "Good Parts" version

I've already read the entire Amelia Peabody series from start to finish. Several times. I even have the Amelia Peabody companion book. In short, I'm a wee bit obsessed with the series. Just a smidge.

I had been working my way through Barbara Rosenblat's fab narration of the audiobook versions.  And then I reached Falcon at the Portal. Anyone who has read the series knows the significance of that. For those who haven't read the series, let's just say a major character acts out of character and FUBARs  the romantic story arc from the last few books.

I got about halfway through it. Then...I stalled. Not because I hated the writing. Or because I didn't want to find out what happens. I already knew what came next. But because I just didn't want to suffer through what happened again. Once was enough. In fact, the first time through Falcon, I pitched the print book against the wall. Literally.

So...I decided to skip to the last 20 minutes of the book. There's still some angsty stuff there. But the hit me in the gut emotion was skipped. And, cowardly though it seems, I'm glad I skipped. Because the next book, He Shall Thunder in the Sky rocks! And I don't have the cloud of depression and annoyance following me around that came from my 1st reading of Falcon at the Portal.

What about you? Are there any keeper books that you reread but only the "good parts?" Any books that you'll stop reading just before an emotionally draining scene? Or am I just weird? (Don't answer that last question.)

Review: Naked in Death by JD Robb (audio)

Format: Audio download via Audible
Pub Date: Print 1995, Audio 2008
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Narrator: Susan Eriksen
FTC: Purchased myself

The Blurb:

Eve Dallas is a New York police lieutenant hunting for a ruthless killer. In over 10 years on the force, she's seen it all - and knows that her survival depends on her instincts. And she's going against every warning telling her not to get involved with Roarke, an Irish billionaire - and suspect in Eve's murder investigation. But passion and seduction have rules of their own, and it's up to Eve to take a chance in the arms of a man she knows nothing about - except the addictive hunger of needing his touch.

At the urging of my husband, who listens to far more audiobooks than I ever could thanks to his job, I decided to give Naked in Death a try. I knew of the series, of course. JD Robb is the not-at-all secret identity of Nora Roberts. And I have more than just a smidge of Nora fatigue. So, to say I was a little cautious is an understatement.

But I have to give her credit: if I didn't know La Nora had written this, I would not have guessed it. It is completely different from any of her romances. (And I've read the majority of them). The futuristic setting is far grittier than anything I can remember her writing. And while there is a romantic element, the majority of the story focuses on Detective Eve Dallas and her quest to track a serial murderer.

The narrator does an excellent job of using different voices for each character. And the male voices don't sound forced as is the case for some women narrators.She does a solid job and enhances the story.

The story itself is technically a mystery, but I had no difficulty guessing whodunnit. I think the characters, and Eve's inner struggle with her burgeoning relationship with Roarke, are what make this book compelling. All of the characters are well done. Even the secondary ones. And Roarke is just plain awesome.

I think this skirts the line between mystery and romantic suspense. And I think the futuristic setting makes this just different enough to be unique without annoying those who don't like even a whiff of paranormal or fantasy in their books.

My Grade: A-

Review: Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe (audiobook)

Publisher: Listening Library
Narrator:Victor Garber
Run Time: 6 hrs 48 min
Includes: Bunnicula, Howliday Inn, Celery Stalks at Midnight

Bunnicula is perhaps the favorite book from my childhood. I grew up reading about Chester, the bibliophile cat, and Harold, the dog and their adventures. I was delighted to find the first three Bunnicula books as an audio bundle on Audible.

The narrator does a terrific job differentiating between characters. There are also quite a lot of dialogue tags as the reading level is about 2nd or 3rd grade.

My sons and I recently listened to this collection on a long road trip. The youngest, age 4, ignored it completely. The oldest, age 7, adored it.  It is broken into 3 books, which makes it easier for younger listeners to stay involved. And having the same narrator do all 3 stories means there is continuity for the kids as well.

These are thriller/mysteries, but I don’t think they are too scary for most children. The first book, Bunnicula, involves a suspected vampire bunny. And the only ones harmed are vegetables.  The second story has a bit more peril--with animals disappearing from a pet boarding facility.

I found these books just as charming, funny, and entertaining as I remembered. These are definitely classics, and I’m so happy they are available in audio format.

My Grade: A-

Review: Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse #1) by Charlaine Harris [Audiobook]

Format: Download via Audible
Pub Date: 2001
Audio Pub Date: 2007
Narrator: Johanna Parker
Run Time: 9 hrs 27 minutes
Publisher: Recorded Books

Sookie Stackhouse is small town bar maid living in the rural Louisiana town of Bon Temps. And she has a disability: she can read people's minds, hear their thoughts in her head.

Vampires have recently come "out of the coffin" to the general public, but Sookie has yet to see one. Until Bill, the Vampire, walks into Merlott's Bar. She's fascinated by him. And especially happy to learn that unlike regular humans, Bill's mind is a closed door.
Sookie's burgeoning romance with Bill the Vampire isn't the only thing on her mind, however, when a group of grisly murders occurs in Bon Temps--and her brother is accused of the crime.

Review: Lover Eternal by JR Ward [Audiobook]

Audiobook Review: Lover Eternal by JR Ward
Black Dagger Brotherhood series #2

• Narrated by Jim Frangione
• Run Time: 14 hrs 11 min
• Unabridged
• Publisher: Recorded Books
• Format: Downloaded via Audible.com
• Also available directly through Recorded books in CD and cassette formats.

As with all of my Black Dagger Brotherhood audiobook reviews, this is essentially a reread. I've read them all in print, but listening to them is a bit different.  This is one of my favorite BDB books, but I think the cinematic melodrama suffered a bit with the audio format.

Rhage is known as Hollywood within the Black Dagger Brotherhood ranks. He's a vamp who has sex often with multiple partners--sometimes in public--and is considered the playboy of the group. But his laid back attitude is actually a façade, carefully crafted to keep his darker nature in check. Because once he loses his temper, his curse takes over--turning him into a dragon-like creature with little sentience and no ability to tell friend from foe.

Audiobook Week Meme

Devourer of Books is hosting Audiobook Week! And for Hump Day, there's a nice, easy meme

Audiobook are you currently reading/you read most recently: Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris

Impressions?: I'm in the middle of the Sookie series and am thoroughly addicted.
How long you’ve been listening to audiobooks: Years, although much more frequently the last 2 years.
First audiobook you ever listened to: I can't remember! Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was an early one.
Favorite audiobook title: I don't have a single favorite, but the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters and narrated by Barbara Rosenblat is definitely my fav. series
Favorite narrator: Barbara Rosenblat--no question. She is amazing with accents. I like Lorelei King who voices the Stephanie Plum series as well.
How do you choose what to listen to versus read? I do both. I will listen to books I've already read, because they give you an entirely different experience. Or I will give a new author a try if the book is read by a favorite narrator.

Review: Halfway to the Grave (audio) by Jeaniene Frost

Because I started with the second book in this series, this book was more like a prequel to me than the first book in a series. And since Blackstone Audio just released this first book in audio format, I decided to see how well the series translated to that format. The answer is: perfectly.

The narrator, Tavia Gilbert, brings to life Bones's accent and attitude. Cat is a bit more subdued than she was in the later books, but I think part of that comes from the relative immaturity she has in this book.

For those unfamiliar with the series, here's the "blurb."


Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father - the one responsible for ruining her mother's life. Then she's captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unlikely partnership.

In exchange for help finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She's amazed she doesn't end up as his dinner...are there actually good vampires? Pretty soon, Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn't have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side...and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.


The only bummer is that the rest of the series will not be available for download or on CD until NOVEMBER.

I didn't love this book as much as book #2 in the series, but that could just because I read them out of order. I like Cat much better in later books--after she grows up just a little. She feels just a little too young for me here. But this is a fun book, nonetheless.

My Grade: B+

You can find the download version on audible or buy directly through Blackstone Audio on MP3CD.

Dark Lover by JR Ward [audiobook]

I've already read Dark Lover in print format, but the great thing about audiobooks is that you often get an entirely different experience listening to them--as if they are a completely different book.  I don't often listen to male narrators. I'm not sure why, but I tend to prefer women as narrators because too often the men employ an annoying falsetto for the female characters. Luckily, Jim Frangione does not do this. But he does have an understated style that takes a bit of getting used to. And an almost William Shatner-esque cadence to his speech that--once I got used to it--I found quite charming.

Dark Lover is the first of the Black Dagger Brotherhood books. And, as most BDB fans will tell you, it's not the best of the series. But, surprisingly, I enjoyed this book more on audio than I did in print. There's just something about the format that helped me focus on the words instead of the sometimes annoying extra H's in the names or the over-the-top product placement that the series is known for.

Before deciding to purchase (or rent) this, I highly suggest going to audible.com and listening to a preview. It will help you decide if the narrator will work for you.

Dark Lover is available in CD and cassette format direct from Recorded Books. You can also find a much more economical digital download on Audible.

Borrower of the Night by Elizabeth Peters Audio

The Vicky Bliss series by Elizabeth Peters has spanned 20 + years. In that time, a lot has changed. When the first book was written, feminism was new. Vicky was an extremely modern character. Now, her opinions and self-sufficiency are something women tend to take for granted.

There are the political and technological shifts, too, which make rereading (or in this case listening) to the stories seem like peering into a time capsule. Vicky's adventures have taken her from a divided Germany to a world connected by the internet, cell phones and instant communication. From telegraph to email.

It can be a bit disconcerting to hear something that is so dated--it throws me out the narrative every once in awhile--but it is also fun to revisit a series with such terrific, memorable characters. And when listening to Barbara Rosenblat narrate Herr Professor Schmidt, the story just comes alive. No one does accents like Rosenblat.

I think this series is an excellent microcosm of how popular literature can truly reflect the history, culture, values, and technology of a time without us being fully aware of it. It is only when a series spans this length of time (and the characters do not age) that we notice how much our society truly has changed in the last 20 years. It's something we are aware of intellectually, but I don't think we truly understand most of the time.