Caleb Summers
- 10
- reviews
- 3
- helpful votes
- 106
- ratings
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Frontier
- By: Grace Curtis
- Narrated by: Aven Shore
- Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
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In the distant future most of the human race has fled a ravaged Earth to find new life on other planets. For those who stayed a lawless society remains. Technology has been renounced, and saints and sinners, lawmakers and sheriffs, travelers and gunslingers, abound. What passes for justice is presided over by the High Sheriff, and carried out by his cruel and ruthless Deputy.
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A standout in its genre
- By Caleb Summers on 03-08-25
- Frontier
- By: Grace Curtis
- Narrated by: Aven Shore
A standout in its genre
Reviewed: 03-08-25
This story unfolded like a flower. At first seeming like a simple sci-fi western, and then revealing layers of upon layer of characters, and story, and depth. This story is a triumph. Evolving in chapters broken up into almost comic-book episode type vignettes, the journey we take with the main character reveals more and more richness in characters and even in the world itself until finally we find ourselves in a world-shaking climax of power and corruption and love and control and perseverance. I loved the arc of this story, and the story as a whole.
The narration was top shelf. It’s easy to understand why this audiobook was nominated to be the best sci-fi audio of the year. The narrator seamlessly navigates the diverse range of characters, and is also able to capture the flavor of each different chapter beautifully. Their tone is crisp, clear, easy to listen to, and easy to lose oneself in the storytelling.
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My Fair Mermaid
- Tales of Eukarya
- By: Sarah Beran
- Narrated by: Emily Shaver
- Length: 5 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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Story
Maribel has learned to stay quiet. As an orphan relying on the generosity of family, and with six outspoken and energetic cousins, silencing her own voice is often the easiest way to keep the peace and ensure her own acceptance. After helping her cousin rescue Prince Frederick from a shipwreck, Maribel finds herself as the unwitting accomplice in her cousin’s plot to marry the human prince. The plan is simple: Maribel will distract Frederick’s grumpy best friend, Professor Hadrian Higsley, so that the scheming mermaid can cozy up to the prince.
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Sweet story! Great narration!
- By Caleb Summers on 07-03-24
- My Fair Mermaid
- Tales of Eukarya
- By: Sarah Beran
- Narrated by: Emily Shaver
Sweet story! Great narration!
Reviewed: 07-03-24
Loved the interplay of the origin stories, and the author does a really nice job infusing the story with her own creativity. The characters were relatable and felt connected.
The narrator was wonderfully listenable and she really shines in her dialogue, where the characters were all skillfully distinguishable with subtle differences.
I will keep an eye (an ear?) out for more from this writer/narrator duo!! Definitely recommend.
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Starter Villain
- By: John Scalzi
- Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
- Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Inheriting your uncle's supervillain business is more complicated than you might think. Particularly when you discover who's running the place. Charlie's life is going nowhere fast. A divorced substitute teacher living with his cat in a house his siblings want to sell, all he wants is to open a pub downtown, if only the bank will approve his loan. Then his long-lost uncle Jake dies and leaves his supervillain business (complete with island volcano lair) to Charlie. But becoming a supervillain isn't all giant laser death rays and lava pits.
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Volcanic Lairs, Death Rays & Cats… Oh My! 😼
- By C. White on 09-19-23
- Starter Villain
- By: John Scalzi
- Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
Perfect pairing of author and narrator
Reviewed: 10-18-23
It’s almost like Scalzi wrote this with Wheaton’s voice in his mind. Scalzi delivers his standard lovable characters, quirky twists, and satisfying finish. Wheaton delivers his brilliant humor and timing. The combination had me laughing out loud many times. I’ll be looking forward to more.
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The Vermilion Emporium
- By: Jamie Pacton
- Narrated by: Jeremy Carlisle Parker
- Length: 12 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Story
On the morning Twain, a lonely boy with a knack for danger, discovers a strand of starlight on the cliffs outside of Severon, a mysterious curiosity shop appears in town. Meanwhile, Quinta, the ordinary daughter of an extraordinary circus performer, chases rumors of the shop, The Vermilion Emporium, desperate for a way to live up to her mother’s magical legacy. When Quinta meets Twain outside of the Emporium, two things happen: One, Quinta is sure she’s infatuated with this starlight boy. Two, they discover a book that teaches them how to weave starlight into lace.
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Brilliant
- By Caleb Summers on 01-04-23
- The Vermilion Emporium
- By: Jamie Pacton
- Narrated by: Jeremy Carlisle Parker
Brilliant
Reviewed: 01-04-23
For me, the mark of a good book is when I find myself thinking about the characters and the story outside of when I’m listening (or reading), or when I find myself looking for excuses to engage in activities where I know I can be listening. This book had both.
For me, a great narrator is someone who’s voice is so connected and engaged with the work that I almost don’t notice they are there. Their performance is so invested in the journeys of the characters that I can forget where I am and what I’m doing and can find myself standing in place just listening.
There are rare times when those two things combine into one exquisite package. This is one of them.
Jamie Paxton weaves an intricate story of love and challenge, magic and power, whimsy and heartache. Twain and Quinta’s journeys were a joy to follow and the world she created has such beauty and depth.
Jeremy Carlisle Parker’s performance was connected and consistent from start to finish. She is a perfect match for the telling of this story, and her presentation of this beautiful story deserves a standing ovation. Brava.
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More than Human
- More than Human, Book 1
- By: Heather Ashbury
- Narrated by: Kristina Rothe
- Length: 6 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
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The mysterious death of a friend brings Arizona native Jule back to an enchanting town in New Mexico. Reunited with her friends, she is unexpectedly pulled into the mystical world of gods, demons, werewolves, nymphs, and more. With the help of a clever god and a unique witch, Jule discovers that she, too, is more than human. The closing threat of ancient anti-magic group of assassins, the Order of Purity, threatens Jule and her friends in their quiet mountain town. In order to have the strength to protect her friends, Jule must conquer her own fears and become her true self.
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Intriguing 1st Book for This Author
- By Georgia McNabb on 05-03-22
- More than Human
- More than Human, Book 1
- By: Heather Ashbury
- Narrated by: Kristina Rothe
Good story, lovely narration
Reviewed: 05-03-22
This is the first I’ve read of this author and the first I’ve heard from this narrator as well. I enjoyed both and look forward to hearing more!
Story: the plotline kept me engaged and interested. I will say that there were moments when I was surprised, and in ways I enjoyed. The story is clearly leaving room for more to come, though this story was complete in itself. I look forward to the next installment.
Narration: Kristina’s narration kept me engaged and in the story. Her German accent was refreshing and while at first I was worried it would be distracting, I actually really enjoyed it. Also, she does a great job with her characters, some of whom have genuine sounding southwestern accents. She strikes a good balance between emotion and objective narration, sounding engaging while not going to far into ‘performing’. I look forward to hearing more from this narrator!
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1 person found this helpful
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Heart of Thorns
- Thornwood Fae, Book 1
- By: Nicolette Andrews
- Narrated by: Mia Hutchinson-Shaw
- Length: 6 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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Catherine’s first memories were of the fae and the misfortune they brought. No one believed her and told her she was insane. When Catherine arrives the country estate of Thornwood, she is determined to put her past and the fae behind. That is until she meets Ray Thorn. Ray introduces her into his world of the mesmerizing and deadly faery. Then a woman is murdered by one of the fae. She knew she shouldn’t have trusted a fae. But as more bodies turn up, Catherine realizes they’re targeting women like her, and she is their next victim. Is trusting Ray worth the price?
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Amazing
- By Mina H. on 12-15-22
- Heart of Thorns
- Thornwood Fae, Book 1
- By: Nicolette Andrews
- Narrated by: Mia Hutchinson-Shaw
Great story, Terrific narration!
Reviewed: 03-22-22
Heart of thorns was engaging from the start. The story had a good arc and got even more engaging as it progressed.
Narration by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw was stellar. Keep an eye on this narrator, as she will be going places! Her accents were spot on, her characters had depth, and felt true. I felt connected to their experiences and inner thoughts. In that way that I hope for in audiobooks, her performance had me forgetting that I was listening to a book and instead had me totally immersed in the story.
Looking forward to more by both the author and narrator.
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Max Abaddon and the Purity Law
- A Max Abaddon Urban Fantasy
- By: Justin Leslie
- Narrated by: Luke Daniels
- Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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Twelve months ago, Max was living what one would consider a normal life. That is, until he learned he was a little more than your average 30-year-old. Together with a team of eclectic mages working out of an estate known as the Atheneum, they destroyed the Fountain of Youth and stopped a plot to disrupt the upcoming talks about the magical and Ethereal communities coming out to the normal world, known as "The Balance", but only for the time being.
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Fantastic sequel
- By kimbacaffeinate on 02-25-21
- Max Abaddon and the Purity Law
- A Max Abaddon Urban Fantasy
- By: Justin Leslie
- Narrated by: Luke Daniels
Leslie hits his stride.
Reviewed: 02-09-22
Really enjoyed this one. The first in the series was good, and this was better.
The author seems to have really found his pace. The characters were diverse and engaging, the story unfolded in a perfectly timed way, and the ending was satisfying and left me wanting more.
Luke Daniels shines in this performance, wherein he must voice 30-50 different character voices all across the creature spectrum. His storytelling was awesome and consistency was spot on.
Definitely recommend this series to readers of bro-lit (what’s the opposite of chick-lit? Bro-books? Dude-reads?)
Look forward to more.
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Max Abaddon and the Will: A Max Abaddon Urban Fantasy Novel
- Max Abaddon Series, Book 1
- By: Justin Leslie
- Narrated by: Luke Daniels
- Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
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Max was just having one of those days until he soon realized everything that goes bump in the night is real. Most people inherit a house, a pet, or money. Max Abaddon wasn’t so lucky. His Gramps left him a job that required him to learn that magic was real, and he’d better learn how to use it. Soon…In his new role Max works with a team of eccentric Mages based out of a facility called the Atheneum that has, for a very long time managed the relationship between the normal world and well everything else.
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Fresh & humorous with fantastic world building
- By kimbacaffeinate on 01-08-21
- Max Abaddon and the Will: A Max Abaddon Urban Fantasy Novel
- Max Abaddon Series, Book 1
- By: Justin Leslie
- Narrated by: Luke Daniels
Enjoyable story, fun narration
Reviewed: 02-02-22
Love the characters, the story, the world building.
I’m a Luke Daniels fan, and this performance was true to his talent. Multiple different specific accents, voices, monsters, pixies and more.
I will definitely read the next in the series!
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1 person found this helpful
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Pegasus
- By: Doris Orgel
- Narrated by: Mia Farrow
- Length: 49 mins
- Unabridged
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The Greek Myths involving Pegasus have been drawn together to present this incredible creature's entire story, from birth until his transformation into the constellation by Zeus.
Winner, Parents Choice Honor Award. Music by Emmy winner Ernest Troost.
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No
- By Caleb Summers on 08-12-20
- Pegasus
- By: Doris Orgel
- Narrated by: Mia Farrow
No
Reviewed: 08-12-20
I did not really like it👎🏿 I was way to scary for the kids and it gave them nightmares
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A Horse Named Dragon
- The Boxcar Children Mysteries, Book 114
- By: Gertrude Chandler Warner
- Narrated by: Aimee Lilly
- Length: 1 hr and 45 mins
- Unabridged
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The Aldens are helping out at a rescue ranch, taking care of horses that need extra attention. Jessie’s favorite is a beautiful horse named Dragon. But when Dragon and some of the other horses disappear from the pasture, the Boxcar Children must saddle up for a mystery. What’s happening to the horses at the Dare to Dream Ranch?
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Boxcar children
- By Carine Grace on 03-13-17
- A Horse Named Dragon
- The Boxcar Children Mysteries, Book 114
- By: Gertrude Chandler Warner
- Narrated by: Aimee Lilly
I LOVE it my favorite book ❤️💕🌈
Reviewed: 08-10-20
I love the boxcar children but this one was especially my favorite because I have my own horse named Riley and I always feel special bond
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