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D. L. King

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Brilliant Narration! (A Review by the Author)

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-12-25

I wouldn't normally review my own books, but after finally getting the chance to listen to the complete book, I had to write a review, most specifically for the narrator, Jenet Le Lacheur. She's wonderful! Previously, I had only had the opportunity to hear the sample and knew I liked her voice, but after hearing her narrative representations of my characters, I was enthralled. I feel she really understood my "World of Melinoe". Her voice is sensuous and playful, as well as connoting quiet power as needed, and I loved her characterizations, especially of Dr. Westgate and Mistress Susan. I do hope she is able to narrate the second book, The Art of Melinoe as I will very much look forward to listening to it!

As for the book, itself, well, what can I say? Even though I wrote this book quite a while ago, I still love it. I hope you will too. And remember, Audible gives you a hands free reading experience...

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Good Story/Poor Narration

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 08-11-23

In this paranormal thriller from Nora Roberts, 3 best friends are thrown together, as blood brothers, to save a small town in Maryland, close to the West Virginia border. They were born on the same day, at the same time and have been friends practically from the cradle. On the eve of their 10th birthday, they go off on a camping trip in the woods and come back eternally bonded, by blood, to a town gone crazy. Every 7 years, things go crazy and the boys have to do their best to save the town. 6 mos before their 31st birthday, they meet up with 3 women, also drawn to them by magic and blood.

I enjoyed the story, but the narration by Phil Gigante was really poor. He was fine with the men's parts, but his women, each around 30 years old, sound like 50-year-old drag queens. Don't get me wrong: I like drag queens, however, middle aged drag queens didn't sound like the characters in my head.

Since a female narrator does the 2nd book, I'll give it a try.

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I Love Ilona Andrews

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-07-23

I do love the team of Ilona Andrews; what a great imagination and great stories. The Innkeeper Chronicles is another truly fun series from them and well worth your time reading. I do say Reading, though, because the Audible edition is almost unlistenable. Authors don't always have any say in who records their work (I know I never did) but I really feel badly for Ilona Andrews.

Dina is a young, powerful woman in Texas who single handedly runs a metaphysical inn, catering to beings from all across the universe, with their own customs, rites, and powers and she does it very well, with grace and intelligence. She is not some old lady belle from the Deep South, reticent to do or say anything in case she is misunderstood.

I have to say, I almost wrote the whole series off after listening to the first volume. Renee Raudman's reading is a travesty. I was invested enough to finish the book and thought the voice in my head would probably be better--it couldn't be worse. I figured if Dina still came off as a powerless "Mary Sue" I wouldn't go any further, though I couldn't imagine Ilona Andrews writing a Mary Sue character. Happily, the second book, "read by me" was all I hoped it would be. I only wish I'd read the first one, rather than bought the sale copy on Audible.

So, if you're put off by listening to Clean Sweep, may I recommend you read the rest, rather than listen to them.

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Longtime Fan

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 09-01-20

I've been a longtime fan of Neil Gaiman ever since first picking up a copy of The Sandman, way back when. I didn't know how an audible version would work, without the illustrations, but because I love Neil Gaiman's voice and saw he was the narrator, I decided to go for it. And all I can say is this Audible version far surpasses my best wishes for the book.

The story, of course, is epic and listening to it brought back so many memories. Many of the voices perfectly matched my version of the characters (though not all) and Death's voice was absolutely perfect. I was particularly waiting for her as she's always been my favorite.

I was absolutely enthralled by this performance. Completely captivated, listening to The Sandman was able to thankfully remove me from the news and bring me to a different headspace for a while. If you are a fan of The Sandman and/or Neil Gaiman, you really can't go wrong with this Audible Original.

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An Honor and a Privilege

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 07-31-17

This was my first Audible excursion into St Mary's and I adored every nail-bitten, chuckle-induced, tear-filled minute. I have completely enjoyed every one Ms Taylor's books and when given the opportunity for a discounted Audible edition, I decided to give it a go.

Ms Ramm does a great job of getting it right. I particularly like The way she portrays Markham. And now, forevermore, she is Max for me.

In fact, I liked it so much I took out an Audible membership so I could immediately spend my first credit on book 9! If you're a fan of Jodi Taylor and St Mary's, you can't go wrong.

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