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Laura Little Read Riding Hood

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Excellent!

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

Reviewed: 09-20-21

just really adore this series. I am glad we get more of the Youngers and Firewind and all the side characters. The interactions are superb. the narrator does an amazing job differentiating all the voices and really makes you feel like you are in the story

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Good but lacking in some areas

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

Reviewed: 09-23-15

I am not sure how to review this. On one hand the story was captivating, and there were many times I found myself smiling while listening. On the other hand there were also many times I found myself rolling my eyes at the things the characters said/did/didn't say. I don't want to ruin anything by spoiling things, so I am going to try and be as vague as possible here ...

First - the story itself. Overall it was a good story, but I never found myself sucked in. There was talk about a past war, and a war brewing, and then all of a sudden (it seems) the war is here now. And these characters are pivotal to one side winning or losing. And there were secrets revealed and quests accomplished, yet at times it all seemed pointless. Like the story would have gotten the same message across if some of it had been cut out.

Next - the narration. I am super picky about men doing female voices. It is rare to find one that I enjoy. And this narrator is no exception. I think it is just difficult for a man to do a woman's voice without making her sound ... dumb? But fortunately most of this story is male POV, so it isn't often an issue. Though I do have 1 complaint - he often made the male lead sound like he was shouting. I am not sure if it was the voice, the accent, or what. But he did a great job making each and every voice distinct, which is always an amazing feat.

Finally - the characters. While not a romance story IMO, there is still almost a love triangle, which I think muddies up the story some. One man is more of a father type figure and the other is the obvious choice. No it isn't resolved in this story. And I didn't ever really connect with the characters as much as I like. But I did find myself wanting to continue the story, to find out what would happen with them, when they would meet up, and how things would be resolved or not.

Conclusion - While I enjoyed listening to the story, there were some issues that are pet peeves of mine. Of course that is going to affect the overall enjoyment of the story for me. However, I did like it enough to continue on to book 2 right away, and look forward to seeing where things go from here.

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1 person found this helpful

2.5 Stars - Cute but cheesy, with some confusion

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

Reviewed: 05-08-14

Where to begin ... these are always the hardest reviews to write. The story kept me entertained enough, but I still had some ... complaints? Let's just jump in with both feet.

I would categorize this as NA (New Adult) because the main character, Rose, is 20, going on 21. Her age is actually really important in the story, because her boyfriend Christian, works at a night club and bar, so she can't go in. When you first start, you find out that Rose's mom was killed in a "freak accident" roughly 6 months before where the story starts. Rose had been seeing Christian before this event, and continued to see him after. But I got the impression that she snuck out to see him whenever she got the chance, waited for him outside by his car, they made out on his breaks, then he went back to work, he never came up to see her, and they never talked on the phone - yet they are in love. O_O Ok, dating just under a year is plenty of time to fall in love, it's just with the way it is written I didn't get the impression their relationship was more than just making out.

The story itself was kind cute, if REALLY cheesy, and very reminiscent of Twilight in certain aspects. While not the most amazing thing ever written ever, I was still entertained the whole way. Even when I was rolling my eyes at things said or done, it was still with a grin on my face.

Something that bothered me over and over ... Rose's school. She says repeatedly she is in college, and she is writing a thesis (which I thought didn't happen until higher levels as my BS didn't have anything resembling a thesis but whatever) HOWEVER she goes to school and comes home at the same time every day, has to ask permission to leave a "study day" in one class to go to the library, is dismissed by bells, and at one point, when she gets in trouble for disturbing class, the teacher says to meet him at the end of the day. All which sounds WAY more like High School than any college I have ever heard of. Again, not a big deal in the scheme of things, but for some reason every time it was brought up it irritated the crap out of me.

There are also several different POV's (points of view) with which the narrator does a good job distinguishing between. Though the weird "whispering" of the names at the beginning of each section was just ... weird. *shrugs* I didn't think all the POV's were needed either. About half way in we start getting some from her dad, and another woman you meet later on. I honestly didn't think either of them were needed for the story. Their sections were always really short as well.

Overall, with the overprotective father (which I didn't even mention), the immaturity of the MC, and the things that happened ... or didn't ... in this story, I think it would have been better suited to a YA (Young Adult) book, rather than have the characters be the ages they were. It would have made more sense. Even with such a low star score from me, I am still curious to see how the story plays out and might continue with this trilogy.

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A great Back to Basics Vampire Story

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

Reviewed: 12-24-12

Would you consider the audio edition of Pretty When She Dies to be better than the print version?

Maybe

Have you listened to any of Kristin Allison’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

What was there not to like ... ok LOVE about this book? It was a refreshing return to traditional vampire lore; sunlight kills, no eating animals, have to be invited inside someone's home ... It was great!

There are two clear halves to the book, the first half where Amaliya is trying to figure out what happened to her, and adjust to her new "life", and the second half, where she meets other vampires and learn about her maker. If I had to pick a favorite half, I am not sure I would be able to. They are just to different; like comparing traditional vampires to sparkly vampires. They both drink blood but that is pretty much it.

I really felt for Amaliya during her struggles. She had a pretty tough life, and her after-life isn't shaping up to be so hot either. Due to he upbringing, she has next to no self-esteem, but is pretty self reliant and stubborn. That turns out to be her biggest advantage.

When she finally meets others of her own kind ... Oh Cian. (Pronouced Key-an) She wins the lottery when she meets him. Except he is engaged. To a human. But that's ok, he isn't even her type. Sure sure honey, keep telling yourself that. He is everyone's type.

And the narrator, Kristin Allison, does a great job with the different characters. I never wondered who was talking. I was a little concerned right at the beginning, because she seemed a little monotone, but it fits with the story. Just give it a sec. :-)

I really have nothing bad to say about this book. I loved it and can't wait to listen to the next one, Pretty When She Kills.

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7 people found this helpful