Birthmarked Audiobook By Caragh M. O'Brien cover art

Birthmarked

Birthmarked Trilogy Series, Book 1

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Birthmarked

By: Caragh M. O'Brien
Narrated by: Carla Mercer-Meyer
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In the future, in a world baked dry by the harsh sun, there are those who live inside the wall and those, like 16-year-old midwife, Gaia Stone, who live outside. Gaia has always believed it is her duty, with her mother, to hand over a small quota of babies to the Enclave. But when Gaia's mother and father are arrested by the very people they so dutifully serve, Gaia is forced to question everything she has been taught to believe. Gaia's choice is now simple: Enter the world of the Enclave to rescue her parents, or die trying.

©2011, 2012 Caragh O'Brien (P)2012 Tantor Action & Adventure Dystopian Fantasy Fiction Science Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Adventure

Critic reviews

"[People] who enjoy adventures with a strong heroine standing up to authority against the odds will enjoy this compelling tale." ( School Library Journal)
Unique Storyline • Strong Characters • Beautiful Pacing • Refreshing Dystopian • Creative Series • Engaging Plot
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The book is great. i rrad it many years ago and enjoyed thr audiobook. Love to see reproductive rights being discussed. The narrator mispronounces many words, which is a bit grating. otherwise a worthwhile listen

Aside from mispronunciations, worthwhile.

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I have read both the first and second books in this series now and I can't really explain what I like most. The best way I can put it is it's crazy how everything moves so fast in these books and how these stories progress. You're going to have to listen to it to understand. It's not like any other book I've ever read.

Gia and Leon

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The book may have turned out a bit better if they followed with each topic a little longer. It was a bit scattered.

Many plot twists

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several times I would just listen to this book any chance I had it was. so great only let down is that a few times the narrators voice seemed off hut could have been my phone not sure. either way story was amazing!!

gripping your seat

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I liked this book & look forward to finishing the series. I think this a great tweener series.

Great book

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Narration is wonderful and the story line is great. This is not my first time listening.

Beautifully written

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

In a world of YA fiction where all dystopian novels are starting to sound alike, this one feels refreshingly different. It isn't just about a girl versus The System: it's about the value of life, the sacredness of family, the perception of beauty, and the awakening of courage. I like that what Leon most values about Gaia is that she does what she knows is right, regardless of the consequences. I can cheer on a character like that.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Leon because his story unfolded gradually.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Gaia saved a baby via emergency c-section on a dead mother. I found myself cheering on the baby to live!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Life First (the inscription from Gaia's locket)

Any additional comments?

I noticed the mixed reviews about this narrator, but I enjoyed her performance. My only criticism is that the pace felt unnecessarily slow with some unnatural pauses in sentences, but I appreciated that she wanted to take it easy, giving her listeners a chance to absorb details that could be confusing otherwise. If you like the narration of Kate Simses (Matched), you'll like Carla Mercer-Meyer.

Surprisingly Good

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Enjoyed the book, main character could use more development and the male protagonist needed a lot more, but overall a good read. There is a lack of exposition, much less Orwell and more...whomever wrote Hunger Games. Performance was slightly better than average but had some odd nuances. I will be reading the second book.

Nice Little Twist on the Dystopian Novel

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What did you love best about Birthmarked?

This was an extremely creative read. The main character was pretty childish though she was practically a child anyway. She makes a lot of decisions that other people pay the price for and she does as well. Though she makes theses decisions based on her beliefs of what is right and wrong and no one can changer her mind.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Gaia is the main character...I love how she knows who she is. She won't change for anyone!

Have you listened to any of Carla Mercer-Meyer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I listened to the entire Birthmarked series and they were equally great.

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

Yes...my husband as well.

Any additional comments?

Check it out!

I was pleasantly surprised!

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Is there anything you would change about this book?

The lead needs to grow up. I understand that her entire world has been torn upside down but from the start to the end she really never grows up. Instead she keeps having tantrums.

How could the performance have been better?

The voice actor needs more practice, a rich deep male voice reading this book would have been better.

Could you see Birthmarked being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I could see this as a tv series, if the characters were allowed to grow and flesh out more.

Any additional comments?

It's good to see books placed in Michigan. So many writers seem to forget we exist.

So much promise

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