perfect YA book

Vanish from Dust by Shea Norwood is a perfect YA book. I feel that those 50+ will enjoy this audiobook. The reason I feel this is due to all the 1970’s references throughout the book. Today’s generation may have some of the items go over their heads. For me I was thinking “Wow, have not heard that term or type of item in such a long time” made me smile or a small laugh would come out. Though there is a lot of period shows and movies out there so YA’s may get it.

Set in 1987, Eric Stark finds that he has no friends. When it gets out that he is seeing a phantom, everyone nicknamed him Crazy. Who is this phantom and what does it want with him? It’s been a while since he has seen them appearing in his dreams or in his bedroom. However, it is now appearing during the day as well at night. This is when he meets his new friend Kyle Barrett. When Eric sees the phantom in school. Even thou Kyle cannot see the phantom. He still stands up for him and they quickly become best friends. Eric keeping his secret for a good portion of the beginning of the book from Kyle. He finally tells Kyle his secret of seeing the phantom. How a young girl disappeared years earlier and was never found. Both finding out that over the last 60 years of others that disappeared and never were seen again.

As more and more things begin happening in the town Eric and Kyle find themselves transported to a deserted Dust. Where was everyone? Why can Kyle now see the phantoms, too! That is one question that is not so obviously pointed out in the book but you will summarize like me. Now in the deserted town they find themselves facing more than the phantom. They needed a safe haven and food. They needed to get back to Eric’s house to retrieve a diary he kept when the phantom started to appear to him as a young boy. Maybe there is an answer in the diary, something he forgot. Why was the town slowly dissolving away? Why did the missing girl turn up in the deserted town of Dust? Why had she not age at all?

As the story opens up I knew that this was going to be an enjoyable listen with David Dietz doing the narration. His voice lends too many characters. Flawless transition between voices and moods that the characters were in. I don’t think there was a voice that I did not like or didn’t fit a character. Find that happens with some narrators doing multiple voices. Not knowing the difference in voice changes. Not with David he did a fine performance. I truly hope he lends his voice for Book 2.

Shea Norwood has a wonderful fantasy story line with this book. However, I did not like the abrupt ending. I know this is Book 1 and it is to get you back as a reader for book 2. I think that a rework of the ending to make it as a stand-alone read as many other authors I have read. It still brings me back to read the next novel when I fall for the characters. I like the characters in this YA fantasy. So I will not give away the ending and do look forward to Book 2. I want to know what happens to her characters Eric and Kyle. The “Why?” question that comes as the book approaches the end. Why were so many that ended up missing from the current day Dust? Why are only selected individuals seeing the phantom? I feel that some kind of hint to why would have been nice. I do recommend this listen/read of this book for all ages from YA to 50+.

The cover art I find that if I was to purchase the book would not draw me in. I think that the phantom should be in the background. The bodies of the boys seem frumpy. I would think that their bodies should be taller.

Audiobook provided for review by the narrator.

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7 people found this helpful

Vanished from dust

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the story line and loved the interaction between the characters.. The story line of phantoms and alternate worlds is engaging and thought provoking. This is consider to be a young adult book, but even as an adult I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a quick read, but there iare enough of story packed into these short pages. Hope book 2 is coming soon

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An OK Story.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would make it a little more fast paced. I got to 55% and struggled because it was so slow going.

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

No but I will listen to more by him because he did an excellent job voicing the characters.

Any additional comments?

I don't know what to say about the book, to be honest. For the most part I only liked the book at times and the rest of the times I was bored. The saving grace was the characters and the comradeship between them. I also liked the few twists that were towards the end. Even though I didn't love this book, I know plenty will. I would still recommend to people and I would recommend the audio as well because David Dietz was an awesome narrator.

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Thoroughly enjoyable

This was an exciting book with a perfect set up at the end for another book in the series. Fans of time travel and the supernatural will like this. The main characters, 14-year-old outcast boys, are likeable and well-developed. I liked the portrayal of their friendship. I listened to the Audible audio version of this book narrated by David Dietz. He does a good job with the character differentiation and the stuttering of one of the characters. The pacing was good and the story was exciting. This was a thoroughly enjoyable book.

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Took me back in time :)

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

**Book was provided by the narrator for an honest review**

David Dietz did a wonderful job portraying an angst ridden teenage boy! Since this was my first time listening to him, at the beginning of the book, his voice did seem a little too childish for a teenager, too high pitched, BUT as you follow along in the book, I got comfy with him. That's the only way I can describe it, comfy....The voice David used did seem too much at first, but as I got into the story, and was all in with the imagining the town and the boys, the voices seem to fit Eric and Kyle perfectly. David's tone was spot on with the snarky moments and quite endearing with the more sensitive ones. I feel very confident giving David Dietz a 4 Star rating on his narration.

Any additional comments?

Eric Stark is not your typical 14-year-old in Dust, TX; he see's phantoms! This little tidbit gets poor Eric picked on and made fun of non-stop by his peers at school until Kyle moves into town. They becomes best friends despite the rumors about Eric, and Kyle stands up for him when the bullies circle. Once Eric reveals his secret to Kyle, they go off on the adventure of a lifetime to save the future of their friends, family and the whole town!

This book is one of those that you will either really like/love or really hate. The story is set in the 80's in a small town in Texas. There are lots of references along the way which brought me back in time to my own childhood. I totally fell into a comfortable cocoon with the story being as I was so relating to the time, characters and innocence. Eric was a typical teenage boy in the 80's. He played Nintendo, rode his bike to his friends house and got nervous around a pretty girl. Just normal - until the day he started seeing phantoms, but no one really believed him until Kyle came along. The fact that we didn't have cell phones and PC's, was such a nice change of pace........sigh. The whole experience was very nostalgic for me :)

Now that Kyle is in the picture, Eric feels more confident about exploring his visions of the phantoms. He starts questioning why he is the only one that see's them, what are they, where are they from and, more importantly, what do they want?! Kyle never waivers from going along with Eric which makes him such an awesome character/best friend. He is so caring and loyal to his friend with the way he stands up to the other guys that pick on him.

As the mystery starts to unfold we are introduced to Bop, the town drunk. Bop keeps making references to Eric about him "seeing them too" that he does not connect until it slaps him in the face. The boys also start to notice the increase in student absences, at the same time their parents and teachers are looking rather tired and worn down. Just when things couldn't get any creepier or weirder, Eric spies a phantom in town that he feels very strongly about exploring. Have you ever heard of curiosity killed the cat? Or opening a can of worms? Despite the fact that these phantoms Eric keeps seeing scare the crap out of him, he is compelled to investigate no matter where the clues and sightings take him. This was a wonderful paranormal suspense that is a must-share with my children!

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1 person found this helpful

Vanished from Dust bk 1

If you could sum up Vanished from Dust in three words, what would they be?

He is sane

What was one of the most memorable moments of Vanished from Dust?

When the boys realize they aren't in 1987 anymore.

Which scene was your favorite?

When they find out which year they came out.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

no

Any additional comments?

I just finished Vanished From Dust bk 1.I TOTALLY enjoyed this book!The storyline was interesting,and though it may be considered a YA book,this A liked it a lot.David Dietz did a grand job with all the voices.Poor Erik Stark is always called crazy,he's not,really.He sees things and this leads to a rather unwanted adventure.At least I now know why I'm tired all the time.

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A terrific new young adult adventure series begins

VANISHED FROM DUST - Book One

Author: Shea Norwood

Type of Book: Audiobook - Unabridged

Narrator: David Dietz

Length: 6 hours, 59 minutes

Production Date: November 25, 2014

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Shea Norwood

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

* I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Its the 1980s. Nintendo is the newest thing and small towns are still considered safe places for kids to roam free. Eric and Kyle are in the eighth grade and are best friends.

Kyle had only moved to Dust, Texas the previous year. Eric had received the nickname "Crazy Train" several years earlier and was bullied and friendless until Kyle moved to town. On Kyle's first day of school he had stood up for Eric when the school bully was taunting him. The two boys have been inseparable ever since.

Eric hasn't seen them in a while, but for years he has seen phantoms with red eyes. No one else can see them. He had made the mistake of telling people about them when he was in third grade and that is when he earned the horrible nickname.

After not seeing the phantoms for years, Eric is suddenly seeing them with alarming regularity.

What are they? Why doesn't anyone else see them? What do they want? What can Eric do about them?

This audiobook is targeted at a Young Adult/Middle School audience and I think the author has done a terrific job. Not only is it a much better story than I had expected, but since I am a child of the 1980s (born in the 70s) I enjoyed the references to the fads and styles of my youth. Remember leg warmers and banana clips? I do.

This book ends on a cliffhanger and listeners will want to know what happens to Eric and Kyle next. I know I will be adding the second book to my "To Listen" list.

Narrator David Dietz is a whiz with separate voices. The listener is able to easily distinguish not only between characters, but also between the characters and the narrator's portions of this audiobook. Lately I have listened to a few books by this narrator and I have been pleased with the performance every single time. I rate the narration as 4.5 out of 5 stars.

The book itself deserves a 4 star rating when taking into account the intended audience. I truly believe that Young Adult and Middle Grade listeners will LOVE this series.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Shea Norwood is an emerging talent in the world of writing books. He lives in West Texas.

ABOUT THE NARRATOR:

David W. Dietz is a writer, actor, director and producer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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A nice idea, not well written

Vanished from Dust is an interesting story populated with characters we barely understand and don't know enough about to root for. Some of the dialogue is very basic and is populated by he said, he said, he said to the point where it was distracting. Without giving too much away, some of the concepts and language used seemed above the ages of the main characters. I think the main idea of the story is really cool and there are parts in this book that are so interesting that I would have loved this book and would love to read the sequel if the rest of it was fleshed out a little bit more effectively. The Audiobook version is not well executed with not only the main characters names coming straight out of South Park, I feel like some of the dialogue and the sound of the voices the narrator used came out of South Park as well. Why did we meet Josh the fat kid and spend so much time on him if he is not important? The end was also very abrupt. I'll take a pass on the next one.

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