Showing posts with label 3 cherries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 3 cherries. Show all posts

Monday, 31 March 2025

FOLLOW THE CROW


Follow The Crow by B. B. Griffith
Book 1 in the Vanished series
Narrated by Paul L. Coffey, Kirsten Leigh, Ryan Jordan McCarthy, and Stina Nielsen
Genre: paranormal crime fiction
Format: ebook & audiobookAudiobook


Ben Dejooli is a Navajo cop who can't escape his past. Six years ago his little sister Ana vanished without a trace. His best friend saw what happened, but he refuses to speak of what he knows, and so was banished from the Navajo tribe. That was the day the crows started following Ben.

Caroline Adams is a nurse with a special talent: She sees things others can’t see. She knows that Ben is more than he seems, and that the crows are trying to tell him something.

What the crows know will shed new light on the mystery of Ana’s disappearance, and throw Ben and Caroline into a race against time to find out what happened before they end up vanishing just like she did.
Source: Info in the "About Follow The Crow" was taken from amazon on 02/03/2024.


Buy Link(s):
  Audible Books


My Thoughts:
The build-up is so slow that I had to force myself into persevering with this book. It doesn't pick up until after the half-way mark and picking up slowly at that. The narration is good, for the most part.

It seems like I am reading a few too many Native American Indian stories of late. The Sorrow Hand by Dwight Holing. Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs...

This is only the beginning of the plot. The continuation and ending is presumably in subsequent books in this series.

What I wanted to know is, why didn't Caroline nor Ben picked up the totems? When Joey specifically warned Ben about it? And Ben could "feel" the truth in Joey's words? Because the author needs the characters to act "too stupid to live" (tstl) to create a dilemma and/or tension in the story? I tend to avoid this kind of authors.

I like the theme. I like the story. But I do not like this author's writing style. Nor the tstl.

This is my first Paul L. Coffey, Kirsten Leigh, Ryan Jordan McCarthy, and Stina Nielsen audiobook listen. For all of them. And I couldn't really tell which is who in the audiobook so couldn't give any of the narrators an individualised review. I can only evaluate the audiobook as a whole.


Quantitative Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 3.5
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 4
Writing Style = 1
Ending = 3.5
World building = 4.5
Cover art = 4
Pace = (24 hrs and 43 mins listening time)
Plot = 2
Narration = 5


Overall Rating: 3 out of 5 cherries


Books In The Vanished Series:
Book 1: FOLLOW THE CROW Book 2: BEYOND THE VEIL Book 3 THE COYOTE WAY Book 4: THE WIND THIEF Book 5: CHILD OF THE SKY Book 6: DEN OF THE BEAR Book 7: (TBC)


 
Meet The Author

About B. B. Griffith:
B. B. Griffith is the best selling author of the Vanished series, an epic story of life, death, love, magic and mystery set in the American Southwest. His novels have been called “rare and imaginative,” “full of lovable, memorable characters,” and his personal favorite: “A literary breath of fresh air.” He lives with his family in Denver, Colorado, where he can often be found sitting on the porch, notebook in hand, working on his next story.


The Narrators

About Paul L. Coffey:
Paul L. Coffey is an actor, musician, audiobook narrator and Fiasco Company Member.


About Kirsten Leigh:
All her life, Kirsten Leigh was told that she had a sexy voice. After attending acting school, she put that voice to work and has enjoyed narrating over 100 romance and erotica books. In her free time she enjoys cooking, going to wine tastings, and walking her pooch. She is currently writing a romance series of her own — stay tuned!

Voice: casual, warm, welcoming, un-intimidating, unique, cool.

The perfect non-announcer announcer who makes people to want to listen. A voice that draws people in.

10 years of stand-up comedy experience. Ability to improvise, add humor and personality to a script.


About Ryan Jordan McCarthy:
Actor and Audiobook Narrator in NYC!


About Stina Nielsen:
New York based actor & audiobook narrator.

Stina made her Broadway debut in THE JUDAS KISS with Liam Neeson, a show they also performed in London’s West End. Her other Broadway credits include WAITING IN THE WINGS with Lauren Bacall; WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? with Kathleen Turner and Bill Irwin; and THE LITTLE FOXES with Stockard Channing.

Stina’s regional theatre credits include Tennessee Williams’ 'The Notebook of Trigorin' with Lynn Redgrave at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; 'Crumbs from the Table of Joy' at Capital Repertory Theatre; '1933' at the Denver Center Theatre Company; Pericles at the Mint Theatre in New York City; and 'A Month in the Country', 'The Odyssey', 'Dirty Work', and 'Babes in Boyland' at Arena Stage in Washington DC.

Her TV credits include "Law & Order–SVU", "Another World", "The City", and "All My Children". She also works with DeValk Associates interactive diversity training.

She has narrated over 250 audiobooks, is a multiple Audie Award finalist, has earned multiple Earphones Awards, and was named one of the “Best Voices of 2011” by AudioFile magazine. A short film she narrated for Metabook Films, YOURS SINCERELY, LOIS WEBER was an Official Selection for the 2017 Cannes Film Festival and the Huesca Film Festival and won Best Documentary at the LA Shorts International Film Festival.



FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were purchased with private funds.
No money received for this review.

Monday, 3 March 2025

BURIED MAGIC



Buried Magic by TJ Green
Book 1 in the White Haven Witches series
Narrated by Janine Haynes
Genre: urban fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobookAudiobook


About Buried Magic:
Witchcraft, dark secrets, and demons. No one is safe in White Haven.

White Haven has a history of witchcraft, but the locals don't know that there are real witches living among them, and Avery is one of them.

When she receives an ominous premonition, a rune covered box, and an intriguing letter, all hinting at the mysterious past of her hometown, perched on the Cornish coast, Avery realises that the witches are missing a vital part of their history.

Five missing grimoires.

And when the annoying, but very handsome, Alex Bonneville, shares the same premonition, they know that trouble's coming.

Against her better judgement, Avery teams up with the other witches to uncover the truth.

Unfortunately, someone will do anything to stop them.

Now is the time to uncover the past.

Now is the time to reclaim their heritage.

And they'll risk everything to do it.

When quirky White Haven turns into a battleground of magic and demons, only the White Haven Witches can stop it.

If you love urban fantasy with a twist of romance and plenty of magic, you'll love book 1 of the White Haven Witches.
Source: Info in the "About Buried Magic" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42513159-buried-magic on 16/04/2022.

Buy Link(s):
  Audible Books


My Thoughts:
This is my first TJ Green read although I have seen her name around twitter and facebook. She has a good author's voice. However, I did not like the cliffhanger ending and the fact that the entire book is just a chapter of a bigger book. There is some sort of a plot but there is no resolution. No ending. Like I said, just a chapter of a bigger book. I do not like that. I generally avoid authors who likes that kind of publication/writing style. So I don't think I would be buying anymore books by this author anytime soon.

This is also my first Janine Haynes audiobook. She has some sing-song-like quality to her reading which is not endearing to the listener. However, I forget about the sing-song as I get pulled into the story. So, that is not much of a deterrent in the listening to this book.


Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 3
Writing Style = 3
Ending = 1.5
World building = 4
Cover art = 4.5
Pace = (7 hrs and 14 mins listening time)
Plot = 1
Narration = 4

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 cherries


Books In White Haven Witches Series:
Book 1: BURIED MAGIC Book 2: MAGIC UNBOUND Book 3: MAGIC UNLEASHED Book 4: ALL HALLOWS MAGIC Book 5: UNDYING MAGIC Book 6: CROSSROADS MAGIC Book 8: VENGEFUL MAGIC Book 9: CHAOS MAGIC Book 10: STORMCROSSED MAGIC Book 11: WYRD MAGIC Book 12: MIDWINTER MAGIC Book 13: SACRED MAGIC

 
Meet The Author

About TJ Green:
I write books about magic and mystery, and myths and legends, and they're action packed!

My YA series, Rise of the King (previously called Tom's Arthurian Legacy), is about a teen called Tom and his discovery that he is a descendant of King Arthur. It's a fun-filled clean read with a new twist on the Arthurian tales.

My second series is adult urban fantasy and is called White Haven Witches. It's packed with magic, action, and a little bit of romance.

White Haven Hunters is my latest series, and is a spin-off from the witches - with a bit of a crossover from Rise of the King too!

If you'd like to read Excalibur Rises, the short story prequel to the Tom series for FREE, join my readers' group! You'll also get free short stories, news about my latest books, info about giveaways, and a chance to be in my ARC team. http://tjgreen.nz/landing

I was born in England, but moved to New Zealand 10 years ago. I now live near Wellington with my partner and cats Sacha and Leia. When not writing I spend lots of time gardening, reading, practicing yoga, watching films and drinking red wine. And occasionally making short films just for fun.


The Narrator

About Janine Haynes:
Since graduating drama school Janine Haynes has been passionate about working predominantly in the narration industry. Proud to have produced titles for the Royal National Institute for the Blind and various clients whose titles can be found on Audible.



FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.

Thursday, 31 October 2024

DRAGON SCHOOL: FIRST FLIGHT


First Flight by Sarah K.L. Wilson
Book 1 in the Dragon School series
Narrated by Jigisha Patel
Genre: dragon fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobookAudiobook


Join Dragon School. Learn to Fly.

Sixteen-year-old Amel arrived at Dragon School just like everyone else — with a dream to ride dragons and join the Dominion Dragon Riders.

But Amel has a crippled leg and Dragon School training is grueling. Before she can even become an initiate, she must complete her First Flight on a dragon.

Can Amel survive First Flight and become a Dragon School initiate or will her dreams dash on the rocks below?
Source: Info in the "About First Flight" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37563611-first-flight on 28/02/2024.


Buy Link(s):
  Audible Books


Re-read Review:
Short and sweet.

At a little bit under three hours, this book is a relatively quick read.

The first round of reading of this book didn't go down so well. I first read this book some years back. With the second time around, there is an audiobook version and for some reason the book was a bit more exciting this time.

However, what really brought the rating of this book down (other than it's plotlessness) was the cliffhanger ending. This is just a part of the first chapter of a bigger book. And because this is just a little chunk of a bigger book, all we have is an introduction to the world of the Dragon School with not much of a plot at all. Amel goes to school, and that's it!

My suggestion is to get the boxset so that you can read the next book as soon as you hit the cliffhanger. Might be cheaper too, than buying the little books (136 pages long) individually.

This is my first Jigisha Patel audiobook and I would isten to her again.


Quantitative Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 1.5
Writing Style = 4
Ending = 1
World building = 3.5
Cover art = 3
Pace = (2 hrs and 43 mins listening time)
Plot = 3
Narration = 5


Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 cherries


Books In The Dragon School Series:
Book 0.1: WORLD EXTRAS Book 0.5: FIRST DRAGON RIDER Book 1: DRAGON SCHOOL: FIRST FLIGHT Book 2: INITIATE Book 3: THE DARK PRINCE Book 4: THE RUBY ISLES Book 5: SWORN Book 6: DUSK COVENANT Book 7: FIRST MESSAGE Book 8: WARRING PROMISES Book 9: PRINCE OF DRAGONS Book 10: DARK NIGHT Book 11: BRIGHT HOPES Book 12: MARK OF LOYALTY Book 13: DIRE QUEST Book 15: PIPE OF WINGS Book 16: DRAGON PIPER Book 17: DUST OF DEATH Book 18: TROUBLED WAR Book 19: STARIE NIGHT Book 20: ASCENDANT LIGHT


 
Meet The Author

About Sarah K.L. Wilson:
USA Today bestselling author, Sarah K. L. Wilson loves spinning a yarn and if it paints a magical new world, twists something old into something reborn, or makes your heart pound with excitement ... all the better! Sarah hails from the rocky Canadian Shield in Northern Ontario — learning patience and tenacity from the long months of icy cold — where she lives with her husband and two small boys. You might find her building fires in her woodstove and wishing she had a dragon handy to light them for her.


The Narrator

About Jigisha Patel:
Audiobook narrator / voice-over artist



FTC Disclosure:
The ebook and audiobook were bought with private funds.
No money received for this review.