coming of age

Audiobook Reviews 3.5/5 Stars: Ruby in the Water by J.P. Sterling

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, Reader Resource , , ,

 

Introduction:

This book was a bit of a change of pace. It’s really more of a family drama than anything else. Most of the time, I recommend reading a book’s blurb first, but in this case, just don’t if you hate spoilers.

Summary:

Peter’s got an incredible gift for playing the piano.

Additional Comments:

– Don’t read the blurb. Ah, too late, you’ve probably already done so. It pretty much gives away the whole story.

– Note: I’m not a huge fan of flashbacks, but they’re pretty much 85% of the story here. And it works.

– Quite a few things about the way Peter’s elementary school was portrayed irked me. I see why the author wanted them to have some silly, nonsensical policies but they just wouldn’t happen in a school. I’m a teacher. I know some weird policies come down, but having only one meal choice a day and forcing all students to abide by that isn’t going to fly. I can see only offering one choice, but there’s no way you could ban kids from bringing a bagged lunch if they want. There are too many allergies and such to force one thing.

– Also, Peter as a 5-year-old ticked me off. His parents were supposed to come across as supportive, but they annoyed me too.

– I loved the mystery woman and the priest and the nun.

– The end has some nice twists that will either annoy the heck out of you or make everything click into place for you. I’m in the latter category, but I definitely sympathize with the former category.

Conclusion:

A family drama type story with a nice end twist.

(I enjoyed the end.)

Associate links to follow…

Amazon Prime

Audible – If you buy some of my audiobooks with your first credits, I’ll pay the first month’s bill (beyond the free ones). (Terms and conditions: must have proof of purchasing my books, like a screenshot. Will also have to have paypal.)



Awesome Audiobooks: 4.5/5 The Pygmy Dragon by Marc Secchia

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, dragons, Fantasy, Reader Resource , , ,

 

Introduction:

Whenever you pick up a book by Marc Secchia, you can expect epic adventure. He’s created quite a wide world of dragons, shapeshifters, and humans locked in strife.

The Review:

Summary: Pip gets snatched away from her family and put in a zoo. There she befriends Hoonago (sorry about spelling, I heard the audiobook), a giant ape-like creature. After that, she’s rescued/ kidnapped by a dragon and taken to a dragonrider school.

Additional Comments:
– World Building – 5/5 The story’s full of imagination and neat world-building. The story fits within the same world as Aranya, though if asked to compare, I think that book’s better.
– Pip’s kind of a fun character.
– Pacing 3/5 – Parts of this book are unnecessarily long. I heard the audioversion, which made those sections bearable, but I don’t think it really got to the “meat” of the story until quite a few hours in. The time spent describing the zoo could easily have been halved and still given readers a feel for the horrors Pip faced.
– The end didn’t have as much closure as I like, but it’s still a good story.

  • Content warning: Recommended for upper teens and adults. While there’s nothing I’d consider steamy by any stretch, there are a few references to nudity and subtle suggestive comments made by some of the characters.

Conclusion: If you like dragons, Marc’s definitely a writer to check out.

Conclusion:

This is the second story I’ve listened to by this author. The narrator did a decent job, but I didn’t love his voice as I did with the narrator of Aranya. I know it’s a companion book, but it still sort of suffered sequel syndrome of not quite being as good as the first book experienced. That said, it’s still a solid fantasy read.

Associate links to follow…


Amazon Prime

Free Kindle Reading App

Audible

4 More Freebies – Grab Bag – Children’s, Romance, Fantasy

Julie Gilbert children's, Fantasy, middle grade, Reader Resource , , , , ,
Cover reminds me of old school classics.

Introduction:

We’ve moved from weird to romance. Now, let’s settle on sweet and nostalgic and romantic. Eh, life’s like a box of chocolates and all that.

Children’s Tale

He Whistles for the Cricket by Gwen Walker

I can’t make heads or tails of that title, but the story sounds lovely.

Second Chance at Love

Still Falling by Crystal Walton

Okay, so maybe there’s still a bit of romance here. They do look cute together.

A Wee Bit of Fantasy

The Movement of Crowns by Nadine Keels

The heir to a crown balances duty and love.

YA Action and Adventure

A Measure of Disorder by Alan Tucker

Goblins, fairies, dragons, and middle schoolers … recipe for interesting.

Conclusion:

Besides being free, I admit these have little to do with each other. But grab bags and randomness can be fun too.

 

Yaddah, yaddah, blah, blah – links below are associate ones.


Amazon Prime

Free Kindle Reading App

Audible

Awesome Audiobook Reviews: 4.5/5 stars Cora and the Nurse Dragon

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, Author Resource, children's, Fantasy , , ,

Introduction:

Prior to listening to this book, my experience with dragons was very limited. That said, I enjoyed the new twist the author gave to dragons in general. The story contains some violence at the end, but overall, I would still consider it kid-friendly. If you’re a dragon fan, you will want to get to know HL Burke’s works better.

Summary:

A 12-yr-old girl named Cora accidentally ends up with a nurse dragon. She names him Cricket.

Random Comments:
– Overall (4.5/5) – This is a cute story that you can read as much or as little into if you want. It could be about animal rights. Or it could be a lesson about the morals of greed. Just as easily, it could be a kiddie story about a girl, her friend, the town bully, and a baby nurse dragon. I love that there are layers.
– Narration (3.45/5) – The narrator did a nice job of distinguishing between different characters, but her “normal narrator” voice sort of struck me as monotone.
– Main Characters (3.5/5) – In a book this size, you’re not going to get giant character development from beginning to end, but there are some changes.
– Side Characters (4/5) – The side characters are decently well-developed.
– Plot (3/5) – Nothing surprising happens, but it’s a fitting story.
– Dialogue (5/5) – The dialogue sounds realistic.
– World-building (4/5) – It’s mainly an early 1900’s type setting like the beginning of the industrial revolution. (first lady lawyer in town, automobiles – but not everybody has them, rich tycoons, etc) Yet, there are elements that are unique and sometimes smack of way more modern. There are dragon breeding facilities, sedatives, etc.

Conclusion:

It’s a nice, short fantasy story made for dragon lovers. Check it out. If it’s in paperback, it would make a nice gift for young dragon lovers in your life. It’s full of imagination, yet there are good topic openers to have a great conversation with your kid too. Did I mention it’s adorable?

 

As Always …

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Thanks for your time.

Sincerely,

Julie C. Gilbert

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