Julie

I decided to purchase this book because of reviews and because I enjoy Alice Hoffman. During the first chapter, I thought, "here's a well-developed overview of the beginning of a town." I don't know what my real expectations were, because then I realized each chapter was it's own short story - which I avoid. But I kept going, I came to love the town of Blackwell, MA as a character, not a setting. The setting would be best described by time rather than place. Nancy Travis has a subtle way of narration, which is much appreciated with this story. Well done.

Libba Bray - where does this woman's imagination come from? From mad cows to beauty queens to the occult? The occult-based murders in this story almost made me stop the book, but maybe I am more easily scared by most. What kept me going were two things: 1) main character Evie O'Neill is the ultimate 1920's gal (way fun) and an amateur detective (love mysteries) and 2) narrator January LaVoy pulls you in with a wide array of character voices. The humor also had a little to do with reading this because while Libba Bray will probably tell you she is funny, I admit that she is right. Enjoy this creepy, humorous, historically cool story, but beware, while there is a very satisfying ending, this book is the first of a series/collection.... and now I have to wait.

I wasn't sure about this story at first. A Victorian Era piece, really? But I needed to read at least part of this award winning book to better share it in a presentation on award-winning books. So I began and hummed along and then, boom, I was sucked in. I could not let go! Davina Porter as a narrator was a delight. Her voices and accents manifested a visual of characters I could not have done just reading the words off the page. That being said, this magical story of an evil puppeteer, a witch, and the three children thrown into a plot of corruption and dispair had me sitting on the edge of my seat. Laura Amy Schlitz proves to be a master storyteller.

I was mesmerized by this story! Hartman has created a fantastical world of humans and dragons that would do very well in a HISTORY classroom. Seriously! The trials and tribulations that groups such as Native Americans, African-Americans, and Hispanic Americans have faced - such as racism, segregation, and forced removal - blossom in this story. It was so touching yet so very relevant to what young people need to understand about what our country (US) has done to those who are "different" from the people in power. Beyond the social aspects, it was an intriguing story in itself. Highly recommended to readers of all ages.

When I was young, in middle school especially, I read all types of animal books. Then I moved on. I almost did not choose this book because it had a horse on the front and my mind automatically went back to middle school. Two words changed my mind - Maggie Stiefvater. She does such an amazing job of telling stories in multiple voices and she does not disappoint here. Visually compelling - you will dream landscapes reminiscent of Ireland - heartbreakingly familiar families, and the excitement of racing on beings that would just as soon kill you. How can you not want to read it?

Sing the title of this book and you will taste a small bite of Lish McBride's humor. This book has it all - necromancers, vampires, werewolves, witches, even an awesome teenage girl harbinger. Most people kind of moan when I say that. But then, I tell them of the smart humor, somewhat dry, maybe even snarky. I looove it. It left me satisfied buy wanting more from McBride. Having the two readers helps the listener, and both are awesome in their own right, great voice texture for each really fit the characters. Enjoy!

I tried to explain this book to a dear friend of mine and could not do it justice. Still, she said to me, "I have to read this book! You are so taken passionate about the story!" If you enjoy stories like Zafon's Shadow of the Wind or Setterfield's The 13th Tale, this is a book for you. Told in a unique present-tense, third person, the time shifts beneath you as the circus grows and lives around you. Fabulous.

Please, don't ignore Vera. She has some amazing things to say. Wonderfully read by Lynde Houck (and a couple others not credited by audible - Mark Deakins, Ryan Gesell, and Arthur Morey). These multiple narrators are necessary because they help with some of the unusual formatting aspects of the print book. Anyway, they all do a fabulous job. The story won a Printz Honor, easy to see why. I have a soft spot for female characters standing on the outskirts of high school society - not the outcast, just the ignored. Vera takes her "status" and thrives. Her father is a great dad, if a little misled to the idea that he can help Vera avoid all the mistakes teenagers make. That's part of life and Vera knows this whole-heartedly! You will ache with her for her dead ex-best friend, Charlie. Learning their story is what this book is all about. A must read.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this trilogy from Frank Beddor. Action-packed drama centered around a set of characters many of us know - now given to us in a completely different light. I encourage my sci-fi readers to pick up this trilogy as a must have. That being said, the best way to read this story is to listen to Gerard Doyle perform it - narrate is too passive a term. The character voices bring visuals of each person, even the women :). However, the sound effects put it over the top. Who knew a simple *POW* could bring such an image to mind as his do. I look forward to finding more books narrated by Doyle and know I will enjoy them just as much.

I could not have asked for a more exciting time listening to an audiobook. A story written from multiple characters points of view in multiple formats - email, instant messaging, playbills, journals, even sign language. Who knew that the narrators could pull off such an amazing feat, and yet they do. Bravo and brava. It definitely helps that Kluger has written a story that wins over the high school student reader as well as the high school English teacher-reader as well as the YAL junkies (re: me) alike. I want more of the same style because it was a fun ride with characters I could connect to and stories that brought back fun memories of high school. THANKS!