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V.A.

Travel is essential, snowboarding a need. I love speed: cars, motorcycles, boards. Food is more than a requirement; on the best days it's a supreme indulgence.

Eustis, FL, United States | Member Since 2004

21
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 15 reviews
  • 302 ratings
  • 722 titles in library
  • 28 purchased in 2013
FOLLOWING
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FOLLOWERS
1

  • The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: The Chronicles of Narnia

    • UNABRIDGED (4 hrs and 21 mins)
    • By C.S. Lewis
    • Narrated By Michael York
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (3150)
    Performance
    (579)
    Story
    (601)

    Lucy is the first to find the secret of the wardrobe in the professor's mysterious old house. At first her brothers and sister don't believe her when she tells of her visit to the land of Narnia. But soon Edmund, then Peter and Susan step through the wardrobe themselves. In Narnia they find a country buried under the evil enchantment of the White Witch.

    Caitlin says: "Great audiobook!"
    "Not bad..."
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I liked actually reading this better. As much as I've liked some of Michael York's screen acting, I didn't quite appreciate his reading. It was a bit slow, and his voice didn't change much between characters.
    The story itself is excellent, as always, but seemed to progress a bit slower than when I actually read it. Children would be able to follow along easily, though.

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
  • Shadow of Night

    • UNABRIDGED (24 hrs and 30 mins)
    • By Deborah Harkness
    • Narrated By Jennifer Ikeda
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (3986)
    Performance
    (3546)
    Story
    (3527)

    Now, picking up from A Discovery of Witches' cliff-hanger ending, Shadow of Night plunges Diana Bishop and Matthew Clairmont into Elizabethan London, a world of spies, subterfuge, and a coterie of Matthew's old friends, the mysterious School of Night that includes Christopher Marlowe and Walter Raleigh. Here, Diana must locate a witch to tutor her in magic, Matthew is forced to confront a past he thought he had put to rest, and the mystery of Ashmole 782 deepens. Deborah Harkness has crafted a gripping journey through a world of alchemy, time travel, and magical discoveries.

    Hallie says: "Even better than A Discovery of Witches"
    "Better than the first one"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

    Sure. I'd recommend it to someone who enjoys supernatural books with a little history thrown in


    Any additional comments?

    It's not common that the second in a series of books reads better than the first. Perhaps it was the randomness of the 16th century setting, or maybe her storytelling got better, but I found Shadow of Night much more interesting and far less sappy/girlie than Discovery of Witches. Diana, the protagonist, is a bit more likable here, though still too much of a wimp for my tastes. I enjoyed Matthew and all the unique friends he has in Elizabethan London much better. I wonder, though, if I didn't like the setting and the characters themselves more than I liked the actual story.Either way, it kept me focused and wanting to know what was next, which makes reading much better ;)

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

    • UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 6 mins)
    • By Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows
    • Narrated By Paul Baymer, Susan Dewidan, Roselyn Landor, and others
    Overall
    (2662)
    Performance
    (877)
    Story
    (878)

    Why we think it’s a great listen: The best book club you’ve never heard of – but will be eager to join, courtesy of a full cast of true characters. January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she's never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb....

    Kent says: "MUCH better than I ever expected! Give it a try!"
    "What a wonderful surprise!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    If you could sum up The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society in three words, what would they be?

    Heartfelt, uplifiting, surprising


    What did you like best about this story?

    The completely different angle on story telling: letters between people.


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

    Not sure I've heard any of the narrators before, but they all played their roles very well. The accents were great.


    Any additional comments?

    I wasn't really sure what to expect from this book. The title was about as random as they come; and I loved that they actually explain it. It's a fantastic story of love, loss and friendship told in a unique way.

    Entertaining, with historical highlights, and beautiful characters, the author—and in turn the narrators—were able to make each person really come alive. This might be one of those books better read to you, than by you.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • The House at Riverton

    • UNABRIDGED (18 hrs and 52 mins)
    • By Kate Morton
    • Narrated By Caroline Lee
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (1787)
    Performance
    (955)
    Story
    (946)

    Summer 1924: On the eve of a glittering Society party, by the lake of a grand English country house, a young poet takes his life. The only witnesses, sisters Hannah and Emmeline Hartford, will never speak to each other again....Winter 1999: Grace Bradley, 98, one-time housemaid of Riverton Manor, is visited by a young director making a film about the poet's suicide. Ghosts awaken, and memories, long consigned to the dark reaches of Grace's mind, begin to sneak back through the cracks.

    Cathy says: "superbly written mystery"
    "Not a girlie book at all"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Where does The House at Riverton rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

    Surprisingly (for me), among the top 15%.
    The only thing that made me get this book were the wonderful reviews. I expected a silly girlie book but got a very well told—entrancing and emotional—story instead. The narrator was good and the story's thread weaves throughout the book effortlessly, coming out in the most interesting moments.


    What was one of the most memorable moments of The House at Riverton?

    The reveal, obviously.


    Which character – as performed by Caroline Lee – was your favorite?

    Honestly, I didn't have one character I liked best. She played them all very well and I was able to differentiate between speakers in conversations.


    Any additional comments?

    Don't be put off by the three-book length. It's a book you'll want to continue reading through to the end. I simply HAD to know what was happening next!

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Crescent Dawn: A Dirk Pitt Novel

    • UNABRIDGED (14 hrs and 38 mins)
    • By Clive Cussler, Dirk Cussler
    • Narrated By Scott Brick
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (1094)
    Performance
    (559)
    Story
    (561)

    In A.D. 327, a Roman galley barely escapes a pirate attack with its extraordinary cargo. In 1916, a British warship mysteriously explodes in the middle of the North Sea. In the present day, a cluster of important mosques in Turkey and Egypt are wracked by explosions. Does anything tie them together? NUMA director Dirk Pitt is about to find out.

    Michael says: "Something new from Cussler"
    "Typical Dirk Pitt novel"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Was Crescent Dawn worth the listening time?

    By the wrap up, yes. It took me a little while to get through it, though. While it was ultimately fun, it was as formulaic as most of the others. However, there were three story lines/characters, something different this time.


    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Sacred Stone: A Novel of the Oregon Files

    • UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 1 min)
    • By Clive Cussler, Craig Dirgo
    • Narrated By J. Charles
    Overall
    (383)
    Performance
    (111)
    Story
    (108)

    In the remote wastelands of Greenland, an ancient artifact possessing catastrophic radioactive power is unearthed. But the astounding find puts the world at risk. Caught between two militant factions bent on wholesale slaughter, Juan Cabrillo and his network of spies, known as The Corporation, must fight to protect the stone - and prevent the outbreak of World War III.

    Christopher says: "Great book... horrible narrator"
    "Horrible reader"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I might've enjoyed this book as much as some of Cussler's others had the reader been better. I found his voice annoying and his attempt at accents, etc simply awful. I can usually get used to these things but, alas, not this time.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Passage

    • UNABRIDGED (36 hrs and 52 mins)
    • By Justin Cronin
    • Narrated By Scott Brick, Adenrele Ojo, Abby Craden
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (5555)
    Performance
    (1995)
    Story
    (1991)

    First, the unthinkable: a security breach at a secret U.S. government facility unleashes the monstrous product of a chilling military experiment. Then, the unspeakable: a night of chaos and carnage gives way to sunrise on a nation, and ultimately a world, forever altered. All that remains for the stunned survivors is the long fight ahead and a future ruled by fear—of darkness, of death, of a fate far worse.

    Nicole says: "You love it or you hate it..."
    "A few stalls but overall...interesting"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Despite some of the reviews I read here, I enjoyed it. The basic story, while somewhat similar to other books I've read, was interesting; as were most of the characters. It's style resembles Stephen King's. The character development fits the category as does the length. It was, at times, predictable, but overall a good read—though quite depressing. It had few stall points, and a couple moments that seemed to have no originating points, but in Mr Cronin's defense, Mr King's works can, too.

    Some reviewers have mentioned the jump into the future. This took me by surprise as well, and I did find the first part more engrossing, but he brought it back around eventually.

    For the record, I get sucked into the long books for the sheer escapist factor. While I'm reading I'm also gardening, driving, floating in my pool, etc. While I can get into an autobiography or non fiction book, I usually prefer the entertainment factor of unrealistic fiction.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Vampire's Bride

    • UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 58 mins)
    • By Gena Showalter
    • Narrated By Savannah Richards
    Overall
    (236)
    Performance
    (89)
    Story
    (89)

    He is Layel, king of the vampires, a master seducer no woman can deny. But since a rogue horde of dragons killed his beloved over two centuries ago, Layel has existed only for vengeance...until he meets Delilah. Wary of love, the beautiful Amazon wants nothing to do with the tormented vampire. Yet there's no denying their consuming desire every time he nears her. Neither trusts the other - nor can they survive alone.

    annette says: "CRAP"
    "Yummy!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I think these books gain something when someone reads them to me. Definitely not literature, but who doesn't need some fun ;)

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
  • Mistress of the Art of Death: A Novel

    • UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 12 mins)
    • By Ariana Franklin
    • Narrated By Rosalyn Landor
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (954)
    Performance
    (235)
    Story
    (234)

    In medieval England, four children have been murdered, and the townsfolk blame their Jewish neighbors. The doctor chosen to investigate is a woman, Adelia. As she examines the victims and retraces their last steps, she must conceal her true identity in order to avoid accusations of witchcraft. Along the way, she's assisted by Sir Rowley Picot, a man with a personal stake in the investigation. A former Crusader knight, Rowley may be a needed friend - or the fiend for whom they are searching.

    Irenehope says: "History-Mystery of the Year & its only March"
    "Very entertaining"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I read this on a long drive over Thanksgiving. I mention this because, if the book were read is shorter pieces, it might loose something. The first book takes a long time to set the stage but, considering the 10th century setting, it's necessary.

    I liked the protagonist, as well as the way the author wrapped the story up. I also ended up appreciating the narrator, though getting used to her old Cambridge English took a little time.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • City Without End: The Entire and the Rose, Book 3

    • UNABRIDGED (16 hrs and 35 mins)
    • By Kay Kenyon
    • Narrated By Christian Rummel, Kay Kenyon
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (71)
    Performance
    (17)
    Story
    (18)

    On this stage unfolds a mighty struggle for dominance between two universes. Titus Quinn has forged an unstable peace with the Tarig lords. The ruinous capability of the nanotech surge weapon he possesses ensures detente. But it is a sham. In what the godwoman Zhiya calls a fit of moral goodness, he's thrown the weapon into the space-folding waters of the Nigh. This clears the way for an enemy he could have never foreseen: the people of the Rose.

    V.A. says: "Such great characters"
    "Such great characters"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    It's not often I get angry with a book. Well, not with the book itself but rather with the characters in it. Kay Kenyon has managed to do this with every one of her books. Her creatures are so unique and well expressed, her villains so deep and the story so elaborate, this third installment has left me hungering for the final.

    Additionally, I've enjoyed the reader, so hopefully he'll remain for the last book.

    Don't be put off by the sci fi classification. This is great reading period!

    5 of 5 people found this review helpful
  • Inkspell

    • UNABRIDGED (18 hrs and 53 mins)
    • By Cornelia Funke
    • Narrated By Brendan Fraser
    Overall
    (667)
    Performance
    (189)
    Story
    (189)

    Although a year has passed, not a day goes by without Meggie thinking of Inkheart, the book whose characters became real. But for Dustfinger, the fire-eater brought into being from words, the need to return to the tale has become desperate. When he finds a crooked storyteller with the ability to read him back, Dustfinger leaves behind his young apprentice Farid and plunges into the medieval world of his past.

    Vanessa says: "Inkspell indeed"
    "An excellent narrator"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I prefer not to make comments on books as I believe each person needs to delve into their realms untarnished by the judgements of others. As such, this review is actually for the narrator.

    Brendan Fraser is an amazing reader. I've liked him well enough in the various movies I've seen, but I had no idea I would enjoy this book so much more because of him. He has a pleasant voice which tells the story easily and blends well into the narration, allowing the many characters in this book to really attain a life of their own. His accents, tones and lilts are wonderful. It's so much simpler for me listening to a book this way, since I'm rarely sitting still while reading. The ability to differentiate between characters without having to rewind is invaluable.

    I've enjoyed this book very much, more so than I did Inkheart, because of his reading. What a delightful surprise!

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful

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