Firecracker

By: Charles R. Verhey

Narrated by: Jill Melancon

Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

A team of eccentric psychics who assist local authorities with difficult cases has reluctantly hired Aideen Cassidy, a timid pyrokinetic who has managed to accidentally burn to rubble every building she's ever worked in. "It takes some real power and talent to melt a slushy machine." Now, after months of scraping by on the last of her savings and spending every day terrified of her own gifts, she's being given the chance to prove her worth. To be accepted for who and what she is.

But there's more happening behind the scenes than anyone realizes, and Aideen soon finds herself caught in a conspiracy of evil monsters and dangerous assassins that dates back over 600 years.

All she wanted to do was fit in. Now the lives of her new friends depend on her talents for fiery destruction....

©2012 Charles R. Verhey (P)2012 Charles R. Verhey

When narration gets in the way.....

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I really wanted to like this audiobook, but......

For the first time I discovered how narration can truly get in the way of a good tale. I don't think I blame Jill Melancon overmuch for the poor performance, but I do blame the director....or whomever decided that yelling through the vast majority of the story like a speed freak at the peak of a high, was a good idea. There are times during the story (far to few in my opinion) that J.M. reads in a fairly normal voice and tone, which is why my complaint is against the director. It's obvious that she knows how to perform an audiobook, but I think in this case, she wasn't allowed to.

A slower pace and less hollering would've put this one near the top of my list because it really is a good story, but the insanely fast and yelling narration was so dang irritating, that it took me over two weeks to get through it. I had to take several breaks during listening and switch to another book just to give my ears a rest. I'm sure some people will be able to get around it for the sake of the story (after all, I did), but it was a struggle. I don't know about anyone else, but I work too hard for the money I make to purchase audiobooks that require an extraordinary effort just to make it through to the end.

My advice - skip the audio version and go straight for the hard copy or electronic. Your ears will thank you.

Narration ruins this one.

Ok, I may have rated this one a tad low because I did find the story and characters entertaining. I did like the overall concept of this book and I wish I could have finished it.

But, I was so irritated by the reading that I had to quit listening and feel I have wasted a credit in this purchase.

When Jill Melancon uses her normal speaking voice it is pleasant and has a fine tone....But, when she is trying to express any emotion in the characters such as surprise, confusion, anger, etc...her voice becomes shrill and grating. Our main character, Aideen, is shy and insecure but the tone of the narrators voice to express this makes me wonder if our character has a mental handicap with the emotional level of a petulent 8 year old.

I will probably just buy the book because the story does have potential as a good read but as an audio with this performance its a complete dud for me.

Too loud at times

Would you try another book from Charles R. Verhey and/or Jill Melancon?

I read this book about a year before I picked up the audio version and loved it. I've been waiting for the second book since then, though I'm not sure if I would go with the audio version of the second book.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I'm not entirely sure that the narrator is fully at fault for anything in this. The production seemed a little rough. There were times that the audio seemed to get really quiet which seemed to be inevitably followed by some very loud yelling. I listened to the majority of this during my commute and having to turn the volume up very loud to hear the normal conversation and then get my eardrums blasted by the yelling was not pleasant.

Was Firecracker worth the listening time?

It wasn't terrible and I think the narrator did a good job representing Cass. The yelling and volume issues were the main detraction. The story is truly excellent and is totally worth the time to either read or listen depending on your preferences.

Interesting but could use a few more explanations

Would you try another book from Charles R. Verhey and/or Jill Melancon?

The author, yes, but it would depend on what kind of book for the narrator. She made Cass sound a little too young and was a little too enthusiastic at times. Her male voices were also a little weak.

Was Firecracker worth the listening time?

Yes, although it did leave me with a few questions on some of the plots in the book which were a little confusing or not fully explained. It also got a little tiresome hearing about Cass's image problem and how hot Li was and how she can't control her abilities, which are all important parts of the book, but you don't need to hear it multiple times. There were many interesting characters with different psychic abilities which were well developed. It was a little gory in places, but not too bad.