Rider: Spirals of Destiny: Book 1

By: Jim Bernheimer

Narrated by: Christine Padovan

Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Forget everything you thought you knew about unicorns and maidens...

A unicorn is not supposed to survive the death of its rider, but Majherri did. Now he is a pariah, mistrusted by the Greater Herd. To reclaim his lost honor and status, he will entrust the remnants of his life to a new human female while unraveling the mystery of his continued existence.

Kayleigh Reese is not Battle Maiden material. She's three years older than any other recruit and has enjoyed a peaceful, nomadic life working with her artist mother. The rigors of joining the High-King's elite unicorn cavalry are clearly not for her. Now, with a bond to Majherri, she must overcome her mother's disapproval, the ire of her commanding officer and fellow trainees, and, most importantly, the secrets of her unicorn's past if she is to become a legendary warrior. To prevail, they must quickly come together as a team and unlock the powerful and dangerous magic inside them.

©2011-2015 David Wood- Gryphonwood Press (P)2011 David Wood

Very disappointing.

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

A completely different reader.

Would you be willing to try another one of Christine Padovan’s performances?

No

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

If you have no idea who the Companions are in Mercedes Lackey's books, then you may enjoy this book. Though, by about halfway through it was different enough that I became interested, though I couldn't listen to another one unless someone else was the reader. I've learned my lesson and will always preview the audio not just read the descriptions.

Stilted narration

The narration is slow and mechanical except when she uses a high squeaky voice for some of the females. I cannot finish. I think the story would otherwise be ok.

Worst Performance By Narrator!

I bought this book for my grandkids, but fortunately I listened to it first. Padovan is abysmal as a narrator. I do believe a 5th grader out of any random school would have done a better job. The narration was so grating it was hard to follow the story. Buy the book if you want to follow this story.

Horrible narrator ok story

Would you try another book from Jim Bernheimer and/or Christine Padovan?

The writing style seemed juvenile and the plot got really bogged down in the middle.

Has Rider: Spirals of Destiny: Book 1 turned you off from other books in this genre?

no

Would you be willing to try another one of Christine Padovan’s performances?

Never. Her voice was monotone and when she attempted to do different voices for characters they were screechy and annoying. Could barely get through book.

Did Rider: Spirals of Destiny: Book 1 inspire you to do anything?

No

Any additional comments?

This book needed more editing .

Couldn't listen any longer.

I liked the story, couldn't stand the narrator. Sad because I would have liked to finish, but couldn't bring myself to. Reader made main character sound stupid to high pitched any tone she added to her voice.

Rider Book 1

This could have been an interesting story line if the narrator had been better. I have listened to other young adult series (like the Temeraire Series by Naomi Novik and Dragon Series by EE Knight) and this one is not the best for young adult. Primarily because the narrator over exaggerates the dialogue and makes the characters sound like little girls or worse. Not the best choice for a strong girl image! Perhaps with another narrator this would have been better. The story line seems to be a good one.

Good story - awful reader

What disappointed you about Rider: Spirals of Destiny: Book 1?

The person reading the book was so awful I finally had to stop reading it and by the book to finish the story.

What did you like best about this story?

The story was good and kept my interest.

What didn’t you like about Christine Padovan’s performance?

All of her female voices other than the normal voice was read in a high (often squeaky) and stilted voice. It made the characters seem like uptight idiots.

Any additional comments?

Find someone else to read the book.

Annoying

What did you like best about Rider: Spirals of Destiny: Book 1? What did you like least?

I can't really say if I liked much, the narrator was too annoying. It might be an interesting story, that's why I gave it 2 stars, but I couldn't stand the narrator

What was one of the most memorable moments of Rider: Spirals of Destiny: Book 1?

Nothing

What didn’t you like about Christine Padovan’s performance?

Terrible pacing. Annoying pauses.

Do you think Rider: Spirals of Destiny: Book 1 needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No idea. I couldn't finish listening.

can't finish this

I can't decide which was worse the writing or the narration.

Some of the different voices sounded ridiculous & grating. It would have been better to have a single voice through out.

The story & characters were stiff, awkward and seemed to follow a check list.

Can't finish the book due to Narration

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

The Director refusing to sign off on the performance until the voice of Rider Welsh was changed from a very good imitation of Mickey Mouse to that of an adult female human.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The story has potential, and I enjoyed the Author's Ferryman book but I don't think I will be able to finish this book. When describing actions, the Narrator is ok, but in dialogue she is stilted and the characterization of Rider Welsh is so high pitched and whiny I cringe and remove my earphones. It's terrible. I'd rather not be able to tell which character is saying what than listen to this. I've bought over 150 audio books, on this and other sites and this is the absolute worst performance. I can handle the stilted dialogue, in truth, I didn't notice it at first, but what was the Director, sound editor, whoever else vets productions thinking when they let the Narrator produce Rider Welsh's characterization? Did nobody check it?

Would you be willing to try another one of Christine Padovan’s performances?

Absolutely Not. I cringe just remembering the voice used for one of the characters. It's horrible, I don't think I'll be able to finish this book. The dialogue is also stilted. Why didn't this Narrator get direction to loosen up and drop AT LEAST an octave on Rider Welsh's speeches? I have never given a negative review (or any review) before but this is just dreadful.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Can't get past the high pitched helium voice for one of the characters. If the book is or becomes available as an ebook I might buy it.

Any additional comments?

I really don't like giving public negative reviews. I think whoever is involved in the management of this production was negligent for not giving performance feedback to the Narrator when they first heard the characterization of Rider Welsh. With more experience and coaching and better direction the Narrator might become accomplished.