The Crystal Bridge

The Lost Shards, Volume 1

By: Charlie Pulsipher

Narrated by: Keith Michaelson

Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

The Egg followed Kaden home from the hospital. This glowing shell only he can see transports him across the emptiness between universes to distant worlds, but he's afraid to use it. This strange Egg may have saved Kaden's life once, but it failed to save anyone else he cares about.

Aren's sight reaches deep into the souls around her, seeing more than she wants in her friends and teachers at school. When she turns her gaze on Kaden, his Egg responds by sending them spiraling across space and time to a world where dragons, elves, dwarves, and peculiar gods dwell. Separated, lost, and alone in a hostile world on the brink of war, these teens must come to grips with their unique gifts if they ever want to see Earth again.

Back home, a biotechnology company tinkers with the science of reality, hoping to cure death itself by any means. But their work and the intrusion into the void have awakened something shadowy and powerful, a being imprisoned there for millennia. This dark being intends to break free and devour everything and everyone it touches. Infinite universes are in danger. Kaden and Aren must decide if they can save more than themselves. Can they save us all?

©2014 Charlie Pulsipher (P)2015 Charlie Pulsipher

Sci-Fi Meets Fantasy in a Brilliant Way

What did you love best about The Crystal Bridge?

I liked the alternating views of the main characters. I kept waiting and waiting for them to all merge together. That kept me wanting to listen even more. I also loved the world building.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I have to say it's a big toss up between Kaden and Aren. I could relate really well to both of them. I liked the mystery behind Aren's character and I wanted to learn more about her life and gifts.

Which character – as performed by Keith Michaelson – was your favorite?

I enjoyed the elf and dwarf. I loved the different accents he was able to give each character to make them different.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It left me wanting more. Lots more!

Any additional comments?

This is my kind of read. I really enjoyed all the different scenes throughout the book—it made it almost felt more like a movie than a book. I got to see the point of views of so many different characters it added to the overall story. I really want to listen to the next book because there are so many questions this book didn’t answer. Over all it’s a fun read and very entertaining.

A great listen. Kept me enthralled.

If you could sum up The Crystal Bridge in three words, what would they be?

Unique cross-genre book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Aren, she has risen above her trials and remained sweet and brave.

Which character – as performed by Keith Michaelson – was your favorite?

I loved his accents on almost all the characters. He did very well with the dwarf-like character.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I could have, I would have. I thought about the book frequently while waiting for the time when I could listen again.

Any additional comments?

By the end of the book I was saying, Oh My Gosh, I love this book. Can't wait for the next one.

Just Right

Sometimes you're looking for a good mix of sci-fi and fantasy. It can be hard to find. Gene Wolfe did a tremendous job in this respect, but not many others. Pulsipher really has my ear now. He's woven a story with hi-tech and wormholes with the mystical creatures that we come to expect with classical fantasy. In that respect, I think this book definitely adds to both genres.

Both protagonists are very likable. I feel like there's a lot more going on and am anxious for book 2. Also, and I'm glad for this, there isn't a lot of fluff. The story is cut well and moves forward with every chapter or POV change. It has an epic feel without being 30+ hours long in audio form. The descriptions are awesome. I loved hearing the descriptions of other worlds, though foreign, but you can easily imagine what's there. The narrator was a good choice for this story. Wide range of characters and didn't have to wonder who was speaking at any point. Solid, consistent performance.

Hope book 2 comes out soon.

Promising...

Interesting mix of fantasy and Sci-fi. I think I've been listening to too many ancient evil and heroes returning books. After a palate cleanser, I will be pumped to read the next two.

Simplistic story line

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

Might be good for kids

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

First book seems like it was just background.

Do you think The Crystal Bridge needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

since it didn't finish anything, yes.

Excellent Series Start

This is a truly interesting read, combining modern computer tech with ancient magics. The narration is perfect and brings the story to life. It ended in a cliff hanger at a spot where you will be totally compelled to get the next book.

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com."

"Science Fantasy" is a good way to think of it...

Where does The Crystal Bridge rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book ranks in the top two this year. Though this is categorized as "young adult", Pulsipher doesn't pander, so it's just as enjoyable for adults. Mr. Michaelson's read was amazing, too, easily moving from one accent or inflection to another, making each character recognizable without having to be labelled. I love it when I start forgetting that the story is only being read by one person.

What did you like best about this story?

I really enjoyed the organic world building. Instead of spending thirty pages telling us what everything looks like, the reader is allowed to discover the world as the characters do, thereby making it easier to do so. The characters develop slowly and naturally, which is good since the author throws a lot of them at you pretty quickly. I also loved the blending of science fiction and high fantasy, maybe mixed with a little Lovecraftian weirdness.

Which scene was your favorite?

The final scene in this book was riveting.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did laugh, several times. The author has a way with snark and sarcasm for some characters that I relate to, while maintaining a seriousness with other characters and with the story as a whole.

Any additional comments?

First, this:"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com."

I also want to stress again that this was not only a fun story, but a really well done production and read. I look forward to more of Pulsipher's stories and Michaelson's reads.

Decent sci fi and fantasy, but underdeveloped.

The Crystal Bridge: The Lost Shards has no connection to the title that I can tell, as none of these concepts came to the surface in the book.

Kadin is not an enjoyable protagonist. He's a whiny kid with the occasional good moment. I think that's part of the development of the character, but he did not shine anywhere in this book.

Auron, his female counterpart, was ok. She seems kinda like a cynic who learns to be humble, but again, she shines no where in this book.

James, the protagonist for the sci-fi part of the book, was somewhat interesting, though a bit too aloof. I found everything with the BOCS to be fascinating though, and it really redeemed the book in my eyes.

The world feels massively underdeveloped on the fantasy end of things. concepts seem to come into existence without any connection. There's no unifying theme besides the antagonist, Rho.

the sci-fi sections were much more developed and interesting and ultimately were what kept me listening.

I won't spoil the ending, but there's not much to spoil. There's no exciting payoff, and I found Kadin's fight with the ancient one a little unbelievable, as in not realistic within the parameters of the story. I was waiting the entire book for the story to get exciting. Then it ensed.

The narrator did well, but his normal speaking voice sounds permanently dramatic. It takes getting used to. He did a great job making original voices for multiple characters though. Sadly one of his best voices, the fire elf near the end, was barely used.

I beat up this book a lot. I think it deserves it, but I will say this: I got the impression that this was done by a rookie author who is passionate about his dream. The forward is cringy, but I think he is really trying. if you want to support someone who is a rookie, give it a go. I don't regret listening to it, and the sci-fi elements I think are interesting.

It's a great one!

Loved the romantic elements that were here. Tension, but not the focus. Story was awesome! Took a chance because I listened to another book by this narrator and he rocked it.

This book does love pretty quick and doesn't get lost in its nerd-side. I think there's probably enough here to satisfy just about everyone. That's probably why I really liked it. I'd almost say the execution of the tried and true story line is pioneering.

Epic Fantasy

Any additional comments?

When I was deciding if I wanted to read this book, I read references to StarGate and another show I love. Still, that wasn't quite enough to tell me if I wanted to invest time in a new author I never heard of. Then I looked to see who the narrator was since that can make or break a book for me. Oh, its Keith Michaelson? That made it a no-brainer for me. I was fresh off his Ares Performance and he didn't disappoint here either. He has many voices, all distinct and I still say I haven't heard anyone that gives their villains a better, creepy voice then Keith does.

The Crystal Bridge, is a big, fantasy/Scifi story with an epic feel. It feels like a big book. And there is a lot going on in it. At first we start off with Kaden, and we see when his egg of power first manifested itself to him. We then get Aren, and she has her own set of unique abilities. Kaden and Aren's world doesn't take long to converge together. We get the feeling they have something in common with these unique gifts but its unclear how it ties together.

This takes us to James. There was a lot done to get James to where he is. Including ruining his reputation in the science community. James story runs parallel with Aren and Kaden but the two never meet for most of the book, until the very end. Through the book you are left wondering about what is it that James is doing that ties in with Kaden and Aren but we are clear that it does somehow tie together.

There are side characters. The Dark god, the Twin gods, the Monks, Vander, James boss. Everyone has a goal or agenda and we get pieces of their story too a long the way.

The writing and descriptions were fantastic, dare I say even magical. Mr. Pulsipher is highly imaginative and prolific. Everything felt unique and new. It was nothing like anything I've read before.

The first book is like a chest board and its setting the players up on the board. All the world building and laying out the ground work for all these characters, slowed down the pacing a bit for me. Just as I thought I was finally going to get answers about how James fits in, the book ends on a cliff hangar.

I usually don't like when books end on a cliff hangar. But Wow this story feels so epic. The parts about Aren and Kaden and how they play into all of this is really interesting and I want to know more. Aren, Kaden and James are all very likable characters and they really pull you in to this story.

There are many unique races/species in the book and they also have a rich, story to them. This world is well fleshed out. There are so many elements to it that I'm surprised any author could keep it all straight but the author does. If you want a unique book that doesn't feel cookie cutter. If you like strange new words, other creatures and imaginative story telling, then by all means this book is for you. I am looking forward to reading the next book to get all those answers finally answered and to see what happens next.

Without a doubt its worth the credit and you can't go wrong with Keith narrating it.

*I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com".