The Rook

A Novel

By: Daniel O'Malley

Narrated by: Susan Duerden

Length: 17 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Myfanwy Thomas awakes in a London park surrounded by dead bodies. With her memory gone, her only hope of survival is to trust the instructions left in her pocket by her former self. She quickly learns that she is a Rook, a high-level operative in a secret agency that protects the world from supernatural threats. But there is a mole inside the organization - and this person wants her dead.

As Myfanwy battles to save herself, she encounters a person with four bodies, a woman who can enter her dreams, children transformed into deadly fighters, and an unimaginably vast conspiracy.

Suspenseful and hilarious, The Rookis an outrageously inventive debut for listeners who like their espionage with a dollop of purple slime.

©2012 Daniel O'Malley (P)2012 Hachette

Charm, Excitement, and just enough Sarcasm.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Rook to be better than the print version?

Although I have not read the print version of "The Rook", I would venture to say that the audio adaptation is superior. - It may be may favorite audio book....EVER. See the section about Susan Duerden (the narrator). to learn why.

What other book might you compare The Rook to and why?

Neverwhere - by Neil Gaiman - The way the author provides you with cynical characters, to balance out the magic and fairytale-ish-ness, is super similar.
I was also reminded of Terry Pratchett and Christopher Moore - All the silly supernatural guys (there seems to be a lack of silly lady sci-fi writers - unless we venture into vampire/werewolf territory - Which I will admit to doing, on occasion.).
I have to say that I do prefer british silliness to Moore's American variety - This strange preference only made me love this book even more - Although the author is apparently Australian, the book is perfectly English!

What does Susan Duerden bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Susan Duerden had the perfect vocal range and acting abilities to nail EVERY character (including the overweight, skinless, male belgian). The superb narration was the shining star on this xmas tree of a novel.
The book would have been lit up and pretty on it's own - But, it would never have truly been complete, until you balanced teetering on the edge of a random piece of furniture, and R-E-A-C-H-E-D out with your "never-before-so-short-arms", and carefully placed the star perfectly on the tippy-most-top of this book.

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

Absolutely. I wanted to know everything about the Chequy, IMMEDIATELY, as I am sure Rook Thomas did as well.

Any additional comments?

I have NEVER written a review on audible before. I have never felt any desire to. I think I needed to love listening to a book so much, that I was compelled to spend my valuable time reviewing it - This was such a book!
A fun, adventurous, and addictive listen. Full of court intrigue, treasonous supernatural government agents, and magical creatures of all kinds.
Although this book is filled with fantastical characters, some with abilities beyond compare, it manages to dodge the number one problem of the fantasy/sci-fi genre - taking oneself too seriously. - MAGIC IS SILLY!!
Daniel O'Malley portrays this fact beautifully, throughout his story.
He has penned a fantasy novel with the perfect balance of silliness and the supernatural.
I will listen to this one again and again.............and I'm not usually that kind of girl!!

Like nothing I’ve read before

I’ll keep it brief - this book is weird and like nothing I have ever read. It’s really good though. If you liked The Rise and Fall of DODO you may enjoy The Rook

A character you can relate to

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this audiobook because the setting was unique, yet you could vividly imagine yourself there. And the narrator did a beautiful job of fitting into the role and expressing the different characters as well.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked that it was calm at times but still had its action packed moments.

What does Susan Duerden bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She brought life to the main character that wouldn't have been as clear as reading it. The consistant astonishment in the British accent was entirely comical!

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

I practically did! I was entirely engulfed from the beginning.

Cool story, but ruined by the Performer

Very unique and interesting story, but the performer literally sounds like a phone robot - the inflections drove me NUTS. I also think the story would work better as a film than a book, which is weird for me to say, but thats how i feel.

unorthodox, funny and engaging.

a mystery, tense, which of my friends is out to kill me. tongue in cheek British humor, Superpowers but different from anything with powers I've read. unique

THE ROOK that rooked (and rocked) my Si-Fi World

I’m normally not much into Si-Fi,.. and to be totally honest, it was my ex tipping Me off about this one - BUT this book really have opened my eyes into a whole new (for me) genre! So take this grading from someone that usually isn’t that impressed by Si-Fi = I fucking LOVE this book!!! The author is impressively creative and innovative and the narrator is outstanding in getting you spellbound by Her voice-impressions!!! 10 out of 10 without any doubts and I’m now super excited to continue exploring this genre! Thanks Daniel O’Malley for opening my eyes and mind to a whole New Si-Fi World =)

Extremely Entertaining.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I tore through this one, and I thought it was terribly amusing.

There are a few plot holes, and I wish there had been either some real suspense or more laugh-out-loud bits. Mainly, I wish there had been more suspense. The tone is such that, although there is a fairly substantial body count, there's no real sense of jeopardy or loss as the plot skips loonily along.

But I loved Myfanwy and Ingrid (and even Little Pawn Alan), so whatever. I'll read the sequel just as soon as it comes out.

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

I had not, but she's terrific.

Any additional comments?

This question and answer business is terrible.

Like Harry Potter as written by Douglas Adams

highly entertaining, funny, very imaginative. densely packed within a rich, imaginative world. I'd highly recommend.

An Absolute Must Read

Amazing book read by an incredible narrator. The story had me hooked from beginning to end, and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes urban fantasy mixed with espionage.

great story.......fabulous narrator

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

It was a good story, but I was disappointed with the ending I felt it left too much still to be told. It would be great if this is a series.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mithany of course.....her attitude

What about Susan Duerden’s performance did you like?

you could always identify each character throughout the story.....great accents

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

no