The Gathering

By: Kelley Armstrong

Narrated by: Jennifer Ikeda

Length: 8 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

Strange things are happening in Maya's tiny Vancouver Island town. First, her friend Serena, the captain of the swim team, drowns mysteriously in the middle of a calm lake. Then, one year later, mountain lions are spotted rather frequently around Maya's home and her reactions to them are somewhat . . . unexpected. Her best friend, Daniel, has also been experiencing unexplainable premonitions about certain people and situations.

It doesn't help that the new bad boy in town, Rafe, has a dangerous secret, and he's interested in one special part of Maya's anatom - her paw-print birthmark.

©2011 KLA Fricke Inc (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers

A very nice style of writing...

What made the experience of listening to The Gathering the most enjoyable?

The reader tried its best to imitate the voices of the males. I've not experience those readers that can actually morph their voices. other wise I enjoy it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Gathering?

How it begins to reveal slowly then leaves you in suspense. Don't wanna give away the story... lol

Which character – as performed by Jennifer Ikeda – was your favorite?

Maya

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The caring and the uncaring character of Maya, how she distinguish between animal and human.

Gripping

The storyline was amazing and it made me want more from this author. I can't wait until the rest of the series is out

perfect combo of story and narrator

I love both this author and narrator. I will seek out books that Jennifer Ikeda works on just to listen to her choices, accents etc.

What happened?

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I don't know. I liked the book but I hated the ending!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mia - her strength in learning the truth about her life.

Which character – as performed by Jennifer Ikeda – was your favorite?

Mia

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

Yes! The book just abruptly ended with everything left open. It was very frustrating!

Good story but ending not developed fully

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

I enjoyed the story and the narration, but toward the end of the book, it seemed that the writer just wanted to end it. There were a lot of areas that were underdeveloped. I understand that some things are left unanswered for a sequel, but not the case in this one. Just poorly written toward the end.
Didn't leave me wanting more.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Not good at all. Poorly developed ending, sort of not finished.

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

Loved the narration, very powerful and well read.

Good teenage listen, get The Calling too

What made the experience of listening to The Gathering the most enjoyable?

It is a teenage adventure with creatures. I enjoyed this tale and I am not a teenager. The story moved along and there were no wholes in their logic. It was enjoyable. I would highly recommend getting The Calling at the same time or you might be frustrated wanting to know, where is this going, what happened? I am going to see when the next one will be out. I am now invested in the characters.

Would you recommend The Gathering to your friends? Why or why not?

Well, I would recommend it to my adult daughter's friends and my nephews. I would not want to admit to my friends.......

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

She is the reason I bought this book. I listened to another series that she narrated and wanted to listen to other books she performed. She is five star!

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

I listened to this book and the next in the series in one day. I am waiting for the next one. A guilty pleasure.

Really Loving it...but

Every time I hear Jennifer Ikeda I hear Feyre and Rhys! lol I am really enjoying this story line though. I believe this is my first Kelly Armstrong book series. I like the plot. It has good character development and how they progress thru the story. Recommend it!

Wait until the rest of the series is available

I enjoyed this book and the narrator was excellent. I would have given the story a higher rating if the cliff hanger ending was not such a let down. If the next in the series was available I might have not been so disappointed. Anyway I suggest you wait to listen to this book when the complete series is available.

Ah man! What happened?

Any additional comments?

I try not to read or listen to a book from a series unless the other books are available. So I was quite surprised with how this book ended. It has the ending of a

A bit slow in the beginning but making up for it.

What did you like best about this story?

Even though its categorized as "teen book" adults can enjoy it a lot. It might start out a bit slow due to the high school stuff but heads into the story pretty fast and excitingly afterwards.

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

My very favorite female reader. Heard her first with A Discovery of Witches. Fluent, flexible, never too much, intense, authentic.

Any additional comments?

Moved right on to book 2