Count Karlstein

We are enjoying this story really. But, all things considered, it is a bit disappointing. The naming of people is a bit trite, if mildy amusing. My major complaint though lies with the audio quality. We have listened to dozens of audible books, as well as libray audio books, but have never encountered such troubles with volume differentiation. The narrator is loud and clear, and then we can't hear the dialogue done by the cast. So I crank the volume on the car stereo up, and AAAAHHH! the narrator comes back and blows us out of our seat belts. An unsettling problem. I am having trouble getting into the book, perhaps only because of this. My girls, 11 and 13, are enjoying it, despite the difficulties.

This was not one of Pullman's best books. I loved the Golden Compass and the other books that followed. He tried too hard to be different..we did not even listen to the last 50 min. A real disappointment.

If you come to this expecting to find something along the lines of His Dark Materials, you'll be disappointed. But I get the feeling some people rate this lower because it's a different sort of book than they wanted... you can't blame the book for misplaced expectations. This is beautifully read with sound effects and effective music which, for once, doesn't overwhelm the reading. This is definitely a children's tale in the great fairy tale tradition, with truly nasty villains, supernatural forces, plucky heroes who triumph over their own foibles, and a happy ending (I'm sure that isn't a spoiler). I've listened twice and thoroughly enjoyed it, as I have all of Philip Pullman's books. Come in expecting a charming and fun tale and you won't regret that you did.