A Sudden Outbreak of Magic

Contagious Magic

By: Michael Jasper

Narrated by: Alyson Grauer

Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

A Sudden Outbreak of Magic stars Kelley and Jeroan Strickland, twin teenagers whose family just moved to Dubuque, Iowa. One cold morning in November, Kelley gets "infected" by magic after reading aloud from a small leather bound book she finds. She also blows up the family home in the process. Soon Kelley and Jeroan must face up to a power-hungry, centuries-old Sorcerer who wants to rid the world of what he calls "renegade" magic-users. Only Kelley's new way of using magic will save their new city and their magically infected friends, though she may lose her brother in the process. A Sudden Outbreak of Magic is a novel about ancient power, growing up, and finding your place within those two very different realms.

©2011 Michael Jasper (P)2012 Michael Jasper

Too many background noises and mess up

Would you try another book from Michael Jasper and/or Alyson Grauer?

I'm listening to the next book in his series but not sure if I'd give the narrator another chance as my title of this review states.

What didn’t you like about Alyson Grauer’s performance?

She has a good voice but bad editing skills.

Any additional comments?

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

this was not bad. but it did have flaws I think.

this book wasn't bad, but it wasn't my favorite magic book out there. I was to happy that the kids didn't really take things seriously about using magic. but again they are just kids.
I was kind of offend by the terms: "white girl, black girl, white guy, black guy", I just found it odd to be thought of that way. The narrator did a good job for the most part but had a few miss haps.
I was gratefully provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator for an unbiased review via Audio Boom..

Plucky Teen Magic

Would you consider the audio edition of A Sudden Outbreak of Magic to be better than the print version?

I prefer auidio versions these days

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Sudden Outbreak of Magic?

When Kelley thought she'd lost her brother. She still knew she had to save the city.

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

All the character voices came alive through her.

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

When Kelley reached out to help Miss Hayes, showing her she could be strong.

Any additional comments?

I would love to hear Alyson Grauer again.

A Sudden Outbreak of Magic

Any additional comments?

Good start to a series. Overall an entertaining and enjoyable story. While I did enjoy this story for the most part, the whole repeated reference to race got annoying. Whether it is the way some kids talk or not in certain areas of the country, it took away from the overall enjoyment of the story. After a while it just sounds derogatory.

I have listened to several other books by Michael Jasper and have really enjoyed them. This story just wasn't holding my complete attention like his other books.

When there is a sudden outbreak of magic things spiral out of control pretty fast. What would you do if you suddenly had magic? How would you use it to your advantage?

Good cast of characters. Kelley and her twin Jeroan find their lives suddenly take a turn when they get involved with the world of magic. As if feeling like an outsider in a new town wasn't enough. Loved the dragon. Interesting way to use magic through electronics, but in modern magic what else would you use.

Alyson Grauer is a new narrator to me. This book looks to be one of the first books she narrated. She has a nice voice as well as some really good character voices. But the narration does not flow smoothly, there are also awkward pauses. The recording quality is also not the best. Background noise throughout the book, inconsistent volume as well as several repeated words or lines. A narrator should compliment the story not pull you out of it.

I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher

Good

“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”I am enjoying this book and I hope the next is just as good and I would recommend it to my friends for a good read

OK listen

This was an OK listen. The story was good but the constant mention of "white girl, black girl, white guy, black guy" was a bit distracting and didn't add to the story. The narrator did a good job for the most part but did stumble over the words a few times.

"This audio book was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobookboom"

A Different Take on Magic

This book was different from the other magic books out there. The kids were the ones with the magic and they treated it as if it were an everyday skill like knowing how to multiply. I thought the narrator was good but there were a lot of background noises and mistakes. I am sure they will be corrected with the next edition of this story. I thought Michael was strange in his insistence that they just join them. This was a now urban story even though it started over 100 + years before. Some reviewers are concerned about the race issue. They obviously don't listen to teens talk these days and in fact so many adults can't get past that issue. The story was written with the idea in mind that they were talking as teens do today in my opinion. I liked parts of it and some parts I didn't. But that is true in so many books now. I got this book via audiobook boom.

Good first book in series

Good first book, already started book 2!
Narrator was good but a bit of editing here or there wouldn't hurt.
So many questions...... hoping they'll be answered in books 2 & 3. I hate to list them because it could give away plot points.
I did think it's odd that the primary characters are 14 or 15 (think that's right) & basically have absolutely no parental guidance. What parent who is influential in the community just lets their children make their own rules. So many teen books are written this way. I don't have kids but I know if I did I would keep tabs on them!
Some things are a bit glossed over. I found myself most interested in Maria & her back story. I do like the history of magic parts.
Just when I'd decided I wanted to wring Paulie's neck she turned in to a good person.
Interested in seeing what comes next.

I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrator.

Unique Spin On Magic

This book was very different than what I aspected it to be. The story was ok but I found it distracting with so many racial remarks. There was a constant "white" or "black" girl/boy remarks.

The story was not as captivating as I had hoped. I had to take several breaks. It was not a book I wanted to keep listening without a break.

I found it strange that Jeroan constantly referred to his sister as "The Beast". There were some unusual stuff going on as well. Kelley blew up her house but kept it quiet. She acted like it was no big deal!

The narrator had a good voice but the background noice and not so good editing skills showed all the way through. There were mishaps and fixes throughout the book that should have warranted better editing skills. Perhaps this was her first audiobook?! The background noises were distracting.

My favorite Character was the dragon. He was adorable and full of surprises.

**This audiobook was provided free of charge in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion**

A New World of Magic

This was one of the most unique magic-themed books I’ve listened to… And I’ve listened to a lot! I actually really liked the whole concept. Some of the characters were a little too predictable, but the rest of the story was good enough that I give that a complete pass.

The narrator deserves at least a solid 4 stars, but I’m giving only a 3 right now because there were some mistakes and noises that I found distracting. Fix those editing issues and I’d give at least 4 stars.

I rarely say things like this… But here I go…
I thought that some of the other reviews that said that there was “racism” in the book were so utterly absurd that it’s actually funny… And this is coming from a die-hard liberal!
Can everyone grow up a little???

I requested and received a free copy of this audiobook from the author, publisher, or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review. I was NOT required to write a positive review and this reflects my honest opinion of the work.