Malediction

De: Lisa Morton

Narrado por: Michael Hacker

In 1863, a young woman's heritage is stolen from her, and she lays a terrible curse on the City of Angels. Now, in the 21st century, a teenaged girl with lethal psychic abilities arrives in Los Angeles, ready to ally herself with vengeful spirits of the past to feed her insatiable appetite for destruction. Only Gwen Michaelson, a natural healer afraid of her gifts, and Sam West, a broken amnesiac who was once a brilliant historian, stand against the psychotic and increasingly powerful May Blanco. Will Gwen be able to use her skills to restore Sam's mind, which holds the key to the mystery of May's unearthly companion? Together, can they find a way to stop May before she unleashes a wave of death?

Malediction is a novel about magic and darkness, power and lust, folklore versus fact, love against rage, and the secret history of Los Angeles.

©2011 Evil Jester Press (P)2014 Lisa Morton

Outstanding!

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

Yes, I would definitely recommend this book to a friend. My biggest hang ups in recommendations are too much sex and lacking plot. This book is lacking sex and just enough plot. There are paranormal/religious elements, that my vamp-hating friends would be fine with, so ... No snags as far as telling everyone to READ IT!

What other book might you compare Malediction to and why?

This book is incomparable to any other book I've ever read. Closest would be a Dan Brown novel... Sort of a Ghost Whisperer/ DaVinci Code/ revivalist hybrid. A truly original novel.

Which character – as performed by Michael Hacker – was your favorite?

Sam. He had the most vocal range when he spoke for Sam. From the crusty unused voice of a crazy homeless man, to the slightly more refined and lubricated voice if a former professor, SAMs intonation was recognizable, yet diverse.

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

No. I got a little misty when main characters were nearly destroyed, but no extreme reactions.

Any additional comments?

All in all, this was a fantastic book. I love the audio, which doesn't lose any of it's tone if you speed it up to 1.25+ for immersion reading. Truly a talented narrator, reading a very good book!

Great listening!

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

Spooky, engaging, unique.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the storyline, that it was convoluted and complex, but still easy to follow and different from any other book I can think of.

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

I didn't laugh or cry, but I got so sucked in to the story that I couldn't stop listening! I took my iPod everywhere with me so I wouldn't have to stop.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book, and I think I liked it even more as an audiobook. The narrator brought the story, and all of the characters in it, to life very convincingly.

Engrossing Read.

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

I've only listened to the Audio but I think an Audio book breaths life into a story anyway.

What did you like best about this story?

Everything. I loved the Secret History of LA and how the story weaved together at the end.

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

No, this is my first but I will definitely check out more from him. He really brought the characters to life.

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

No because it's so long but when I was listening to it I didn't want to stop.

Any additional comments?

This was such an engrossing read. Everything from it's plot to it's characters were really well written and developed. I loved how we learn a little at a time about the history and the curse and how the story is weaved together.

Long ago when a woman thought she was cheated out of land, she brought a curse down upon the land and everyone who ever owns it. Skip to modern day LA and the curse seems to come to life through a teenage girl called Mae.

Mae was an amazing villain, I don't mean that I liked her but that she was the nastiest one I've ever read. At the start I felt so sorry for her, her parents locked her away for most of her life because she could do things. She had no love nor companionship for the first 18yrs. One day she decides enough is enough and kills her father and mother. But she doesn't stop there! Mae is the epitome of sociopath and kills for fun or when she wants something. She is pure evil!

Gwen can also do things. She can heal people, so naturally, she is the only person who can try to stop Mae. Along with Portia, a physic and Sam, a scholar, Gwen has to become stronger in order to face Mae, but how do you face someone who will kill with a look, who blows a heart up without a thought or a care??

The lore about the curse was awesome as well. I loved the interludes where we learn about the origin of the curse and how its played out over the years.

Anyway, Malediction was a thrilling and frankly chilling read. I flew through listening to it and didn't want to stop. Its such an intrinsic plot and one I found myself engrossed in. Highly recommend.

Michael Hacker did an amazing job of reading the story. His reactions to things and the way he voiced each character was awesome. Loved listening to this.

A great read!

Any additional comments?

While the narrator was a touch odd in places (still good overall), I loved the story. There were a ton of eyebrow-raising moments that made me prick up my ears. Lisa Morton KNOWS how to write a great story, and this book is proof of it. I've known her for her Halloween-related non-fiction books in the past, but this book will make me seek out her fiction too!

Malediction review

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

Interesting, suspenseful story.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, because of the content and plot of the story.

Which character – as performed by Michael Hacker – was your favorite?

May.

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

Yes, definitely.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this.