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

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.

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.

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.

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

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**

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.

Phones for Magic?!?!?

What did you love best about A Sudden Outbreak of Magic?

I really liked the fresh take on how magic works in our world. The characters were fairly predictable, but I read A LOT so that is something that doesn't break a story for me since I often can predict the major character stereotypes.

What did you like best about this story?

I LOVED the dragon :)

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

Once I was about halfway through I did NOT want to stop, I needed to know what was going to happen next and how the story would play out.

Any additional comments?

I listen to audiobooks while I travel for work on the train, and while I walk the dog. So at least 3 hours a day are spent listening to audiobooks and I love finding new stories that I have never read/heard before.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Contagious Magic

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com.

Narrator first. I got the impression this is one of the narrator's first books. I thought her narration was reasonable, but her editing was a little subpar. For example, in ch 17 around 10 minutes in, the narrator makes the most obvious mistake with her words. Throughout the book I hear some microphone issues and inflection problems from the editing. This is fairly mild and doesn't distract much from the book, but it is noticeable for long-time listeners. I imagined the character of polly as more of a michelle rodriguez kind of character, tough and overcompensating, but the narrator gave her a whiny voice. It's not bad, just not what I was expecting. I'll give her normal narration 4/5, but with the editing drop it to 3/5.

Story. Be aware this is the kind of story that doesn't take itself seriously. For example, when the kids use magic, they treat it the same as finding a 20$ bill under the couch cushion: excited but not very serious. Another example that really shows it is when kelly blows up her own house and doesn't think much of it. Once you get passed this, the story is ok. I was annoyed by how often everyone's race was brought up. We're constantly reminded that Kelly is black and everyone else is white, usually to make unfunny jokes (eg: black girl stealing books). The villains also seem very underpowered.

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"