A Turn of Light

By: Julie E. Czerneda

Narrated by: Abby Craden

Length: 34 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

The village of Marrowdell is an isolated pioneer community, but it is also the place where two worlds overlap, and at the turn of light - sunset - the world of magic known as the Verge can briefly be seen.

Jenn Nalynn belongs to both Verge and Marrowdell, but even she doesn't know how special she is--or that her invisible friend Wisp is actually a dragon sent to guard her... and keep her from leaving the valley. But Jenn longs to see the world, and thinking that a husband will help her reach this goal, she decides to create one using spells. Of course, everything goes awry, and suddenly her "invisible friend" has been transformed into a man. But he is not the only newcomer to Marrowdell, and far from the most dangerous of those who are suddenly finding their way to the valley.

©2013 Julie E. Czerneda (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Critic Reviews

• Winner, 2014 Prix Aurora Award, Best English Novel

Julie's first foray into fantasy is a home run!

Let me start by saying I'm not a writer, and I know that will come through very clearly in my attempt at this review.

I was lucky enough at Christmas time to win an advanced reading copy of this wonderful book. I devoured it page after page. This is not your typical "coming of age" story. There are lots of twists and turns and toads thrown in to keep you turning page after page.

Then as soon as I heard the book was here on Audible, I knew I had to have it. I love to reread books and listening to them is even better. I do a lot of driving and putting on a good story carries me so well from point A to point B and this audio book was no exception.

I'm not going to tell you what the story is about, who the characters are (you can get all that by reading the description and then reading the book), that's not what I want to do here. What I want to tell you is that this is a book that is full of characters you will come to care about and if you're like me, you'll become invested in what's going to happen to them next.

So no, this is not your typical story about a girl coming of age, a horse and a handsome man. Does it have those things? Yes, maybe, sort of. But it has toads and magic and eggs and dragons and a lot more things you really must read about yourself.

The narration by Abby Craden is spot on, I can't say I tried to picture the voices when I read my copy, but if I had, they'd have sounded like they do here. I highly recommend this story, it's a great read/listen.

If you've not read any of Julie's books before, what are you waiting for?

Took 7 years to learn to like it, but then...

Bought this in 2013, and tried occasionally ever since to get past the narration. The reason I didn't return it was a good one: I love some of Julie E. Czerneda's other works. I wanted to try to get past my dislike of the narrator's voice, and to enter into the spirited feeling of the tale. All these years later, I finally got the hang of non-resistance. And I was richly rewarded for being so stubborn. Because from that time on, I found this story profoundly fascinating. This is an exceptionally interesting and very cleverly-wrought tale. It is wonderfully intricate as it unwinds, which is a great pleasure when you are enjoying a journey you don't want to end.

I didn't love every single moment, or every little thing along the way. But that was never a problem. Especially since, for me, the only fantasy writer who ever ascended to such perfection was Tolkien. There are plenty of other very fine story-tellers who are thoroughly themselves. But highly intelligent science fiction and fantasy written by women? There is nowhere near enough of it, yet. Here is one.

Awful narration

Would you try another book from Julie E. Czerneda and/or Abby Craden?

Czerneda yes, Craden, no.

Would you ever listen to anything by Julie E. Czerneda again?

I would like to try her sci-fi

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Abby Craden?

Anyone else. I don't know. The narration is so deadpan that you can't even follow the story. After listening for an hour I had to turn it off and just delete. A waste of money. She goes up and down and stops in the middle of sentences. It's like she is reading words in a breathy voice rather than telling a coherent story.

Any additional comments?

I am going to try the print book because the premise sounds good and the print reviews are a whole lot better than the audible reviews.

Thistles and Toads and Dragons

I loved this book but I usually do love Czerneda's writing. I will say it's not for everyone. For me this book built a beautiful world with people I came to care about. It may be to long for some. I recommend starting with the narration spread at 1:10 because the narrator drags out words. And then just read it like you've newly arrived at the village and take your time getting to know everyone with a cuppa I'd best.

Uncompelling. Also, irritating.

Apparently in print form this book is 800 pages - what?

Look. You can't say I didn't give this audiobook a chance. I made it to chapter 14 and I. Am. TIRED. And a little angry. And I am not gonna listen to any more.

Note - this review is fairly spoiler free.

Julie E. Czerneda is a favorite author of mine - I loved the Trade Pact series, which were full of interest, action and the sort of fish-out-of-water humor you expect from alien interactions. The Web Shifters, likewise. And the Species Imperative set takes one of her strong points, a background in biology, and deftly uses it. I think character driven sci-fi is Ms Czerneda's strong point.

This? This fantasy story? It's just. Bad. It's treacly-sweet, in a how-quaint-is-this-perfect-village way where nothing happens and there are only squabbles. Conflicts are solved easily because it's just so perfect. A wealth of detail of house construction/pioneer farming/cheese making etc isn't compelling listening/reading, the pace is slow slow slow SLOW. WHEN will some action happen? Halfway through the book, and nothing? Nothing?!?

I am also thoroughly sick of the 'heroine' Jenn Nalyn. What she has to recommend her, beyond a 19-year old's desire to see the world? Why does everyone in the story call her 'kind heart' fondly? She's wilful, selfish, and has planted herself firmly into a love triangle instead of being an adult about the situation she created. I know she is from a small village. That doesn't mean she should act emotionally 14. Farming is a tough life. Grow up.

Lastly, to speak to the narrator: you are doing a fine job with a boring story. One the the ticks of the writing is how Czerneda is using full names, even though NO ONE ELSE in the village shares a name! I could deal with that, but for one thing that is scraping fingernails across the blackboard of my very soul, and because it occurs so often in the text, you keep doing it. Please. Abby Craden. I know 'Jenn Nalyn', when spoken too quickly, sounds like 'Jennalyn' which would have been a very acceptable first name for the protagonist. Alas. We are here, and you keep saying the name so distinctly, so heavily, it sounds like some dread pronouncement of an oracle, and you say it with the same phrasing no matter who is talking or thinking about the character.

'Jenn.' *slight pause* 'Nayln.''
'JENN.' *slight pause* 'NALYN.'
'Jenn.' *slight pause* 'NALYN.'

It doesn't matter if it's her fond aunt, or the sappy lover, or the angry village boy speaking of Jenn. *slight pause* Nalyn. It's the same every time. Please, vary it up in the next volume of this series. Otherwise, you have a very pleasant voice.

Anyway, again no spoilers, if any listener wants to pay for 36 hours of utter tediousness, feel free to do so.

Me? I'm going to ask for my credit back, an action I have exercised only 2 times previously in about 8 years of being an Audible customer.

So bad that I couldn't even finish it

Czerneda used to be one of my favorite authors, I have always enjoyed her sf novels. A Turn of Light is just terrible. It is like the worst romance novel ever. For example, the main person Jenn Nalynn is supposed to be 19 and acts like the most selfish totally spoiled brat about ten years old, totally unlikable. I suffered about 10 hours of listening about her going on and on about marriage and escaping from the village before I almost screamed and hit someone. Then I did the most sensible thing and turned it off.

I don't want to waste too many words on this review but save your money on this one.

HORRIBLE

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

If your looking for a silly romance story then you found your book. This fantasy in word only. I don't mind romance story but WTF this is a horrible one. Everything is over described. the main is so silly that you wonder if she 8 years old or 2.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Abby Craden?

okay

What character would you cut from A Turn of Light?

THE MAIN CHARACTER

An enteresting read...

Would you consider the audio edition of A Turn of Light to be better than the print version?

I never read the "print version"

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Turn of Light?

I like the turnborn coming to town and the verbal play between Scourge and Captain Ash to be great

Which character – as performed by Abby Craden – was your favorite?

Scourge

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

ITCHY!

Any additional comments?

I thought she read it wonderfully. I bought it on a "blind purchase" I knew nothing about it.I thought it turned-out to be well worth the time.

Voice of Doom in the narrator!

first let me say that reading this vs listening to the audible may provide a radically different experience ...

but, getting through this was a *chore* ... the narrator's tone, inflection ... gah! I had to put it on double speed just to complete the audible

that said, this is another book where I found I liked the plot and ideas incorporated ... but there was so much superfluous wordage ... like a mouth full of peanut butter and trying to cram more in

peanut butter is good ... but can overwhelm and end up choking ... which I feel happened

the *constant* "Ancestors this" and "ancestors that" ... was amusing at first ... but good GRIEF no one would actually use it in every other thing they open their mouth to say

also, and again perhaps the narrator ruined it, but I heard "Jen Nolin" waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much ... and I "get" this was part of the "feel" of the community ... but it got old, fast

call her jen, call her ... well, *her*


I'll stop there.