Alistair

Tales from P.A.W.S., Book 1

By: Debbie Manber Kupfer

Narrated by: Matt Lovell

Length: 16 mins

Publisher's Summary

"Maybe I am," said Alistair, "But there are monsters worse than me in this world. You are lucky, Joshua; lucky you have me to protect you. I was not so fortunate." Alistair took a long breath in and exhaled slowly, "neither was my mother...."

©2016 Debbie Manber Kupfer (P)2016 Debbie Manber Kupfer

Am I a monster?

Alistair is playing chess with Joshua when he tells the story of his father, who was a monster. The treatment of Alistair and his sister by their father was the story that so many children are, unfortunately, familiar with. It was particularly hard to listen to the part about the funeral, with the friends and neighbors who expressed all sorts of condolences and brought gifts to his father, all because they did not know who Alistair's father truly was and what had truly happed. But, it was that incident that sent Alistair on his journey to try and solve the problem.

This was not an easy short story to read/listen to. But it was a very good short story. It was true to so many stories we hear in real life - discounting the magical parts. It reminded me a lot of a poem I read in high school in the 90s - a poem so powerful that it has stuck with me since then - My Papa's Waltz.

The narrator, Matt Lovell, did a wonderful job. His voice was perfect for the story. It was dark and harsh and really brought home how the line between good and evil is not so easily drawn, not are the labels so easily given.

Still, all that being said, I will admit to listening to this story twice. I listened to it the first time, then immediately relistened to it, because the darkness in it, the insidiousness of the characters, is what made it so good.

4.5/5 stars

I don't remember much about the book, but I do remember really liking it. It's different and dark but oddly satisfying.
*I received a free copy of the audiobook ages ago, listened ages ago, freely chose to leave the review. All thoughts are my own.

Reads like a Series Preview/Teaser

This is a super short backstory of one of the characters in the series P.A.W.S. The story is interesting and definitely explains Alistair's anger. I would be interested to see where the story goes in full book form with the rest of the series. The narrator did a fantastic job with the voice differentiation and was fun to listen to.

—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Alistair

Alistair tells of how he became a ware-wolf. Of how he went to Romania in search of vampires but finding out they are just a mith. He finds out that ware-wolves are real though. He looks forward to show he is worthy of being one by killing his father

Alistair

A fantastic look at Alistair’s back story. It also works as a stand alone short story.

Another great short story you Debbie Manber Kupfer.

I thoroughly enjoyed Matt Lovell’s narration. He really brought out the characters emotions and the urgency of the situation.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

Good side story

This is the third book I have read/listened to by this author and I would listen to another. I have also listened to book 1: P.A.W.S. I have several other tales from P.A.W.S. in my library and look forward to listening to them. I like the world of shifters that she has created. ——-

This is the first book I have listened to by this narrator ( Matt Lovell ) and I would listen to another. He adds expression, emotion and personality to the characters. His reading reminds me a bit of an actor in a play by his enunciation. It’s a little over acted for the book, but still a good listen.——-

There are no explicit sex scenes, excessive violence, or swearing. ——-

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.

Story 4/5
Narration 4/5

Love it

That voice! Love love love it! The narrator was excellent and the story of Alistair, very tragic.

A great read very short story

This was a great explanation of how Alistair became what how is. poor Alistair I was glad when he got his father.

Super Short

Super short but explained a lot. The narrator did an awesome job making Alistair sound evil. It also explains a little about why he is such a power-hungry evil wolf. I enjoyed this very much.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from StoryOrigin for an honest review.

Interesting origin story

I liked this origin story. It tied Alistair's origin to P.A.W.S. book 1.

I received this book for free from the author.

What a short story!

This is possibly the best short story I've ever read, and certainly I am going to be telling it around a campfire at some point this summer!
"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

great

these short stories are great, but would love them all together in one book, xxxxx