Altered Helix

By: Stephanie Hansen

Narrated by: Carolyn A. Lee

Length: 4 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

I didn’t want to take the traditional path. First, I wasn’t ready for college. Second, I was going to live with my best friend Tiff and work at the haunted house. Third, did I mention the hot guy Josh that works there, too?

The most exciting thing about Austria’s new job at a local haunted house was the fact that the toughest looking people screamed the loudest. But when she meets Josh, the boy without a home, Austria's life takes intriguing and eventful turns.

Up until now, Josh has managed to hang with his street crowd, but they’re in danger, and so is Austria, the girl Josh recently fell for. The group finds themselves joining forces with those previously considered enemies who also now find themselves in danger.

Deeply compassionate and full of twists, Altered Helix captures the struggle of polarized people that must work together for the greater good.

©2020 Stephanie Hansen (P)2023 Stephanie Hansen

One of the most original stories I've heard!

Summary –


She never expected to find love and a brave new world at the haunted house. Rebelling against the norm is nothing new for Austria. Instead of going off to college, she chose to live with her bestie, Tiff, and work at the haunted house. There, she met Josh, a hot guy with no home. She crushes hard on Josh and her life takes an unexpected turn. Suddenly, she’s in danger and so is Josh, along with his crowd of people he hangs out with. A new world unfolds for Austria, filled with a whole new reality she never thought possible. Teaming up with old foes to combat a new enemy sounds risky but it might be the only way to survive.


Narrator’s overall voice –

Carolyn A. Lee’s voice has personality all its own but when it employs the various character voices, it takes on each character with aplomb. I thoroughly enjoyed her voice.

Does the narrator fit the characters?

Yes, Carolyn A. Lee fits the characters, especially the teens. I’m amazed how well she evokes men and guys. Very well done.

Narrator’s reading style –

Carolyn A. Lee has a reading style that is casual, nice and easy, but with plenty of twists and turns to keep the listener vested.

Narrator’s impact on reading experience –

Carolyn A. Lee has an innate ability to draw a listener/reader in without any effort. She takes what is one of the most original stories I’ve ever read and makes it come alive.

Narrator’s pacing –

Her pacing is perfect, blending action, romance, mystery, suspense, and more with ease.

Audiobook flow –

She allows the audiobook to unfold naturally with plenty of dialogue, action, romance, and everyday life.

What makes this audiobook unique –

Carolyn A. Lee and Stephanie Hansen partner up to bring readers/listeners one of the best YA books I’ve ever heard/read. The plot is fast-moving which adds to the exhilaration while listening. Her narration brings Altered Helix alive, like a movie. Brilliant from start to finish.

Would I recommend this audiobook –

YES! Don’t delay. Buy this audiobook right now.


My Rating: 5 stars

A haunted house

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

There is a lot going on In this book it was hard for me follow the story at times I found myself lost a bit to what was going on. To many characters introduced to fast for me to keep up. This may not happen to other listeners. Series has lots of potential

An excellent novella

A quick, fast paced, book about homelessness and those that are different. I can’t wait to read the next in the series!

Wonderful story

The story is quite intriguing. It takes a little bit to get started but stay with it it does get better and drawls you in and starts answering some questions towards the end.

I was not overly impressed with the narrator I think it was the tone of voice it’s a little more high-pitched than I would have enjoyed. But that’s a personal preference, Not bad overall.

Romance, mystery, ghosts—this story has everything

Romance, mystery, ghosts—this story has everything!! I loved the “fantasy triller” part of the story, and I’m totally rooting for Austria and Josh!

(I’m also scared for them, actually. I feel like there are still a lot of secrets hidden in that Haunted House, and I don’t want anything bad to happen to them!)

So, yeah, if you’re a fan of YA mysteries, I definitely recommend this one!

CHILLS AND THRILLS

A fun summer read! The writing is beautiful and fits the story's style. a great listen.

2.5 stars?

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

There's a lot going on in this book and that's not entirely a good thing. There are quite a few plots that aren't fleshed out and aren't connected in any way, the characters are incredibly one dimensional, the prose was off/unrealistic, and a lot of times I was left thinking, "...what?" after a sentence. Unfortunately, the part I was looking forward to (dystopian stares with a collapsed government) wasn't explored at all; it was just mentioned and forgotten. But haunted houses are still a thing amidst the collapse? The dialogue was lackluster while most of the writing was focused on descriptive bursts that didn't quite fit together. There were also instances of "info-dump" where things are revealed too quickly and all at once without too much suspense; like when the evil villian ruins his evil plot right in front of the hero who inevitably beats him. A quick touch on the romance: I'm sick of the damsel in distress and the brooding, protective knights in shining armor who always have cheesy things to say. It's not romantic, it's cringy. Good things about the novel: it was an interesting idea (altered DNA) but it got lost among the other plots.