Night of a Thousand Stars

By: Deanna Raybourn

Narrated by: Anna Parker-Naples

Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Deanna Raybourn returns with a Jazz Age tale of grand adventure.

On the verge of a stilted life as an aristocrat's wife, Poppy Hammond does the only sensible thing - she flees the chapel in her wedding gown. Assisted by the handsome curate who calls himself Sebastian Cantrip, she spirits away to her estranged father's quiet country village, pursued by the family she left in uproar. But when the dust of her broken engagement settles and Sebastian disappears under mysterious circumstances, Poppy discovers there is more to her hero than it seems.

With only her feisty lady's maid for company, Poppy secures employment and travels incognita - east across the seas, chasing a hunch and the whisper of clues. Danger abounds beneath the canopies of the silken city, and Poppy finds herself in the perilous sights of those who will stop at nothing to recover a fabled ancient treasure. Torn between allegiance to her kindly employer and a dashing, shadowy figure, Poppy will risk it all as she attempts to unravel a much larger plan - one that stretches to the very heart of the British government and one that could endanger everything and everyone she holds dear.

©2014 Deanna Raybourn (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Stick to the print edition for this one

What disappointed you about Night of a Thousand Stars?

I loved the book when I read it last year, but was really disappointed in the audio version because the narrator's voice got grating quickly.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Her portrayal of the heroine, while perhaps appropriate for her character, was irritating. She sounded too girlish and whiny, even though her upper crust accent was appropriate. She couldn't portray most of the men very well because her range in terms of pitch is limited. The American and French accents she tried to use for some of the secondary characters were awful.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Sadness and disappointment. It's such a great read and it's a shame the author's work has been so poorly served

Any additional comments?

If you're a fan of Deanna Raybourn's and haven't read this one yet, stick to the print version, because the audio version does it no favors.

Absolutely Fantastic Again!

Man can she write! I don't know how she thinks of all the twists and turns! So Great Again! Love it!!!

Charming

This was charming, beginning with a runaway bride and traveling to Syria. This is set in 1920 after the war and refers to some characters in favorite books by this author. I couldn't decide about the reader, she had a 1920s voice I guess but not always successful. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this, especially the historical detail and descriptions of Syria.Deanna Rayburn is one of my favorites

Not as bad as other reviews

Performance was weird but I got used to it and thought the voice suited poppy and Sebastian voice was fine as well. Not sure why so negative about narrator. I second other reader. Ms raybourn please continue with poppy and Seb. Make a series. Please please.

Cute story, the ending was the best part.

The narrators voice was a little grating. She switched characters well. Just Poppy's voice was a little high pitched. Poppy seemed dim witted for Deanna Raybourns women to be but things came together in a satisfying ending. Not her best work but still quite good.

Avoid

What would have made Night of a Thousand Stars better?

A different narrator--Anna Parker Naples did this story no favors. I read this book a few years ago and enjoyed it so much that I decided to listen to it. My entire experience of the story changed due to the narration.

Who was your favorite character and why?

How did the narrator detract from the book?

In every way possible. Her voice grated with every character, but most especially with Poppy. What's more, the narrator's Arabic accent was painful to listen to--not a good thing for a book set in Syria.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I loved the story. The narrator ruined it.

Recent history and the birth of espionage...

But awful voice characterization for the main character. Perhaps the producers wanted to make Poppy sound young or "blonde." She came off sounding ditzy when in fact she was smart, bold, and fiercely independent. Definitely worth the listen. I'd love a sequel.

Fun story, annoying characterization of Poppy

I thoroughly enjoyed this romping story, but had to make myself listen to the insipid characterization of the main character as voiced by the narrator

Beginning of a new series?

Really enjoyed this lighthearted mystery. A society marriage, a runaway bride rescued by the vicar!

Reviews are difficult when you are speechless

As usual a good story but for the first time I cannot finish a Deanna Raybourn book...because of the narration. It is so bad as to almost cause offense.