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Once More upon a Time  By  cover art

Once More upon a Time

By: Roshani Chokshi
Narrated by: Rebecca Gibel,Shiromi Arserio,Vikas Adam
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Publisher's summary

A dazzling fairy tale about falling in love again by the New York Times best-selling author of The Star-Touched Queen and The Gilded Wolves.

Once upon a time, there was a king and queen in a land called Love's Keep who once loved one another, but alas, no more. Without love, they were doomed to be ousted from their kingdom at the end of a year and a day.

A year and a day passed.

This is where their story starts.

Imelda and Ambrose can't remember why they got married. A year and a day ago, Ambrose consulted a witch, trading their love to save Imelda's life - and they've been stuck with one another ever since. When that same witch pays them a visit on the day they lose their kingdom, she promises to make their deepest wishes come true in exchange for a simple favor and a short journey. With nothing left to lose, Imelda and Ambrose agree. But, over the course of their enchanted road trip peppered with a delirious cloak, cannibals, and at least one honey badger, something magical happens...little by little, step by step, they regain what they had forgotten.

They remember why they fell in love.

When the end of their journey nears and they confront parting ways forever, a new decision faces them. Will Imelda and Ambrose choose their deepest wishes, or will they choose each other - again?

©2020 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC.
  • Original Recording Audiobook
  • Categories: Romance

Our favorite moments from Once More Upon a Time

"Once upon a time..."
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"...The King and Queen must always been in love"
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"They got a taste for flesh."
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  • Once More upon a Time
  • "Once upon a time..."
  • Once More upon a Time
  • "...The King and Queen must always been in love"
  • Once More upon a Time
  • "They got a taste for flesh."

About the Creator

Roshani Chokshi is the author of commercial and critically acclaimed books for middle grade and young adult readers that draws on world mythology and folklore. Her work has been nominated for the Locus and Nebula awards, and has frequently appeared on 'Best of The Year' lists from Barnes and Noble, Forbes, Buzzfeed, and more. Her New York Times best-selling series includes The Star-Touched Queen duology, The Gilded Wolves, and Aru Shah and The End of Time, which was recently optioned for film by Paramount Pictures.

About the Performer

Born in Syracuse, raised in Albuquerque, and currently living in Providence, RI, Rebecca Gibel has voiced hundreds of characters in over 200 audiobooks. She is a Resident Actor at Trinity Rep, and has worked across the country and in television and film, recurring on AMC’s NOS4A2, with roles on NBC’s Law & Order: SVU, Hulu’s Castle Rock, CBS's Blue Bloods, with Sienna Miller in American Woman, and with Mark Wahlberg in Netflix’s Spenser Confidential, directed by Peter Berg. In addition to her work as a performer, Ms. Gibel is a lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts and Performance Studies at Brown University.

About the Performer

A native of London, England, Shiromi Arserio is a stage actor, voice talent and award nominated audiobook narrator. She holds a BA in Theater from Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance. In addition to narrating over 100 audiobooks, her voice can be heard in documentaries and video games such as Nancy Drew: The Shattered Medallion. Shiromi currently resides in Seattle with her husband and her two furbabies.

About the Performer

Born in British Columbia, Vikas Adam lived in various parts of the US and Canada, as well as India, before his family settled in Texas. He graduated from Syracuse University before returning to Dallas where he began his theater and TV career, which later took him to LA. Though relatively speaking, Adam is still early in his career as a narrator, he is already making an impact on the industry and beyond. Besides his work as an actor, producer, director, and narrator, Adam is a lecturer in the Department of Theater, Film & Television at UCLA. He has also used his theater skills in numerous social outreach programs dealing with sexual assault awareness, and was one of the founding members of the Dallas County Sexual Assault Coalition.

What listeners say about Once More upon a Time

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fairy tales of magic apples and horse cloaks

This was a refreshing fairy tale both familiar and new. The writer perfectly captured the flavor of traditional fairy tales, both the Disney ones, with witches, dragons, and curses, and the Grimm ones, with a touch of darkness and “be careful what you wish for” morals/twists to the story. You’ll recognize several traditional fairy tales, but with added depth and some adjustments. Best of all, however, Imelda isn’t simply some fragile flower who just stands about waiting for rescue. With both Imelda and Ambrose capable of smart, strong actions, it made for a much more dynamic listen.

The tale of rediscovering love during a quest for a magic potion was well written and zipped along. I loved the quirky touches, like the Flamingo purse or the armoire that magically provides new gowns/shoes every morning. Fuggedaboutit Honey Badger was fun and the cloak who thinks he’s a horse was as charming a sidekick as you could hope for.

While the narrators both sounded a bit too much like teenagers, there was nonetheless good inflection and differentiation between the various characters. I speed read and speed listen- and found 1.3x to work well.

From the fairy tale genre, the cartoon cover, and the kitschy summary, this seemed like a children’s book. And certainly the narration, harp introductions to each chapter, comic sound effects, and Disney-esque adventures will appeal to kids. But, think YA more than children’s, or at least Shrek over Sleeping Beauty. Instead of fluttering eyelashes and a chaste kiss, this story contains some sexual innuendo, like folks joking about Ambrose “finishing off” and Imelda needing some “tendering” before bed (at ch 7 if you want to preview it before your kids). There’s some talk of how Ambrose fills out a shirt and a rather leering, stolen kiss by a minor villain. Most of this will probably fly over kids’ heads, and it’s still on the whole way more sweet than Twilight style YA. I had no problem letting my 11 & 13 year olds listen to this.

Free of politics, religion and profanity (except one exclamation of “Hell”). Minor violence and references to past death, but no killing in this book. A few kisses, some sexual innuendo, and references to the couple spending the night together.

On the whole, quite happy with this free Audible listen.

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66 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Harp?

The story was cute and funny, but the harp sound every few minutes becomes so irritating.

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28 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

not a bad listen

the story was pretty good, I didn't find it a struggle to keep up, nor did I want to shut it off after 30 seconds. definitely will listen again

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18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Not my type of book

The reading talent was great and very animated! I'm just not into "Harlequin Romance" type books. 🤷‍♀️

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17 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

good story

The narrators are good with the book but some of the story was annoying. Listen to this book if you are a fan of Once Upon a Time.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Nice concept, meh execution

I loved the concept but execution was lacking. Narrators were fine (Adams was great, as always). The story just was not deep enough for me. I still don't understand the Horsehair cloak. The characters had no depth and all the change to the characters motivations seemed forced.

I'm glad I got this for free.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful New Fairytale

Loved this! The story was unique and wonderful and a great reminder. Absolutely Beautiful

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10 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Very cute couple

Take a story everyone knows, and put a modern perspective on it. And you have our tale as old as time. I'm use to the "Chimes" that start every chapter, but I can see some people being Irritated by the noise for every chapter through here. Other than that I had a really good time listening to this book and I would love to hear more stories from this author and these narrators.

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8 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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I would not recommend

couldn't hold my attention. was finished after 20 minutes. terrible terrible dont waste your time

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Beginning was though, but it got better.

The story was cute and different. Not a fan of the female narrator, a little too mechanical in her expression. Overall it was a good read. Also didn't like the musical pauses. I had a hard time staying engaged for the first few chapters but I powered through and enjoyed the story after the quest got underway.

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6 people found this helpful