One Wizard Place

By: D.M. Paul

Narrated by: Katy Davies

Length: 5 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's Summary

Young Kase and his faithful partner Murdox – who just happens to be a talking wolf-dog – are agents for the Incantation Enforcement Agency, Counter-Curse Division. In a world where magic and technology are intertwined, they have the unpleasant job of righting magic that has gone wrong.

Following the completion of the difficult task of rousting some pesky nixies, they learn that their next assignment involves saving an elf king who is slowly turning to stone after drinking a mystical afternoon tea. What begins as a typical quirky assignment turns out to be a quest that takes them to forbidden lands, where they encounter magical beasts and unique challenges destined to test all their skills and intelligence.

©2006 D.M. Paul (P)2006 Big Happy Family, LLC

Loved it!

I loved this fast paced book - though it appeared as if it were a series of short stories strung together (one short story in itself, an interlude, a longer short story and then a novella) rather than a novel. Children and adults both will enjoy this tale of the two investigators from the Counter Curse division of the IEA. It is fantasy at its best with a talking dog, orgres, magic, elves and even a dragon.

Although it may be a bit violent for very young children, it is a good story for a long drive. I particularly enjoyed the vivid descriptions of the different types of transportation in this world. (Like all the best amusement park rides.)

The only thing that I didn't care for is the portrail of female characters. There were very few of them and they were typically silly and/or incompetent.

Great Book for a Road Trip

I bought this book for a road trip with my children (ages 10 and 12). I have to say it was great, the narrator's voice is charming and the story kept the kids completely interested the whole time. It was one of the easiest 6hr trips we've taken in a long time. Though the book is for young adults the parents will like it too. Really fast paced and generally fun to listen to. …Must buy for that long drive.

Very good for a young audience

my kids are 9, 6, and 5. They all loved this book. not bad for me as well. pretty good story for the family. nice and clean.

Earworthy Book

Great find. My 11 year old son and I enjoyed this book. Great to listen to even when not driving. :) For any aspiring wizard this is a must read. Er, Listen.

wasn't for me

Barely remember it, just didn't click. I usually do alright with YA novels but this was just not engaging for me.

Enjoyable

This is an enjoyable book. It has the feel of some short stories and a novella. They revolve around a young person Kase and a wizard cursed into the form of a wolf dog (Murdox). Because these are a series of short stories, some things aren't addressed. It is never made clear how old Kase is. He and his dad get transported to an alternate world by way of a portal at the home of his aunt. She sets up the pair to get transported. It isn't really clear why. It is supposed that it is done to get the two out of an emotional rut. This is due to the death of Kase's mom. Also what isn't clear is Kase's age. Murdox comments in most of the stories that he must remember Kase is a child. Kase behaviors and actions fit a late teens or young adult. This simply made me more curious about Kase but didn't diminish my enjoyment of the book. Katy Davies reading also fit a late teen or young adult. Katy Davies reading was pretty good. This is a good story for a young audience and those who are young at heart.

Very Disappointing

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

The production quality could have been better and the story was not as compelling and I thought. The narrator did a good job, it just wasnt the story I expected.

Ok for young (very young?) readers.

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Compared to Half Moon investigations or How to Train your dragon, this book is uninspired.

Would you be willing to try another book from D.M. Paul? Why or why not?

Underdeveloped dialog and character interaction.

One Wizard Place

What disappointed you about One Wizard Place?

It is not often that i come across a narrator that I literally cannot listen to but this is one. Much as I admire someone with a speech impediment overcoming their problem and reading to an audience, it spoiled my listening experience beyond tolerance and i gave up listening.Also the sounds in the background is most irritating too.The storyline itself came across a bit disjointed like someone had tried to stitch several short stories together.

What will your next listen be?

Not anything narrated by this narrator :(

What didn’t you like about Katy Davies’s performance?

Poor.