Resthaven

By: Erik Therme

Narrated by: Randi Larson

Length: 5 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

The last thing Kaylee wants to do is participate in a childish scavenger hunt - especially inside the abandoned retirement home on the edge of town. When she finds a bruised, deaf boy hiding inside one of the rooms, she vows to lead him to safety - only to discover the front doors are now padlocked, and her friends are nowhere to be found. Kaylee is about to learn that not everything that goes "bump in the night" is imaginary, and sometimes there are worse things to fear than ghosts.

©2016 Amazon Publishing (P)2017 Erik Therme

Ok story.

Kaylee is new in town and doesn't really know anyone. Her mom wants her to make an effort to meet people so when Anna invites her to a friends house for a party, Kaylee reluctantly accepts. But when they get there, they realise it isn't a party, but actually a scavenger hunt in an old abandoned retirement home! What lurks inside the building??

I was looking forward to this as I enjoyed the authors first book, but was a little let down to be honest. It felt like it was missing something! It started off slow and then when we get to the building, it took a while to take off. There wasn't enough scares, nor enough tenseness to make this thoroughly enjoyable. I know this is aimed at YA, but they can handle a little darkness!!

Character wise, I didn't particularly like any of them. One was extremely bitchy, and extremely nasty, one was extremely whiney and Kaylee herself was a little too.... I don't know. She didn't capture my attention and I honestly couldn't care what happened to them. I think the only one I liked was the little boy.

In all, this was readable. It kept my attention and I finished it, but it was forgettable!

Randi Larson was good. She read the story well, but lacked the cadences necessary to bring the book fully alive. She had a good few tones and voices and I enjoyed her performance.

I was voluntarily provided this audiobook for free from the author, narrator, or publisher. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Don't go in the house

I received a free copy of the book and voluntarily provided a review.

The story is a little hard to get into because jamie's such an annoying character. She is the stereotypical spoiled girl who berates and uses everyone. The good news is we don't hear from her for most of the book once it gets going. The thrills are a bit more serious than a typical children's novel. The children go into the house for a scavenger hunt, find themselves locked in, and get attacked by a crazy old man. Once the building catches on fire, their lives are definitely in real danger. There's no supernatural/paranormal element, so I'm not sure why it's in that category on Audible. There are a few scenes where they they mistreat a dog, which I don't like, but it fits into the story line.

The characters are all a little meh, and the protagonist isn't the most likable person either. The narrator did a great job portraying them. She definitely convinced me she was the spoiled Jamie, the quiet Ethan, over-excited Sidney, and the bored Ren.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Resthaven

This is an ok story.I didn't really like any of the characters.Randi Larsen is an ok YA narrater.I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.

Great suspense!

We listened to this story on a road trip. It kept us entertained and wanting to know what was going to happen to the characters next. We really enjoyed it!

Great book.

This is definitely a youth book, and not my typical genre. Overall it was a great story. The narration felt very young if that makes any sense. I could have done with out that, but I suppose if I was a teenager it would sound like someone I know.

Fun read

This is the first book that i have listened to by Eric Therme. Loved the imagination that went into this, how he caught the feelings of terrified children and projected it back at you. I twas performed well, and is something that I could read again!

Entertaining Young Adult Fiction!

I really enjoyed this book and the narration by Randi Larson is perfect!. I intend to have my 13 year old daughter listen/read this book as well... there are lots of life lessons in this that if taken to heart will help her avoid some of the pitfalls of life, and all that while the story is entertaining.

Great Story

I loved this story and Randi did a fantastic job narrating it. I was able to tell who was talking just by her voice. Resthaven is written very well and moves along at a great pace. I didn't want to stop listening until the story was over.

Resthaven

3.5 stars
Stay away from abandoned buildings. You never know what will happen. Kaylee and her friends are about to find this out the hard way.

This was a good story full of suspense, mystery, twists and surprises. It took a chapter or two to really get going but once it did it pulled me in completely and never let go. Before I new it 5 1/2 hours had flown by and it was over.

Good cast of characters both likable and unlikable. The new girl, the snotty bratty girl, the whiny girl, the sweet girl etc. and most of them will get on your nerves at one point or another. Kaylee of coarse was a great character. Strong, independent and not afraid to stand up for herself.

Randi Larson's narration was great. Pleasant voice that is easy to listen to for long periods of time. Her voice fit the characters perfectly and sounded age appropriate. It throws a whole story of when the narrator doesn't sound like a teen. Really good character voices. She brought the characters, their personalities and the story to life. Very enjoyable.

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

Enthralling!

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me coming back for more. Come find out what happens at Resthaven!

Good story

Could be many things but it's a good edge of your seat tale hope to hear more

A good read!

Very well written and, clearly and pleasantly narrated, I found this book to be both original in storyline and entertaining holding my interest right to the last page!

Creepy

What a way to spend an evening! A mixed bunch of girls, mismatched but put together. They go on a scavenger hunt and things go from bad to worse. I don't know how they would put up with each other as such a different outlook & behaviours. But that's life & friendships!
Narrator did a good job. All girls were voiced differently, not easy! So was easy to know who was talking no matter where in the story.
Really enjoyed it.

Enjoyable

I don't remember having anything like Resthaven to read as a YA. Mind you, that was probably a good job as I'd never had made it to OA as I'd have been frightened to death years before now! This is a really good read/listen. The teenage girls are appropriately revolting, but thankfully Kayleigh steps up when the situation calls for someone to be brave. Randi Larson does a good job with the narration. It must be extraordinarily difficult to provide voices for so many girls of the same age and to ensure they are different enough for the listener to tell who's who and, at the same time, not to allow the voices to be caricatures. There are a number of different strands that, when woven together become a terrifying tale for these girls. They also all have troubled back stories, which helps to comprehend why they react the way they do. This is a fast paced story full of well described action and is a great book to encourage YAs to read for pleasure.

Teen girl sleep over & treasure hunt with a twist

What did you like most about Resthaven?

The book came to life as it progressed throughout.

Who was your favorite character and why?

anna

What does Randi Larson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

She sound young just like a teen girl would

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I felt sorrow by the end of the book

Any additional comments?

Felt disappointment as want to know what happens to corbyn