• Depravity

  • A Beastly Tale, Book 1
  • By: M.J. Haag
  • Narrated by: Sierra Kline
  • Length: 6 hrs
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (505 ratings)

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Depravity  By  cover art

Depravity

By: M.J. Haag
Narrated by: Sierra Kline
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Publisher's summary

Benella is concerned with two things - avoiding the two village boys who torment her and scrounging for food to help feed her family. Unfortunately the best wild fruit and vegetables are near the walls of the estate, a dark, misty place inhabited by an unforgiving beast.

When her tormentors lock her behind the massive gates, Benella knows her fate is sealed. Yet the fate isn't one she expects. Her encounter with the beast starts a bizarre cycle of bargaining for her freedom, a freedom the beast seems determined to see her lose.

A classic fairy tale with a seductively dark new twist, the A Beastly Tale saga begins with Depravity.

Intended for mature listeners due to sexual situations and moderate language. This book is one of three in the series.

©2015 Shattered Glass Publishing LLC (P)2016 Shattered Glass Publishing LLC

What listeners say about Depravity

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
  • JP
  • 08-23-16

What A Cliffy!!!

"I received a copy of this audiobook for a review. All opinions are my own."

What happens when you take the beloved story of Beauty and the Beast, and add a little steam? You get Depravity.
I own a copy of the printed book, but had yet to read it. So when I was given the opportunity to review, of course I said yes. This is a period drama, so I had to adjust my listening ears and give it a chance. Unlike the last few audios I've reviewed, this took a lot of concentration.
Haag, does an amazing job with research. I say that because of the language and attention to detail about what it must have been like to live during this time. I immediately time-traveled to where socio-economic ideologies relied upon trade, property and status. Much like today the lack of "coin" to a poorer, less established families will at times, push you to your limit.
Benella, the heroine of the story, is a feisty and curious young woman, who struggles to keep her family in tact, while trying to escape the courting of men who she holds no interest. Instead, she finds herself connecting to an unlikely source. In her efforts to stay away, she is consistently drawn to the mysterious person behind the "fog" agreeing to meet his demands for money and food. Tensions continue to grow and then IT happens...Not that IT you pervy pervy lol, but something happens and since I'm the QUEEN of no spoilers, I can't tell you what IT is...
Sierra Kline brings a refreshing take on the narration. I liked her, but at times found it hard to believe her as 18/19 because she sounded a tad older. Nevertheless, her intonation and accent provided a good fit for the character.

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8 people found this helpful

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

Disappointing

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The entire book is a set up for the second book - the story never really progresses but recycles the same scenarios until the ending where it begins to move the story along to set up the second book. I hate books like these. When you write a series you have to give each book a story that has a start, middle, and ending while having the larger story end on a cliff hanger. This book wasn't good enough to entice me to read the remaining ones in the series.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

borderline ridiculous

I'm trying to finish but it's just getting too... odd.
I have a feeling it's more about the author trying to normalize their fetish.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Captivating Beauty & the Beast Adult Version

Where does Depravity rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was such an intricate and captivating take on the classic Beauty and the Beast story. I love the way Melissa Haag takes me in a direction that I don't expect to go. Her characters are full of depth and you immediately get a feel for them. I've always loved this story, but she ramps it up into an adult version that draws you in and doesn't let go. Although it includes some adult situations, I found it more readable and intriguing. It is filled with danger and magic, gives you chills and makes your heart pump faster.

Ms Haag weaves a colorful story, helping the imagination to take us into the tale, becoming a part of the scene. I found myself looking forward to the scenes with Benella and the Beast, my mind capturing the dynamics of the strong young woman and this powerful beast and wondering when her heart might weaken toward the beast and her responses might become more submissive to his nature.

Though I'd read the book before, this audible copy really brings life to the story. I can't wait to hear subsequent books.

Have you listened to any of Sierra Kline’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've never heard her narrate before and was quite impressed. She has a very flexible voice and does the male parts well. Her inflections and the changes in vocals for each character are well emphasized. It is not an easy job, and she did it well.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Not Disney's Beauty and the Beast 😏

I've read the original story of beauty and the beast and I love picking up on the parts that are taking from the original and not Disney. I can't wait to read the next book!!! This book has me hanging on every word... I'll put the timer on before bed but keep having to extend the timer because I'm so engrossed into the story! I love fairytale stories with a much more adult twist to them if you know what I mean giggle !!!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Audio Enhanced my Love for this Story!

What made the experience of listening to Depravity the most enjoyable?

The Narrator was more fabulous than I could have ever imagined! She really brought the tale to life with her voices and narration. The story I had already read and loved and the audio made me fall in love even more!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Well Benella was the main character and narrator of the story. So she definitely is my favorite!

Which character – as performed by Sierra Kline – was your favorite?

I have to say that Sierra Kline's depiction of the Beast was stellar!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The cliffhanger was hard to handle but I was very pleased to start right into book 2 without hesitation.

Any additional comments?

I cannot recommend this series more!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Not for me

Narrator was very good but although I knew it was a dark fairy tale I still was very disappointed. Not much of a fan with forced sex whether it's the heroine with the Hero or the heroine watching the Hero forcing (raping) himself on on a tree nymph. Disgusting and gut wrenching throw up in my mouth!! I stopped listening to it when that happened and it was about 3/4 of the way through. The beast is one narcissist, mean, self centered person with no respect to women. I don't care to finish this book let alone read the other 2. Also, when she started visiting the whore house (where her father now works teaching the women English, math & other subjects) I got a bad gut feeling that this author was going to take it to a really weird and twisted/sick path. Oh well, if this is your cup of tea then buy it but, if you like your main characters to stay true to each other once they meet then stay away from this series!! Or should you not want to waste your money or the sick feeling after reading something you wished you never read, stay away. Just a heads up.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Beauty and the Beast on steroids

This is a totally different spin to the usual animated versions provided by Disney and the latest musical production of Beauty and the Beast.
Benella, Beauty, who is a 16 yr-old girl, hunts around the edges of the Beast's estate to find provisions so her family won't starve. While making her rounds, she is stalked and tormented by the blacksmith's two sons. once, they send her into the estate in a cart, hoping the Beast will take his revenge and kill her. The beast, however, has grown fond of her and through a series of events, one of them being nursing Benella through an illness, he asks her to stay.

After several weeks pass, having made it back home after her illness, the Beast captures the entire family and to keep her father alive, Beauty and the Beast come to an agreement that she will stay with the Beast, but is allowed one day every week to visit her family.

The depravity not only comes from the Beast's estate, but the Baker, Blacksmith and his eldest son, and Benella's own sisters, who are selfish beyond belief. Then there is the local brothel in the Water, where Benella learns about taming men's desires.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

This is a great story

Would you try another book from M.J. Haag and/or Sierra Kline?

Yes I would for sure. She has a great imagination and this story draws you in.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Depravity?

I love the development of the Beast and Benella's relationship. I think the difference in the fairy tale and the story are many and the relationship is very different, Benella as would anyone in this time period has many hardships.

What didn’t you like about Sierra Kline’s performance?

I did not. I am sorry, her voice is lovely but is not the voice for Benella in my mind. She reads the whole story in a very sexy tone, it takes away from the story.

Any additional comments?

I got one more audible of this book but read the last one on my device. I love these books and it is worth a read as well as audible books.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Imaginative Story, Well Narrated, Thoroughly Enjoy

What did you love best about Depravity?

I loved the imaginative twist on the Beauty and the Beast classic. Benella is a one of a kind character, who brings endearment to the story.

What other book might you compare Depravity to and why?

This is a tough question. There are other books that share some elements with Depravity. The first that comes to mind is Broken (The Watcher Series Book 1), by S.J. West. Like Benella, Jess suffers torment in her early life, she is afraid to trust and lacks knowledge of the sexual part of life. However, Depravity is set in a time long ago, and Broken is set in the future.

Have you listened to any of Sierra Kline’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not, but I look forward to listening to her narrations in the future.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A classic tale, as you have never seen it.

Any additional comments?

Completely enjoyed this audiobook!

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