Doorways

(A Book of Vampires, Werewolves & Black Magic) (The Doorways Saga 1)

By: Tim O'Rourke

Narrated by: Fred Wolinsky

Length: 7 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

When Zach Black discovers a doorway, he enters a world similar, yet very different from his own. A world inhabited with vampires, werewolves, and zombies, Zach makes a journey like no other.

With the help of a beautiful vampire named Neanna Cera and a werewolf called William Weaver, Zach's journey to save the person he loves takes him through the Doorways. But the Doorways have the power to change you - altering your appearance and abilities as you pass between them.

This is an audiobook of vampires, werewolves, and black magic.

©2011 Tim O'Rourke (P)2014 Tim O'Rourke

Critic reviews

"I really did love this tale. It reminded me of Lemoney Snicket and The Spiderwick Chronicles with the detail of a Neil Gaimen novel. It has all the aspects to become the next great classic."((Greta) Paranormal Wastelands Book Reviews)

"This novel has a little something for everyone, and I feel like this adventure story and the writing style are similar to that of Tolkien and Lemony Snicket." (A Book Vacation Book Reviews)

Good Fantasy Book

This is good book about a friendship between a boy, a werewolf and a vampire. The 3 together are trying to save the world of Endra and at the same time save his little sister. This starts with Jack Black walking through a doorway and he is then introduced to this other world full of fun characters where almost everyone there has a reflection in Earth as well. The queen of Endra, who is his little sister's reflection, is in trouble and together they need to save them. This book has lots of great characters and is a fun listen. This book is to be continued in book 2.

Even though this has a lot of adventure and fun characters, I had a hard time getting into it to begin with. It was an interesting book, but not one that I felt like I never wanted to pause the book. Personally, I feel this is more of a young adult book.

The narrator did an amazing job with all of the different character voices and there were quite a few of them. He had a lot of real expression in his voice as well, not just during the dialogue, during the narration part of the story as well. He did a wonderful job!

What a Trip!

If you could sum up Doorways in three words, what would they be?

unexpected, exciting, entertaining

What was one of the most memorable moments of Doorways?

When Jack Black went through the doorway into Endra for the first time.

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

Yes I have. This is one of Mr. Wolinsky's finest performances because of the number of different characters that he had to master. In a single sentence, he seamlessly transitions from one to the other without a hitch.

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

The grieving process that William goes through when he realizes that his grandfather is dead.

Any additional comments?

This fascinating story of different worlds has me hooked. I can't wait to see where Doorways 2 and 3 will lead!

A thrilling listen

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

This was very enjoyable and entertaining.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Doorways?

When William finally reveals his back story, it is both touching and exciting.

What does Fred Wolinsky bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Fred really brings the story to life. He makes each character distinct and alive, and brings a thrilling emotion to the storytelling. I don't think I would have enjoyed the book quite as much by reading it myself. It was thrilling having Fred read it to me. I would like to hear more of his books.

Any additional comments?

This is a fun adventure book, creating a fascinating new world. While it seems geared to young adults, it can be enjoyed by anyone with a sense of adventure who loves to explore new worlds and strange creatures.

compelling, if slightly over-populated story

Doorways by Tim O’Rourke promised Vampires, Werewolves and Magic all from the perspective of Zach, a sixteen year old boy who will be the hero and constant in the series. I was concerned that the story could easily be ‘too familiar’ with too much of the feel of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, as the whole enter a doorway just instantly had me thinking of the Wardrobe.

What I found was a compelling, if slightly over-populated with characters, story that had some unique twists and villains that are simply ‘regular’ people, without great stereotypical traits to mark them as dangerous. Zach finds himself stepping through a doorway and meeting up with friendly vampires and werewolves. Soon he realizes this parallel universe holds people he knows, some with very different skills and traits than those he recognizes. Of course, there is evil: in fact Zach is thrust into a battle to save his ‘alternate little sister”.

O’Rourke kept the action flowing, even if, at times, there were too many characters added and given ‘import’ to keep them all straight and easily recognized. His friendship with William and Neanna is serving the plot nicely, and they do show a solid connection. But all of the characters were a touch flat for me without great development that would have had me over the moon about the title. Zach needed to give me more: I didn’t find a way to connect with his struggles or love for his sister, or even the fear or confusion that would have been apparent. It is a solid, action packed fantasy where you have the idea of ‘who’ to follow, but aren’t necessarily engaged with him: it is the action and the unique world that draw and hold you in the story.

Narration is provided by Fred Wollinsky, and while his narration was solid and he was solidly managing to give Zach a consistent voice that was clearly enunciated and felt appropriate, there were too many voices attempted altogether, and in his more ‘sinister’ moments his enunciation went south and rewinding at least once, but often several times was needed to understand. While I can’t blame that entirely on his choices but on the overload of characters, I think a few less voices would have made a huge difference in this performance.

I received an AudioBook copy of the title from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Fun adventure

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes. If I had not listened to it, I would not have given Book 2 a chance (review to come) which I thought was better than Book 1.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

All 3 female characters start off needing rescuing. By the end of the book, 2 of the 3 still need to be rescued. I would like to give them weapons and a fighting chance. Or add other female characters who are active in the plot to balance things out.

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

Yes. I thought his performance was pretty good for this book, whereas I didn't like his female voices for Points of Origin (they all sounded like little kids to me).

Did Doorways inspire you to do anything?

Yes, listen to Book 2, which I liked. I am tempted to check out O'Rourke's Kiera Hudson series. And I interviewed the narrator, Fred Wolinsky, on my blog.

Any additional comments?

In a dreary isolated house somewhere in the UK, 16 year old Zach Black hates his uncle Thandel and wishes his sick sister, Anna, would recover swiftly. Zach and Anna recently lost their parents and were placed in the care of their bachelor uncle who is rather creepy. Zach stumbles upon a doorway into another world and is swept off to adventure by a very hairy man, the werewolf William Weaver. Once in Endra, a mirror of Earth, Zach is off and running for his life as zombies chase William and his companions, including the injured and unconscious vampire Neanna. Once they reach relative safety, they explain to Zach that their queen is dying and that Zach must help save her as she is the mirror twin of Zach’s own sister; if the Endra queen dies so does Anna.

Plenty of action follows Zach around as he tries to figure out the rules to Endra and search out a key and a box with a heart in it. Back home, Zach is merely a 16 year old kid but in Endra he is a Peacekeeper, complete with magically reloading crossbows. Lots of vile forces work against Zach and his friends, but the worst of them is Throat. He oversees the care of the dying queen and also directs Thandel’s ministrations of the weakening Anna. He also has spidepedes (spelling?) that are pretty creepy, even for this bug lover. Neanna, once she wakes up, and William are both forces to be reckoned with and are loyal friends to Zach. Their adventures take them back into Earth at one point (and it was quite fun to see their mere appearance terrorize the populace), through a haunted graveyard, and to a prison. William has a pretty detailed family background and he was the most in-depth character in the novel. I quite enjoyed learning about his motivations, past injuries, his shame, and his family.

I think this story is geared more for teens as some of the imagery was pretty simple. For example, referring to what would be a graveyard on Earth as a Gray Yard in Endra. However, while some things lacked imagination, there were plenty of beasties that did require the author’s imagination – such as the spidepedes. We get to know Zach through his actions and don’t get a whole lot on his back story. There are 3 female side characters and all 3 start off needing rescuing. Eventually, Neanna rallies and becomes a force in action and wit. For much of the book, Anna is a character to be pitied and hopefully rescued, though she does get to do a little independent action late in the book. The queen must still be rescued. There are 1 or 2 other minor female roles but they didn’t stand out. So most of the action is carried out by the males. I would have liked to see this more balanced. It’s a fantasy world, equality could happen. Still, I enjoyed it enough to check out Book 2 in the series.

The Narration: Fred Wolinsky did a pretty good job with this book. He had a variety of voices, both male and female, both human and nonhuman, and each was distinct. I especially liked his voice for William, which had a werewolfish burr to it and the occasional howl. He also threw in some special effects, such as for the ghosts. They were well placed and weren’t overdone. He gave some of the ghosts a Scottish burr and some ghouls a Hispanic accent. While I personally felt the Hispanic accent was a little overdone (I hear Spanish weekly if not daily), it will probably work for most folks. I do have to say that most of the time the voice for Zach sounded more like a 12 year old boy instead of one for a boy on the cusp of manhood.

A thrilling story skillfully narrated

Tim O'Rourke creates captivating characters, a fascinating new world, and a thrilling adventure story. He grabs you from the first moment, and takes you on a journey full of fun and exciting twists and turns. The book is brilliantly brought to life by narrator Fred Wolinsky. Each character has a unique voice and personality. His reading is full of passion and emotion, and you feel like the story is happening right before your eyes. I can't wait to hear the next two books of the trilogy!

OK read for 12+

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes it was well spent. The story was good, but I think met for more of a younger audience.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

For adults, needed more maturity of the descriptions of people, and actions.

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

No I haven't, so no reference to be given. I thought Fred Wolinsky did a wonderful performance! He made each character unique with the different accents, tones, and put the right emphasis on each persons feelings of matters, and other people.

Could you see Doorways being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I could see Doorways being a mini series! That would be a great one for my kids. As far as who for the actors, I'm not very good at that sort of thing, sorry.

Any additional comments?

The book is perfect for ages 12+ because of the lack of details when it came to people dying, and no sexual content at all. No gore or anything like that, just mild evilness. I would let my kids listen to it for sure.

This is one of the most unique stories

This is one of the most unique stories I have listened to for a while, and it get marks for that. Imagine a parallel dimension where all of the typical horror story "badguys" are the regular folk, and that you might have a double there too.

The only way to get to this other world is through magical doorways that no one ever know where there will appear in either world. Allowing for travel back and forth. Hence where the real world vampires, werewolves and the like came from.

This was a story of Jack Black a young man who walks through a doorway and goes to the other world. Meeting up with friendly vampires and werewolves. That finds himself on a mission to save the double of someone he loves. All the while fighting off the evil zombies and other creatures of the night.

For me there were too many characters to keep track of. Making it difficult for me to keep attention. While it was full of adventure, it wasn't quite for me.

There is adventure, blood and gore, fantastical characters, that will bring you back to your younger years. When you had unimaginable friendships with non-human beings. So, if you are looking for something new and different in the fantasy world, Doorways: A Book of Vampires, Werewolves, & Black Magic is sure to be right up your alley.

Fred Wolinsky did what he could with this one. He really tried to create unique sounding characters, I do appreciate that, but there were just too many.

He was able to inject real emotion into his performance, truly making the sinister characters sound as evil as he could. There were some points were I had to rewind because I couldn't catch what he was saying. While simultaneously keeping Jack Black sounding young and innocent.

Based on the performance I will be looking for more from Wolinsky. I think he might do better with fewer characters. And a more straight forward storyline.

Audiobook provided for review by narrator.

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One of My favorite Audio Books So Far!

I love werewolf and vampire movies. I work IT and when I am doing mundane work like testing I love to listen to audio books and this one kept me absolutely entertained. By the way, the narrator is AWESOME! Can't wait until I start listening to part 2.