Menagerie

De: Rachel Vincent

Narrado por: Gabra Zackman

When Delilah Marlow visits a famous traveling carnival, Metzger's Menagerie, she is an ordinary woman in a not-quite-ordinary world. But under the macabre circus black-top, she discovers a fierce, sharp-clawed creature lurking just beneath her human veneer. Captured and put on exhibition, Delilah is stripped of her worldly possessions, including her own name, as she's forced to "perform" in town after town. But there is breathtaking beauty behind the seamy and grotesque reality of the carnival.

Gallagher, her handler, is as kind as he is cryptic and strong. The other "attractions" - mermaids, minotaurs, gryphons, and kelpies - are strange, yes, but they share a bond forged by the brutal realities of captivity. And as Delilah struggles for her freedom, and for her fellow menagerie, she'll discover a strength and a purpose she never knew existed.

©2015 Rachel Vincent (P)2015 Recorded Books

Great book, poor narrator

Any additional comments?

Well, Rachel Vincent has done it again. What an imaginative and complicated world we get to know in Menagerie. The premise is the Cryptids have no status in society and are sold off as livestock essentially. They are kept in a circus, or in a personal collection, and are feared by everyone due to the catastrophe in 1986.

Delilah lives her life as a regular human, until the one day she visits this traveling Menagerie, and her inner beast comes out when one of the exhibits is tortured by a handler. She had no idea she wasn't normal, but is immediately stripped of all she owns, including her name, and is sold into the Menagerie as an exhibit. But she won't lie down and accept her fate - no this woman is as fierce as she is honorable and will not stand for this injustice. And she talks back.

I loved Delilah in all her refusal to deal with captivity and her talking back to the carnival workers. Also, the creepy beastie she becomes when her inner monster is released sounds quite a sight to behold. I tried to find some art representing her, but Google didn't come through. But Delilah is also very naive and thinks she is bigger than she is, or more capable of helping others than she really has the power to do, and so she mucks things up quite a bit. I mean, what great heroine doesn't mess up from time to time right?

Then there's Gallagher, her handler. He is mysterious and kind, and definitely hiding something. I love how the book keeps secrets from us but reveals them in interesting ways. I loved Gallagher by the end of the book, where I was suspicious of him at the beginning. He repeats this quote a lot through the book, and it isn't until the reveal near the end where we find out why.

This is an excellent start to a series, and I'm curious to see where it will go next. It did wrap up nicely with a satisfying ending and leaves you with an interest in what is to come. No cliffys here, so you know that's a win in my book. Also, all the critters are fascinating and I really enjoyed the descriptions of them and their personalities. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book.

Audio review: I really struggled with this narrator. She does what is one of my HUGE peeves - WHISPERS throughout the narration. I CAN'T HEAR YOU! I have to turn my speakers up to MAX and still I can barely hear the dialogue, and now I hear static. GAH. I had listened to her once before, and I really didn't care for that particular book, until I realized it had to be the narrator because the author said that particular book was the most emotional in the series. GAH. I missed out due to a monotone whisperer. And I looked her up on Audible, and she narrates a crapton of books. Seriously what is with publishers picking horrible narrators? And why is it that others seem to like this narrator?

Had so much potential

Any additional comments?

This book had so much potential. I kept waiting and waiting for the story to build up, but there never really was a climax. There also wasn't really an ending. The author did a great job building up the characters (even though I hated how dense the main character was), then the book just ended. All that potential was just left sitting out in the open doing nothing. Wish there was a follow up book that put some closure to this.
The ending was also hodgepodge. Nothing is really happening, then all the sudden a bunch of people show up for no reason, stuff happens just to happen, then it's over. I think that was supposed to be the story's climax but there was no rhyme or reason behind it. It just didn't match up with the story.

Loved it

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely recommend. It's been decades since I read The Last Unicorn and this reminded me of how seductive fantasy writing can be, how the improbable or impossible comes to life by a great author.

What did you like best about this story?

The empathy all the cryptids elicited.

Which scene was your favorite?

no one favorite.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but just not possible.

Any additional comments?

Cannot wait for the next in this series.

Well written, well read!

The story is very well written and the narrator does a great job! I highly recommend this book!

Dissatisfied (in a good way)

Where do I start? If you're looking for a fantastic read with a deep look into the fragile abyss that is the human psyche, here's your book. My only criticism? It wasn't NEARLY long enough! Can't wait to read more from Rachel Vincent!

I couldn't put it down!

Great story, Im excited for second book to come out! doesn't rely on sex or romance (so refreshing) there were a few spots that I was irked with the characters (seemingly off reactions or logic) but it resolved itself and/or easily explained by the stress. Interesting premise, I'm excited to see where the author takes it. I'm hoping there's more world building, this leaves lots of questions; did they know about cryptids progressing, if so why are their health professionals called vets and why are surrounding countries seemingly ok with this basically Holocaust. relevant point of view that we should acknowledge we can easily fall into. highly recommended it!

The narrator was great for this story

Grim story but a great read.Wonderful narrator! She really fits the tone of the story

Amazing!

I had no idea what to expect with this book. I have read and enjoyed some of both the author and the narrator's works, but this was like nothing I have ever read before. It was thrilling, heart breaking, hopeful and moving. I loved it. Gabra Zackman was perfect for this book. Her skill shone through. Be prepared to cringe and cry, be horrified at the cruelty some can possess and the strength that can others can have when others would have crumpled.

Hard to get out of the car.

Chosen at random looking for something like "Night Circus." I was not disappointed. Excellent performance

cryptids

This book was excellent, just as I found the Shifter series to be also. Menagerie was diffucult to listen to at times but was excellent. i wish Rachel Vincent would write a 2nd book of the Menagerie. definitely worth the credit or money paid.