Splendors and Glooms

By: Laura Amy Schlitz

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Audie Award Nominee, Children's Titles for Ages 8-12, 2013

Newbery Medal winner Laura Amy Schlitz's gothic novel in the grand Victorian tradition, Spledors and Glooms, is set in London and centered around the disappearance of a 12-year-old girl, who goes missing. Two children realize it is their guardian, a Venetian-born puppeteer and magician, who has kidnapped her and used his dark powers to imprison her mind and body in the form of a puppet and strive to return her to human form.

©2012 Laura Amy Schlitz (P)2012 Recorded Books

Yawn turned into a dropped jaw

I wasn't sure about this story at first. A Victorian Era piece, really? But I needed to read at least part of this award winning book to better share it in a presentation on award-winning books. So I began and hummed along and then, boom, I was sucked in. I could not let go! Davina Porter as a narrator was a delight. Her voices and accents manifested a visual of characters I could not have done just reading the words off the page. That being said, this magical story of an evil puppeteer, a witch, and the three children thrown into a plot of corruption and dispair had me sitting on the edge of my seat. Laura Amy Schlitz proves to be a master storyteller.

Slow Start, but Captivating Storytelling

I wasn’t sure about this one at first—the beginning felt a little confusing and I had trouble staying engaged. But I’m so glad I stuck with it, because the story became wonderfully unpredictable and engrossing. The dark, gothic atmosphere was unlike what I usually read, and I really appreciated the moral depth woven throughout the plot.

The audiobook narration is excellent. The narrator brings each character to life with distinct voices while still carrying the third-person storytelling beautifully. It made the listening experience feel immersive and theatrical.

Overall, a unique and memorable story that surprised me in the best way.

Haunting, gothic novel will break your heart when it ends.

The locations were described so vividly, I can still see them, hear them, and in some cases, smell them. The characters the author created were so real to me, I feel like I lost friends when the book ended. Lizzie Rose might just be my favorite character of all time and even Cassandra left me wishing she were real and I could have a chat with her. My two daughters (10 and 5) were likewise enthralled. I can't say enough good things about this book. I'm sure glad we discovered this story and this author.

Wish there was more.

Outstanding. Great for children and adults. Wish it continued on forever. Don’t have enough words!!

Most Excellent!

We really enjoyed this story as a family and listened to it in two sessions in the car. Most Excellent!