Heir Apparent

By: Vivian Vande Velde

Narrated by: Carine Montbertrand

Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's Summary

In the virtual reality game Heir Apparent, there are way too many ways to get killed, and Giannine seems to be finding them all. Which is a darn shame, because unless she can get the magic ring, locate the stolen treasure, answer the dwarf's dumb riddles, impress the head-chopping statue, charm the army of ghosts, fend off the barbarians, and defeat the man-eating dragon, she'll never win.

And she has to, because losing means she'll die, for real this time.

(P)2005 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic Reviews

"Hilarious characters...plus fantastical elements...will spur readers on toward the satisfying conclusion." (Publishers Weekly)

Thoroughly Enjoyed It

I have listened to a huge number of fantasy & science fiction audiobooks, and while this is certainly not the best I have encountered, it was refreshingly entertaining compared to most of what I have had to settle for lately.

Some reviews of this book had left me expecting another average fantasy tromp, but this was no chore to listen to. My only regret is that I let my caution delay my purchase of this book for so long.

The story uses the old premise of a person trapped in a virtual reality world. However, it has many unique twists. The flexible nature of the setting really makes this into a great 'what if' scenario and adds greater depth to the political intrigue involved. The main character starts back at the beginning every time she fails to win the game, but each time she plays the differences in her actions lead to a whole new sequence of events.

The game that is featured in the book is not some cheap parody, but the game of the future. It has the sort of realism that any gamer would die for (literally). Don't be turned off by the setting, as it is really quite interesting.

In my opinion, the narrator was fine and well-suited to this book. I did not feel that she had any particular trouble with the voices, and her flat tones really made for perfect delivery of the main character's flippant thoughts and sarcasms.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

I loved this book and i'm over 40

This book was well written and easy to listen too. It is also VERY smart and witty! I also thought the reader was perfect for this book. She makes it come alive as if SHE was really the one writing it. LOVED THIS BOOK! I'm hoping the author will do a sequel.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Win or begin again

Take a slightly jaded angry young girl, a cliche filled Role Playing game. Trap her inside and you Have "HEIR APPARENT". Giannine come off as somewhat spoiled and has trust issuses and seems to grow as a person especially when she becomes trapped and has to make life changing decisions and learn how to trust those around her to survive. because if she dies she has to start over from the begining and her only way out is to win the game. The narrator tries to give Giannine life but seems to drop the ball on other characters. from the Ancient nun to the jamiacian sounding barbarian. the other characters are your typical run of the mill people you find in any Role playing game. over all a good listen and worth a try.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Very Good, Worth Listening to

Kept me listening nearly non-stop until the end. My 13yr old son loved it as well. All video game role playing junkies should find it worth listening to.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Very Very much enjoyable

The story was like you, the reader, were in the game yourself, frustrating but fun! I felt so happy when Giannine found Nigel, maybe they Will end up dating, who knows!

Fantasy and sci-fi! Whaaaat?!

Any additional comments?

This story took a couple turns that I didn't quite expect, different enough to keep you listening. I think if the ending was a little different I may have rated this better, I just felt like it may have ended a little flat. ..regardless, it's still a good story. Great performance by Carine Montbertrand.

Love it

I've read this book several times already but that's what happens when I love a book I keep reading.😊

light and easy to listen to

story was light and easy to listen to, not a heavy thinking book but kept me entertained during the commute!

Story: A Voice: C

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes I would. The story is creative and filled with humor.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes, the narration matched the pace.

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

Yes.

Any additional comments?

The narrator for this particular audio book isn't my favorite. While the technical aspects of it were just fine, I felt that her voice didn't serve the story well.

heir apparent it was good

I own the book and the audio book its a great so although I was looking forward to hearing her father talk