The Dragonfly Season

Streetlights Like Fireworks, Book 2

By: David Pandolfe

Narrated by: Kerrie Seymour

Length: 6 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Psychic visions, visits from ghosts and telepathic connections. Must be time for date two.

For Lauren, there's nothing particularly scary about seeing ghosts or experiencing psychic flashes. After all, this is the world she knows. Still, none of that prepares her for suddenly connecting with the mind of Vicky Stearns, a girl she's never seen before. Lauren has no idea what caused the connection to happen or why, of all the people in the world, she received this psychic distress call. Her confusion soon turns to fear when she learns that the girl went missing earlier that same day.

There's only one person Lauren can think of with abilities keen enough to help her navigate the visions gripping her. Jack, the boy whose own psychic awakening drew them on a journey across the country together last summer. But Lauren hasn't seen Jack in nearly a year. She also gave him every possible signal that it was over between them, hoping he'd be better off without her in his new life. When Lauren sets out to unravel the mystery, she knows only two things: This will be her last chance with Jack and her only chance to save Vicky Stearns.

©2015 David Pandolfe (P)2015 David Pandolfe

A slow start to the book

What did you love best about The Dragonfly Season?

I love that Vicki Stearns would found and wasn't harmed. I'm sure if I had listened to the first book in this series, Some of the story lines may have made a little more sense

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Dragonfly Season?

When Lauren overheard the couple talking about the kidnapper thinking that was who it really was.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Lauren and Nick were reunited.

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

No

Any additional comments?

This book started out a little slow and I wondered if the book would pick up and get better. I'm glad that I gave the book a chance because I did truly enjoy this story.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.

A Good Paranormal Mystery

I found the book an interesting paranormal mystery. I did not listen to the first book Season of the Dragonflies: A Novel which I guess should have done 1st. The narrator is definitely good for younger crowd but for some one my age I would have to recommend the reading should have been done by Kathy Bates then it would be excellent. I give an overall of 4 as I did enjoy the storyline and getting to know Lauren and Jack and their gift. Loved the ending. This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.

A quirky YA Psychic Mystery

SERIES INFO: This is Book #2 of 3 (so far) in the “Streetlights Like Fireworks” series. Book #3, Distance, is available now, with the audio version coming soon.

This is a book that can definitely stand alone; but you’ll miss out on the subtleties of the central relationship if you don’t read Streetlights Like Fireworks first. Plus that is an excellent book, which I am planning to go back and re-read (in audio this time) now that I have finished this one. I’ll post a review when I do. Note: Because Jack, rather than Lauren, is the protagonist of that story, the book has a different (male) narrator.

I have struggled with how to say this - in Book 1, the characters had certain problems, attitudes, and characteristics. In this book, the characters have changed realistically as a result of what came before. They are not just the same people dealing with the same problems in the same ways. I liked the level of growth (or lack thereof). It was not so little that Book 1 seemed irrelevant, nor so much that they weren’t the people I came to love on the first trip. That is an area where some less experienced authors struggle, they change the relationships without letting the characters mature.

Jack resolved his central problems in the first book and is beginning to make the transition from Young Adult to New Adult as he prepares for college. He is centered and stable. Lauren on the other hand, didn’t find what she was looking for, and is stuck unable to move either forward or back. She is lost and she knows it. When it comes to their abilities, however, Jack is still a bit ambivalent while Lauren thinks she’s got it figured out.

The story starts by jumping into the mystery, but then wanders off into character exploration for awhile. This is the place where people who haven’t read the first book might be tempted to quit (obviously I think you shouldn’t). Once they hit the road, however, the pace remains steady, with a good mix of actively pursuing the answers and quietly exploring their relationship. And the resolutions, both in the case and in their lives are satisfying.

I would have liked to see Jack participate more with the psychic stuff, rather than being mostly emotional support. What I am hoping to see in the next book - A bit more of Jack’s perspective/involvement. More romantic progress.

NARRATION: I liked it / She did a really good job on Jack’s voice / Good accents (which are reserved for the minor characters, rather than our Virginian protagonists) / Beyond the occasional accent, side characters didn’t all have their own “voice,” but I never lost track of who was talking / Smooth pacing & production / Listened on 1.25 speed (my usual) -- Just FYI: Pagliacci Pizza should be pronounced the Italian way (Polly atchi), it's very good.

FAVORITE PART(S): When Jack shares the fact that more sunglasses are sold in the rainy NW than elsewhere (having lived in WA myself, this is a fact that I have actually shared with people before) / “Linda Martian” (i.e. resident of Linda Mar) / The scene in the (plant) nursery, where they accidentally bean a customer with a penny tossed at a (non)wishing well.

I COULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT: swearing (it was very mild)

MY RATINGS:
--Enjoyment: HIGH
--Re-readability: HIGH - despite the fact that I know how the mystery works out, I will enjoy spending time with these characters
--Narrator Impact: HIGH - I read this book before I listened to it. I had initially felt there wasn’t enough romance, but the audio performance really helped me feel their connection.

I received this book free in return for an honest review, courtesy of Audiobook Blast dot com.

An Excellent Story and Beautifully Narrated

"The Dragonfly Season" was an awesome listen. I loved the characters of Lauren and Jack and the story line was intriguing. I was drawn into their world almost immediately. The VW bus was a nice touch and I liked the way she called him Pillow Boy. The story had a great suspenseful buildup while allowing you to connect with the characters.

I like the writing style of David Pandolfe and would love to listen to book 1 as well as the next in the series if there is or is going to be one. This was a little reminiscent of "Gone Girl" only with a mystical side and I think I liked this better. And this is where the narration comes into play.

Kerrie Seymour did an exceptional job reading this book. Her voice was natural with a perfect tone. She guided the listener through the story masterfully and I could listen to anything she narrates all day. A perfect author, narrator, story match. Love it!

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

Great Story

Once again David Pandolfe has written a first rate novel. The characters of Jack and Lauren are compelling and so are their interactions.

Good story, great narrating

What made the experience of listening to The Dragonfly Season the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed the topic of the psychic teens solving mysteries

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Dragonfly Season?

Where she discovers her long lost brother

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked when they found the little girl. I also felt empathy for the kidnapper.

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

Your thoughts are not your own!

Any additional comments?

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com."