The Spell

Big Bad Wolf Series #3

By: Heather Killough-Walden

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's Summary

The third entry in Heather Killough-Walden's Big Bad Wolf series finds healer Dannai dreaming of two werewolves: one is a notorious killer, and the other is Lucas Caige, a man with a haunting past who's determined to make Dannai his mate. Contains mature themes.

©2011 Heather Killough-Walden, Inc. (P)2012 Tantor

The narrator is awful...unless you need a nap.

This particular review is broken down into two segments, the first has to do with the audiobook included in the Audible Romance package; the second...the actual sit down and read it yourself version for publication.

REVIEW PART I - AUDIBLE

Oh my dear narrating God above...someone PLEASE pull this audiobook off the shelves! I hated to do it as I’m no quitter but I gave up on listening to this, just threw in the towel and gave up....I didn’t even get past chapter TWO and that’s sayin something for me!

Look, I know it costs a pretty penny to have an audiobook produced, I work with a small publisher, and I am not unfamiliar with the process myself. It can be a very costly effort. But this narrator, Gildart Jackson should stick to reading technical manuals. He is, oh... how shall I put it? “Bueller.... Bueller.... Bueller?”

Obviously Mr. Jackson has some talent I do not mean to imply that he does not; he does manage to pull off a few subtle accents with a couple of characters during dialogue so I know he has the potential to be a good reader. But he is flat; almost robotic in his delivery. It’s as if Mr. Jackson just doesn’t give a flying frog’s fat green fanny about what he’s reading...there’s no absolutely NO passion to it at all. There is no tonal inflection, no emotion, not even a change in the pitch of his voice; he completely loses the person listening. He is good though for inducing naptime...I did discover that much.

Why do I go on and on about this? It’s because bad narration can kill a story and this audiobook is stick a fork in it, call the coroner, pushin up daisies, put to bed with a shovel....DEAD. I mean really? This guy is supposed to read steamy sex scenes in this story? I ... just ... NOPE! Mr. Jackson is more the speed of hot-rollers, terry-cloth robes, and cold-cream. Talk about a wet towel on a good time! For shame Audible!!

So...I am going to pretend I never downloaded this book and read it for myself.

REVIEW PART II

Alrighty reading enthusiasts, I’m baaaaaack! And, as promised I have finished this book; so I can now give it a full review. Yet, I still suffer from nightmares featuring Gildart Jackson’s flat monotone (shudder).

Anyway, I am glad to report that in a matter of minutes I made it further in this book than I did with days of trying to listen to it under my belt and I am very glad I didn’t give up on this story. There was a reason it sat there in my reading queue, haunting me...silently condemning me for not finishing it yet. But hey, a gal needs time to exorcise the demons from previous experiences (don’t judge me.) But, suffice it to say...I finished this book in mere hours.

Now, on to the better part of this review; I am glad to report that I really enjoyed this book and this author’s writing style.

In many ways this is your typical supernatural romance with lots of alpha males and smart unique women, werewolves and witches, mixed breeds, vampires...yada, yada, yada. But the really important thing is that the story is put together well.

There are characters I loved to hate, kinda liked and felt sorry for...but who were total schmucks in the long run and then of course there were the two main fated mates Dannai and Luke; gotta have them, right?

Dannai (aka Danny), is a witch...but she’s more than just a witch; she is also a “dormant”. Meaning, she is a woman who can be a werewolf’s mate and be turned into a werewolf herself. This isn’t an easy thing for Dannai to be, she has to continually keep her shields up to keep the werewolves in the area from sensing her. You know...hiding out from the big bad wolf.

Luke is the big bad wolf and alpha male deluxe! Fate plays a part in bringing these two together...but I won’t tell you how. Suffice it to say that these two have just the right amount of attraction and conflict to keep their story interesting without falling into each other’s arms immediately (I hate that when it happens.)

The bond between Dannai and her friends is another really nice aspect to this story. I loved how they worked together to protect others from bad events before they could even happen; each of the women have their own unique magical power that works in tandem with the others. I found that to be an especially nice touch that made the characters in this series make sense and that made this story unique.

My one criticism is that there seemed to be one character whose place in the story felt a bit off to me and that is Imani. Imani is Dannai’s roommate, best friend...and apparently sometimes lover; although that part was more of a suggestion than anything else. Imani works fine as Dannai's roommate and best friend...but lover? Don’t get me wrong, I’m no prude; I have no problem with that relationship. But there is really no reason for it in the story. This aspect of their relationship is merely alluded to; Imani would have been exactly the same character without that thrown in. Now had there been a prior deeper relationship with her and Dannai, sure...I’d get it. Or perhaps a jealousy between Imani and Luke developed, a conflict of relationships...sure, then it would have made sense; but those things just didn’t exist.

So anyway, having READ the story...that’s really my only “could have been improved” critique. Otherwise I found this story well-paced, well written, the characters well developed and um...yeah, hot too (Luke sounded all sorts of yummy), and there were even a few “oh my” moments that had me fanning myself.

If you like a good supernatural romance, check out “The Spell” by Heather Killough-Walden. It’s book #3 in her Big Bad Wolf Series. I give the book itself a 4 star rating....but for the love of whatever you hold dear, don’t download this through Audible! I promise you will thank me for that warning.

Even Better then the first 2 books!!

This series just keeps getting better and better with each new book, which is a real surprise since most series drop off. This is the story of Lucas and Dannai, 2 very different people but yet they compliment each other so well. In this book there is a little bit of everything, werewolves, witches, warlocks, and vampires. Lucas is a werewolf who hates magic and Dannai is a witch, healer, and a dormant. The story line continues from the first 2 books and it is interesting to see the over all story unfold. Old enemies come back and there are new ones as well along with old friends still making appearances.

The combination of Ms. Walden's writing ability and Gildart Jackson's narration makes this a very enjoyable series to follow.

Awesome continuation to the BBW series

This time it's Dannai and Lucas's turn to get caught in the trials and tribulations of the Mating Bond pull - trouble is she's a witch and a healer and he hates magic after his brother was lost to him by magic.

If you've listened to the others in the series then you know the type of story you're in for - a paranormal romance that has both past and present irresistible characters all intertwining in a most enjoyable plot that hooks you in and throws in twists and turns to keep you hooked. But if you haven't listened to them before, and you like the genre, then you're going to love this series.

Worth my credit? Handsome sexy Alpha Werewolves and handsome Wizards - oh yeah!!

Best book in the whole series!

My favorite book out of the whole long series. Wolves and Witches! Amazing narrator and the other l

Now we have a cliff hanger, but wait for@@

What did you love best about The Spell?

That the trio of woman didn't go to the big roundup in the sky.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Spell?

When Danni finally had to admit she was ready to move forward

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No extreme reaction, but it did make me laugh in parts.

Another Great Installment of the BBW Series!

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

Action-Packed, Entertaining, & Thrilling

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Spell?

The death of the Overseer was sad, but memorable. Also, Charlie being changed back to a dormant.

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

Yes! As with the first two books, he does a great job. His female voices are starting to get better.

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

I sure did!

Any additional comments?

Just keep them coming...

Amazing!

What made the experience of listening to The Spell the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed listening to The Spell because it was a well written captivating story and the narration was well done.

What other book might you compare The Spell to and why?

The Spell was my favorite in this great series!!

What about Gildart Jackson’s performance did you like?

Gildart Jackson individualized each character, bringing them to life.

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

I would have listened to The Spell in one sitting if I had the time <3

Any additional comments?

Heather Killough-Walden is one of my favorite authors. She is very talented and imaginative. Her books reflect her creativity and hardwork.

Big Bad Wolf Series - H K-Walden

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

Really Good Reading

Who was your favorite character and why?

Can't Remember but I read the first 3 books and really enjoyed them.

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

The Narrator was good.

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

No

Any additional comments?

I like the series.

nice addition to the series

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I thought the scene where the vilian was brought back to life just to be killed again was redundant and unnecessary. I know a lot of people/shifters wanted to see him dead, but really...twice?

Would you be willing to try another book from Heather Killough-Walden? Why or why not?

Yes. I thought the first book got off to a little rocky start, but this book seems to have gotten its feet under itself.

What does Gildart Jackson bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

I enjoy the different voices. Some he seems to struggle, with like the female ones, but I've heard worst. Having said that, he does a remarkable job with the accents.

Do you think The Spell needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I think it has set itself up to have a follow-up book, but I don't think it NEEDS another book.