The Tethered World

The Tethered World Chronicles, Book 1

By: Heather L.L. FitzGerald

Narrated by: Sarah Elizabeth Gerstenberg

"Normal" means different things to different people. For 16-year-old Sadie Larcen, family dynamics look a little different than most. Parents with oddball occupations? Normal. Five homeschooled siblings - one with autism? Normal.

Police knocking on the door and parents gone missing? Definitely not normal!

When Sadie uncovers the reasons behind her parents' disappearance and the truth about her heritage, she despairs of ever feeling normal again. Especially when she learns that her mother's interest in Bigfoot, dwarves, and other lore extends beyond her popular blog. Sadie's family has been entrusted with keeping the secrets of the Tethered World - home to creatures that once roamed the Garden of Eden.

Sadie and her siblings must venture into this land to rescue their parents. Stepping out of reality and into a world she never knew existed is a journey Sadie fears and resents, but she chooses to risk all to save her family.

She's just not sure she will survive in the process.

©2016 Mountain Brook Ink (P)2016 Mountain Brook Ink

Fun family story

This would be a delightful book to listen to on a family trip. Creative story line and characters.

Such a Delight!

For a fan of The Chronicles of Narnia, Artemis Fowl and Gregor the Over lander, this was a delightful Christian concoction of fantasy and faith that had hints of the same kinds of storytelling. As a former homeschooler with six kids of my own, I could happily relate and enjjoyed it very much.

Fun twist on hidden mysteries

The world is fascinating as are the family dynamics of the Larcens. Good conflict and action with strange creatures along the way to add enchantment.

Unique, Fun, Clean Family Fantasy

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

Yes! Fun adventure, lovable characters, great world building and character development.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Too many to choose one. Sadie is relatable, Sophie is adorable, Brady is brave, Brock is surprising. Still, I'm drawn to quirky old people, so Aunt Jules holds a special place in my heart. Of course, you can't forget all the amazing fantasy characters! The Gnomes are probably my favorite--small, but feisty!

What about Sarah Elizabeth Gerstenberg’s performance did you like?

Sarah is the perfect voice for Sadie! She captures Sadie's personality, and even produces different voices for each character. I also loved the addition of sound effects; I haven't come across that very often in audio books, but I thought it was a nice touch. Really makes you feel like you're experiencing it.

Who was the most memorable character of The Tethered World and why?

Sadie. The story is in her point-of-view, so you experience everything through her eyes. She starts out as a relatable teen and reluctant participant in the adventure, but her development is extraordinary. Sadie proves she's far braver than she thinks, and her devotion to her family is beautifully portrayed.

Any additional comments?

This story is filled with lovable characters and action-packed adventure, all in a unique (and almost believable) setting! It's equally fun and entertaining as it is thought-provoking. Highly recommended for clean fantasy lovers, and especially families looking for a good book to read together!

Enjoyable even for Realists like myself

I'm typically not a fantasy lover, but I my 12 year old daughter is, so I purchased The Tethered World for her because I want her to read more books by Christian authors versus the "darker" fantasy books found in her public school library. I was intrigued by the concept of the story and decided that I wanted to read The Tethered World too; however, as a busy mom of 4 kids I didn't know when I would make the time. When the audio version came out, I knew it was the perfect opportunity! Being that I grew up in Oregon, I loved all of the Pacific Northwest references, including Haystack Rock and...Burgerville! The story sucked me in right away. There was mystery, suspense, humor, emotion & a hint of romance! I don't know how the narrator kept all of the voices straight for the many different characters, but she did! She brought the book to life, and she did an amazing job! If this book ever gets made into a movie, (which I hope it does), I would watch it to see all of the characters and the scenery REALLY come to life! I would recommend this book for pre-teens on up. Looking forward to the second book in the trilogy coming out this October!