Paulette S.

Andy Serkis was AMAZING!

Revisado: 11-10-23

I’ve always loved the original JRR Tolkien books and Andy made me fall in love all over again with this literary treasure. Andy’s narration added such depth and color that little things I’ve missed even after so many readings were given life. If I had to choose between the literature version or the movie version, the books are by far more rich in the telling. The movies were stunning but in a way of being set in the same world but so much is lost or changed in the telling that they both stand on their own.

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Truly Magical and Poinant

Revisado: 10-14-18

I was not expecting such a wonderful tale of breathtaking beauty and strength. Ellen/Eve finding her inner will to break away from an abusive husband, her Aunt who finally finds the answers about her lost sisters’s life. And a wonderful circus family filled with characters who find magic in their everyday world. All brought to life with a wonderful narrator who captured each with a unique voice. Definitely a feel good story to brighten any day! Well worth the credit. So glad I took the chance on it.

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Desert Isle Keeper

Revisado: 05-21-17

If you could sum up A Sorceress of His Own in three words, what would they be?

Captivating, Amusing & Exceptional

What other book might you compare A Sorceress of His Own to and why?

Ransom by Julie Garwood, the refreshing humility, heart and humor of the story.

Which character – as performed by Kirsten Potter – was your favorite?

Wow, this is a hard one as they are all incredibly done. Alyssa maybe.

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

Another hard pick. Alyssa's ultimate sacrifice.

Any additional comments?

There are so many things to love about this book and I don't wish to give away any of the enjoyment of the journey. Ms. Duvall has crafted a story filled with detail so fine you often feel you are right there with the characters. Dillon and Alyssa just make you want to root for them from the very beginning. The villain is, I must say, 'shown' to be perfectly detestable. The humor between the characters adds a great deal of dimension to their personalities. The secondary characters are so well drawn that you just want to know what happens to them, both good and evil.

And lastly is the narration by Kirsten Potter who made a very good book into something even more special. I did not feel like I was being 'read' the story. Her voice characterization and inflections just sends this book into that rarefied realm of desert-isle-keeper. If you have 'read' this book, it is well worth buying the audiobook to listen to it come alive.

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So worth the credit!!!

Revisado: 07-31-14

Would you listen to Stoneheart again? Why?

Yes! As soon as I finished the series I started at the beginning again. Like many others, I took a chance on this book because Jim Dale narrated it. The beginning was a little slow but I stuck it out and am so glad I did. Many details that seem innocuous at first slowly creates a delicate web throughout the series that, in the end, captures you unaware. I really felt for George as a preteen who has very little self esteem and is bullied by his peers. Throughout the series, his maturity is slowly cultivated as he learns some of the most important lessons in life about what is truly important and what is not.

This may not be a series for younger children without an adult to share it with as some of George's rollercoaster ride will take him to some not so nice places and not so nice villains at times. I think adults will be thoroughly captured by layers and nuances that kids won't understand, but does not detract from their own enjoyment and understanding, making this series a rich tale for the entire family.

Stoneheart begins George's journey with a cast of characters you will root for and feel for as the story unfolds. George is desperately unhappy. His father is dead, he feels friendless and is unfairly treated by even the adults in his life. He is unprepared for becoming a friend as well as having friends, but is eventually taught the value of and cost of both.

After breaking off a small piece of stone from the outside wall of the museum his class is visiting for the day, (while being unfairly punished by his teacher for something he didn't do) George is suddenly thrust into another reality that parallels his London world. His action has consequences, one of which is his ability to see, and therefor be hurt by, things such as a stone pterodactyl that comes to life from the side of the museum, and then is saved by a statue that comes to his temporary rescue.

His journey to try to fix what he has broken and get back to his 'normal' world is a wonderful ride of ups and downs that kept me riveted non-stop after a very slow start to the story. I am so glad I stuck with it.The second pass for me was just as enjoyable as the first even though I knew how the story ended, because I noticed many threads of details I had missed making quite a few 'ah-ha' moments.

What other book might you compare Stoneheart to and why?

Although everyone in my family is a prolific reader and I have read many books with my children as they grew up, I can't think of any single book that is like Stoneheart. It is thoroughly unique. Definitely something to share with the kids and is just as (or maybe even more) enjoyable for adults. I think it's lessons are a little more gritty and realistic but no less enjoyable than Harry Potter, Percy Jackson or Lord of the Rings. It has earned a place of permanence in my library of keepers.

Which scene was your favorite?

Wow. That's a hard one. Although the first half of the book was hard for me to get into, I have to admit that one of the most memorable scenes was when Gunnar saves George in the beginning.

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

I had to laugh at Dictionary and felt sad at the scene in which George sees his father for the last time.

Any additional comments?

I adore Jim Dale and can not imagine reading the print version after listening to his narration without hearing his voice in my head! He truly brought these characters to life and kept my finger off the stop button in the beginning. He has an amazing and rare talent for the characterization of voices. I didn't really get sucked into this story until the second half but once I did, it felt like it was one heck of a ride I did not want to get off of! Give the entire book (and series) a try. It was more than worth the credits I paid!

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Skyler has come into her own!

Revisado: 01-12-14

Would you listen to Dark Wolf again? Why?

I would listen instead of reading just for the wonderful combination of Gigante & Ross's brilliant narration!!! I will keep this book on my desert isle bookshelf as it seems fresh and new every time I read it. I keep finding little details about the characters that I missed the first and second time around.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dark Wolf?

There are too many memorable moments. They started in the first scene and then they just kept coming. I loved the humorous banter between Skyler, Josef and Paul the whole book. I loved watching Skyler finally accepting all of who she is and the glimpse of what she will be. I loved Dimitri's patience and understanding.The whole book was perfection. A worthy telling of Dimitri and Skyler's story.

Which scene was your favorite?

The Bubble Scene. A place that tests Dimitri, Skyler, Joseph and Paul to the absolute edge of their skills, bonds, and their belief in each other. Loved that new depths are given to other beloved characters from previous books in the series. By now, all who know them believe the bond between Dimitri and Skyler is very unique in it's strength, special in it's depths, and destined to be. The bubble scene revealed just how deeply the connections between Paul, Josef and Skyler are and the acceptance of Dimitri into that connection as part of their chosen family. I loved that Dimitri not only had understood their friendship (something most Carpathian men couldn't), he had relied on it. But in that moment, I think the friends that Skyler had loved as close as brothers, forged their own bonds of brotherhood together.

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

Razvan and Ivory's gift.

Any additional comments?

This is a rare book worthy of purchasing both a Hardcover edition AND the Audio version. Both were very hard to put down! As someone previously wished, I too would love ALL of the Dark Series read by Gigante and Ross. I would repurchase every audiobook just to hear them bring all these wonderful books to life! Since I know that it is not very realistic, I would wish at least Dark Lycan could be rerecorded with these two master performers and I'm hoping Dark Blood will receive the same care and special touch that these two narrators brought to this book.

Now I'm looking forward to Zev and Branislava's story, but also can't wait for Gary Jansen and Gabrielle Sanders... and Josef, Paul, Jubal, Josh, Jasmine. Well, I guess it's safe to say that after 25 books, the stories never get old nor the writing trite and unoriginal!

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