Kerryn

Too good for words, but I’ll try anyway

Revisado: 02-22-18

"Gemina" is another brilliant instalment to "The Illuminae Files".

With excellent voice acting, sound effects, accents and production choices coupled with an already amazing story and authentic characters, the audio production of "Gemina" is one not to be missed.

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Brilliant every time

Revisado: 02-20-18

No matter how many times I read this story, I fall in love with it every time.

I'd forgotten how amazing "Illuminae" was, and the audio format made it even more so. With a full cast, sound effects and some excellent directing/production choices, the audio (and story) had me hooked.

Due to the format, the audiobook was unable to include the visual aspects of the original text. I do not believe this negatively affected the story. However, I am curious to see how they deal with it in "Gemina" considering the quantities of the visuals increase significantly.

The voices of the Illuminae Group and, later, the afflicted were downright eerie and creepy respectively, and the accents and inflections behind the entire cast's performances were brilliant. Overall, the high production quality coupled with amazing source material made for an excellent reading experience.

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A solid read with fantastic narration

Revisado: 10-07-16

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

Note: I received this book from Jess at Audiobook Promotions in exchange for an honest review as a part of this tour. The tour is being sponsored by Stephen Whitfield and Curt Simmons. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

Although not a story I would usually reach for, Omari and the People was a solid read.

First of all, the narration in this book was fantastic. Curt’s slight accent kept me captivated and coming back for more. With a relatively slow plot and overall story arc, that was important for me. It also serves to further highlight that this was not, indeed, a european setting. I’m not great with accents, but I believe his was possibly arabic.

Omari and the People is largely character driven, rather than plot heavy. The characters, while slightly hard to keep track of due to similar sounding names on audio, were interesting and developed throughout the story. Umal, an older lady, was my favourite character as she was the most intriguing – shrouded in mystery, constantly surprising everyone, incredibly wise, and perhaps even possessing paranormal abilities, Umal was always one to look forward to. Sofia, mother of two young sons, and Umbaric, former captain of the city guard, were also quite interesting.

On a quick side note, shout out to Dab of Darkness for including character names in her review, for otherwise I would have no idea what any of them were (save Omari and perhaps Saba).

The setting, according to Stephen, is loosely based off Africa, but to me – perhaps because of the accent Curt assumes – it appears to be more Middle Eastern, the characters Arabic. However, due to the nature of the descriptions, the desert could really be anywhere. The whole “exodus across the desert” is reminiscent of the story of Moses, but there are no real religious mentions – with the exception of a few characters having possibly supernatural gifts. So, again, the story is one that encourages readers to build the overall world and time for themselves.

A character-driven exodus of a people lead by hope and just looking to survive, this story does have some elements of romance but it is more a side element than anything. I recommend giving Omari and the People a read (or listen, as I would suggest) if you’re looking for something slightly different but enjoyable none the less.

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Extremely Overhyped

Revisado: 08-20-16

3.25 Stars

Extremely overhyped - the characters were shallow and the relationships were non-esistant. I was at least expecting Nick & Gatsby to have a decent friendship but it wasn't there in the least. Quite disappointing.

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Can We Just– Wow.

Revisado: 10-19-15

Did that reallt just happen? I– what?? Talk about flooring us with a last sentence...

Valente's "Fairyland" books leave me wjth that feel-good feeling that makes you just want to hug yourself as you are filled with joy at the adorableness of everything.

Imaginative, unconventional, adventurous, emotional and magical, this series is adorable and whimsical and really important, for it teaches about forgiveness, friendship, perseverance and the idea that nothing is ever as it seems. It teaches about family and explores the nature of "good vs. evil" and how everything is always more complicated than that.

This series is has fast become a favourite of mine and I will love it to the end of time. I recommend it for children, teenagers and adults alike, for everyone can get something out of it.

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Where Was This When I Was Growing Up?

Revisado: 10-19-15

An absolutely fantastic, adorable, unique read, "The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making" is all that I could have possibly wanted it to be and more. Friendship, adventure, magic, imagination... I really wish I had this book growing up.

A story for all ages, this first book in the Fairyland series has great life lessons for all, including loyalty, friendship and doing what is right even when you really just want to curl up and go home. It blurs the line between "good" and "evil", and is about being courageous, making your own choices and standing up for what - and who - you believe in.

Personally, I listened to this tale as an Audiobook and I highly recommend doing so. Not only is it narrated by the author (a fact I didn't realise until after j had finished it) but the writing style is such that the novel is told by a narrator, which makes it perfect for this format. My only complaint would be that even though there are four - possibly five - books in the series, four of which are recorded as Audiobooks, only the first two are available on the Australian Audible, which is highly frustrating.

I will say, however, that the narrative does take a slightly darker turn as it progresses, so I would suggest perhaps reading ahead/beforehand to check if you're comfortable with that aspect of it if you're thinking of reading it to a much younger person.

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Can we just...

Revisado: 08-16-15

Totally lived up to the hype! The story and writing was beautiful and absolutely fantastic, the narrator was surprisingly great (I love the accents especially!) and the ending was completely heartbreaking...

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Great First Audiobook

Revisado: 07-22-15

I really liked this book and loved the fact that it was narrated by Amy herself. Although I didn't understand a lot of the references and celebrity names, I still really enjoyed it and recommend.

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