PamO

WW2 dual timeline mystery at its best.

Revisado: 08-26-24

Rhys Bowen does it again.
She delves us into the worlds of characters during WW2 and in the mid 1960’s and makes us care about them.
3 missing girls from 1942. 1 missing girl from 1968. Are they related in any way?
And who is the dead body in the Rose Arbor?
This book is so twisty, yet never descends into the macabre.
Another home run stand-a-lone from Ms Bowen.

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Annoying heroine

Revisado: 05-02-24

The narrator is fantastic. The story suffers because the heroine is clueless, annoying, doesn't respect boundaries or personal space. Of course if she had, this story wouldn't exist. Maybe that would have been best?

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Narration plus story equals FUN!

Revisado: 04-26-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

This was the 9th book in the Gryphon Chronicles series and focused mainly on the war between good and evil, or as stated in the book, the Order and the Dark Druids. Don't even try to read this as a stand-alone. Start with Book One- The Lost Heir, focusing on a 12 yr old homeless pickpocket named Jake and his friend Dani who helps him survive in Victorian London. You'll love it no matter what age you are.

First what I didn't like:

1. Not much actually. The book was probably longer than it needed to be, but then again, I like detail, so I didn't mind too much.
2. People being eaten while alive seems a little too much violence for a middle school reader

What I liked:

1. Almost all of the characters that we've been introduced to in the previous 8 books were included in this book. We get to see how the characters grow and develop and their relationship to one another.

2. Some major plot lines that were introduced in the first book were finally resolved.
In fact, if the author had wanted, this easily could have been the last book in the series. But the author decided to tantalize us with fun and fresh new plot threads for us to follow into future books.

3. The Narration! Jake Benson is so good! He really brings the characters to life. I love his voice for the spider Malwort. Hilarious!

Sorry that I can't tell the story, but it would be all full of spoilers!

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Great for all ages!

Revisado: 08-17-23 El oyente recibió este título gratis

I am so happy! The adventures of Jake and his friends continue in this book, but this time they are all together. We get to see the dynamics of the friendships, and how each of the characters is handling the loss of a loved one. Will they pull together or apart? Will Jake be the leader for good or will his self doubt and guilt isolate him and convince him he’s destined for evil? Highly recommended!
* I received a copy of this audiobook free from the author with no obligation.

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Entertaining historical fantasy

Revisado: 12-26-22

This is the 1st in the Glass and Steele series, which is set in Victorian England. This is a world where magic exists everywhere, but is hidden and misunderstood.
You have a verrry slow burn romance, a H with a mysterious secret AND a dangerous past, and a killer on the loose!
There’s a lot to unpack in this book, and some of it is done a little clumsily, but the book overall is entertaining. I liked it and am going on to The Mapmakers Apprentice, book 2.

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Fights! Druids!Dragons! Magic!

Revisado: 12-10-22 El oyente recibió este título gratis

The Dragon Lord by EG Foley
Narrated by Jake Benson
The Gryphon Chronicles Book 7

Characters pushed to the forefront:

Lord Badgerton: Elder of the Order, shapeshifter, traitor, sells out Order to the Dark Druids for the promise of power and good looks.

The Skunkies: Pru and her brothers are triplet shapeshifters. Rude, unpopular and entitled they run away from the Order after their Uncle is shown as the traitor.

Zolon, the Dark Master, also once known as Jeffrey DeLacey: We are shown how he started out with good intentions but slowly made one bad decision after another until the devil owned him completely and there was no going back. How he came to regret his life choices, trying to make reparations and the effect that ultimately had.

Victor DeLacey aka The Black Prince, Zolon’s grandson, age 14?
Trained to take over the Dark Druids, Victor has conflicted feelings about the whole thing. He’s used to being special, but isn’t sure he wants to be the head of all evil.

Wyvern: Are we supposed to feel sorry for him because he cared for his killer pets the dragon and manticore and is sad that they’re dead? And that he wanted a “relationship “ with Jake and now realized that’s impossible? The man is a psycho!

Brian: a new American Guardian-in-training who has become friends with Dani. A new member of the group?

This book like all the others in the series was well written, had lots of action, and many surprises. I listened to the audiobook version, and had to get my ear used to another new narrator, but after about 5 chapters I was able to relax and just go with it. I think he needs to work on making his individual kids voices a little more distinctive, but I’m sure he’ll improve as the series progresses.

Most of this book is either Jake fighting alone, or fighting between Zolog and Wyvern (pick your poison?), or learning more about the Dark Druids than I EVER wanted to know.
The gang is together at the beginning , at the end, and a couple of chapters in the middle of the book. This is what I found unsatisfying about the book. I don’t care about Zolog’s back story, or Wyverns. And I definitely didn’t want to see/read/hear the story from their point of view. BUT, others may have been dying to know about this stuff and so they will be thrilled to have all this cannon filled in for them.

I AM interested in Victor, and whether he will turn to the light or to the dark. Here’s hoping!

All in all, a great audio listen. I listened twice because there’s so much to this book.

I received a free audiobook in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

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New narrator is great!

Revisado: 12-08-22

Another great story in the series of Jake and his friends as they battle the evil Wyvern and the dark druids.
The kids are now teenagers or just on the cusp, and their personalities and magical skills are evolving. Even Dani, who has no magical abilities, is chosen for a special program! All are having to look within themselves, to choose to do the right things, to choose good over evil, others over self, forgiveness over revenge. These are tough lessons that I believe will be a continuing theme in the next books.
There’s lots of action and the usual cliff hanger.
The narrator did change, through no fault of the author/publisher. Brad Wills is an award winning narrator and if we’d had him from the beginning no one would think twice about it. So sit back, listen and enjoy.

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The saga continues

Revisado: 11-29-22

This 7th book in the series continues in the same high quality fashion, with great narration and plenty of action. But I found myself getting bored in this book. Action scenes became too wordy and became bogged down. Nothing is being resolved! The same bad guys are still the bad guys, and the good guys are still fighting the fight.
There needs to be some resolution.

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Series just keeps getting better!

Revisado: 11-25-22

The narrator is so talented. I forget that it’s only one person inhabiting all of these characters. This book deals with many complex emotions. For us adult readers, we get the nuances without any trouble , but don’t be surprised if your child reader has giant swings of emotion with this book. There are multiple deaths, and one is of a beloved character. There is the age old question, “ Is it ok to the wrong thing for the right reasons?” There is confusion and betrayal. There is also the power of friendship and working as a team. All wrapped in quite the adventure story featuring elves, ogres, gnomes, dwarves and goblins.

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Great series!

Revisado: 11-22-22

Such a great series! I know this is supposedly for middle grade readers, but if you’re into elves, Magic and fantasy and don’t mind the main characters being teenagers ( fun!) then this book is fun and full of adventure and for everyone.

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