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Title: Dark Companion

Author: Marta Acosta

Narrator: Kate Reading

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-25-12

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 21 votes

Genres: Teens, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Publisher's Summary:

Orphaned at the age of six, Jane Williams has grown up in a series of foster homes, learning to survive in the shadows of life. Through hard work and determination, she manages to win a scholarship to the exclusive Birch Grove Academy. There, for the first time, Jane finds herself accepted by a group of friends. She even starts tutoring the headmistresss gorgeous son, Lucien. Things seem too good to be true. They are.

The more she learns about Birch Groves recent past, the more Jane comes to suspect that there is something sinister going on. Why did the wife of a popular teacher kill herself? What happened to the former scholarship student, whose place Jane took? Why does Luciens brother, Jack, seem to dislike her so much?

As Jane begins to piece together the answers to the puzzle, she must find out why she was brought to Birch Grove - and what she would risk to stay there.

Members Reviews:

a true teen novel

Entertaining. Simple. Teen adventure. It was a good interlude between heavier longer novels. I liked it well enough.

A terrific reinvention of Jane Eyre for modern tim

What did you love best about Dark Companion?

Really interesting concept and well though out charaters.

What other book might you compare Dark Companion to and why?

It has hints of Jane Eyre but is it's own story

Have you listened to any of Kate Readings other performances before? How does this one compare?

Kate is a new narrator for me but I really liked her work in this book.

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

There were moments of laughter and tears, that is the sign of a great connection with the book.

Any additional comments?

Loved this book!! Really great story with such depth. Jane is a great character. I loved her strength and intelligence. She is kinda dumb about boys but I give her major props for getting herself out of a bad situation. She uses her brains and willpower to take her out of a very bad place.

Jane can be rather serious and is delightfully balanced with flighty Mary Violet and snarky Jack. Loved the whole dynamic! Such great humor and storytelling. I laughed out loud several times.

There was the usual teenage angst about boys and bad choices. Fortunately that passes rather quickly. It was annoying to see such a strong character be so self-doubting. But that is life, take someone out of the world they know and they are bound to try and change to fit into their new surroundings.

It was easy to pick up references to Jane Eyre but it isnt a heavy retelling. Really nicely done. It also references many classic paranormal books. Each chapter start with a different quote the aptly fits.

There are still several unanswered questions at the end of the book. I really hope that this is a beginning to a series. I would definitely be into reading more.

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Title: Stones to Ashes

Subtitle: The Alchemists Academy, Book 1

Author: Kailin Gow

Narrator: Chris Patton

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-26-12

Publisher: Sparklesoup Inc.

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Teens, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Publisher's Summary:

"What do you learn here...at the Academy?" Wirt asks. "Magic? The responsibility to use your powers responsibly?"

"Uh...something like that," his roommate Spencer said. "More like how to rule worlds."

Wirt is used to being shuffled from foster home to foster home, adopting a devil-may-care attitude toward the world along the way. Now he's in a school he can't escape, learning to develop his latent magical abilities - for what use, he doesnt know...to save his world or to destroy it.

Members Reviews:

Give it a chance

I was worried that it would be a weak Harry Potter knock off. It seemed that way in the beginning, but by chapter two it showed potential to be something more. I am concerned that some charters may turn out to be tropes, but am optimistic enough that I am going to buy the next book in the series.

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Title: Souls in Exile

Subtitle: The Return of Ravana, Book 3

Author: David Hair

Narrator: Samrat Chakrabarti

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 18 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-21-12

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: Teens, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Publisher's Summary:

Swayamvara Live has ended in bloodshed and disaster. Vikram, Amanjit, and Rasita are on the run, accused of the actress's murder. Exiled like the heroes of the Ramayana, they are seemingly beset by the same perils, especially when Vikram encounters an unlikely temptress. Then another tragedy, also foretold in the Ramayana, forces Vikram into the open. But there is hope: Amanjit s skills as a warrior are returning, Rasita is beginning to remember her own past lives, and Deepika is awakening to powers undreamt. But the Enemy, Ravindra, has also found allies - the nightmarish Rakshasa army.

Memories and legends are coming alive all over India, from the bloodied sands of Ullal and the fortress of Jhansi to secret places in Mumbai, Pushkar and Varanasi. The fight to the finish has begun.

Members Reviews:

fantastic

loved this series thus far, can't wait for more like this. need more in this genre

Enthralling

I've listened to this series back to back and am waiting for book 4. the whole concept of reincarnation is fascinating

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Title: One Hundred Candles

Author: Mara Purnhagen

Narrator: Erin Farris

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-29-12

Publisher: Mara Purnhagen c/o ICM

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 38 votes

Genres: Teens, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Publisher's Summary:

It's taken a long time for me to feel like a normal teenager. But now that I'm settled in a new school, where people know me as more than Charlotte Silver of the infamous Silver family paranormal investigators, it feels like everything is falling into place. And what better way to be normal than to go on a date with a popular football star like Harris Abbott? After all, it's not as if Noah is anything more than a friend....

But my new life takes a disturbing turn when Harris brings me to a party and we play a game called One Hundred Candles. It seems like harmless, ghostly fun. Until spirits unleashed by the game start showing up at school. Now my friends and family are in very real danger, and the door that I've opened into another realm may yield deadly consequences.

Members Reviews:

Narrating Isn't A Race

I thought this was a decent story, but it was ruined by the narrator and/or producers. The narration sounded like one run on sentence. There were several points where words were repeated. If you can get past that, the story was worth the listen.

Not the gratest narration

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The story itself was quite entertaining, but the narration seems awfully rushed and the editing is even worse. Plus there is an annoying hum in the background.

What did you like best about this story?

The main characters seemed like regular teenagers with real problems.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Erin Farris?

I listened to the first book in the same series and that was quality work

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Title: Memento Nora

Author: Angie Smibert

Narrator: Gail Stairs

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 31 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-23-12

Publisher: Angie Smibert c/o ICM

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 21 votes

Genres: Teens, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Publisher's Summary:

In the future, it doesn't pay to remember.

In Nora's world you don't have to put up with nightmares. Nora goes with her mother to TFC - a Therapeutic Forgetting Clinic. There, she can describe her horrible memory and take the pill that will erase it. But at TFC, a chance encounter with a mysterious guy changes Nora's life. She doesn't take the pill. And when Nora learns the memory her mother has chosen to forget, she realizes that someone needs to remember.

With newfound friends Micah and Winter, Nora makes a comic book of their memories called Memento. It's an instant hit, but it sets off a dangerous chain of events. Will Nora, Micah, and Winter be forced to take the Big Pill that will erase their memories forever?

Angie Smibert's remarkable debut novel takes readers on a thrilling ride through shadowy world where corporations secretly rule - and wish you'd just keep shopping.

Members Reviews:

Surprising and Enjoyable

Memento Nora was a surprising and enjoyable read.

I dont usually read such short books but I had some spare credit in my account and the premise really piqued my interest as memory alteration is a growing topic in YA right now.

I was pleasantly surprised to find an interesting, well-built future world and fascinating characters were richer and more well developed than some Id read in longer stories on a similar topic.

The plot was mostly straight forward but still managed to catch me off-guard with a clever little twist I didnt pick! The ending was fairly tight and satisfying too.

My only complaint is that I wish it was longer or that wed at least be seeing more of Nora (The ending didnt obviously set up a sequel though reading, I now see there will in fact be a follow-up and Im excited)!

Its so rare with all the ho-hum stories I read that I wish for more but I couldnt help but be disappointed it was over (unlike being disappointed it was dragging on like so with so many other books!)

Overall, I highly recommend Memento Nora. Despite its brief length it was a solid, enjoyable read.

Beautifully read

Where does Memento Nora rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

As a middle school teacher, I am constantly looking for new great YA books. This is one. The characters are real and compelling, and it does not have a Disney ending.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Memento Nora?

I enjoyed the interaction between the teens. The fact that well into the plot and their "friendship" they were still wary of one another and distrustful. It felt like real teens.

What does Gail Stairs bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

The reading of this book was beautiful. Ms. Stairs sold the trendy "glossy" as well as the dark anger in the characters.

Any additional comments?

I searched for the next book, The Forgetting Curve, and was ready to buy it. It is not here yet. Hopefully soon.

Like 1984, but in 2012!

What did you love best about Memento Nora?

I love being able to recommend books for my nephew. Particularly dystopian pieces that are age appropriate. I also really loved Gail's voice. I've felt in the past when I listen to a less than great story a narrator can mask that by being overly dynamic and masking the writing, but the best stories are where you don't even notice the acting or the actor involved.

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Title: Bitterblue

Subtitle: Seven Kingdoms Trilogy, Book 3

Author: Kristin Cashore

Narrator: Emma Powell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 17 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-17-12

Publisher: Orion Publishing Group Limited

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 38 votes

Genres: Teens, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Publisher's Summary:

The long-awaited companion to the New York Times best sellers Graceling and Fire is finally here!

Eight years have passed since the young Princess Bitterblue and her country were saved from the vicious King Leck. Now Bitterblue is the queen of Monsea, and her land is at peace. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisers, who have run the country on her behalf since Leck's death, believe in a forward-thinking plan: to pardon all of those who committed terrible acts during Leck's reign and to forget every dark event that ever happened. Monsea's past has become shrouded in mystery, and it's only when Bitterblue begins sneaking out of her castle - curious, disguised, and alone - to walk the streets of her own city, that she begins to realise the truth. Her kingdom has been under the 35-year long spell of a madman.

Now, their only chance to move forward is to revisit the past - whatever that past holds. Two thieves, who have sworn only to steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck's reign. And one of them, who possess an unidentified Grace, may also hold a key to her heart.

Critic Reviews:

"This is gorgeous storytelling: exciting, stirring, and accessible." (School Journal)

"A WOW of a book. I HAD to know how it ended" (Tamora Pierce)

"Fresh, hopeful, tragic and glorious" (Kirkus Reviews)

Members Reviews:

Best of the Seven Kingdoms Trilogy

What did you love best about Bitterblue?

The plot

Any additional comments?

This is easily my favourite of the trilogy. The first was action and a love story, the second was a love story with a bit of action, but this - this is adventure, intrigue, mystery, a love story (lets face it, it wouldn't be Kristen Cashore without a love story), and includes the most realistic response by fictional characters to trauma that I have read. It also has the longest denouement of any book I've ever read, with the story going on long after the climax. Overall the voice acting of the reader was terrific also, adding greatly to the experience. If you liked either of the first two books, you'll love this one.

Good for insomniacs

What did you like best about Bitterblue? What did you like least?

The start of the book was pretty good, I felt like I kept reading this book to find out more about Bitterblue's father and just to read about Katsa and Po too. It just seemed that the answers to questions were not given away easily and the ending was a bit odd and unexpected.

Did Emma Powell do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

She did voices for different characters

Did Bitterblue inspire you to do anything?

Not really... Bitterblue, the main character just didn't really do much other than wonder around the castle towards the second half of the book

Any additional comments?

The first half of the book was great, afterwards it just went downhill and took me a very long time to finish

Awesome...just way too short?!

What made the experience of listening to Bitterblue the most enjoyable?

Bitterblue is a culmination, it is the result of the two previous books, with SO much more.

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Title: Kill Me Softly

Author: Sarah Cross

Narrator: Kim Mai Guest

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 54 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-10-12

Publisher: Listening Library

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 29 votes

Genres: Teens, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Publisher's Summary:

Mirabelles past is shrouded in secrecy, from her parents tragic deaths to her guardians half-truths about why she cant return to her birthplace, Beau Rivage. Desperate to see the town, Mira runs away a week before her 16th birthday - and discovers a world she never could have imagined.

In Beau Rivage, nothing is what it seems - the strangely pale girl with a morbid interest in apples, the obnoxious playboy whos a beast to everyone he meets, and the chivalrous guy who has a thing for damsels in distress. Here, fairy tales come to life, curses are awakened, and ancient stories are played out again and again. But fairy tales arent pretty things, and they dont always end in happily ever after.

Mira has a role to play, a fairy tale destiny to embrace or resist. As she struggles to take control of her fate, Mira is drawn into the lives of two brothers with fairy tale curses of their own... brothers who share a dark secret. And shell find that love, just like fairy tales, can have sharp edges and hidden thorns.

Members Reviews:

Light hearted entertainment!!

Thoroughly enjoyable entertainment. I did not have to ponder much about underlying messages or hidden meanings with this book...I was pure entertainment. I was only vaguely familiar with the original versions of the fairy tales and found the Sarah Cross to be quite adept at giving them a 21st Century flavor. The premise was quite ingenious and I found myself trying to guess who the characters were supposed to represent. I will definitely keep my eye on future novels by this author. Kim Mai Guest did a fantastic job representing the characters and enhancing the mental picture I created for each. This is a fine example the genre and I recommend it without reservation

one of the best books that I have listened to.

I just love this book this is the second time listening to it and I still feel the same as the first time. I wish there's a sequel to this book if Felix comes back to hurt Mera.

Not what I expected...

Any additional comments?

I had high hopes for Kill Me Softly, since I have, in the past, enjoyed books similarly to the storyline. But I have to admit, I was a bit unimpressed with this one. The story seemed to start out ok, but then it went from bad to worst, and then to just plain weird! Not to mention the super cheesy ending.

I do have to say, I did enjoy Kim Mai Guest's performance. She has a very nice voice and did a fine job with story.

Narrator was great, story fell flat

Would you try another book from Sarah Cross and/or Kim Mai Guest?

Maybe from Sarah Cross and definitely from Kim Mai, she did great

What was most disappointing about Sarah Crosss story?

The story really fell flat for me, it would have made a better novella. There was a lot of filler and really predictable, good for more of 13-15 aged girls.

Which character as performed by Kim Mai Guest was your favorite?

she did great narration overall, I didn't have a favorite character

Was Kill Me Softly worth the listening time?

Not in my opinion, but I do think younger girls would enjoy this

Any additional comments?

I just think I would have enjoyed the story more if it were more compact into a 100-150pg novella instead of all the extra filler and characters

Great Twist on Fairy Tales!

If you could sum up Kill Me Softly in three words, what would they be?

Love overtakes death

What was one of the most memorable moments of Kill Me Softly?

The ending was probably the most memorable moment.

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Title: Bleeding Hearts

Subtitle: The Drake Chronicles, Book 4

Author: Alyxandra Harvey

Narrator: Eileen Smith, Jessica Almasy, Mike Smith Rivera

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 25 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-19-12

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 25 votes

Genres: Teens, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Publisher's Summary:

Lucy's cousin, Christabel, has come to live in Violet Hill, and adjusting to the difference between life in a small mountain town and her home in the city is difficult. The strict curfew that Lucy's parents enforce is hard to respect. Surely something really dangerous couldn't possibly happen in this tiny town. But Christabel starts to notice some mysterious happenings, and it seems like Lucy; her boyfriend, Nicholas; and his brother, Connor, are all in on a secret that Christabel doesn't understand - one that seems deadly serious. Although she won't admit it, Christabel would love to be in on any secret with Connor Drake.

When Christabel is kidnapped by the ruthless Hel-Blar vampires, Lucy and Connor finally fill her in on all the undead drama. Together, they must find a way to stamp out the Hel-Blar for good.

Members Reviews:

A bit disjointed

Any additional comments?

Ok, I did not like this one as well as the others before it. I enjoyed Christabel and Connor's interactions and story although I felt it did not really develop as well as it could have. I am not sure about her purpose in the series.

I am disappointed in the use of a gay guy friend to fulfill that check box and the over mention of condoms. This is a clean YA series and I do not believe we need to go there.

I definitely do not like the person Solange has become and feel things are a bit disjointed all around.

I do not like cliffhangers!

Bleeding Hearts

A fab book, cant wait for the next one. Best to read the series as whilst it could be read on its own, its context can be understood better when yoou are familiar with the characters, If you liked twlights and those types of books these are fab, not just for teens but us adults who like this type of book also.

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Title: The Nightmare Garden: The Iron Codex, Book 2

Author: Caitlin Kittredge

Narrator: Katie MacNichol

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 hrs and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-14-12

Publisher: Listening Library

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 17 votes

Genres: Teens, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Publisher's Summary:

Everything Aoife thought she knew about the world was a lie. There is no Necrovirus. And Aoife isn't going to succomb to madness because of a latent strain - she will lose her faculties because she is allergic to iron. Aoife isn't human. She is a changeling - half human and half from the land of Thorn. And time is running out for her.

When Aoife destroyed the Lovecraft engine she released the monsters from the Thorn Lands into the Iron Lands and now she must find a way to seal the gates and reverse the destruction she's ravaged on the world that's about to poison her.

Members Reviews:

A review from Bookworm1858

The Iron Thorn The Iron Codex Book Onewas a surprise favorite from last year so I was very excited to pick this up. Unfortunately, due to poor planning, I had a huge stack of review books to get through first, meaning that this book has been staring at me for too long before I finally picked it up to read. Of course, it had also been about a year since I read the first one which mean that it took me a while to get back into the groove of the characters and the story.

While I remembered the uniquely named Aoife, I couldn't entirely remember the circumstances in which we last saw her. That made the beginning pages a struggle especially as I could not remember Conrad, who as Aoife's brother is actually an important character. Happily as the book progressed, most of the first book returned to me while Aoife's adventure in this book developed, giving her purpose and the book its own plot within the larger framework of the series.

That plot is Aoife's search to fix the damage caused by her opening the Gates in her world and specifically to find her mother who was lost in Lovecraft. To save her mother, Aoife would do almost anything, something I identified very strongly with. I would go to great lengths to protect my family and face the same things Aoife does.

However as the book progresses we focus almost entirely on Aoife. Understandably since she is the main character but sadly to me because I really liked Dean and Cal in the first book while they are almost entirely sidelined in this book. We also meet some new characters who do have bigger parts, most notably to me as Aoife's almost stepmother Valentina and the intriguing Rasputina, who gives Aoife a lift when she needs one.

Overall: I didn't like it quite as much as the first book but I wonder if that would be the case if I had saved them to read one right after the other. I bet that would have helped me to keep everything on track.

Cover: I don't think she looks quite human here; I guess her Fae side is being pulled out more but it looks really weird to me. I do really like the blues used though.

Only slightly better than the last :/

THE NIGHTMARE GARDEN, book 2 of the Iron Codex trilogy was better than the first, no doubt about that, but honestly I still can't declare my love for this over complicated and painfully drawn out steampunk, dystopian fairy tale. I am ever so thankful to Kittredge for the slightly better pacing with this installment, but must state that even with the continued originality in the storyline; she failed to really grab me with the characters themselves. I still liked our heroin Aoife, but that was pretty much it; I liked most of the characters, equally and not really beyond that.

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Title: Earthseed

Subtitle: The Seed Trilogy, Book 1

Author: Pamela Sargent

Narrator: Amy Rubinate

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-22-11

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 23 votes

Genres: Teens, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Publisher's Summary:

Ship hurtles through space. Deep within its core it carries the seed of humankind. Launched by the people of a dying Earth over a century ago, its mission is to find a habitable world for the children - 15-year-old Zoheret and her shipmates - whom it has created from its genetic banks.

To Zoheret and her shipmates, Ship has been mother, father, and loving teacher, preparing them for their biggest challenge: to survive on their own, on an uninhabited planet, without Ships protection. Now that day is almost upon them, but are they ready? Ship devises a test, and suddenly instincts that have been latent for over a hundred years take over. Zoheret watches as friends become strangers - and enemies. Can Zoheret and her companions overcome the biggest obstacle to the survival of the human race - themselves?

Pamela Sargent is the author of many highly praised novels for young adults and adults, including Earthseed, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. She has won the Nebula and Locus awards and has been a finalist for the Hugo Award and the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award.

Critic Reviews:

This fascinating novel is very reminiscent of the better Heinlein juvenilesA very impressive novelShould not be overlooked. (

SF Chronicle)

Members Reviews:

Sort of Like the Hunger Games

Parts of this book reminded me of the Hunger Games, like when they have a contest to see which team can make it through the Hollow which is a wilderness earth like part of the ship they are on.

I liked the part best when they go out and live in the Hollow on there own in preparation for them to live on the planet they are headed for.

What I didn't like it that they could have sex without consequences, although their aren't any sex scenes.

All in all it was a good book and I felt the Narrator was a perfect pick for the main charter's voice.