Discover the New Releases Audiobooks in Teens, Ages 11-13

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Title: Sons of the 613

Author: Michael Rubens

Narrator: Michael Rubens

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-15-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

Isaac's parents have abandoned him for a trip to Italy in the final days before his bar mitzvah. And even worse, his hotheaded older brother, Josh, has been left in charge. An undefeated wrestler, MMA fighter, and bar brawler, Josh claims to be a "Son of the 613" - a man obedient to the 613 commandments in the Tanakh - and he has the tattoo to prove it.

When Josh declares that there is more to becoming a man than memorization, the mad "quest" begins for Isaac. From jumping off cliffs and riding motorcycles, to standing up to school bullies and surviving the potentially fatal Final Challenge, Josh puts Isaac through a punishing gauntlet that only an older brother could dream up. But when Isaac begins to fall for Josh's girlfriend, Leslie, the challenges escalate from bad to worse in this uproarious coming-of-age comedy.

Members Reviews:

This is a good yarn for anybody going through the pain of growing up.

Michael Rubens is a good storyteller. This is a story of a young man who was forced by his older brother to face his fears. In the process he also learns to think out-of-the-box. Sons Of The 613 is funny at times, poignant at others, and overall a very good read. The material is PG-13 but IMHO I consider the content to be very appropriate, and not pigeonholed to a specific demographic. It can be read by anybody of any age or gender, even though it is about a soon to be young man, on the cusp of celebrating his Bar Mitzvah. I am 48 years old, and the story still resonated with me, as most good literature apt to do.

Brilliant coming of age story not for the faint of heart or the easily offended.

I loved Sons of the 613. It's just a great read that is sure to entertain teens and adults alike. The author is able to achieve the perfect level of authenticity with Isaac's narrative voice. I never doubted him, or his reactions for a second. As a parent of a 13 year old boy, I found myself commiserating with Isaac, feeling his pain, his fear, and his heartbreak. I wanted to yell at his parents for going off and leaving him in the care of an older brother who was clearly not stable, and then by the end I found myself feeling glad that they did. At times I was laughing out loud, and other times it was almost too painful to read. This book takes place over a relatively short period of time, and Isaac does a surprising amount of growing up.

Isaac learns a lot of valuable lessons during his adventures. Does he learn them in a socially acceptable, parental approved way? Certainly not. There is a lot of language here, sexual situations, underage drinking, and overall violence. Isaac goes to bars, strip clubs, pool halls, and braves the urban version of his own spirit quest all on his way to his Bar Mitzvah. This is a bit too intense for my 13 year old, but I will probably give it to him in a couple of years and enjoy his reactions as he reads about Isaac meeting his first "city" black person, finding himself in a room full of naked women, and falling in love with an older woman.

Sons of the 613 will make you laugh and break your heart all within its 305 pages. Fine writing, spot on characterizations and a fast paced plot make this a natural choice for teens - just maybe the slightly older variety.

I am Thirteen Years Old; Therefore I am a Man.

Sons of the 613 by Michael Rubens is a coming of age story centered around the bar mitzvah of Isaac.

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Title: Conquest

Author: John Connolly, Jennifer Ridyard

Narrator: Nicola Barber

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 hrs and 27 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-11-14

Publisher: Headline Digital

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

The start of an epic new series from bestselling author John Connolly, and Jennifer Ridyard. For fans of The 5th Wave and I Am Number Four. Earth is no longer ours. It is ruled by the Illyri, a beautiful, civilised yet ruthless alien species. But humankind has not given up the fight, and Paul Kerr is one of a new generation of young Resistance leaders waging war on the invaders.

Syl Hellais is the first of the Illyri to be born on Earth. Trapped inside the walls of her father's stronghold, hated by the humans, she longs to escape. But on her sixteenth birthday, Syl's life is about to change forever. She will become an outcast, an enemy of her people, for daring to save the life of one human: Paul Kerr.

Only together do they have a chance of saving each other, and the planet they both call home. For there is a greater darkness behind the Illyri conquest of Earth, and the real invasion has not yet even begun...

Critic Reviews:

"Densely plotted and decidedly grown-up, this is YA fiction for readers who are bored of fluff and sparkles" (SFX)

'If you enjoy exciting reads, regardless of your age, you'll enjoy this one' The Bookbag

Members Reviews:

Wrong narrator

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would not recommend this book to an adult reader because the narrator makes the story sound very juvenile. If it is pitched at teen readers this book ought to be in the children/teen section.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

She just sounds very young. Although the protagonist is a teenaged girl a male narrator would have been much better.

Do you think Conquest needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Possibly.

hmmm

Would you try another book written by John Connolly and Jennifer Ridyard or narrated by Nicola Barber?

MAYBE

What could John Connolly and Jennifer Ridyard have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Not my cup of tea....this is just my opinion but I cant finish it. For me its a book for teenage girls.

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Nicola Barber?

Nobody, Nicola has a lovely voice its probably ideal for target market?

Really wanted to enjoy this

As far as the story goes, I enjoyed it.

However the narrator is infuriating to listen to!! I get that she is well spoken but to the point of mispronouncing words!? It spoilt it for me.

She over acts some parts to the point that I thought I was listening to a young children's book. (Which she'd be fantastic at). It made me feel like I was 5 again and it really isn't the type of book to be read to a 5 year old and I'm 30 years to old for it. Really hope the narrator of the second book is better, but you can get much worse!

ABOUT AS POOR AS YOU COULD GET !

What disappointed you about Conquest?

I'm sorry but this book is appalling. John Connolly is one of my very favourite authors his Charlie Parker's are the best in that genre. This however is probably the worst in the genre of S.F / Fantasy. The vocabulary is limited as though directed to a 10 year old. The story is simplistic to say the least. In the 1st 5 minutes we are asked to get our heads around the notion that a wormhole has opened up through which a vast interstellar force has passed. They hang around Mars for a while and then proceed to Earth. In 3 days the Earth surrenders totally.

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Title: The Centaur's Daughter

Author: Ellen Jensen Abbott

Narrator: Jorjeana Marie

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-10-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

Abisina had found a home in Watersmeet - the community her father led until he was killed by the evil White Worm. But now, Watersmeet is as divided as the village she fled as an outcast. The land faces a new threat, and an uneasy alliances between the humans and the creatures will have to be formed to survive. If Abisina doesn't become the leader Watersmeet needs, she may lose everything. But can she take her father's place? This powerful and moving fantasy deals with timely issues about identity, prejudice, and war. This is the sequel to Watersmeet, which was an IRA Young Adult Book Award Notable and a YALSA Teens' Top 10 Nominee.

Members Reviews:

LOST SOME OF ITS MAGIC

I enjoyed the first book in this fantasy/adventure trilogy (Watersmeet) ... reviewing and rating the first book here on Amazon as 4-STAR. I was disappointed by this, the second book in the trilogy. Too much repetition, introspection and not enough action. The only primary activity in this book is a battle which all takes place on a few pages near the end of the book. Too many primary characters were unnecessarily killed off at this books conclusion. Also, in my opinion, the "leviathon-birds" introduced in the final chapter added nothing to the story and in fact gave the book kind of a cheesy (seen-it-all-before) feel at its conclusion. Hopefully the author will pick the pace back up in the final (third) book which I just now began reading.

This is book 2!

What the description of this book does not mention, is that this is a sequel to the book Watersmeet. You should read that one first, otherwise this will seem like it started in the middle. Out of all 90 books I have read this year, this series is my favorite. It is so refreshing to have a series written for girls in which the primary focus is not who she should date. In fact, that is not really even addressed until well into this book.

What this series is instead, is a well-written bit of high fantasy with an interesting premise.

Easy read, lots of fantasy characters

I read this in a couple of days on vacation. An unusual heroine, with equally unusual friends. The adventure begins immediately with plenty of action. You end up liking the dwarves, the fauns, and other characters created and you leave this book hoping there is another......some moderately graphic violence but much less than even the most modest video game....I'd let my teenager read it.

Good story, ending was disappointing

The story ends abruptly, didin't like that. Maybe the author intends to write a third book (Watersmeet is the first) and wanted to leave her audience wanting more...? The way it ended was a disapointment. And the blase way they mention how her close friends died was too vauge and uneventful. I guess I expected more since they were supposed to be so close to the main character.

A flat read

I have not read the first book, but found the Centaur's Daughter easy to read on itsown. I enjoy fantasy genre and I liked the world created in this book, however, the writing did not engage me as I would have liked it too. I felt nothing when various characters, who were supposed to be important to Abisina died. I did not feel any excitement over the first kiss with Findlay (or any one that followed). The book felt like a black and white documentary - interesting subject, but lacking the liveliness.

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Title: Amongst the Ruins

Subtitle: The Chronicles of 2020, Book 1

Author: Saewod Tice

Narrator: Erin Mallon

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-03-14

Publisher: Book Nerd Revelation

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

In the year 2220, only about 15% of Earth's population have survived and thrived after the Nuclear Disaster of 2020.

With the collapse of modern society, the population has regressed into eight clans. Amongst these clans, an unusual girl grows from child to adult.

Raised on the run and in hiding, Shilo wants to be free of the expectations of women.

But in a ruined world where anyone could be an enemy, only the radiation-twisted mutants are clearly identifiable. A fertile female is a precious treasure, and any lapse in caution can mean a loss of the freedom she longs for.

Training as hard as a soldier would, in order to free herself from social constraints, she finds herself faced with an offer from a new clan - an offer that provides her with what she desires. But her recently found independence brings discovery, and discovery brings two very different men from her past - and each of them is determined to claim her.

One is obsessed with owning her, the other desires her as the only person who can make him love again.

Members Reviews:

A teenage romance novel with a dystopian setting

The book started off well and had a great finish. But them middle was primarily sex and feelings, a dystopian romance. I understand that the author wanted to portray a future dystopian society where women were objects to be claimed and how wrong that would be. That part was made really clear.

This would have been a much better book if it concentrated more on the story then on the long drawn out and descriptive sexual parts.

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Title: Werewolf Royalty

Subtitle: Vampires and Werewolves

Author: Vianka Van Bokkem

Narrator: Shelley Avellino

Format: Unabridged

Length: 33 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-11-14

Publisher: Domus Supernaturalis

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

When I was 18-years-old my father, King Andrew Reginald of Scotland; my 16-year-old sister, Princess Stephanie Christine; and I, Princess Aleida Eleonora, were travelling from Melrose to Edinburgh.

Our carriage was pulled by six horses from the royal stable; eight soldiers were riding in front and eight behind it. Night arrived, and a beautiful full moon appeared in the sky.

While my father and sister were sleeping, I moved the red curtains from the window. All of a sudden I thought I saw a group of large creatures running among the trees on the left side of the road.

My window got foggy and when I was cleaning it, the carriage tumbled a few times. When it finally landed I heard multiple shots, horrifying screams, and loud wolf-like howling.

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Title: The Barbarians

Subtitle: Warriors & Wars of the Dark Ages

Author: Tim Newark

Narrator: Nelson Runger

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 16 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-04-14

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

Tim Newarks lively narrative answers the most commonly asked questions about the Dark Ages. Who were the Vandals and the Goths? What were Attila the Hun and Charlemagne really like? From surviving contemporary literature and artifacts now shrouded in myth and legend, Newark reconstructs the battles, campaigns, sieges, and legendary leaders of one of the most mysterious eras of European history.

Members Reviews:

Worth every penny

Loved the artwork good reading

Four Stars

Good illustrations and text.

I Bought if for the Pics. Otherwise useless info inside.

Based on previous reviews, and my appreciation of Angus McBride's skill with paint and brush, I bought this book with a grain of salt.

As per his usual, McBride's paintings are breath-taking, powerful and impressive. And THAT is why I bought this book. The material contained herein is not accurate, and there are editing mistakes as well, which further complicates any attempts at reading.

IF you like the images of old world warriors and depictions of gore wet battles and heroic deeds, the book is enjoyable for that - thanks to the artist. IF you are looking to learn a truthful and correct history of these people - stay clear of this one.

I gave the book three stars based solely on the art work, since that is all I can say I enjoy about it.

Fun read and partially accurate!

Good read with a good summary in general. This is a huge field to study, and this is a cursory look at an overlooked history. He is biased to fault when speaking about the Islamic expansion. In a nut shell he claims that Moslem conquest was either a good thing for the conquered or a zero sum gain. He does not tell direct falsehoods, but rather leaves out details when it would go against his narrative, and emphasizes other ones to justified his conclusions. I would recommend the book, but it can't stand alone as a completely accurate brief survey. It should be read a grain of salt.

"Empires being neither up nor down,do not fail. They change their appearance."

When I first saw this book,I thought it was a juvenile book for Middle schools.This impression came first from the cover which is an illustration of Middle Age Warriors on horseback.Something like you see on Sci-Fi or Fantasy books. Then the size.It is large,71/2"X10",and only 3/4 " thick,including hard covers.A quick thumb-thru indicated it had a lot of pictures and illustrations.I picked it up anyway.Although I read a lot of history,I am pretty weak on the history of the Middle Ages. I thought this book would give a simple overview of this period.Was I ever in for a surprise!!.

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Title: Cerulean

Subtitle: One Thousand Blues

Author: Anna Kyss

Narrator: Melissa Moran

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 47 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-29-14

Publisher: Kyss Publishing

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

One hundred years ago, people were forced to retreat to the seas...

Chey's ocean home seems lovely on the outside, with its rainbow-hued reefs and soul-tingling Whale-song, but the beauty hides secrets and despair.

One thousand blues can be too manySome people cannot live amid them all. After losing her parents and best friend, Chey would do anything to fight off the apathy that threatens her: swim in a brood of jellies, break her sector's rules, and even breach the Surface. A forbidden encounter sets Chey on a desperate search for a way to save her people... and herself. One question plagues her. Can she survive long enough to find a cure?

Members Reviews:

Original Dystopian Story Set Under the Sea

Any additional comments?

Cerulean is a truly original dystopia story. It is set under the sea, where humans took refuge after a horrible world war made the Earth's surface uninhabitable. Humans are implanted with gills at birth and are paired with dolphins for companionship.

The story centers on Chey, who recently lost her best friend and her parents to the sickness that plagues too many who live under the sea. Becoming increasingly restless, much like the Little Mermaid who wanted to explore the land above, Chey soon meets Jesse and the Captain who live above the water on an island.

Anna Kyss has a gift for writing interesting stories that develop over several chapters. I enjoy not being told everything in the first chapter. However, even though the beginning started wonderfully, I felt like the last few chapters were rushed and unfinished. I also felt the story ended abruptly with several unanswered questions. How is Chey going to reveal to those living underwater that it is now safe to live above sea level? What is the significance of Chey being able to talk to whales? What is Jesses back-story and why is he helping the Captain save those that escape from the underwater cities? I cant help but get the feeling that these questions will be revealed in a sequel, if not a trilogy.

Melissa Moran did a good job narrating. She has different voices for the different characters and she did more than merely read the text. Id listen to other books that shes narrated without question.

Cerulean: Great story with talented narrator

Would you consider the audio edition of Cerulean to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print edition of this book but I think the audio enhances the story by establishing I great pacing for the characters and events

What did you like best about this story?

Cerulean has affinity to the audio format. The story has a good pace and intrinsic rhythm which is fantastic for the audio. This audio seemed short to me. While listening to Cerulean I was immerse in the story.I have to confess that I was truly surprise with the evolution of the story. At first I thought it was about mermaids but it evolves into something new. The main character lives in a totalitarian society where she feels constrained by lack of choices and diversity on her life. Chey is a young girl with many questions. That is why she ends finding answers that change life as she knows it.

What about Melissa Morans performance did you like?

Cerulean is narrated by Melissa Moran. This narrator has a beautiful voice, perfect for this audiobook. The narration is single voiced and Moran is a skillful narrator. To help the listener differentiate genders, she changes her voice tone.

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Title: Dare to Enter a Distant World

Author: J. K. Drew

Narrator: Scot Wilcox

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 13 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-11-14

Publisher: J.R. Rain LLC

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

While backpacking, two friends come across a mysterious stranger who doesn't seem entirely of this world. Who he is will challenge everything the two friends believe about what's real and what's fantasy. And when a disaster threatens everyone, will the young stranger prove himself to be a hero? Or something else?

Ultimately, a life-and-death decision must be made, but can one young man leave everything behind to save an entire world?

Members Reviews:

I LOVED THES BOOK

I LOVED THES BOOK AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEM TO EVERYONE.

nice read

This was an easy reader. Good little story to it. Id read it again. As of rightnow I'm just blah blahblahing because to leave a review on a book you have to have so many words...in short the book as good.

GREAT BOOK!!!!

WOW I love this book.. When it ended, I wanted so much more. I hope that there will be a 2nd book to this!!!

A fine read!

J K definitely knows how to tell a story and keep his readers' engrossed! Planning to try out his other books as well.

IMAGINATIVE WORK BY A TALENTED YOUNG AUTHOR

Well-developed, imaginative and quite different from the other J. K. Drew stories I've read, with imagery reminiscent of a young Ray Bradbury. I have the six-book set and it's easy to see how the talented teenager grew into the best-selling author we now know as J. R. Rain, whose work spans multiple genres.

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Title: Musical Chairs

Subtitle: Sunset High, Serial 1

Author: Marla Braziel

Narrator: Annalyn Hostert

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-27-13

Publisher: Marla S. Braziel

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

Step into the life of Annabel, a teenage vampire with a taste for the blood of emotionally damaged high school students. Every year, her master allows her one special kill, a student whom she takes the time to befriend. Getting close to this year's chosen victim is more challenging than Annabel anticipated though. Will Annabel be able to break through the barriers that separate her from her target?

"How could I have known that everything would go so wrong? If I had some wondrous gift of foresight, would I have even agreed to come to this town? I would like to have thought not."

This serial is appropriate for those 16 years of age and older.

Members Reviews:

BEWARE-THIS IS ONLY PART OF A BOOK.

BEWARE - THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST 12 CHAPTERS YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR ADDITIONAL CHAPTERS TO GET THE ENTIRE BOOK. NO WHERE DOES THE PAGE INDICATE THAT YOU ARE NOT RECEIVING AN ENTIRE NOVEL. MANY KINDLE SINGLES ARE FEWER THAN 47 PAGES AND ARE COMPLETE NOVELS. HELLO AMAZON! THE BOOK DESCRIPTION SHOULD SAY, "MUSICAL CHAIRS (THE SUNSET HIGH SERIES BOOK 1-CHAPTERS 1 TO 12!

My review

I like this book it can interest you in many way if you like these kinda books than you would like this book too . I surly enjoyed this book and I will read the rest of them too

AWESOME!!!!!

This book was probably the best book I've ever read. It makes me want to read into vampires. Love it.

Amazing

Everything about this book is amazing!!! I was so amazed at how well the Fluency went and I felt like I was Annabel! Amazing story all the way through

I love this book

I love this book couldn't put it down for a second I'm kinda sad that i can't read the other ones yet since i dont have money on my kindle yet but i will get them soon enough

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Title: Secret of the Songshell

Subtitle: The Spectraland Saga, Book 1

Author: Brian Tashima

Narrator: Jonathan Murphy

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-06-13

Publisher: Prism Valley Press

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Teens, Ages 11-13

Publisher's Summary:

Joel Suzuki gets a huge surprise when he bumps into his favorite rock star while walking down the street. You see, this particular rock star multiplatinum bandleader Marshall Byle is supposed to be dead. Joel gets an even bigger surprise when Marshall makes him the offer of a lifetime: The chance to become a rock star himself. There's a catch, of course, but this one is a little different. To unlock the shortcut to success, Joel must travel to an alternate world where his unique brain waves can be combined with the sound waves of music to create magical effects. If he can learn to harness these powers, he will be able to write songs that capture the hearts of millions. As a sensitive sixteen-year-old with Asperger's Syndrome living in a single-parent home, Joel leads a stressful life full of bullies, bad grades and money woes. Figuring that stardom will solve all of his problems, he accepts Marshall's offer. But once Joel arrives in the new world, he finds himself faced with an unexpected audition that is unlike anything he has ever imagined

Members Reviews:

Imaginative World of Adventure

Fascinating characters. Unique premise. Unusual setting. All you could want in a novel about music, magical powers, and fantastical creatures.

Secret of the Songshell is an imaginative adventure for all ages. Joel and Felicity are a dynamic pair, both struggling with social issues and trying to find their places in the world. When they are chosen by their rock star idol Marshall to enter a bizarre world of odd creatures where they will hone their musical skills and learn how to become rock stars themselves, they jump at the opportunity. Things don't turn out quite as they imagined, and they are soon in a race to save the world and themselves.

This was a fun read and I rooted for Joel and Felicity the whole way.

Just in Time for Children "on the spectrum"

Brian Tashima's "Secret of the Songshell; Book I of the Spectraland Saga," is an interesting fictional twist on how disease, in this case, Asperger's, can do magic things for children, a trope that can be transposed for children who struggle with other demons. With new definitions in the DSM V of psychiatric disease, fewer or more children will fall "on the autism spectrum" and in other dark corners of mental illness. How wonderful to have Tashima's hero Joel, ill but specially "gifted", show parents and children alike to see that good parts of life that are still possible for those with mental disorders. My only criticism is that the female lead embodies the worst of female traits. Would that she were as noble as Joel.

An enchanting world

This is a wonderful book full of imaginative characters. Life can be tough for any child in school but when you add Aspergers to the mix it creates even more challenges. You get to meet Joel in one of these scenarios and get your first glimpse into his life. Through the help of an idol he end up in a magical realm full of interesting people and creatures. The author paints vivid pictures of this new world while keeping track of Joel's lessons of life. Inspiring and difficult lessons in life such as acceptance and being true to ones self are woven into the events that unfold in this book.