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Title: Abhorsen

Author: Garth Nix

Narrator: Tim Curry

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-03-06

Publisher: Listening Library

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2240 votes

Genres: Teens, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Publisher's Summary:

She had become an Abhorsen, Lirael thought, at least on the outside.

Critic Reviews:

"Abhorsen is an excellent denouement for a fantasy that is both literary and popularly accessible. Out loud, the powers of this future classic are intensified, especially through Curry's inspired dramatization." (School Library Journal)

"At once an allegory regarding war and peace and a testament to friendship, this thought-provoking fantasy also resolves the true identities of the popular Dog and Mogget characters and suggests that Nix may still have more tricks up his sleeve." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

A great conclusion to a wonderful series

First off - this is the last book in the trilogy starting with Sabriel, and continues the story from Lireal. While several years passed between the action in Sabriel and Lireal, this book picks up immediately from the cliff-hanger that ended Lireal. What does that mean? You need to listen to the first two books before reading this one - don't try to listen to them out of order!

With that said, this book continues the remarkably good young adult series by Garth Nix, although the books are at least as well suited to an adult audience, especially Abhorsen, the darkest of the lot. Abhorsen revolves around a race to stop an ancient evil from being brought into the world, which sounds like a typical fantasy plotline, but in Nix's hands it is made fresh by his complex world and compelling characters. Tim Curry's reading is excellent, and, if not quite as inventive as the first two books, this provides an exciting and impressive conclusion, in which many mysteries are resolved from the rest of the series.

If you like Philip Pullman, J. K. Rowling's more recent (darker) Harry Potter novels, or George R. R. Martin, you should strongly consider listening to this series.

splendid

Firstly, the narration was extremely well-done. The only thing that I didn't like very much was Mogget's voice, though this is only a matter of preference, and I cannot fault the narrator for that.

The book itself is very engaging and a good read/listen, though I have to agree with one of the other reviewers about the heroine: she is too whiney and distraught over something she really should have been used to by this point. Being a Remembrancer should be enough for her, especially since she's the only one in the world, but she can't seem to get over not being able to see into the future. This is tiring after a while. Other than that, it's a good story.

Amazing!!!

This is an excellent conclusion to the Old Kingdom series as well as a perfect conclusion to the story begun in Lirael. I would suggest reading the two previous books in the series first because this book picks up right where the last one left off. This means that the action begins in the first chapter, keeping your interest until the end. The main characters continue their journey to stop an ancient being from destroying the world. This book is filled with magical fights that would rival those in Harry Potter. You will NOT want to stop listening.

Don't Miss This Thrilling Conclusion!

My only complaint is that it has to end!!!

This series is remarkable on so many levels.

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Title: Sabriel

Author: Garth Nix

Narrator: Tim Curry

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-14-03

Publisher: Listening Library

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3801 votes

Genres: Teens, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Publisher's Summary:

Ever since she was a tiny child, Sabriel has lived outside the walls of the Old Kingdom, away from the random power of Free Magic, and away from the Dead who won't stay dead. But now her father, the Mage Abhorsen, is missing, and to find him Sabriel must cross back into that world.

Though her journey begins alone, she soon finds companions: Mogget, whose seemingly harmless feline form hides a powerful and perhaps malevolent spirit; and Touchstone, a young Charter Mage long imprisoned by magic, now free in body but still trapped by painful memories.

With threats on all sides and only each other to trust, the three must travel deep into the Old Kingdom, toward a battle that will pit them against the true forces of life and death, and bring Sabriel face-to-face with her own hidden destiny.

A tale of dark secrets, deep love and dangerous magic, Sabriel introduces Garth Nix as an exceptional new talent.

Critic Reviews:

"It's an epic journey in a world as richly realized as Middle-earth and much darker and bloodier than Harry's trials at Hogwarts...Tim Curry brings authority to the reading, grounding the fantastic elements with nuance of character and depth of emotion. (AudioFile)

"Rich, complex, involving, hard to put down, this first novel...is excellent high fantasy." (Publishers Weekly)

"A page-turner for sure." (Booklist)

Members Reviews:

Enraptured

I am 62 years old and found myself completely enraptured by the combination of Grath Nix's prose and Tim Curry's narration. I am thrilled to have discovered this series that now ranks #1 on my list of all time favorite fantasy novels.

Why can't adult fantasy be this good

Paradoxically if an adult wants original fantasy literature (that is not Lord of the Rings redux) the best place to look is in the "teen" section. Sabriel is a great example. The reader is great and the story is even better. Very original, exciting, adverturous, and (since I can't get the next 2 books in the series on audio)it has me rushing to the bookstore to buy the two other books in the trilogy. Very fun. Don't miss it.

Dark, serious YA fantasy

If you're in the mood for a somber, gorgeously visual novel that's part Philip Pullman, part Tolkien, and part a world out of one those artful fantasy illustrations that seemed to have had a heyday in the 1970s, Sabriel might fit the bill. The heroine of the title is a girl of mysterious origins who was born in the magical "Old Kingdom" and possesses a rare natural gift for necromancy. However, Sabriel has spent most of her life in Ancelstierre, a non-magical country that resembles Britain of the early 1900s, but shares a strange border region with the Old Kingdom. The story begins with its heroine, who is completing a clandestine education in magic, learning that her often-absent father, who spends most of his time in the Old Kingdom, has gone missing. Meanwhile, the undead ghouls and spirits that plague that region have been acting up, for reasons that Sabriel doesn't understand, having been away from home for so long.

While the quest that ensues follows a well-worn good-versus-darkness script, I enjoyed its world creation.

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Title: The Subtle Knife

Subtitle: His Dark Materials, Book 2

Author: Philip Pullman

Narrator: Philip Pullman, full cast

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-07-03

Publisher: Listening Library

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 6787 votes

Genres: Teens, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Publisher's Summary:

In this stunning sequel to The Golden Compass, the intrepid Lyra finds herself in a shimmering, haunted otherworld, Cittagazze, where soul-eating Specters stalk the streets and wingbeats of distant angels sound against the sky. But she is not without allies: 12-year-old Will Parry, fleeing for his life after taking another's, has also stumbled into this strange new realm.

Critic Reviews:

"The superb production of this fascinating fantasy epic makes it a heart-thumping listening adventure." (AudioFile)

"The story gallops with ferocious momentum [and] Pullman is devilishly inventive. (The New York Times Book Review)

"More than fulfilling the promise of The Golden Compass, this second volume starts off at a heart-thumping pace and never slows down." (Publishers Weekly)

"A resoundingly successful sequel." (Booklist)

Members Reviews:

Wonderful story

I listen to A LOT of books on audible.com. This and Golden Compass received great ratings except for those who wrote a review. I see this often. I guess we have some literary critics who haunt audible.com. :) I found The Golden Compass and this book wonderful stories. The narration on both were great, and the music didn't bother me a bit. I'm starting the 3rd book with great expectation. If you like a well read, great stories then these books are for you.

The second book in a fantastic trilogy!

His Dark Materials, of which this is the second book, is a terrific fantasy. While aimed at younger readers, the series holds up brilliantly for adults, as well.

In the second book, Lyra's adventure continues, as she finds herself in another world and discovers Will, a young boy who becomes her companion through the rest of the series. Lyra & Will also find other types of beings in this world, angels and witches; some are helpful, some not so. You'll enjoy taking the journey with them, and the narration -by author Philip Pullman and a full cast- helps pull you into the story.

Another Terrific Book

This is the second book of the trilogy, and I thought if anything it surpassed the first with the introduction of new and compelling characters and plot developments. The actors and production are superb. Perhaps the best youth recorded book I have heard, including all of the Harry Potter books. Very highly recommended.

Enjoyed as much as the first

Great second book. I love the narration in these books. Each character has it's own voice. The books really come alive.

an earful

The second part of the trilogy is wonderfully compelling. The musical interludes between chapters are terrible -- ear piercing interrruptions to an otherwise great dramatization.

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Title: The Dust Devils

Subtitle: Broken Land, Book 2

Author: Sean Williams

Narrator: Lloyd Allison-Young

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 23 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-09-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genres: Teens, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Publisher's Summary:

Adi's body has been borne away across the desert by her Clan, but her spirit remains Ros's constant companion. If he can't find the travellers in time, Adi will be presumed dead and her body cremated, leaving her a ghost forever. But Ros is not prepared for the dangers lurking in the shifting sands. Rescued from bandits and Dust Devils by a boy named Yury, he takes refuge in Yury's home - an extensive network of tunnels known as Dunetown - and learns that Yury in turn needs Ros's help. His family has been kidnapped by the sand bandits, a ruthless gang led by a psychopath obsessed with treasure and power. Ros must learn to trust again, and to overcome those who cannot ever be trusted. Darker things lurk in the desert than Dust Devils and sand bandits. And, all the while, Adi's voice is a constant reminder that time is running out....

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Title: Blue Flame

Author: K M Grant

Narrator: Wayne Forester

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-02-11

Publisher: Oakhill Publishing

Genres: Teens, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Publisher's Summary:

Chalus Chabrol, 1199. The Occitanian knights battle for their lives against Richard the Lionheart. They are guarding the Blue Flame under which all Occitanians must unite to resist invasion. But the knights cannot survive and so it falls to Parsifal to find the true keeper of the Flame.

Critic Reviews:

"... an exciting and enthralling read..." (Books for Keeps)

Members Reviews:

Blue Flame Review

So basically, I didn't realize that this fell into the juvenile fiction genre until after it was sitting on my shelf to be read. *fail* Needless to say, due to this fact, it didn't particularly thrill or engage me in anyway. Which is alright, because I'm not in the juvenile age range, so that's kinda to be expected. Anyway. The plot of Blue Flame centers around two young teens--14ish year olds--in medieval Occitan, which is located in some part of the world I couldn't quite gather and I don't think was specifically told. South of France, I think?

These two teens, Raimon and Yolanda, like each other...or, love each other as they said at times...but their "small town" life is totally interrupted by the arrival of the Blue Flame, whose significance I still don't really get. I got the part where it was supposedly lit at Christ's death--and that I got from the back cover--and therefore it is understandable that the religious people went bonkers over trying to claim it. What I didn't get was the real, true blue point of it was. Raimon seemed to get it wasn't what the religious nuts thought it was, but I had a hard time figuring out what it did mean then.

Short review made shorter: it was alright considering the age range it is aimed at. While I personally didn't have a whole lot of interest in it I think young teens/tweens might like it, if they're into historical or slightly mythical stories. I bought this book, and therefore was not required nor asked to write a review, nor a positive one at that. I was not compensated for this review.

Good but unsatisfying

I have read K.M. Grant's Blood Red Horse books and found them excellent. This book, however, lacked the feel of quality the other books had. It was suspenseful, had interesting (if cliché) characters, and a creative story, but it seemed to lack the depth of K.M. Grant's other novels. I would borrow this from the library rather than buy it, but for a fan of Blood Red horse it is a good read.

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Title: The Book of Dead Days

Author: Marcus Sedgwick

Narrator: Derek Jacobi

Format: Abridged

Length: 3 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-26-08

Publisher: Orion Publishing Group Limited

Genres: Teens, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Publisher's Summary:

His servant is Boy, a child with no name and no past; a child he treats with contempt, but who serves his master well and finds solace in the company of his only friend, Willow. Unknown to any of them, it is Boy who holds the key to their destiny.

Set in dark threatening cities and the frozen countryside in a distant time and place of the author's making, The Book of Dead Days conjures a spell-binding story of sorcery and desperate magic as Valerian, Boy and Willow battle to stop time and cling to life. Beautifully evoked, dramatic and emotionally powerful.

Members Reviews:

Boring tale, held together only by Jacobi's voice.

I own this in paper, a secondhand copy, and I have to hope that the unabridged version isn't as terribly dull and shallow as the abridgement done for the audiobook. That said, the combination of a drastically-shortened narrative and the great talent of Sir Derek is all that kept me listening to this particular book long enough to endure to the end of the story. The characters are mostly flat and uninteresting, the plot dull and repetitive and the locations and atmosphere poorly described.

I gave the whole audiobook a 2-star rating on GoodReads. I might have let Sedgwick have 2 stars for the story here, except that my 5-star rating for the performance, the best but only good thing about this audiobook, would have brought the overall rating up to 3 stars, had I done that, and I didn't wish to mislead anyone in such a way.

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Title: The Rithmatist

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Narrator: Michael Kramer

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 26 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-14-13

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 5580 votes

Genres: Teens, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Publisher's Summary:

Audie Award Finalist, Fantasy, 2014

From number-one New York Times best-selling author Brandon Sanderson: his debut novel for the young adult audience.

More than anything, Joel wants to be a Rithmatist. Chosen by the Master in a mysterious inception ceremony, Rithmatists have the power to infuse life into two-dimensional figures known as Chalklings. Rithmatists are humanitys only defense against the Wild Chalklings - merciless creatures that leave mangled corpses in their wake. Having nearly overrun the territory of Nebrask, the Wild Chalklings now threaten all of the American Isles.

As the son of a lowly chalkmaker at Armedius Academy, Joel can only watch as Rithmatist students study the magical art that he would do anything to practice. Then students start disappearing - kidnapped from their rooms at night, leaving trails of blood. Assigned to help the professor who is investigating the crimes, Joel and his friend Melody find themselves on the trail of an unexpected discovery - one that will change Rithmatics - and their world - forever.

Best-selling author Brandon Sanderson brings his unique brand of epic storytelling to the teen audience with an engrossing tale of danger and suspense - the first of a series. With his trademark skills in world-building, Sanderson has created a magic system that is so inventive and detailed that listeners who appreciate games of strategy and tactics just may want to bring Rithmatics to life in our world.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

Members Reviews:

Beware of the chalk!

Brandon Sanderson has once again crafted an excellent tale of suspense, mystery, and intrigue. This was only supplemented by the skilled voice acting of Michael Kramer. The only crime of this book is the short (10 hour) length!

-The Good-

1. Exceptionally detailed world that you can vividly imagine.

2. Dynamic characters brought to life by the voice acting.

3. Deeply engaging elements of religion, history, and human perception.

4. A compelling threat to Joel and a great villain.

5. An unforeseen twist that goes against your post-Harry Potter expectations.

-The Bad-

1. Just over 10 hours in length leaving the end feeling slightly rushed.

2. Untied strings of plot were left unexplained. I can only hope this means that a sequel is imminent.

3. The use of chalk as a main component of the story.

To summarize; this book is fantastic and worth the cost of admission. But prepare yourself for the ending and having to possibly wait for the conclusion of story.

YA novel for everyone

I don't know why, but I didn't expect great things from this book. The magic system seemed, quite frankly, a little silly. And it was a YA novel. Granted, I really like YA sf, but Brandon Sanderson doing it? It just seemed odd. But he does a phenomenal job with it. Great, quick paced, page-turning story. Michael Kramer narrates beautifully. You can tell it is written for young adults, but that doesn't mean he dumbed down his writing or over-simplified anything. It is still excellent fantasy.

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Title: The School of Hard Knocks

Subtitle: Schooled in Magic, Book 5

Author: Christopher G. Nuttall

Narrator: Tavia Gilbert

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 hrs and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-31-17

Publisher: Podium Publishing

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 775 votes

Genres: Teens, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Publisher's Summary:

A plot is being hatched at Mountaintop Academy, a plot that threatens the lives of Emily and her friends...and the integrity of the Allied Lands. In a desperate bid to uncover the secrets of Mountaintop and recover her stolen notes, Emily goes undercover into Mountaintop, a mission that may cost her everything.

Members Reviews:

Still good

Be prepared the narrator changes the voices.. Took me a little while to get used too...

Performance

I wanted to give the performance a 5th star because Travis Gilbert always does a wonderful job! However after the 2nd chapter in school of hard knocks the voices we'd come to know and be familiar with were pitched down. It was very disorienting and made the characters feel older and hard to distinguish one from another. There were a few times where I had to ask myself if it was Emily or Lady barb speaking.

Amazing as always!!

Another great book leaving me wanting for more. Story was great and Travis Gilbert is amazing as always. One of the best readers on Audible that I've listened to. Keep them coming!

Narrator changes after chapter two

For some reason, after the second chapter, the narrator changes. It is not clear why.

Still good. But what's going on with the voice

Street was still good, but the narrator's voice started being wonky. Maybe trying to switch readers mid stream?

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Title: An Acceptable Time

Author: Madeleine L'Engle

Narrator: Ann Marie Lee

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-11-08

Publisher: Listening Library

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 168 votes

Genres: Teens, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Publisher's Summary:

Why has a time gate opened and dropped Polly into a world that existed 3,000 years ago? Will she be able to get back to the present before the time gate closes -- and leaves her to face a group of people who believe in human sacrifice?

Members Reviews:

Not Jest for kids. Very deep for knowing adults.

All of Madeleine L'Engle's books that I have listened to have been up beat with good moral lessons. The healthy mix of mythology, science and good moral sense added to a well written story line leaves a fresh taste in the mouth and a lifting of the heart. She was truly a master story teller.

I was mind blowing it was awesome it was great it

it was mind blowing it blew my mind the book was about Meg's daughter wow

make one about the grandparents please

- IRA lasley

Not as good as the first three

I read the first three books in this series when I was much younger and really liked them. I decided to re-read all of them plus the last two in the series, which I had never read. I really wish I had stopped after re-reading the first three. The first three books are fantastic--very well-written and enjoyable. The last two books were significant disappointments when compared to the first three. The fourth book was by far the most disappointing, as I addressed in another review. The fifth book is significantly better than the fourth, but it still falls well-short of the quality of the original three.

Pontification can be over done

HORRIFOCALLY slow start. Picked up 2/3 in. And for a book with accepting themes it certainly did its fair share of mudslinging. WAY too much pontificating. Many Waters was far better.

It's basically a good story

Surprised to find Standing Stones , Time Travel & Ley Lines in this book , and have to

assume Diana Gabaldon got her idea for time travel from this story- published 3 years prior to Outlander. It can't be a coincidence - if it were just 2 out of the three I would say maybe , but 3 out of 3 ? No way .

Wonder why she never mentioned this ?

I had loved A Wrinkle in Tme when I was a kid , and being in a nostalgic mood decided to read the rest of the books . L'Engle must not have done her research - if Polly goes back 3000 years - there would have been NO sheep or cattle in the Americans until Columbus brings them. Banished Druids would not have been a Or to bring them , certainly not enough so that the Indians would have had herds of them in 3 years.

These may be written for young adults, but come on - their history lessons will be screwed up with misinformation like that . She should have an explanation for it .

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Title: Return of the Darkening Series: Complete Boxset

Author: Ava Richardson

Narrator: Tiffany Williams

Format: Unabridged

Length: 24 hrs and 17 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-02-17

Publisher: Relay Publishing

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 123 votes

Genres: Teens, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Publisher's Summary:

Dive into a dragon filled adventure! When scruffy Seb and noble Thea are paired as dragon riders, they never imagined they'd be the Kingdom's last hope.

High-born Agathea Flamma intends to bring honor to her family by following in her brothers' footsteps and taking her rightful place as a Dragon Rider. With her only other option being marriage, Thea will not accept failure. She's not thrilled at her awkward, scruffy partner, Seb, but their dragon has chosen, and now the unlikely duo must learn to work as a team.

Seventeen-year-old Sebastian has long been ashamed of his drunken father and poor upbringing, but then he's chosen to train as a Dragon Rider at the prestigious academy. Thrust into a world where he doesn't fit in, Seb finds a connection with his dragon that is even more powerful than he imagined. Soon, he's doing all he can to succeed and not embarrass his new partner, Thea.

When Seb hears rumors that an old danger is reemerging, he and Thea begin to investigate. Armed only with their determination and the dragon they both ride, Thea and Seb may be the only defense against the Darkening that threatens to sweep the land. Together, they will have to learn to work together to save their kingdom or die trying.

The unlikely duo forged an unbreakable bond, but now with dark stirrings in the south their bond will be put to the ultimate test.

Seb discovers Lord Vincent has returned and he wants to unleash an ancient evil that will destroy the lives of everyone in the kingdom; The Darkening. In order to defend the realm against unspeakable foes, Seb, Thea, and their shared dragon, Kalax, set out on an arduous journey.

Members Reviews:

A new type of dragon rider

When I set out to listen to this I was thinking "this is going to be long" 3 books in 1 is a lot of book to listen to after all. By the end I was thinking "no, don't be over yet!"

I haven't seen anyone have two riders per dragon, but it works really well in this story.

The characters are a real mix of personalities. It's clear that a lot of thought went into creating realistic personalities and histories to give reasons for why characters act the way that they do.

The story line is complex, interesting and engaging. It was impossible to not get emotionally involved in what was happening.

The narration was perfect for the story. The character voices all worked really well and were easily recognizable, the delivery was emotive, well paced and sounded very natural.

I received this book free from the narrator/publisher/author in exchange for an honest review.

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amazing story

in my opinion this was a great adventure seeking story, just the way I like it :)

Return of the Darkening Series

Book 1: Dragon Trials:

We start off by meeting Thea and Seb right before they are each chosen by their dragon, Kalax. One will be the protector and one will be the navigator. Both are from very different worlds. I immediately liked Seb and admired his determination. It took me a little longer to warm up to Thea because she seemed spoiled and impatient. As she grew to understand Seb, Thea became more understanding and likeable. This story goes through the trials to determine which character will be assigned to each role.