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Title: The Burning Land

Subtitle: The Last Kingdom Series, Book 5

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Narrator: Stephen Perring

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 57 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-01-09

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 110 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

First comes Harald Bloodhair, a savage warrior leading a Viking horde, who is encouraged to cruelty by his woman, Skade. But Alfred still has the services of Uhtred, his unwilling warlord, who leads Harald into a trap and, at Farnham in Surrey, inflicts one of the greatest defeats the Vikings were ever to suffer.

This novel, the fifth in the magnificent series of England's history tells of the final assaults on Alfred's Wessex, that Wessex survived to become England is because men like Uhtred defeated an enemy feared throughout Christendom.

Members Reviews:

Narrator change sucks

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Stephen Perring?

Jonathan Keeble

Any additional comments?

Changing the narrator for this series was a mistake. Stephen Perring changes the pronunciation of characters and locations throughout the book.

Great story, poor narration

The story is on par with the earlier books in the series - compelling, gripping, in a word, excellent. The narration, however, is much worse than that of Jonathan Keeble's in the first four books. It's not just the much poorer ability to "act" the characters, it's also the amazing difference in pronouncing names.

I don't know who evaluates who should narrate what, but the difference is appalling. Stephen Perring detracts from the story, while Keeble made it much more compelling, added value to it. What a shame.

NO! Stephen Perring

I really do not understand why Audible will have a best seller in The Last Kingdom and narrated by Jonathan Keeble then half way through the series change narrator to Stephen Perring.

Apologies Stephen but you should never have taken on this book. Not only does the pronunciations of the names change but the whole story feels foreign. Uhtred of Bebbanburg is the "War Lord" but now with Stephen Perring he sounds like a 14 year old boy with nothing in it to make him the "Lord" Jonathan Keeble has grown him to be.

I had to backtrack a couple of times to understand when Stephen pronounced Gisela and Finan..

No No No, I will stop after struggling through the first chapter of "The Burning Land" and have the enjoyment of the first 3 books to fall back to.

Shame about the narration

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Stephen Perring?

Jonathon Keeble

Any additional comments?

These books are terrific. The story-telling and characterization are highly entertaining. But, I have to agree with everyone else that the change of narrator is very disappointing. Jonathon Keeble brought these characters to life in a way that Stephen Perring can't. It isn't just that the readers are used to Jonathon Keeble's narration style, although that's true and should be reason enough for the sake of honoring the audience. Jonathon Keeble has clearly also put a lot of effort into the characterization, and the overall tone - another narrator might be able to copy much of that, with some effort, although that clearly was not the case. But the main issue is that Jonathon Keeble has a way of delivering his narration that probably not everyone can replicate. His delivery is roughly spoken in a way that we can believe might have been how Saxons and Danes could have sounded.

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Title: April Lady

Author: Georgette Heyer

Narrator: Eve Matheson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-04-09

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 258 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

When Lord Cardross married 18 year old Lady Helen he also undertook the task of staving off financial disaster for her father, and settled the more pressing gambling debts of her brother. Has Lady Helen only married him for his money?

©1957 Georgette Heyer; (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Members Reviews:

Not my favorite GH, but better on second listen

I have purchased all of the Georgette Heyer Regency romances here on Audible, and I've enjoyed all of them. However, if pressed, I have to say that I had to work at enjoying APRIL LADY the first time that I listened to it more than I've had to with the other GH Regencies. I think that a significant reason why I didn't enjoy this book on my first read was that I felt so much empathy for the heroine and her difficulties. I could see myself, at her age and with her lack of worldly experience, making the same mistakes in judgment that she had, and so I felt all of her turmoil as she truly did try to do the right thing in the muddle that she'd made of things while also trying to keep her headstrong young sister-in-law on the straight and narrow. Any GH fan would probably attest that the last few chapters of her romances tie up all of the plot points in a satisfactory (and usually humorous and entertaining) fashion, and I was happy with this book's resolution, as well, so this made up for the novel, as a whole, not flying along as wonderfully and humorously as I find most of Heyer's romances do. At this moment, I'm almost finished listening to the book again, and I've enjoyed it more this time, possibly because I'm not so anxious about HOW Nell's difficulties will work out in the end. Still, I would not recommend this novel to someone who's never before read a Heyer romance; it might not convince them to ready any more, on its own merits. One of her others (maybe FRIDAY'S CHILD, THE RELUCTANT WIDOW, FREDERICA, or THE UNKNOWN AJAX) would be a better introduction from which to judge her writing, especially her talent for writing memorable humorous characters, even for the supporting cast. So, if this would be your first Heyer audio ever, please re-think this choice and check out her others listed here on Audible. I feel that you should listen to APRIL LADY eventually, but check out her other romances first. Still, the narration was perfect, in my opinion.

Excellent Narration Does Not Rescue Boring Story

As usual, Eve Matheson's narrations shines. It is a pity that her voice is wasted on one of Heyer's less engaging novels. The story drags on in endless detail and I soon lost sympathy for the heroine and her troubles.

Enjoyable listen but not the best Heyer

Where does April Lady rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

I love listening to the Heyer books on audio, but I would say this is my least favorite of hers to listen to so far. I like the narration very much overall. My only quibble is that I don't think she has Cardross just right, but it is hard to have a narrator that captures the very young, sweet and somewhat ditzy female characters (Cardross' sister being the ditzy one, not Nell), who is also able to do the detached, ironic, and mature voice of Cardross.But the only reason I lower my rating is the book itself. I like the pairing of Nell and Cardross, but most of the time is spent on the painful complications keeping them apart.

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Title: Mount Vernon Love Story

Subtitle: A Novel of George and Martha Washington

Author: Mary Higgins Clark

Narrator: Linda Emond

Format: Abridged

Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-21-09

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 34 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Mary Higgins Clark's interest in George Washington was first sparked by a radio series she was writing in the 1960s, called "Portrait of a Patriot," vignettes of American presidents. Always a lover of history, she wrote this biographical novel -- her first book -- and titled it Aspire to the Heavens, which was the family motto of George Washington's mother. With all events, dates, scenes and characters based on historical research, the book was published in 1969. Its recent discovery by a Washington family descendent led to its reissue under its new title, Mount Vernon Love Story.

In researching George Washington's life, Mary Higgins Clark was surprised to find the engaging man behind the pious legend. He was a giant of a man in every way, starting with his physical height. In an era when men averaged five foot seven inches, he towered over everyone at six foot three. He was the best dancer in the colony of Virginia. He was also a master horseman, which was why the Indians gave him their highest compliment: "He rides his horse like an Indian." She dispels the widespread belief that although George Washington married an older woman, a widow, his true love was Sally Carey Fairfax, his best friend's wife. Martha Dandridge Custis was older, but only by three months - she was 27 to his 26 when they met. Mary Higgins Clark describes their relationship from their first meeting, their closeness and his tenderness toward her two children.

Members Reviews:

Mary Higgins Clark

Another excellent book by Mary Higgins Clark. The audible is an excellent way to listen to the book without carrying the book with me.

I enjoyed the book.

I enjoyed the love story of Geoge and Martha Washington. Just a great lite read.

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Title: Notorious

Author: Virginia Henley

Narrator: Jenny Sterlin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 13 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-12-08

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 55 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

It is 1322, and the Marcher lords are rebelling against King Edward II. Lady Brianna de Beauchamp, daughter of a powerful Marcher, knows she should not involve herself in the battle. But when she meets dangerously handsome Wolf Mortimer, who has the gift of second sight, she cannot deny her passions.

Members Reviews:

Very sweet...

Though I found the narrator's voice a bit annoying at first, the story itself was so good, it took over for me. I knew a little bit of Isabella's history so it was a nice surprise to have her story as a backdrop.

Couldn't even listen to the first 50 minutes

Horrible reader!

I have never given a book such a low review...but I tried several times and couldn't get past the TERRIBLE voices! The WORSE. The main female character's voice sounded like that of a cartoon 3 year old! The handsome "wolf" sounded like the craggy old bridge keeper from the old monthy python film. For that matter so did ALL the males.

Just the thought of that little child's voice being romantically involved with that of the craggy old man made me sick to my stomach, regardless of how old the author wrote them to be.

It might be a great story but I'll never know because the voices and reading was just so bad... I wish I could get my credits back on the listen.

TERRIBLE... is the only word for it.

:(

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Title: To Rainbow Valley

Author: Irene Bennett Brown

Narrator: Laurie Klein

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 5 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-03-08

Publisher: Books in Motion

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

Thirteen-year-old Cotton becomes responsible for seeing his family safely across country to Oregon where they will join his father. In 1924, a 17-year-old girl tries to rebuild her life after a personal tragedy by taking a job as switchboard operator in a small town far from home. Instead of a haven, however, she finds her new community in the grip of fanatic prejudices that force her to take a stand for what she knows is right.

©2008 Irene Bennett Brown; (P)2008 Books in Motion

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Title: Regency Buck

Author: Georgette Heyer

Narrator: June Barrie

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 36 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-26-08

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 461 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

It is in regrettable circumstances that beautiful Judith Taverner and her brother Peregrine first meet Julian St John Audley. The man, they both agree, is an insufferably arrogant dandy. But unfortunately for them, he's also the Fifth Earl of Worth, a friend of the Regent and, their legal guardian.

©1935 Georgette Heyer; (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Members Reviews:

Fantastic Performance

June Barrie does a great rendition of the characters of this book. She as easily portrays the dry argumentative Lord Worth as she does the willful beautiful Judith. And the growing suspense is fabulous to listen to.

Early Heyer and it shows

Any additional comments?

I love just about every Georgette Heyer novel I have in audio form, and return to them over and over. Regency Buck was (I believe) Heyer's first foray into the Regency era, and it's interesting to see her laying the groundwork for the many novels that followed and created the Regency Romance genre. All the tropes that come to signify the genre are here: Brighton, the Pavillion, the Prince Regent, Beau Brummell, curricle races, Gentleman Jackson and boxing, the social restrictions placed on women, fabulous wealth and high titles, a glowering and unapproachable hero and a feisty heroine.

She does, however, get a little carried away with the details (you will never, ever hear a longer or more obsessive description of the interior of the Brighton Pavillion!), displaying all her amazing research, and after this novel she backs away from using important historical figures of the age as significant characters. There's an odd, "Mary Sue" feeling to heroine Judith Taverner, who is unbelievably rich, very attractive, unusually liberated, a "notable whip," AND who is admired by the Beau and the Regent AND a couple of the Royal Dukes.

The Gothic sinister-mystery element is kind of fun, and something that Heyer's later Regencies don't have as much of. It's an enjoyable enough tale, nicely narrated by June Barrie. It can't have been easy to lend life to the very-long sections about the roads between London and Brighton, boxing matches, or the aforementioned architectural detail!

Georgette at her best!

Any additional comments?

This exciting story was narrated by June Barrie who gave a truly splendid performance. I listened to this book in one day because I could not stop! One reviewer said there was not much humor in this book, but I disagree. Indeed, I think that Heyer's earlier books (this one copyright 1935) have all the elements that we, her fans, have come to love and admire. A beautiful, spunky heroine; a handsome hero who knows how to dress, drive his horses and deliver a devilish good left punch, and a host of other terrific characters including one of my favorites: the Earl's trusted tiger (a special type of groom) all come together to tell a very enjoyable story.Thank you June Barrie and thank you Audible.com.

Enjoyable Story

I really liked this story and characters. The narrator, who's read Heyer stories before, did a fabulous job, as usual.

I don't want to spoil things, but I will say that for a romance to work for me I need to fall in love with the love interest. Usually, Heyer does a great job at this. My only issue was how the mystery actually got in the way of the story.

Enter a doorway into another time!

Loved it! Good characters, gives great insights into the culture and society of the times.

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Title: Another Homecoming

Author: Janette Oke, T. Davis Bunn

Narrator: Christina Moore

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-29-08

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 18 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

A little girl grows into womanhood, unaware of the forces that swirl around her past and her future.

Critic Reviews:

"What sets it apart is the lyricism of the narrative, and Syvia's credible childlike voice, maturing with each chapter, as she gains further understanding of the events around her." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Touching Story

Very well narrated and written book about what truly brings peace and happiness. What makes a family was defined in this book.

Another Homecoming

I hate the ending, But I loved the book!!! Is there a Sequil? It needs it.

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Title: Unholy Fire

Author: Robert Mrazek

Narrator: Patrick G Lawlor

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 7 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-21-08

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

The beleaguered capital, now swollen to seven times its prewar population, is filled with saloons, brothels, spies, thieves, and murderers. It is also rife with official corruption and political intrigue.

While investigating what appears to be a routine case of military procurement fraud, Kit becomes embroiled in the murder of a beautiful young woman who has had the misfortune to attend the birthday party of Union General Joseph Hooker, the notorious and charming libertine.

The investigation leads Kit through a series of harrowing adventures - both on the battlefield and in the capital's darkest dens of depravity -until he and Val Burdette must confront a vast criminal conspiracy that threatens both their own lives as well as the fate of the Republic.

Members Reviews:

predictable fare

A disappointing book due to a very predictable plot and equally predictable characters - the goodhearted prostitute, the young hero soldier fighting bad guys,and the well-known story of corruption/predation in the Union supply line during the Civil War. Many unexplained gaps in the story line and characters. The sexual scenes are equally predictable and, frankly, as boring as they are un-believable.

This was a great listen.

I'm a fan of historical mysteries, and I like stories that inspire me to rummage in maps and history books to get a sense of things. Unholy Fire certainly did that for me! It has all the necessary elements: a flawed hero, interesting perspective on real historical figures, a good mystery, plenty of suspense, lots of interestingly drawn characters, and a spin on the politics of the Civil War that is revealing. I'm a whole lot more interested in the Civil War now that some of the players are a little more real to me than they were in the 7th grade!

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Title: The Last Queen

Subtitle: A Novel of Juana La Loca

Author: C. W. Gortner

Narrator: Marguerite Gavin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 25 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-05-08

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 208 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

When tragedy decimates Juana's family in Spain, she suddenly finds herself heiress to Castile, a realm prey to scheming lords bent on thwarting her rule. The betrayal of those she loves plunges Juana into a ruthless battle of wills - a struggle of corruption, perfidy, and heart-shattering deceit that could cost her the crown, her freedom, and her very life.

Critic Reviews:

"A novel of ravishing power....With compassion and deep respect, Gortner brings Juana la Loca to vivid life." (Malaga Daily)

Members Reviews:

This is a historical "Novel"

Told in the first person, this is a Novel first with historical time lines. It is written and read beautifully. The last queen of Argonne is a story of corruption, betrayal, repression of woman, and abuse of power. There is very little known about Juana, especially because she was not able to assume her rightful place as Queen because of her husband, father, and son. Her children became very powerful, they even her daughters. I wonder what a difference it would have made if Juana were born in a different time, and lived at the same time as Elizabeth I. Would there ever have been a Spanish armada?

Fascinating!

Audio production:

There were times when Marguerite Gavins voice was so breathy that it bothered me and there is one spot in the beginning of the second half where her voice changes completely in tone and volume in the middle of sentence then goes back to how it sounded at the beginning it kind of threw me and think it was some kind of editing gone wrong. ( I meant to write it down at what time but didnt). but all in all I thought she did a pretty good job at the narration although it was uneven at times.

Another fascinating book, as historical fiction I dont know how much is true but I like that it wasnt that Juana was really loco but that her husband & Father drove her to action and they spread the rumors that she was mad. I have read plenty of books about women being put in asylums because they didnt act in a way their husband or fathers thought they should and this was closer to our own time than this so it is easy for me to believe that this may have been the case with Juana. Also who wouldnt go mad when everything you know and love is ripped from you and you sent away never to see anyone again?

People romanticize royals so much but the more I read about them I think its really a terrible life, someone else is always running your life, there is always someone out to usurp your throne, you have to put up with all these people with their own agendas especially the religious leaders that seem to want to rule over everything.

I read The Queens Vow first then this one and Im glad I read them in this order instead of the published order because this book picks up pretty much where the Queens Vow leaves off so it was interesting to see the relationship with her mother before I got to the book about her, so for people who havent discover this author yet, Id read them in the order I have.

This is historical fiction and for me when an author takes liberties I dont mind and as I said above I liked this take on her life, even if it isnt factual, if I wanted completely factual I would read a non-fiction. But what this does is makes me want to do more research and read up on what her life was really like and for me thats the key to historical fiction when it makes you want to find out more.

I am hooked on C.W.

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Title: The Falcons of Montabard

Author: Elizabeth Chadwick

Narrator: Christopher Scott

Format: Unabridged

Length: 17 hrs and 32 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-30-08

Publisher: ISIS Audio Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 54 votes

Genres: Fiction, Historical

Publisher's Summary:

At first, it seems impossible, as the demons from his past life return to haunt him, and Sabin finds his back to the wall. In the heat and dust, magnificence and danger of Northern Syria, he must either face himself, or be vanquished.

Annais, a quiet, convent-raised young woman, accompanies her father to their new life in the Holy Land. Her encounters with Sabin FitzSimon leave her bewildered, desirous, and more than a little hostile. Bravely facing up to heartache, an arranged marriage, war, and death, she falls deeply in love with the country and its people.

But it will take more than love to secure what she holds dear, including Sabin FitzSimon.

Members Reviews:

Another Solid Book From Chadwick

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

I have enjoyed many of Chadwick's other books and this is another solid story from this author. As usual, she does a wonderful job of throughly researching the period and bringing the era to life with vivid and detailed descriptions. If you are a lover of historical fiction and/or Chadwick's other books, you will not be disappointed.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

The ending and plot were somewhat predictable, but that does not make the book any less interesting.

What does Christopher Scott bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

The reader does a good a job with the story and setting the mood.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A Personal Story of Life in the Levant

Any additional comments?

One production element that I also enjoyed was a little bit of music between sections. The audio version is over 17 hours and I listened to over a three week period. I found the musical breaks helped recognize the section transitions and was a useful listening tool. It was not overwhelming as it often can be in many audiobook productions.

A descriptive historical picture!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I felt like I was in the story and in the castles with the characters. If you have a chance to read other Elizabeth Chadwick books, pick up the 3 books about William Marshal (in the audible library). I haunt eBay and book stores for her other books as well.

excellent!

read well with wonderful accents. great story and good character development. I really loved it!

Great Read!

I absolutely love Elizabeth Chadwick's historical fiction. She writes a great story, her descriptive portrayal of the countryside and customs of the day are outstanding and allow the reader to feel as if they are sitting in the middle of whatever is going on. Definitely recommend this book for a good, solid read.

Chadwick Magic

Another dramatic masterpiece from Elizabeth Chadwick. An author who has the ability to paint the story into your imagination with her descriptive mastery. The only criticism could be its a little long in the middle, but this is easily forgiven. However, its this that means its a 4* rather than 5.