Literature Young Adult Fiction » Audio Book Review http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com YA Readers Reviewing Books. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:18:25 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Review: Revelations by Melissa de la Cruz http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-revelations-by-melissa-de-la-cruz/ http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-revelations-by-melissa-de-la-cruz/#comments Sat, 05 Jun 2010 09:33:11 +0000 First Mate Keira http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/?p=965

by First Mate Keira

Title: Revelations (Blue Bloods, Book 3)
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Narrator: Christina Moore
Format: Audiobook
CD Count + Minutes: 5 CDs (6 Hours)
Grade Reading Level: 9th Grade +

Summary: Schuyler is now officially adopted by the Forces and living under the same roof as Jack and Mimi. Talk about awkward. Some believe that Schuyler’s half-blood blood isn’t Red Blood and Blue Blood but actually Silver Blood. They’ll find her essential though when a group of Silver Bloods attack an ancient place of power in Rio de Janeiro.

In hopes of getting rid of Schuyler permanently, Mimi is rushing Jack to the altar. She wants the bonding ceremony and she wants it now. Jack isn’t exactly holding her back, but he’s not a willing participant. He might have an unshakeable bond with Mimi, but their relationship for him is more like a duty, not a romance.

Bliss is no longer blacking out, but she’s starting to have gruesome visions. The one that scares her the most is of a man claiming to be her father. How can this be true? It doesn’t make sense.

The family behind the Silver Bloods is finally revealed to readers. The clues are finally all added up. Did you guess right?

Why I started this book:

I just finished reading Masquerade and Revelations is next in the Blue Blood series.

Likes:

  • Schuyler moving into the Force family home. I'm not sure how it happened, because she was supposed to be emancipated by her grandmother's will, but I'm all up for getting her and Jack into close living quarters.
  • There’s a funny reference to Harry Potter in this book when Schuyler ruminates that the 2nd guest bedroom was hardly the cupboard under the stairs.
  • Publicly Jack keeps up the front that Schuyler means nothing to him, but privately it’s a whole other story. They begin to meet in clandestine locations to spend time together using Oliver as a cover.
  • Kingsley is still around and bugging the heck out of Mimi with his very presence. Isn’t he a Silver Blood and a traitor?

Dislikes:

  • The love triangle. Oliver is a good friend, but I’m not a big fan of friends to lovers romances. I get not wanting to hurt his feelings, but Schuyler needs to suck it up and put on her big girl panties. My hope for this series is for Jack and Schuyler together. It will only happen if Jack stands up to his sister and if Schuyler puts herself forward. (Crosses fingers.)
  • Jordan is a real weird kid. I’m not sure how I feel about her as a character. She’s definitely creepy. I wonder what will happen to her now that she’s been kidnapped.

Buy: Revelations (Blue Bloods, Book 3)

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Online Stores ]]> http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-revelations-by-melissa-de-la-cruz/feed/ 0 Review: Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-masquerade-by-melissa-de-la-cruz/ http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-masquerade-by-melissa-de-la-cruz/#comments Thu, 03 Jun 2010 09:40:03 +0000 First Mate Keira http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/?p=962

by First Mate Keira

Title: Masquerade (Blue Bloods, Book 2)
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Narrator: Christina Moore
Format: Audiobook
CD Count + Minutes: 6 CDs (7 Hours)
Grade Reading Level: 9th Grade +

Summary: After her grandmother’s death, Schuyler heads to Italy in hopes of finding her grandfather, Lawrence Van Alen. Cordelia felt he would be able to shed light on the Silver Bloods and help Schuyler become a better vampire… something he doesn’t appear to be too keen to do. As a half-blood she could use all the help she can get, especially after her human and vampire blood start to fight for dominance.

Meanwhile, back in New York, Mimi is helping plan the traditional Four Hundred Ball where she and her brother Jack will be presented to all Blue Bloods with their official angel/vampire names. She’s also planning an exclusive after party for the teen vampires from the Duchesne school. She can’t wait to spill the beans about how she and Jack are destined to be together forever as a bonded pair.

Bliss keeps having blackouts and waking up in odd locations. Some of the time its like she’s trying to sleepwalk and kill herself – drowning in Central Park, flinging herself off of skyscrapers, it’s maddening. What’s going on and will it ever stop? How is this normal?

Why I started this book:

I just finished reading Blue Bloods and Masquerade is book two in the Blue Bloods series.

Likes:

  • I liked the Masquerade ball and the mysterious gentleman with the black mask who kisses Schuyler. It’s a cute scene.
  • Christina Moore continues to excel as a narrator. I would gladly listen to any fictional story that she read.
  • Dylan comes back – he’s not been killed off by a Silver Blood.
  • Kingsley the new Blue Blood at Duchesne isn’t what he appears to be – but is he friend or foe?
  • Making Mimi Force sweat made me ridiculously happy. I knew she'd get off, she's clearly not the one harboring Silver Bloods, that'd be too easy.

Dislikes:

  • The clear set up of Oliver as a second love interest.
  • Chares Force is a big pain and doesn’t act very much like an archangel to me. Is he going to rise and be Michael or is he going to remain an ostrich with his head in the sand? This constant denial of Silver Blood return is old.

Buy: Masquerade (Blue Bloods, Book 2)

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Online Stores ]]> http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-masquerade-by-melissa-de-la-cruz/feed/ 0 Review: Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-blue-bloods-by-melissa-de-la-cruz/ http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-blue-bloods-by-melissa-de-la-cruz/#comments Tue, 01 Jun 2010 09:24:25 +0000 First Mate Keira http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/?p=959

by First Mate Keira

Title: Blue Bloods (Book 1)
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Narrator: Christina Moore
Format: Audio book
CD Count + Minutes: 5 CDs (6 Hours)
Grade Reading Level: 9th Grade +

Summary: When Schuyler Van Alen turns fifteen her whole life changes and what she thought she knew is turned on its head. She discovers she’s a Blue Blood vampire, that her best friend is a conduit, a girl from the cool group reaches out to her, and Jack Force, the hunky all star of Duchesne, kisses her. But at the same time bad things are happening from a murder of a popular girl to a rash of attacks. Schuyler is determined to find out the truth even if it puts her in grave danger.

Why I started this book:

I picked up this audio book and the two sequels to Blue Bloods at the library for something to listen to while traveling back and forth to a major city not far from where I live.

Likes:

  • Schuyler Van Alen makes a good protagonist. She’s a half-blood—part human and part vampire. A new soul. Her existence throws everything else off balance.
  • Take Jack Force for instance: He’s bonded for years and over several lifetimes with another, who in this reincarnation is his sister. Now that Schuyler is around he’s helplessly drawn to her in a way he can’t describe.
  • Their forbidden romance is a good draw. It’s an arc that will obviously develop over the next couple of books. Jack is the mysterious hot well-liked popular boy with a dark streak a mile wide and centuries old to Schuyler’s offbeat, gothic, hidden in the shadow’s type personality.
  • Bliss is great. I like how she became friends with Schuyler, even though they aren’t from the same high school cliques.
  • Narrator is fabulous with a wide array of voices, accents, and emotions to draw from. A great choice for this book series.

Toss-Up:

  • As for vampires really being cast-out angels and once followers of Lucifer… I can take it or leave it. With this background knowledge it’s not too hard to guess who the ultimate bad guy will be and it’s not the Silver Bloods (corrupted vampires).
  • Mimi Force as a character is very good for the story. She’s a typical mean girl with an inflated opinion of herself. She’s snobby and entitled with a pathological need to be number one. That said, I didn’t really like her or her POV sections.
  • Speaking of POV changeups… At first, I wasn’t too keen on the head hopping between the three major female players (Schuyler, Mimi, Bliss) of the story; it took time to get used to the practice. By the end of the book I was indifferent to it.

Dislikes:

  • The world building elements that predispose the Duchesne kids to drink like fish, smoke like chimneys, and generally act in ways that would be devastating for normal kids yet are left unpunished because there are no consequences for vampires that indulge excessively. I don’t think it sets a very good example, especially when nearly all the perpetrators are underage, technically speaking. It’s very off putting.
  • The first half a dozen or so descriptions of consumption in the historical illumination sections.
  • Jack and Mimi’s supposed relationship – icky and weird – even after the explanation.

Buy: Blue Bloods (Blue Bloods, Book 1)

Rating: 3.5 Stars

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by Captain Lyaf Yarr

Title: Eclipse
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Format: Audio
Narrator: Ilyana Kadushin
# CD's + Minutes: 13 Cd's (16 hours and 23 minutes)
Grade Reading Level: Grades 9-12

Summary: Edward must face the consequences of him leaving in New Moon. That consequence is Jacob Black.  There is an uncomfortable love triangle between himself, Bella, and Jacob. Edward's and Jacob's rivalry can't last forever though. They must find a truce and work together to save the girl they both love from an army of newborns.

Why I Started the Book:

I started this book because I enjoyed reading the first two and I wanted to know what happened next!

Likes:

  • I liked reading this book as an audio book. I got a lot done I was cleaning my room, writing posts and doing my homework while I was listening.
  • I liked the part when Jacob kisses Bella and she punches his face but breaks her hand. Then Jacob gets threatened by Edward. Jealous boys are too much fun.
  • I like how this book wasn't just about Edward and Bella or just about Jacob and Bella. It was mixed!

Dislikes:

  • Ilyana Kadushin is not how I pictured Bella. I'm not sure she's the right reader for this series. Her Edward Cullen wasn't very good and kind of ruins him as a character.
  • Why does Jacob think that the first kiss he gave Bella was a good one? I mean seriously? Bella breaks her hand trying to stop him and he thinks that it was a good kiss? Boy is stupid.

Last Minute Thoughts: After reading this book it makes me curious if I'm team Edward or team Jacob. What are you and why?

Eclipse is my favorite book out of the series... so far anyway. I can't wait to find out the ending. I wonder if I read this book instead of listened to it if I would like it better.

Buy: Eclipse (Paperback), Entire Twilight Saga Unabridged CD Package (4 audio books), Eclipse (Spanish Edition), The Twilight Saga Collection in Hardback (Books 1-4)

Book Rating: I give this book 4 Treasure Chests! I enjoyed this book very much and I'm going to read Breaking Dawn as soon as possible. I'm itching to know what happens.

Originally posted 2009-12-29 03:23:50.

Online Stores ]]> http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/audio-review-eclipse-by-stephenie-meyer/feed/ 0 Audio Review: The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/audio-review-the-last-olympian-by-rick-riordan/ http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/audio-review-the-last-olympian-by-rick-riordan/#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:12:49 +0000 First Mate Keira http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/?p=323 guestreview

by First Mate Keira, guest reviewer

Title: The Last Olympian
Author: Rick Riordan
Narrator: Jesse Bernstein
Format: Audio Book
# CDs + Minutes: 9 CDs (11 hours, 01 minutes)
Grade Reading Level: 6 – 8 Grade.

Summary: The final showdown has begun and it’s time for Percy Jackson to hear the prophecy in full. The Titans are warring on several fronts and the forces of the Olympian gods are split. Mortals know something is up and are suitably terrified. There is a spy in the midst of the Half-Blood camp and the Ares cabin refuses to join the plans Percy and the rest of the camp are organizing. Which so much fraction and friction, is there even hope that the good guys can win especially when it all hangs in the balance of one 16 year old’s hands?

Why I Started This Book:

It’s the last in the series and I wanted to know the ending of course!

Likes:

  • Riordan cuts to the chase and starts with action immediately. No running around pointlessly in the forests (Deathly Hallows) for Percy and his friends.
  • Morpheus’ role in the war. He puts the mortals to sleep in New York to protect them or at the very least if so charitable a notion is impossible to believe, keep them out of the way.
  • Hestia, the ‘last Olympian’ on Mt. Olympus because at home is where the last hope is kept.
  • Again Hades is the first to do the right thing and join the campers in the guarding of the Empire State building, followed very closely by Poseidon providing the much needed relief against Typhon the Titan.
  • The final battle on in the throne room against Kronos/Luke and the trio: Percy, Annabeth, and Grover. Very, very good!

Dislikes:

  • The constant back to back skirmishes, fighting, and battles. It will certainly be an action packed with no time for breathing sequence in the movie companion that is for sure. At times it was a little overmuch, but I think that might be because I listened to it versus reading it. It seemed to drag on, especially when everyone and I do mean everyone not aligned with the Titans is involved.
  • Luke’s mom and the back flashes. Creepy and weird.
  • Rachel becoming the next Oracle of Delphi.

Last Minute Thoughts: Percy’s huge decision is one of two things, either: A) He trusts Luke to do the right thing. Very meh. B) His wish of the gods. There is some potential in the second. What do you think?

Buy: The Last Olympian (Audio Book), The Last Olympian (Hardback), Percy Jackson and the Olympians Hardcover Boxed Set (Books 1 - 5)

Book Rating: 4 Treasure Chests.
tc4

Keira runs a book review blog for readers by readers on romance novels entitled Love Romance Passion. She’s been reading romance since she was in her teens and began blogging about romance so she could share her passion for her favorite genre. She loves reading paranormal, Regency, historical America, and highlander most of all and completely adores blind and wounded heroes.


Originally posted 2009-11-10 03:16:50.

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by Captain Lyaf Yarr

Title: Hoot
Author: Carl Hiaasen
Format: Unabridged Audio Book
Narrator: Chad Lowe
# CDs + Minutes: 6 CDs (6 hours and 25 minutes)
Grade Reading Level: Ages 12+

Summary: Roy Eberheardt moves to Florida. On the first day of a new school he spies Napoleon running to an old ice cream truck. Unlikely friends, the two team up with a third, Napoleon's sister Beatrice, in order to save an endangered owl species habitat from developers. But the Mother Paula's All-American Pancake House corporation will do anything it takes to stop them. Can the trio prove the existence of the owls in time to save them?

Why I Started the Book:

I've seen the movie a while ago and wanted to know if the book was as interesting as I remembered the movie to be.

Likes:

  • I liked how Mullet Fingers aka Napoleon is very adventurous. He never seemed frightened of what was happening or what might happen. He never gave up, and did anything he could.
  • The numerous pranks the trio did against the pancake house construction site and team. My favorite was when alligators were put in the toilet. Look before you sit!
  • It was clever when Napoleon had to be taken to the hospital to treat a dog wound and the kids all pretended Napoleon was actually Roy.

Dislikes:

  • I didn’t like when the vice principle was talking to Roy about Roy's retaliation against the school bully Dana. Where was the principle's talk to Dana? It didn't seem very fair.
  • Chad Lowe, the narrator, wasn't a very good reader compared to others I've had the pleasure of listening to. Don't get me wrong, he wasn’t awful, but he wasn't very good either. I had a hard time getting involved in the story and my attention wandered a lot. The more I think about it, the more I feel I should have read the book as opposed to listening to it.

Buy: Hoot (Audio Book), Hoot (Paperback)

Book Rating: I give this book 3.5 treasure chests!
tc35


Originally posted 2009-11-06 03:42:50.

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by First Mate Keira, guest reviewer

Title: The Battle of the Labyrinth
Author: Rick Riordan
Narrator: Jesse Bernstein
Format: Audio Book
# CDs + Minutes: 9 CDs (10 hours, 33 minutes)
Grade Reading Level: 6 – 8 Grade.

Summary: Annabeth finally gets her own quest and she’s breaking all the rules. If 3 is a powerful number, surely 4 is better? Tyson, Percy, Grover and Annabeth are off to find Daedalus in the Labyrinth. They need to ensure his aid of Camp Half-Blood as Luke is gathering more forces to march on the demigod camp. Can they avoid an epic battle?

Why I Started This Book:

Because it’s book four in the series, of course. I’m very glad I got this audio book and the next (final) one from the library at the same time. No waiting! Pure back-to-back enjoyment.

Likes:

  • That Annabeth, Percy, Tyson, and Grover all go on a quest together. I really liked seeing the gang head off to fight and conquer together. Nobody was lost and needed rescuing (e.g. Grover book 2, Annabeth book 3.)
  • The Labyrinth. It’s very cool and beats Harry Potter’s maze in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire hands down. You have dirt floors, underground sewers, aqueducts, great marble halls, skylights, and more. The maze is living and growing how it pleases.
  • The Telchines, while being particularly loathsome monsters are the ones that made Poseidon’s trident. That’s pretty cool. I looked them up on Wikipedia and they’re said to be “excellent metallurgists” and to have raised Poseidon. I wonder if they’ll be an important part of the final book. Maybe be redeemed, as they were exiled in the first place for turning against the Olympian gods.
  • There’s a really sweet sequence with Calypso on the island of Ogygia. She’s important in Greek mythology for trying to waylay Odysseus on his way home and by wanting to marry him. Anyway, she’s a nice (Titan?) person and falls in love with Percy. I really liked what Percy said about her as he said goodbye, calling her his biggest what if.
  • Kronos/Chronus and Luke. I’m not telling, but it’s pretty darn wicked and a bit scary. I liked it a lot and I wonder how Luke is going to mess things up for Kronos in the end or if he will pull a Draco Malfoy.

Dislikes:

  • Hera. Honestly, no wonder Zeus is not a god of marriage. She’s all about her perfect little family and is not happy to have anything or anyone not fit in just so.
  • How many times this novel had someone say to the questing kids “you know the answers… just think about it.” Really irksome.
  • Ethan – Evan – whoever he is, Jesse Bernstein does this super awesome voice for the guy but the character’s a nimrod. He’s the son of the god Nemesis and literality is the last piece of the puzzle.
  • The Triple G Ranch pit-stop on the way to find Hephaestus' workshop. Flesh eating horses and manure clean-up? Yummy.

Last Minute Thoughts: Nico di Angelo is growing up but at times he can be trying. I do think his powers are pretty fantastic and I feel sorry that because he’s the son of Hades he isn’t likely to be accepted by anyone. I hope he and Percy somehow cement a strong friendship.

Buy: The Battle of the Labyrinth (Audio Book), The Battle of the Labyrinth (Paperback), Percy Jackson and the Olympians Hardcover Boxed Set (Books 1 - 5)

Book Rating: 4 Treasure Chests.
tc4

Keira runs a book review blog for readers by readers on romance novels entitled Love Romance Passion. She’s been reading romance since she was in her teens and began blogging about romance so she could share her passion for her favorite genre. She loves reading paranormal, Regency, historical America, and highlander most of all and completely adores blind and wounded heroes.


Originally posted 2009-11-04 03:51:44.

Online Stores ]]> http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/audio-review-the-battle-of-the-labyrinth-by-rick-riordan/feed/ 2 Review: Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-ender%e2%80%99s-game-by-orson-scott-card/ http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-ender%e2%80%99s-game-by-orson-scott-card/#comments Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:14:09 +0000 First Mate Keira http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/?p=277 guestreview

by First Mate Keira, guest reviewer

Title: Ender’s Game
Author: Orson Scott Card
Narrators: Stefan Rudnicki, Harlan Ellison
Format: Unabridged Audio Book
# CDs + Minutes: 9 CDs (11 hours, 11 minutes)
Grade Reading Level: 9th Grade

Summary: In a near-future society, the human race is in a war against the buggers, a hostile alien race, who nearly won twice in two wide scale confrontations against humankind. Fearing a third invasion, a system was put in place to discover and train child prodigies in the art of war. This system found Ender Wiggin, and set a course for him unlike any other kid that has gone before. Is Ender the general humankind desperately needs?

Meanwhile a second (side) plot revolves around Earth, Ender's siblings, and it's three separate governing bodies. The Hegemon, Strategos, and Polemarch, all struggle for supreme control and threaten humankind on the home front. Peter and Valentine are determined to make the world over in their image and work to achieve this through the "Nets" to influence how the masses think. Are two kids capable of achieving that sort of influence?

Why I Started This Book:

I can name approximately half a dozen boys over the last several years telling me I had to read this book. It was essential, a must read! I caved. Got it in audio format, because I’m grooving it right now and settled in for the long haul. I now have to apologize to the first five guys who said to read it and I ignored. Great book!

Likes:

  • Orson’s style of writing. It’s obviously a style meant to be read aloud; in fact audio format is the best version to meet this book and is something the author mentioned at the end of CD #9.
  • Orson’s writing is very evocative. You see pictures and feel emotions and think thoughts as if you were a part of the book itself.
  • Battle School is fantastic. I loved it when Ender finally goes up in rank and starts commanding. The mock battles are some of my absolute favorite moments.
  • The surprising twist at Command School. It was an ending I did not expect it. I liked it even more when Orson took the story further and explained the aftermath. That too did not go how I pictured it might. Frankly, I was expecting that Ender was going to have to watch out for Peter.

Dislikes:

  • Very little. I was going to say the graphic nature of some of the fights or the violence but as Orson pointed out in his ramble at the end of the CD #9 the language is in fact very plain. All graphic nature is rendered through the reader.

Last Minute Thoughts: It’s definitely a book for boys as it deals on many fronts issues boys face more often than girls such as bullying and warfare. Ender also goes through a crisis of identity of self. He does not want to be a killer (or hurt others) but is forced to become one. I think the following quote explains this very well:

Unlike his brother, Ender does not take pride in destroying others and commits this action because he is often pushed into situations which demand physical defense. This portrayal and situation in the novel justifies Ender's actions. (Nick M. on Amazon.com)

I am glad I came to this book now instead of earlier in my life. I don’t think I would have appreciated it then. I do now. It’s terrific! I’m giving the audio book to my dad and telling him to listen to it. He’s on CD #2 and loves it so far.

Buy: Ender's Game (Unabridged Audio Book), Ender's Game (Paperback), The Ender Quartet Box Set (Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, Children of the Mind)

Find books by Orson Scott Card on ebay.

Book Rating: 5 Treasure Chests.
tc5

Keira runs a book review blog for readers by readers on romance novels entitled Love Romance Passion. She’s been reading romance since she was in her teens and began blogging about romance so she could share her passion for her favorite genre. She loves reading paranormal, Regency, historical America, and highlander most of all and completely adores blind and wounded heroes.


Originally posted 2009-10-30 03:09:28.

Online Stores ]]> http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-ender%e2%80%99s-game-by-orson-scott-card/feed/ 6 Review: Bras and Broomsticks by Sarah Mlynowski http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-bras-and-broomsticks-by-sarah-mlynowski/ http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-bras-and-broomsticks-by-sarah-mlynowski/#comments Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:48:01 +0000 CaptainYarr http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/?p=275 bookreview

by Captain Lyaf Yarr

Title: Bras and Broomsticks
Author: Sarah Mlynowski
Narrator: Ariadne Meyers
Format: Audio Book
# CDs + Minutes: 7 CDs (8 hours, 11 minutes)
Grade Reading Level: Ages 12-17

Summary: Rachel discovers that her little sister, Miri, is a witch and that her mom is also! Her dad is about to remarry. Rachel is certain her mom is still in love with her dad. His fiancé is mean to both girls. With the use of her sister’s powers, Rachel is determined to expose the evil soon-to-be-stepmother for what she really is to their dad.

Why I Started This Book:

A while ago my older sister (First Mate Keira) saw this book in the library and handed it to me. It was a book I started but didn’t have a chance to finish. When I found it in audio book format I decided to check it out again.

Likes:

  • I like the younger sister, Miri. She’s clever and funny. She has a lot of great one liners throughout the book.
  • The (nice) spells Miri puts on Rachel, like the dance spell.
  • When Rachel overreacts it’s comical and entertaining.
  • Ariadne Meyers is excellent. She reminds me of the narrator for the Meg Cabot Princess Diaries series… wait a sec… she is the same narrator! That’s awesome!

Dislikes:

  • Some parts of the story were very redundant and were not necessary. I especially noticed this in the conversations. For instance: “Does he really?” Answer is an emphatic “Duh.”
  • The title is a little misleading in my opinion. It sounds like it’s going to deal with sex or at least more on the dating scene. (I'm glad it wasn't the first.) The bras portion really just references Rachel's age and hitting puberty.

Last Minute Thoughts: Very enjoyable in audio format. I liked it better and got through it faster in audio format than I did in printed version.

Buy: Bras & Broomsticks (Paperback), Bras and Broomsticks (Audio Book)

Book Rating: 3.5 Treasure Chests.
tc35


Originally posted 2009-10-29 03:07:19.

Online Stores ]]> http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/review-bras-and-broomsticks-by-sarah-mlynowski/feed/ 0 Audio Review: The Titan’s Curse by Rick Riordan http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/audio-review-the-titans-curse-by-rick-riordan/ http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/audio-review-the-titans-curse-by-rick-riordan/#comments Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:34:34 +0000 First Mate Keira http://www.literatureyoungadultfiction.com/?p=261 guestreview

by First Mate Keira, guest reviewer

Title: The Titan’s Curse
Author: Rick Riordan
Narrator: Jesse Bernstein
Format: Unabridged Audio Compact Discs
# CDs + Minutes: 7 CDs (8 hours, 48 minutes)
Grade Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Summary: When saving two Half-Bloods from a monster, Annabeth is captured. The goddess Artemis goes off and also gets captured. The days are ticking down to the winter solstice, but there’s nothing Percy can do as his question to the oracle was left unanswered. However, the oracle prophesizes to one of Artemis’ Hunters and a new quest with new and greater dangers is undergone. Will they be able to rescue Annabeth and Artemis in time?

Why I Started This Book:

The Titan’s Curse is the third book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and having read the first two, it only made sense to keep going.

Likes:

  • All the “A-list” gods are in this one: Artemis, Apollo, Athena, Aphrodite, and Ares.
  • Apollo is a hunk who likes fast cars (no chariots for him) and is always randomly spouting off terrible poetry.
  • Aphrodite’s maneuvering to get Percy on the quest. It’s hilarious when you get to how she did it and why.
  • Hades’ kids come to play, but not in a way you would expect. Percy will explain as he figures it out and understands before the others do.

Dislikes:

  • Jesse Bernstein missed the mark on several voices. Dionysus sounds different to me in this novel than in the previous editions. His voice is more like Tyson than Dionysus. Actually a few of the characters who were periphery to the quest and bad guys also sounded like Tyson. It was weird and I didn’t like it.

Last minute thoughts: I do hope the others on the library waiting list hurry up and get done with the next couple of books so I can get all caught up and soon!

Buy: The Titan's Curse (Audio Book), The Titan's Curse (Paperback), Percy Jackson and the Olympians Paperback Boxed Set (Books 1-3), Percy Jackson and the Olympians Hardcover Boxed Set (Books 1 - 5)

Book Rating: 4 Treasure Chests
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Keira runs a book review blog for readers by readers on romance novels entitled Love Romance Passion. She’s been reading romance since she was in her teens and began blogging about romance so she could share her passion for her favorite genre. She loves reading paranormal, Regency, historical America, and highlander most of all and completely adores blind and wounded heroes.


Originally posted 2009-10-26 03:26:08.

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