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Recommend this book:
The Proto Project
A Sci-Fi Adventure of the Mind
Bryan R. Johnson
2020 Silver Medal
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Reviewed by Bruce Arrington for Readers' Favorite
The Proto Project: A Sci-Fi Adventure of the Mind by Bryan R. Johnson is a fun action-adventure story. Jason’s mom works for a high-tech company, and one day his school takes a tour. From then on, it’s one action-packed scene after another. It’s a clean story, too, entirely appropriate for this age group—say from grade 4 on up. I reviewed the audiobook version over several days while riding my bike, and it was a great experience. The narrator, Michael Mola, is clever, quick, and excels in his voices, adding a lot of humor to the story. He brings the listener along in an entertaining way, keeping them engaged from the first chapter to the last.
The story itself runs along the common theme of the good guys get ripped off by the bad guys, who plan to conquer the world. It also throws in a bit of budding romance between two twelve-year-olds, and all the awkwardness and humor to go along with it. I appreciated the story having two parents, while the kids can still save the world. There is a hint of a sequel, so there may be more exploits in the future. This is certainly a great read (or listen) for the summer months while the kids are out of school. The Proto Project: A Sci-Fi Adventure of the Mind by Bryan R. Johnson brings a fun experience to young readers, who will certainly enjoy this story. Even adults can sit back, relax, and take in this humorous tale. Highly recommended.
The Proto Project: A Sci-Fi Adventure of the Mind by Bryan R. Johnson is a fun action-adventure story. Jason’s mom works for a high-tech company, and one day his school takes a tour. From then on, it’s one action-packed scene after another. It’s a clean story, too, entirely appropriate for this age group—say from grade 4 on up. I reviewed the audiobook version over several days while riding my bike, and it was a great experience. The narrator, Michael Mola, is clever, quick, and excels in his voices, adding a lot of humor to the story. He brings the listener along in an entertaining way, keeping them engaged from the first chapter to the last.
The story itself runs along the common theme of the good guys get ripped off by the bad guys, who plan to conquer the world. It also throws in a bit of budding romance between two twelve-year-olds, and all the awkwardness and humor to go along with it. I appreciated the story having two parents, while the kids can still save the world. There is a hint of a sequel, so there may be more exploits in the future. This is certainly a great read (or listen) for the summer months while the kids are out of school. The Proto Project: A Sci-Fi Adventure of the Mind by Bryan R. Johnson brings a fun experience to young readers, who will certainly enjoy this story. Even adults can sit back, relax, and take in this humorous tale. Highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Alexander X
Edward Savio
2020 Bronze Medal
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Reviewed by Bruce Arrington for Readers' Favorite
Alexander X, written by Edward Savio and narrated by Wil Wheaton, is a story that explores the possibility of genetic mutation. And by this, I don’t mean something that causes a disease or somehow weakens the human body. It is a gene that slows aging to a level where, instead of you becoming older a day at a time like everyone else, you don’t. In fact, it takes 100 Earth days to age only 1 day in your human body. No superpowers. No exceptional abilities, except for what is learned through life. Does that grab your attention? It should, and this story certainly grabbed mine. It’s a story about Alexander and two of his friends, who set out on a whirlwind adventure of just trying not to be caught. It’s not by the government or any other recognized authority. Instead, we learn there are others out there besides Alexander, and not all of them are good.
And of course, Wil Wheaton certainly makes the story come alive. His acting experience shines in Alexander X, making him the perfect narrator. His voice is clear, he’s funny, his emotion pours into his performance—from the very first word to the last sentence. You are left hanging, wanting to hear more. Alexander X by Edward Savio is about friendship, honor, family, and life in the here and now. But it also takes you into the past where you can experience a life lived through someone else’s eyes, and who is still around to talk about it. And yeah, he’s still only 15. Highly recommended.
Alexander X, written by Edward Savio and narrated by Wil Wheaton, is a story that explores the possibility of genetic mutation. And by this, I don’t mean something that causes a disease or somehow weakens the human body. It is a gene that slows aging to a level where, instead of you becoming older a day at a time like everyone else, you don’t. In fact, it takes 100 Earth days to age only 1 day in your human body. No superpowers. No exceptional abilities, except for what is learned through life. Does that grab your attention? It should, and this story certainly grabbed mine. It’s a story about Alexander and two of his friends, who set out on a whirlwind adventure of just trying not to be caught. It’s not by the government or any other recognized authority. Instead, we learn there are others out there besides Alexander, and not all of them are good.
And of course, Wil Wheaton certainly makes the story come alive. His acting experience shines in Alexander X, making him the perfect narrator. His voice is clear, he’s funny, his emotion pours into his performance—from the very first word to the last sentence. You are left hanging, wanting to hear more. Alexander X by Edward Savio is about friendship, honor, family, and life in the here and now. But it also takes you into the past where you can experience a life lived through someone else’s eyes, and who is still around to talk about it. And yeah, he’s still only 15. Highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
The Luna Missile Crisis
Rhett C Bruno & Jaime Castle
2020 Bronze Medal
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite
The earth's first space launch goes awry, wreaking devastation upon the planet in the exhilarating alternate history novel, The Luna Missile Crisis, written by Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle and narrated by Ray Porter. It's 1961. The Soviets are the first to send a man into space. Tragically, as their rocket exits the atmosphere, it crashes into an alien ship and explodes. Mistakenly believing the United States is responsible, the Soviet government dispatches its nuclear arsenal. The missiles malfunction and decimate a considerable portion of Eastern Europe, creating the Dead Curtain. Stationed within the Dead Curtain a month after the "misunderstanding," combat medic Sergeant Kyle McCoy makes contact with an extraterrestrial visitor, a Vulbathi. Three years later, he is working for the newly instated Department of Alien Relations. Kyle's identical twin Connor is a grifter selling counterfeit Vulbathi weapons. When a deal goes awry, Conner finds himself on a powerful mobster's hit list. Dodging the homicidal gangster, Connor steals Kyle's DAR identity. Posing as his twin, Connor is inadvertently sent to the moon, now known as Luna, to attend the World Summit...
The Luna Missle Crisis does not disappoint. The story is expertly narrated and performed by Ray Porter. I especially enjoyed his Christopher Walken impression of the mobster. I appreciated his acting style in general and was exceptionally impressed with his ability to delineate the characters. With accents and subtle vocal changes, his personification of the characters made them remarkably real. The Luna Missile Crisis by Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle is a stellar science fiction tale. Set in an alternate parallel world, the plot is intense and complex. Plentiful in action and danger, the story moves along at a breathtaking pace, culminating in a dramatic ending. Caught up in their conflicts, I found Connor's and the alien's personas disarming. The story comes to an exciting, albeit an abrupt close, leaving me anxiously waiting for a sequel. This extraordinary novel will appeal to those who enjoy science fiction with extraterrestrial elements.
The earth's first space launch goes awry, wreaking devastation upon the planet in the exhilarating alternate history novel, The Luna Missile Crisis, written by Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle and narrated by Ray Porter. It's 1961. The Soviets are the first to send a man into space. Tragically, as their rocket exits the atmosphere, it crashes into an alien ship and explodes. Mistakenly believing the United States is responsible, the Soviet government dispatches its nuclear arsenal. The missiles malfunction and decimate a considerable portion of Eastern Europe, creating the Dead Curtain. Stationed within the Dead Curtain a month after the "misunderstanding," combat medic Sergeant Kyle McCoy makes contact with an extraterrestrial visitor, a Vulbathi. Three years later, he is working for the newly instated Department of Alien Relations. Kyle's identical twin Connor is a grifter selling counterfeit Vulbathi weapons. When a deal goes awry, Conner finds himself on a powerful mobster's hit list. Dodging the homicidal gangster, Connor steals Kyle's DAR identity. Posing as his twin, Connor is inadvertently sent to the moon, now known as Luna, to attend the World Summit...
The Luna Missle Crisis does not disappoint. The story is expertly narrated and performed by Ray Porter. I especially enjoyed his Christopher Walken impression of the mobster. I appreciated his acting style in general and was exceptionally impressed with his ability to delineate the characters. With accents and subtle vocal changes, his personification of the characters made them remarkably real. The Luna Missile Crisis by Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle is a stellar science fiction tale. Set in an alternate parallel world, the plot is intense and complex. Plentiful in action and danger, the story moves along at a breathtaking pace, culminating in a dramatic ending. Caught up in their conflicts, I found Connor's and the alien's personas disarming. The story comes to an exciting, albeit an abrupt close, leaving me anxiously waiting for a sequel. This extraordinary novel will appeal to those who enjoy science fiction with extraterrestrial elements.
Recommend this book:
Madness
The Man Who Changed Basketball
Mike DeLucia
2020 Honorable Mention
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
Madness: The Man Who Changed Basketball by Mike DeLucia is a story that will have many people who listen to it as stunned as I was; it is the story of basketball legend and innovator, Hank Luisetti. This audiobook narrates the story of a man who brought about the revolution in basketball in the 1930s. Before then, the one-handed shot was non-existent in basketball until this legend made it popular. He is said to have been an incredible player with an incredible jump. This nonfiction book explores the life of this exceptional sportsman and the reason why he never became a celebrated name on the lips of sports fans. Paid $10,000 in 1938 to star in a movie about himself, he was suspended from joining the leagues at this time. But the real impediment that kept him in the shadows came when he joined his country to fight in WWII, where he contracted Spiral Meningitis and nearly died. When the NBA was formed, he refused to play professionally.
This book introduces readers to one of the basketball legends they will love. Readers will learn about his style of play, and the influence and changes that happened to the game because of his influence. I have known of many basketball legends, including Michael Jordan, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, LeBron James, Larry Bird, and others, but not Hank Luisetti. This is a well-researched book and I enjoyed how the author allows the culture and the political atmosphere of the time to come out in the narrative. Madness: The Man Who Changed Basketball offers great material for the big screen. This is a story for every fan of basketball and a great tribute to a great sportsman.
The audio is clear and professionally recorded. Readers will enjoy hearing about the life of the protagonist. The excellent narration by the author begins with the research, his dreams, and how he tackled the idea of writing about this pioneer player and the role he played in basketball history and evolution. It is an engaging story and filled with entertainment and information that readers will enjoy.
Madness: The Man Who Changed Basketball by Mike DeLucia is a story that will have many people who listen to it as stunned as I was; it is the story of basketball legend and innovator, Hank Luisetti. This audiobook narrates the story of a man who brought about the revolution in basketball in the 1930s. Before then, the one-handed shot was non-existent in basketball until this legend made it popular. He is said to have been an incredible player with an incredible jump. This nonfiction book explores the life of this exceptional sportsman and the reason why he never became a celebrated name on the lips of sports fans. Paid $10,000 in 1938 to star in a movie about himself, he was suspended from joining the leagues at this time. But the real impediment that kept him in the shadows came when he joined his country to fight in WWII, where he contracted Spiral Meningitis and nearly died. When the NBA was formed, he refused to play professionally.
This book introduces readers to one of the basketball legends they will love. Readers will learn about his style of play, and the influence and changes that happened to the game because of his influence. I have known of many basketball legends, including Michael Jordan, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, LeBron James, Larry Bird, and others, but not Hank Luisetti. This is a well-researched book and I enjoyed how the author allows the culture and the political atmosphere of the time to come out in the narrative. Madness: The Man Who Changed Basketball offers great material for the big screen. This is a story for every fan of basketball and a great tribute to a great sportsman.
The audio is clear and professionally recorded. Readers will enjoy hearing about the life of the protagonist. The excellent narration by the author begins with the research, his dreams, and how he tackled the idea of writing about this pioneer player and the role he played in basketball history and evolution. It is an engaging story and filled with entertainment and information that readers will enjoy.
Recommend this book:
Challenges of the Gods
Sometimes, Heaven is Overrated
C. Hofsetz
2020 Finalist
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Challenges of the Gods is a work of fiction in the fantasy and alternate universe sub-genres, penned by author Christian Hofsetz and narrated in its audiobook format by Alfred Tam. The central action of the novel is focused on Mike, who finds himself randomly chosen for a daunting task: to destroy an entire parallel version of Earth. Mike has plenty of his own personal issues going on after he is betrayed terribly by his fiancée, and waking up in another world does little to assuage his confusion. But if Mike finds that he is not up to or is resistant to the task, then the gods themselves will take matters into their own hands.
Author Christian Hofsetz has created a compelling interpersonal drama that works on the character level, then extends into a worldwide catastrophe adventure as it develops and builds to its excellent climax. Slow-burning at first, the plot is well crafted to reveal the fantasy elements alongside the grounded realism of the protagonist, making it all feel extremely real and high-stakes, which makes for a fantastic adventure throughout. In terms of audiobook quality, narrator Alfred Tam lends a lot of characterful touches to the work which really enhance the unique personalities not just of Mike, but of the people he meets along the way in his mission. Tam’s female voices were well achieved with plenty of inflection, and his males were all very distinct from the narrative itself. The editing quality was also crisp and clear for easy listening. Overall, I would certainly recommend Challenges of the Gods in its audio format for readers who want a slow-burning and engrossing parallel universe adventure. This is a tale not to be missed.
Challenges of the Gods is a work of fiction in the fantasy and alternate universe sub-genres, penned by author Christian Hofsetz and narrated in its audiobook format by Alfred Tam. The central action of the novel is focused on Mike, who finds himself randomly chosen for a daunting task: to destroy an entire parallel version of Earth. Mike has plenty of his own personal issues going on after he is betrayed terribly by his fiancée, and waking up in another world does little to assuage his confusion. But if Mike finds that he is not up to or is resistant to the task, then the gods themselves will take matters into their own hands.
Author Christian Hofsetz has created a compelling interpersonal drama that works on the character level, then extends into a worldwide catastrophe adventure as it develops and builds to its excellent climax. Slow-burning at first, the plot is well crafted to reveal the fantasy elements alongside the grounded realism of the protagonist, making it all feel extremely real and high-stakes, which makes for a fantastic adventure throughout. In terms of audiobook quality, narrator Alfred Tam lends a lot of characterful touches to the work which really enhance the unique personalities not just of Mike, but of the people he meets along the way in his mission. Tam’s female voices were well achieved with plenty of inflection, and his males were all very distinct from the narrative itself. The editing quality was also crisp and clear for easy listening. Overall, I would certainly recommend Challenges of the Gods in its audio format for readers who want a slow-burning and engrossing parallel universe adventure. This is a tale not to be missed.
Recommend this book:
The Reflections of Queen Snow White
David Meredith
2020 Finalist
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
The Reflections of Queen Snow White by David Meredith is a look into the life of Snow White after her Happily Ever After. With Prince Charming dead, Snow White has lost the love of her life and she finds no solace in anything. Now ruling the kingdom as the Queen, even the wedding of her daughter isn’t enough to make her feel happy. Lost and depressed, Snow White comes across the mirror on the wall that was a sort of companion to her wretched stepmother. Is it possible that the mirror once at the center of her misery is capable of bringing her solace when she feels at her worst? However, the mirror proves to be exactly what she needs to feel like herself and remember what it is like to be the fairest of them all.
Narrator Robin Waters did a wonderful job of bringing Snow White to life, sharing her emotions, and making her human. The way Robin expresses and enunciates each word brings life to the story, makes the reader get lost in it, and become a part of it. Robin allows the reader to feel each part of the story as if it was a movie playing right in front of their eyes and that is amazing. The prose is wonderful and makes this story more interesting. The author weaves magic and somehow makes Snow White a relatable character. Snow White is deceptively human, much like an ordinary woman and not the little girl who got her Happily Ever After. She is now smarter, jaded, and in need of anyone to help her get a hold on life. The mirror on the wall and the “reflections” it gives Snow White make the story interesting and very intriguing, to be honest. It is genius and very creative. David Meredith nails it!
The Reflections of Queen Snow White by David Meredith is a look into the life of Snow White after her Happily Ever After. With Prince Charming dead, Snow White has lost the love of her life and she finds no solace in anything. Now ruling the kingdom as the Queen, even the wedding of her daughter isn’t enough to make her feel happy. Lost and depressed, Snow White comes across the mirror on the wall that was a sort of companion to her wretched stepmother. Is it possible that the mirror once at the center of her misery is capable of bringing her solace when she feels at her worst? However, the mirror proves to be exactly what she needs to feel like herself and remember what it is like to be the fairest of them all.
Narrator Robin Waters did a wonderful job of bringing Snow White to life, sharing her emotions, and making her human. The way Robin expresses and enunciates each word brings life to the story, makes the reader get lost in it, and become a part of it. Robin allows the reader to feel each part of the story as if it was a movie playing right in front of their eyes and that is amazing. The prose is wonderful and makes this story more interesting. The author weaves magic and somehow makes Snow White a relatable character. Snow White is deceptively human, much like an ordinary woman and not the little girl who got her Happily Ever After. She is now smarter, jaded, and in need of anyone to help her get a hold on life. The mirror on the wall and the “reflections” it gives Snow White make the story interesting and very intriguing, to be honest. It is genius and very creative. David Meredith nails it!
Recommend this book:
The Cull - Bloodline
Eric J. Gates Narrated by Marnye Young
2019 Bronze Medal
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Cull – Bloodline is a work of vampire fantasy thriller fiction penned by author Eric J. Gates and presented in audiobook format by narrator Marnye Young. Set as a genre mix between the standard FBI thriller and a paranormal fantasy novel full of vampire conspiracies, we follow two powerful female heroines into the darkness as they discover things they never thought possible. The infamous serial killer the Blood Sucker must be caught, but the means to trap this mysterious figure involve way more sacrifice than Amy and her partner could ever imagine.
Author Eric J. Gates has reinvented all things vampiric for the modern time, turning his beasts into elite killers without any of the old-fashioned shtick that often made them so laughable. What results is a passionate and powerful tale that is genuinely frightening in many parts, and an intriguing criminal plotline which keeps you turning pages right to the end. The narration presents as a crisp crime thriller with a dark, wry edge, giving those little chilling moments where it’s clear that something very bad will happen soon.
In terms of audiobook quality, the narration by Marnye Young provides much to enjoy. Editing quality and clean, crisp audio aid Young in her wry presentation, offering a slick performance that feels confidently delivered. The style adds flair to the characters themselves, lifting the novel to another level of smooth enjoyment, but with an excellent balance when the truly thrilling moments kick in. Overall, The Cull – Bloodline is a powerhouse of crime and fantasy fiction and a superb start to an engaging new series.
The Cull – Bloodline is a work of vampire fantasy thriller fiction penned by author Eric J. Gates and presented in audiobook format by narrator Marnye Young. Set as a genre mix between the standard FBI thriller and a paranormal fantasy novel full of vampire conspiracies, we follow two powerful female heroines into the darkness as they discover things they never thought possible. The infamous serial killer the Blood Sucker must be caught, but the means to trap this mysterious figure involve way more sacrifice than Amy and her partner could ever imagine.
Author Eric J. Gates has reinvented all things vampiric for the modern time, turning his beasts into elite killers without any of the old-fashioned shtick that often made them so laughable. What results is a passionate and powerful tale that is genuinely frightening in many parts, and an intriguing criminal plotline which keeps you turning pages right to the end. The narration presents as a crisp crime thriller with a dark, wry edge, giving those little chilling moments where it’s clear that something very bad will happen soon.
In terms of audiobook quality, the narration by Marnye Young provides much to enjoy. Editing quality and clean, crisp audio aid Young in her wry presentation, offering a slick performance that feels confidently delivered. The style adds flair to the characters themselves, lifting the novel to another level of smooth enjoyment, but with an excellent balance when the truly thrilling moments kick in. Overall, The Cull – Bloodline is a powerhouse of crime and fantasy fiction and a superb start to an engaging new series.
Recommend this book:
Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene
A Fictional Novel About Harriet Tubman's Historical Legacy
DW Plato
2019 Bronze Medal
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Reviewed by Sarah Stuart for Readers' Favorite
Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene: A Fictional Novel About Harriet Tubman’s Historical Legacy by D W Plato has settings that sweep from a very third-world country to North America, and the huge cast of characters is equally detailed and vivid. The reader experiences eighteenth-century Africa and how “Little Mo” is captured by slave traders and taken to work for the cruel Maryland plantation owner, Robert Banks, chosen at the request of his spoiled lesbian daughter, Ethel. Modesty Greene is “the Massa’s” property – his to force to work by any means, and her body his to rape. How Modesty survives to grow up, marry, and give birth to a dynasty that includes Araminta Ross – Harriet – is an intriguing story.
Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene opens with Mo’destee Vert, a young Senegambia teenager, in love and happy. Life as she knows it ends when her beloved father fails to prevent villagers being taken as slaves and shipped to America. At first, Modesty Greene, as she is now known, appears to be lucky, befriended by Ethel, Robert Banks’ daughter, but she is hated by her fellow slaves who assume she gets special treatment. A Muslim, she is at prayer when her master first rapes her. In Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene, D W Plato has written a worthy tribute to the real Harriet Tubman and I recommend it to everyone interested in history, freedom, women’s rights, or all three.
Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene lends itself particularly well to audio, perhaps because the author employed three narrators. Tishelle Peterson, Nene Nwoko, and Machelle Williams did an incredible job bringing Modesty Greene’s story to life. They each sounded so “right” in their part, and none of them had a problem when the character in question happened to be male or a descriptive section. It held my attention one hundred percent.
Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene: A Fictional Novel About Harriet Tubman’s Historical Legacy by D W Plato has settings that sweep from a very third-world country to North America, and the huge cast of characters is equally detailed and vivid. The reader experiences eighteenth-century Africa and how “Little Mo” is captured by slave traders and taken to work for the cruel Maryland plantation owner, Robert Banks, chosen at the request of his spoiled lesbian daughter, Ethel. Modesty Greene is “the Massa’s” property – his to force to work by any means, and her body his to rape. How Modesty survives to grow up, marry, and give birth to a dynasty that includes Araminta Ross – Harriet – is an intriguing story.
Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene opens with Mo’destee Vert, a young Senegambia teenager, in love and happy. Life as she knows it ends when her beloved father fails to prevent villagers being taken as slaves and shipped to America. At first, Modesty Greene, as she is now known, appears to be lucky, befriended by Ethel, Robert Banks’ daughter, but she is hated by her fellow slaves who assume she gets special treatment. A Muslim, she is at prayer when her master first rapes her. In Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene, D W Plato has written a worthy tribute to the real Harriet Tubman and I recommend it to everyone interested in history, freedom, women’s rights, or all three.
Trials & Tribulations of Modesty Greene lends itself particularly well to audio, perhaps because the author employed three narrators. Tishelle Peterson, Nene Nwoko, and Machelle Williams did an incredible job bringing Modesty Greene’s story to life. They each sounded so “right” in their part, and none of them had a problem when the character in question happened to be male or a descriptive section. It held my attention one hundred percent.
Recommend this book:
The Tribulations of August Barton
Audio book
Jennifer LeBlanc
2019 Honorable Mention
Audio Book
Check current price
Fiction - Audiobook
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Tribulations of August Barton is a work of mature humorous fiction penned by author Jennifer LeBlanc, and this audiobook edition was narrated by James Oliva. The plot centers around Augie, our title character, who faces a coming of age as he prepares for life at college. Threads of his life are unravelling around him as the year begins, tipping the already anxious Augie over the edge. Just when things seem impossible enough, his retired grandmother Gertie decides to make a break for it and escapes her nursing home. As a retired prostitute, Gertie’s attitude couldn’t be further from Augie’s if she tried, but their unlikely pairing provides plenty of laughter and heart as the tale spins on.
Author Jennifer LeBlanc presents a riotous novella as Augie learns how to be a man from a woman who’s been there and done it all, and now wants to do it all again. The character development gives The Tribulations of August Barton its special quality, because they are both over the top but also highly relatable and representative of so many issues that people are actually dealing with at that vulnerable going-into-college time of their lives.
In terms of audiobook quality, the editing and clarity were superb to bring this short novella-length tale to life with plenty of pace and pathos. I particularly liked James Oliva’s many voices, male and female, which he twisted and developed just slightly over the top in order to make the characters really pop from a comedic point of view. This is a highly recommended tale only enhanced further by its audiobook edition.
The Tribulations of August Barton is a work of mature humorous fiction penned by author Jennifer LeBlanc, and this audiobook edition was narrated by James Oliva. The plot centers around Augie, our title character, who faces a coming of age as he prepares for life at college. Threads of his life are unravelling around him as the year begins, tipping the already anxious Augie over the edge. Just when things seem impossible enough, his retired grandmother Gertie decides to make a break for it and escapes her nursing home. As a retired prostitute, Gertie’s attitude couldn’t be further from Augie’s if she tried, but their unlikely pairing provides plenty of laughter and heart as the tale spins on.
Author Jennifer LeBlanc presents a riotous novella as Augie learns how to be a man from a woman who’s been there and done it all, and now wants to do it all again. The character development gives The Tribulations of August Barton its special quality, because they are both over the top but also highly relatable and representative of so many issues that people are actually dealing with at that vulnerable going-into-college time of their lives.
In terms of audiobook quality, the editing and clarity were superb to bring this short novella-length tale to life with plenty of pace and pathos. I particularly liked James Oliva’s many voices, male and female, which he twisted and developed just slightly over the top in order to make the characters really pop from a comedic point of view. This is a highly recommended tale only enhanced further by its audiobook edition.
Recommend this book:
Tiny Tim and The Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge
The Sequel to A Christmas Carol
Norman Whaler
2019 Honorable Mention
Audio Book
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Fiction - Audiobook
Reviewed by Erin Nicole Cochran for Readers' Favorite
Norman Whaler’s Tiny Tim and The Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge is a sequel to the title we’ve all come to know and love by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. It falls right in step with the original book so that one could almost believe it was written by Charles Dickens himself, which makes the story even more magical. Norman Whaler creates the perfect tale with Tim, Becky and Jimmy as the three main characters. One of the lines that struck me the most were the words, “But she also knew in her heart that it was the habit of despair that ultimately condemned a soul.”
This book took me through a whole gamut of emotions. The death of Ebenezer Scrooge and the way that his corner of the world had loved him and treasured him in his older years was hard to go through. It felt like someone close to you in your own life was dying; it was so expertly conveyed through the story line. There were moments that transfixed me, taking me deep into another era. The message that Scrooge was able to bring to Tim is one that we all need to hear from time to time. It had a religious bent toward the end and I cherished that; it felt very right and perfectly placed. A story to be shared at Christmas time and all the year round with your dearest of loved ones, and even those who might seem curmudgeonly themselves. It is a treasure to be gifted over and over again.
The audiobook is narrated in a hauntingly beautiful tone by Gordon Griffin and Naomi Frederick. Gordon Griffin’s ability to convey so many voices, from young to old, is absolutely praiseworthy. He is a man of many talents, including composer, lyricist, and established actor to name but a few of his varied abilities. Scrooge could be voiced by no one else. Naomi Frederick’s ability to bring Becky to life and into our hearts was nothing short of masterful. I have to presume she voiced the many children in the book as well, which again was done brilliantly. Tiny Tim and The Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge was filled with creaking doors, footsteps, and the striking of church bells among other heartwarming and anxiety causing sounds that all pulled together to create an even more truly living world.
Norman Whaler’s Tiny Tim and The Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge is a sequel to the title we’ve all come to know and love by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. It falls right in step with the original book so that one could almost believe it was written by Charles Dickens himself, which makes the story even more magical. Norman Whaler creates the perfect tale with Tim, Becky and Jimmy as the three main characters. One of the lines that struck me the most were the words, “But she also knew in her heart that it was the habit of despair that ultimately condemned a soul.”
This book took me through a whole gamut of emotions. The death of Ebenezer Scrooge and the way that his corner of the world had loved him and treasured him in his older years was hard to go through. It felt like someone close to you in your own life was dying; it was so expertly conveyed through the story line. There were moments that transfixed me, taking me deep into another era. The message that Scrooge was able to bring to Tim is one that we all need to hear from time to time. It had a religious bent toward the end and I cherished that; it felt very right and perfectly placed. A story to be shared at Christmas time and all the year round with your dearest of loved ones, and even those who might seem curmudgeonly themselves. It is a treasure to be gifted over and over again.
The audiobook is narrated in a hauntingly beautiful tone by Gordon Griffin and Naomi Frederick. Gordon Griffin’s ability to convey so many voices, from young to old, is absolutely praiseworthy. He is a man of many talents, including composer, lyricist, and established actor to name but a few of his varied abilities. Scrooge could be voiced by no one else. Naomi Frederick’s ability to bring Becky to life and into our hearts was nothing short of masterful. I have to presume she voiced the many children in the book as well, which again was done brilliantly. Tiny Tim and The Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge was filled with creaking doors, footsteps, and the striking of church bells among other heartwarming and anxiety causing sounds that all pulled together to create an even more truly living world.
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