Splendors and Glooms

Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz

"Newbery Medal winner Laura Amy Schlitz’s Victorian gothic is a rich banquet of dark comedy, scorching magic, and the brilliant and bewitching storytelling that is her trademark."

Clara Wintermute is fascinated with puppets. She requests to have them at her birthday party. Her parents arrange to have Grisini come to the house and present a puppet show with his two young assistants Lizzie Rose Fawr and Parsefall Hooke. The next day, Clara disappears. Grisini is suspesced of kidnapping but the police find nothing in the rented rooms of the puppeteers. Lizzie Rose is saddened, Parsefall is suspicious, and Grisini is smooth and sly. And the twisted tale goes on with magic, travel, mourning, rejoicing, dogs, blood, and reunions!

I began reading this tale last year, but I wanted to listen to it because I heard various good reviews about audio edition. I waited until a local library added it to their catalog and then placed a hold. My original thoughts were very uncertain. I only read a couple chapters, but I had an uneasy feeling about the magic qualities. I adore puppetry, so I wanted to give the complete story a chance.

The magic in the book consisted of supernatural kind with spells and curses rather than the fantastical type with superpowers or time travel. Taking place in Victorian England there were various moments of darkness, fear, poverty, and grime. Every time I heard Grisini's name, I pictured it to be Grease-eeny. He was a greasy character, so the name fit him well. Grisini's "master" was the witch Cassandra. She was quite the manipulator. The children were the best characters and of course the story wrapped around them because this book was written for readers of their ages. Beyond the Clara mystery, Grisini, Cassandra, and the children, there were several other story lines and themes threaded through the book. The Wintermute's were an entire side story with their mourning and recovery. The puppets were also a main theme with first Grisini using them then Parsefall claiming them.

Splendors and Glooms is a very involved story. I would recommend it to Middle Schoolers rather than Elementary students. The story is rather dark and there are a couple language "flourishes" that some parents and readers might not enjoy.

Narrator Davina Porter shared the story well. Her characters were distinct from each other. She captured Parsefall's surliness very well while Lizzi Rose's presice speech reminded me of Audrey Hepburn's portrayal of Eliza Dolittle in My Fair Lady.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Publishers Weekly Q & A with Author Schlitz

Audio Book Details...
Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz
Read by Davinia Porter
Produced by Recorded Books
Number of Discs: 10
Total Time: 12 hours
ISBN: 9781449835729

Last Child in the Woods

Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv


Will you or your child be the Last Child in the Woods?

Louv dives into how people (children especially) interact with nature. With today's modern marvels, we distance ourselves from the outdoors. We've created fear that never existed before when dealing with trees... woods... nature. Louv also shares examples and resources to overcome the fear, or the boogieman. He offers research of the benefits of being outdoors.

It's an eye opening listen (or read). It's been recommended to me, but it never made it onto my must read until a local book festival chose it for their city read. I'm so happy that I chose to read it along with everyone. It's a fantastic book. I understand why a friend recommended it to me. Times have changed, but nature has remained the same. I know that I fear the wildness, but also appreciate the peace and beautiful it offers. I would encourage all listeners (and readers) to give this book a try.

Jonathan Hogan narrated Louv's book. His voice was excellent for this non-fiction piece. The story wasn't dynamic, but it was thought provoking and Hogan's tempo was spot on.


Reviewed from a library copy.


Audio Book Details...
Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv
Read by Jonathan Hogan
Produced by Recorded Books
Number of Discs: 10
Total Time: 12 hours
ISBN: 9781428169661

The Fire Chronicles

The Fire Chronicle by John Stephens

The three siblings return to another orphanage in hope of safety from their enemies. Unfortunately, their enemies find them and the children are on the run. Kate took ownership of the Emerald Atlas and reigned over traveling through time. Yet, as she escaped from an enemy she lost consciousness and trapped herself in the past. With Kate missing, Michael is head of the family and is entrusted to care for his little sister, Emma. Michael, Emma, Dr. Pym and Gabriel join forces to fight the their enemies, find the Fire Chronicle, and look for a way to bring Kate back to them.

Oh, John Stephens! There were no words when I finished listening to The Fire Chronicle. I could only give a loud shout of protest that the story was done. I don't want to give any details away from this amazing story. I want you to read it or listen to it. Stephens continues the chase scenes and the fight between good and evil. You think you can follow the story then an amazing twist arrives to make you stop and ponder, "What will happen next!?" It was so difficult to wait for The Fire Chronicle and now the waiting has intensified for book three. I think book three will be the most anticipated book for 2013.

The amazing Jim Dale returns to read The Fire Chronicle. His characters remain true to the first book and the new characters are equally fun and imaginative. My favorite voices were, well, come to think of it, hard to pinpoint. It was just amazing. I hope Dale will read the next installment of The Books of Beginning.

Reviewed from a library copy.


Audio Book Details...
The Fire Chronicle by John Stephens
Series: Book Two, The Books of Beginning
Read by Jim Dale
Produced by Listening Library
Number of Discs: 10
Total Time: 12 hours, 30 minutes

Fablehaven

Brandon Mull created the world of Fablehaven in 2006. The idea of a sanctuary for mystical creatures intrigued me and I set the book on my "to-read" list. It wasn't until I discovered the audiobook of Fablehaven at the library in 2009. What a great solution! I will listen to Fablehaven. I was blown away by the story and the narrator E. B. Stevens. I was also thrilled to have jumped in late as a reader. I only needed to wait one year for the last installment of Fablehaven. I don't want to give too much information away, but I want to interest every reader (or listener) to find Fablehaven and enjoy Mull's creation.

Fablehaven opens with Seth and Kendra being dropped off at their Grandparent's home. They have never been there and they would rather not be there. Grandpa welcomes his grandchildren and shares a mystery with Kendra. Kendra uncovers a secret and precocious Seth follows right along (at least when he's not running ahead and getting into trouble). When the siblings realize the enormity of Fablehaven's existance, there is no going back to living normal. Their journey continues as they meet friends, enemies, creatures of light and creatures of dark. Friends and loved ones come and go, but Fablehaven needs to stand so the Sorenson family has a home and the world will not be overrun by dark creatures.

I could listen to this series over and over again. Mull's play with words is fantastic. He doesn't use simple words for little listeners (or readers). Adults, teens and tweens will enjoy these novels. Similar to Rowling, Mull doesn't shy away from difficult subjects including betrayal, loss and battle. As people have stated for years..."I laughed, I cried, it was great!"

The narrator, E. B. Stevens is amazing. Stevens created so much feeling with each character. Some characters required a some computer enhancing, but it did not take away from the storyline. I believe it enhanced the characters. Stevens creativity places next to Jim Dale in my book. I look forward to hearing Stevens' voices again.

Fablehaven (2006)
8 CDs and 9 hrs, 30 mins
Rise of the Evening Star (2007)
10 CDs and 12 hrs
Grip of the Shadow Plague (2008)
11 CDs and 13.6 hrs
Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary (2009)
12 CDs and 15.6 hrs
Keys to the Demon Prison (2010)
14 CDs and 17 hrs, 45 mins

The Candymakers

The Candymakers by Wendy Mass

For sugar lovers, candy books beckon from library shelves. Patrick Skene Catling wrote The Chocolate Touch in 1952 and Brandon Mull wrote The Candy Shop War in 2007. Wendy Mass added to the collection of candy chronicles with The Candymakers.


Mass combines the love of candy with the reality of how people are connected to each other. Twelve-year-old Logan, Miles, Daisy and Phillip meet at the Life is Sweet Candy Factory to create the next award winning candy. They are working for the general goal of making candy, but they cannot comprehend how each of their lives are intertwined. As the children get to know each other, they realize how their past actions influenced the people they are today.


Listening to this novel is eye opening, considering the book is divided into sections. Paging through an actual book, the reader could discover such information prior to reading. Without the benefit of the printed word, surprises are revealed at every new track. Mysteries are solved while deep friendships are built. Wonderful humor is sprinkled throughout story with an adventure in candy making.


I enjoyed Mark Turetsky's narration of The Candymakers. Each character's voice had their own tone and delivery. Overall, Phillip's voice was my least favorite to hear. On a voiceover sidenote, the narrator who shared the audiobook details at the beginning of each disk was the narrator of Drizzle, Maria Cabezas

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
The Candymakers by Wendy Mass
Read by Mark Turetsky
Produced by Recorded Books
Number of Discs: 10
Total Time: 11 hours, 45 minutes 

The Emerald Atlas

The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Kate's mother entrusted Kate with her two younger siblings. Kate was four years old. Flash forward ten years where the three siblings are shipped off to yet another orphanage. The eldest, Kate, desires to keep her family together. Michael continues to explore the world of dwarfs through a book from his father. Emma, the youngest, picks a fight with, well, anyone who crosses her. Their goal as a family is to remain together until their parents find them.

Cambridge Falls is their new location. They meet the adults of the orphanage Miss Sallow, Abraham and Dr. Stanislaus Pym. They explore their new home and find a blank book with an emerald cover. By sticking an old photo in the pages they are transported through time: Cambridge Falls in the past. New and ancient characters come to play - the Countess, Screechers, the Secretary and creatures from the mountain.

Stephans creates a fabulous fantasy novel. It's reminiscent of Lord of the Rings trilogy with magic, creatures and the hunt for a prized possession. Other reviewers comment about elements similar to Harry Potter and the Chronicles of Narnia. It was very compelling read. The next book cannot come soon enough.

Jim Dale returns to read this new trilogy. He's a solid reader for such a fantastical tale. I hope the publishers will continue using Dale for the next installments.

Audio Book Details...
The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens
Series: Book 1, The Books of Beginning
Read by Jim Dale
Produced by Listening Library
Number of Discs: 10
Total Time: 11 hours, 38 minutes

The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels -- A Love Story

The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels--A Love Story by Ree Drummond


Yes, this book is not from the youth department. It's from the grown-up section of the library. If you have heard about The Pioneer Woman from her previous book or from online, you will enjoy this audiobook. Ree shares the story of her "transition from spoiled city girl to domestic country wife." She fell in love with her husband,  Marlboro Man and changed her plans. Her original plans never included him or his life in the country. She dreamed of life in the big city. One meeting at local bar changed her life forever.

I fell in love with The Pioneer Woman and her first book: The Pioneer Woman Cooks. She inspired me to play in the kitchen. When I found another book was published, I ran to the computer to put it on hold at my local library. Then I discovered, she read her own story as an audiobook! I couldn't wait to listen! I adore authors who read their own work. It adds so much life to their story. They share the words written on paper, but also the inflection, intent and enjoyment of their tale. In conclusion, a hearty thank you to Ree for sharing her story with the world.

If you'd like read more about Ree, check out her blog: www.thepioneerwoman.com.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels -- a Love Story by Ree Drummond
Read by Ree Drummond
Produced by Dreamscape Media, LLC
Number of Discs: 10
Total Time: 11 hours, 2 minutes