Review: Curse of the Bane (The Last Apprentice #2) by Joseph Delaney

Curse of the Bane by Joseph Delaney

This is an audiobook review.

*Note this is the second book in the series. You can take a gander at the review for the first book Revenge of the Witch.

Summary
Thomas is learning more about being a spook, and now he's accompanying the Spook to Priest town where they are really not welcome. He and the Spook are going to try to take care of a monster called The Bane which has poisoned the minds of the priests in Priest Town, but of course, that's easier said than done. Also, we get to see Alice again.

Commentary
The second book in this series also had it's slightly comical moments although I think the first book did it better. There are still the elements of a horror story here so some gruesome images although toned down for a younger audience.

Delaney manages the expectations of the reader really well yet again. I love the way he builds tension for the most part. I do think some of the moments could have been a bit faster, but I think my feelings may have more to do with my impatience with listening to an audiobook though although the narrator really does a great job with the voices again. I hope he continues to voice the other books.

At this point, I am still happy with this series although I can see the style losing its luster for me. You should definitely give this series a try though.

Star Rating: 3.5/5.0

For an explanation of the Star Rating go here.

Check out prices for Curse of the Bane at Amazon

Review: The Wish List by Eoin Colfer

The Wish List by Eoin Colfer

This is an audiobook review!

Summary
Meg hasn't been a saint for most of her life, but when she dies unexpectedly, she finds out that she hovers right between god and bad. Now, in order to try to get into heaven instead of hell, she must help an old man finish his final wishes. Hell, though really wants her and is trying their very best to thwart her.

Commentary
This book had a lot of fun light moments, and while the subject of going to Heaven or Hell is a heavy subject, this is definitely a comedic treatment of the whole thing. I really liked the little touches of modernization of the afterlife which were sprinkled in.

The audiobook narrator did a pretty good job of using a variety of different voices for the various characters although one or two of the voices were hard to understand. There are a lot of different viewpoints so the voices helped a lot.

In general this is a feel good sort of book, and while it's not all that heavy on substance, it's still a fun read when you're not looking to think too much. If you enjoy Colfer's other YA books, this is very similar in tone and style.

Star Rating: 3.0/5.0

For an explanation of the Star Rating go here.

Check out prices for The Wish List at Amazon

Review: Revenge of the Witch (The Last Apprentice #1) by Joseph Delaney

Revenge of the Witch by Joseph Delaney

This is an audiobook review!

Summary
Tom is apprenticed to the county Spook, who helps to keep the evil away. Unfortunately, Spooks are also feared by many so Tom may not have many friends, and well, there may be some witches to content with. Witches are dangerous they are.

Commentary
Girls with pointy shoes are dangerous! This is somewhat classified as horror (perhaps because it's scary feeling?), which is usually not a genre that particularly interests me, but I did enjoy this one especially because of statements like the previous one.

The narrator did an excellent job with the different voices, and he brought the lighthearted, scary, and all the other parts to life. I was a bit annoyed by Tom's continual insistence that he had no choice for things, but other than that he was an interesting character to follow.

If you like audiobooks, I suggest you try this one in audio. Otherwise, I still suggest you give it a read because the author does a great job of knowing what readers expect and not always following that expectation so there is a real element of suspense.

Star Rating: 4.0/5.0

For an explanation of the Star Rating go here.

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Review: Angel Burn (Angel Trilogy #1) by L. A. Weatherly (Audiobook)

Angel Burn by L. A. Weatherly

Copy Courtesy of Candlewick Press and Brilliance Audio
Already Published

This is a review of the AUDIOBOOK version

Summary
Willow is a half-angel in a world where angels are kind of evil. Alex is an angel killer who has dedicated his life to bringing down the soul-sucking monsters. Fate brings the two of them together, sparks fly, and of course the world needs to be saved too.

Commentary
Ok, I'm not usually all that interested in the male love interests, but Alex, I have to admit was fun although I'm not entirely sure I liked the voicing of him in my audiobook version (since it was a female reader). Willow was very much a thrown into various situations and likes to curl up in a ball kind of girl, which probably annoyed me more because the audiobook made her so breathy and pitiful sounding most of the time. Sometimes though she would show signs of taking control, which I enjoyed although they were too rare for my taste.

I really liked the concept that L.A. Weatherly has created with angels essentially being soul-sucking demons, simply because it was a take that I had not read yet, and I think it was executed pretty well. The audiobook definitely made the story come to life more although I noticed things like how annoying Nina (Willow's best friend) sounded and how the author kept using the same phrasing over and over... and over again ("she hugged her arms around herself/around her knees/to her chest/etc..").

It's definitely rare for a more romance focused book to give me a positive feeling these days, and this one did achieve that so I'm giving it a thumbs up. I hope the follow-up is as good ^.^

Star Rating: 3.5/5.0

For an explanation of the Star Rating go here.

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Review: Going Postal (Discworld #33) by Terry Pratchett

Going Postal by Terry Pratchett

Moist Van Lipwig, a notorious criminal, finds himself before Lord Vetinari who provides him with a couple of choices: die or become postmaster general. His choice to live sticks him with reviving a post office that has languished for decades. He also inherits a mad old postman and his bumbling apprentice.

This is one of those books where delightful madness, lighthearted jokes, and masterful parody swirl into a wonderful tale. Hats off to Mr. Pratchett.

The characters are fully developed and possess amusing quirks. I especially liked Lord Vetinari who is a most malevolently benevolent and brilliant despot. I think it helped that I listened to this as an audiobook. The voices of each cast member was excellently done.

If you haven't read a Pratchett, this is a good one to pick up. If you have read Pratchett and enjoyed him, this is definitely one you shouldn't miss.

Star Rating: 4.0/5.0

For an explanation of the Star Rating go here.

Check out prices for Going Postal at Amazon