Audio Book Review: The Knife Of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

Reading Level: Young Adult
Pub Dates: Book-Sept 2008 / Audio-Sept 2010
Length: 12 hours
Narrator: Nick Podehl
Series: 1st in the Chaos Walking series
Acquisition: received a copy for review

Summary:

Todd Hewitt is the only boy in a town of men. Ever since the settlers were infected with the Noise germ, Todd can hear everything the men think, and they hear everything he thinks. Todd is just a month away from becoming a man, but in the midst of the cacophony, he knows that the town is hiding something from him -- something so awful Todd is forced to flee with only his dog, whose simple, loyal voice he hears too. With hostile men from the town in pursuit, the two stumble upon a strange and eerily silent creature: a girl. Who is she? Why wasn't she killed by the germ like all the females on New World? Propelled by Todd's gritty narration, readers are in for a white-knuckle journey in which a boy on the cusp of manhood must unlearn everything he knows in order to figure out who he truly is. (from publisher's website)

My thoughts:
Awesome. This book was seriously awesome. I had heard a lot of good things about the Chaos Walking series and I was thrilled to get a copy of the audio book. Dystopian tales are quickly becoming some of my favorite to read and this one packs a serious punch.

It was pretty much love at first sight for me and Todd Hewitt. He was so very, very real. So raw and open, so honest and true. Forced to leave the only place and the only family he has ever known, the trials he faces would have destroyed a weaker man. But Todd isn't a man, he's a boy in a world full of men. Men set on destroying Todd. Men Todd Hewitt will give anything not to become. A boy is what he remains, for a boy is what he needs to be in order to survive.

Following him in this unbelievable roller coaster of a ride, knowing what he knows and discovering the truths and lies - it was such a fabulous journey.

Oh, the ending! OMG the ending! My heart was in my throat and it stayed there long after I heard the last word. I highly recommend having a copy of Book 2, The Ask and The Answer, on hand before going anywhere near the ending of The Knife of Never Letting Go. Pretty amazing.

Audio critique:
One of the best I have ever heard. Nick Podehl did an excellent job portraying the raw emotion of Todd. The 'Noise' of the story was spot on. The inflections in Nick's voice, coupled with the sound effects made for a rich and meaningful listening experience.

I also really enjoyed the format of this audio book. I listened to the CD version. 10 disks with a little over an hour on each. At the beginning of each disk it is clearly stated which number you are listening to. Also, at the beginning of each disk the last 30-40 seconds of the last disk is replayed. This feature made it very easy to keep track of what was going on. I never felt like I was missing anything between disks. Also, about 30-40 seconds before each disk ends, subtle background music kicks in. I found it very nice to know the end of a disk was coming. I've listened to other audio books on disk that ended abruptly with a harsh voice over of 'End of Disk 2' - very jarring, which I didn't enjoy. This set was done pretty perfectly for me.

Final verdict:
I highly, highly recommend this book to fans of dystopian young adult fiction. I highly recommend this book to fans of books! I also highly recommend the audio book version as listening to this story really was a wonderful experience for me.

Overall Story Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Overall Audio Book Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Books in The Chaos Walking Series:
The Knife of Never Letting Go
The Ask and The Answer
Monsters of Men

Linkage Love:
Candlewick Press
Brilliance Audio
Author's Website
Goodreads

In My Mailbox - December 5, 2010

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren :)

No IMM post last week so this one is 2 weeks worth. :)
Links are to Goodreads.

For Review:

Entice by Carrie Jones

Out for Blood by Alyxandra Harvey

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

The End of the World Club (Jaguar Stones Book Two) by J&P Voelkel

Thanks go out to Bloombury, Quirk Books and Goodman Media

From Bookmooch

ARC of The Crowfield Curse by Pat Walsh

ARC of Solid by Shelley Workinger

The Vampire Diaries Vol IV Dark Reunion by L.J. Smith

Bought

Dust City by Robert Paul Weston

Won

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Thanks go out to Yan :)

So, what's in your mailbox?

Winners!

I just love picking winners! 

You guys are all so fabulous and I wish I could send every one of you a prize!

2 contests have come to a close:

$55 CSN Gift Certificate is KARI (already emailed)

AND

The 2 winners of my much loved Box-O-Books Giveaway are:

Danelle (email starts danellej..)

and

Ammy Belle

I was able to cram 11 books into each of their boxes!

Congratulations!! I'll be emailing you soon.

Didn't win? I still have 2 contests running:

The Lost Saint

Holiday Scholastic Giveaway

Also, since my Box-O-Books giveaway was such fun, I'll be doing another one again in January so stay tuned!

Thanks guys!

Book Review: Awakened by Ednah Walters

Publication Date: September 2010
Pages: 272

Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: received a copy for review

Summary:

Most teens turn sixteen and get the license to drive, Lil Falcon gets the license to kill demons, but no one told her she is not supposed to fall in love with one.

Orphaned as a child and raised by an eccentric grandfather, Lil is concerned with surviving high school and is unaware she's a Guardian—a being with super powers charged with killing demons and protecting humanity. But when she meets Bran, a mysterious boy with amazing abilities, his psi energy unlocks her latent powers.

But Bran has a secret that can destroy their growing relationship. He's part demon. But in her heart, Lil knows Bran is not evil. So when her grandfather is kidnapped by a powerful nature-bender and Bran is the only one who knows where he's being kept, Lil convinces the other Guardians to trust him, not knowing her grandfather is just the bait. And the truth that she discovers in the demonic enclave may just destroy everything she believes in, unless she makes the right choice—love and sacrifice. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Awakened is a perfect example of the old saying - don't judge a book by it's cover. Have to say it - I think the cover is completely wrong for a young adult book. It's a little too...sexy? BUT if you find yourself turned off by the cover? Ignore it - I think you'll be happy you did.

I very much enjoyed this story. It started out a little weird - a little too thrown right into the plot from page 1 but I went with it and all in all, it worked.

Lil is a pretty cool gal. Raised by her Grandfather, living the life of modern day gypsies, her entire world changes soon after her 16th birthday. She's suddenly thrown into a world she never could have imagined. She gains some kick ass friends and discovers powers within herself that are desperately needed to save the people she cares about.

And about those people...the romance? It was ok. As far as swoony, unbelievably perfect love interests go, Bran wasn't all that bad. Except for his name...had some issues with that but I didn't hold it against him. I actually really liked his character. His brother on the other hand I never really good a good feel for. He's important to the story but he was good and then he was bad and then he was still bad but doing good things. I couldn't pin him down.

I really loved the background of this story. The Nephilim and the Guardians and Souled Demons along with the Nosferatu and Nature-Benders? Very cool magical elements. Have to say, I would have liked this back story worked into the actual story of the book a little more. We get a lineage, glossary of terms and character bios before the first chapter. It was nice and I found myself referring back to it at times but I tend to like my back story in the story not next to it.

Final verdict:
A very good read for me. I know some people shy away from self published books or books from very small publishing houses but I'm willing to give just about any book a try and with Awakened I'm really glad I did. It's the first in a series and I'm very much looking forward to book 2.

I think Ednah has created a rich world that YA fantasy fans will really enjoy.

Overall Rating:

4 / 5 Stars

The Guardian Legacy Series:
Awakened
Betrayed (?)

Linkage Love:
Pine Hill Press
Author's Website
Goodreads

Massive Update to my MASSIVE LIST!

What is my MASSIVE LIST you ask? Well surely you have noticed the "Debut Author" page links above. No? Well, let me tell you about them!

In early 2010 I began compiling a list of 2010 debut authors of middle grade and young adult books. These wonderful authors have been called Tenners and Members of the Class of 2K10 but I just call them AWESOME!

I've decided to continue on my tradition of debut author compiling in 2011 - only this year will be bigger, badder and bookier....um....It will be really cool - trust me!

SO! Massive List 2011 got  a major overhaul recently (think, pretty pictures AND lots of helpful links!) BUT it still needs your help.

Would you TAKE A LOOK AT MY MASSIVE LIST AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK?

Are you a huge fan of debut authors like I am? Did you find any mistakes to the list? Did I leave anything out? Know of any websites / blogs I don't have listed as resources?

Are you a 2011 debut author of a middle grade or young adult book? Did I forget about you? Did I get something wrong? Have new info to share? What to help me link up your website / blog? Interested in doing a guest post here or helping out with a giveaway? What to show me a pretty picture of a kitty?

So, really what I'm asking is Want to help make 2011 absolutly epic for debut authors?!

Of course you do :)

Head on over to the Massive List and take a look. It's a pretty much a year long work in progress so it will be ever changing.

If you do have something you would like me to add, substract, change or whatnot you can either post a comment, send me an email (WilowRaven[at]yahoo[dot]com) or use the contact form posted on the list page.

With so many great books coming out in 2011 I think I might have my work cut out for me...but I'm having a blast and I hope you all do as well.

Happy Reading!

(now go LOOK AT THE LIST!)