Why Did I Listen To This Book?
You know, I am always taken in by a gorgeous cover and there’s one cover of The Cabinet Of Wonders by Marie Rutkoski that is particularly lovely and that I keep on looking at. It’s not the one in this review, but this one. After seeing the awesome steampunk looking creatures, reading some great reviews on various blogs, and seeing that it has Cat’s stamp of approval, I just had to read The Cabinet Of Wonders, the first of The Kronos Chronicles, but of course because it’s sort of old and I don’t have a review copy, the only way I could read it without guilt was via audiobook.
What’s The Story Here?
Petra Kronos, main character of The Cabinet Of Wonders leads a quiet, happy life. Her father, unfortunately, is far away in Prague working for the Prince of Bohemia on a magical clock. It turns out her awesome dad can move metal with his mind. Anyways, her dad then comes home, only uh-oh, he is missing his eyes. Turns out the price stole them, made them magic, and is now wearing them. Petra realizes this is a load of BS, so she decides to run away with her best friend, a mechanical spider named Astrophil to Salamander Castle to steal the eyes back. Along the way she makes friends with a Gypsy boy named Neel who is awesome and can pick locks, and they join forces to uncover why the Prince has the eyes and to recover them for her dad. That reminds me, only nobles can learn magic and this kind of sucks for non-royals who have magical aptitude because you know, they can’t really learn how to use it.
How’s The Characterization?
Basically Astrophil is my favorite. That tin spider is all about reading and knowledge and learning and providing great advice and facts. I pretty much loved loved loved the spider. I know, weird because normally spiders are scary as heck. Petra is pretty great too, I mean she has to be awesome, she’s got the tenacity to leave home and enter danger just to get her dad’s eyes back. I also liked Neel because you know, he’s the whole shebang. I won’t go super in depth but if you are into middle grade fantasy you will LOVE the characters in this book.
How’s The Writing?
Erm, great! Hah, but really it has been since July since I listened to this book. What I do remember is that Rutkoski’s first Kronos Chronicles book is creative with very fantastic world building. It’s like historical fantasy but for the younger set. Yet, it never feels like it’s one of those books that talks down or feels written down for a lower level. Instead, it trusts in the intelligence of children and you know, as an adult, I appreciated that. I am looking forward to listening to the rest of the books in this series and also to reading Rutkoski’s The Winner’s Curse.
What Did I Think Of The Narration?
Lorelei King is the narrator of this audiobook and you guys she’s totally appropriate as reader of The Cabinet Of Wonders by Marie Rutkoski. Her voice is rather gentle and pleasing, yet she also knows to change up her voice for the different characters, engaging me as a listener. The audiobook is 7 hours and 15 minutes unabridged and worth your credits and your time. OH and it is produced by Macmillan Audio, which surprisingly is an audiobook publisher that I do not listen to often enough. Ah well.
Sum It Up With A GIF:
Word, Honey Boo Boo, that is exactly how I feel about The Cabinet Of Wonders by Marie Rutkoski.
Disclosure: I purchased my own copy of this audiobook.
Other reviews of The Cabinet Of Wonders by Marie Rutkoski:
Beyond Books – “Good golly! This was just a superb book!”
Bibliophilic Monologues – “The book is a glorious read.”
Literate Chick – “a beautiful tale of magic, friendship, family”
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Do you not listen to Macmillan Audio often because you don’t work with their audio group? Lol. I know I don’t read certain publishers almost ever because they do not give me things. This is a reviewer’s life.
Also, I want this. Waaaaaant. You will LOVE The Winner’s Curse, I think. Just fyi. Now to go look at this longingly on Audible. BUT WAIT. Does the library have it? I keep forgetting to check that. MUST SAVE MY MONIES, APRIL. You are a bad influence.
Update: I checked out the sample and I don’t know. Like, King’s voice annoys me, but her dude voices are like super legit and hmmm. Meh. I’ll pass for now. My ears are so freaking particular. I need those dulcet tones, yo.
I have a weakness for fantasy books! As this one has earned your stamp of approval, and sounds FANTASTIC, I definitely think that I want to give this one a try. Petra, Neel and Astrophil sounds like incredible characters, and a team that I could totally root for.