Hello! Onto the second half of my audiobook mini reviews. As I said, I have been listening to so many lately and feel no shame in my game. These books are varied with how much I enjoyed them — but I am very much loving the different genres I’ve been consuming.
Seton Girls by Charlene Thomas
Seton Girls by Charlene Thomas is an absolute must read/must listen. This book takes on tough themes — privilege, race, sexual assault — in such a thought provoking manner. Thomas is sensitive in portrayal of these issues. Seton Girls follows Aly and J who are Black and are bussed in to attend Seton High. Aly is editor of the school newspaper. J is about to be quarterback. Seton High never loses a game and hasn’t in years. The secret sauce is the girls who goes to Seton. Aly is about to uncover what exactly is going on and blow the whole lid off Seton’s underbelly.
The audiobook of Charlene Thomas’s Seton Girls is narrated by Kacie Rogers. It is 8 hours and 32 minutes unabridged. I did listen to it slightly sped up but not SUPER sped up at 2x or anything. I found that the audiobook was well narrated. Kacie Rogers has a voice that is easy to listen to and not get sidetracked while reading the story. The pacing makes sense and I never felt like it was too slow. I look forward to reading more by Charlene Thomas — particularly via audiobook. Check this book out for a harrowing look at the underbelly of high school sports, but also solid friendships between young women. This is such a smart, sharp book.
@aprilbooksandwine 4 YA Books I Recently Read How It All Blew Up by Arvin Ahmadi 3.5⭐️ Raising The Horseman by Serena Valentino 2.5⭐️ Shine by Jessica Jung 2⭐️ Seton Hall by Charlene Thomas 4⭐️ #booktokover30 #bookreview #momsofbooktok #over30booktok
♬ About 3 minutes of background music(268805) – Melody Important
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace immediately had me captivated when I first started listening to it. It felt a little different in tone from Grace’s previous duology and I am here for it. This story follows Signa Farrow who was orphaned as a newborn (that scene was heartbreaking to read as a mom). As she goes from relative to relative, it seems that death follows in her wake. She finally ends up with the Hawthorne family at Thorn Grove. The family is a little bit on the eccentric side. It turns out death may still be following Signa, but she gets some help from the stable boy and well, Death himself, to figure out who was behind Lillian, the matriarch’s death. Also, who could potentially be putting Blythe, Percy, and Mr. Hawthorne.
I think what helped to keep me hooked was that the narration was so good. The narrator is Kristin Atherton. The audiobook was 13 hours and 14 minutes long. I listened to it sped up to varying speeds – 1.3x-1.6x. There was this kind of elegant feel to the narration, if that makes sense? It was perfect for Belladonna. I found that I really gelled with Signa’s character and her growth. The world building caught my attention too. I also loved how Death was written. Overall, I hope for more from this world, and it seemed like the ending left an opening for more.
@aprilbooksandwine A quick weekly reading wrap up featuring: Finding Her Edge by Jennifer Iacopelli Tell Me My Name by Amy Reed Belladonna by Adalyn Grace (thanks @hachetteaudio ) #FlexEveryAngle #weeklyreading
As Seen On TV by Meredith Schorr
In Meredith Schorr’s As Seen On TV, the New York City dating scene just is not it for Adina Gellar. She’s decided she will try her luck in a small, charming upstate town. Adina is hoping life will mirror a Hallmark movie. Especially because she’s traveling and staying in Pleasant Hollow to write a story about a developer coming in and building a new resort. However, when Adina gets to Pleasant Hollow it turns out the locals aren’t exactly Hallmark Friendly. Also, the man she finds herself attracted to happens to also be from the city, Finn Adams. As it turns out, he works for the developer. Oh, and the residents of Pleasant Hollow actually WANT the resort to come in. Nothing is what Adi expected.
As a small town upstate NY born and raised person myself, I really liked As Seen On TV. Where I am from, people get excited when a new chain restaurant comes to town. Heck, they got over the moon for when Marshalls recently came in I guess. So, Schorr’s depiction of small town residents being pro-developer rang true. Heck, where I live now was chosen for a new microchip plant to come in and people are so excited. I can see why Adi’s perception would be off if you are from a big city and all you know about small towns comes from Hallmark movies. She definitely gets her rude awakening, but you know, she grows so much along the way. I am a sucker for character growth and both Adi and Finn experience this. As Seen On TV is narrated by Emily Lawrence. The audiobook is 9 hours and 42 minutes long. It is very compelling and easy to listen to. I think Lawrence’s narration had me liking this book even more. Overall, a fun and charming read, if not entirely life changing, but that’s okay.
House Of Hunger by Alexis Henderson
House Of Hunger is the second book I have listened to by Alexis Henderson. I am thinking maybe this needs to become an annual tradition if she continues writing in the paranormal genre and releasing books annually. House Of Hunger is a book about vampires. In this world, sometimes life can be a struggle for young women. They do have an option at employment called becoming a blood maid. Basically this means they provide their blood to a wealthy vampire house and after they fulfill their contract, they get a whole lot of money for a pension. Marion has had a rough life, but she’s beautiful and so she answers an ad to become a blood maid at the House Of Hunger. She leaves her old life completely behind and falls deeply into the world/society of the blood maids and also falls for Elizabeth, her employer. However, there’s something sinister brewing just beneath the surface.
I was so invested in House Of Hunger. Talk about a perfect spooky season listen. By the end of the book, I was like almost closing my eyes — but not — as that’s a bad idea while driving. It gets intense toward the end when all is revealed. The audiobook is narrated to perfection by Jeanette Illidge. It is 10 hours and 2 minutes long. I did listen to it at mostly 2x speed, just as I am feeling a little pressure to get through my TBR faster. However, it was really well narrated, clearly easy to follow along with what is happening. I would absolutely recommend this book for Halloween, Autumn vibes.
The Sea Knows My Name by Laura Brooke Robson
If you like books that have a quiet feel to them, you will love The Sea Knows My Name by Laura Brooke Robson. This is another under the radar book that I haven’t really heard too much about. It follows a young woman named Thea Fowler whose mother is the infamous Clementine Fowler – ruthless pirate. Thea is absolutely not ruthless. There was a volcano eruption that destroys Clementine’s world, but Clementine survives as does Thea. Thea then goes on to be betrayed by her first love Bauer in the worst possible way. As we start the book, she has swam three miles to land from the ocean and does her best to reintegrate into society. But, we get her back story, her future, and we see her mom’s life is at risk, even though, again, Thea is so different from her mother.
The Sea Knows My Name is excellent. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Jeremy Carlisle Parker. The narration is on point. It is 7 hours and 19 minutes long. The writing in this book is evocative — particularly as there’s a scene to do with whaling and emotions and humanity and it just got to me. I found myself wanting Thea to have her best life, later. She’s different from her mother and that is okay. This book is so emotional. It was completely unexpected and I am so glad I gave this a listen.
Azar On Fire by Olivia Abtahi
Azar On Fire by Olivia Abtahi is a contemporary young adult book about a girl who forms a band and transforms her life. This book is a companion to Perfectly Parvin. Azar has these nodes on her throat and can’t sing or talk very loud. She has to be very careful with her voice. Because of this, she’s held herself away from her classmates and really only has one friend, her cousin. However, one day Azar gets in trouble with the school to the tune of $1000 worth of damage. To try and make amends and raise the money, she is given the option by the principal of forming a band. Azar who loves music is hesitant, but takes the opportunity. Recruiting students from different social standings, Azar starts her band, and well, her life.
I enjoyed Azar On Fire. This book is both lighthearted and heart felt. It is a lot of fun — loved the band coming together and the different lessons Azar learned. There’s a diverse set of characters. Also, there are serious moments too. The audiobook is narrated by Alex McKenna who does a superb job with this story. This audiobook is 9 hours and 13 minutes but goes by fast. I never once felt lost like I didn’t know what was going on. In fact, I was invested the whole time in this book. I look forward to listening to any other book Olivia Abtahi comes out with because I know I am going to have a great time.
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