Pete's Dragon by Elizabeth Rudnick-4 Stars

Rudnick, Elizabeth, Pete’s Dragon: The Lost Years. 3 CDs. 4.48 hrs. Blackstone Audio, 2016. $19.95. Audible Download.

After a young boy named Pete’s family is killed in a car wreck and he gets chased by wolves, Pete is saved by Elliott, a green, almost dog-like dragon. Over 6 years, the two become the best of friends. When a large storm separates the two and Elliott gets hurt, can Pete find his friend and become the hero?

Narrator, Alan Sklar does a great job of bringing to life Pete’s world. His unique voices for Pete and Elliott is fun and engages the reader. The plot is simplistic, but makes the listeners fall in love with the quirky characters. Fans of Pete’s Dragon will enjoy listening to this audiobook. 

4 stars, Grades 3 to 7

Southern Spirits by Angie Fox-4 stars

Fox, Angie, Southern Spirits: Ghost Hunter Mysteries #1. 7.34 hrs. Angie Fox, 2015. $19.95. Audible Download 

 

Source: Purchased a Copy 

 

On the verge of losing her grandmother's house after her nasty breakup with her fiancé, Verity Long isn't sure what to do. When she accidentally grounds a spirit in her house, Frankie the dead gangster decides to help her uncover a treasure buried at the old Thatcher. While there, she accidentally stumbles across Ellis Wyatt, her ex-fiancé's brother. When Ellis realizes Verity can see ghosts, he enlists her help with ridding his property of them. In return, he'll pay her the sum of money she owes his brother. Taking on this case, however, turns out to be worse than she expected. Not only is she starting to like Ellis, but there's a poltergeist and a murderer bent on leaving the secrets of Ellis' property buried. Will Verity figure out what the ghost and murderer are after before it's too late? 

 

Narrator, Tavia Gilbert does a great job of using unique voices to bring the characters voices and personalities to life. Her narrative pacing, however, is a little hard to get used to at first. The plot in this book is well developed, humorous, and complex. Once you get used to the narrator, this book is engaging, entertaining, and a fun, quick listen. Overall, fans of ghost mysteries, humor, and southern fiction will enjoy listening to this audiobook.  

 

4 stars, ADULT

Fires of Invention by J. Scott Savage-4 stars

Savage, J. Scott, Fires of Invention (Mysteries of Cove #1). 10 CDs (unbar.). 11.1 hrs. Blackstone Audio, 2015. 

Trenton Colman is creative person with an aptitude for mechanics. He lives in a city known as Cove. Buried below a cave, Cove is anti-invention, anti-creative, and anti-independence. When youth finish school, they enter an apprenticeship assigned by the government, they eat what they’re told each day, and they don’t ask question. Failure to follow the rules results in retraining or, worse, death. When Trenton finds a cylinder of unapproved origin, Callista Babbage, inventor, Leo’s daughter, confronts him. Together, they not only discover clues to an invention Leo was building, but also that something is off about the history Cove has told everyone.  All of which got Leo killed. As the government starts to catch on to what they’re doing, will Callista and Trenton be able to finish finding the clues?  Will they be able to figure out Cove’s dark past?

Narrator, Kirby Heyborne uses his vast experience to bring to life Trenton’s world. The plot is slow to pick up, but well developed and Kirby does a great job of pulling the reader into it. The characters’ personalities are a little stiff, but draw the reader into the story with their quirky natures and character growth. With a cliff-hanger for an ending and the promise of something really interesting to come, readers who enjoy dystopian fiction, adventure, and fantasy will enjoy reading this book. 

4 stars, Grades 5 to 9.