Five, Six, Seven, Nate! by Tim Federle-5 stars

Federle, Tim, Five, Six, Seven, Nate! 6 CDs, 7.08 hrs. Unabridged. Simon and Schuster Audio, 2014. ISBN 978-14423-7419-5

When Nate Foster gets offered the 

part of a lifetime as ET’s understudy in E.T: The Broadway Musical in New York, he couldn’t have been more excited. When he goes to his first day of rehearsal, however, he doesn’t seem to really fit in with the other kids, he can’t tap dance, and he keeps hurting people by accident during rehearsal. Because of such, his photographic memory gets wasted on a part as Alien #7, who only says one word the whole play. As the producers keep switching everything left and right, Nate is the only one who is able to learn the changes. When the lead Jordan gets laryngitis, the producers threaten to cancel first preview. With Nate’s awesome memory, will he be able to save the day or will the play flop?

Based on his experiences acting, Tim Federle narrates his own book with style. His intonations and expressions, he brings to life the quirky, fun character of Nate, a Broadway hopeful. His mix of internal dialogue and character interaction is well-done and easy to follow in his narration. With well-developed characters and a fun plot that will engage readers, this author as narrator audiobook will draw in reluctant readers who enjoy books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid and the Big Nate series books will enjoy listening to this audiobook. 

5 stars, Grades 5 to 8

Joe Ledger: Special Ops by Jonathan Maberry-4.5 stars

Maberry, Jonathan, Joe Ledger:  Special Ops. (Unbar.) 8.41 hrs. Blackstone Audio, 2014. Audible Download.

This collection of short stories follows the missions of Joe Ledger, leader of a Special Ops team called Echo Team. A former Army Ranger and cop, Joe’s job is to train his high turnover rate of team members, track down terrorists, and take them down in order to make the world safer. In this collection of stories, however, Joe has his work cut out for him. One group of terrorists has created a virus that makes people zombies, one group of mad scientists uses transgenics to create animal/human hybrids. Behind many of the problems: a group known as Red Knights. Purposely causing themselves to be more like vampires, this group of terrorists is not only being hunted by Joe, but also Arc Light, a quasi-terrorist group of the Knight’s former captives bent on taking the vampires down. With this latest series of events, has Joe and his team taken on more than they can handle?

The author does a great job of balancing action, heartbreak, and internal dialogue. Narrator, Ray Porter is a great complement to Jonathan Maberry’s book. His voice is engaging and brings to life the unique characters and their emotions as well as help readers to connect their personalities between short stories. His crisp narrative style vividly portrays Joe Ledger’s world and makes it easier for the suspension of disbelief. Although each story is a separate plot, the overall portrayal of what Joe does is well-done and keeps the listener’s interest. People who like spy novels, military science fiction, action, and adventure will enjoy listening to this audiobook. 

 4.5 stars, ADULT

How (Not) To Kiss a Prince by Elizabeth Reeves-4 stars

Reeves, Elizabeth A., How (Not) To Kiss a Prince. 4.37 hrs. Elizabeth Reeves, 2013. Audible Download.

Ever hear of Murphy’s Law: anything that can go wrong will go wrong? Well, for someone like Cindy Eller, her life is practically a living example of Murphy’s Law. Lately, everything has been perfect. She has a wonderful ordinary (non-magical) boyfriend named Timothy, her bakery is doing well, and her magic, limited though it is, is mostly behaving itself and no longer turning men she kisses into toads.  She shouldn’t have spoken so soon, however. When a prince from the Middlelands shows up at the bakery claiming to be her betrothed since before she was born and says Cindy’s younger sister can’t marry until they do, everything starts going downhill. Too bad this prince just won’t turn into a toad when he’s kissed. When she confronts her mother, she discovers that she bargained for her eldest daughter to marry said prince in exchange for a two-way ticked to Fairy. After returning, she discovered she was pregnant with a Fae’s baby and blocked Cindy’s magic, but that’s all she will tell her. To make matters worse, Cindy’s newest employee, a former cupid named Sumac’s magic is going haywire and making everyone fall in love with the desserts from Cindy’s shop. Will Cindy find a way to become un-betrothed? Will she survive two weddings in two weeks, a really busy shop, and figuring out the truth about her past?

Narrator, Michele Carpenter is a unique, funny, entertaining narrator ideally suited for this book. Although the narration was a bit choppy in the beginning, her use of different voices quickly draws the reader in and helped to distinguish and bring to life the well-developed characters. The plot is well-developed, fast-paced, and keeps the reader laughing from start to finish and the narrative does a great job of keeping pace. Transitions between action, humor, and internal dialogue are masterfully done.  I especially liked the addition of songs at the beginning and the end of the book that the narrator created. It would have been nice to have a bit more drawn out of a conclusion, but the ending was satisfactory and leaves the reader wanting to further follow Cindy's adventures. Although it is recommended that listeners listen to  How (Not) to Kiss a Toad first, it can be listened to out of order. This funny, lighthearted novel will appeal to humorous fantasy fans everywhere.  

4 stars, ADULT

 

Secrets That Kill by Colleen Helme-4.5 stars

Helme, Colleen, Secrets That Kill. 8:26 hrs. Colleen Helme, 2014. Audible Download.

When Uncle Joey asks Shelby to deliver a letter for him while she’s down in Orlando on a family vacation, she finds herself regretting putting it off until the last minute. When she tries to deliver the letter to Warren Peace, the informant, she winds up almost getting killed. After Warren gets killed with a meat cleaver by a man with snake bite tattoos, Shelby acquires the notice of the local cop and has to call Ramos in to save her butt. Unfortunately for her (or maybe fortunately), Ramo turns out to have grown up in Orlando and has a dark past that somehow involves the local detective who noticed Shelby. To make matters worse, Florida Kingpin, Carter is after the flash drive that Warren was supposed to hand over to Shelby and this mafia boss owes a lot of money to Uncle Joey and will do anything to not have to pay it. Desperate enough to kill any witnesses and with a grudge against Ramos, Carter is a deadly force to be reckoned with. Can Ramos and Shelby solve this little problem of hers and Uncle Joey’s without getting killed?

The story's pace is not fast, but still keeps the story moving without losing the listener. The author's mix of humor and seriousness is well-done and easily draws the reader in. Although Shelby is a bit naive at times, the characters are all continually growing and are becoming more entertaining with each book.

Narrator, Wendy Tremont King ideally complements Helme's novel. Not only is her voice is appealing and her voices for the different characters is easily distinguished, but she makes it . Her  and the internal/external dialogue. Her narrative style is unique and ideal for Colleen Helme’s book.  Those who have read the other books in the series and who enjoy mysteries, adventure, and a bit of paranormal mixed in will enjoy listening to this book.

Please Note: I was given a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars, ADULT