Brenda
- 16
- reviews
- 13
- helpful votes
- 25
- ratings
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The Black Death
- A Personal History
- By: John Hatcher
- Narrated by: Geoffrey Centlivre
- Length: 12 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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In this fresh approach to the history of the Black Death, John Hatcher, a world-renowned scholar of the Middle Ages, recreates everyday life in a mid-14th-century rural English village. By focusing on the experiences of ordinary villagers as they lived - and died - during the Black Death (A.D. 1345-50), Hatcher vividly places the reader directly into those tumultuous years and describes in fascinating detail the day-to-day existence of people struggling with the tragic effects of the plague.
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Worst combinations of history and fiction
- By Brenda on 12-09-2019
- The Black Death
- A Personal History
- By: John Hatcher
- Narrated by: Geoffrey Centlivre
Worst combinations of history and fiction
Reviewed: 12-09-2019
This book had so much potential. A historian trying to accurately depict what it would have been like living in a village in England during the Black Death, even though there are next to no personal accounts? It sounds awesome. But what it really was, was a historian with no experience writing fiction, trying to write a fiction. And the historical parts are either explicitly told to you out of the story, or they are so vague that you’re left not knowing what is or isn’t historically accurate, apart from the most boring parts. Plus his main protagonist is just annoyingly perfect, I actually hated him so much because of it. What John Hatcher should have done is, found a good fantasy/historical author and worked closely with them to make sure that it was not the pile of garbage that is was. I would rather read a textbook.
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Artemis
- By: Andy Weir
- Narrated by: Rosario Dawson
- Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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Jazz Bashara is a criminal. Well, sort of. Life on Artemis, the first and only city on the moon, is tough if you're not a rich tourist or an eccentric billionaire. So smuggling in the occasional harmless bit of contraband barely counts, right? Not when you've got debts to pay and your job as a porter barely covers the rent. Everything changes when Jazz sees the chance to commit the perfect crime, with a reward too lucrative to turn down.
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Good enough yarn
- By Kathryn on 07-04-2019
- Artemis
- By: Andy Weir
- Narrated by: Rosario Dawson
Highly dislikable and inaccurate female protagonist
Reviewed: 12-09-2019
I don’t think that Andy Weir understands how to write from a female perspective. I loved the Martian but I could not finish this book, the main character Jazz is pretty much just a 14yo boy in a 26yo girls body. And I get that everyone is different, some are more ‘boyish’ and some are more ‘girly’ but I think Andy Weir tried and failed to make an annoying and edgy yet lovable character. But honestly, she was just annoying and whiney, I couldn’t get past the first 2-3 chapters. My male friend loved the book though, so who knows, you might like it.
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Truly Devious
- A Mystery
- By: Maureen Johnson
- Narrated by: Kate Rudd
- Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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Ellingham Academy is a famous private school in Vermont for the brightest thinkers, inventors, and artists. It was founded by Albert Ellingham, an early 20th century tycoon, who wanted to make a wonderful place full of riddles, twisting pathways, and gardens. "A place," he said, "where learning is a game." Shortly after the school opened, his wife and daughter were kidnapped. The only real clue was a mocking riddle listing methods of murder, signed with the frightening pseudonym "Truly, Devious".
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Great book, terrible narration.
- By Brenda on 11-08-2019
- Truly Devious
- A Mystery
- By: Maureen Johnson
- Narrated by: Kate Rudd
Great book, terrible narration.
Reviewed: 11-08-2019
Kate Rudd narrated ‘The Fault in our Stars’ and I loved it! She did an excellent job at conveying tone and character, so my thoughts are that either she was having a bad week when she recorded this, or the director was an idiot. She often stresses words in a very robotic or non-native English way and it’s super jarring, even speeding it up didn’t help. I will be returning the audiobook after writing this. I often use audiobooks to go along with a physical book, for times that I need my hands or eyes for something else, so I have finished the book and it is great! I can’t wait to get onto the next one, I feel that the characters are likeable and the plot is really fun. I think the characters are lacking a little in description and sometimes I had a hard time imagining what they looked like because I didn’t know their hair colour or even skin colour in some cases. You do find out later, so it’s not the worst thing, just a small criticism. I do recommend the physical copy.
2 people found this helpful
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The Last Wish
- By: Andrzej Sapkowski
- Narrated by: Peter Kenny
- Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
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Geralt of Rivia is a Witcher, a man whose magic powers and lifelong training have made him a brilliant fighter and a merciless assassin. Yet he is no ordinary killer: he hunts the vile fiends that ravage the land and attack the innocent. But not everything monstrous-looking is evil; not everything fair is good...and in every fairy tale there is a grain of truth.
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Unique fantasy with brilliant voice acting.
- By blake on 30-06-2015
- The Last Wish
- By: Andrzej Sapkowski
- Narrated by: Peter Kenny
Very captivating stories
Reviewed: 18-06-2019
I don’t usually like short stories, but I do like how they were done in this book. I want to play Witcher 3, so I thought I’d listen to the books, and so far I love the world. I feel like I know enough about it that I wasn’t disappointed, but I still want to know more! On to the Sword or Destiny!
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Hamlet: Fully Dramatized Audio Edition
- By: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: full cast
- Length: 3 hrs and 32 mins
- Original Recording
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Hamlet, Shakespeare's most popular, and perhaps most puzzling play, follows the form of a "revenge tragedy", in which the hero, Hamlet, seeks vengeance against his father’s murderer, his uncle Claudius, now the king of Denmark. Much of its fascination, however, lies in its uncertainties. This new full-cast recording - based on the most respected edition of Shakespeare's classic - expertly produced by the Folger Theatre, is perfect for students, teachers, and the everyday listener.
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Not recommended if you don’t know the story
- By Brenda on 03-04-2019
- Hamlet: Fully Dramatized Audio Edition
- By: William Shakespeare
- Narrated by: full cast
Not recommended if you don’t know the story
Reviewed: 03-04-2019
I bought this because I had to analyse an article that references Hamlet. I’d never studied it in high school, so I thought I’d listen to this on the bus... needless to say it was confusing. Honestly, the first scene just seemed like a bunch of men yelling random things at each other. Plus the male voices are too similar to tell how many people there are... it might be good if you just want a fun refresher of the story though.
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The Anne of Green Gables Collection
- Anne Shirley Books 1-6 and Avonlea Short Stories
- By: L. M. Montgomery
- Narrated by: Susie Berneis, Tara Ward
- Length: 73 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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Fans of L. M. Montgomery's Anne Shirley rejoice! Collected here are six of the original Anne Shirley books in the order they were published. This collection includes Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne's House of Dreams, Rainbow Valley, and Rilla of Ingleside. Published between 1908 and 1921, these heartwarming tales of hidden hopes and cherished dreams will enchant fans and new listeners alike.
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Seriously the worst, do not bother.
- By Anonymous User on 13-02-2019
- The Anne of Green Gables Collection
- Anne Shirley Books 1-6 and Avonlea Short Stories
- By: L. M. Montgomery
- Narrated by: Susie Berneis, Tara Ward
Narrator was good until I heard Anne speak...
Reviewed: 24-11-2018
No reviews but I thought I’d give it a chance.. the narrator does an excellent job at adult voices.. but she made Anne (who is supposed to be an exceptionally well spoken, intelligent child), sound like a complete ditz.. it is great value, but she did an awful job at capturing Anne’s character.
5 people found this helpful
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Wicca
- A Modern Guide to Witchcraft and Magick
- By: Harmony Nice
- Narrated by: Harmony Nice
- Length: 5 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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To me, Wicca will always be about experiencing the earth, working with what you can find and practising the craft for its true meaning. It promotes equality in all and has brought me many benefits: acceptance, kindness and self-love. Harmony Nice is at the heart of a growing community of modern-day wiccans who practise natural magic to improve their own lives and the world around them. In Wicca she encourages you to explore the positive impact that ritual, meditation and embracing nature can have on your creativity, confidence and sense of self-worth.
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Fantastic all round book
- By Brenda on 25-10-2018
- Wicca
- A Modern Guide to Witchcraft and Magick
- By: Harmony Nice
- Narrated by: Harmony Nice
Fantastic all round book
Reviewed: 25-10-2018
This book was pretty tops, especially considering it was her first book, the information is well rounded and inclusive of a lot of different aspects. Which is impressive considering the breadth of Wicca and witchcraft. I would definitely say this book is for beginners, but I still enjoyed it. The recording was pretty good quality too, my only qualm being that there were a few parts where Harmony’s voice was softer and then at the beginning of the next chapter it was harsher. This was only a small thing though and wasn’t enough for it to be jarring or anything. Just something for the editors to take note of next time.
1 person found this helpful
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The Tattooist of Auschwitz
- By: Heather Morris
- Narrated by: Richard Armitage
- Length: 7 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
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The Tattooist of Auschwitz is based on the true story of Lale and Gita Sokolov, two Slovakian Jews who survived Auschwitz and eventually made their home in Australia. In that terrible place, Lale was given the job of tattooing the prisoners marked for survival - literally scratching numbers into his fellow victims' arms in indelible ink to create what would become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust.
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I didn' want it to end (I know that seems ghastly)
- By Sarah on 30-04-2018
- The Tattooist of Auschwitz
- By: Heather Morris
- Narrated by: Richard Armitage
A truely amazing story
Reviewed: 14-08-2018
This entire story, from start to finish was.. is.. amazing. I would recommend this to anyone interested or curious in the holocaust. It is a dreadful thing, but this story is worth the emotional roller coaster. The only fault is that the narrators voice is occasionally soft then hard, it’s not a super big deal and you’d get used to it quite quickly, but worth mentioning.
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Uprooted
- By: Naomi Novik
- Narrated by: Katy Sobey
- Length: 17 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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A dark enchantment blights the land. Agnieszka loves her village, set deep in a peaceful valley. But the nearby enchanted forest casts a shadow over her home. Many have been lost to the Wood, and none returns unchanged. The villagers depend on an ageless wizard, the Dragon, to protect them from the forest's dark magic. However, his help comes at a terrible price. One young village woman must serve him for 10 years, leaving all she values behind.
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Well written folklore fantasy
- By emmoff on 17-11-2016
- Uprooted
- By: Naomi Novik
- Narrated by: Katy Sobey
A wonderful read!
Reviewed: 02-06-2018
This book is full of twists and turns and the ending is so much better than anyone could predict! 100% not where I expected this book to go, but I love it even more for that. Such wonderful in-depth and charming characters with realistic and relatable personalities.

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Outlander
- Outlander, Book 1
- By: Diana Gabaldon
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 32 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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Why we think it’s a great listen: An all-time Audible favorite that mixes historic fiction, adventure, and romance with one of the most fascinating literary devices: time travel. Outlander introduces an exhilarating world of heroism and breathtaking thrills as one woman is torn between past and present, passion and love. In 1945, former combat nurse Claire Randall returns from World War II and joins her husband for a second honeymoon. But their blissful reunion is shattered....
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Like waiting for Donald Trump to finally shut up.
- By elena collins on 27-04-2020
- Outlander
- Outlander, Book 1
- By: Diana Gabaldon
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
Good book but narrator is a little old for Claire
Reviewed: 03-05-2018
I found that the narrator sounds like she is 40-50ish and the character Claire is supposed to be in her late 20s... but to get around this I sped it up to x1.25 speed and it makes her sleek just a touch faster and higher. A good story, but a little slow in parts that kinda make me think “get on with it”, I still would recommend for people wanting to know more than the tv show though.