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sonya

  • 8
  • reviews
  • 12
  • helpful votes
  • 10
  • ratings

  • Henry VIII: King and Court

  • By: Alison Weir
  • Narrated by: Phyllida Nash
  • Length: 25 hrs and 41 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars 9
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars 8
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars 8

This magnificent biography of Henry VIII is set against the cultural, social and political background of his court - the most spectacular court ever seen in England - and the splendour of his many sumptuous palaces. An entertaining narrative packed with colourful description and a wealth of anecdotal evidence, but also a comprehensive analytical study of the development of both monarch and court during a crucial period in English history.

  • 2 out of 5 stars

  • Well researched but narration good for insomniacs

  • By AshaMaria on 07-02-2019

Delicious

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 07-01-2018

This is the kind of book you could listen to time and time again. The historical details place you right there. Best Tudor book I have read. 25 hours of bliss. Fantastic Narrator

  • Under the Banner of Heaven

  • A Story of Violent Faith
  • By: Jon Krakauer
  • Narrated by: Scott Brick
  • Length: 12 hrs and 29 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    4.5 out of 5 stars 23
  • Performance
    4.5 out of 5 stars 23
  • Story
    4.5 out of 5 stars 23

At the core of this book is an appalling double murder committed by two Mormon fundamentalist brothers, Ron and Dan Lafferty, who insist they received a revelation from God commanding them to kill their blameless victims. Weaving the story of the Lafferty brothers and their fanatical brethren with a clear-eyed look at Mormonism's violent past, Krakauer examines the underbelly of the most successful homegrown faith in the United States, and finds a distinctly American brand of religious extremism.

  • 5 out of 5 stars

  • Gripping and Addictive

  • By Nelson C on 11-03-2016

Fascinating

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 18-01-2017

Would you listen to Under the Banner of Heaven again? Why?

I found the history in the book about the Mormon religion very interesting and would listen to it again.

What did you like best about this story?

the history of the Mormons and the characters

Which scene did you most enjoy?

the history of the Mormons and the characters

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It was a very interesting read and the narrator added to the quality of the story

  • Fred and Rose

  • The Full Story of Fred and Rose West and the Gloucester House of Horrors
  • By: Howard Sounes
  • Narrated by: Jonathan Oliver
  • Length: 12 hrs and 28 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    4.5 out of 5 stars 41
  • Performance
    4.5 out of 5 stars 39
  • Story
    4.5 out of 5 stars 39

The true crime bestseller about Fred and Rose West a couple virtually unique in British criminal history - who loved and killed together as husband and wife. During their long relationship the Wests murdered a series of young women, burying the remains of nine victims under their home at 25 Cromwell Street, Gloucester, including those of their teenage daughter, Heather.

  • 5 out of 5 stars

  • Great

  • By Dani on 16-09-2015

Fascinating

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 29-07-2016

Where does Fred and Rose rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

pretty high up

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fred and Rose?

all of it

Which character – as performed by Jonathan Oliver – was your favourite?

the whole story

Any additional comments?

the narrator was very clear and concise and matter of fact. very good

  • Payback

  • By: Kimberley Chambers
  • Narrated by: Annie Aldington
  • Length: 15 hrs
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars 8
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars 8
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars 8

Family. They're supposed to watch your back. Not stab you in it. When the enemy is one of your own, the payback is twice as hard. The Butler brothers are the Kings of the East End, and their motto is ‘what goes around, comes around'. In their world, family counts; so when the truth about Vinny's cousin's death comes to light, it rocks the Butlers to the core. One by one, Vinny's friends and family are turning against him.… Then, the unimaginable happens - Vinny's little daughter, Molly, goes missing. She's the one chink of light in all their lives, and the one they'd commit murders to bring back.

  • 5 out of 5 stars

  • Great story

  • By sonya on 14-06-2016

Great story

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 14-06-2016

Love the series of the Butlers. The narrator Annie Aldington brings the characters to life. Listening to this book as opposed to reading it is so much better due to the narration. Unputdownable.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

  • The Trap

  • By: Kimberley Chambers
  • Narrated by: Annie Aldington
  • Length: 14 hrs and 37 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars 4
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars 4
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars 4

The heir to Martina Cole’s crown with a story of murder, the underworld, violence and treachery. The Butlers are the kings of the East End. Vinny and Roy Butler are the apple of their mum’s eye. Queenie knows they can play dirty, but when it comes to family they look after business and make her proud. Nothing and no one can bring them down. Brotherly love. But Vinny seems to have crossed the wrong person and his cards are marked. And with the brothers joined at the hip, Roy may just be in the firing line too…

  • 5 out of 5 stars

  • Fantastic story

  • By sonya on 29-05-2016

Fantastic story

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 29-05-2016

Best narrator ever. Story is full of drama. Can't put down. Gotta listen to the whole series. The narrator gives the story so much life. Unreal

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

  • The Witness Wore Red

  • The 19th Wife Who Brought Polygamous Cult Leaders to Justice
  • By: Rebecca Musser, M. Bridget Cook
  • Narrated by: Rebecca Musser
  • Length: 14 hrs and 5 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    4.5 out of 5 stars 11
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars 11
  • Story
    4.5 out of 5 stars 11

Always seeking to be an obedient Priesthood girl, in her teens Rebecca Musser became the nineteenth wife of her people's prophet: 85-year-old Rulon Jeffs. Finally sickened by the abuse she suffered and saw around her, she pulled off a daring escape and sought to build a new life and family.

  • 5 out of 5 stars

  • riveting true story

  • By sonya on 06-05-2016

riveting true story

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 06-05-2016

What did you like most about The Witness Wore Red?

the story

What did you like best about this story?

the fact that it was true

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

the narrator/author wasnt the best, cant expect too much as she is the author and isnt educated in the art of narration

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

  • The Jump

  • By: Martina Cole
  • Narrated by: Annie Aldington
  • Length: 21 hrs and 59 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars 9
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars 9
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars 9

The gripping story of life on the inside and the outside of one of Britain's toughest prisons. Donna Brunos worships her husband and is devastated when he is jailed for armed robbery. Georgio swears he's been set up and persuades Donna to help him escape. Implementing 'the jump' takes Donna into a twilight world she never believed existed - a world of brutal sex and casual violence.

  • 5 out of 5 stars

  • Great

  • By Beverly on 17-04-2018

great story; enhanced by the fantastic narrator

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 21-07-2014

If you could sum up The Jump in three words, what would they be?

London East End

What did you like best about this story?

gritty

Any additional comments?

the narrator definitely adds to the story by the fantastic accents of the London east end. I have listened to all Martina Cole's story's because of the narrator.

  • Fifty Shades of Grey

  • Book One of the Fifty Shades Trilogy
  • By: E. L. James
  • Narrated by: Becca Battoe
  • Length: 19 hrs and 48 mins
  • Unabridged
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars 524
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars 463
  • Story
    3.5 out of 5 stars 463

When literature student Anastasia Steele interviews successful entrepreneur Christian Grey, she finds him very attractive and deeply intimidating. Convinced that their meeting went badly, she tries to put him out of her mind – until he turns up at the store where she works part-time, and invites her out. Unworldly and innocent, Ana is shocked to find she wants this man. And, when he warns her to keep her distance, it only makes her want him more.

  • 4 out of 5 stars

  • good book not the right voice

  • By Allison on 11-02-2015

Unrealistic characters, repetitious, unsexy

Overall
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Story
1 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 24-06-2014

What would have made Fifty Shades of Grey better?

more realistic characters, less perfection of the characters

Has Fifty Shades of Grey put you off other books in this genre?

yes

Would you be willing to try another one of Becca Battoe’s performances?

no, emphasis in wrong places.

What character would you cut from Fifty Shades of Grey?

all

Any additional comments?

just like a Mills & Boon meaning perfect characters: rich, beautiful, perfect but with more sex which was not exciting for me.
Also I think the male character is obsessive/possesive; and just because he is rich and handsome its ok. Cannot believe this book is popular.

8 of 9 people found this review helpful