Audio: Dark Lord of Derkholm - Diana Wynne Jones

Audio CD, 14 pages

Narrator: Gildart Jackson

Published August 28th 2018 by Tantor Audio (first published 1998)

Derkholm #1

Fantasy

For review

My thoughts:

She really takes every cliche and throws it in here, and still she manages to create something that is not just humour. It still stands on its own.

There is a fantasy world that is being exploited by the evil Mr Chesney from what I assume it our world. Oh he was an ass. He was all, I am doing you all a favor! Letting 1000 pilgrims run around pillaging, killing and raping. Sure the people in this world get paid, but now they have realised that it is too little for all the people who get hurt every year.

So they take the worst wizard (who is actually a good one, but he just focuses on other things like genetic manipulation) to ruin it this year. Derk is to play the Dark Wizard and there are so many rules. Dang that Chesney guy!

There are also other stereotypes that the pilgrims get to see.

But yes I liked Derk and his family. Griffins that he made (I said he was weird). I liked them. His son Blade was rather annoying at times (but then he was meant to be that). And his daughter Shona, well there is this thing that happened that really bothered me and felt brushed over. I wish she had skipped it entirely or done it properly.

It is a fun adventure where we follow Derk as he is trying to be the Dark Lord. All awesome side characters too make it fun to listen too. I really should read more of her books.

Conclusion:

Fun times! Not your usual kind of fantasy

Narrator

He did a good job with everyone and it was enjoyable listening to. A great voice for this kind of fantasy

Blurb

Mr. Chesney operates Pilgrim Parties, a tour group that takes paying participants into an outer realm where the inhabitants play frightening and foreboding roles. The time has come to end the staged madness . . . but can it really be stopped?

Master storyteller Diana Wynne Jones serves up twists and turns, introduces Querida, Derk, Blade, and Shona and a remarkable cast of wizards, soldiers, kings, dragons, and griffins, and mixes in a lively dash of humor. With all the ingredients of high fantasy, this unforgettable novel will delight fans old and new.

Audio: A perfect gentleman - Candace Camp

Forced to marry an American heiress to save his family, Graeme Parr, Earl of Montclair, vowed their marriage would be in name only. Abigail Price thought handsome, aristocratic Graeme was her knight in shining armor, rescuing her from her overbearing father. But when she was spurned by her husband on their wedding night, Abigail fled home to New York.

Now, years later, Abigail has returned. But this sophisticated, alluring woman is not the drab girl Graeme remembers. Appalled by her bold American ways but drawn to her beauty, Graeme follows her on a merry chase through London’s elegant ballrooms to its dockside taverns—why is his wife back? What could she want of him now?

Torn between desire and suspicion, Graeme fears that Abby, like her unprincipled father, has a devious plan to ruin him. But is Abigail’s true desire Graeme’s destruction...or winning his love at last? 

Audio CD, 11 pages

Published March 13th 2018 by Tantor Audio (first published March 28th 2017)

Montclair-de Vere #1

For review

Historical romance

My thoughts:

I really wanted to hit these two over the head, but yes yes I totally get it, still one should think they would understand that the other person liked them back. Alas no.

Abby ran away 10 years ago (and I totally get why). Now she is back to give him a second chance. And she is confident (at times), stronger and her own woman.

Graeme spent the last 10 years alone, and not that he cared. He never wanted a wife in the first place. 

Ok so yes their marriage started on such bad terms. He likes someone else. Her father blackmailed him and orchestrated the whole thing. Can you blame either of them?

And he is certainly no perfect gentleman! Shame on your Sir!

They have a lot work through. There is distrust on both sides and even when they enjoy spending time together they have second thoughts. Idiots! You clearly enjoy it!

But that is not all! There is danger and secrets to unravel too. I did guess it in the end, yes! I got one thing right for once.

Danger and drama.

Narrator. Gildart Jackson

His range was not the best. Of course I could still enjoy it, but I wished he had not forgotten her accent.