Audio: Warrior of the Altaii - Robert Jordan

Narrated by: Michael Kramer

Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 10-08-19

Language: English

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Fantasy

For review

My phone never messes up, but this time, sigh, this audio listen was a mess.

See it started with a torture scene, and I thought, well this is strange, but ok it was Jordan's first book. maybe he meant to throw us in in the middle of things. Throughout I did feel that I had missed something, but it worked.

Then there came a foreword, and chapter 1 forward. And I realised that something had gone horrible wrong. And now I did not do it all over, I already had gotten my impressions. To actually do it from the beginning actually made me think less of the main character! Weird right!

So, maybe I will review the Second Part first:

Second part (my bad!)

This is not WoT level, but I can see how he honed his skill with this one and tried a few things.

I am not sure I like Wolfgar having a little harem or whatever, what is the deal with that?

Jordan has the best battle scenes, wow, I mean the best part of this book were the battle scenes!

This book would have been better as a series, now it worked, but everything happened fast and I was all, but then what? 

First part

Ok, so Wulfghar is an idiot, I am glad I read this last. First he just lets that stuff go, ok so everyone lets that stuff go, but this new slave, who is then free is still beaten for days to get to know the culture or something like that. A beaten slave is someone who might turn on you in the end, and they should all rise up.

Which leads me to, I do not like the Altaii. "Wipe them out, all of them." Yup, that is how I feel about them. These are not good guys.

Also he is a idiot, who mouths off like that? Omg, man, calm down! He is not a leader.

Final thoughts.

I have such mixed feelings, I liked the book so much more when I had not read the first 30% or something.

But it was interesting to try to spot things that would later evolve into WoT.

Narrator.

His female voices, just no, they were not that good. He made them very dark, His male voices were obviously better then.

Draw near and listen, or else time is at an end. The watering holes of the Plain are drying up, the fearsome fanghorn grow more numerous, and bad omens abound. Wulfgar, a leader of the Altaii people, must contend with twin queens, warlords, prophets, and magic in hopes of protecting his people and securing their future. Elspeth, a visitor from another world, holds the answers, but first Wulfgar must learn to ask the right questions.   

But what if the knowledge that saves the Altaii will also destroy them?  

Audio: Thirteen doorways, wolves behind them all by Laura Ruby

Narrated by: Lisa Flanagan

Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

Release date: 10-01-19

Language: English

Publisher: HarperAudio

Historical fiction /YA/ghost

I read this blurb (not this one), and expected something entirely else. More horror in the orphanage, so ok, it was not a walk on roses, but I thought it would be worse. Now there were even good times.

Frankie and Toni is left at an orphanage by their father. He has a new wife (asshat!), and no place in his home for them. They grow up there and he visits twice a month, until he does not. His new wife was a piece of work.

Frankie is the sensible one that tries to be good.

Toni is the one that likes to flirt with the boys, even though they are not allowed too.

The nuns are strict, WWII starts. Family drama.

And then there was the ghost, ok so this was really weird. At first I was more interested in Frankie's story, but then there ghost took more and more space and I liked her more. A young woman hanging around, wondering why, whispering to orphans and slowly we learn her story. And it is a sad one.

So yes, I did feel that the story would have worked great without the ghost. And I also feel like the story would have worked great with just the ghost, as it is now we have both, and sure that works too.

Narration

I liked her ghost voice for Pearl, it fitted great.

The ghost part had this other feel to them and that did work great for the story. It felt more ghostly.

When Frankie’s mother died and her father left her and her siblings at an orphanage in Chicago, it was supposed to be only temporary - just long enough for him to get back on his feet and be able to provide for them once again. That’s why Frankie's not prepared for the day that he arrives for his weekend visit with a new woman on his arm and out-of-state train tickets in his pocket.

Now, Frankie and her sister, Toni, are abandoned alongside so many other orphans - two young, unwanted women doing everything they can to survive.

And as the embers of the Great Depression are kindled into the fires of World War II, and the shadows of injustice, poverty, and death walk the streets in broad daylight, it will be up to Frankie to find something worth holding on to in the ruins of this shattered America - every minute of every day spent wondering if the life she's able to carve out will be enough.

I will admit I do not know the answer. But I will be watching, waiting to find out.

That’s what ghosts do.

TMST

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog.

November 12th: If you hosted a dinner for authors who are the six authors you would invite (alive or deceased)?

Oh this is hard!!!!

Jane Austen, I would like to see how she was in real life and I am sure she would have some witty and cutting remarks. As long as not they were directed towards me!

Brandon Sanderson, mostly cos how the heck does his brain work?! He is writing like a million things at once

Douglas Adams, I think he would be amusing at the table (hopefully)

JRR Tolkien, OBVIOUSLY! And I think he would like me being Finnish, even if I hardly can speak the language.

Rachel Aaron, I just love her heartstriker books so because of that.

Anne Bishop, The Others. 'nuff said

I just realised this is a very spec fic table! Maybe I should have thrown in a tragic Bronte too

Carole's Monday: Trailing the Hunter

Author:  Heidi Eljarbo

Title: Trailing the Hunter

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, & Fantasy

Pages: ebook

Publication Date: October 30th 2019

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my unbiased opinion)

1661 in Norway.

Clara Dahl has made a decision. She has seen the dread and sorrow witch-finder Angus Hill has caused in her hometown and sets out to find him. Her goal is to fight the wrongful and wicked misconceptions about witch hunting. But the witch-finder’s influence is strong. How can she warn the villagers of something they don’t understand?

Clara’s heartfelt desire is to protect and rescue the women who are in danger without causing more harm. As Clara develops secret plots to thwart the plans of the notorious witch-finder and works to help the villagers, she finds friendship and the possibility of true love.

I didn't know this was technically book 2, but it works as a standalone and you really don't have to read the other one. This caught my eye right away. First, by the cover. Second the summary. 

The story follows Clara Dahl. She has seen the onslaught and sorrow the witch-finder, Angus, has caused. She decides it is time to end this and find the man. However, his influence and power is larger then she originally thought. She wants to protect and rescue the women who are in danger.

The beginning was a little slow for me, but then I was hooked and read this in a couple of sittings. I had to know what was going to happen! I was soooooo worried about everyone.  

Darn that witch-finder and his partner! Evil, evil men. 

I liked Clara a lot and bless her heart. All she wants is to help people and teach kids. I was worried about her and all the women. So scary that any woman could be accused and arrested. Doesn't matter...rich, poor, old, young. Anyone is suspect especially if a woman shows any sort of spirit. How no one can see this and understand this blows my mind. If everyone stood up against these terrible men and women then none of the tragedy would happen! 

Loved Christian too. I was a wee bit suspicious of him at the beginning, but I didn't trust anyone to be honest. 

There was a sprinkle of romance here, but it didn't take over the story which I liked. It's not the focus and there are much bigger things at stake so I'm glad it was just in the background. 

LOVE, LOVE that cover!!

Overall, this was a good read. I enjoyed it even though I was scared for everyone and suspicious of everyone at the same time. I am curious about the other book. I recommend this if you are looking for a good historical with a touch of fantasy and romance. I'll stamp this with 4 stars.