Tag Archive: fantasy



Voyager (Outlander, #3)Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Because of Blood of My Blood (BOMB), the newest addition to the television series of Outlander, I decided to re-listen to the Outlander books. This one seemed the longest yet. I didn’t want to take forever reading it, so I listened during the days as well as the long hours at night. I carried my Fire around while doing chores, knitted, or played easy games while living in the Outlander world. I highly recommend these books and the show. Below is my previous review.

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Whew! These books are long. But good. This review is for the Audible version. After you get used to her, Davina Porter, the narrator, you will find her voice versatile and natural for this story. One of my reasons for using this method to read these books is pronunciation. There are words in Gaelic or French and a couple of other languages that I wouldn’t know how to say, and text-to-speech would garble.

I don’t usually like to read a book after watching the show. I like to form my ideas of the characters before I see a director’s point of view. But so far, this series translates nearly directly. It makes me proud of the show and the author of the book. It seems each of the scenes in the show was in the books. The only difference in this one is Gilly (not sure of the spelling–Audible doesn’t have written word.) I won’t spoil it for you. I actually like the book version over the show. But both work.

I can’t wait to listen to book four. And I’m looking forward to the next season of the show.

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Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander, #2)Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The review below was from my first reading of the books. Now, because of the new series, Bone of My Bone (BOMB), I am reading and rewatching everything again. I am still so excited about the series. I finished this a couple of days ago and am already onto Voyager. I am still amazed at these books and shows.
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If my mind has not been very focused. This book may be the cause. Lack of sleep. Not because of worries. Nope, I just couldn’t stop reading/listening to the book.

I had the Audible Whispersynched with the Kindle version. Davina Porter did a marvelous job of narrating the story. Hers is not the sweet voice of the actress who played Claire Randall, Caitriona Balfe, of the TV series. But Ms. Porter has the versatility to act all the characters perfectly.

The show did a good job following the books. The only thing I miss in the reading is the music.
That’s okay. I can Sing Me A Song of a Lass That Has Gone…

This story is captivating either way. I love getting involved in the history presented. I wish I were better versed in world history, especially France and the British Isles. I know the next book will bring me into the founding of the United States of America. So that gives me a timeline,000 00I know, somewhat.

Since I read the book after watching the show, I wish I could have read it first. Not that the show is missing anything. I just like visualizing the story for myself. Now the people and places are fixed by the show.

At any rate, it is a good read, even if you’ve seen the show. It will keep you engaged in the story. I can’t wait until I can afford book three.

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Outlander (Outlander, #1)Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The following is the review of Outlander Kindle, Audible, and the show. Since Blood of My Blood started on Hulu, we began rewatching Outlander from the beginning, and I decided to re-read the series. I finished the first book a few days ago. And Drgonfly in Amber. I’m well into Voyager now. I stand by my original review.
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It has been several days since I finished book one. I still feel caught in the afterglow of it.. While I was reading it, I binge-watched the show. First with my son and brother. Then with my friend. Then with my husband. So this review includes the book, the Audible version, and the show.

I borrowed the book from the local e-library. I noticed it came with text-to-speech. But the show was full of Gaelic, so I didn’t want to hear the TTS mispronouncing those words. So I used my credit to pick up the Audible version to whispersynch.

Narrated by Davina Porter, made the story come alive. Her voice isn’t like that of the actress, Caitriona Balfe, from the show, which was a bit of a surprise, but Davina did a great job acting out the different characters from the book.

I must admit that I will often recommend the book over the show. The explicit rape scenes may trigger those who watch the show. The book leaves more to the imagination. It spent more time on the story itself than details of the acts.

My only complaint about the book was that it was so long I didn’t finish before it was due back. Who knew that the email saying a book is due on Monday means you only have part of Monday to finish it? They took the book back Sunday night at midnight. I was forced to buy the book with only 10% left to read. Oh, well, now I can share it with my husband and read it again someday.

With the trigger warning for the show, I highly recommend the book, audio, and show for everyone. Those days spent back in history, especially in Scotland, were dreamy! I wish I could actually go and experience the whole of the UK.

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OvergrowthOvergrowth by Mira Grant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is going to go down as one of my favorite books, ever. I am sad to have to let it go, but I’m promising myself to read it again soon.

I loved the whole story. I thought at first that it was another cozy mystery, just as it starts with the mother and family. But get ready, this is a roller coaster of fun, adventure, and, yes, nail-biting fear.

I listened to the Libby audio version, narrated by Caitlin Kelly, whose voice, acting, and enthusiasm make this so enticing to read that I picked it up at every chance. But I think this would hold up without a reader. The snark and love would show through, no matter how you decide to dive into it.

Thank you to whoever recommended it to me. I’m sorry, I don’t remember who it was.

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The House of the SpiritsThe House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There is so much to this book, I am having a hard time pinning it all down. But I found a review on GoodReads that says it all. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show…

This is a book about three generations of a family in Chile. All the characters are well-developed and complex, with both strengths and flaws. Ultimately, there may be a cautionary note for all of us.

Ana Navarro recommended this book on The View during the “Ladies Got Lit” segment. It is worth jumping into.

As I was browsing through the reviews, I realized this is actually book three, so I put book one on hold, Daughter of Fortune. I may have to read this book again after a deep dive into the first two. It held up well as a stand-alone for me. The writing is great, with enough Spanish to make me pay attention. Javiera Gazitua (Narrator) and Senén Arancibia (Narrator) brought the book alive. I found this on Libby,

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The Inheritance of Orquídea DivinaThe Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The thing about reading is how many places you get to go. In this case Ecuador. Experience language, history, culture, foods, family interactions in a magical-yet realistic.

Ana Navarro recommended this book and I’m glad she did.

Don’t you love it when you can practice little bits of the Spanish language as you read. Meanwhile, I so enjoyed the far fecthed family adventures and immersed in magic.

This was a fun ride. Frankie Corzo (Narrator) reads Zoraida Córdova’s charactors so well you feel you are there with the characters going through some very crazy times.

I was so fortunate to pick this up from Libby.

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Children Of The Sun: A Novel of Epic Paranormal Fantasy (The Comyenti Series Book 2)Children Of The Sun: A Novel of Epic Paranormal Fantasy by Natasja Hellenthal
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The blurb for this book mentions a cliffhanger at the end of book one. I didn’t notice that because I had book two ready, so I was able to continue the story. But straight up front, I’m warning you that no matter how wonderful the story is, this book ends in a horrid cliffhanger. I refuse to read anything else in this series.

On the other hand, if you don’t mind that kind of ending, the rest of both of these books are interesting.

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Call Off The Search (The Comyenti #1)Call Off The Search by Natasja Hellenthal
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I finished this book a few days ago. It was a little different in paranormal fiction. Refreshing.

The story grabbed me from the beginning and kept me guessing. I loved the nature-loving theme throughout the book. I highly recommend reading the blurbs on Goodreads or Amazon, then enjoy the book.

I wish I could say more, but, like I said, it’s been a couple of days since I finished Call Off the Search and moved on to its sequel, Children of the Sun. Let me warn you. If you dislike cliffhangers, like me, the next book may not be for you.

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The Lightning Stenography DeviceThe Lightning Stenography Device by M.F. Sullivan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well, that was a trip. And if it wasn’t interesting in some places, making me think about some ideas expressed, I’d say it was hours I’d never get back.

I want to thank NetGalley for letting me read this one. It was worth the thoughts.

The idea of a machine that could write for you without spell check and fumbling fingers seemed unique, until I realized that the paralyzed people already had that kind of thinking machine.

The Lightning Stenography Device, shortens to LSD. Drug use is implied often. And that kind of lucid writing, as if from an impaired writer, rambles forth. Many deep philosophical views are turned into sagas of gods and angst.

Mostly, this felt like an anthology of short stories tied loosely together. Just not my kind of book.

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UncharmedUncharmed by Lucy Jane Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This makes a nice bedtime book. And in the fantasy world of witches, it was refreshingly from the older witch’s point of view rather than a Young Adult and flimsy story.

I picked this up from NetGalley and am grateful for that. However, I now realize that there are two books in this series, and this is the second one. And I wish I had read it in Audiobook form. So I may reread the book after listening to Book 1. I think it will be more fun in audio form rather than text-to-speech.

Audio, Kindle, or paper, I think this is a fun read that will keep you enchanted for hours.

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