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The Magician's Elephant
- De: Kate DiCamillo
- Narrado por: Juliet Stevenson
- Duración: 2 h y 52 m
- Versión completa
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Historia
When a fortuneteller’s tent appears in the market square of the city of Baltese, orphan Peter Augustus Duchene knows the questions that he needs to ask: Does his sister still live? And if so, how can he find her? The fortuneteller’s mysterious answer (An elephant! An elephant will lead him there!) sets off a chain of events so remarkable, so impossible, that Peter can hardly dare to believe it. But it is - all of it - true.
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Yes, the Impossible!
- De Gillian en 11-17-16
- The Magician's Elephant
- De: Kate DiCamillo
- Narrado por: Juliet Stevenson
Unpopular Opinion Ahead
Revisado: 03-17-25
As a homeschooling parent and educator (BA in Elementary Education, M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction), I found The Magician’s Elephant to be a frustrating read for my 8-year-old daughter. While the plot—about a boy searching for his sister and an elephant falling from the sky—is intriguing, the writing style felt outdated and overly wordy. The sentences were overly complicated and complex, often requiring us to pause and discuss meaning, which made it hard for my daughter to stay engaged, even though she’s an avid reader. Also worth noting that her comprehension tests at a mid-6th grade level.
The vocabulary itself isn’t difficult, but the flow of the writing is more suited to an older audience, which made it hard for younger readers to connect. While the audiobook narrator did a great job bringing the story to life, the style of the writing was still a barrier.
Overall, I don’t recommend this book for young readers, especially those who are still developing confidence in their reading. It may unintentionally discourage them by making reading feel like a struggle. There are certainly other books out there that would be more engaging and accessible for kids.
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Wheels Up
- Out of Uniform
- De: Annabeth Albert
- Narrado por: Greg Boudreaux
- Duración: 8 h y 28 m
- Versión completa
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Lieutenant Dustin Strauss is a reformed man. No longer a 20-something hell-raiser, he's his SEAL team's new XO - and a man with a secret. Or seven. He's kept his bisexual identity under wraps for years, along with his kinky side and a fondness for the military-themed semi-anonymous hookup website Joe4Joe. His latest chat buddy is more than a sexy online distraction - they're taking their very not-safe-for-work relationship into real time.
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Not everyone deserves a book.
- De ShaSha (Lover of Audiobooks!) en 04-26-18
- Wheels Up
- Out of Uniform
- De: Annabeth Albert
- Narrado por: Greg Boudreaux
3 Stars: K!nks, Explosions, and Some Serious Caree
Revisado: 01-17-25
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars: Solid. Well-written and enjoyable, but I won’t text my friends about it.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4 Chilis: Spicy and detailed—frequent steam that brings the heat.
So, Wheels Up is a forbidden Navy SEAL romance, and if you like your love stories with a side of “we’re breaking all the rules but still can’t stay away from each other”, you’re in for a ride. Dustin is your classic tortured SEAL: commanding officer, closeted bi, and subby behind closed doors (who knew Navy SEALs had such a k!nky side?). Wes, on the other hand, is the explosives expert with a mouth on him, privately out, but still semi-closeted on the job—the kind of guy to blow things up and your mind.
These two meet on a gay military dating app (because, sure, that makes sense) and keep everything under wraps, with Wes being the only person Dustin has ever opened up to about his k!nky side. They’ve got a sweet emotional connection, and I do love how they support each other, breaking regs and putting themselves in hot water because they need each other. It’s not some “I can’t quit you” obsession; it’s more like “you need me, so I’ll be here” and honestly, that kind of caring, protective dynamic is insanely sexy.
But... we need to talk about Wes’s job as an explosives expert. He’s supposed to be top-notch at blowing things up, right? Except 3 out of 4 times they’ve tried to explode something, it’s gone wrong. THREE TIMES. This guy is getting transferred for being a bomb expert, yet 75% of his explosions are a disaster. At this point, I’m more worried about Wes getting court-martialed for being bad at his job than his forbidden romance with Dustin. I get that tension’s supposed to come from the forbidden nature of their relationship, but honestly, why did we have to keep hitting the same note of “oops, wrong detonation” repeatedly? Couldn’t we come up with some other source of struggle that didn’t involve Wes being incompetent?
Now, let’s talk about the audiobook experience because I did listen to this one, and Greg Boudreaux once again nailed it. Seriously, this guy could read me the phone book and I’d be all ears. His performance in this book was stellar, and he really brought the characters to life in a way that just made the whole thing even better. Love him.
In the end, I liked the romance but the constant “oops” explosions kinda killed the “super sexy SEALs” vibe for me. The chemistry is good, the emotional connection is real, and the k!nk is there (edited for Amazon). But I couldn’t get over how ridiculous it felt that Wes was this supposed expert yet was practically a walking bomb disaster. Three stars, because while the romance was sweet and hot, I’m not sure Wes should be trusted with anything that explodes.
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Impromptu Match
- Goliaths of Wrestling, Book 1
- De: Lily Mayne
- Narrado por: Michael Ferraiuolo
- Duración: 11 h y 52 m
- Versión completa
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I have a soul-destroying corporate job, I iron my underpants, and I was unceremoniously dumped for an influencer hippie a few years ago. Every day feels the same, and I don't know how much longer I can cope before I do something unhinged like rip off my shirt in the middle of my co-worker's office birthday party and smear lemon cake all over my chest. Then, a case of mistaken identity suddenly lands me in the middle of a covert professional wrestling league, which is apparently being run in the basement of my office building. Weird. Even weirder are the wrestlers.
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DNF
- De Jenn W en 07-22-24
- Impromptu Match
- Goliaths of Wrestling, Book 1
- De: Lily Mayne
- Narrado por: Michael Ferraiuolo
Michael Ferraiuolo Shines in This Snarky, Supernat
Revisado: 12-22-24
If you’re looking for a lighthearted, laugh-out-loud romp with a side of supernatural wrestling shenanigans, Impromptu Match by Lily Mayne has you covered. Narrated to perfection by Michael Ferraiuolo, the story delivers a delightful dose of silliness and snark, with a cast of over-the-top, goofy supernatural beings that feel like a quirky family reunion you never knew you needed.
The plot throws a human into the chaotic world of supernatural wrestling, and it’s as delightfully ridiculous as it sounds. The characters are an eccentric mix, each bringing their own brand of humor and charm. If you’re here for witty banter, absurd scenarios, and enough snark to fill a supernatural arena, this book delivers in spades.
Let’s talk about Michael Ferraiuolo, though, because he is the true MVP here. His narration elevates this book to another level. He has an uncanny ability to embody each character, making every quip and absurd situation feel even funnier and more engaging. Whether it’s snarky one-liners, heartfelt moments, or pure comedic chaos, Ferraiuolo’s delivery hits the perfect note every time. His range is phenomenal—effortlessly transitioning between a vast array of supernatural voices and personalities—and he brings such a dynamic energy to the story that it feels like a full-cast production. If you’ve ever doubted the power of an incredible narrator, Ferraiuolo will erase all skepticism.
That said, the romance between the main couple didn’t quite get me in the feels. It was sweet but fell into place a little too easily for my taste—I missed the struggle and angst that usually make me root for a pairing. The concept of an emotion-absorbing creature was fascinating, but it felt underexplored, leaving me wishing for a deeper dive into the supernatural mechanics. While the romance takes center stage, the fantastical world-building feels more like the quirky backdrop, which works for the tone but might leave you wanting more depth.
Still, Impromptu Match is a fun and breezy listen that doesn’t take itself too seriously. With Ferraiuolo at the helm, you’re guaranteed an entertaining and immersive experience from start to finish. I’m definitely sticking around for future books because the potential couples teased have my curiosity piqued. If you’re in the mood for something light, silly, and unapologetically fun, this is absolutely worth adding to your Audible library!
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Unstable Connections
- Valor and Doyle Book 3
- De: Nicky James
- Narrado por: Nick J. Russo
- Duración: 12 h y 44 m
- Versión completa
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Detective Quaid Valor has too much on his plate. Between his shaky, brand-new relationship with reformed office playboy Detective Aslan Doyle, his sister’s case going from cold to hot overnight, his father insisting on being involved, and his boss breathing down his neck, Quaid is on edge.
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Fantastic!!
- De Jennie en 01-15-23
- Unstable Connections
- Valor and Doyle Book 3
- De: Nicky James
- Narrado por: Nick J. Russo
So incredibly slow
Revisado: 02-14-23
Unpopular opinion here but this book drags. I'm bored and I still have 7 hours left. I'm not sure I'll finish this one. Nick J Russo is a phenomenal narrator though. If I finish the book it'll simply be to hear him read it.
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