Best Served Cold

Alice Catherine Carter’s "The Final Dawn" is a dark, straightforward story of revenge. Her tale of the quest for vengeance takes place over decades and the vast expanses of Russia. Carter does a god job of making you feel the cold of the steppes and the cold that can exist inside the human heart. If you’re looking for a quick read with strong themes, this will do.

The narrator, Melanie Fraser, was wonderful. I received this as a free Audible download in return for an honest review.

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A new "voice"!

It is easy to write about books I love, because I can enthuse and blatantly gush. It is easy to write about books I really dislike, because I can get very specific concerning the things that bothered me. But …what about a book that falls somewhere in between? This is such a story …so, let me begin with the things I liked and even admired.

This is a debut novel, and, as a first effort, is extremely respectable! For one thing, the premise of the story is excellent, and founded strongly in events that did occur during the October Revolution. (coincidentally, I read this book shortly after finishing a nonfiction of that revolution and its effects on Russia.)

The writing is excellent, and, upon occasion, close to brilliant. The author is an accomplished wordsmith, and if she seemed to be trying a bit too hard on occasion, that will work itself out with practice ..and I hope we will see many more examples of that “practice”! Her presentations of settings and action scenes are particularly good.

Now, for the things that didn’t please this reader quite as much. The first rule I learned when trying to write was : “show, don’t tell”. The authors tells us too much, and shows us too little. I would have been happier if this book had been 5 times as long as it was (it came close to being a longish novella), and would have enjoyed watching he r construct her main characters bit by careful bit. I know she can, because on those occasions when she does *show* motivation through action, she does so spectacularly. I am thinking specifically of the scene in which Valeria (a driven character if there ever was one!) is introduced to the art of hunting. That scene was absolutely stunning in every respect, which makes me have high expectations of this author.

The other thing that bothered me is that much of this book takes place during WWII in Russia. True, I don’t think the Germans invaded Moscow, though they came close, and true, the war wasn’t the real theme of this book, but for me, it was like the elephant in the living room that everyone is trying to ignore. I would have been satisfied with passing mentions …references to troop trains, or the Battle of Leningrad …just for the sake of grounding the story in its context. Nothing happens in a vacuum, after all, and surely all of Russia, even the elite, were affected by those events, even if only peripherally.
The narrator has an extremely competent style, and a voice that is delightfully easy to listen to. (It does help that I love listening to a cultured British accent). Her pacing and phrasing were excellent. However, her Russian accents (though probably fairly accurate) were almost too much, too strong. There were times, In fact, when the accent got in the way of understanding the text. Just a subtle hint of an accent would have been enough, especially since most of the characters are Russian. I’ve seen narrators who imply accents in very subtle ways, so that the reader recognizes them, but they never really interfere with the book.

All in all, I am happy to have found this author, and very much look forward to seeing what she will do next. In fact, I rather think she will become a very strong voice in the world of historical fiction. I give this book 3 out of 5 stars, and the narrator as well ..and hope to give far more with the next books!

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Dark, sad short story

This is a sad, dark story of how the thirst for revenge can be more destructive that the occurrence that caused the emotion to occur in the first place. The tale of a family betrayed and the quest for vengeance that takes place over decades and in two counties. The narrator does a great job of bringing the characters to life and making you feel the determination, sadness, anger and the coldness of revenge. The author shows well that bitterness and hate twists the mind and destroys personal achievements and lives as a whole. It is a captivating short but poignant story.

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Thrilling tale.

This story grabbed me from the start. Set in Russia during World War II, this story is as cold as the landscape and just as harsh. Valeyria is shaped by events that happen in the opening scene and harbors a hatred that will never melt. No spoilers, but strap in for an afternoon and enjoy the ride.

As always, Melanie Fraser gives a stellar vocal performance that will have you drawn in from the start. I think this style of story is made for her voice.

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1 person found this helpful

A Tale of Destructive Vengeance

What did you like best about The Final Dawn? What did you like least?

The book was about betrayal, vengeance and the inability to forgive. It was a fable. That was what I liked best.

The book was muddy in parts and not clear. That is what I liked least.

Would you recommend The Final Dawn to your friends? Why or why not?

I'd recommend it for some one who wants a short listen and a story with a message.

What three words best describe Melanie Fraser’s performance?

The narrator did a good job.

Was The Final Dawn worth the listening time?

Yes it was.

Any additional comments?

It could of been a bit longer to clarify the muddy parts and to more fully develop the story and theme.

For example I can't figure out just who the English fellow was and why he was at the scene where he discovered the children.

That part was unclear to me. Also the book had a moral to the story and deep emotions. Therefore the story and theme could of been more profoundly developed.

“I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot come”

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More! Yes i want MORE!

The Final Dawn is a GOOD story! Not only is it good, it is one of the best 2 hours i had in a wile! Alice Catherine Carter could be the next thing in this type of books! not only is it a revenge story sett in early 1930s Russia, no its a story about family!! Alice Catherine Carter makes this story coming ALIVE! Not only is it all i told you it is, it makes want more!

I want more of Alice Catherine Carter storytelling skills, and the ONLY reason i give the book 4 stars is that because the story is so short, it moves a bit fast! I want MORE meat. MORE book. More Alice Catherine Carter! Just MORE! You got my point!

Not only do i want more Alice Catherine Carter i want more from the narrator Melanie Fraser! She is the best! I want her to read my TAXES! That is how good she is! Her voice work is just fantastic! It want me want WHAT? Yeas, you guessed it: MORE!

So if you like a revenge story, if you want a fantastic 2 hours, if you want Melanie Fraser to read for you like me: Just get this book, and wait for MORE!

"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com"

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The final dawn

Any additional comments?

Final Dawn is the story of siblings, Valeyria and Alexei in Joseph Stalin's 1930's Russia. As children, their parents were murdered by their uncle, under Stalin's command and as the pair grow up and started a new life for themselves. The plot is very histoeical

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