Audiobook Review
By: Larisa Ione
Narrated by: Renèe Raudman
Published by: Hachette Audio 03/2011
Hot - very!
12 hrs and 11mins
Sample
FORBIDDEN TEMPTATIONS
Serena Kelley is an archaeologist and treasure hunter-and a woman with a secret. Since she was seven, she's been the keeper of a powerful charm that grants her health and immortality . . . as long as she stays a virgin. But Serena isn't all that innocent. And when a dangerously handsome stranger brings her to the brink of ecstasy, she wonders if she's finally met the one man she cannot resist.
FATAL DESIRES
Wraith is a Seminus demon with a death wish. But when an old enemy poisons him, he must find Serena and persuade her to give him the only known antidote in the universe-her charm. Yet, as she begins to surrender to his seductions and Wraith senses the cure is within his grasp, he realizes a horrible truth: He's falling for the woman whose life he must take in order to save his own.
I was surprised to read some people didn't like the narrator, Renée Raudman, as I thought she did a nice job. Although, I have only listened to the second book by another reader, not both, so that might have something to do with it. (Sometimes we audiobook aficionados get attached to a narrator doing a certain series.)
Ms. Raudman has a gravely, raspy voice that I thought went well with this story. Sort of like she’s speaking following a shot of whiskey on the rocks, after inhaling a bit of smoke in the air. She does get a little "breathy" at times, but for me, that lent an ambiance that fit the story-line.
In this third installment of Larissa Ione’s intriguing Demonica series Wraith has been poisoned by an assassin. In order to heal himself, he needs to find a Marked Sentinel named Serena Kelley, a human virgin who is charmed keeper of a certain necklace that protects her. The thing is, other than him swearing off humans, he’s got to make her give up her virginity, too; but in doing so, she will die.
As callous as this makes him, he has to consider the fate of others. Since he and his brothers have poured their blood, sweat, and tears into Underworld General Hospital, they are strongly tied into the place. Consequently, his health affects the building and its staff. So, he is off to Egypt to seduce Serena. I just love that setting for a romantic adventure, and there is plenty of action in this story.
I liked the world building and will certainly go on with the series that branch off from this one. The characters have a bit more layering this time around. Ms. Ione has a very creative imagination. I wondered if she had painted Wraith into a corner this time, but she manage to have him win me over surprisingly early, considering I didn't like him much in the first two books. Kudos!
Update: March 24, 2013
P.S. The author promised a much needed Glossary of Terms on her website, which is a great help to audiobook listeners. She was nice enough to stop by and direct me to its location on her website. It is a free book here and entitled The Demonica Compendium.
Narrator: Renée Raudman
Author: Larissa Ione
Reviewed by:
I've read the reviews on audible about Renée Raudman, and I think they are quite unfair. I've enjoyed this audiobook, and even though, I hate when they switch narrators in the middle of a series I thought she did a pretty good job.
ReplyDeleteMs. Raudman is one one my favorite narrators, I love her in the Kate Daniel's series, as well as, in some other contemporary titles.
It's never a good idea to switch narrators in the middle of a series, unless the narrator completely blew it with the first installment, I see that every time they do it the new narrator gets trashed regardless of the quality their performance performance.
Anyways, I love this series!!
This series is super hot in audio but I have to admit this one was my least favourite. I don't think it was the narration, I just didn't find Wraith to be a very likable character and he's change of heart wasn't believable. I'm really enjoying Raudman's narration of the Kate Daniels series though!
ReplyDeleteI liked Wraith from the beginning, I love bad boys...LOL. Sounds like Lisa didn't like him either; although,it looks like she had a change of heart. The next book in the series is definitely my fav.
DeleteI love Raudman.
Hi Lisa! Just wanted to give you the link to the glossary of terms. It's actually the Demonica compendium and is listed under "Free Reads" on my website. I'll see if I can add something on the site that makes it clearer! http://larissaione.com/blog/books/#freereads
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Larissa! I've update the review, both here and on GoodReads. I've also altered the people with whom I'm doing "buddy read" of the series so they'll have it for the next installment.
DeleteThanks, Loupe. I agree; I thought she did a good job.
ReplyDeleteAh, Carmel, thanks for the reminder that I need to get back to the Kate Daniels series.
ReplyDeleteLarissa, thank you for stopping by with that information. I've been checking it out and will post the link to it in my GoodReads review, too. Kind of you to do so, as I'm in a book club that is reading this series.
ReplyDelete