Mini Reviews (28) – Old Kingdom Series

October 20, 2016October 24, 20165 Comments

Sabriel by Garth Nix
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
I’m so happy to be back in the Old Kingdom! Which is weird, since it’s populated by free magic creatures, dead hands controlled by necromancers, and all manner of scary creatures. The narration by Tim Curry is *amazing*, and audiobook is a perfect format for a re-read. I’d highly recommend this series for older teenage / adult fans of Harry Potter.

Lirael by Garth Nix
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 3/4
I have to deduct 1/4 star for Sam and Nick both being dumb and annoying occasionally (of course, they’re teenage boys, so maybe Nix was just being realistic). I LOVE Lirael, Mogget, and especially the Disreputable Dog!

Abhorsen by Garth Nix
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
That climax! I’m so stoked to get to Goldenhand now! I just need to re-read Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case first.

Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case from Across the Wall: A Tale of the Abhorsen and Other Stories by Garth Nix
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
I love to development of Nick’s character! His sense of responsibility and courage are wonderful. The end made me even more excited to read Goldenhand!

Goldenhand by Garth Nix
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
I’m torn. I loved the parts that focused on Lirael and Nick (especially Lirael’s POV of the events of Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case) and their developing relationship. I also enjoyed the new character, Ferin. But I missed the Disreputable Dog and Mogget. 😦 Overall, I didn’t feel this was quite as strong as the original trilogy of books, but I’m thrilled that Nix is still writing about these characters!

To Hold the Bridge by Garth Nix
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
I would’ve preferred a story about an already established Old Kingdom character, but just being back in the world was great! As it turns out, the bridge itself is featured heavily in Goldenhand, but the people are only in this story.

Clariel by Garth Nix
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
I haven’t read this one since it first came out in October, 2014. Honestly, I’m not sure where it belongs in the lineup. It’s a prequel to all of the other books, taking place hundreds of years prior to Sabriel, yet it was published in between Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case and Goldenhand (which are directly linked together plotwise). I guess, for new readers, I’d suggest reading this one first.

TTT: Playster

September 20, 2016September 20, 20166 Comments

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday topic is “All About Audio freebie — aka top ten audiobooks you should listen to, 10 books I want to listen to on audio, 10 bands you should check out, 10 podcasts you should be listening to, 10 of my all time favorite albums, 10 songs I love, really whatever you can come up with.”

Over the past 2 years I have become an audiobook junkie. I use multiple apps to borrow audiobooks from 2 different library systems, and I average 4.5 audiobooks per week. I’m trying out a new-ish paid service called Playster (I got a 90 day free trial), so I’m going to list the books I’m most excited to listen to, that only Playster has:

ALL of Agatha Christie’s novels – These aren’t easy to find at the library, so I’m thrilled that they’re all here!
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell – I’m excited to re-read this Civil War novel (it’s at least my 3rd reading). At just under 49 hours long, it’s one of the longest audiobooks I’ve read.
Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor Adventures by Peter Anghelides – OMG, you guys! SO excited!
The Abhorsen / Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix – With Goldenhand publishing on 10/11/16, I really want to re-read the original trilogy!
The Peter Grant / Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch – This series is awesomesauce, and the narrator, Kobna Holbrook-Smith is perfect. My library only has the first 3 books, so I’m happy that Playster has all 5.