Daniel X: Game over by James Patterson (Audiobook, unabridged, 4 CD's)Narrated by Milo Ventimiglia
Target audience: Young Adult
Audiobook Rating: Wizard
Book Rating: Fairy

The fourth volume in the alien hunter series begins in a video arcade in Tokyo where Daniel is in pursuit of numbers seven and eight on the alien outlaw list. Milo Ventimiglia deftly portrays Daniel’s easy, comfortable banter with family and friends as well as the sarcastic repartee he saves for his alien prey. The suspense rises exponentially as the plot to brainwash addicted video gamers into becoming non virtual killers unfolds. The narrator transforms the very short chapters that would be distracting in book format into edgy layers of anticipation for the listener. Although Ventigmiglia's expert performance sets the perfect pace for this non-stop action adventure punctuated by explosive battle sound effects, his efforts cannot compensate for the implausibility of the story. Daniel’s abilities – manipulating matter to recreate anything he can visualize including his dead parents and friends who can fight, invent, interact with others all from his own brain, broadband internet in his head, ability to download a degree in engineering directly to his cerebellum, to transform into anything, time travel, enhanced senses - to name but a few referred to in frequent asides to the reader are over the top and far fetched even for the science fiction genre. There is virtually no character development making the story just a laundry list of alien battles. The “Maximum Ride” series by the same author would be a much better choice. (Audiobook provided for review by Children's Lit - www.childrenslit.com).

 

 

 

Agatha Raisin and the Murderous Marriage by M.C. Beaton

Read by Donada Peters

Donada Peters deftly portrays the contrast between the gruff exterior and the softer inner monologues of retired public relations guru, Agatha Raisin, who now presides in a cottage in the Cotswolds. On the day of her long awaited wedding to her handsome neighbor, James Lacey, Agatha’s husband, Jimmy Raisin, whom she left and never divorced drops in to protest. When he’s found dead in a ditch, Agatha and James are prime suspects. The narrator draws the listener in by expertly relaying the exasperation of James and the hopefulness of Agatha as they rush to clear their names. The more they investigate, the higher the body count becomes. The diverse cast of these quirky villagers requires a range of voices and accents which is beautifully achieved by Peters’ steady performance.

Random House Audio, 5 hrs. Unabridged, 2000
 

A Tangle of Knots by Lisa Graff

Target audience: Middle Reader
Rating: Dragon
 

Cady lives in a magical land where most people have a special talent, those without talents are called Fair. Cady’s talent is baking cakes, in fact, her skill is so formidable she need only look at someone to be able to bake that person’s perfect cake. Miss Mallory’s talent is matching orphans with the perfect family. Cady is the last remaining orphan at the House for Lost Girls in Poughkeepsie, NY. Her adoption sets into motion a destiny that leads her to the Lost  Luggage Emporium, multiple powder blue suitcases, and an apartment building where young Marigold desperately searches for her special talent. The Owner is a Talent Thief putting everyone within his reach at terrible risk. This delightful tale is told from multiple viewpoints with Cady’s cake recipes sprinkled throughout. Katie Honaker easily conveys the warmth and charm with a well paced narrative. She uses pitch and tone to indicate slow and fast changes in the dialogue making the listener feel as if he or she is part of the story. Each recipe is accompanied by cheerful, jaunty music and the addition of baking sounds like beating eggs, clatter of pots and pans in the kitchen during the instruction part is pure genius. The author  has created a puzzle of seemingly random events and people and with slow precision has untangled these knots to reveal a large interconnected circle of family, friends, destinies and a place of belonging. Recommend to fans of “Savvy” by Ingrid Law. (This audio was provided by Penguin Audio)

Audiobook details:

Read by Katie Honaker
Publisher/Date: Penguin Audio 2/15/13
Unabridged
Listening length: 4 hrs., 9 mins.