Friday, August 22, 2014

Audiobook Review: Alias Hook by Lisa Jensen


Standalone/ Unabridged
Narrator: Ralph Lister
13 hrs. 43min.
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Available Now (2014)
Source: Audiobook Jukebox for review
Every child knows how the story ends. The wicked pirate captain is flung overboard, caught in the jaws of the monster crocodile who drags him down to a watery grave. But it was not yet my time to die. It s my fate to be trapped here forever, in a nightmare of childhood fancy, with that infernal, eternal boy. 
Meet Captain James Benjamin Hook, a witty, educated Restoration-era privateer cursed to play villain to a pack of malicious little boys in a pointless war that never ends. But everything changes when Stella Parrish, a forbidden grown woman, dreams her way to the Neverland in defiance of Pan s rules. From the glamour of the Fairy Revels to the secret ceremonies of the First Tribes to the mysterious underwater temple beneath the Mermaid Lagoon, the magical forces of the Neverland open up for Stella as they never have for Hook. And in the pirate captain himself, she begins to see someone far more complex than the storybook villain. 
With Stella s knowledge of folk and fairy tales, she might be Hook s last chance for redemption and release if they can break his curse before Pan and his warrior boys hunt her down and drag Hook back to their never-ending game.
My thoughts:
I love retellings and I've been enjoying the Peter Pan retellings I have come across. So when I saw Alias Hook, I knew I needed to get this book. When it was available on audio, I jumped at the chance to review it.

Ralph Lister is the narrator of this tale. I really enjoyed his English accent which was perfect for hook. I always have problems with men voicing women or even children in an audiobook. I did here at first as well, but by the middle of the book I had no problems at all. This book was mainly about Hook so most of the thoughts and dialog was his. The only problem I had was when he voiced the Native Americans in the story. It was like those parodies in old movies and in the Disney version of Pan with the halting speech. I don't fault Mr. Lister for this problem because I do think it was written this way. It may not bother other people as it does me, however.

At the beginning of the story we would move a bit in the "present" and then have reminisces of Hook's early years when he was a boy and a young man. I did like this and I didn't. I liked to know more about this character but I knew the meat of the story lie with Stella who has just appeared in the Never. I so wanted to get on with that part of the story but I also knew that his early years sets our character up for his ultimate adventure. The adventure is about growth and Hook finds that just being an adult doesn't make him grown up. Being an adult is much more than age.

Stella, Hooks counterpoint, was also a great character. She was intelligent and brave. She, in fact, seemed miles ahead of Hook in terms of being grown up. It is her guidance that allows Hook to finally have an honest look at himself and how he, in fact, keeps playing victim to Pan's game.

I give this book 3 1/2 stars. I really enjoyed this book on audio and would love to listen to more by this narrator and read/listen to more by this author. I recommend the book to those that like a bit of historical fiction, retelling of Peter Pan, and growing up without losing your silliness.

22 comments:

  1. I don't think I've ever read a Peter Pan retelling yet but I'm curious to try one, it must be fun.

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    1. I do like these and if you like retellings I think you would like this one.

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  2. One of my nieces favourites, she'd love this.
    Great review, thank you for sharing your thoughts on this.

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  3. Yay for a good narrator, nothing is more important

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  4. Stella and hook sound like great characters to read about.

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  5. I wonder how many of these retelling owe their existence to Once Upon a Time. It seems that show has made Captain Hook fashionable and sexy.

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    1. I've read a few before (I think) that show came out, but this Hook earns his smexyness...

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  6. Is it just me or has there been a lot of peter pan retellings thus year? Granted i havent read any of them but this one definetly interests me the most out of the bunch! Thanks for putting it on my radar!
    Lily

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    1. I don't know about this year, but I've read quite a few. :)

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  7. The reviews for this novel seem to be rather mixed, however I'm not familiar with Ralph Lister's narration, so I might give Alias Hook a listen just to try something new. At least there's some guaranteed silliness what with this being a Peter Pan retelling and all.

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  8. I was curious about this one when it came out but the reviews were rather mixed so I passed, now I am reconsidering again.

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  9. I really enjoyed this one on audio too Melissa, my review is scheduled for October. I loved the twist on Hook and seeing Neverland from another view point.

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  10. It's been 50/50 for me with the retellings. I keep trying though because when they're done right I love them.

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  11. There have really been a lot of Peter Pan retellings lately, it seems. I like PP but didn't love the original so it's kind of hit-or-miss when I see a retelling. This *does* sound interesting!

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  12. I'm so confused when it comes to Peter Pan re-tellings. With the exception of Tiger Lily it seems I've missed every one which has released an this is no exception. I have been looking for new audiobooks though and I'm glad to hear this is a good listen. I'll definitely have to add it to my TBR so thanks for putting it on my radar, Melissa!

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  13. Hmm I don't think I've read a Peter Pan retelling or even seen one before your review. Crazy! I'm trying to get into audios. I just picked up a connector for my phone to the radio in the kitchen so hopefully I can listen while I clean and hear it :)

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  14. It sounds fun, who did not want to visit Neverland with Peter Pan in their childhood?

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  15. Hm, I don't think this book is my kind of read still I'm happy you enjoyed it.

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  16. I hadn't even heard of this but I do love retellings and I love finding a new narrator that I like. I'll have to give this a try!

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