Friday, March 11, 2016

Audiobook Review with Crafts: Untamed by A. G. Howard



Series: Splintered #3.5
Narrator: Rebecca Gibel
Unabridged
8 hrs. 43 min.
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Source: Audiobook Jukebox, and publisher for review.
A post-Ensnared collection of three stories—available in both print and e-versions. 
Alyssa Gardner went down the rabbit hole and took control of her destiny. She survived the battle for Wonderland and the battle for her heart. In this collection of three novellas, join Alyssa and her family as they look back at their memories of Wonderland.

In Six Impossible Things, Alyssa recalls the most precious moments of her life after Ensnared, and the role magic plays in preserving the happiness of those she loves. Alyssa’s mother reminisces about her own time in Wonderland and rescuing the man who would become her husband in The Boy in the Web. And Morpheus delves into Jeb’s memories of the events of Splintered in The Moth in the Mirror, available in print for the first time. 
This collection expands upon Ensnared's epilogue, and includes some deleted scenes to provide a “director’s cut” glimpse into the past and futures of our favorite Splintered characters.
 My thoughts:

This is a collection of stories, The Boy in the Web, is one of them that was already published. They all go together to give us insight into what went on in this series. What we usually crave when we finish a series we hate to see go.

I wasn't enthralled with The Boy in the Web, because it does a bit too much rehashing for me. However, since this one was really placed after the first book, it makes sense to rehash since the background may have not be set for too many people. Even though this was the weakest of the stories, I still enjoyed finding out how Alyssa's mother found her father. It really strengthened their storyline for me.

Six Impossible Things was the strongest for me and gave us what we wanted to know about Alyssa's and Jeb's life after the stories ended. The Moth in the Mirror also does the same for Alyssa and Morpheus. It is everything I wanted to know and I felt satisfied in the telling of these stories. I don't want to spoil anything so that is all I will say about those stories.

Although I love Rebecca Gibel's character vocalizations, I don't love all her narration. I do like it however. It was just a bit too slow for me and putting the speed at 1.25 helped and moved things along at a better pace for me. My only niggle about her narration and would easily get another audiobook read by her.

I give this collection of stories 4 stars. I highly recommend it to those that love the series. I don't recommend listening/reading this one first. This one definitely belongs as an epilogue of sorts.

The Crafts:
I made my dad a duffle bag since he had been needing one for the gym. I started this one with the previous audiobook but finished it with this one. The pattern is by Swoon (afilliate link) and was pretty easy to do. However, it seemed that with everything that went brilliantly... something went wrong. So, he has an extra zipper pocket inside since I put it in the wrong place. Good thing he likes extra pockets. LOL I also lined it with money fabric. I didn't win the powerball so this was the next best thing I could do to give him a bag full of money. Thought it would be funny and it goes with his sense of humor. :D I also have a close up of the piping I did since it was one of the best that I did and I'm not sure when that will happen again. LOL

Be one of us!

22 comments:

  1. LOL love that bag!

    I have yet to read Untamed but I do want to, I really did enjoy the series. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was fun to make.

      This was a bunch of great follow up (and middle) stories.

      Delete
  2. I still haven't read the last one in this series. I don't know why...... I LOVE that duffel bag, my favorite part is the money fabric. I just had to order two duffel bags for my kids for traveling. I wish you were closer so I could have you make some. You rock.

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    Replies
    1. I think you'll like the last book. It wraps it up well. This one really just enhances the whole series.

      Aw... thanks! I thought the fabric would be a hoot. I'm not that far away... ;)

      Delete
  3. I love that bag! And money fabric inside, GENIUS! Imagine if someone sees it from the corner of their eye at the gym and then decides to steal it. I can imagine them running away all excited and they finally open to find there's no money. Hopefully no one actually steals it though.
    This series has THE BEST COVERS EVER. I bought the first just for the cover but haven't read it yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ROFL! I'll have to tell him to be careful or show everyone it is fake. ;)

      I also just love those covers. I know the same artist is doing her latest book as well so it will have the same feel. :D

      Delete
  4. Ooh love the bag! The money lining is such a fun idea. I still need to read Enamored, and then this one (so I just skimmed your review!). I really enjoyed the first two though.

    -lauren

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks!

      This is such a great addition to the series. I do hope you pick it up as well.

      Delete
  5. I listen to almost all my books at 1.25. My daughter loves this series but reads them. I love the bag Melissa. I need to pick up that kind of duffle bag for BEA, to fit inside my suitcase for books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It seems like a good speed. :)

      The pattern maker has 3 sizes in one patter. The one I made for my dad was a med. ;)

      Delete
  6. such a beautiful cover! One day I'll hae to try this series!

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  7. Not a fan of this series, unfortunately.

    I am a fan of your duffel bag, however. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry you didn't enjoy the series. Hopefully your current read is great though. :)

      Thanks!

      Delete
  8. Loving that book cover.

    How wonderful that your dad now has such a unique gym bag tailored to his sense of fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like it too. I think the same artist did them all.

      He liked it! :D

      Delete
  9. That's the funnest gym bag I've seen! lol I think I have book one of this series on my tbr pile. Glad it was enjoyable overall :D

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