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leweylibrary's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is unlike any other audiobook I've ever read. It actually reminded me a lot of a podcast I helped put on an in-person event for because it was fully produced: music, sound effects, live acting, etc. I saw an interview with Felicia Day and the director, and they said that was the goal, to really make you feel like you're listening to a show or movie.
The cast is 🤌 immaculate. Neil Gaiman as the narrator?? Come on. Then you add Sean Astin (Samwell), London Hughes, Wil Wheaton, and of course Felicia Day, and it's just insane the level of voice talent on display. Not to mention the cameos which I had a hard time catching lol but still, so good.
I love the premise of the book and the magic world Felicia Day created here. I know it was her baby and it shows ❤️ my only tiny, tiny gripe is that the end confrontation and end reveal fell a bit flat for me after all the build up. But I guess that kind of fits the goal, right? Because she was a Chosen One who ended up being a Normal One, so it makes sense the ending would be the same? But I think the amount of effort and skill that went into every other aspect of this book makes it a 5 star read for me.
The cast is 🤌 immaculate. Neil Gaiman as the narrator?? Come on. Then you add Sean Astin (Samwell), London Hughes, Wil Wheaton, and of course Felicia Day, and it's just insane the level of voice talent on display. Not to mention the cameos which I had a hard time catching lol but still, so good.
I love the premise of the book and the magic world Felicia Day created here. I know it was her baby and it shows ❤️ my only tiny, tiny gripe is that the end confrontation and end reveal fell a bit flat for me after all the build up. But I guess that kind of fits the goal, right? Because she was a Chosen One who ended up being a Normal One, so it makes sense the ending would be the same? But I think the amount of effort and skill that went into every other aspect of this book makes it a 5 star read for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Gore, Murder, and War
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Body shaming
sherrios's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I picked this book up on a whim from Audible because I like Felicia Day, and the premise seemed fun. What happens if the Chosen One fails?
Turns out, life goes on. Just, y'know, a lot worse for the laypeople who got failed by the Chosen One.
We follow the life of Laurel Pettigrew, fifteen years after she failed to save the world from the Great Evil, Tybus. Rather than being killed, Tybus keeps Laurel around to basically remind the supernatural world why they all lost their magic in a super fun annual event called the Shaming Ceremony. The story picks up a week or so before the Shaming Ceremony, when Laurel meets a fifteen year old girl named Kate.
There are, of course, a host of characters surrounding Laurel: Frank, the fangless, not-hot vampire; Sybil, the extremely narcissitic fairy princess; Ben, the frozen in crystal for fifteen years teenage (ex)boyfriend; Charles, the poor normie who is just in the wrong place at the wrong time, all the time; Robigus, the ex-greek god turned deputy of Tybus; and Tracy, Kate's former guidance counselor.
As far as the story goes, it's entertaining, though a bit predictable. This is an audio drama, so the structure is only mildly novel-esque. I think this accounts for a lot of the issues that I had with this, chief among them the character development and the pacing.
A lot of the pay offs at the end feel cheap and unearned.After not having had her powers for fifteen years and having lost all confidence, Laurel weilds her magic with confidence and an aptitude that one wouldn't expect of her. Kate's betrayal is completely overlooked. None of the visions that Laurel sees seem to have any bearing aside from guilting Laurel to help Kate. Sybil faces no consequences for... anything, honestly.
The pacing is... haphazard, at best. I honestly couldn't tell you how many days passed, but some of the days felt extremely long, some extremely short. Some parts felt overly long, while others felt like more time could have spent on it.
What makes this worth listening to is the cast. This is superbly voice acted, and you can tell that everyone had a lot of fun during the process. It's an absolutely delightful listen despite the issues that I had with it, which is the main reason that I recommend it. It's a fun, brainless romp.
Turns out, life goes on. Just, y'know, a lot worse for the laypeople who got failed by the Chosen One.
We follow the life of Laurel Pettigrew, fifteen years after she failed to save the world from the Great Evil, Tybus. Rather than being killed, Tybus keeps Laurel around to basically remind the supernatural world why they all lost their magic in a super fun annual event called the Shaming Ceremony. The story picks up a week or so before the Shaming Ceremony, when Laurel meets a fifteen year old girl named Kate.
There are, of course, a host of characters surrounding Laurel: Frank, the fangless, not-hot vampire; Sybil, the extremely narcissitic fairy princess; Ben, the frozen in crystal for fifteen years teenage (ex)boyfriend; Charles, the poor normie who is just in the wrong place at the wrong time, all the time; Robigus, the ex-greek god turned deputy of Tybus; and Tracy, Kate's former guidance counselor.
As far as the story goes, it's entertaining, though a bit predictable. This is an audio drama, so the structure is only mildly novel-esque. I think this accounts for a lot of the issues that I had with this, chief among them the character development and the pacing.
A lot of the pay offs at the end feel cheap and unearned.
The pacing is... haphazard, at best. I honestly couldn't tell you how many days passed, but some of the days felt extremely long, some extremely short. Some parts felt overly long, while others felt like more time could have spent on it.
What makes this worth listening to is the cast. This is superbly voice acted, and you can tell that everyone had a lot of fun during the process. It's an absolutely delightful listen despite the issues that I had with it, which is the main reason that I recommend it. It's a fun, brainless romp.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Vomit, Murder, and Toxic friendship
tostita's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It took me a little bit to get into this but once I did it was rip-roaring fun. All of the voice actors did a phenomenal job (not surprising when you look at the cast list). Special appreciation to whoever decided to record the performances at an actually listenable pace—so many audiobooks are the aural equivalent of listening to cold molasses pour out of a bottle and have to be sped up to be bearable. This was best heard at 1x, and I never listen at 1x speed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Gore, Sexual content, Torture, and Blood
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