Scan barcode
frostbitsky's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
This was part of the Included catalogue on Audible for a limited time and I decided why not listen to it as part as of my October/Halloween read.
Side note: for days I had the song "Mr. Sandman" stuck in my head.
The production value is really good. I liked the sound effects (it helped visualizing scenes that's originally a graphic novel) and I liked the intro song.
I loved James McAvoy's voice. He's an excellent narrator. Though I did not picture Morpheus as the image on the cover but as James McAvoy.
I didn't realize the beginning would have a slight MacGuffin Plot. Even so, it was entertaining.
Some things I liked:
- Michael Sheen as Lucifer. I pictured him as Aro in the Twilight Saga.
- Episode 10: "Men of Good Fortune".
- The Vortex / Rose Walker
I hated:
- "24 Hours" - way too sick and disturbing. I fast forwarded that story.
- "Collectors" - I didn't see the point of this one.
If Part 2 is ever available in the Included catalogue then I'll listen to that.
3.5 our of 5 Dreams.
Side note: for days I had the song "Mr. Sandman" stuck in my head.
The production value is really good. I liked the sound effects (it helped visualizing scenes that's originally a graphic novel) and I liked the intro song.
I loved James McAvoy's voice. He's an excellent narrator. Though I did not picture Morpheus as the image on the cover but as James McAvoy.
I didn't realize the beginning would have a slight MacGuffin Plot. Even so, it was entertaining.
Some things I liked:
- Michael Sheen as Lucifer. I pictured him as Aro in the Twilight Saga.
- Episode 10: "Men of Good Fortune".
- The Vortex / Rose Walker
I hated:
- "24 Hours" - way too sick and disturbing. I fast forwarded that story.
- "Collectors" - I didn't see the point of this one.
If Part 2 is ever available in the Included catalogue then I'll listen to that.
3.5 our of 5 Dreams.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Murder
ele08's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
kiwiknitter's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
thecatsmother's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Sandman Audible Original is a multi-cast audiobook adaptation of the graphic novel series by Neil Gaiman. It was Audible’s free book of the month recently, and covers Act 1 of a series, with Act 2 coming out soon. I’ve never been into graphic novels - I don’t think I’ve read a comic since primary school - they just don’t interest me, so I didn’t know the main character, but have seen most of the recent DC Universe movies and some of the TV series. We wanted a change from our usual thrillers for our most recent car journeys - and it certainly is different! It’s exceptionally well read by the huge cast, including Gaiman himself as The Narrator, and supported by various sound effects which complemented the voices rather than getting in the way. Overall I enjoyed it - some parts rather more than others - but definitely would’ve got more from it if I already knew the series.
During WW1, Sleep, the Lord of Dreams, who goes by multiple different names, including Morpheus, is captured by the leader of an arcane cult and kept prisoner in the mansion’s basement for 70 years, despite never ceding any of his powers. His absence leads to global consequences - including an epidemic of Sleeping Sickness, and the release of horrific Nightmares into the world. Finally Sleep escapes, but before he can restore his kingdom, he must reclaim three objects invested with his power. Over twenty chapters across three volumes, we meet characters variously affected and interconnected by Morpheus throughout history - human, deity, superhero and myth - some brief self-contained stories, some extended plot arcs, many where he appears only briefly, but all linked in some way to the world of dreams & stories.
So what did I think? Considering this isn’t really my genre and I don’t know the source material, I was still able to follow and appreciate most of this. I didn’t like all of the stories - I suppose I was expecting a more traditional narrative arc, there’s a beginning but no end as this is only Act 1 so don’t expect a conventional story structure. The first part, about Sleep’s capture and subsequent escape, was brilliant. I did NOT like the Dr Destiny chapter - too dark and nasty for me (rape, necrophilia, self-mutilation...) and found some of the random ones like Hob the immortal soldier or the African coming of age story a bit tedious and pointless. Rose Walker’s quest to find her brother and gate-crashing the serial killer convention lifted my interest back up, and I was rapt by the Cat story (of course) until the traumatic scene with the kittens 😿
So what did I think? Considering this isn’t really my genre and I don’t know the source material, I was still able to follow and appreciate most of this. I didn’t like all of the stories - I suppose I was expecting a more traditional narrative arc, there’s a beginning but no end as this is only Act 1 so don’t expect a conventional story structure. The first part, about Sleep’s capture and subsequent escape, was brilliant. I did NOT like the Dr Destiny chapter - too dark and nasty for me (rape, necrophilia, self-mutilation...) and found some of the random ones like Hob the immortal soldier or the African coming of age story a bit tedious and pointless. Rose Walker’s quest to find her brother and gate-crashing the serial killer convention lifted my interest back up, and I was rapt by the Cat story (of course) until the traumatic scene with the kittens 😿
The voices - including some very well known actors - were superb: James McAvoy is perfect in the lead role, and there were wonderful surprise cameos like Joanna Lumley as John Constantine’s ancestor. I’m not sure if we’ll continue to Act 2 - I’ll see if The Cats’ Father is keen, but am definitely interested to see the upcoming TV adaptation, although hope it’s not too gory - we gave up on American Gods for that reason! Recommended to fans of the series even if you don’t normally listen to Audiobooks - having the creator tell the story himself is a definite coup!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, and Self harm
georgia_pogson's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Amazing voice acting, but highly graphic content.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, and Murder