Audiobook Review | “Halfway Bitten: Halfway Witchy, No.2” by Terry Maggert, narrated by Erin Spencer (aka. the #paranormal YA series Jorie is devouring!)

Posted Wednesday, 18 January, 2017 by jorielov , , , , 0 Comments

Audiobook Review Badge made by Jorie in Canva.

Acquired Digital Audiobook by: I am a new blog tour hostess with Audiobookworm Promotions wherein I have the opportunity to receive audiobooks for review or adoption (reviews outside of organised blog tours) and host guest features on behalf of authors and narrators alike. I started hosting for Audiobookworm Promotions at the end of [2016] during “The Cryptic Lines” tour wherein I became quite happily surprised how much I am now keen on listening to books in lieu of reading them in print. My journey into audiobooks was prompted by a return of my chronic migraines wherein I want to offset my readings with listening to the audio versions.

I received a complimentary audiobook copy of “Halfway Bitten” via the publicist at Audiobookworm Promotions (of whom was working directly with the author Terry Maggert) in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

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Why I am so wicked thrilled to be reading this YA #Paranormal series:

In case you’ve missed my full ruminations on behalf of the first novel in this wonderfully witchy series, please direct your mouse to Halfway Dead!

You immediately warm to Carlie – her charm is her forthright attitude where conjectured insight into her hometown and the area in which she calls home is slightly more ‘quirky’ than she is herself! For instance, your senses overtake the setting on sight – this is a cold (by temperature) environ which could be seen as ‘off-putting’ to others but to Carlie, it’s more than just the place she’s chosen to lay her hat, it’s her ‘home’. Home to Carlie isn’t just where you feel comfortable or where you can score a wicked awesome job at the local diner a stone’s throw from your residence (not only saving on petrol but medically speaking, her digits are never in danger of frost bite!) wherein you never quite feel as if the stark contrast of the natural world is inhibiting your prospects. Not that Carlie is shy when it comes to nature; if anything, she finds solace inside the hidden realms of where forest and stream meet the sky and cast untold amounts of wisdom into the whispering quiet hum of the natural order bubbling to life all round her whilst crossing her path with a lightness not found amongst urbanites.

Her open honesty about her unconventional life is refreshingly brilliant to see captured in a Young Adult story with a heroine who embraces her moxie and chooses to find a stitching of nonchalant monologue where she encourages you to listen to her tale(s) with an open mind and an imagination to knit out the rounding of the fantastical which just happen to be her mainstay of peculiar ‘happenings’. -part of my reactions to Halfway Dead

Halfway Bitten promo banner provided by Audiobookworm Promotions

Can we talk about aesthetics & cover art designs!?

One thing I consistently talk about here on Jorie Loves A Story is how if a story doesn’t pull me into it’s orbit & theshold – the art on the cover or inside it’s interior becomes art to appreciate rather than a part of the experience of the story itself. When I find a story or a series such as Halfway Witchy, I find myself over the moon thrilled to bits to exclaim my bookish glee in finding cheekily clever cover art sporting a fiercely Indie YA Paranormal series with the aplomb appeal of announcing itself as one part quirky and a heaping spoonful of eclectically wicked! Case in point!?

I *love!* my cuppa tea | chai | Americano Miso / Espresso Lattes – but to take the tea cup itself and direct your eye to how it dangles on a finger whilst evoking a tattoo-vibe of book titles with the quirky eclectic artsy style of a White Witch you begin to soak into the aesthetics of the series your reading (or listening too, as is the case with me!). Each of the designs evoke something extraordinarily ordinary about Carlie and her witchy spirit of mind. It’s part of the appeal to her character’s personality but also, it’s a telling visual aide when you’re already attached to a character & her world.

They also dimensionally differ from one another on a score of layers of intrigue & the deepening reality of Carlie’s life. The first cover started off on the footing of innocence & familial pride; the second shows the conflictions of a witch and the third – wells, it proves this horror on the side of cosy I can handle is going to pull out the punches to keep me firmly on the border between straight-up Horror and Cosy Horror (the realm in which I can traverse without nightmares!).

I think it also shows character growth and the building of Carlie’s internal and external worlds colliding into a singular experience only she can voice and tell. I caught a wink of a nod towards a FOURTH! novel in this series being written and I can only hope the momentum that is building thus far along will not only continue in the series but lead us to itch to devour the next installments with the same zest of bookish anticipation for the continuity & the conflict of drama intermixed with the realities of small towne life, white magic and the supportive arm of family & friends.

And, maybe just a smidge of that Cosy Horror cheeky humour I’ve come to love so much, too! I mean,… it *is!* definitively a stand-out in it’s genre for proving how well-timed comedic moments and a spunky heroine can make you sit into a smile whilst bracing yourself for what comes into your view on the next page turn,…

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As much as I lamented this about the author who penned the tale:

The way in which Mr Maggert approaches all of this is with sensitivity and compassion; he presents both sides and let’s the reader make up their own mind about what they want to takeaway from the novel. Like most Young Adult novelists I have come to appreciate finding (and he is now amongst them!) – they stitch into the fabric of their stories life lessons, cautionary insight and a global conscience of time-sensitive realities to help ensure that all future and current generations are armed with knowledge and insight into what could theoretically impact their daily lives. Either on a quasi personal level or on an intuitively observational level – however which the reader chooses to consume the information provided, it will be a stepping stone towards unveiling the larger picture.

In many ways, this is why Children’s Lit across the spectrum (i.e. Picture Books, Chapter Books, Juvenile Fiction and YA) play such an important role in endeavouring to give children and teens a measure of a breath of what is currently affecting our world. It leads to empathy but also to understanding; if the conversations are not broached at home or in school, there are stories that can encourage a mind to open to a concept not yet introduced. In this, Maggert excells and it was a true pleasure to watch how he enticed young readers who are mature enough to embrace a slightly Upper YA Paranormal Suspense novel to broaden their horizons whilst everything is cast into a fantasy world where the supernatural and current events collide.

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Audiobook Review | “Halfway Bitten: Halfway Witchy, No.2” by Terry Maggert, narrated by Erin Spencer (aka. the #paranormal YA series Jorie is devouring!)Halfway Bitten
Subtitle: Take a bite out of evil

The circus came to Halfway, and they brought the weird. When clowns, vampires, and corpses start piling up in town, Carlie has to break away from her boyfriend, Wulfric, to bring her witchy skills to the table- or grill, as the case may be. When the body of a young woman washes up in the lake, it unleashes a spiral of mystery that will bring Carlie, Gran, and Wulfric into a storm of magical warfare.

Spells will fly. Curses will rain. Amidst it all, Carlie will make waffles, protect her town, and find out if a man from the distant past can join her in happy ever after. With love and honor at stake, Carlie has no peer.


Places to find the book:

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ASIN: B01FXVSSJU

on 23rd May, 2016

Length: 7 hours and 19 minutes (unabridged)

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the halfway witchy series:

Halfway Witchy book series collage provided by Audiobookworm Promotions
Digital composite of Wooden table with library background. Halfway Witchy book series collage provided by Audiobookworm Promotions; used with permission.

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About Terry Maggert

Terry Maggert

Left-handed. Father of an apparent nudist. Husband to a half-Norwegian. Herder of cats and dogs. Lover of pie. I write books. I've had an unhealthy fascination with dragons since the age of-- well, for a while. Native Floridian. Current Tennessean. Location subject to change based on insurrection, upheaval, or availability of coffee. Nine books and counting, with no end in sight. You've been warned.

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vampires arrive in halfway:

As I am a girl whose managed to avoid reading vampire stories for most of her life – it was only recently, I started to find my footing with a style of ‘vampire’ fiction that whets a thirst of interest to read. The story which entertained me and gave me an entrance into reading about vampires was Dance Until Dawn (see also Review) wherein the pages of a PNR became heightened by a protective and intriguing vampire living a stone’s throw from the heart of London. It was here where I first realised if a vampire story is written a certain way, I can find myself able to alight inside it’s heart.

In the style of Mr Maggert’s paranormal suspense – the vampires in this story are not as benign nor are they as forgiving. In fact, they are the more notorious vampires who do not care about human life or well being that would Will’s blood into constant boil of rage! (re: Will, lead character of Dance Until Dawn) No, these vamps are the serious beasts you would not want to encounter; for they only see humans as vessels to prolong their immortality and nothing else. They don’t understand the concept of morality or even, ethical compassionate understanding for the ways of the world. To them, they are free to do as they please, as who is going to stop them!? Who would stand as judge or jury to a rogue band of immortals? Who indeed!

Having read the other novel, I had a good head-start on the differences in ‘vampire code of ethics’ vs the differences of vampire culture and immortality. Maggert plays into the antagonist variant where a stealthily ominous crew of vampires is becoming too careless and cavalier in their exploits. This is actually how they drew the eye of Carlie and her Gran; by being too indifferent to the outsiders of their realm to understand the laws which bind them to being held accountable for their actions.

my review of the halfway bitten:

The Carlie of Halfway Bitten is a bit more somber and reserved than the joyfully optimistic Carlie of Halfway Dead; then again, if you had gone through what she survived in the last installment, I think your mood would be ringing into a more humble shade of hue, too. She has such a caring heart and spirit for her ‘charges’ of whom she considers her duty in life to guard and protect; it grieves her deeply when something runs quite afoul and disparately vile in her local environs. She puts herself second in lieu of defending innocents, but this has sometimes taken a toll on her own morale. Although Gus is still there in the wings, awaiting to pick up her cheer – it is only the tenacity of a cat to recognise sometimes their homespun magic of presence and understanding isn’t quite enough to pull out a well of gloom hanging over one’s spirit like a gray cloud.

Even the clatterment and cacophony of the diner isn’t enough to pull Carlie out of her angst; she’s a bit short with customers and her growing suspicions of her ‘new’ regulars (the Clowns from the travelling circus) doesn’t quite qualm her worries but draw out more vexations of her boiling blood. Her emotional core of insight has been on the edge of being all along, but in this instance, it is almost as if Carlie needs a spiritual renewal; a period of time to simply return back to ‘centre’ and re-absorb herself into the roots of her witchy essence. To find a way back ‘inside’ the comfort spot of what makes her Carlie and uniquely her grandmother’s grand-daughter. This isn’t to say she isn’t crafty or spunky, but she has this veil over her spirit which continues to permeate through her actions.

She’s entering a more grown-up stage of her personal growth – where her sexuality and sensuality are emerging into a new level of importance in her life. Her relationship with the curiously complex Wulfric who has an ex-girlfriend vying to push her every last nerve and layer of tolerance – Carlie can hardly draw a breath of normalcy out of her dedication to each of the portions of her life that give her the most joy to be involved. Through her ruminative thoughts shedding light on why she’s developed an aversion to Anna (a shifter via panther) of whom is the infamous ex of her beau – we see the layers of an onion being peeled back to reveal how even Carlie can have prejudicial thoughts which may or may not be logical. Counter to these feelings which are more primal than anything else (half sparked I think in defence of her right to date Wulfric and half in defence all that is just) is the curiosity she has over Alex; Anna’s brother, who is the spitting image of his sister.

There is a brewing imbalance – between humans and vampires and shifters and the witches; where each collective species is in a near-war with each other for sanctity rights over Halfway. Halfway itself is positioned to encompass a fixed point of solace and a place where you can thrive; human or nonhuman alike; it’s a magnet for all. The hard bit there is that not everyone whose attracted to Halfway is honourable or even considerate enough to yield to others’ who are different from them.

Carlie has to increase her heightening witchy powers by trusting her abilities, even if she hasn’t mastered everything a fully mature witch needs to know; she has it within her to achieve more than she has only started to believe possible. Gran returns as the kind guiding light who keeps pushing Carlie out of her comfort zones – giving her ample time to see for herself how being a witch is more than what the lessons she’s taught up to this point include. Conversations with ghosts – for instance are revered; it’s a two-way street of intentional connection; not forced or implied to be mandatory if the other party isn’t keen on the idea. This was an interesting thread as it spoke to how witches adhere to a guidance of rules and each take time to outline their personal boundaries of what they are willing to do and what they simply won’t do (such as crossing the line in the sand).

The open dialogue with ghosts pointed to how ghosts take on a transition to a new plane of existence; to where they are not entirely human nor non-human at the same time. They exist outside this realm but they can take memories of their lives with them; until it all starts to fade. Most of them are willing to help witches in need of information which can only be filtered and found on ‘the other side’ with both a clarity and understanding that would behoove a witch to understand from their perspective.

Despite my few grievances with this story – from approx. two and a half to three hours, I found myself happily re-alighting into what I would call ‘Classic Witchy’ style – Carlie, Gran and Wulfric are working together as a team; the narrative undertone is a bit lighter; a bit more focused on a turning tide of hope than on the hopelessness of ‘unknowns’ which might overtake Carlie and Halfway. In fact, the turning point is what saved the story for me, because for a few hours, it felt like part of the story was in conflict with itself and then, unwound the tangles and continued into it’s core of heart. I knew I would stay with this narration even as I started to share the bits which irked my ire a bit and disrupted my listening joy; there is just something about Carlie that keeps you rooted in her shoes.

If you enter this from Halfway Dead, you’d understand outright how dearly Carlie feels like a bestie you want to rally behind and support, even if she loses her footing a bit and then rallies; coming back into confidence of her powers and intuitive insight into the beasties she has to put a stop too from causing more graves to be dug. Similar to the deep connection to the natural world in the first novel; the ending of the dramatic climax is rooted in natural magic and the manipulation of ‘light’ shining on a specific target of interest. You smile watching Carlie and Wulfric – their Romance is sweet and beautifully young; they have that mischievous connectivity you experience with your first love and/or the moment you find your heart-mate. The person who understands and excepts you on a level of understanding past the pleasantries and physical aspects of the relationship. They are equal halves of each other – they are an equal compliment to each other and they have a lot of memorable exchanges in this installment!

Halfway feels like your long-lost home towne – as you resume observing everyone in their rightful place of entrance – everyone is where you think they would be found, but also, with a knowing smile and a stack of waffles waiting patiently for your fork and your appetite to dig into some wicked good comfort food with a cuppa stories to entertain your palette of adventure! Things might not always go the way you think they will go, but Halfway is down home comforting to return back to time and time again. You care for these quirky neighbours and you champion Carlie, Wulfric, Gus and Gran! Come spend a spell with Carlie and find out why Halfway is the best place to take up residence!

Fly in the Ointment: Content Note:

Inclusion of Necromancy:

Interesting this installment in the series would involve this word to be used so frequently – as I had just read an article about this in the book blogosphere this week (see also this post) inasmuch as had followed a Twitter convo which had gone through a variety of book bloggers, authors and readers alike. Sometimes you truly do sense how small the book world is as topics and subjects have a way of filtering to the top sphere of the hive of communication. In this, I was sort of surprised by how frequently the term was used; only because in some ways, the witches of the series (ie. Carlie and her Gran) are able to communicate with the dead but it’s the tone of how this term was spoken that led me to think it was ill-intended rather than announcing one’s gift. Almost as if it was a pronouncement of something not quite normal and something otherworldly repulsive. Again – as it was presented two different ways to Sunday (both good and bad) – it was a bit hard to fathom why this element was necessary in some ways, as between the vampires and the circus – I felt the key focus of this novel was drifting slightly.

If you put thought to mind on the main plot vs the sub plots; I think this one might have had a few too many tangents to pull together into one thread as there was such a lot of wicked good strength building up the complex between the shifters (ie. Anna & Alex and their kind); the naughty vampires; the further intrigue of dating a half-vampire (Wulfric) and of course, the mysteriously transient circus underscored by the shadowy arts!!

Now the only thing that came to mind was that perhaps the ‘necromancy’ in the plot was cross-linked to one of the (supposed) villains, but for me, it felt like this trajectory might have off-roaded a bit from the main focus already established.

On the flipside, I fully agree with the chatter in the book blogosphere – if this is going to be included why are the character inherently evil and beyond reproach!? This isn’t even to tip the scale about how their sexuality can become askewed for shock value or for stigmas attached to the personality required to speak to the dead themselves. I didn’t get the vibe this was the case in this novel but I did question why it felt a bit overtly stated more than part of the back-story of a secondary thread of interest. Admittedly, this was not inclusive to this story – but I was reflecting on the topic itself and wondering why it is so popular at the moment to paint people in the wrong light!? There seems to be an absence of equality!?

on the paranormal story-telling style of Mr maggert:

If Halfway Dead is a hybrid of traditional YA and Upper YA (depending on the reader’s sensitivities), I would say this installment of the series is a hybrid of Upper YA & New Adult; as Carlie is on the fringes of shedding her youthful innocence. I say on the ‘fringes’ as there is still a portion of her spirit grounded in the innocence of life whilst her mind and heart are a bit more hardened to the realities of the world. It would also lament it would suit well with NA readers, of whom, want a bit of a spicer read than what Upper YA might involve – before moving directly into PNR (Paranormal Romance); of which this installment also qualifies, as Carlie’s relationship with her beau Wulfric is happily included next to her further exploits as the local White Witch of Halfway, New York.

Having disclosed which branch of literature I feel this story belongs, I wanted to give a short mention about the stronger words which thankfully are a limited few as Mr Maggert continues to enchant me with convicting narrative, honest characters and the journey of finding one’s soul torn between duty and personal integrity. He has a way of fusing Carlie’s life through her spiritual life and her practicality side of being a witch whilst running a thread of introspective prose into how Carlie continues to grow through her experiences (both tragic and joyful) as she matures into a new chapter of her life.

On Forensics & Crime Scenes:

Mr Maggert’s articulation of crime scenes and forensics has always been a bit more NCIS (original & NOLA) / Crossing Jordan / Law & Order -esque moreso than Quincy, M.E. – however, the manner in which Carlie’s tone reflects over the dead and the disheartened way in which she almost wishes the dead were not constantly washing into Halfway seeking someone to honour their lives by finding the truth behind their demise projected a humbling of her gift as a witch. She was humble – but as the hours fill the glass with more experiences in ‘the field’, you can see the fuller weight of what has crossed Carlie’s path. She doesn’t just deal with the heinously horrific crimes, she takes a part of that blackness of evil into her being and attempts to dispell it through solving the crime itself; giving wing of flight for the innocents lost to have closure in the afterlife.

In this installment, it is more of a forensic scientist or medical examiner’s intuitive observational analysis that we entreat into the crime scenes. Carlie’s emotional heart and fierce grit to right the wrongs befallen the dead are evermore and unchanging; but a bit more snark of bittersweet reality is etching out of her spirit as well. Almost as if the enormity of her heritage is starting to eclipse her willingness to seek out the good when she’s finding herself swimming in too much negativity.

Life lessons, building blocks and the human condition:

Even whilst continuing to build on the foundation of Halfway Dead – Maggert still finds time to interlace life lessons, and the building blocks of character development into his series. The way in which he explores the human condition which consistently defines Carlie and allows her to grow at the same time – grounds the series in realism. He seeks to have the reader constantly be on the edge of judging for themselves what is truly right and wrong; whilst showing that sometimes the best way to live forward is to own all of your emotions. The good ones, the sour ones and the ones that fuell your anger but can diffuse through a purposeful approach to come out of your harder days with a lighter spirit once things re-settle to an evener keel. Afterall, too much anger would spoilt the light of a White Witch and might even off-set the good she sought out to achieve if her own heart was blackened by things she cannot control nor change.

Shifters:

My entire experience with shifters is nearly limited to the Murkens (from Jackie Gamber’s #LelandDragons series; see also thread!) of whom I love dearly! The shifters in this story-line are quite darker and trickier to understand. They have a hidden ancestral line attached to them – one that proves beneficial and healing for Alex to learn through his visitation with Carlie’s Gran; but quite the hard pill to swallow at the same time. Outside of Alex, I was on the fence about the shifters overall as it’s just a completely different way to present them. I did think the executions were well written about how they ‘shift’ from one entity into another and the characteristics of those ‘changes’ were well conceived, too!

The repetitive arc of key data about Carlie, Gran and the towne of Halfway was a nice respite for those who are tuning into the series mid-way or found Halfway Bitten first. For me, initially I liked how Maggert refreshed the data but by the 4th hour mark, after re-thinking about how much information was re-stated in a somewhat re-developed manner, I think it might have turnt out to be overkill for those who are reading the series back-to-back. It’s definitely a way to keep a series in-progress to be seen as ‘stand-alones’ but for those of us who love to read serial fiction there is a slight bit of disappointment because too much is repeated. In fact, so much so, you could cut out reading or listening to the first novel because you’d accept the tone of this one to be the baseline.

This in of itself was a bit more unsettling – as there is a shift in tonality in this installment, too. Carlie is more hard-edged, clearly bitter (though softened by the presence of shifter Alex; which is explained) and definitely jaded. You can respect why she is a mixture of emotions and why her feelings are throwing off her internal balance, but if you were to meet Carlie in this novel you would find wayy! more snark and quite a bit less spunkified humour! She’s still ‘her’ but there are layers here you have to dig through to pull out the lighter side of who she is when she’s not feeling bogged down by what life has brought to her door.

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Post Script banner created by Jorie in Canva. Coffee and Tea Clip Art Set purchased on Etsy; made by rachelwhitetoo.

(re-listened to the final half on 8th February, 2017)

*more coming soon* this post is being edited for the 9th.

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specifically in regards to the audiobook:

As I am relatively new to reviewing audiobooks and listening to them with a greater frequency than of the past, I am appreciative of Ms Jess providing a cursory outline of how best to articulate my listening hours on behalf of this audiobook and the others I shall be blogging about or reviewing in future. I’ve modified the suggestions to what I felt were pertinent to respond too on my own behalf as well as keeping to the questions I felt were relevant to share.

About Erin Spencer

Erin Spencer

Erin loves audiobooks! As an actress, they have allowed her to creatively stretch by playing all kinds of characters, all kinds of ages and all kinds of accents! She voiced roles in the Audie award winning title, Illuminae and was also nominated for a Voice Arts Award in the romance category. She has narrated over 100 titles and as an audiobook director has worked on at least 100 more. She has worked for most of the major publishers and also enjoys working with indie writers who are some of the most talented writers out there!

Listening Habit:

As disclosed on my first audiobook review of The Cryptic Lines (narrated by Jake Urry), I find colouring whilst I am listening to audiobooks to be a great benefit for being able to find the right catalyst of focus to soak inside the narrations.

Reading the sequel I decided to continue to colour from whence I left off on the page celebrating *Mary!* inside the FaithWords (ie. Hachette imprint) Heroines of the New Testament colouring book by Betsy Karounos before proceeding further into the book. I was surprised when I tried to finish the page for Mary, I was motivated to flip forward to ‘Anna’ instead. It took me nearly halfway through listening to the story evolve before me to realise I was colouring the name of one of the principal characters who was personally interesting to Carlie, herself!

The two ‘Anna’s’ have nothing in common (obviously!), however, colouring whilst listening to an audiobook is a bit like a suspension of reality. You’re consciously aware of what your doing but at the same time you’re not; because the art of colouring allows you to fuse into the narrative voice, thereby extending the visuals of the story to alight in your imagination. (read more on this review) In this way, colouring and audiobooks is a form of meditative trance to where your able to enter into a different state of awareness than you normally would have listening to a story being read.

Number of Times I’ve heard the Narrator(s):

Happily this is my *second!* audio performance on behalf of Ms Spencer, as she won me over completely by her performance of Carlie in Halfway Dead! I cannot imagine another actress portraying Carlie as a result! This might be a conflict (of interest; ie. bias!) if this were ever to develop into stage or screen adaptations (can’t a girl dream!?) but for now – Carlie and the entire world of Halfway [my readily beloved Witchy series celebrating White Witches and throwing me into a yesteryear nostalgic reverie (think: The Witches starring Angelica Houston!)] are wholly owned and celebrated by the voice of Ms Erin Spencer!

Regards to the Narrator’s Individual Character performances:

Why Carlie & her Gran still give me goosebumps of smiles:

They are such a natural team together – completely in sync with one another to where they understand each other without saying a word. It’s a beautiful relationship being focused one between generations and giving a positive perspective about how close-knit families can become who have equal respect for each other. They allow each other their space, understand high emotions and always find a way ‘back to centre’ to re-balance anything that took them individually out of alignment. I get a fever of goosebumps of smiles simply by seeing such a caring duo of grandmother and granddaughter facing the world together & investigating the unexplained for the good of mankind (and other spiritedly unique creatures!).

Regards to Articulation & Performance of different sections of the novel:

One of the things which has impressed me the most about Ms Spencer’s narration is how she inflects and intones gender differences inasmuch age differences. You can definitely understand a juvenile character from a mature grandmother but also, the altered voice between female to male. I would even suspect you can sense when a nefarious character is about to be highlighted simply by awaiting a ‘tell’ in her voice for when the chapter might ‘turn’ slightly afield. This isn’t something that spoilts the suspense but rather – a deep appreciation for her talent to infuse bits of a story which might be harder to translate off the printed page if she wasn’t intuitive attached to the narrative & characters.

In regards to Carlie, she completely re-voiced the lead character for the first half or so of the novel; nearly presenting her as half-depressed or dearly somber to feeling overwhelmed with her duties and with the imbalance she felt encasing her to where nothing felt like the world was making sense. Then, when it felt intuitively organic to do so, she slowly had Carlie re-emerge into her skin; feeling out her renewal of confidence and faith; as Carlie has a spiritual path which is an important part of her well-being and aptly included in each of the stories. As Carlie returns to a comfortable level of finding a way to filter out her stress and work through her emotional angst – you smile at how Ms Spencer handles it all with finesse!

Preference after listening to re-Listen or pick up the book in Print?

I am so wicked attached to this audiobook and how it was narrated – rather than seeking out the print editions, I might be so inclined to see if there are posters (even mini-posters) of the cover-art or if there will be editions of these audios on CD; as I’d rather have a tangible connection to the audiobooks rather than to collect the books in print. I know that sometimes strange – as I spoke about how much I love to listen to audios and read books in print in tandem recently; however, in this particular case, I am simply in awe and joy of Ms Spencer’s performance, I do not want to nettle out my own interpretation that might stray away from hers to the point I would lose the experience of what the narration gave me.

A bit like how sometimes you see a motion picture adaptation of a novel!? For me, this happens one of two ways: either I am aware of the book before it goes to screen OR I have the disadvantage of not recognising it’s a novel (either a new title or one I never knew of previously) – I either watch the film first or I read the book first. Rarely though it does happen, do I see the film first and not want to read the book. This is one of those times where I have fully embraced the adaptation that I do not want to concede to meet the original it’s based upon as to me, I feel like the adaptation has heightened the original and is the best interpretation of it’s story’s soul. -fully stand by my original reaction!

In closing, would I seek out another Erin Spencer audiobook?

lol Most immediately I’ll be listening to Halfway Hunted! Of which I think I might be reading about ‘werewolves’ if you take into consideration the cover art!? Ooh my! Bring it!

If you would like to know more technical details about the sound quality, etc.

please refer to my review of Halfway Dead – which is linked at the bottom of this review.

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 This blog tour is courtesy of Audiobookworm Promotions:

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Whilst participating on:

Halfway Bitten blog tour via Audiobookworm PromotionsThis is the third of many reviews I’ll be showcasing on behalf of audiobooks – not just through the lovely tours via Audiobookworm Promotions, but through selecting audiobooks through my local library as well as the ones I hope to purchase in the future, too! If your an avid audiobook listener, I welcome your commentary and recommendations especially for YA Paranormal stories such as this one or Paranormal Suspense or Cosy Horror you think I might enjoy seeking out next!

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{SOURCES: Cover art of “Halfway Bitten”, collage graphic of the Halfway Witchy series, book synopsis, narrator biography, narrator photo,  author biography, author photo, badge with excerpt from “Halfway Dead”, Audiobookworm Promotions badge and the audiobook tour badge were all provided by Audiobookworm Promotions and used with permission. Post dividers by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination. Tweets embedded by codes provided by Twitter. Blog graphics created by Jorie via Canva: Audiobook Review Banner and the Comment Box Banner.}

Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2017.

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About jorielov

I am self-educated through local libraries and alternative education opportunities. I am a writer by trade and I cured a ten-year writer’s block by the discovery of Nanowrimo in November 2008. The event changed my life by re-establishing my muse and solidifying my path. Five years later whilst exploring the bookish blogosphere I decided to become a book blogger. I am a champion of wordsmiths who evoke a visceral experience in narrative. I write comprehensive book showcases electing to get into the heart of my reading observations. I dance through genres seeking literary enlightenment and enchantment. Starting in Autumn 2013 I became a blog book tour hostess featuring books and authors. I joined The Classics Club in January 2014 to seek out appreciators of the timeless works of literature whose breadth of scope and voice resonate with us all.

"I write my heart out and own my writing after it has spilt out of the pen." - self quote (Jorie of Jorie Loves A Story)

read more >> | Visit my Story Vault of Book Reviews | Policies & Review Requests | Contact Jorie

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Posted Wednesday, 18 January, 2017 by jorielov in #JorieLovesIndies, 21st Century, Animals in Fiction & Non-Fiction, Apothecary, ArchDemons or Demonic Entities, Audiobook, Audiobookworm Promotions, Author Found me On Twitter, Balance of Faith whilst Living, Bits & Bobbles of Jorie, Blog Tour Host, Cats and Kittens, Clever Turns of Phrase, Coming-Of Age, Cosy Horror, Cosy Horror Suspense, Dreams & Dreamscapes, Earthen Magic, Earthen Spirituality, Environmental Science, Equality In Literature, Faeries & the Fey, Fantasy Fiction, Folklore and Mythology, Ghost Story, Ghosts & the Supernatural, Good vs. Evil, Gothic Literature, Gothic Mystery, Horror-Lite, Humour & Satire in Fiction / Non Fiction, Immortals, Indie Author, Light vs Dark, Modern Day, Nature & Wildlife, New Adult Fiction, Parapsychological Gifts, Parapsychological Suspense, Philosophical Intuitiveness, Political Narrative & Modern Topics, Premonition-Precognitive Visions, Realistic Fiction, Shapeshifters, Small Towne USA, Sociology, Speculative Fiction, Spirituality & Metaphysics, Supernatural Creatures & Beings, Suspense, Sustainability & Ecological Preservation, The Natural World, Upper YA Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Vampires, Vulgarity in Literature, Walking & Hiking Trails, Werewolves, Witches and Warlocks, YA Fantasy, YA Paranormal &/or Paranormal Romance, Young Adult Fiction




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