SYNC - Free Audiobooks for Summer 2013

[tubemonkey]

Week 9 -- exp 31 Jul

• The False Prince -- download here -- no restrictions
• The Prince and the Pauper -- download here -- no restrictions

The False Prince by Jennifer A Nielsen -- narrated by Charlie McWade -- unabridged (8.2 hrs)

In Volume One of the Ascendance Trilogy, Charlie McWade enacts the sometimes brutal transformation of Sage from roast-stealing teen orphan to prince and ruler of Carthya. McWade’s haughty tones for the ambitious regent Bevin Conner, who grooms the young orphan, contrast well with his thuggish portrayal of Conner’s creepy underling and with his depiction of the working-class Mrs. Trubeldy, of the orphanage. But when Sage is told to drop his foreign accent and sound like Carthian royalty, McWade’s one example is not cohesive, nor does his voice transform with his role. In endeavoring to evoke villainy, he has another regent sounding more like a foreign foe than a longtime royal. Despite these inconsistencies, McWade’s pacing and storytelling are strong and leave listeners awaiting the young king’s next adventures—which are hinted at in an ebullient author interview.

The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain -- narrated by Steve West -- unabridged (7.5 hrs)

Twain’s classic story of the poor street urchin who changes places with Edward Tudor, Prince of Wales and almost ends up as King is brought to entertaining life by Steve West’s wonderful performance. His smooth delivery flows easily through the flowery, unfamiliar syntax of the King’s English, engaging the listener in a way the printed word cannot.

[tubemonkey]

Week 10 -- exp 07 Aug

• Death Cloud -- download here -- US & Canada only
• Adventures of Sherlock Holmes -- download here -- no restrictions

Death Cloud by Andrew Lane -- narrated by Dan Weyman -- unabridged (7.3 hrs)

Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award

This bold depiction of a 14-year-old Sherlock Holmes succeeds splendidly. He’s as fascinating as Doyle’s brilliant creation. Holmes’s fans will see how he acquired his vast knowledge and developed into the man he became. Narrator Dan Weyman excels in introducing an intelligent, warm yet shy boy. Sherlock’s streetwise friend, Matty, is tough yet sweet, perfectly complementing him. The best character is the American tutor, who sounds like an actual American, as does his daughter, who piques Sherlock’s interest. Weyman captures emotion and action in a breathtaking manner that adds to the sheer pleasure. The characters unravel a complex mystery led by a dastardly villain who’s also artfully portrayed. High praise is simply insufficient to do full justice to this outstanding work. Please, those of all ages, listen to it for yourselves!

Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by AC Doyle -- narrated by Ralph Cosham -- unabridged (9.2 hrs)

In a gravelly voice, Ralph Cosham becomes the voice of Dr. Watson as he narrates 12 of his adventures with Sherlock Holmes. Dashing round London and the English countryside, Watson and Holmes search for villains, deceivers, and the perpetrators of crimes both physical and psychological. Cosham brings these immortal tales to life once again, replete with details both significant and trivial and the sights and sounds of late-nineteenth-century London. Cosham uses subtle accents to differentiate the characters. Watson is characterized with droll, smoky tones, and Holmes is portrayed with an even cadence and soft tones. The other characters have accents reminiscent of their stations, nationalities, and gender. Cosham captures the genius of Sherlock Holmes, the faithful friendship of Dr. Watson, the language of their time, and their zest for adventure.

[tubemonkey]

Death Cloud is book one in the Sherlock Holmes: The Legend Begins series. So far, five books have been released; with a potential for nine total. The series is written by British author, Andrew Lane.

• v1 -- Death Cloud (2010)
• v2 -- Red Leech (2010) -- aka Rebel Fire in the US
• v3 -- Black Ice (2011)
• v4 -- Fire Storm (2011)
• v5 -- Snake Bite (2012)
• v6 -- Knife Edge (planned for Oct 2013)

Young Sherlock Holmes is a series of young adult Thriller novels by Andy Lane featuring Arthur Conan Doyle's detective Sherlock Holmes as a teenager in the 1860s that is faced with numerous crimes and adventures throughout the series.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Based on the success of Charlie Higson's bestselling Young Bond series, the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle authorised a series of books detailing the life of the teenage Sherlock Holmes'.

[tubemonkey]

Week 11 -- exp 14 Aug

• Enchanted -- download here -- no restrictions
• Through the Looking Glass -- download here -- no restrictions

Enchanted by Alethea Kontis -- narrated by Katherine Kellgren -- unabridged (7.9 hrs)

2013 Audies Finalist

“There’s a magical quality to Katherine Kellgren’s voice that works well with this aptly named novel. She has both a softness and an edge in her tone that perfectly capture the strong-willed yet romantic Sunday Woodcutter, the powerful seventh daughter of a seventh daughter. For Grumble, the talking frog soon-to-be prince who wins Sunday’s heart, Kellgren speaks with a comical hoarseness. The personalities of Sunday’s siblings shine through as well—from Wednesday’s quiet solitude to Saturday’s brashness. She handles the various members of the court, from the evil king down to the brutish cook, with ease. Kellgren weaves a spell over the listener that’s almost as powerful as the ones woven by the fairy godmothers in this charming story.”

Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll -- narrated by Miriam Margolyes --unabridged (3.6 hrs)

“Celebrated actress Miriam Margolyes takes listeners on an extraordinary journey through the looking glass. With talent as deep as Lewis Carroll’s imagination, Margolyes portrays everything from a bleating sheep shopkeeper to Humpty Dumpty. The familiar characters sound just as they ought to—Alice is innocent and polite, the Red Queen demanding and shrill. Minor characters get the royal treatment as well. Margolyes adds a gruffness to her tone that is appropriate for a talking goat and a haughtiness that captures a pugilistic unicorn. Even the personalities of the talking flowers bloom—the tiger lily sounds bold and cantankerous while the rose is soft-spoken and gentle. This wonderful performance is perfect for a queen—Red or White.”

[tubemonkey]

This is the Final Week

Week 12 -- exp 21 Aug

• Sold -- download here -- US & Canada only
• Let Me Stand Alone -- download here -- no restrictions

Sold by Patricia McCormick -- narrated by Justine Eyre -- unabridged (3.7 hrs)

Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award

This stunning novel by the gifted McCormick centers on 13-year-old Lakshmi, who lives with her family in the mountains of Nepal and is tricked into a life of prostitution. Raw, bitter, honest, and unnerving, the story comes to life in a vivid and personal performance by Justine Eyre. With a pitch-perfect tone that is as unrelenting as the story, Eyre delivers a stellar performance that embodies the main character’s quest in the utmost detail. Eyre’s dialect is astute and precise, lending a credibility that affects the overall experience. The result is a memorable event that will no doubt have listeners returning for another listening experience with Eyre for years to come.

Let Me Stand Alone by Rachel Corrie -- narrated by Tavia Gilbert -- unabridged (10.4 hrs)

“Narrator Tavia Gilbert captures every facet of Rachel Corrie’s journey from middle school in Olympia, Washington, to her death at 23 beneath a bulldozer blade in Palestine. From the adolescent’s wonder at life to the young adult’s tears of anger and frustration at the world’s injustices, Gilbert’s talented shadings of tone and intensity convey all the passion and talent of this remarkable young woman. Rachel gives us herself through her words; Tavia Gilbert gives us her voice.”

[Synamon]

Sold is only available in the US and Canada according to the website.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Synamon

Sold is only available in the US and Canada according to the website.

I saw that and think it's a mistake. It's not listed on the restricted page, nor is it mentioned on the page for the book. The only mention of it is here.

Would someone outside the US and Canada please confirm this one way or the other. Thanks.

[Marrella]

I'm in Germany and I can't download it. It also says on the download page that it is only available in the US and Canada. Maybe they forgot to list it on the restricted page.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Marrella

I'm in Germany and I can't download it. It also says on the download page that it is only available in the US and Canada. Maybe they forgot to list it on the restricted page.

Evidently so. Thanks for checking. I'll make the appropriate changes.

[tubemonkey]

SYNC Will Return in 2014!

Thank you, Listeners, for another fine summer. Stay tuned for next summer’s title announcements in April 2014!

Do you receive SYNC text alerts, the email newsletter, or do you follow this blog? If not, pop over to the right hand column for those options.

We will be in touch next Spring when SYNC gets rolling again! In the meantime, we hope you continue to explore the audiobook experience.

[gabby98]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

This is the Final Week

Week 12 -- exp 21 Aug

• Sold -- download here -- US & Canada only
• Let Me Stand Alone -- download here -- no restrictions

Sold by Patricia McCormick -- narrated by Justine Eyre -- unabridged (3.7 hrs)



Let Me Stand Alone by Rachel Corrie -- narrated by Tavia Gilbert -- unabridged (10.4 hrs)

Drat...I thought i got these before it was too late but alas I missed out