The Bibliophile Bear

Cliffhanger

Reviewed: 08-25-24

Ugh. I wish I’d known it had a cliffhanger before starting. We all know Kore/Persephone becomes queen of the underworld so it’s not too much of a cliffhanger but I didn’t realize this is really just the beginning of their story.
Otherwise I really enjoyed it. Can’t wait for the next book.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Would make a great Disney movie

Reviewed: 08-11-24

This is the Filipino Disney movie in book form that you didn't know you needed. The characters are adorable, the "bad guys" are mean but not too scary, and there are good lessons to be learned - all in all, a great book for young readers.
On the other hand, the narration made me cringe. It was not good.
Many Tagalog/Filipino words were mispronounced and the characters' "Filipino accent" sounded like a parody. Almost like a comedian making fun of Filipinos. It was crude and unnatural. I just kept cringing and wishing I read the book instead of listening to it.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Loved it!

Reviewed: 07-17-24

I knew nothing about this book when I purchased it on a whim during the Audible 2-for-1 sale. Thank the book-gods that guided me to take a chance on it. I love it.
The Shadowy Horses is an eerie, atmospheric, paranormal mystery with a delicious, drawn-out romance between two archeologists in the Scottish borderlands. It’s mistakenly tagged as “Historical” which hurts my soul as the book takes place in the early to mid-90s. I understand the confusion though. The story unfolds in that sweet spot in recent history; pre-digital camera, pre-mobile phone, and only the rich have a computer at home. The locations of the story; a quaint little seaside town, an isolated manor house, and the Scottish countryside, contribute to the old-timey feel of the novel. It’s a gothic romantic suspense slice of cake with a treacle-thick slow burn attraction that I gobbled up. Susanna Kearsley, where have you been all my life? I need more of this.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Fun series, awful narrator.

Reviewed: 02-12-23

As much as I enjoy this series, the narrator just keeps getting more and more annoying with each book.
Jane supposedly graduated from college 11 years ago which would put her in her early 30s but the narrator makes her sound like a teenager. Elves have a longer lifespan so perhaps 30 is the equivalent of their 16 but either way, the narrator's baby voice grates on the nerves.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

A must read!

Reviewed: 01-25-23

This was a difficult but necessary read. It’s easy to look at the Philippines and dismiss it as a lost cause. We jumped out of the frying pan (Duterte) and danced into the fire (Marcos). But in this book, Maria shows that Filipinos, and yes, even Americans, are very much the victims of disinformation and manipulation. All of us are bombarded left, right, and center, all day, everyday, by algorithms and subliminal manipulation. How does one protect themselves from brainwashing when they’re unaware they’re under attack?
I was prepared for this to be an uncomfortable, poignant read, and it certainly was. But it’s equally uplifting, inspirational, provocative and, at times, humorous. Listening to the audiobook made it more personal. You laugh along with Maria when shares stories of her awkward childhood and your heart breaks along with her voice as she narrates her first arrest and the subsequent physical examination in jail. It’s admirable how someone who has gone through and continues to go through so much can continue to be so optimistic. This is a cautionary tale from the Philippines to the world.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Perfect for fans of the Addams Family

Reviewed: 01-06-23

Mirabelle and her family are just as creepy, kooky and utterly lovable as the Addams family. I don’t often read Middle Grade books so I’m glad I took a chance on this one. The children also remind me of the kids in House on the Cerulean Sea.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Awful narrator.

Reviewed: 02-24-21

I’ve always been interested in Frank Lloyd Wright so this seemed right up my alley. Unfortunately I couldn’t make it past the first 10 minutes. The narrator was intolerable and this was anything but relaxing.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

Cringeworthy accents

Reviewed: 12-20-20

I would’ve given this a higher rating of not for the female narrator. Her accents made me cringe.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Such fun- even for a non-drinker

Reviewed: 12-06-20

Although I’m not particularly fond of alcohol (I have maybe one drink a year), I enjoyed this story immensely. It’s such a unique premise and was well paced and well written. My only complaint is that the narrator somehow managed to make the Canadian sound Slavic which I found extremely distracting. Other than that, two thumbs up.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Listening to the narrator is excruciating. DNF!

Reviewed: 08-04-20

I could barely get past 90 minutes of this awful narration. She made Vlad sound like Count von Count from Sesame Street. It was so bad I gave up and exchanged the title. Such a shame. I’d heard such good things about the book but the god-awful accent was unbearable.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!