Tag: Audible

Review of Dire series by Andrew Seiple.

I have mixed feeling with this series, listening to the six books in just over three days means introspection. Overall, I think I could give the series 4 out of 5 stars. This is averaging over the six books. As this is a review for the whole series, I will be trying to be as non-spoiler as possible.

Before I dive deep into the review, I would like to comment on the superb and fantastic job by the narrator Amy McFadden. She made the characters come alive with her voice acting work, 5 stars!

My thoughts of the book are that it is a series about the strengths and weaknesses of humankind. This is set in a Teslaverse, where Tesla created superhumans and that his technology runs the world. How did this shift the paradigm of the world? Not much, it seems. Just add people with superpowers in the annals of history and boom this world is created.

I am oversimplifying this, but I am glad Mr Seiple did not have a need to change history dramatically as allowing you to focus on the actual message of the book, that humans are their own worst villains. Which helps the main character goals, strengths, and flaws to shine. The main character is named Dire; she wakes up on an operating table that seems to have herself performed brain surgery to remove all her long-term memories. Then six books later, she is still Dire and one of the best all-round characters I have ever read.

There were many moments of tears, laughing out loud and palm smacks. I did love this series and will go back to reread it.

Searching for the right voice.

Since I have been listening to audiobooks, I have been wondering how my books would be as audiobooks. From my publisher and many others think my voice would be the best, but I am no voice actor. I want someone who is professional and can bring the level of emotions and nuances to my characters and worlds.

The Brilliant Mr Marsters

I have been picturing for my book, Lake Merrin and the Great Spoon Heist, a pure voice with a bit of sarcasm hinted in his affections. If I really went out of my way, I would choose, James Marsters who did the narration for Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden Files. I think his voice would be perfect for Lone, but I am a poor indie author, that is a pipe dream.

So that brings me back to the drawing board, who to look for to capture the world of Lake Merrin. Someone who is not afraid to be witty and self-deprecating or throwing out random thoughts. Also needs to have enough range to interpret the other characters. Joan Stillwater, she needs an authoritarian voice but with friends a softness, especially talking to WayWocket.

WayWocket is another issue, his personality needs to have a range that could switch between insane genius to a sociopathic scientist. Gunnar is probably the easiest, he is gruff and sullen with sparks of respect with Joan. Also, he needs a buried hatred to half-breeds like Lone as he is racist as heck.

While my other series, FableLands has a character that is based on one of my role-playing days, James and ‘Jimy’. I don’t think I could let anyone else do his voice but the rest of the cast, wouldn’t have a clue who to cast as their voice actors.

The journey to find the right one is going to be hard, even listening to some sample clips doesn’t show me their scope. If my magical actor can handle this, then he is hired, by luck, it happens to be Mr Marsters, we are all good.