Narration was a bedtime story

I have read this book every year pretty much since it first came out. It is one of my favorites. So I was thrilled to see that it was available as an audio book! I finally got around to starting listening to it, this afternoon. My first impression is that the narration is very bland! There is so much passion and expression but none of that comes through. Maybe it's just that I've read this book so many times and maybe all audio books are like this but this is MY FAVORITE BOOK so to see it read so.... Hum drum was very disappointing. I do recommend the book, though! It's amazing.

1 person found this helpful

Magick indeed!

There is a lot packed in to this novel - a Frankenstein style science lab, Lazarus resurrection, reincarnation, magick, witchcraft, and a chilling portrayal of an oh-so-too-real bible thumping madman.

The story is read with much skill and a rather engaging performance.

1 person found this helpful

Witches and more

This book is has both darkness and light. It was different from my other reads but if you are into the light and dark might work for you.

Awesome Story

I 1st read this in Jr. High on print. Listening has been a great joy.

Book was just okay

BOOK REVIEW....

I had trouble getting into this story from the beginning. A good part of that was the reading itself. But also the story. It was very wordy. I found myself wishing it was a paperback so I could skip in places. Over all it was just an okay story.

AUDIO REVIEW......

I found the narrator to sounded like she wasn't really interested in the story. The characters were different enoughsounding to be able to tell the difference of who was speaking for the most part. However they were annoying sounding. I didn't like the sound of them at all.

*****Received this via audiobookblast in exchange for an unbiased review. ****
L.

1 person found this helpful

Where Witchcraft, Religion, and Science Crashes

Cat Magic takes place in Maywell, New Jersey where the some of the residents are witches. Amanda Walker came to Maywell, New Jersey from New York City in attempt to get her name as an illustrator for a well-known author, Constance Collier. She is staying with her uncle, George to get her illustration done if Constance Collier hires her.

Little does Amanda knows that she will be involved with Witchcraft, a mad scientist, and a fanatic preacher in a life and death confrontation of who she is in the past and what she has to do to break the cycle.

Cat Magic has its all, witchcraft, religion, and science. Each tampered with the theme of resurrection and reincarnation. It is about love, hatred,guilt, redemption, and most of all, a lesson in tolerance.

When I received this audiobook, I was more intrigued by the book cover and the title of the book. I'm not particularly interested in religious theme. In some of the books containing the religious theme, there is always a crazy preacher leading his followers to do some extreme acts which puts me off. This story goes deeper into each of the characters' background that the readers will understand why each has a place and a lesson involved.

The best character I loved in this story is Tom, the black cat. He plays a minor part throughout the story and somehow connect each of the characters' roles.

The narrator, Maria Marquis does an excellent job of telling the story. I enjoyed listening to her narrating the story.

I was given this audiobook by the author/narrator via Audiobook Blast in exchange of an honest review. I was not compensated or influenced in any way for the review of the book.

Modern Day Witch Burning

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would to a friend who likes this genre.

Would you recommend Cat Magic to your friends? Why or why not?

I would to those who likes this genre.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Maria Marquis?

Yes I would.

Do you think Cat Magic needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No it is fine as a stand alone.

Any additional comments?

The book was a modern day Wiccan tale, with clashes of science and fundamental Christianity,

A very corrupt fundamental Christian preacher is out to destroy the local Wiccan community. He reminds be of the evil bishop in the Disney movie The Hunchback of Notre Dame. He is fanatical, charismatic, and obsessed.

In contrast there is an equally corrupt, fanatical, obsessed scientist.

A new priestess and Wiccan leader of the community is being tested and initiated.

The book could of used more editing as it was overly long and dragged along at times.

I feel a good three hours could of been sliced off the book. If it wasn't for the parts that dragged I would of given the book a higher rating

“I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot come”

Mesmerizing Narrator, not sure about the story

Would you consider the audio edition of Cat Magic to be better than the print version?

First, please be aware that this audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com. I think the audio version is probably preferable, due largely to the narration. There were parts of this book that I really enjoyed, but there were many that seemed disjointed and were a little hard to follow. If this had been a conventional book, those moments may have lead me to put the book down and not pick it up again.

If you’ve listened to books by Whitley Strieber before, how does this one compare?

I have never listed to other Whitley Strieber books, so I can't compare apples to apples, but I have read other Strieber books, some of which I had trouble finishing. I think it took me three attempts to make it to the end of Communion, partially I think because knowing that the author considered it to be non-fiction made it difficult to get into the "suspension of disbelief" space in my head that type of story requires.

What does Maria Marquis bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Maria Marquis is an exceptional narrator. She has a lush, soothing voice, that builds subtly with increasing tension in the story. I think the quality of her voice really added to the audiobook experience. In audio, the narrator can make or break a book. In this case, I may have continued listening to the story because I was enjoying the sound of the narrator's voice.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not especially

A Tale of Witches, Religion, And Science

Would you consider the audio edition of Cat Magic to be better than the print version?

I definitely would simply because the narration done by Maria Marquis is phenomenal and probably my most favorite aspect of the ensemble.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I suppose I would've just cut a good deal of it and streamlined it more. I know that sometimes a sweeping story is the best part of it, but for whatever reason I found this harder to get into despite acknowledging that the writing was well-done.

What does Maria Marquis bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She provides a voice with emotions and an aspect of personality to characters where before there were only words to describe them.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I didn't really because I found it hard to relate to the characters and whatnot. It was interesting to get an introduction to Wiccans and witchcraft and whatnot though.

Any additional comments?

I received a key for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review and that has had no effect on my perception of it. Despite not being the biggest fan of the story, I'm making it a point to seek out some of Streiber's more horror-focused books because I enjoyed his writing and believe that in a more straightforward tale I'd be enthralled.

Outpouring of magic and dimensional worlds

Where does Cat Magic rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Maybe the top 10.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I kept thinking something bigger was building, but it kind of ended short. I hope there is a sequel.

Have you listened to any of Maria Marquis’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

sometimes! Other times, it dragged on a bit.

Any additional comments?

* I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ** I'm a big Whitley Strieber fan but I was somewhat put off by the big evil being , once again, portrayed as someone identifying themselves as a Christian. Although, they did manage to show some of the other Christians in the community as not being crazy bigoted trash. The concept of people being close to the earth and wanting to live in their own way was amazingly well done. It was interesting and the use of the Crone and the Maiden allegory was brought to life in the telling.