A great setting for Teens and Adults

A series of separate stories, Neverwar really hits all the fantasy buttons, and fires on all cyclinders. The first tales can be considered as "world builder" stories, they set the stage and really give you a feel for the setting and the people that inhabit it. The last few stories take the what you start with and build up from there. It is a good progression, and each could be a stand alone tale unto themselves.

When I say setting, I mean setting, as it deals with different worlds and different races. This does not take away from the tales at all. Instead it really helped the story grow. It is interconnected from the start, even though you may not see it at first.

I will say that Rutherford really paints a verbal picture. You feel what the characters do, their triumphs and defeats. You are there with them. The nemesis is believably evil; a rarity in this genre most of the time. Also, this is not a straight fantasy piece, it touches into sci-fi territory and we get Rutherford's take on parallel dimensions.

Welburn is really great in her role, as she really has some heavy lifting to do, as Rutherford does not hold back on the roller coaster ride. Her voice is sweet and soothing and fits the storyline. I never wished for a different narrator, and I do have some favorites that I prefer to listen to. I think she may have just entered my stable of preferred narrators. I think I need a few more books to be certain, but yeah. . . I think she's in.

Rutherford has now become a name I will look for when I am seeking something new and different. By the way, my teens listened with me as we drove, and they loved it too.

3 people found this helpful

Plenty of action

Good complex Teen/YA story. Plenty of supernatural beings and bit of sci-fi. Detailed storyline with very good world building. I liked the characters. The narrator did a nice job. I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

1 person found this helpful

Great modern day Epic Adventure

This is a great Adventure story , the story spans thousands of years & still pulls it all together to make it entertaining & unpredictable.
It has the feel of a modern day Lords of Rings feel to it & still has elves, dragons & other mythical creatures .
The Narrator does a good job with the Narration & is easy to listen to.
I recieved this book free for an unbiased review.

1 person found this helpful

Never a dull moment

This is the first book by this author that I have read/listened to and I must say I was extremely pleased! This is the entire set of books in the series so it is a longer book than if you were to read each one individually and a better value all together. The world building was set up perfectly to set the stage for everything. The characters were easy to fall in love with or totally hate depending on their actions. I loved that there were dragons and elves and it was the main reason I wanted to listen to this book.
The narrator at times had a pitch to her voice that strained my migraines but I believe that is something that is on me and would not affect other listeners.

1 person found this helpful

Very Planned Out!

So much detail was put into the "plan" within these books! World build up was done very well, describing and explains all the new things at just the right time. I had many laughs and a couple of cries. The characters were just amazing, I felt like I was right there with them the entire time! Couldn't get enough!

Narration was great. There were a few spots towards the beginning that I didn't care for how a few characters were voiced, other than that, it was great. There was just enough variation in voices you could tell who was talking.

Wonderful series!!

1 person found this helpful

This is an amazingly fun world

Tales of Neverwar-the Boxset

By CJ Rutherford Narrated by Katie Welburn

This is an amazingly fun world Rutherford has created and the characters are definitely unique. Unlike most children’s books, evil does exist with irreversible actions. I appreciate the reality of that. Each character is well developed throughout the story and the author has given readers enough description to allow us to become a part of his world. I enjoyed the book. Also, I listened to the audio book and like the narrator; she has perfect emotions and cadence in her narration.

This would be a good book for upper grades and young adults and some middle school age children. I would not use this in any grade under 8th grade though. I would also arrange the reading time spans based on where we were in the book. There are some parts that will quickly loose the students’ attention, but some that will have them at the edge of their seats.

Overall, I give Tales of Neverwar a 4 star rating.

Beth

1 person found this helpful

AMAZING

WHAT AN AWESOME SERIES, I AM SO HAPPY IT CAME AS A BOX SET THAT WAY I DID NOT HAVE TO WAIT TO LISTEN TO THE OTHER BOOKS. THIS IS A SERIES I WILL LISTEN TO AGAIN.

1 person found this helpful

Very complex world building!

Great series for a long drive. Intricate storyline takes paying attention to understand full depth. Many layers happening at all times. I should probably read the e-book version to make up for what I missed in life's interruptions.

1 person found this helpful

It's ALL in there

Dragons, magic, unicorns, and fierce battles. Space ships, Aliens, time travel. An ambitious world spanning adventure interlaced with love stories and bitter rivalries.
You'll need to pay close attention, because it jumps around quite a bit and characters are introduced from every which direction, but it all comes together in the end.

1 person found this helpful

Amazing World to Live In

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It depends on what the friend liked to read. I gave this 4 stars based on someone who loves dragons and elves along with epic battles. However, it is more geared towards teenagers and young adults. I really loved the prequel and how any ill will and hatred can’t exist in this world. It is filtered out when you pass through the gates. When I started the next book, I had a hard time because it was so different. I know it was setting up for something epic. The two girls were a little too much drama for me but I think I would be the same way if I started seeing someone who no one else could see.

What other book might you compare Tales of the Neverwar - a YA Fantasy Adventure: The Boxset to and why?

This is such a unique world. But it is also epic on a scale of being in the category of Harry Potter

What about Katie Welburn’s performance did you like?

The narrator was wonderful. She really brings the characters to life.

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

Yes. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, something new was added that changed the whole world. I loved the different beings. Elves and dragons. The dragons were so awesome and crotchety just like I would imagine. But the sorrow and what was done to them was almost too much for me.

Any additional comments?

I get too emotional with books when really sad things happen. But I firmly believe that this is one set of books others will love and it will be one that sticks with you always.

1 person found this helpful