Alistair

Tales from P.A.W.S., Book 1

By: Debbie Manber Kupfer

Narrated by: Matt Lovell

"Maybe I am," said Alistair, "But there are monsters worse than me in this world. You are lucky, Joshua; lucky you have me to protect you. I was not so fortunate." Alistair took a long breath in and exhaled slowly, "neither was my mother...."

©2016 Debbie Manber Kupfer (P)2016 Debbie Manber Kupfer

A great read very short story

This was a great explanation of how Alistair became what how is. poor Alistair I was glad when he got his father.

intense

I have not read the other books in this story, so had no idea what to expect. it is short but very intense. it is allistair's story on how and why he became a wolf. I was transfixed and now have to go find the rest of the series. there is some violence and dark themes. can be read alone and has no cliff hanger.

my opinion

Can't say I was a fan of the narration style. for me the slow-steady style of narrating doesn't engage me as well.

As for the story, it's mainly Alistair recounting why he sought to become immortal. Kinda wish there had been more Show rather than Tell, but that does not seem to be the author's style.

Good side story

This is the third book I have read/listened to by this author and I would listen to another. I have also listened to book 1: P.A.W.S. I have several other tales from P.A.W.S. in my library and look forward to listening to them. I like the world of shifters that she has created. ——-

This is the first book I have listened to by this narrator ( Matt Lovell ) and I would listen to another. He adds expression, emotion and personality to the characters. His reading reminds me a bit of an actor in a play by his enunciation. It’s a little over acted for the book, but still a good listen.——-

There are no explicit sex scenes, excessive violence, or swearing. ——-

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.

Story 4/5
Narration 4/5

great

fantastic read, kept me in twine with the story, I loved it, on to the next.

Reads like a Series Preview/Teaser

This is a super short backstory of one of the characters in the series P.A.W.S. The story is interesting and definitely explains Alistair's anger. I would be interested to see where the story goes in full book form with the rest of the series. The narrator did a fantastic job with the voice differentiation and was fun to listen to.

—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

4.5/5 stars

I don't remember much about the book, but I do remember really liking it. It's different and dark but oddly satisfying.
*I received a free copy of the audiobook ages ago, listened ages ago, freely chose to leave the review. All thoughts are my own.

Effectively told tale of revenge

Would you listen to Alistair again? Why?

Well-written story effectively told.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Alistair?

I liked how he remembered his sister.

What about Matt Lovell’s performance did you like?

I like his emotional tension building and the animalistic aspect he added

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

No

Love it

That voice! Love love love it! The narrator was excellent and the story of Alistair, very tragic.

Am I a monster?

Alistair is playing chess with Joshua when he tells the story of his father, who was a monster. The treatment of Alistair and his sister by their father was the story that so many children are, unfortunately, familiar with. It was particularly hard to listen to the part about the funeral, with the friends and neighbors who expressed all sorts of condolences and brought gifts to his father, all because they did not know who Alistair's father truly was and what had truly happed. But, it was that incident that sent Alistair on his journey to try and solve the problem.

This was not an easy short story to read/listen to. But it was a very good short story. It was true to so many stories we hear in real life - discounting the magical parts. It reminded me a lot of a poem I read in high school in the 90s - a poem so powerful that it has stuck with me since then - My Papa's Waltz.

The narrator, Matt Lovell, did a wonderful job. His voice was perfect for the story. It was dark and harsh and really brought home how the line between good and evil is not so easily drawn, not are the labels so easily given.

Still, all that being said, I will admit to listening to this story twice. I listened to it the first time, then immediately relistened to it, because the darkness in it, the insidiousness of the characters, is what made it so good.