Cold Little Games

By: Olivia Wildenstein

Narrated by: Catherine Wenglowski

Gold medal winner of the 2016 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards!

Nineteen-year-old Ivy Redd's talent with a needle and thread has earned her a spot on a coveted reality TV art competition set in New York's Metropolitan Museum. The prize: a significant amount of money and instant acceptance into the Masterpiecers, the school that ensures new artists fame and fortune. Her talent has also thrust her and her twin sister, Aster, into the spotlight.

Not that Aster needed help with becoming a media favorite. She managed that on her own by running over a wanted Mafioso. She told the police it was self-defense, because she couldn't tell them the truth - the truth would make her sister look bad.

Locked in an Indiana jail to await her trial, Aster watches Ivy on the small TV hanging in the dayroom. It's the highlight of her day, until she finds out what her sister truly thinks of her. Then, observing her sister becomes a punishment far crueler than imprisonment.

©2016 Olivia Wildenstein (P)2016 Olivia Wildenstein

Excellent mystery

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

Yes, it held your interest throughout the entire book.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked how the author went from Ivy to Aster with each chapter and developed suspicion between the two sisters.

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

No but her diction and cadence was very good.

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

I felt great empathy for Aster due to her insensitive upbringing and how it affected her whole life.

Any additional comments?

"I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrator.”

Art and Mystery

Sister's Ivy and Aster are caught in the middle of a scheme. Aster's in prison for murder and Ivy's on her way to join the hit show Masterpiecers. A show where artists complete for money through a series of activities displaying their skills. That doesn't sound all that exciting but intrigue is carefully woven into the story creating a great story.

The story flips between Aster and Ivy developing their characters. and the plot. At first the connection isn't evident whether on purpose or not but there was enough suspense to keep me listening. Narrator Catherine Wenglowski did a good job with her performance and I enjoyed the story.

For anyone who enjoys a good mystery then check this one out.

The Masterpieces is a masterpiece

The way Olivia Wildenstein wrote this book is a big part if the reason I loved this book. With each chapter we switch between Ivy and Aster. Ivy and Aster are twins that are very different and the author does a wonderful job of showing the differences but at the same time showing how twins are connected. The story is a psychological masterpiece.
Catherine Wenglowski does a masterful job of narrating this story. She kept me interested and wanting to listen just a little longer. A win win compo.

Twin Sisters

If you could sum up The Masterpiecers in three words, what would they be?

Twins Are Different.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Chase. He was caring and helpful.

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

No

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

When Aster was in the pink room moved me.

Any additional comments?

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

The Masterpiecers

Any additional comments?

3.5 stars
Overall an entertaining, enjoyable and interesting. This was a light mystery with a creative, original and unusual setting for the story. For me this was a slow moving mystery. Not that it wasn't interesting, it was. A lot of the story focuses on the details of what is going on in the Masterpiecers competition instead of on the mystery. As the story slowly moves forward through the competition you are given clues to the mystery through the dual POV's and the intertwining stories of Ivy and Aster.

It was interesting to see how each sister viewed the other. As the story went on you come to realize their relationship is not quite what it seems in the beginning. Even how growing up in the same house was a different experience for both of them.

There were plenty of unusual twists in story. Some things were expected and some were not. It was pretty easy early on to figure out the plot and who the "bad guy/culprit" was. There was just never the big climactic ending. Except for Aster. Really your going to end like that! What about an epilogue for Aster?

Catherine Wenglowski did a really good job with the narration. Pleasant voice. Easy to listen to. Clearly spoken. Smooth even pace. Good character voices. At times though her voice was a bit to soft and soothing for me. Great for listening at home but not on a road trip. Overall an enjoyable listen.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the narrator, author or publisher.

Intrigue

This book kept me guessing until the very end.
I enjoyed all the characters. I could picture every scenario

Hard to get through

Any additional comments?

I started and stopped this listen a few times. I just had a hard time settling into the story. Once I did, there were some good parts but the mystery and the whodunnit, told by two different twins, was only so-so.

I liked the backstory--one twin in jail; the other off to a reality show. However, I never really cared about what happened to either of them and when the reveal came, it was just so anti-climatic.

I didn't hate the listen, but I definitely did not love it.

A thrilling ride.

This story follows both Ivy and Aster. They each have their own point of view and it’s a very interesting to see how well the story weaves and comes together with two different POVs.
This story kept me guessing throughout. It was such a fun ride and I couldn’t figure out Sho exactly to trust.
I listened to the audiobook and I thoroughly enjoyed listening. The narrator did a fabulous job.