Crave (Part 2 of 2) (Dramatized Adaptation)

Crave, Book 1

By: Tracy Wolff

Narrated by: full cast, Drew Kopas, David Cui Cui, Alejandro Ruiz, Melody Muze, Yenni Ann, Wyn Delano, Anthony Palmini, Julienne Irons, Gabriel Michael, Eric Messner, Eva Wilhelm

My whole world changed when I stepped inside the academy. Nothing is right about this place or the other students in it. Here I am, a mere mortal among gods...or monsters. I still can't decide which of these warring factions I belong to, if I belong at all. I only know the one thing that unites them is their hatred of me.

Then there's Jaxon Vega. A vampire with deadly secrets who hasn't felt anything for a hundred years. But there's something about him that calls to me, something broken in him that somehow fits with what's broken in me.

Which could spell death for us all.

Because Jaxon walled himself off for a reason. And now someone wants to wake a sleeping monster, and I'm wondering if I was brought here intentionally—as the bait.

Adapted from the novel and produced with a full cast of actors, immersive sound effects and cinematic music.

Performed by Melody Muze, Yenni Ann, Wyn Delano, Anthony Palmini, Julienne Irons, Gabriel Michael, Eric Messner, Eva Wilhelm, Drew Kopas, David Cui Cui, Alejandro Ruiz, Chris Stinson, Colleen Delany, Karen Novack, Laura C. Harris, Jeri Marshal, Nicole Perez, Nanette Savard, Nazia Chaudhry and Christopher Walker.

©2020 Tracy Wolff (P)2024 Graphic Audio LLC

The characters are epic

Have you heard of Tracy Wolff's *Crave*? It's seriously awesome! It's got this crazy mix of everything – dragons, witches, vampires, even gargoyles! And on top of all that fantastical stuff, there's a really great romance and tons of drama to keep you hooked. You should definitely check it out if you're into that kind of thing!

loved the actors who read the book

I loved the plot. It kept my interest. The suspense in each chapter kept me on edge. couldn't wait to hear the next chapter.

Queasy romance scenes

How can I put it? Some scenes are better left in “non-audio” format. I love a good paranormal romance, but even this has got me feeling the cringe when I have to hear oddly placed moans and grunts during make out scenes. It had me stopping at my desk- pulling my headphones out and laughing uncontrollably- that shouldn’t be a thing- yet- here we are. Lol, despite that, the story is fun albeit kind of Hogwarts meets Twilight campy. Not sure if I will get the rest on Audible. Might be better left to the imagination! ;)

Also the voice acting for Jaxon- wasn’t bad but I can’t get past how his voice which is from a much older man, doesn’t match that of a “hot” highschool vampire guy- it just doesn’t work for me. It’s like, Grace is dating a 45 year old dude, and I wished they gone with a younger sounding actor, like they did with Flints character. Just my two cents.

Surprisingly good

Started this because I wanted to hear Anthony Palmini’s voice (Rhysand) again but also got hooked on the story. Nice to hear other familiar voices from ACOTAR. The story is reminiscent of Twilight but better. Can’t wait to listen to book 2

It’s good but not great

I’m strangely obsessed with the original audiobook, like listened to it 7+ times atleast obsessed. This is good. But some of the voices don’t seem right to me. But I do like the variation.

I’ve listened to other audiobooks that are described as graphic, including sounds and such to bring the story alive, but this one for me… I don’t know. There was subtle piano music in the background almost the entire time unless it’s a cell phone buzzing or footsteps. Plus the occasional fight scene or romantic scene.

I don’t regret listening to it, but I don’t think I’ll repeat this one like I repeated the original.

Thorough

As much as I love to binge listen, I love that the single book is broken into two installments because it helps set the pace, and leaves more room for the story telling. Great book!! I love the twist, and multi-pov 🔥🔥🔥

Something is missing.

This was my first listen (and read) to the book series. And this dramatized adaption is either dropping parts of the story or the story is lacking.

***spoilers***
Examples: story is about Grace who is forced to attend a High School that her Uncle is the headmaster of after her parents were killed in a car accident. Grace comes to learn that this is a special school and students are vampires, dragons, wolf shapeshifters, and witches. Grace ends up liking Jackson, a vampire prince. She learns that he’s unusual because he was ‘born’ not made. At the end of this adaptation, we get a repeat of some earlier scenes in Jackson’s voice. At this point he tells us he’s 100 years old. Uhh? A 100 year old high schooler? Grace’s cousin repeats that most of the kids have known each other since 5th grade, which is why the cliques are so well defined (Grace didn’t originally know it’s a school for special kids). In Jackson’s voice we also learn that his brother, Hudson, found his mate 5 years ago, and we know that his brothers mate, Leah, is in the same grade as Jackson. So mated as an 8th grader who is 95 years old? How does this world work? Grace also made an issue of “it’ll be weird if he’s very old” and that weirdness went away because she learned Jackson was born.

Also, we know that Jackson wanted grace far from the school, we know that he told Grace’s uncle that it wasn’t safe for her. We just have no idea why Jackson thought this, at the end, in his voice, we hear all this. At this point we also know that he suspects ‘something’ is happening with the shifters and dragons but no one is talking. Minutes into meeting Grace he realizes she’s his mate and but tries to warn her to leave the school. Why? This was all before he knew what anyone had planned.

Also, another plot hole… Grace who’s portrayed as this intelligent junior in High School who is super inquisitive… she just accepts what Leah told her with no questions? I.e. Grace’s parents were killed by Leah in an attempt to bring Grace to this school because somehow Leah knew Grace was mates to Jackson. And it’s worth noting Grace has never met any of these people, and hadn’t even seen her cousin since they were 5 years old. Grace learns all this at a very harrowing point to the story, and there’s plenty of pages left, but Grace never questions why Leah singled her out. Why Leah killed her parents. How Leah knew Grace was Jackson’s mate.

Either the author had sloppy writing/editing or the dramatized adaptation’s director had sloppy direction(/abridging).