Finding Angel

Toch Island Chronicles, Book 1

By: Kat Heckenbach

Narrated by: Jeanne Whitehouse

Angel doesn't remember her magical heritage...but it remembers her. Magic and science collide when she embarks on a journey to her true home, and to herself.

Angel lives with a loving foster family, but dreams of a land that exists only in the pages of a fantasy novel. Until she meets Gregor, whose magic Talent saves her life and revives lost memories. She follows Gregor to her homeland...a world unlike any she has imagined, where she travels a path of self-discovery that leads directly to her role in an ancient Prophecy...and to the madman who set her fate in motion.

©2012 Splashdown Books (P)2012 Kat Heckenbach

An appealing tale, but emotions don't ring true

A foster child with no memory of her origins learns she's from another magical world. That's always an irresistible premise, and I did get caught up in the story. But the characters' relationships and emotional reactions to each other kept ringing false. Close bonds of trust and affection would seemingly pop up in an instant, while genuine tragedies seemed to only merit an "oh no, what a shame!" I just didn't believe in the characters, and so I found it hard to really care about the book.

"Delightful YA Fantasy"

Would you listen to Finding Angel again? Why?

Maybe. Good writing, good narrator, good story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Angel. I felt empathy for her. wanted her to succeed in her quest.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene with the elves, the rapidly changing elements.

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

No. Too hard to grasp all that was happening in one listen.

Any additional comments?

“Finding Angel” by Kat Heckenbach is my first audio listen in the YA fantasy genre. I have listened to many YA books but fantasy is not my usual forte. However, this book is delightful, well crafted, with vivid imagery and a subtle theme that lends itself to a wholesome and harmless read for any teen or young adult. (even mature adults like me).

“Angel” is the protagonist in search of a lost past, a past she can’t quite remember. We follow Angel into a mysterious land of magic and myth, not unlike that of the ancient Celts. The narrator brings this story to life with her ability to produce the right “voice” for each character. I found myself wishing I could “gate” myself to other places I have only imagined. For YA fantasy lovers, this is a 5 star listen.

The Narrator Was Angel

What did you love best about Finding Angel?

The vivid descriptions of Toch Island and the subtle spiritual messages hidden like delightful Easter eggs.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Finding Angel?

There are so many. Some of my most-favorite moments would be spoilers, so I'll go with an early one, when Gregor gates Angel and himself to Toch Island.

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

No but I will look for books she's narrated.

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

Gregor's story. Wow just wow!

Any additional comments?

Finding Angel was already one of my absolute favorite books. There's so much I loved about it. The overall message, the pacing - the story unwinds beautifully, the descriptions. And Jeanne's narration adds so much to this fantastic story.

Wonderful voice

If you could sum up Finding Angel in three words, what would they be?

Magic. Destiny. Mystery.

What did you like best about this story?

The part of me that wanted to be Angel growing up. Hoping that there was a magical world out there somewhere that was my destiny.

Which character – as performed by Jeanne Whitehouse – was your favorite?

Gregor. Actually, any character she gave a Scottish lilt. Her delivery of voices and accents was magnificent.

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

Yes. At the end, but I can't say why because I don't want to spoil the book for others.

Any additional comments?

I read this book a couple of years ago and purchased the audiobook this year to listen to it again. I was moved by the description and enjoyed the story even more the second time. A well read audio book makes a story come alive. That is what this audio book has done. Well worth the money to listen to it.

An appealing tale, but emotions don't ring true

A foster child with no memory of her origins learns she's from another magical world. That's always an irresistible premise, and I did get caught up in the story. But the characters' relationships and emotional reactions to each other kept ringing false. Close bonds of trust and affection would seemingly pop up in an instant, while genuine tragedies seemed to only merit an "oh no, what a shame!" I just didn't believe in the characters, and so I found it hard to really care about the book.

A very enjoyable adventure

Finding Angel is a great fantasy adventure, enjoyable for all ages. I highly recommend it. It would be a great story to listen to as a family.

Enter a fantasy world and a story you'll enjoy.

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

Jeanne Whitehouse is the ideal narrator for this story. She handles the voices of the women and children, well. Her masculine voices, for the most part, are convincing and in some cases, fun to listen to. Her youthful reading voice easily connects readers to Angel’s point of view.

Any additional comments?

Finding Angel is a Y/A fantasy, every lover of the genre should read. The author is gifted with the ability to offer readers an imaginary island filled with magical animals and plants unlike those they've encountered in other stories.Angel, the protagonist, is compassionate, intelligent, and someone whose perspective you won’t mind spending time in. The battle between good and evil has twists and intricacies that easily let you know you’re being presented magic in a whole new way. This is the kind of book, you’re bound to enjoy listening to, several times over.

Two thumbs up from my tween

The moment my tween girl started listening to Finding Angel she was hooked. The plot fascinated her and the narration really brought this book to life. Kat Heckenbach was a new-to-me author but, after Finding Angel, I can assure you that we will be reading more from her.

great accents make for a fun narrator.

Finding Angel by Kat Heckenbach is a delight to listen to thanks to the narration by Jeanne Whitehouse. Whitehouse has created a fun accent, somewhere between Irish and Scottish, and given it to the natives of the magical Toch island.

the story itself is about Angel a foster kids living in Florida. She meets Gregor who says he can take her to her real parents. Then he teaches her magic too.

I love the story and the unique system of magic where your power is only limited by your understanding of physics.