Skin Hunger

A Resurrection of Magic, Book 1

By: Kathleen Duey

Narrated by: Andy Paris

Kathleen Duey launches a mesmerizing trilogy with a book that has been honored as a National Book Award Finalist.

In Sadima's time, magic has been banned, and she is forced to hide her ability to communicate with animals. But then a young nobleman bent on bringing magic back to the world sends his servant to find Sadima, and a new life opens before her.

Centuries later, an academy of magic welcomes 10 applicants, but only one will graduate.

©2007 Kathleen Duey (P)2008 Recorded Books, LLC

Dark Harry Potter

Dark Harry Potter.
The magic school here doesn't let kids eat until they can conjure their own food. And it just gets worse from there.
Absolutely amazing read - couldn't take out my headphones (was listening to the audio version). The voice actor was also very good.
Warning - this is the first in a series. The story doesn't end at the end of this book. But I can't wait for the next one.

Now We Hunger for the rest of the trilogy

As Kathleen Duey introduces you to her characters in Skin Hunger, you can begin to feel as they do on their travels through this first part of her story. Sadima's magical abilities, yet uncovered, will surely keep our interest in the next two volumes as Kathleen brings the story to life, and thrills us with the magic we are all waiting for. I anxiously await the next book, and to see the magic in her words.

Slowly enticing

This story unfolds slowly, but the further it went, the more I wanted to keep listening.

There's a strong sense of atmosphere in both storylines; the listener can fully envision Salima's journey and the dark twisty tunnels of the underground school where a group of boys fight to learn scraps of magic and earn scraps of food. This book is full of details and complex characters, but this isn't a story about a warm, quirky magic school. In this school, only the last student alive will graduate.

Dark? Yes. But I found it very intriguing! I've now listened to the second book in the trilogy and am eagerly awaiting the third. No ETA on that yet, so be warned.

If you're looking for a lot of heavy sword fighting or sweet romance, this isn't the series for you. If you can get caught up in an atmospheric storyline that keeps you constantly wondering how the characters are going to get out of their current predicament, and how they can get from *here* to *there*, then this may be more up your alley.

And the narrator was very good. He handled both sides of the story easily.

Interesting series

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

Yes, it was an interesting topic, and the set up of the book was engaging. The format was a little difficult to get into at first (alternating chapters/view points, which meant that sometimes it felt like reading two books concurrently), but once the story hit its stride, it was very engaging.

Any additional comments?

It was a little frustrating at times to switch between viewpoints. The story was a little slow in the begining as well. But, the author does an excellent job introducing us slowly to an interesting world, and building up characters and plot. The ending is a cliff hanger, and leaves the story unfinished, but not so much of a cliffhanger that it is frustrating.

My biggest complaint is that the magical power introduced for the begining of the book is almost completely ignored throughout the majority of the story. I hope it plays a bigger role in coming books.

There are some disturbing scenes in this book as well, and listening instead of reading them can be a little more difficult. Just be aware, this is Harry Potter and Hogwarts - this book has much more serious consequences and unsettling imagery than any of the HP books.

Absolutely enchanting!

I am still waiting for the third book which I figure is never coming! This series was wonderful and it would be a shame to never get the closure!

Dark, intense, and wonderful

The beginning is slow to draw you into the world but once you're there you never want to stop. hope doors one party of the story affect the other? I'll keep reading to see!

Excellent escape

I really liked this when I listened to it and want to know more about what happens to the two protaganists. I'll have to see if the next book in the series is available now....

Skin Hunger

Very dry in places. I had to make myself stick to it.