Marked (Unabridged‪)‬

AudioBook Review: Stars: Overall 5 Narration 5 Story 5

Spanning the time since we first met Janie, it’s been 20+ years, and she’s always been at the center of the action. The “Chosen One”, her psychic abilities and her dream walking have been a constant winding thread through all of the stories. Years ago Janie made a friend, her BEST friend, Zane. She’d talk to him, tell him things that she shared with no one else, and somewhere in her mind, had determined she loved him. But Zane is not the innocent and protective boy we first met, and he did,in fact, try to warn her off repeatedly.

But Zane is not the only person that Janie spent time with during her dream walking. Kalin is a Kurjan, purported heir. A bit of a psychopath, more than a little unhinged and spoilt, he’s got ‘plans’ for Janie. But, the one outstanding feature in this story is Janie’s belief that she can (and will) keep everyone she loves safe and end the war.

HUGE twists, turns and surprises here with plenty of action and several on the edge of my seat moments where everyone’s happiness, let alone life and love, is in danger. Secrets all come out of the closet in this – some I didn’t even know were secrets! Every faction has their own version of how things will end, most conflict although those that do come “true” have some serious kinks in the works that no one expected. A wonderful wrap up to an epically engaging series.

Karen White has provided the narration for this series, and the continuity did help this series as a listener. Her ability to maintain character voices, delivery, accent and tone, as well as appropriately age Janie from young girl to young woman, gives listeners an instant reference that brings each character to mind. Throughout the series, White has nailed each emotional moment, taking her time to deliver the punch without overdramatizing or adding elements that would be too much. Dialogue, action and even silence are delivered to put the words on the page front and center, allowing listeners to disappear into the world where they can visualize and feel every moment. You’d be hard pressed to find a better narrative performance for a series than White. Having experienced her work in other genres, I know that she is certainly a must listen for me. In what had to be a formidable project, there were no moments that distracted, the listen was easy and the performance felt effortless, a great trick. This is a favorite series of mine, and one that will get lots of “relistens” when I want to escape and just enjoy.

I received an AudioBook copy of the title from Audible Communications Team. I was not compensated for this review all conclusions are my own responsibility.