Timeless

AudioBook Review: Stars: Overall 4 Narration: 5 Story: 3 Things to realize when considering this series: it’s fluffy and fun with plenty of the Carriger ‘hallmarks’ with witty dialogue, sarcasm and generous description. Alexia is a wonderfully complex character with a touch of ‘private school headmistress’ that contrasts nicely with the multiple scrapes she encounters near regularly. There is a wholly-alpha, mostly unrepentant male, plenty of other unusual and unique supernaturals along with the normal vamps and weres, all of them add depth and enough controversy and angst to keep things moving. Lastly – you want this series in audio – forego the written word as Emily Gray adds that little something with her voices and performance that isn’t to be missed. In Timeless, Alexia and Macon now have two-year old Prudence, their daughter, and her typical 2-year old self with an inability (or is it) to control her flip to supernatural without warning. Far from reveling in the more ‘settled’ life in London, things just went left with a summons from the Vampire Queen of the Alexandria hive of vampires. So much for a bit more ‘downtime’. This book is far more a ‘character driven’ installment, so while there is plenty going on, more time is spent not answering questions while time to enjoy the interactions take center stage. Unfortunately, there were so many loose ends where answers MUST be given, and only partial answers arrived, if at all. Sure it was entertaining, yet too many new questions and challenges arrived and just required more ‘go with it’ than I wanted at this point. From the werewolf integration to Ivy’s sudden rise to fame for her acting {in a horrible disaster to boot} this was most definitely not a wrap-up to the series installment, at least not in the standard sense in my experience. Narration is provided by Emily Gray, and I have to say that it was her work: the voices, emoting and clever use of pauses to emphasize certain moments that actually kept me involved and engaged, particularly when the plot seemed to be circular, and answers to questions were not available. Gray has narrated all five of the series, and her work and the continuity in characterization that made each character feel complete, even when their inclusion wasn’t necessarily evident when introduced. From the poncy and often over the top Akeldama to the rather ‘Holmes-like” proclamations from Lyall, the gruff and growly Macon and even the oddly prim and proper Alexia, Gray’s tone, delivery and pacing were spot-on, and the story proceeded smoothly, with plenty of moments to recognize Carriger’s skillful dialogue and snark, even as the plot stalled often. Moving up my list of narrators to grab all titles, regardless of genre, Gray has become a favorite. I received an AudioBook copy of the title from Hachette Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: al conclusions are my own responsibility.