It's not that I dislike making my own character judgements and opinions when I read a book, but having such an accomplished actor narrating the story brings the characters so vibrantly to life that it's a truly wonderful listening experience. There are a large number of secondary characters in the story, all of whom are skilfully delineated, and when it comes to the central characters, he really gets into their heads and under their skins he understands them and conveys that understanding to the listener brilliantly. What does Nicholas Boulton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book? I haven't read the book, but I think anything read by Nicholas Boulton is guaranteed to be better than in print! Would you consider the audio edition of Uncertain Magic to be better than the print version? He can give characters life and each one their own voice. SAD to say but I really will never re-read this book. For a Lady to live like nomads and work that hard to rebuild his family home lost to fire when they had so much money to hire an army was ridiculous. How can that be for a LK book? Then I began reading it and for the first third I thought the book was great until it wasn't. When I saw the 3's for the first 10 or so reader ratings, I thought they must be mad. I don't know how to explain it except that I felt weird reading this book. I found the ending a bit abrupt too when I would have liked to know a little more beyond where the story stopped.

I like supernatural except in this story it really did not work for me although LK did a fabulous job dragging me into her thoughts to the point I could imagine being there even at that strange dance in the ruins of his family home. Weird and uncomfortable and yet very imaginative. I LOVE LK so this is extra painful to admit. I hate to say this, but NOT one of her best!!!

Seize the Fire by Laura Kinsale