AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: CRAVEN STREET

Patrol Log:  13002232020

Audiobook Review On Craven Street, Whitechapel Paranormal Society #0.5

By E.J. Stevens

Narrated by Melanie A. Mason & Anthony Bowling

RATED IT

The discovery of bricked up skeletal remains at 36 Craven Street point to something more diabolical than an illegal anatomy school. The tool marks on the bones, arcane sigils of great power, indicate more than mere butchery, more than enlightened experimentation. The signs, omens, and portents support the crown's greatest fears. A great evil is being unleashed upon the gaslit streets of London, a blood-drenched shadow reaching skeletal fingers beyond the slums of Whitechapel.

Collecting human souls is a thankless job, nearly as tedious as acting as solicitor to the fae. But when the demon Forneus enters an opium den searching for men eager to trade their souls for the ill-smelling weed, he stumbles on a plot so devious, so heinous, he's jealous that he hadn't thought of it himself.

Cora Drummond is an agent for the Whitechapel Paranormal branch of the British police force. Her job is to monitor and gauge any paranormal threats to the Queen and country. When Forneus, the Grand Marquis of Hell, approaches her for help to capture demons that are doing evil bidding without the knowledge of their Lord and Master, Cora then realizes that major trouble is headed her way. Will the women of Whitechapel Society have enough power and skill to stop what evil lurks on the other side of their realm?

The author clearly depicts what life was like for women in the Victorian Era. Cora and her fellow agents of Whitechapel have been bullied by the men of the same division. Their male counterparts have made it very clear that they will neither see or treat them as equals. So during Cora's investigation, she and the other female agents are left to rely on each other. The world building for this series is pretty impressive. All the characters play a vital role within Whitechapel, to which each person has a paranormal skill unique to them. As Cora tries to maneuver through her city to solve this mystery of dead bodies and demon activity, I got a sense of what kind of woman Cora is. I appreciated the fact that Cora was written as a whole person and not some pathetic victim. She does have powers that she does not yet fully have a handle on, nor does she realize her full potential, but I'm sure that will come in time as the series moves on. **Please excuse my spelling, I have not read the book I listened to the audio version** I love the character Flan. She's a sassy, strong willed psychic/empath. I was happy that although Flan appeared to not like Cora much, she was still there when Cora needed someone, even when she didn't know she needed help.

The story and characters were engaging. The dynamic within Whitechapel was interesting enough to raise the hackles on the back of my neck. I want to hear more, especially if the male agents have some major karma kick them in the ass. I give the book 4 Fangs.

Narrator Review

Melanie's interpretation of Cora's character did not fit well. Cora has a good sense of who she is, but Melanie's tone gave a brass, matter of fact life to Cora that I don't agree with. I feel like Melanie did a good job with her British accent, but she didn't give Cora the life her character deserved with her voice. I also listened to Melanie in the sense of as a story teller. Her story telling skills are a bit monotone for my liking. During each scene, Melanie lacked the emotion in her voice. When we get excited or upset our voice goes up and when we are sad or down our voice gets low. We voice our emotions! That is why it's so funny to watch and hear a person talk about how excited they are when their face and voice are displaying the total opposite. You know what I'm talking about, right? Imagine talking to Grumpy Cat...

Anthony I feel did a fine job with Forneus and the demons. Anthony embraced the characters fully and his voice brought forth the correct emotions in me that should have been. Good job Anthony! Overall I am giving the narration 3 Fangs. The rating reflects both narrators combined.

RATED THEM 

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