Menagerie Audiobook
By: Rachel Vincent
Narrated by: Gabra Zackman
Published by: Recorded Books 09/29/15
Menagerie Audiobook Sample
Menagerie Audiobook
4.5 Hearts
I went into this book knowing as little as possible about this book. I had heard around about how dark the book was. I had even seen the author tweet that people were writing DNF finish reviews because the book was so dark. This only got me more excited to read (or in this case listen) to the book. I’m a big fan of dark stories mixed in with my humor and snarky stories. I like the variety. I could see where people who are fans of Ms. Vincent’s YA books might shy away from this book. It is dark. However, I read her Unbound series, which was a darker paranormal mafia series, so I knew she could write darker stories. She really took it up a notch with this one.
The main character in this book is Deliah. She was raised with a human family. She got all the comforts of human living, schools, food, shelter, etc. Next thing she knows, she is accused of being a Cryptid. She is taken into custody and sold to Metzger’s Menagerie. A Cryptid is anything that is not fully human or any animal that is not found in nature. For example, a tigon, is a cross between a lion and tiger, which shouldn’t be found in nature, is possible, so is not a Cryptid. An animal like a centaur, cross between a human and horse, not possible in nature, so therefore a Cryptid. There are also Cryptids that looks just like humans, oracles, succubi and shifters when in human form.
Several years ago, in the 1980’s there was the “reaping”. Cryptids attacked and killed many humans. So now, humans see nothing wrong with keeping them in cages and treating them as lesser beings. They are chained, drugged and demeaned constantly. They aren’t fed as they should be. Anything to keep their will down. There is a lot of torture and neglect that goes on. This is the part that many may have a hard time reading.
This book will evoke a lot of emotions. It will make you think about how people have treated other people throughout history, and even how animals have been treated. I found myself really being pulled into this story and wanting to know more about this world. There isn’t a ton of action, but a lot of worldbuilding and character-building. I wouldn’t say that there is a cliffhanger ending, but it does leave you wanting more with the ending .
Menagerie Audiobook Narration
4.5 Hearts
When I first requested this book on audio, I didn’t recognize the narrator’s name. Once I started listening, I recognized her voice. I looked her up. She narrated Rachel Vincent’s Unbound Series (the paranormal mafia series I mentioned above), which I enjoyed on audio. She does a great job with the different voices and tones. Such a dark story needs a special kind of narrator and Gabra Zackman really nails.
Photo credit: Kim Haynes Photography
Rachel Vincent is a former English teacher and an eager champion of the Oxford comma. She shares her home in Oklahoma with two cats, two teenagers, and her husband, who’s been her # 1 fan from the start. Rachel is older than she looks and younger than she feels, and she remains convinced that writing about the things that scare her is the cheapest form of therapy—but social media is a close second.
I am an actress, writer and voice over artist, frequent traveler and lover of adventure. I’m based in New York where I grew up and built my career. I’m lucky to work regularly in theater, have a parallel and sustaining career in audiobook narration, and I’ve had great success with my first writing contract,the humorous, romantic, spy centered BOD SQUAD series. The title of my current life might be:
“I’ll Tell A Story Any Way They Let Me.”
I got my start in sixth grade, wearing my mother’s tablecloth as a star turn in Oedipus Rex. From there I was hooked. I studied theater at Northwestern and then went to grad school at The Shakespeare Theater’s Academy for Classical Acting. I’ve had the privilege of working all around the country doing new plays and classics, working locally in New York theaters, and doing a handful of TV and film roles.
I have recorded over 300 audiobooks to date in studios all around the country and I love to record books in all genres. Inspired by the books I’ve narrated, I’ve completed the first three books in THE BOD SQUAD SERIES (Pocket Books 2015)- and now all sorts of new doors have opened for me. I’m so excited for all that lies ahead!
I like to thank Recorded Books for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
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Reviewed by:
Melanie Simmons
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