Wraith: Hawaiian Shadows Audiobook Sample
Seventeen-year-old Kali has always seen two sets of people: those living now, and those who lived before. But on her spring break in Hawaii, she is suddenly surrounded by more shadows than ever. Including one who, unlike the others, can see her too.
Zane remembers nothing besides surfing the monster waves of Oahu’s North Shore. He doesn’t even know how, or when, he died. He only knows that Kali’s “gift” could be his last chance to find the light–before the mysteries of his past plunge them both into darkness…[/ultimate_modal]
My thougts
Wraith: Hawain Shadows Audiobook Narration
In this impressive performance, narrator Tavia Gilbert showcases her ability to transcend not on only genres, but also the character’s age.
In a well suited voice for a seventeen year-old, Tavia Gilbert brings Kali’s character to life in a very authentic way, realistically conveying her bubbly, sweet and determined personality.
I loved her interpretation of Zane! I’m very demanding when it comes to male voices portrayed by female narrators, but Kudos to Ms. Gilbert! If I didn’t know this was a solo narration I could have sworn the contrary. Her male voice is not only realistic, effortless and credible, but her tone is right on target to deliver a super enjoyable performance of Zane’s character.
She also does a terrific job with every single character in the book, all females and males alike.
Her approach, pace, emotions, and overall tone of this story are flawless. With competent ease, you are transported to the setting and for the duration of the book Ms. Gilbert takes you Hawaii and lets you experience the characters and their emotions in a very real way.
All in all, this is an excellent performance that paired with the beautifully written words of Edie Claire deliver a fantastic YA listen.
The plot
This is the first opportunity I had to listen/read anything by Edie Claire, but definitely won’t be my last.
Wraith is the impressive first book in the YA series Hawaiian Shadows, a debut in this genre by this author.
This is the story of 17 year old Kali, a girl that has been cursed or gifted (as we learn in this book) with the ability to see shadows.
This experience has been mostly a curse for the best part of her life. It has not been easy for Kali to see these ghosts-like figures everywhere she goes, despite the fact that she never had to interact with them – but everything will change when she and her family visit Hawaii on spring break in anticipation to her military father’s shipment to that state.
Kali’s dream to live in a Hawaii has come true, and just like any normal seventeen year old, she hopes to find new friends that will fill her summer with fun and adventure, but what she never expected was to find love.
Meeting the perfect boy is a great time for any young girl, especially a boy that possesses all the qualities a girl can want…Ah, but things are never easy or simple.
Zane happens to be that perfect boy, but he is a shadow, one that for the first time in her life, has the ability to see her back and communicate with her.
In Kali’s point of view, we get taken through a beautiful and flawless written story with characters the jump off the pages to grab your attention and heart.
Wraith is a nice blend of paranormal mystery, love and friendship that reminded me of the innocence of YA romance. The writing style is very vivid – the author not only puts you there emotionally, but also physically in a way that makes you feel the warm ocean breeze of a Hawaiian’ spring, a welcome treat this past winter.
Despite my inclination to listen to stories intended for a more mature audience, I found myself lost and totally engrossed in Kali and Zane’s story.
I listened to this audiobook straight through enjoying every minute of it. My only complaint is that now I have to wait for the next book, Empath, to be release on audio to learn how the story continues. I can only hope that it’s soon.
I have lived in various states in the South and Midwest and have worked at more jobs (paid and unpaid) than I can count, including veterinarian, childbirth educator, medical/technical writer, corporate communications writer, freelance copyeditor, camp counselor, CASA (court-appointed special advocate for abused/neglected children), church administrative council leader, community theater diva, birthparent mentor, hospital volunteer, mother of three, wife, laundress, housekeeper (although I stink at that one), pet collector, coordinator of child sponsorship for a Christian mission in Kenya, choir member (I was pretty marginal at that, too), and last but not least–I once spent an entire summer cleaning toilets at a ranch in New Mexico.
When I’m not doing the above, I write novels and plays. And I really hope that you enjoy them!
Classically trained in voice and theater, Tavia attended the University of Washington and earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Original Works in Acting from Cornish College of the Arts. She has been singing in choirs since she was 12 years old and has been working full time as a voice actor since 2006.