enchanted tale that has been skilfully read

Would you listen to Baba Yaga's Daughter and Other Stories of the Old Races again? Why?

The plot is not straight forward at all but several stories spun together in a delightful mix.
Many parts to the story stretch over different continents and many generations. In it Murphy writes of truths, half-truths, folklore and legions.
I liked how she wrote the female characters with strong leads and they were both brave and fearful. Not meek or in any way subservient, which is often the case in some old fashioned tales.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The two main male characters, the dragonlord Janx and the dashing vampire Eliseo Daisani are both powerful in their own rights and make an uneasy friendship. However both of them are never without a woman in their lives to complete or complicate them.
Being a child still at heart, I loved the witches best, Baba Yaga, and her chicken leg hut that could not cross running water and the daughter who had no name. Anna gave Russian inflections to their lines as she read them, and made them seam formidable pair, I certainly would not like to meet Baba Yaga in the dark

Have you listened to any of Anna Parker-Naples’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Anna wide range of voices forced me to stop listening at one point and to check there was indeed only one narrator. How she jumped from a Russian voice to an American in the same paragraph was mesmerising.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Along with vampires, there is an interesting an skilfully written female vampire hunter. I felt a bit like I was exploring a secret world. I was transfixed by the dragons who could take on the form of humans alongside tales of gargoyles and silkies.

Any additional comments?

Not only were all the magical creatures in this story beautifully written, but also humans characters, who’s lives became intertwined with the old races intriguing and fairy like way.
There were interesting settings, old fashioned speakeasy’s to modern day settings.
This is an enchanted tale, but I am glad I listened to it rather than reading it as its dripped though with long and tasty descriptions, and having them read out to you gives you more of a chance to absorb and admire them.
This is the first time I have come across Murphy’s writing and I would really look forward to reading/listening to some more of her fantastic written work.
A magical listen, Anna has a skilful reading of the wonderful characters was both relaxing and hugely enjoyable. I am looking forward to listening to other Audiobook’s that Anna has narrated. Especially looking forward to her upcoming reading of the Audiobook, ‘Garden.’

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