The Tethered World

The Tethered World Chronicles, Book 1

By: Heather L.L. FitzGerald

Narrated by: Sarah Elizabeth Gerstenberg

Length: 10 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

"Normal" means different things to different people. For 16-year-old Sadie Larcen, family dynamics look a little different than most. Parents with oddball occupations? Normal. Five homeschooled siblings - one with autism? Normal.

Police knocking on the door and parents gone missing? Definitely not normal!

When Sadie uncovers the reasons behind her parents' disappearance and the truth about her heritage, she despairs of ever feeling normal again. Especially when she learns that her mother's interest in Bigfoot, dwarves, and other lore extends beyond her popular blog. Sadie's family has been entrusted with keeping the secrets of the Tethered World - home to creatures that once roamed the Garden of Eden.

Sadie and her siblings must venture into this land to rescue their parents. Stepping out of reality and into a world she never knew existed is a journey Sadie fears and resents, but she chooses to risk all to save her family.

She's just not sure she will survive in the process.

©2016 Mountain Brook Ink (P)2016 Mountain Brook Ink

Such a Delight!

For a fan of The Chronicles of Narnia, Artemis Fowl and Gregor the Over lander, this was a delightful Christian concoction of fantasy and faith that had hints of the same kinds of storytelling. As a former homeschooler with six kids of my own, I could happily relate and enjjoyed it very much.

Fun family story

This would be a delightful book to listen to on a family trip. Creative story line and characters.

Unique, Fun, Clean Family Fantasy

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! Fun adventure, lovable characters, great world building and character development.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Too many to choose one. Sadie is relatable, Sophie is adorable, Brady is brave, Brock is surprising. Still, I'm drawn to quirky old people, so Aunt Jules holds a special place in my heart. Of course, you can't forget all the amazing fantasy characters! The Gnomes are probably my favorite--small, but feisty!

What about Sarah Elizabeth Gerstenberg’s performance did you like?

Sarah is the perfect voice for Sadie! She captures Sadie's personality, and even produces different voices for each character. I also loved the addition of sound effects; I haven't come across that very often in audio books, but I thought it was a nice touch. Really makes you feel like you're experiencing it.

Who was the most memorable character of The Tethered World and why?

Sadie. The story is in her point-of-view, so you experience everything through her eyes. She starts out as a relatable teen and reluctant participant in the adventure, but her development is extraordinary. Sadie proves she's far braver than she thinks, and her devotion to her family is beautifully portrayed.

Any additional comments?

This story is filled with lovable characters and action-packed adventure, all in a unique (and almost believable) setting! It's equally fun and entertaining as it is thought-provoking. Highly recommended for clean fantasy lovers, and especially families looking for a good book to read together!

Fun twist on hidden mysteries

The world is fascinating as are the family dynamics of the Larcens. Good conflict and action with strange creatures along the way to add enchantment.

Enjoyable even for Realists like myself

I'm typically not a fantasy lover, but I my 12 year old daughter is, so I purchased The Tethered World for her because I want her to read more books by Christian authors versus the "darker" fantasy books found in her public school library. I was intrigued by the concept of the story and decided that I wanted to read The Tethered World too; however, as a busy mom of 4 kids I didn't know when I would make the time. When the audio version came out, I knew it was the perfect opportunity! Being that I grew up in Oregon, I loved all of the Pacific Northwest references, including Haystack Rock and...Burgerville! The story sucked me in right away. There was mystery, suspense, humor, emotion & a hint of romance! I don't know how the narrator kept all of the voices straight for the many different characters, but she did! She brought the book to life, and she did an amazing job! If this book ever gets made into a movie, (which I hope it does), I would watch it to see all of the characters and the scenery REALLY come to life! I would recommend this book for pre-teens on up. Looking forward to the second book in the trilogy coming out this October!

The Tethered World

I loved it. I cannot wait to start book to. It has held me captive since the first page.

Family fun at it's best!

Absolutely loved the book. Wonderfully detailed plot. Felt like I was there with the Larcens. Great life lessons contained within.

Wonderful story for the whole family!

Beautifully written. Beautifully read. From start to finish The Tethered World captivated me. Its original characters are delightful. I loved how the children interacted with one another and worked together to resolve their family conundrum. They're real, witty, and charismatic. Ms. FitzGerald did a wonderful job of describing each scene, they played across my mind like a movie. I highly recommend The Tethered World Chronicles. Now to start Book 2!

Enjoyable

What did you like best about this story?

The special effects and voices by the narrator

What does Sarah Elizabeth Gerstenberg bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The different voices

Who was the most memorable character of The Tethered World and why?

The leprechaun that they met at the start of the story. He was the first inhabitant that they encountered and was a bit crazy.

Any additional comments?

The Tethered World is a great book for all ages. It chronicles the journey of Sadie Larcen and her siblings as they enter a new world looking to rescue their parents. I loved seeing the encounters that she had with the inhabitants of this new world, the Tethered World and learning how it all came about. As the journey continues, Sadie not only learns more about this new world, but about herself as well. I enjoyed seeing how she was able to overcome things that she was not comfortable with, but still remained herself. She grew up some, did not change completely. I liked that as some books make the main character seem to do a complete change that is not always believable. I had the pleasure of listening to this on audio book which made it even better. The narrator did a great job on the different voices for the characters and the special effects made you feel like you were a part of the story. I received a copy of the audio book from the publisher to listen to and review.

A family friendly romp that Narnia fans will enjoy

This adventure is fast-paced with well written dialogue and healthy plot and character development. Parallels to the Narnia story, with siblings tumbling into an mysterious world where they are given high-stakes responsibilities, will make this a winner for fans of the CS Lewis classics. As in many fantasy stories, the protagonist of this book is a little flat compared to the supporting characters, though this may make it easier for readers to insert themselves into the fantasy.

The narrator for this audible recording has an impressive command of accents, and the production quality includes some cool sound editing.