Extreme Prejudice

Imogene's Message

By: Mrs Christine Sherborne

Narrated by: Mr Timothy McKean

Length: 6 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

When extreme religious fundamentalists known as the Phineas Priesthood led by Ezekiel Yates and his three cousins, target Xantara Pembroke because they believe she is a witch, they launch a major conflict between unworldly disciples of good and evil. This action-packed thriller shows the twists and turns of both sides as they try to destroy or save the souls of Earth. Imogene is the daughter of Xantara, a Guardian of Avebury Circle, an ancient monument near Stonehenge. For over 3,000 years, wives of eight village families have performed ceremonies to heal local people, with power handed down from first daughter to first daughter. The Pembroke family encounter extreme prejudice from the Priesthood. Braedon the village doctor is drawn into a world he didn't know existed, to protect his daughter. His wife Xantara keeps her secrets and causes conflict in the marriage. All that is forgotten when Imogene levitates in Avebury Circle. Will the world believe Imogene’s incredible message?

©2014 Christine Sherborne (P)2014 Colourstory Pty Ltd

Life Messages!

Christine Sherborne has written a well thought out subject, with a very intense storyline, and imagination. She includes religion in her story but with vivid scenes of punishment to what happens to certain people who don't follow and practice what's known as Phineas Presthood. But there religious beliefs are outrageous in my opinion. If you don't follow their beliefs then they want you dead, period, no discussion! These fundamentalists will stop at nothing to go after those who they believe are doing evil deeds. Christine has created a magical story, filled with mystery, a touch of supernatural, and packed with action. The characters are well defined, unique, and displayed perfectly. Christine wrote an excellent paranormal mystery, I found the scenes written with expertise and in some instances rather gruesome.

Timothy McKean did a wonderful job with his telling of this story. Timothy kept me immersed a x glued to the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I found each voice identifiable. McMean did a great job with distinguishing accents and voices. I received this audio from the author/narrator through Audiobook Blast in exchange for an unbiased review.

Extreme Prejudice

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

still not sure

Any additional comments?

This is the first book about Imogene's message.Both books could have been shortened and made into 1 book.Maybe the flow would have been better.Imogene is a child of a 'witch'.A cult of christians wants to take over the world and decides to use Imogene's family as an example.Between this and book 2 we have Ezekial and his brothers,uncles ,etc heads of different sects killing people and saying stupid sterotypical stuff.'You have offended the lord,now you die','man shall not lay with man,no you die',stuff like that.Every faction grated on my nerves because it was all so superficial,nothing backed up these peoples beliefs.There were angels and demons and I could not keep them straight.I wanted to love this series,I came away just wanting to know how it ended.
Timothy McKeans performance was ok,not great.It was stilted and I believe a British narrator would have done better since the story was set in Britain for the most part.
"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast or MalarHouse dot com"

Great Story but only as So So Narration

Very good story! Highly recommended, especially if you have an interest in New Age and alternative religion.

Imogene Pembroke is a precious seven year old girl who was born to take her place in the Avebury Guardians, a group of eight women who are the descendants of a group which has guarded a mystical stone circle near Stonehenge for over 5000 years.

On a school nature trip to a local island near her home, Imogene is brutally murdered by a deranged religious fanatic named Ezekiel who believes that God has called him to cleanse the world of sinners who refuse to repent and turn to his God. Imogene's only crime is being the daughter of Zanterra, a woman whom Ezekiel believes to be a witch, and witches are sinners who are condemned to death. Since Ezekiel's God punishes sinners and their descendants to the third and fourth generation, both Zanterra and her children must die.

This book is very well written. The plot never drags, and the characters are very well developed. I found them easy to connect with and care about. My one complaint about the story is that the conclusion is not very satisfying. It leaves the reader hanging without really ending the story. Of course I actually started listening to book two before book one without realizing it so I quickly figured out that book two, [book:Extreme Consequences - Imogene's Past Lives|23004111], picks up right where this book ends so I am not too disappointed. I look forward to starting book two tomorrow and continuing the story.

The narrator, Timothy McKean, was okay but not great. I give him three stars. One of my biggest problems with the narration, other than Mr McKean's apparent lack of training, is that the book is set in England and there is not a single British accent in the entire audiobook. The narrator is North American and so are all of the character's voices. The overall score for this audiobook loses points because of this.

The story gets five stars. The narration gets a generous three stars, and the overall score is four stars. A book set in the UK needs a British narrator or a narrator who can do believable British accents.

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Powerful~ Thrilller

Where does Imogene's Message rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's difficult to position this audiobook with other audiobooks because it stands alone and is unique. The story is disturbing as well as terrifying. Told with great detail the effects of religious prejudice and oppression The dark side is using torture as a method of purification. The lighter side is the resurrection of Imogene and the message she brings of not judging others and radicalism. The reality is that these practice are still being used today.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked way the story was told with lots of action and a supernatural undertone. I was totally engrossed with Zantera, Imogene's mother. When they put that leather vest on her and she realized what form of torture it was. I cried. I was completely drawn into this well-conceived story.

Which character – as performed by Timothy McKean – was your favorite?

Zantera, Imogene's mother is my favorite character. I could feel her fear confusion and disgust as the religious extremist had their way with her.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did listen to this book in one sitting, how could I not!!
It was so completing and terrifying. What pulled me in was the quick pace and twist and turns of the plot.

Any additional comments?

This would make a good movie

Imogene's Message: Extreme and Interesting

I'm not sure how I feel about this story. IMOGENE'S MESSAGE was interesting however it was hard for me to keep up with the plot. I felt lost several times in the story. There were also a few passages that were definitely extreme as well as a few places where I could have done without the details. There was a heavy religious or spiritual theme to this story.

I really liked the character of Imogene and would liked to have had the story based more about her than anything. This was an audiobook that I couldn't listen to in one sitting. I had to restart the book several times and still felt lost. I finished the book, however it took more than two days.

There is a saving grace and that is that this has a follow up book that I look forward to starting. Hopefully things will become more cohesive. One thing I really liked were the unique names of the characters.

My overall opinion will have to hold off until I listen to the second book, IMOGENE'S PAST LIVES.

Timothy McKean did a good job narrating this audiobook. There were a few places where it was monotone but otherwise he nailed it. He had a really nice tone and quality to his voice that made it easier to listen to. It was his reading that kept me interested.

Audiobook received in exchange for an honest review.