Melting Stones

By: Tamora Pierce

Narrated by: Grace Kelly

Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Evvy, the fierce young stone mage introduced in Street Magic, has accompanied her guardian, Rosethorn, on a mission to study a mysterious plant die-off. With the help of Luvo, who is the living heart of a mountain, Evvy discovers the real source of the threat, which is far greater than anyone had imagined. Preventing a natural disaster may cost Evvy her life. Even more frightening, doing so may require her to melt her own heart of stone...and to open herself to human contact.

Written by Tamora Pierce specifically for the voices of Full Cast Audio, Melting Stones is an unprecedented publishing event: the first time a major novel from a best-selling author has made its debut on audio a full year ahead of the print version!

©2007 Tamora Pierce (P)2007 Full Cast Audio.

wraps you in the story.

it was excellent. the story drew you in. it was very suspenseful. scary, joyful.

Changes… but not bad ones…

A bit jarring from the rest of the series with the shift to first person perspective… and Evee’s growth feels a bit jarring at the end… but overall it was enjoyable.

Excellent

This is the first book I have read by Tamora Pierce. When I purchase audiobooks, I usually throw in a few young adult titles so that I know what I'm recommending to my grandchildren. I thought this book was engaging and the full audio cast presentation was outstanding. Evvy and Master Louvo, "Fuss pot" and Rosethorn take their magical skills to an island to determine what is killing the plants. From there we learn the problem and are involved in the magical solution. For an audience aged 12-14, this book is delightful, especially for fans of fantasy. But it is equally enjoyable for the adult if one is willing is suspend the belief system. I like that a female saves the day, so this book would be particularly interesting to girls. And one learns something about rocks and volcanoes along the way. After this reading, I immediately went to my local bookstore to purchase it for a young teen who I know loves to read. I was shocked to learn that it is still only available in hardback and they were all sold out. So she'll have to wait. Nicely done and nicely read.

Loved it!

Tamora Pierce, her Melting Stones is as fantastic and special as all her other books. Plus a thumbs up to the narrator and the whole cast! I truly enjoyed it.

Great story, great performance

This book converted me to audio books! I have read Tamora Pierce for 22 years now, and was impatiently awaiting her next book. When Melting Stones was released as an audio book, I decided to listen rather than waiting for the hard copy. I'm glad I did.

The story is about Evvy, a character introduced in "Street Magic." She is a fourteen year old stone mage. She gets dragged along on a trip to investigate why the water and plants on an island are suddenly dying. She has no interest in this, because her magic is with rocks. But she quickly gets involved, when it turns out her magic is the most important of the three mages' on the trip.

The narration is excellent, and having different actors read each part truly brings the book to life. Even though the characters don't sound the same way they did in my head, it was delightful to be able to close my eyes and enter the world of a book, even while on the subway or washing dishes.

The Full Cast Family Production

The Full Cast Family Production makes listening to Tamora Pierce even more exciting than simply reading her books already is!

Wonderful!

I downloaded this audiobook as an avid reader of Pierce's many series. I had never listened to an audiobook before but I am certainly in awe of the way that I was drawn in and simply could not stop listening. With Evvy and Rosethorn returning for the audiobook and small mentions of the other characters readers may remember littered throughout, the audiobook also introduced many new and lovable characters.

I recommend this audiobook to anyone familiar with Tamora Pierce's work and also anyone unfamiliar, as one can easily pick up what is happening and get the gist of the unique universe that Pierce has created. This really is a lively, active, and thoroughly enjoyable listening experience.

I believe that children, young adults, and adults alike (as I am myself) would find this just as fantastic as I did. Particularly loveable was the snarky but kind Rosethorn, the wise Luvo. The adventure of Evvy was exciting and it was great to see her develop from immaturity to a young woman willing to take on responsibility. I have now fallen in love with Evvy just as I did the original four 'Circle' members of The Circle of Magic and The Circle Opens.

I love this book and read/listen to it again.

I have read all the books written by Tamora Pierce so far and have enjoyed every single one of them.

Hooray for Tamora Pierce and Full Cast Audio!!

What a treat! It is easy to follow and you are drawn in to follow the adventure of Evy, Rosetorn, "Fuss Pot" and Master Louvo.

I can hardly wait until this release comes out in hardback!

Melting Stones

I downloaded this for a road trip with my 12 yr old budding geologist daughter. The characters are the strongest part of this story, along with Pierce's vision of stone magic. The storyline is good as a whole, but can be a little shaky. (dodging spoilers) The party seems to take an inordinately long time to figure out what is going on, and as the climax is approaching we are treated to two or three chapters of pointless argument.

I guess I'd differ from the rave reviews of the narration - I found it pedestrian at best. The narrators could have brought so much more to the table with some well-chosen emphasis now and again. To be fair, they were hobbled by Pierce's dialog which may have passed on the page, but become labored aloud.