Lovely

I had no idea what this was all about, I went in blind and was very surprised.

First book in this new series, it started of a bit slow but was worth sticking it out! I can’t wait to listen to the next book. The first book didn’t end in a cliffhanger, so you could stop here but I am sure you would want to carry on.

The narration was very good.

1 person found this helpful

Outstanding with wonderful twist and turns

Any additional comments?

This is the first book in this series the author had me hook from the first page which intrigued me with a new twist to the Paranormal. It is bad enough losing both of your parents on the say day at the tender age of 6 but to lose them to a fire only to find out many years later that one might have killed the other to keep you safe is mind blowing. To be sent to another country in your middle teens to go to school far away from the only home and family you known to a place that looks like it should have been from another century is just to much for any teenager. Than to find out you will come into some kind of powers that scares the crap out of everyone that you come in contact with is just mind blowing. It does seem there are to many strakes against Rae everywhere she turns someone wants her gone. It does seem the family tree holds lots of secrets as Rae works her way through untangling them. I was expecting this to be more of a romance which it isn’t, the author gives you a touch of it with more to come as the series takes off into other books. This is more about Rae finding her way as she finds out who her parents are and what might have happen to them. Not knowing who to trust with what is mind blowing. If she puts her trust in the wrong person not only will she but the rest of the world could be in for a lot of trouble. This is a story of so much more than powers, teens, hate, family it is a powerful read of finding out who you are and what you will become and how to use it for the best or worse.

I really liked Rae she is finding her way through some tough times. Being a teenager is hard enough to overcome the normal every day to day issues but to know there is a whole another world out there that you are part of and no one really wants you around because of your parents is the worse feeling. Heck just finding out she isn’t a normal teen is blowing her mind. She has to deal with issues most teens would not even dream of and lord help her if she make a wrong turn they are watching….watching very closely... I could relate to her being an outcast not knowing where she fit in my heart really went out to her in so many ways. Than to find they do not believe in two people with powers having a relationship is really hard when you fall for the boy who is the one helping you find your way. She is pulled in so many different ways with little or no answers to the how or why of it all. To find her father was a very evil man and everyone thinks she will take after him is wrong. They just do not see her as her own person but a product of her father. Will the sins of the father be the sins of the daughter? Not if she can help it. She feels lost just waiting for the next shoe to drop. For me this was a powerful listen so many different ways this story could have gone. Life is just so hard for Rae who will always be her mother Rae of Hope.

This is the first time I have had the pleasure of listening to Sarah Ann Masse as a narrator she is outstanding as she pulls you in and you become one with this story. I could not tell when she stopped and started the audio it sounds like she did it all at one setting which I know she could not have done. Her voices are lovely and smooth as she takes you to another place and time. She gives wonderful voices to all the characters you have no trouble knowing who is speaking whether that be male or female. I feel I got more out of this story listening to her than I would have reading it. There are no background noise and I saw no different from one listening device to another. I thought she gave wonderful life to each character as she pulls you in and you get lost in the story. I thought she did an outstanding job and cannot wait to listen to more audio’s by her.

This is the first book I have read/listen to by Ms. May she has a very vivid imagination that comes out in her story where she gives it a different kind of twist. Her characters are very easy to relate to and very believable with normal day to day issues that she puts a twist on to. I could almost believe this was a true story, she really has a knack with pulling you in and giving you a pleasurable read. She gives you twist and turns that you will not see coming as she spins a wonderful story of the pains of growing up feeling lost and alone. Each character is wonderful as they each find out their new power and working on what they mean and how they work. The author gives you humor that will keep you laughing at times she leaves you with your heart in your throat as you race to see what the outcome will be. This could be a standalone but I feel sure you will want to see what the author has in store for these great characters I know I do. I do have to say the author kept me laughing over and over again with Rae sassy attitude that I came to love.

You can pick this audio up as a box-set that has other book of different series in it or one with just this audio in it. Me I love the box-sets where you get a taste of all the author has to give you. The next in this set is Seventh Mark Part 1 - The Hidden Secrets Saga it sounds to be as interesting as this one is. I am really not into teen books but I do have to say I loved this one and am really looking forward to reading or listening to other books my this author. I recommend you pick up at least this audio/book if not the box-set I am sure you will enjoy Ms. Mays writing style as much as I have.

1 person found this helpful

great intro to series

This is first in series. introducing Rae and how she deals with and starts to learn

Hogwarts meets Shadowhunters

W.J. May has become one of my fave fantasy writers, ever since I read "The Blade and The Rose". In "Rae of Hope" May takes us to prep school in England that is more than it seems from the outside. Rae Carrigan receives an invitation to this school for "gifted children" and learns that her family history includes magic. W.J.May has a knack for building fantasy worlds that seem real and Rae of Hope is again like being right in the middle of the action. Like Harry Potter and Hogwarts the story is full of action, good versus evil, and magic! With Sarah Masse narration all the characters had personalities and charm . She captured what I imaged Rae and her friends would be like. "Rae of Hope" is a delightful fantasy. I recommend it to all magic fantasy lovers.

Perfect book to read with pre-teen

Do you remember how awkward it was to enter Highschool? Now imaigen walking into a supernatual school not knowing you will soon have some of your own. This is what Rae walks into, and immediately getting a friend like Charlotte LaBouff. Wow. Talk about a twist of many favorites like Harry Potter, X-men, Hero's, and my childs favorite Sky High.

Very good

I enjoyed the book nice start to a new series good and entertaining story I can't wait to hear the rest series.
I received this audio book free of charge for an honest review.

Wonderful listen and good story

This is a paranormal YA academy book that is not my usual type to pick up. However, it's a great story, wonderfully narrated. It's kind of hogwarts meets the craft. I recommend this!

loved it

loved it the voices accents and everything were great.loved the performance looking forward to the next one

I enjoyed this book

This is a fun read with a unique premise of kids at a special school where they learn how to manage powers that manifest themselves as tattoos that show up when they turn sixteen. Rae is sent by her uncle without any knowledge about the school or that her deceased parents were notorious there, each for different reasons.

Overall good

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

Yes, It's an interesting book!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Definitely Rae, Strong and stubborn but don't like to tihnk.

Have you listened to any of Sarah Ann Masse’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

Sarah Ann Masse’s other performance was a bit slow when she read Julian and other not leading characters. That was the reason for a 4 and not 5 star rating