Audiobook review: The Golden Spider by Anne Renwick
The audiobook rights for The Golden Spider recently reverted from Tantor Audiobooks to the author, who chose to re-record this wonderful story. Originally recorded by one female performer, the new audiobook uses dual narration bringing in two new actors to read the story. There are no alterations to the text of the story.
Since I’ve already read and reviewed the story in 2017 (REVIEW HERE), I am going to focus primarily on the new narration with my review. I will note that I adored this story as much as I did the first time around. It is a wonderful mix of mystery, adventure, steampunk, and romance; the story unfolds at a thrilling pace, building passion and excitement along the way.
The story is shared via third person perspective, primarily alternating between Amanda and Thornton. Both Campbell and Hampton-Brown are well suited for their respective main character, using proper British accents for both the narrator and main character. Both successfully alter their voices for gender, ethnicity, and age for each supporting character’s dialogue.
Hampton-Brown employs a joyful demeanor, which fits Amanda’s determination. She does an excellent job of modulating her voice to express emotion, softening it for intimate moments and quickening it to express fear and worry. Campbell has a deep and rumbly voice, fitting of the often ornery Thornton. He also lowers his voice for intimate moments, raising it during high-stress situations.
The only odd part of the narration comes to play with the character called Wasp. The book’s primary antagonist is unknown, using only a code name. This presents an issue when the identity is to remain a secret, yet the narrator is decisively male or female. The character is performed by both narrators at different moments in the book to prevent the listener from discovering the identity of Wasp too quickly. I understand why this is done, but I’m not sure I like it. However, I don’t know of a better way, so it is what it is.
In the end, I rather enjoyed by re-read of The Golden Spider and revisiting Renwick’s Regency Steampunk world. The revamped audiobook, recorded via dual narration using a male and female performer, adds value to this already wonderful story.
My Ratings:
Story: A-
Narration: A-
Jen
About the Book:
Lady Amanda blackmailed her way into a prestigious London medical school…
Not the preferred method of entrance, of course, but necessary, for it’s the only way to force Lord Thornton, a professor at the school, to help her perfect her invention: a clockwork spider capable of spinning artificial nerves. And Lord Thornton is interested… but is he interested in Amanda, or simply the invention that could cure his own debilitating injury?
Neither one can trust the other, but both know this: any attraction is a danger, any romance forbidden. But when a foreign spy steals the spider and uses it to perform grisly experiments on human subjects, they must set aside both their differences and their growing attraction to capture the killer terrorizing the streets of London.
Author: Anne Renwick
Narrators: Timothy Campbell, Zara Hampton-Brown
Series: Elemental Web Chronicles #1 (Elemental Steampunk Chronicles)
Genre: Steampunk Romance, historical
Audiobook Release Date: October 24, 2024
Publisher: Anne Renwick
Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins
Source: author
Audio Speed: 1.3x
