Title: Altered Helix
Author: Stephanie Hansen
Narrator: Carolyn A. Lee
Genre: YA Paranormal Romantic Thriller, YA Survival Fiction
Book Blurb:
I didn’t want to take the traditional path. First, I wasn’t ready for college. Second, I was going to live with my best friend Tiff and work at the haunted house. Third, did I mention the hot guy Josh that works there, too?
The most exciting thing about Austria’s new job at a local haunted house was the fact that the toughest looking people screamed the loudest. But when she meets Josh, the boy without a home, Austria's life takes intriguing and eventful turns.
Up until now, Josh has managed to hang with his street crowd, but they’re in danger, and so is Austria, the girl Josh recently fell for. The group finds themselves joining forces with those previously considered enemies who also now find themselves in danger.
Deeply compassionate and full of twists, Altered Helix captures the struggle of polarized people that must work together for the greater good.
My Review:
Summary –
She never expected to find love and a brave new world at the haunted house. Rebelling against the norm is nothing new for Austria. Instead of going off to college, she chose to live with her bestie, Tiff, and work at the haunted house. There, she met Josh, a hot guy with no home. She crushes hard on Josh and her life takes an unexpected turn. Suddenly, she’s in danger and so is Josh, along with his crowd of people he hangs out with. A new world unfolds for Austria, filled with a whole new reality she never thought possible. Teaming up with old foes to combat a new enemy sounds risky but it might be the only way to survive.
Narrator’s overall voice – Carolyn A. Lee’s voice has personality all its own but when it employs the various character voices, it takes on each character with aplomb. I thoroughly enjoyed her voice. Does the narrator fit the characters? Yes, Carolyn A. Lee fits the characters, especially the teens. I’m amazed how well she evokes men and guys. Very well done. Narrator’s reading style – Carolyn A. Lee has a reading style that is casual, nice and easy, but with plenty of twists and turns to keep the listener vested. Narrator’s impact on reading experience – Carolyn A. Lee has an innate ability to draw a listener/reader in without any effort. She takes what is one of the most original stories I’ve ever read and makes it come alive. Narrator’s pacing – Her pacing is perfect, blending action, romance, mystery, suspense, and more with ease. Audiobook flow – She allows the audiobook to unfold naturally with plenty of dialogue, action, romance, and everyday life. What makes this audiobook unique – Carolyn A. Lee and Stephanie Hansen partner up to bring readers/listeners one of the best YA books I’ve ever heard/read. The plot is fast-moving which adds to the exhilaration while listening. Her narration brings Altered Helix alive, like a movie. Brilliant from start to finish. Would I recommend this audiobook – YES! Don’t delay. Buy this audiobook right now.
My Rating: 5 stars
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Author Biography:
Stephanie Hansen is a PenCraft and Global Book Award Winning Author. Her debut novella series, Altered Helix, released in 2020. It hit the #1 New Release, #1 Best Seller, and other top 100 lists on Amazon. It is now being adapted to an animated story for Tales. Her debut novel, Replaced Parts, released in 2021 through Fire & Ice YA and Tantor Audio. It has been in a Forbes article, hit Amazon bestseller lists, and made the Apple young adult coming soon bestsellers list. The second book in the Transformed Nexus series, Omitted Pieces, released in 2022. Her next novella, Ghostly Howls, releases 2/7/23. She is a member of the deaf and hard of hearing community so she tries to incorporate that into her fiction. https://www.authorstephaniehansen.com/
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Reviewed by: Mrs. N