The Green Ember

Not Just for The Elementary Age Group

Any additional comments?

I saw a friend recommend this on her blog - she has younger children, I have teens - so I thought I'd download this for me to listen through since we often get asked for recommendations for younger years books. (We home educate and are voracious readers.)
The story line is so engaging I wanted to share it with the rest of the family.
It's not just a story to read to children in the elementary years - it's one that will have appeal to a very wide age range.
For those that enjoy the Narnia Series, Watership Down, The Hobbit - tones of those are in this story.
Recommending this as an, easy, engaging car time/ road trip listen.

116 of 126 people found this review helpful

Adventurous, fun story

I listened to this book with my 11, 10, 7 and 5 year old. My older 2 children loved it, some parts were a little hard to follow for the 7 and 5 year olds, but it was simple to stop and explain when they didn't understand. We all really enjoyed this story, as well as the many voices of the narrator. Highly recommended by myself and my children!

90 of 98 people found this review helpful

Heavy

A little too heavy for my 6 & 9 year old. The story dragged and the imagery was just too dark.

33 of 36 people found this review helpful

Amazing!

Where does The Green Ember rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of our favorites

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Green Ember?

There were too many to list just one. Picket's achievement definitely stands out!

What about Joel Clarkson’s performance did you like?

He did a great job with the various voices and carried the story along really well.

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

YES!!

Any additional comments?

It is really nice to find good, high quality books for our kids to listen to. They are very reminiscent of the Chronicles of Narnia, and the message and morals within them are extremely refreshing. We can't wait to see what Mr. Smith has next.

46 of 51 people found this review helpful

Slow and Tedious

We listened to this on a road trip and I have to say: it was boring and tedious.

The plot was slow to evolve, and the characters development was contrived and just "too much".

It just didn't engage.

28 of 31 people found this review helpful

Had high hopes

Had such high hopes for this. Listened to it on a family car trip. It was my turn to drive in the middle and it got very slow... It was ok, kids enjoyed it, but it wasn't magical for us. Narration- the voices were AMAZING, but the reading/narration part was without inflection to me- not so interesting with texture for my ear. Overall, I give it a solid 3 stars. I'd have done a 4 or 5 if the boring middle part was about 1/4 as long.

18 of 20 people found this review helpful

Nothing new...

I wanted to like this audiobook. It sounded like the kind of fantasy that is very much up my alley but it quickly turned into a clone of the inheritance cycle, hunger games, with a touch of lord of the rings. Very boring and does not feel fresh to me. I doubt I will continue listening and buying additional books.

28 of 32 people found this review helpful

Highly recommended!!

What a great story! A rabbit tale with a much kinder worldview than Watership Down. S. D. Smith has created a wonderful world with a rich history. An exciting story great for kids and adults alike. We listened to it going to and from soccer games and hated to turn off the car when we arrived! The audio performance was excellent as well.

33 of 38 people found this review helpful

ENCHANTING

Where does The Green Ember rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have so much love in my heart for this book. As a preschool teacher, I have a big place in my heart for all children's literature. But this book, this book ranks TOP 5 favorite of all time. And that's a big compliment. It's enchanting- it's the kind of book that should be read by a fireplace when it's raining out on a early saturday morning- yes, it's that enchanting. But it's also full of adventure and simplistic fun that will make an child's nose crinkle with delight, but it's also full of truth so much that it led me to contemplate my own mistakes and fears and change them. And just wait til the end, you'll be fist pumping and yelling at S.D. Smith all in the same breath.

I highly recommend this book to anyone, if nothing else to see Truth and Beauty combined in one stunning story.

45 of 54 people found this review helpful

A stirring tale of adventure, courage and hope

Would you listen to The Green Ember again? Why?

Yes, and I will listen with my two sons and my daughter, and then watch them go straight out to make wooden swords to learn to fight bravely like Picket and conquer their fears. A wonderful set of role models and creative sparks for kids.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Green Ember?

In this Audible version, I got chills when narrator Joel Clarkson sang the song of the Mended Wood to a haunting tune he composed himself... the perfect embodiment of their beautiful vision of future reality.

Have you listened to any of Joel Clarkson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first book read by him, and I enjoyed it. He's a talented reader, and I enjoyed his musical additions very much.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The Green Ember: A tale of perilous adventure, thrilling courage, and hope in the midst of darkness

Any additional comments?

With elements of Watership Down, Redwall, and Narnia, S.D. Smith has masterfully woven a fresh tale in a brand new world with endless possibilities. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and am on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what happens to Heather, Picket, crabby old Elmer, and especially King Jupiter's heir! A job very well done, S.D. Smith! More please, as soon as possible!

35 of 42 people found this review helpful