GraphicAudio — A New Kind Of Audiobook

Title:  Tempting Danger (GraphicAudio Version)
Author: Eileen Wilks
Series: World of the Lupi Book 1
Audio Release Date: June 1, 2013
Publisher: GraphicAudio
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Perspective: Third Person

Publisher’s Description: A bold new world where the magical and mundane co-exist in an uneasy alliance–and a cop balanced on her own knife-edged struggle is their only hope against a cold-blooded killer.

Lily Yu is a San Diego police detective investigating a series of grisly murders that appear to be the work of a werewolf. To hunt down the killer, she must infiltrate the clans. Only one man can help her–a were named Rule Turner, a prince of the lupi, whose charismatic presence disturbs Lily. Rule has his own reasons for helping the investigation–reasons he doesn’t want to share with Lily. Logic and honor demand she keep her distance, but the attraction between them is immediate and devastating-and beyond human reason. Now, in a race to fend off evil, Lily finds herself in uncharted territory, tested as never before, and at her back a man who she’s not sure she can trust.

SPOILERS!  FYI:  This review focuses more on the GraphicAudio format than on the content of the novel.

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On April 17, I saw a review on AudioBook Reviewer for Tempting Danger (World of the Lupi Book 1). The review describes a company called GraphicAudio that makes “audio theater” out of novels and graphic novels using multiple voice actors, sound effects, music, and stereo sound.

As a fan of audiobooks, I was intrigued by the idea of “audio theater,” which I assumed was like an enhanced radio play.  I had been meaning to catch up on the World of the Lupi series anyway, so I picked up the book.

In no particular order, here are some of the thoughts I had while listening:

• I LOVE having different voices for different characters. Actually different voice actors, so it’s easy to tell once voice from another.
• All the cop characters sound straight from the set of Barney Miller, but I did know quickly what kind of character they were supposed to be.
• The main character’s voice sounds … harsher… than I would have expected from someone raised with Chinese parents and grandparents.
• There is a lot of grunting — to indicate sitting down and standing up and, in particular, one scene with some VERY aggressive gardening.
• I’m SO glad there weren’t any explicit sex scenes in this book; I don’t think I really want to listen to that. The kissy and heavy panting sounds were plenty.
• I can live without the sound of someone eating.
• The background noise really adds something to the story — city sounds and camera shutter sounds at the crime scene; the music at the club; the nature sounds and wolf howls in the woods. Even the clicking of a seat belt, the sound of footsteps, and the shutting of doors.
• I’m really glad they were able to cut out the he-saids and she-saids and make it straight dialog when the characters were talking.
• This is not an audio book to fall asleep to, as I normally do. I was awake until 3:00 a.m. listening!

Overall, I’m excited about this version of an audiobook. It’s exciting and engaging and, at the very least, something different for me. The company seems to have a lot of sci-fi, fantasy and western titles, and have even adapted The Cemetery Girl, a graphic novel by Charlaine Harris and Christopher Golden. I think I’ll try that one next; I’m curious how one would adapt a graphic novel for audio.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥