Absolutely marvelous!

'Sometimes our dreams come true when we least expect it. ' -Voyage of the Sandpiper
And sometimes a book surprises you, even when you thought there were scarce kindred spirits in the modern published author world. 
Let's just say that by the first five chapters I was in love. It was beyond a treat to sit down to each new part, whether I would be grinning or on the edge of my seat.  
But let's zoom out a little...

Voyage of the Sandpiper is a voyage of a book, and the audio narration gives it wings to soar in a whole new way. It's a sweeping, rollicking, coming-of-age adventure that follows our heroine, Agatha (Piper) Gordan, from a lighthouse in Maine to across the world.
We set sail right along with the characters, facing seas of uncertainty and fear, storms of danger and rising war. But shimmers of hope, trust, and courage shine, and, through it all, family bonds (by blood or no) persevere. And, I can't not mention the humour-some of the escapades are just classic! 
You will find yourself swept back in time, caring so much about every character, memorising new favourite quotes, and coming away inspired. As for me, I was empowered by the genuine real-life-courage and hope themes.
Character arcs, great dynamics, and all that writerly lingo hit top marks, and, of course, the fabulous narration!

We are treated to a wonderful, alive audio book. Ellie Gossage reads with engaging, candid rhythm, all the while staying characteristic to our point-of-view character, Piper.
This being my first audio book, I initially thought it strange to have a story 'read' to me by an unfamiliar voice. But I became increasingly immersed in the experience, completely falling for the way Ellie G. brings Sandpiper to life.
Each character is given just the right amount of voice, and no accent is left behind. (Are me and my sister the only ones who now want to sprinkle our own conversations with Yiddish proverbs?)
I especially loved Katrin's soft, brave German accent, and Lorelei's sweet, tender one.  Shout out to a female narrator reading multiple male voices: the Brooklyn twang for Harry was brilliant!

I laughed out-loud with the unique, loveable characters and their escapades, held my breath at the moments of tense suspense, and even wept as the story and its heart hit home more than once. 
Jessica Glasner's first instalment of the Seabirds Trilogy is destined to become a classic, for all those girls who wonder where the next kindred spirit adventure is.
Well, they are not so scarce as I used to think.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you The Voyage of the Sandpiper, an story and audio experience you won't forget.

So, what are you waiting for? Go set sail!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful