Audiobook Review: Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest by Keira Gillet!

• Written by: Keira Gillett
• Narrated by: Michele Carpenter
• Length: 4 hrs and 2 mins 
• Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:03-11-15
Publisher: Keira Gillett


On her birthday, Zaria Fierce finds her usual path to school blocked by an ugly river-troll. At first she’s surprised and curious, but then Olaf threatens to eat her, which is an act Zaria could not in good conscience consent to, so Zaria counteroffers. A deal is struck and she goes to school, but Zaria is about to learn the hard way that one does not trick a river-troll and expect to win.


My Thoughts:

Zaria Fierce was such a quick and engaging read that I listened to it in a day. It's the type of book that is so easy to listen to that you've most of it done before you realise. 

One thing I loved about the book is Zaria herself. She is a bookworm and loves fantasy books so is quite surprised to meet an honest to goodness troll named Olaf. He wont let her cross but she tries to trick him like in Billy Goats Gruff. She tells him she will do something for him, but once passed she thinks that maybe her mind played tricks on her and it wasn't real. She returns to "real" life but a few days later, one of her best friends never returns home. She soon realises that the troll has taken him and won't return him till she agrees to get the Heart of Gloomwood Forest for him. She reluctantly agrees, and along with some of her friends, finds herself on an amazing journey through a land she thought only existed in books. Zaria was smart, brave, loyal and an all round amazing role model. 

Plot wise, it was really fast paced and interesting. I loved the lore behind the world and the author really brought the land to life through her vivid descriptions. I had no problem visualising the place and creatures. I also loved the sheer variety of fantastical creatures that are featured. We have a bit of everything! 

In all, this was such a pleasant read. The characters are easily relatable, the plot was fast paced and kept my interest and the book as a whole was thoroughly entertaining. I'm looking forward to the next one to see what adventures await Zaria and her friends. 

Michele Carpenter did a really good job with most of her voices. She had a ton of different ranges for the trolls and all the creatures, I just found some of her human voices were a little off. Her accents for a few of Zaria friends sounded like a blend of different ones, and maybe that's what she went for, but personally, I thought they sounded a little weird! Other than that, she nailed the creatures.