The Return of King Lillian

I received this audiobook at no-cost from Audiobookworm Promotions. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it. The Return of King Lillian by Suzie Plakson is a delightful fairytale of a story. Ms. Plakson writes a wondrous adventure where our heroine, Lillian, is for all intents and purposes an orphan raised by a benevolent woman in the Forbidden Forest. (Everyone in the Forbidden Forest loses their memory so they don’t really recall what goes on from day to day.) When Lillian gets to a certain age she is set out on an adventure to find her way home. From here Lillian travels from place to place experiencing the most fun filled adventures. She meets all kinds of fantastical creatures and characters. Ms. Plakson really creates a magical world that both children and adults will delight in. Ms. Plakson’s writing style is lyrical and exuberant. The descriptions make the world she builds come alive in your imagination. As Lillian goes from place to place I just found myself enthralled and wanting to know more about this magical place. I will put a little warning in here to parents that Lillian’s language isn’t necessarily proper gramatically. Her language pattern is that of a child, raised largely on her own with the help of an absentminded “aunt” and animals with very little in the way of proper schooling. While the words are not necessarily grammatically correct, there is a lyrical quality to the prose that gives everything a literary flow that counters the imperfect grammar. Honestly I’m not sure I’m characterizing this correctly but it just really works. Lillian is just this exuberant, poetic bundle of energy that you can’t help but love. This story would be great for people who love fairytale adventures. The book has a middle grade feel to me. It does have minor moments of violence and at least a couple of deaths. There is also a chapter where Lillian meets her mate. Nothing racy occurs but there is a definite relationship that develops as the two characters tackle adventures together. I feel like most middle grade books skirt around relationships entirely but this is definitely two young adults forming a relationship. Honestly it is a relatively minor part of the story and the kids probably won’t notice. I just wanted to mention it in the interests of full disclosure. I do think these chapters would be easy to skip if parents felt it was inappropriate. Overall I think the story is a magical tale that would be fantastic for kids. Suzie Plakson did a phenomenal job narrating this audiobook. Ms. Plakson is an actress and it shows vividly in this narration. She is energetic and enthusiastic and just so much fun. She brings magic to the production and brings every character to life in the most wonderful of ways. This is one audiobook where there is definite value added by purchasing the audiobook version. It takes the vision in the book and adds dimension and brings it to life.

I just finished listening to The Return of King Lillian audiobook and I’ve come away with such a specific cast of characters that it’s hard to believe it all just been one person telling the story! King Lillian took me on a ride that transported me to places I have never been. Loved every moment. King Lillian is more than just a story, it truly is an adventure of the heart and mind. Thank you Ms. Plakson for making my time with King Lillian one of the most enjoyable listening and reading pleasures I have had in years. I did start reading it, at first, but I got curious about the audiobook as the narrative was so unusual and conversational. Ms. Plakson really brings each character to life and gives the story so much more to enjoy. If you are a books on tape person you really must listen to this story. And if you are not you will become one if you listen to King Lillian. I was surprised, well not surprised but I didn’t plan on liking it as much as I did. And there was excitement each time I was able to get back into it and disappointment when I had to leave it.

The first thing I want to say is when it comes to audio books the voice of the narrator is very important to me. Suzie Plakson’s reading of The Return of King Lillian delighted me to no end. That said, even the most charming voice can’t keep me interested if the story doesn’t work and King Lillian captivated me from the very first sentence in the prologue… “At long, long last she was free, free, free!” In fact, this story is so good I now find myself re-listening to parts of the book while I do things around the house, even though I know what is going to happen next. Highly recommend.

I just finished listening to the audio book of “The Return of King Lillian” by Suzie Plakson. I WANT MORE!!! What a remarkable storyteller Plakson is, effortlessly spinning images, leaving no detail unpainted. To be able to weave a tale and keep an audience enraptured throughout, now that is a true heavenly talent. She is a Bard, a Griot, a true Storyteller! With every word, she embraces and validates humanity and give us a hug of love. Thank you for captivating me, and thank you for King Lillian!

Using a certain classic fairly tale as a jumping off point, the author has engaged her prodigious imagination in creating this entirely original picaresque character, King Lillian. Each of Lillian's adventures reflects facets of fairy tales and myths that reside in the collective consciousness, and each encounter has lightly woven into it a lesson on what it means to be a human of the optimistic, big-hearted, truth-searching type. It's a lovely antidote to the cynicism, negativity, and division that are so much in the air these days. The voicing is a tour de force, Ms. Plakson interprets Lillian and seems to be having a ball creating all of the countless characters she encounters along the way, each one specific, original, and in service to the story. A joy!

The Return of King Lillian is a feast for the imagination and all five senses. This fantasy tale of a young Girl-King who finds herself on a quest to see the "Whole Wyde Whirld" is a delight from start to finish (or, more correctly, from Middle to End to Beginning). Lillian's indomitable spirit shines throughout the tale, through her ups and downs, twists and turns in her path to realize her Destiny. The story is captivating, the characters she encounters fascinating and fearsome. The language itself is musical and delicious, delivering an enriching experience akin to savoring a fine meal. The print edition, aside from the colorful cover illustration, might at first seem drab in just black and white. However, the vivid colors of the Whirld as Lillian describes it will be brilliant in your mind's eye. And the writing style is clever and whimsical and inventive and plenty color-filled as well. You will see and hear, feel and taste and smell the Whirld, as Lillian faithfully chronicles her adventures in her journal (whom she addresses like an old, dear friend). As an audiobook, King Lillian is a rare treat indeed. Every one of the crowd of curious characters has a unique voice and delivery, no doubt the result of Ms. Plakson's considerable experience voicing animated characters ("Futurama", "Family Guy", "Dinosaurs"). Five stars for this unique and charming tale of adventure and discovery - a true entertainment miracle!

Wow... Hands down one of the best audiobooks I’ve ever heard. I wasn’t sure at first if I was all that into fairy tales, but I had read some great things about this book online so I thought I'd give it a try. At first it seems like maybe it's just going to be for younger audiences, but it turns out that this is a very powerful (and often very funny) myth that has A LOT of deep things going on all the way through. I was so moved by this story. And the narrator, who is also the author, is AWESOME in the extreme. This was just great in every aspect.

A fantastic new sequel to an old fairy tale, and a brillIiant performance by the author. Suzie Plakson's voice transports you into a magical world -- a world so vivid and delightful, you never want to leave. This is an epic,heartwarming, and often hilarious story, sure to appeal to young and old alike. Truly first rate!!

Wow... This captivating story reminded me of some of the great classics: books like Huckleberry Finn, The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland and Stardust. It's a fascinating, funny, heartful tale that sweeps you away on a journey through a magical world. I think Lillian is one of the brightest, pluckiest, most inspirational heroines I can remember in modern literature. And actress Suzie Plakson's narration is a tour de force, perfectly capturing the voices and personalities of all the wonderful characters that populate her tale. Two big thumbs up and five big stars on this one!

An absolutely enchanting story — charming, funny and wise — beautifully performed by the actress/author. What a joy this was!