Review: Audiobook Review by Caroline
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 18, 2014
Story Rating: 4 of 5 StarsNarration Rating: 4 of 5 StarsOverall Rating: 4 of 5 StarsFor original review see The Prism Book Alliance Blog onlineMy View – Story:This is the story about a group of 18 year olds put together to form a boy band Static. They went to the audition; they thought they would be living the dream, for two of them it became a nightmare.From the moment they lay eyes on each other Danny and Elliot know they are going to be more than friends. Although it takes them a little time to get there they develop strong feelings for each other in a world that would rather look the other way than accept them.The first part of their new lives involves moving into a house with other musicians and being filmed nonstop. This is to introduce them to their public, garner them fans and put everything they do under scrutiny. As Danny and Elliot become closer there are the first rumblings of discontent within their management team. The next step is playing gigs and recording their first album….things are getting more stressful for the pair with their every move scrutinised….they are still living their dream, but at what cost.This is a book that you will simultaneously love and hate. Desperate to achieve their dreams but also desperate to have each other they find themselves having to live a lie. According to the people who know, the management team, boy bands should sell themselves as young, free and heterosexual. Young girls do not scream and shout for gay men and if they are not screaming and shouting they are not buying the product.Product – that is all these boys have become and it will you leave you feeling angry and frustrated that this is the way of the world. People can’t be themselves for fear of not fitting the norm and where money is concerned there are some very strict rules to adhere to. Rules that will end up soul destroying to the people involved having to live their daily lives as a lie and drawing more and more people into the web.Living the dream?…..Yeah, not so much! Until Danny cracks when he has finally been pushed to the limit and stands up for what he believes in. The dreaded management team think they have won but what they hadn’t banked on was the love and respect of the other band members.To me this is a very real book about things we all know happen in real life. For some reason I preferred to read this one than listen to it on audio, I’m not sure why except it was better in my head than in my ears. Whichever way you do it I am sure you love these boys and live through the very strong emotions the story brings out.My View – Narration:Tyler Stevens did a great job with this one. It is long and there are a lot of characters that he has to lend his voice to. The only one I didn’t like was Sasha who was made to sound like the grim reaper but as he ended up acting like an ass I wasn’t that bothered.