View from Valhalla

originally published April 17, 2012

Title: Interview with a Wizard
Author: J.A. Areces
Genre: Harry Potter alternate earth magical fantasy
Released: 17 December 2007 – 20 April 2008
Located: iTunes, Podiobooks
Formats Available: podcast, ebook
Rating: PG – 13 for violence

Like almost every other person on the planet, I was a big fan of the Harry Potter novels. I discovered them fairly early on with only the first book of the series in print and followed the adventures of Harry, Ron and Hermione as each new novel was released. When I stumbled across Interview with a Wizard on Podiobooks, I hoped it would have some of that magic and decided to give it a listen.

So, on to the review.

Synopsis:

On Halloween night, the greatest vacation spot in the world is about to be scared to death. A dangerous and mad wizard has escaped from jail, and there is no one who can identify him. With only seven days left before Halloween, Jesse and wizard special agent Ch-U-Ch race to solve the mystery, but time is quickly running out. (Stolen from Podiobooks.com)

Production: Interview with a Wizard is mostly good production interrupted by moments (episodes) of truly miserable production. The music the author chose was fine, until he changed it. Then changed it back. Then played it through a large chunk of one episode.I didn’t find it irritating enough to quit listening to the story; however, if it had occurred in episode one, it might have been a different story. The only reason I don’t grade it lower is because it isn’t consistently bad. The times it is however, I believe earns it the grade given.

Grade: C-

Cast: Mr. Areces does Interview with a Wizard as a self read. Overall, he does a fine job. Some might have a bit of difficulty with his accent, but anyone that complains about accents needs to realize that not everyone sound like them. It is obvious English isn’t Mr. Areces first language. However, he does a commendable job with the language with both the writing and the reading.

Grade: A

Story: I had a hard time with Interview with a Wizard. In some aspects it seemed terribly derivative of Harry Potter and other fantasy novels. Yet in other aspects, it seemed more of an original story that is simultaneously providing tribute to those other stories we love so much. On that account, I’ll let others provide their thoughts.

Grade: B-

Verdict: I have a hard time here. I with good conscience really don’t know whether to recommend Interview with a Wizard or not. Some will find it derivative and irritating; some will find it a fun and original tribute. I admit, I found it both. In places. In other places I will also admit that I was yelling at the story because of a few production decisions. I guess my best advice here would be to give this one the 4 ep test if you find the synopsis interesting. Oh, and by the way, yes, this is young adult safe.

Disclosure: I’ve never met Mr. Areces and I was offered nothing in return for this review.

~ by odin1eye on 22 January, 2020.

Posted in Podcast Reviews