A Tale of Two Castles Audiobook, by Gail Carson Levine Play Audiobook Sample

A Tale of Two Castles Audiobook

A Tale of Two Castles Audiobook, by Gail Carson Levine Play Audiobook Sample
Currently Unavailable
This audiobook is no longer available through the publisher and we don't know if or when it will become available again. Please check out similar audiobooks below, and click the "Vote this up!" button to let us know you're interested in this title. This audiobook has 5 votes
Read By: Sarah Coomes Publisher: Brilliance Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 5.67 hours at 1.5x Speed 4.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Series: The Tale of Two Castles Series Release Date: May 2011 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781455808366

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

38

Longest Chapter Length:

26:23 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

06:45 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

13:19 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

15

Other Audiobooks Written by Gail Carson Levine: > View All...

Publisher Description

Elodie journeys to the town of Two Castles to become a mansioner — an actress — but the master of the troupe turns her away. Brilliant dragon Meenore takes her in, then sends her on a dangerous mission within an ogre’s castle. There, disguised as a kitchen maid, she plays the role of a lifetime, pitted against a foe intent on murder. Black-and-white cats, a handsome cat trainer, a greedy king, a giddy princess, a shape-shifting ogre, a brilliant dragon . . . Elodie must discover which of them is kind, which is cruel, and, most of all, which is the one who deserves her trust. Newbery Honor author Gail Carson Levine weaves an entrancing tale of a fearsome ogre, a dragon detective, and a remarkable heroine who finds friendship where she least expects it, learns that there are many ways to mansion, and discovers that goodness and evil come in all shapes and sizes.

Download and start listening now!

"This book is charming, as are all of Gail Carson Levine's books. It isn't as good as Ella Enchanted, but I still liked it. The main ideas is that Elodie, a 12-year-old girl, is leaving the farm she grew up on to go to the bigger city in order to become an apprentice to a weaver or some other respectable tradesman. Two things get in the way of achieving this goal: first, Elodie doesn't want to be a craftswoman. She wants to be a mansioner (what we would call an actor). Second, she learns too late that one must now pay a fee in order to become an apprentice, and she doesn't have the required money. She doesn't even have enough to travel back home. Add in that in this world things such as trolls and dragons are very real. The cool thing about this book is that Levine treats these supernatural creatures in a unique way that completely ignores the traditional conceptions. The main theme her is that, as her mother is fond of telling her, Elodie must be very careful about whom to trust, and to "beware of the whited sepulchre." Not all that is ugly is evil, and not everything beautiful is good. Nor is everything evil wholly evil, and so on. The characters in this book are engaging, and the plot moves along well. I definitely enjoyed this book, even if it didn't leave me forever changed in the process."

— Jennifer (4 out of 5 stars)

A Tale of Two Castles Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.7037037037037 out of 53.7037037037037 out of 53.7037037037037 out of 53.7037037037037 out of 53.7037037037037 out of 5 (3.70)
5 Stars: 6
4 Stars: 9
3 Stars: 10
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " My second favorite of Gail Carson Levine's books, right behind Ella Enchanted. "

    — Pamela, 2/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I was slow to get into this story, but by the end I was caught up in it. Overall, an enjoyable read, but I feel no urge to buy it or reread it. "

    — Peyton, 2/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " It took me a long while to get into this, but once the plot really started moving along, it ended up being a really cute and entertaining mystery. I still keep looking for one of Gail Carson Levine's books to be as good as Ella Enchanted to no avail though. "

    — Stefanie, 1/29/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " It was okay, just not as good as the other Levine books I've read. "

    — Maria, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Although there is no Prince Charming in this fairy tale, I would call this book very charming. I had a great time getting to know Elodie, Meenore, and the Count. Levine has a deft hand with dialog and background and setting up the plot. I was completely taken by surprise by the villian in Two Castles, and enjoyed the journey from beginning to end. I have to say that I got annoyed with the constant use of "IT" as a pronoun for Meenore (because only a dragon knows if IT is a he or a she) and it was a total distraction. "

    — Christine, 1/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I really enjoyed this story... of course I enjoy all Gail Carson Levine stories :) "

    — Nicki, 1/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " She is such a clever, smooth writer. The characters are believable but not cliche, and the plot is natural without being obvious. I loved it. That's all. I need more Gail Carson Levine in my life. "

    — Bobbi, 1/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Enjoyed this story of twelve year old Elodie who leaves the farm to go to the city to become a mansioner (actor). The two castles in the city are owned by the King, not well liked, and the Count, an ogre, also not accepted. Elodie becomes involved with a dragon and lots of adventures. Fun. "

    — Susan, 12/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I did liked this book, but it didn't really get good until the end. During the book I was wondering were she was going with this book, I didn't get it until the end. It's still a good book. "

    — Hollie, 10/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I pretty much love anything by Gail Carson Levine. This was a unique story and quite well written. I love the Dragon, IT is very witty and intelligent, and I would have loved to see more of IT in the story. It was a fun story, one I could read again. "

    — Kate, 10/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I like the strong heroines that Gail Carson Levine writes. This book was no different than her other ones in that aspect. It did become a bit predictable at some parts, but all in all was a good heartfelt book and an easy read. "

    — Jim, 8/2/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I love her fairy tales. The characters make me smile. The dragon is a winner. "

    — Krsten, 3/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A quick, charming read. It was very entertaining and clean. This is a great book for young adults, and also interesting to adults. It has a dragon, ogre, and mystery. "

    — Danielle, 11/4/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " really good... i hope she makes a sequel "

    — Ayla, 9/5/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I thought it was fun. Lighthearted...easy read...clean...great for upper elementary girls. "

    — Amanda, 5/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " We listened to this in the car on a trip, and the performer's voice and thick accent drove some of my kids crazy. But it was an engaging story. "

    — Sarah, 4/17/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " It is a really cute story. I loved that the main characters have to use their wits to solve the mystery and save the day. :) "

    — Sara, 2/11/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This was a fun and easy read. In fact, I read the whole thing in one day--a miraculous feat considering my clingy children! I loved the story, the characters, everything. Gail Carson Levine redeemed herself with this gem. "

    — Kristy, 12/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " An odd, blah, fairy tale of a book. It seemed only a half-hearted effort on behalf of the author with weak attempts at excitement, mystery and heroism. Disappointing. "

    — Tamra, 9/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " She is such a clever, smooth writer. The characters are believable but not cliche, and the plot is natural without being obvious. I loved it. That's all. I need more Gail Carson Levine in my life. "

    — Bobbi, 5/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " 3.5 Stars. Cute, I liked it. The story is fun, the mystery is good- I really didn't see ANYTHING coming. A nice surprise. "

    — Jane, 5/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Okay, but not nearly as interesting as Ella Enchanted. The characters were cute, and the plot was fairly interesting, but it seemed flat in comparison. "

    — Emilie, 5/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This was a lot of fun to read. . .just like all of Gail Carson Levine's books. . . "

    — Kirsti, 5/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I enjoyed this book and the story line but I felt like it went on awful long and I had a hard time getting through it . . . good read but nothing fantastic. Good for 5th grade "

    — Megan, 5/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Fantastic! Blew through it! I'm hoping there is a sequel! "

    — Amanda, 5/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I have a love hate relationship with this book. It is about a girl who is sent off to become an apprentice. She wants to become a mansioner, but instead is apprenticed to a dragon. I thought that this book probably could have had a better ending. It was still pretty good though. "

    — Julaine, 4/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " was a really cute story, and i would very much recommend this book. "

    — Victoire, 4/20/2011

About Gail Carson Levine

Gail Carson Levine is an author of bestselling fiction and nonfiction for young adults. Her first book for children, Ella Enchanted, won a Newbery Honor. Fairest was a Best Book of the Year for Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal, and Dave at Night, an ALA Notable Book and Best Book for Young Adults. She is also the author of two nonfiction books on writing, as well as the picture books.

About Sarah Coomes

Sarah Coomes trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and spent three blissful years there, learning how to cry, speak Shakespeare, and stage fight like a tiger. She is a comedienne and an actress, appearing in numerous television shows in England, including a recurring role as Nurse Leonard in the popular series EastEnders. She won the 2008 Westminster Prize for her play Hookie and an AudioFile Earphones Award for her narration of The Unforgotten Coat by Frank Cottrell Boyce in 2011.