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Audiobooks >  > Toads and Diamonds (Abridged)
Toads and Diamonds (Abridged) Audiobook, by Allan H. Kelly Play Audiobook Sample

Toads and Diamonds (Abridged) Audiobook

By: Allan H. Kelly
Toads and Diamonds (Abridged) Audiobook, by Allan H. Kelly Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Frances H Kelley Publisher: Eye in the Ear Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 0.17 hours at 1.5x Speed 0.13 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: August 2008 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN:
3.01144620811287 out of 53.01144620811287 out of 53.01144620811287 out of 53.01144620811287 out of 53.01144620811287 out of 5 (3.01) - 1,134 listener ratings
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Publisher Description

The fascinating story of two sisters. One sister, by helping a mysterious old lady at a fountain, was given the power to spout a diamond out her mouth. The other sister, who never helped anyone, could spout only a toad.

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"I've always found the original tale of "Toads and Diamonds" to be rather unsettling, since the "good" option always seemed just as horrifying to me as the bad. This retelling does an excellent job of showing the blurred line between blessings and curses. Stepsisters Tana and Diribani are both great characters to read about. When they encounter the goddess Naghali, Diribani wishes for beauty and receives the gift of speaking flowers and gems, while Tana wishes to protect her family and receives the gift of speaking toads and snakes. Their "blessings" take them on separate journeys, told in alternating chapters, and it is interesting to watch them grow as they come to terms with their gifts and with themselves. There is, of course, a touch of romance, but the focus is really on the girls and their own strengths and weaknesses. The new setting for the tale adds further layers to the retelling as the events unfold in a land modeled on the Mughal Empire of India, which provides a rich and colorful backdrop. An excellent spin on a familiar tale."

— Laura (4 out of 5 stars)

Toads and Diamonds Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.57142857142857 out of 53.57142857142857 out of 53.57142857142857 out of 53.57142857142857 out of 53.57142857142857 out of 5 (3.57)
5 Stars: 3
4 Stars: 10
3 Stars: 5
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 1
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
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  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This was a neat book! Two sisters are "blessed" by the goddess. For one of them flowers and jewels fall from her mouth when she speaks. For the other, toads and snakes come out. These blessings lead them on different paths that help them learn what is most important in life. "

    — Emily, 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A familiar fairy tale in an unfamiliar setting. Well done overall with decent characters and story-telling. Seems to be mainly a book of self-discovery and coming of age which is what you'd expect from a YA story. Fun reading. "

    — Shanshad, 1/11/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A retelling of a Cinderella tale. Two sisters meet a fairy; one is apparently rewarded while the other is punished. But which is which? "

    — Anne-Marie, 1/9/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I really enjoyed reading the book, especially the dynamics of the many relationships throught out the story. Well written, and very original(: One of the best books i have read recently. "

    — Kimberly, 7/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Was actually Joanne's book.She did some read out loud to me and it intrigued me enough that I read it. Good retelling of a folktale. "

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

    " I loved it! A+ "

    — Quidditchfan, 8/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " What a lovely fantasy! Set in a world reminiscent of when Islam invaded India, 2 sisters face destitution w/ a plan...until a goddess steps in and gives them each a gift. They must discover the purpose of their gift and true love while remaining true to themselves and their peaceful culture. "

    — Kathyred, 8/8/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Excellent fairytale. Different too. "

    — KCW, 7/26/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I liked this fairy tale re-telling well enough: the setting was great, the characters were likable, and the writing was good. But for some reason, I just couldn't lose myself in it. Still recommended for teens who like a good fairy tale. "

    — Heather, 5/11/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I liked the twist on the fairy tale and like the India-ish twist "

    — Annie, 5/7/2012
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Couldn't get past the first three chapters. I didn't care about the characters at all. Interesting setting (India) though. "

    — Andrea, 2/13/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " not my cup of tea. "

    — Danny, 9/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Allan Quatermain: inglese, odia la pioggia, ama il caldo africano e difende (a fuciliate) gli indigeni locali dallo sfruttamento di Londra. Curioso... "

    — Andrea, 6/29/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " It was a bit wordy, but the story was good. I could have done without all the war parts and descriptions that took up about half of the book. I thought it would be more suspenseful, but it really wasn't. Maybe in it's day, it was more suspenseful, but it was fun to read over all. "

    — Lambknitj, 6/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I really liked this. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It's a proper old adventure story and is well worth the read, in my opinion. "

    — Joshua, 6/26/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " And I've seen the movie too. "

    — Mckinley, 6/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Not exactly what I thought it would be. Certainly dated. Curious to see one of the movies that were made to see how they handled the material. "

    — Alan, 5/18/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I really enjoyed this classic. A great book to escape from the real world with. "

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

    " MMMMMmmm, I can't really decide. It was a good classic, a good story line I guess maybe it was the writing style I didn't like. "

    — Christina, 4/29/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Great adventure story. Very different from the movie. Haggard keeps the pacing going through the whole book. I will read more Haggard in near future. "

    — Mike, 4/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A great story - kept me gripped all the way through. "

    — Abi, 4/14/2011