I'M CALMING DOWN AFTER THIS EPIC CARDIO WORKOUT

Right from the first few dramatic words this book grabbed me.... a vicious kidnapping that was to have ended in a violent revenge killing but the heartfelt words of the terrified woman's prayers changed everything. There were layers and layers to this very well written intense story as the suspense, revelations, shocks and twists just kept coming and, just when you think you've got things figured out, BAM and WOW another heartbreaking truth will be revealed. When the pampered Princess was captured by the badass Bandido.

Just children yet best friends from opposite lifestyles they're ruthlessly pulled apart and for one the life of luxury will continue but for the other their meagre but happy life will become a lonely, terrifying, violent, bloody, dangerous and criminal world that they will have to painfully endure. All the time praying for salvation but no miracle will come to save the day so all that's left is hatred and to plan for revenge..... revenge that wasn't sweet but brutal and will ultimately destroy and rob them both of the chance of a happy future. And for years the heartbreak, loss and pain is debilitating as they are haunted by their beautiful memories, their actions and what could have and should have been but there's a saying that "time is a great healer" and, as the years passed them by, the saying just might be right.

Gripping, raw, intense, violent, passionate, heartbreaking and beautiful - edge of your seat chilling suspense, secrets, lies, rage, twist after twist, fight for your life scenes, shocking scenes, sizzling chemistry, broken defences, sex, intrigue, blood, death, danger in many forms with every chapter holding high octane action and revelations and, as the hours flew by, I was immersed and riveted to every word. The character growth was immense, the story was a heartbreaking roller coaster, the steps to forgiveness and redemption was slow but in the end happiness was eventually achieved because love conquered all. Blocks of the hero or heroine's POV or back-story.

Worth a credit? An intensely thrilling, chilling and emotional journey of two souls that were savagely torn apart, fiercely reshaped then welded back together again in the fires of Hell to emerge stronger, wiser and brand new ready for a fresh new beginning. Coupled with an awesome plot that detailed each chapter so you could easily visualize every scene there was the brilliant narration that brought the characters to life, changed words into emotionally stark scenes and turned a good book into a great listen. So, YES a credit that I'm happy to have spent in exchange for an epic listen.

23 people found this helpful

A COMPLETE experience of every emotion.

If you could sum up The Paper Swan in three words, what would they be?

LOVE, LOSS, REVENGE.

What did you like best about this story?

This books goes back and forth between the POVs of the two main characters and also over time (about 20 years). I usually hate when the story jumps around like this, but Leylah Attar does this quite seamlessly expertly invoking suspense and filling in the holes in the story that come from seeing it from another POV.

What about Shirl Rae and Zachary Webber ’s performance did you like?

I am a Zachary Webber FAN. His performances are always top notch. I have also listened to several books narrated by Shirl Rae. I like her male voices. Sometimes her cadence bothers me a bit but otherwise she is very good. Both Zachary and Shirl did a great job with the pronunciation of Spanish words and phrases interspersed throughout the book.

Any additional comments?

This book delivered raw, intense emotion. I cried. I cringed. I hated. I loved. The romance was bittersweet but was also sexy. It delivered. The majority of this book is set in Mexico and drug cartel activity is a major plot line of this book. The violence was copious and graphic (fair warning for squeamish listeners). HOWEVER, underneath that seedy underbelly lies a beautiful love story. This is one of my favourite books of 2015.

14 people found this helpful

Epically, amazing book!! BEST READ EVER!

This is the first time I have read/listened to a book by this author. In my opinion she is talented. She weaves a story around two childhood friends who embark on a bitter, sweet, loving, vengeful journey coping with what life throws at them.

From the first paragraph you are drawn into the idyllic life of two children. One wealthy, one a son of the hired help. Circumstances bring tragedy and the brutal life begins.
The trusting naive children who love each other learn that life is not fair and is very hard. This is a gritty, gripping tale that is not for the faint of heart. No spoilers but eventually there is a happily ever after..... but only after suffering, plot twists and anguish for all parties involved.

I highly recommend this story. It is one of the best reads I have had the pleasure of coming into contact with in the last two years. Narration performance is also stellar. The author has a clear idea of the story to go and her character development/plot/twists have you on an emotional roller coaster.

If you want feel good read this is not the book for you. My emotions ran the gambit of happy, anguished, horrified ... teary eyed .

This read was beyond credit worthy! Certainly worth buying. Credit/Buy/Sale .

10 people found this helpful

Decent writing, horrible story

I’m going to start this review with the positives. Leylah Attar is a decent writer, her storylines are well thought out and her characters are decently developed. Unfortunately the storyline that brings the characters together in this book, is rather sickening.

I have never read (or in this case, listened to) a romance novel in which I was rooting for the main characters to end up apart. While I figured it was coming, I was still sickened when they ended up together.

Skye grew up privileged and though she may have been a bit shallow and materialistic at first, she had never hurt anyone in her life. Throughout the story she experiences heartache, trauma and loss but comes through it as a strong, independent, loving woman. Or at least she is until she throws her self-respect aside and accepts this violent, abusive man back into her life thinking she can save him with her love.

Damian has a rough start in life. He too experiences heartache, trauma and loss, but this turns him into an angry, violent murderer. He says he loves Skye, but he has a vendetta against Skye’s father and he proceeds to destroy him, knowing it would also destroy her in the process.

Throughout the story, Damian’s transgressions against Skye pile up to amount to a very abusive and unhealthy relationship. Over the course of the story, he drugs her, abducts her, imprisons and tortures her, maims her, abandons her, shoots her while attempting to murder her father, destroys her father’s life and livelihood and rejoices in the news of her father’s death while she grieves the loss in front of him. I understand he had a rough time growing up, but that does not excuse his pattern of violence and abuse towards her.

Skye shows some growth and character development throughout the story, but it’s clear she has some mental health issues when she chooses to get back together with the man who abused her and destroyed her beloved father.

Damian shows no character development. He lets go of his anger after he has used violence and vigilante justice to destroy and kill anyone who’d ever hurt him. It seems the moral of this story is that murder and violence can lead to happiness, wealth, love and a happy little family.

Overall, I would say this is a story of vengeance, codependency, obsession and mental illness disguised as a romance.

7 people found this helpful

5-star performance by Zachary Webber, 4 for Rae

STORY: 4.25 stars
PERFORMANCE: 4.5 stars
(Shirl Rae: 4 stars, Zachary Webber: 5 stars)
OVERALL: 4.25 stars

STORY:
The main characters in The Paper Swan are Skye (a powerful, wealthy man's daughter) and Esteban, the son of Skye's nanny. Skye's father is involved with, "The Cartel", eventually leading both Skye and Esteban down painfully dark paths. The premise, although not entirely unique, was certainly not boilerplate. I was entertained by the well-developed characters and fascinated by the detailed storyline. Most of all, I was impressed by Ms. Attar's ability to create drama that wasn't too far-fetched (unrealistic fiction being a huge pet peeve of mine). I was moved by Ms. Attar's ability to create such a complex, intricate yet beautiful story, somehow connecting all of the parts and pieces so that everything related and came full circle by the end of the book.

I was consistently fascinated by the characters and their journeys until the last 1/3 of the book. IMO, the angst became a bit excessive and the story began to drag during the last third of the book. There were several unnecessary scenes and numerous points where I felt the story could have ended. Despite this, the story does come full circle at the very end, everything making sense and ending beautifully. My only complaint were those unnecessary portions that made the book a bit longer than it needed to be.

PERFORMANCE:
Narrators Shirl Rae and Zachary Webber did an excellent job narrating this book. At times Ms. Rae overly-emphasized statements or phrases she read, adding a bit of exaggerated emotion to her voice. Overall, she did a fantastic job including the parts where she read male dialogue. Mr. Webber is a seasoned professional; I've been fortunate to have listened to several of his recordings, always extremely pleased with his performance.

3 people found this helpful

Great writing; bad story

In my opinion Leila Attar is a great story teller. The book is very interesting. The problem is I don't like the story she told so that is why I have given the story 3 stars.

The hero is full of revenge and was a hot mess. I can't really say his character developed into a better person. I didn't think he deserved the heroine.

3 people found this helpful

loved it

narrators were awesome. the story was so thrilling and emotional i really enjoyed it!

2 people found this helpful

Uneven performance but good story

I purchased this audiobook because I am a Zachary Weber fan but was disappointed at how little eas his part in the performance. I wished he had narrated the entire book. Good story and captivating plot

2 people found this helpful

This was a great read, would make a awesome movie.

One of the best books I've read this year..what a great love story with a great ending.

2 people found this helpful

AMAZING!!!!

This book will make you laugh, cry and feel so much joy!!! Definitely my new Favorite! Shirl Rae and Zachary Webber did fantastic on the narration!!!

2 people found this helpful