The First Door

Episode 1 of The Adventures of Benjamin Crosse

By: Rain Oxford, A.M. Oxford

Narrated by: Evan Harris

Length: 1 hr and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

It began with a letter from my uncle. Now I'm lost in a world of magic and monsters, and running from an evil witch trying to make me into stew...if my new and unusual friends don't kill me first. Worst of all, there's no pizza!

So begins the hilarious misadventures of down-to-earth Benjamin Crosse, where he will travel the dimensions and discover what his new destiny entails.

This is an ongoing, episodic adventure that ends in a cliffhanger.

©2015 Rain Oxford (P)2015 Rain Oxford

Received this story for an honest review

If you could sum up The First Door in three words, what would they be?

After listening to the audio book version of this story, I have to say that it was a good read. The narrator that voiced the characters and all did a great job. Whether it was the writing and/or combination of the writing and the narrator's voice, there were so many times when I’d give a good chuckle. Either way, the narrator's voice drew me into the story. The story itself was pretty interesting because when the ‘to be continued’ came up, I was really disappointed because I wanted to know what happened to the characters. Needless to say, I’m eager to read Part 2.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I don't think there's anything I'd change. Good story, great narration

What does Evan Harris bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

As mentioned previously, the narrator- Evan Harris- did a great job. He was able to add his own aspect or voice to each character that made each one stand out, unlike other audio books I've listened to.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Definitely.

Adventurous!

Any additional comments?

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast." This book was ok, short but fun. I would like to listen to more by this author.

SUPER DELIGHTFUL!!!

If you could sum up The First Door in three words, what would they be?

funny, interesting and entertaining!

What did you like best about this story?

Its so short, its hard to pick a certain part....its all very fun!

Have you listened to any of Evan Harris’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I totally would...he is great!

Who was the most memorable character of The First Door and why?

Ben, Fig Stick, Thyme...all of them are great...

Any additional comments?

** I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **

Super Cute!!! I loved this little story, and cant wait for ep2! Ben gets a letter from his Uncle...and visits...his Uncle is interested in Ben's bloodline...he says Ben is powerful...well Ben takes his word for it and ends up in an alternate world...where there are Fairies, Wizards and apparently a Scorned Wicked Witch....SUPER DUPER FUNNY!!!!

I RECOMMEND!!!

The Beginning of What Looks to Be a Fun Story!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It's fun and interesting from the very beginning and doesn't let up.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The First Door?

The main character has a lot of funny lines. His responses to being thrown into a strange and unknown world kept me laughing.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the narrator rescues a wizard from a boiling pot of soup had me laughing. Then when he tries to get rid of his tail...it only gets worse for him. Apparently the wizard is not everything he should be.

If you could rename The First Door, what would you call it?

Not sure if I would rename it - until I know more about how the story develops.

Any additional comments?

I received this audiobook free in exchange for my honest opinion. The only reason I didn't give it a 5 is because I think a little more of the plot development should have been included. I realize the story is to unfold in episodes, but I still think it would have been better to give the listener a little bit more. We don't really know who or what the uncle is and what he needs his nephew for. Where is this place he has gone to and why is he there? Who is the naked girl (the daughter) - and what role is she going to play? The narrator did a great job. His delivery of the "punch lines" was very good. I do think he rushed just a bit at times, but not too badly. Once or twice I thought his voice for the wizard wasn't consistent - but not too bad. But all in all, it sounded great and was a quick easy listen. I want to hear more.

Hilarious!

Would you listen to The First Door again? Why?

I will listen to it over and over. It was a fantastic, original, and creative start to what I hope is a very long series. Even though it was only the first episode, I thought the pacing was great and it had enough development.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ben was my favorite character because his reactions to everything are hilarious. The soup was my favorite part.

What about Evan Harris’s performance did you like?

Evan Harris did a great job with timing and sarcasm. I really loved the wizard's voice. I hope there's a villain in the next one.

If you could take any character from The First Door out to dinner, who would it be and why?

The wizard, because I want to see his face when he tries pizza.

Any additional comments?

I'm really looking forward to the next one!

Very interesting, too short though, I want more

If you could sum up The First Door in three words, what would they be?

Fresh, fun, entertaining

Any additional comments?

This was a great introduction to this series, I just wish there were more available

love the stuff

I love your imagination and the word play in your books. I was looking for someone to follow and there you were...going for a nother Dylan adventure. Thanks for your gift to us all.

Funny, Interesting, and All Around Great

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, but it was definitely a winner. It was full of humor and gave a slightly new spin on magic. It reminded me a little of another book called Heirs of Grace, though that one was full length.
The story tells of a divorced and somewhat down-and-out man who gets a letter from his long estranged uncle. The letter, which included a sizable sum of money, tells him to come and visit him as soon as possible. Without much else going on in his life, he decides to accept the adventure and visit his uncle at his home which is unsurprisingly hidden away in the middle of nowhere. He is quickly blindsided by the fact that his uncle and cousin are wizards, and apparently so is he. A training lesson gone wrong sends him into a parallel world where witches, faeries, vampires, and ghosts are all real. He pairs up with a third-rate wizard in a hasty trek of survival and mystery.
Although this was only a short story, I was completely pulled in. I listened to the entire thing in one sitting. I'm looking forward to listening to the next chapters in the story. I'm hoping that the next segment of the story will be a little longer.

This book was provided by the author, publisher, or narrator free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

I Loved This Story and Hope to Hear More

"The First Door" was a fun and adventurous listen. I loved the premise of the story where he gets called upon by his uncle Vincent. And then there's the book. The characters were great especially the protagonist Benjamin.

This is a nice piece by Rain Oxford and I hope to hear more of the story. I found it intriguing and enjoyable. I only wish this one had been a bit longer.

Evan Harris did a super job narrating this story. His voice fit Benjamin perfectly. With his voice inflections he added another layer of fun. An overall great job.

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

very disappointed in the author

so many lines ripped straight from his dark waters story. very poor thinking, almost like he was struggling to write another book so he did a spin off from the previous and failed miserably.

i would say listen to dark waters but dont waste your time on this one.