Please welcome Abigail Hilton to the site, author of The Prophet of Panamindorah, Book I Fauns and Filinians:
Corry showed up at the orphanage two years ago, unable to remember how he’d gotten there. He spoke a language no one recognized, and he was afraid of cars and planes and computers. Corry can remember snippets of another life, but no matter how hard he tries to remember, it just keeps slipping away. Then one day, he meets a fauness in an orange grove. She’s from a world called Panamindorah, and he can understand her language. In addition, Corry can read a language that no one in Panamindorah has been able to read for three hundred years; has he really been gone that long? Now he must recover his lost memories and rebuild his life, because the person who tried to kill him once is about to try again. The Prophet of Panamindorah is for listeners 13 and older.
Visit the book’s page to get episodes delivered on your schedule, or subscribe to the default feed and get them as the author releases new episodes.
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on Wednesday, August 20th, 2008 at 2:24 pm and is filed under New Books.
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August 31st, 2008 at 8:08 am
Abigail, I think you have a winner here, so I am pleased to see the “Book I” in the title!
August 31st, 2008 at 11:36 am
Aw, thank you, Gail! I’m really glad you’re enjoying the story.
If you want to see the cover art for the second book, it is already up on my website (http://www.panamindorah.com/?page_id=7). Prophet is a completed trilogy. No need to worry that the story will have long pauses or no ending. All three will come out back to back and on schedule.
September 7th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Abigail Hilton has imagined a remarkable universe full of fascinating creatures, magics and time-tricks. The action is fast and furious in this first book, and there are many puzzles for us readers — and the hero — to figure out. Many of the characters spring vividly to life. I’ve listened to some of the episodes twice to make sure I haven’t missed anything, and it’s just as much fun to listen the second time as the first. Panamindorah is a winner.
September 8th, 2008 at 2:09 am
Thanks, Tobias! I’m really glad you’re enjoying the story.
September 18th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Abbie, I just finished studying for a big exam so I’m listening to new titles. (Nathan Lowell plugged yours.) I have no fewer than six subscriptions right now but it is only this one that I can’t be content to wait for more episodes for! Amazing new universe. Thank you.
September 19th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Thank you, quandmeme! You have no idea how much comments like that keep writers going. I’m also in graduate school, so I know how good it must feel to be done studying for that test.
If you want the episodes a little faster, it might be worth subscribing to my own feed at http://www.panamindorah.com. It won’t matter in a few months, but during the actual release, episodes do come up a bit faster over there, and you also get some extra comments from me if you’re interested.
September 23rd, 2008 at 12:55 am
Just finished this book and glad to see the second is already showing up. The story is wildly imaginative so I can’t wait to get home and start listening to the second book.
September 23rd, 2008 at 6:18 am
Thanks, Chris! I´m glad no one seems too annoyed with me for the cliffhanger. I´d hoped that releasing them back to back would make it OK.
September 23rd, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Ha! Ha! We here at Podiobooks have been cliff-hangered so often that we are resigned to it.
That’s not to say we aren’t pleased when it’s over quickly!
September 29th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Hello, listeners. Are you interested in seeing The Prophet of Panamindorah in some kind of text format? If so, nip on over to Long Tale Press (just google them) and vote for Prophet. Mur mentioned this press in _I Should Be Writing_ 101, and I thought it was a neat idea. A publisher puts their slush pile online and lets readers vote on which manuscripts to acquire. The site is still very new. If you like the concept, check it out even if you don’t vote for my book.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Sorry to be a flake, guys, but disregard my previous post. I still think this press has a great idea, but the execution needs to be reconsidered. Right now they’re asking too much for too little.
October 15th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Abbie
I am just getting started with this book and I really like the story. If I could provide some contructive feedback it would be that your reading (narration) is too fast. If you slow it down just a bit I think it will really help the listener. I see that you already have the next book out so possibly you have adjusted that. Overall though I think it is a great podacst.
October 15th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Thanks, Dan! I’m glad you’re enjoying the story. I have gotten more comfortable with the reading as I’ve gone along. It’s definitely slower than I talk in real life.
December 10th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Hello, Abbie…
I >must< agree with Dan on the narration speed and execution.
I couldn’t finish more than a couple of the files of either one of your stories… While I was listening to both stories, it just seemed as though you were trying to .buzz. through the story as fast as you could! Then meanwhile that’s going on, your monotones just made me feel as though you didn’t care about your book(s)…
I know, that’s an AWFUL thing to say, and I’m sorry, I know it hurts. I don’t mean the comments as a slam, in NO way. Simply gently spoken advice.
I do also realize that you’ve got months of time in the writing, narration, and editing of your labor of love, and personally I shudder at the idea of redoing all that work… Or perhaps having another narrator re-reading everything…
I happen to be old enough to realize that no author that can write a story like this and not care, Abbie. I know from experience and the depth of your very ambitious stories you love each and every character, even the ones we loved to hate!
On the plus and I .do. mean +++ side, I loved the concept, I loved the complexity, I loved the little bit of the story line that I got thru. Personally if I had the time, I’d love to try and read the story in print. I don’t have the time, which is why I ‘read’ audiobooks, and have been doing so for about 10 years now.
Don’t get me wrong, please, I’m not trying to condemn you with faint praise. I think you’ve written a story that has the makings of becoming a classic!
The written story I think I could love, truly.
Take Care,
Jim Fleming
P.S. If you or the moderator(s) decide to delete this, I wouldn’t object one bit… In fact Abbie, if you have the ‘rights’ I’ll even go so far as to suggest deleting this posting after you have read it.
I just think there is SOOOO much potential in your wonderful Trilogy, that I would hate to see it languish in limbo
Jim
December 11th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Hey, Jim.
Life is too short to listen to anything you do not enjoy. Go thee forth and find another podiobook. I would not dream of deleting comments…unless they’re, you know, Cialis commercials or something.
~Abbie
January 7th, 2009 at 10:16 am
This book is awesome! Can’t believe I get to listen for free! While some have expressed problems with the narration, I want to go on record saying that I don’t know what they are complaining about! This is a story, not a professional performance. Listen to this refreshingly original story and put your aside your audio perfectionist opinions or go buy something at Barnes and Noble; if, you want studio quality recording. Listen to this book, enjoy to the wonderfully crafted story and give it a shot, don’t let the previous picky comments scare you away.
I will listen to Abbie’s innovative world of Panamindorah via her amateur recording any day, I reiterate that I have no problem with the narration quality, over a professionally recorded work that borrows the entire plot line from Tolkien or some other fantasy founding father’s work. Kudos to Abbie for not churning another save the world from the evil sword, ring, crystal, ad infinitum of doom!
-CoolGuy
January 7th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
We fans are all grateful to Hughes for his early encouragement to his sister Abbie. Before the rest of us, there was Hughes.
Go, Hughes!
We fans know that podcasting a story is a long and arduous task, we just try to make sure it isn’t also thankless. What creativity I have does not entertain other people, so I am doubly thankful.
January 9th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Abigail has written a great and engaging story and does a wonderful job reading.
January 11th, 2009 at 5:49 am
New episodes of Prophet automatically move to the front of my listening queue. Abbie’s reading is great, giving us the story the way _she _ hears it.
So much of what the big publishing houses ram down our throats is the same thing over and over again. I value originality, and Miss Hilton is definitely delivering that. Waiting more or less patiently for the next episode.
March 9th, 2009 at 10:53 am
I, too, really am enjoying the stories in Panamindorah. It is a complex world, and one that I am glad to get to visit. I was put off by the reading at first, but the story had me from the get-go. There really is a lot of plot in each episode, and once I got to the last available episode, I went back and re-listened to the whole series. Makes much more sense the second time through. There are lots of characters, and lots of things happening all over the world, political intrigue, and back-and-forth in time and space. Give Panamindorah a fair shake, and you won’t be disappointed.
Thank you for sharing your work and your world with us, Abbie.
March 14th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Hey, Jenn. Thanks for the review, and I wanted to say congrats on the veterinary school. I spent a semester at Purdue vet school before deciding that it just wasn’t for me (wasn’t compatible with my writing, among other things). That was a tough decision. I have tremendous respect for the profession. Looks like you’ve set up a nice website. Best of luck!
March 21st, 2009 at 12:20 am
I have just finished listening to the trilogy, and I have enjoyed it much more than I thought I would when I saw some of the comments on here. Some comments said that the narration was bad, but I found it very enjoyable. I cannot wait to hear more from this world of Panamindorah.
April 13th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
The Prophet of Panamindorah is absolutely one of the most entertaining podiobooks I’ve listened to. The characters are so rich and the world so unique and engaging, I haven’t been able to “put it down.” If you enjoy being swept up in deep and imaginative fantasy, don’t miss it.
When will we see it in print? I want a copy to read to the kiddo when she is old enough.
April 20th, 2009 at 11:59 am
The universe of Panamindorah is a wonderful place to visit. I have enjoyed the three books written to date very much. I look forward to additional additions to this wonderful and diverse world. Like others, I too would love to get a copy in print.
-Eric
April 23rd, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Miss Hilton provides a wondrous ride through a vividly realized world populated by diverse, engaging characters. Prophet offers a fun and complex plot with multiple lines crisscrossing and woven together through three “volumes” of story. Abby’s narration and unobtrusive music and sound effects only add to the deeply imaginative tale she’s offered the world. Kid friendly from about 8-10 years old, but there’s plenty here for an adult fan of the fantasy genre. Highly recommended.
November 4th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
I waited a while before checking this story out because I thought it was aimed at a young audience. While a young adult could certainly listen to it, I found the story to be very full and enjoyable, and I’m glad I finally gave it a try. I also found the reading voice to be very pleasing. I am pretty picky about voices, and I found Abbie to be very clear and articulate. I also felt that the dialogue, which spans many characters, was delivered well.
Would love to see this story as a full cast drama (or even an animated film!) but I thought this was one of the better one-person performances on podiobooks.
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:25 am
Like BryanL, I have a slight aversion for blatantly “young adults” literature. Like BryanL, I need not have worried. This work is fully enjoyable by a middle-aged male.
February 26th, 2011 at 7:44 pm
I caught up to the Prophet of Panamindorah from Abbie’s work on the Full Cast Podcast and have not been disappointed in the slightest. The narration is perfect for the book and the obvious extra care that went into it’s production is clear throughout.
Two things catch my attention here, however. First is the relative fake me out of this being “Book 1.” At this point, all three books are available and you had best just subscribe to them all. It’s a continuous story and you won’t be upset that there are a few episodes stored up once you get to the end of book 1.
The biggest thing is the idea that this is for “Children.” Maybe a specific child can read and enjoy this, but there is enough heavy story here for some to get confused, some to get scared and some to get grossed out. I myself (40 year old man) woke with a start the other night with a weird dream of elephant shelts coming at me. Beer may have been involved. Point is, this book pulls no punches. The only thing in my mind that recommends it to kids is the lack of boobies.
Abbie has turned in a treat in three parts with this. Subscribe, you won’t regret it. Oh, and you might want to kick in a few bucks too.
February 27th, 2011 at 7:46 pm
Thanks, Patrick. I have gotten into your nightmares! Bwahaha! My work here is done.
Children – I don’t think I say anywhere that these books are for children. My description specifically states 13 and up. This is young adult. No one reading the Hunger Games should be phased by the stuff in Prophet, but it’s not intended for pre-pubescent human beings.
I originally intended to market Prophet as an adult book, but then I found out that if you’ve got a teenage protagonist, talking animals, and no boobies…you’ve got YA. That’s just the way it is.
Happily, no one will mistake Cowry Catchers for kids books.