Lips Touch: Three Times

A girl who's always been in the shadows finds herself pursued by the unbelievably attractive new boy at school, who may or may not be the death of her. Another girl grows up mute because of a curse placed on her by a vindictive spirit, and later must decide whether to utter her first words to the boy she loves and risk killing everyone who hears her if the curse is real. And a third girl discovers that the real reason for her transient life with her mother has to do with belonging - literally belonging - to another world entirely, full of dreaded creatures who can transform into animals, and whose queen keeps little girls as personal pets until they grow to childbearing age.

From a writer of unparalleled imagination and emotional insight, three stories about the deliciousness of wanting and waiting for that moment when lips touch.

"1016046063"
Lips Touch: Three Times

A girl who's always been in the shadows finds herself pursued by the unbelievably attractive new boy at school, who may or may not be the death of her. Another girl grows up mute because of a curse placed on her by a vindictive spirit, and later must decide whether to utter her first words to the boy she loves and risk killing everyone who hears her if the curse is real. And a third girl discovers that the real reason for her transient life with her mother has to do with belonging - literally belonging - to another world entirely, full of dreaded creatures who can transform into animals, and whose queen keeps little girls as personal pets until they grow to childbearing age.

From a writer of unparalleled imagination and emotional insight, three stories about the deliciousness of wanting and waiting for that moment when lips touch.

35.99 In Stock
Lips Touch: Three Times

Lips Touch: Three Times

by Laini Taylor

Narrated by Cassandra Campbell

Unabridged — 7 hours, 37 minutes

Lips Touch: Three Times

Lips Touch: Three Times

by Laini Taylor

Narrated by Cassandra Campbell

Unabridged — 7 hours, 37 minutes

Audiobook (Digital)

$35.99
(Not eligible for purchase using B&N Audiobooks Subscription credits)

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Overview

A girl who's always been in the shadows finds herself pursued by the unbelievably attractive new boy at school, who may or may not be the death of her. Another girl grows up mute because of a curse placed on her by a vindictive spirit, and later must decide whether to utter her first words to the boy she loves and risk killing everyone who hears her if the curse is real. And a third girl discovers that the real reason for her transient life with her mother has to do with belonging - literally belonging - to another world entirely, full of dreaded creatures who can transform into animals, and whose queen keeps little girls as personal pets until they grow to childbearing age.

From a writer of unparalleled imagination and emotional insight, three stories about the deliciousness of wanting and waiting for that moment when lips touch.


Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

Taylor offers a powerful trio of tales, each founded upon the consequences of a kiss. She explores the potentially awkward conceit in three dramatically different fantasies, each featuring a young female protagonist out of place in the world she inhabits: contemporary Kizzy, who so yearns to be a normal, popular teenager that she forgets the rules of her Old Country upbringing and is seduced by a goblin in disguise; Anamique, living in British colonial India, silenced forever due to a spell cast upon her at birth; and Esmé, who at 14 discovers she is host to another—nonhuman—being. The stories build in complexity and intensity, culminating in the breathtaking “Hatchling,” which opens with a spectacularly gripping prologue (“Esmé swayed on her feet. These weren't her memories. This wasn't her eye”). Each is, in vividly distinctive fashion, a mesmerizing love story that comes to a satisfying but never predictable conclusion. Di Bartolo's illustrations provide tantalizing visual preludes to each tale, which are revealed as the stories unfold. Even nonfantasy lovers will find themselves absorbed by Taylor's masterful, elegant work. Ages 12–up. (Oct.)

School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up—Three exquisitely crafted short stories (Arthur A. Levine Books, 2009) by Laini Taylor, National Book Award finalist and author of the Dreamdark books, are brought vividly to life by Cassandra Campbell in this excellent recording. Each of these dark, delicious tales resonates with the incontrovertible longing for connection. In "Goblin Fruit," Kizzy desperately wants to be noticed by a boy and is found, instead, by a goblin. Estella struggles with a demon over the value of souls in "Spicy Little Curses Such as These," and Anamique pays the price. In "The Hatchling," an immortal queen who no longer eats or has use for an innocent touch of lips keeps a human pet for reasons she has long forgotten. Campbell conveys an astonishing depth and complexity of character by employing accents and inflections that showcase these bittersweet supernatural tales.—Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI

Kirkus Reviews

In this illustrated collection of two short stories and one novella, which borrow elements of folklore, Hinduism and Zoroastrianism, a life-altering kiss steers the lives of three teenage girls. Embarrassed by her Old World parents, high-school junior Kizzy knows all the tricks the goblins use to steal girls' souls. But can she resist the charm of handsome new student Jack Husk when she's never been kissed? During the British Empire in India, Anamique, cursed into silence by the Ambassador to Hell, yearns for love-but at what cost? The delectable language of these stories cannot save the sluggish pacing of the final novella, in which Esme wakes to find that one of her dark eyes has turned blue. As she discovers the cause, she also learns her connection to her mother's tortuous past and the forest demons called the Druj. In the midst of these goblins, fiery gods and demons, Taylor reminds readers what makes them human. Holly Black and Melissa Marr fans will find this collection ripe for the tasting. Di Bartolo's illustrations not seen. (author's note) (Supernatural short stories. 13 & up)

From the Publisher

"Taylor offers a powerful trio of tales, each founded upon the consequences of a kiss...Even nonfantasy lovers will find themselves absorbed by Taylor's masterful, elegant work." — Publishers Weekly, starred review"Look beyond the title and cover art: Taylor's three novellas form a triptych of beautiful fantasy writing reminiscent of Charles de Lint and Neil Gaiman...Di Bartolo, Taylor's husband, provides skillfully detailed pen-and-ink illustrations that are a fine match for the lyrical, romantic text." — Booklist, starred review"[D]electable language . . . In the midst of these goblins, fiery gods and demons, Taylor reminds readers what makes them human. Holly Black and Melissa Marr fans will find this collection ripe for the tasting." — Kirkus ReviewsA National Book Award FinalistA Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2009A YALSA Best Book for Young Adults

MARCH 2011 - AudioFile

Cassandra Campbell breathes life into Taylor’s fantasy collection, nominated for the National Book Award. Her Eastern European accents work beautifully with the rich mythologies in these three darkly romantic tales. A handsomely disguised goblin tempts a despondent girl in “Goblin Fruit,” a vengeful demon curses an innocent babe to wield a deadly voice in “Spicy Little Curses Such as These,” and immortal hunters possess the unaware in “Hatchling.” Each story carefully sets the stage for a perfect and deadly kiss. Campbell’s charismatic narration tempts listeners to enter these dark and seductive worlds. Outstanding fantasy blended with excellent pacing and an eloquent reading deliver a compelling listening experience. J.M. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID: 2940169672626
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Publication date: 12/20/2010
Edition description: Unabridged
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