The Story of Awkward

By: R.K. Ryals

Narrated by: Caitlin Kelly

If you are looking for a happy book about beautiful people, this is the wrong story.

If you are looking for a narrative without emotion, without regrets, and without mistakes, this is definitely the wrong story.

This is by no means an uncomplicated tale about uncomplicated people. It is by no means sweet or light.

This story is ugly.

This story is complicated.

This story is emotional.

This story is tragic.

In short, this story is about being awkward.

Peregrine Storke is an artist with an odd sketchbook full of pictures she's drawn since she was a child. It is a book full of strange sketches and awkward characters, for there is no better way to hide from bullying and life than to create a world of your own. With a stroke of her pencil, she has given life to a spectacled princess, a freckle-nosed king, a candy loving troll, a two-horned unicorn, and a graceless fairy.

©2014 Regina K. Ryals (P)2016 Regina K. Ryals

Loved it!

The Story of Awkward is sweet and clever! Very meaningful in our crazy world!

Overall this is a good book

What about Caitlin Kelly’s performance did you like?

If I see Caitlin Kelly is narrating a book, That's usually all I need to choose the book. She is one of my favorite narrators.

Any additional comments?

Usually I love YA books but this one was just a little to young for me. This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom

Awkward, the allegory

This book is a cross between The Phantom Tollbooth and a psychological novel for young adults. It's... well... awkward. I loved it.

Don't trust that description though - the one about the story being ugly and tragic. Yes, it's very stirring (thanks to the great, emotionally charged young voice of narrator Caitlin Kelly), but it's not as bad as all that. And it's definitely not ugly.

It's an allegory and it doesn't try hiding the fact. In the magical world of Awkward our hero and heroine meet psychological concepts turned monsters - the Swamp of Sadness, The Beast of Belonging, the witch named Perfection... they need to battle these things and it hurts. But somehow at the end - and as awkward as they are - their self-acceptance awaits.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if someone used this book in teenage therapy. It does go deep. Very nice job.



I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Well write, brave, emotional and awkward.

Ever princess deserves a unicorn, sometimes they don't come when they should. I hope these story helps someone find theirs.

The breath intake sounds were highly annoying.

I could not finish listening to this book. The breath intake sounds from the narrator made the story unlistenable. There are editing programs that can drastically reduce these sounds. I don't know why they didn't edit or use a microphone with a screen or buffer on it. I feel bad for the author becase I was enjoying the content. I am happy I have the ebook so I can finish reading the story. This audiobook copy was furnished through Audiobook Boom for review purposes.