Podiobook Review: Billibub Baddings & the Case of the Singing Sword

Ever wonder what happens when you drop an medieval dwarf into Al Capone’s Chicago? Wonder no more.

Billibub Baddings & the Case of the Singing Sword by Tee Morris

Singing Sword CoverLinks

Summary

“Chicago, 1929. There are a thousand stories in the naked city; and when you’re a dwarf at four-foot-one, they all look that much taller.”

It is The Era of Prohibition, where crime runs rampant in the streets and a city divided into territories serves as the ultimate prize. Somewhere in this Underworld of Chicago, an enchanted weapon holds the key to ending The Gangland Wars. In the wake of The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, only one is man enough to stand up against Al Capone…

…a four-foot-one dwarf named Billibub Baddings.

High Point

He’s a dwarf in Al Capone’s Chicago. What more to you want people?

Low Point

Like many podiobooks with a cast larger than one, the audio quality jumps up and down as the players are never recorded on the same equipment. It’s a minor gripe, but it applies to several works, not just this one. It doesn’t detract from the overall experience, but it can jar you.

The Scores

Out of the park on originality. It blends two tired genres into a new and exciting experience. Fans of either detective or fantasy with both love it (I like both, so yeah for me). 6/6

The story is great. It plays to all the cliches of fantasy, but with a new twist. 5/6

Billy is a character beyond peer. You can’t help but love him. The supporting cast is everything you’d expect from a crime drama novel. 5/6

My emotional response to this book was laughter and delight. It’s funny in all the right places and dramatic when it needs to be. 5/6

The imagery was good. Morris gives us detailed accounts of the settings as well as what’s going on in Billy’s mind. 5/6

The production quality is great, despite what I said in the Low Point. Even though the actors are not all recorded in the same manner, they all sound good with great voices and accents. 5/6

Overall, this is one of my favorite podiobooks and great listen/read if you’re into either genre. 5/6

Total: 36/42