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The Golden One - Blooming Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Hans M Hirschi (Author), Vance Bastian (Narrator), Yaree AB (Publisher)
4.8 out of 5 stars 10 ratings

Earth is threatened by humankind. A long time ago, in an effort to help protect her creation, Mother Nature created the Ohana, a worldwide league of shape-shifters, to restore and maintain the natural balance. During particularly troublesome times, she deployed her ultimate defense, a delicate yet powerful golden butterfly, to change the odds in nature’s favor.

Blooming is the first audiobook in the trilogy about Jason Mendez, a 17-year-old living a normal teenage life in a small town in the American Midwest. One day, Jason’s world is turned upside down when he realizes the dream he had the night before was in fact reality and that he was flying through a nearby meadow.

Jason is the Golden One, called upon to avert a major crisis threatening Earth. With no golden butterfly sighted since the final days of World War II, will Jason be able to walk in his predecessors’ shoes? Will he be able to replicate their historic achievements and save the planet from all-but-certain disaster? And what exactly is threatening Mother Nature to call upon the Golden One?

The Golden One is an exciting new fantasy trilogy dealing with urgent topics affecting humanity today.

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  1. Listening Length
    6 hours and 24 minutes
  2. Author
    Hans M Hirschi
  3. Narrator
    Vance Bastian
  4. Audible release date
    January 8, 2019
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Yaree AB
  7. ASIN
    B07MHVW6BV
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length 6 hours and 24 minutes
Author Hans M Hirschi
Narrator Vance Bastian
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date January 08, 2019
Publisher Yaree AB
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B07MHVW6BV
Best Sellers Rank #768,232 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#10,588 in Fantasy for Teens
#54,398 in Teen & Young Adult Fantasy

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
10 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • kmk
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This is a wonderful book. I love the way the story focuses on how we humans have such a strong and often negative impact on our planet. The animal interactions in the story are at sometimes quite moving, and the scenes involving them are so well written that you can easily visualize what it wold have looked like. The human characters are very likable (most of them) and you become invested in what may happen to them. I very eagerly look forward to sequels to this amazing story!! 💕
    One person found this helpful
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  • tracylw
    4.0 out of 5 stars Every animal has a purpose
    Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2018
    This book takes a unique approach to the shifter world while making you re-evaluate your thoughts on environmental issues. This book takes you on a journey with a group of kids who discover that the world they thought they knew held many secrets of not only about themselves but the creatures around them. Each one is given the gift of being able to morph into a different animal and a special skill along with it to help safe the earth from destruction. Jason is a kid whos lost the one person who he felt the most connected to. He feels he's not understood by his mom and invisible to his peers. With his new found gift, he soon gains a new family with friends who not only understand him but embrace his differences. He learns that each animal, from a worm to a cat has adds value in this world and the power to enact change. This book was a great read snd I can't wait for book two where the story will no doubt take a few more twist and turns
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Erryn Barratt
    5.0 out of 5 stars Global is local (an audio review)
    Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2019
    Young Adult with fantasy elements is not a genre I’m familiar with, but this series intrigued me so when I had a chance to listen to one of the books, I grabbed it.

    Jason is living what he believes is a normal life. He’s got his mom, friends, and is missing his first love Courtney who has moved across the country. He believes that’s his biggest issue when something miraculous happens. He ‘blooms’ into a Golden Butterfly and his entire life is turned upside down. He has a new close group of friends who are all Byeonsin as well (humans who can transform into different animals). Hanging with humans who can become chipmunks, ravens, dragonflies, and owls is neat, but his powers are so much more than those of his fellow companions. His abilities far exceed everyone else’s, and he has to deal with that knowledge. Most 17-year-old kids are worried about finishing high school. Jason is facing the fact he’s been sent to prevent a major catastrophe in humankind.

    I enjoyed the stories of when all the other golden butterflies made differences during intersections of great battles or decisions needing to be made. These butterflies have prevented great tragedies or massive numbers of deaths. With this history, Jason wonders what his role will be in the world. He is pulled into the local Ohana group located in his hometown of Amberville. The town is just a regular old spot in the Midwest of the United States, but it has a powerful group of Byeonsin like himself. As the Golden Butterfly, he is granted a place at the table. When a series of personal tragedies befall him, there are supportive people there to help him out.

    This story is very much about how the global can be local and although Mother Earth is facing many different threats, one right in Amberville comes to Jason’s attention and with the help of his friends and the animals, he races to save his little piece of nature. The book ends with a happy ending but it’s clear that Jason’s place in the world has yet to be determined, his mission yet to be identified. It’s why there are more books to come.

    With all the perils facing the earth these days, it’s important we acknowledge that as humans we are impacting the world in a way that was never imagined. We, as the dominant species, are destroying vast swaths of land, polluting the oceans, and killing off wild animals. This book is a call to reckoning as Jason realizes he has a greater role in the world than just a part-time gardener. I like the importance of his journey and how we all need to realize time is running out. I’m very excited to listen to Book #2.

    I want to take a moment to mention Vance Bastian's narration. His voice for Jason was so perfect I believed I was listening to a seventeen-year-old. His interpretation of the characters was brilliant and I cannot say enough good things about his work. Great job.
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  • Wendy Stone
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic YA! Must read!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2019
    I think I always start my reviews of a Hans Hirschi book by telling you all how I'm convinced that this author delights in making me cry... consider yourself told. I cried tears of sadness and delight. I'm certain that by the end of this trilogy, I will have willingly invested a fair amount in tissues and chocolate.

    As always the author weaves a tale that has relevant issues in a thoughtful way. Jason Mendez is like most other teens in that his world is pretty much all about him. That is until he has an unknown responsibility to save the world thrust upon him along with finding out that there's an entire world of animal and insect shifters and he's one of them. Not only is he one of them but he's THE Golden one. A magical butterfly that rules the Ohana and is sent by Mother Earth in times of great trouble.

    It was a fabulous adventure and I very much enjoyed watching Jason and friends grow and learn.

    The world building is impeccable and realistic and the level of anticipation and excitement was done perfectly for this genre. Hans doesn't pull punches and that just makes the story so much better!

    This story is pure magic and if I was able to give this book more than 5 stars, I would have! I implore you to buy this book, for yourself and for any teen in your life! I bought a paperback copy of this book for my grandson as a Christmas present and he's going to be reading it for a class project. I am very interested in hearing his thoughts and will share them with you when I review the next installment.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Becky Mattocks
    5.0 out of 5 stars Epic Start To A Trilogy
    Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2020
    When I pick up a Hans Hirschi book I know two things, that it will be an emotional ride, and that it will be an exceptionally detailed work. I love both these things and as I expected, they held true for the Golden One Blooming.

    We meet Jason, who has a lot to deal with in this first book, from finding out things about himself that shouldn't be able to happen..like, oh I don't know.. BEING ABLE TO TURN INTO A BUTTERFLY, to finding out that he is the chosen one, the one who can save the whole world from evil and destruction.

    Hans is a master at weaving together the threads of a story so you feel like you are in it, even if it is a whole new world within a world. I am being evasive but I really don't want to give the story away, I will say that you will get caught up in learning about Jason, and the ups and downs of the path a chosen one has to walk. You will also meet secondary characters, some more delightful than others, but all of them are described so well you think you know them!
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Bob Stone
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, relevant eco-thriller
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 13, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    In this very timely Young Adult fantasy thriller, teenager Jason discovers that he is one of a secret race which can transform into animals. Not only that, but he is The Golden One and his predecessors in the role have appeared at crucial moments in history and influenced critical change. The concepts behind the story are all highly convincing and the ecological message behind the story is timely and well argued without being preachy. All the characters, human and animal (including a raccoon who is a much better character than Rocket) are well drawn and believable and the first volume in trilogy masterfully sets up what is to come. This boos is thoroughly enjoyable, expertly written and highly recommended. I look forward eagerly to volume 2.
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  • Yannick
    4.0 out of 5 stars I liked it
    Reviewed in Canada on July 6, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I’m a sucker for YA. I stumbled on this author through a blog and decided to encourage him. I really liked this book, it is hopeful, interesting topic and intriguing. The pacing is great and engaging. I finished it and bought the second one. I want to know what happens.
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  • Mr. Simon J. Kelk
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully accessible read for all ages
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 1, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This is a wonderfully accessible book aimed at young adults but enjoyable for all. An enthralling tale of a youth's coming of age with a magically enticing beginning and a surprising end. I felt an immediate connection with the characters and their plights as they unfolded. I look forward to the next episode in Jason's tale.
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