A review by jenbsbooks
The Dark Refrain by Jessica Khoury

4.0

When I see "Audible Original" I think of an audio created for Audible ... not an actual novel (different than "exclusively on Audible"). This series has been marked as an Audible Original, yet I was able to find the first two books in kindle format at my library. I totally recommend the audio version though ... there is a musical touch that is missed if reading on your own.

This third installment does seem to be Audible Only ... no ebook option (I like to have that, while I prefer audio, I like having the words in print to skim over when writing a review). Without having a reference, I'll just have to go off memory (and I didn't write down any notes). I miss being able to see all the punny chapter headings at a glance (unlike the previous installments, only the generic numerical chapters are listed, without their helpful headings ... WHY aren't they included in the Audible TOC?)

The kids have been off for winter break for three weeks, and book 3 picks up upon the return of the students to school. The kids are going on a field trip to Europe (this reminded me a little of Spiderman: No Way Home).  Amelia is introduced to the title concept ... the dark refrain. Is it something she has, inherited from her father? 

This installment, while still good, felt a little more YA ... a little more crazy action. With some time shifts, it felt a little reminiscent of the Magic Treehouse books, with kids from modern day going back into time. That goes for the "Missing" series by Margaret Peterson Haddix too (the first book sets things up, with the sequels having the kids go back in time).  Young Mozart and Marie Antoinette and an electric guitar way before its time (shades of "Back to the Future" and "A Knight's Tale ... just the music and the dance).  Desyncranization, a tempest, portals, NBI, save the world. 

That's a Rap-sody ... (final chapter heading) ... is this the last installment?