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philibin's reviews
832 reviews
The Vagrant Chronicle by Paul L. Centeno
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
(3.0 Stars)
This review is for the Audible Audiobook version read by Pavi Proczko. It is almost like a Graphic Audio, but is unabridged. In my opinion, I like this format better than most of the Graphic Audio books I've read on Amazon. There are some background sounds, but you can still hear the dialog over the sounds. There are also some vocal effects done, but it is not distorted so you can still understand the reader.
This book, is just not for me. And at 27+ hours, it is a commitment. I found the story to be all over the place. There were elements from The 5th Element, Peter Pan, and a few other books and movies that were probably an inspiration to the author. I think the author wanted to make something completely unique, but it was just too many things all at once (for me).
I've seen other reviews that say Centeno's books are not good for audio because they introduce a lot of relevant history that a physical book would allow you to go back and reread sections. I did not find that in this book. But what I did find is that this author created an entirely new world. Yes, there are names and places and races that are "new", but he also creates new flora and fauna, sometimes without great descriptions.
It wasn't a bad story, it was just not as deeply immersive as I would expect from a story of this length.
This review is for the Audible Audiobook version read by Pavi Proczko. It is almost like a Graphic Audio, but is unabridged. In my opinion, I like this format better than most of the Graphic Audio books I've read on Amazon. There are some background sounds, but you can still hear the dialog over the sounds. There are also some vocal effects done, but it is not distorted so you can still understand the reader.
This book, is just not for me. And at 27+ hours, it is a commitment. I found the story to be all over the place. There were elements from The 5th Element, Peter Pan, and a few other books and movies that were probably an inspiration to the author. I think the author wanted to make something completely unique, but it was just too many things all at once (for me).
I've seen other reviews that say Centeno's books are not good for audio because they introduce a lot of relevant history that a physical book would allow you to go back and reread sections. I did not find that in this book. But what I did find is that this author created an entirely new world. Yes, there are names and places and races that are "new", but he also creates new flora and fauna, sometimes without great descriptions.
It wasn't a bad story, it was just not as deeply immersive as I would expect from a story of this length.
Odin's Child by Siri Pettersen
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
(3.0 Stars)
This book should be right in my wheelhouse; a Norse Fantasy!
However, this book was very slow in pace and just didn't make me feel the sense of urgency and despair that the characters were feeling. I won't say it was boring, but the action seemed anti-climactic and the character bonding didn't always make sense to me. I found most of the characters to be underdeveloped, or like they lacked motivation for the actions they were performing, and I never really got a great feel of the world they were living in.
For full disclosure, I am reading a translated version (into English) of this book, so there might be some cultural or linguistic features lost in that translation. The narrator was excellent and changed her tone and cadence to bring familiarity and recognition to each of the main characters.
If I had to compare this book to anything else I've read, I'd say it reminds me a lot of Christina Henry's The Chronicles of Alice series. Both, in style and in pace.
At the end of this book there is a preview chapter of the second book in the series (The Rot) which seemed to be a little more accessible... So, maybe this book is just a lot of historic/background for the main plot? I hope so because there was an immediate recognition of the world (modern), and the preview made me interested in reading (at least) the second book in the series.
Thank you #NetGalley for making this audiobook available for reading and review.
This book should be right in my wheelhouse; a Norse Fantasy!
However, this book was very slow in pace and just didn't make me feel the sense of urgency and despair that the characters were feeling. I won't say it was boring, but the action seemed anti-climactic and the character bonding didn't always make sense to me. I found most of the characters to be underdeveloped, or like they lacked motivation for the actions they were performing, and I never really got a great feel of the world they were living in.
For full disclosure, I am reading a translated version (into English) of this book, so there might be some cultural or linguistic features lost in that translation. The narrator was excellent and changed her tone and cadence to bring familiarity and recognition to each of the main characters.
If I had to compare this book to anything else I've read, I'd say it reminds me a lot of Christina Henry's The Chronicles of Alice series. Both, in style and in pace.
At the end of this book there is a preview chapter of the second book in the series (The Rot) which seemed to be a little more accessible... So, maybe this book is just a lot of historic/background for the main plot? I hope so because there was an immediate recognition of the world (modern), and the preview made me interested in reading (at least) the second book in the series.
Thank you #NetGalley for making this audiobook available for reading and review.
Old Man's War by John Scalzi
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
(4.0 Stars)
This was a very good book and story. The Narrator was excellent and Scalzi is a true gem of a writer.
Vibrant characters, exquisite world building, captivating plotlines, and natural humor when appropriate. If you are looking for a scientifically plausible sci-fi series to pick up, start here!
This was a very good book and story. The Narrator was excellent and Scalzi is a true gem of a writer.
Vibrant characters, exquisite world building, captivating plotlines, and natural humor when appropriate. If you are looking for a scientifically plausible sci-fi series to pick up, start here!
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
(3.75 Stars)
If you enjoyed the first two books, you should enjoy this one too. It did advance the story, and some of the characters, but seemed to focus a lot more on the "romantasy" than it did on "the rest" of the story.
Unfortunately (for me), I'm much more interested in "the rest", so I found a lot of the dialog to be unnecessary and indulgent.
I really like the original premise.
If you enjoyed the first two books, you should enjoy this one too. It did advance the story, and some of the characters, but seemed to focus a lot more on the "romantasy" than it did on "the rest" of the story.
Unfortunately (for me), I'm much more interested in "the rest", so I found a lot of the dialog to be unnecessary and indulgent.
I really like the original premise.
Lawful Interception by Cory Doctorow
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
(3.5 Stars)
This is a good little short story. The audio (podcast episodes, read by the author) was done very well.
This felt like a "feel good" story to counter balance the dystopian landscape of the rest of the books.
This advances some of the character's storylines and not really any plot, but was still an enjoyable experience.
This is a good little short story. The audio (podcast episodes, read by the author) was done very well.
This felt like a "feel good" story to counter balance the dystopian landscape of the rest of the books.
This advances some of the character's storylines and not really any plot, but was still an enjoyable experience.
The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
(4.0 Stars)
This book is a SOLID 4! I loved everything about it! The author is great, the narrator it excellent, and the story is relevant. Like someone once said, there is no truer storytelling than science fiction!
i don't typically say what the story is about, since you can get that from the description. So instead, I will you what I liked "about" the book. It was fun, it was fast, and it was relatable, and it was satirical.
The characters were familiar and well developed. The world was very well thought out and the science felt plausible. Very well done! Another great work of art by Scalzi!!!
This book is a SOLID 4! I loved everything about it! The author is great, the narrator it excellent, and the story is relevant. Like someone once said, there is no truer storytelling than science fiction!
i don't typically say what the story is about, since you can get that from the description. So instead, I will you what I liked "about" the book. It was fun, it was fast, and it was relatable, and it was satirical.
The characters were familiar and well developed. The world was very well thought out and the science felt plausible. Very well done! Another great work of art by Scalzi!!!
On Disinformation: How to Fight for Truth and Protect Democracy by Lee McIntyre
informative
medium-paced
3.0
(3.0 Stars)
This was very informative. While it offers a lot of great advice, it is already out of date. Don't get me wrong, the information is still relevant, but it is almost an "I told you so" at this point.
Everyone should read this to gain a little more insight of the news.
This was very informative. While it offers a lot of great advice, it is already out of date. Don't get me wrong, the information is still relevant, but it is almost an "I told you so" at this point.
Everyone should read this to gain a little more insight of the news.
Golden Son by Pierce Brown
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
(4.0 Stars)
When I read the first book in the series I read the Graphic Audio version and I think that was a mistake. This was an unabridged narration and I liked it so much more. If you want to read a book about what is basically The Roman Empire... in space. Imagine Gladiator, or maybe Spartacus, mixed with Space Marine and that is what this book/series is about.
I have already added the next book to my reading queue!
When I read the first book in the series I read the Graphic Audio version and I think that was a mistake. This was an unabridged narration and I liked it so much more. If you want to read a book about what is basically The Roman Empire... in space. Imagine Gladiator, or maybe Spartacus, mixed with Space Marine and that is what this book/series is about.
I have already added the next book to my reading queue!
Delay Deny Defend by Jay M. Feinman
informative
medium-paced
4.0
(4.0 Stars)
This was very informative and exhaustive... unfortunately, it was also exhausting! And that is not because the book isn't good. The book is very good and it really makes you think, and more aware. There is corporate greed, and collusion against us, the consumers, the people.
The narration was good and well-paced. The book is broken up into easily digestible segments. In addition to the atrocities there are helpful resources, tips to aid you in getting the most from insurance coverage and claims should you need it.
Every American should read this.
This was very informative and exhaustive... unfortunately, it was also exhausting! And that is not because the book isn't good. The book is very good and it really makes you think, and more aware. There is corporate greed, and collusion against us, the consumers, the people.
The narration was good and well-paced. The book is broken up into easily digestible segments. In addition to the atrocities there are helpful resources, tips to aid you in getting the most from insurance coverage and claims should you need it.
Every American should read this.
Tabula Rasa by Paul L. Centeno
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
(2.0 Stars)
Thank you to #NetGalley for providing this audiobook for reading and review.
I want to look for the positive. The audiobook was highly produced, much like a "graphic audio" book, but to be honest... it was better done than a lot of the graphic audio books I've read on Audible. The vocal effects were done well and you could still understand the words being said. The background sounds did not step over the narration, and the narrators were very good. If I was rating the production quality of this audiobook it would be at least 4 of 5 stars.
The book itself just wasn't for me. The author's page says he "yearns to create something completely new", and I wonder if that is more a negative than a positive. I feel like the story was just all over the place and the plot (if there was one) was lost in the mix. The characters were non-relatable, and the "world" was nonsensical.
There are some writers who are just naturally funny. And then sometimes humor feels forced. I am very particular about humor in books where humor isn't the main focus of the book. I think this book was trying to attempt a lighthearted humor, which was a swing and a miss for me. It just felt like the book was trying to do too much, be too many things.
If you like Christopher Moore, or Jason Pargin, you might like this book.
This was my second book by this author. I may try to read his book The Vagrant Chronicle, because it is critically acclaimed, but other than that (and unless I find it amazing), I wouldn't read more by this author. However, I would listen to an audiobook he produced.
Thank you to #NetGalley for providing this audiobook for reading and review.
I want to look for the positive. The audiobook was highly produced, much like a "graphic audio" book, but to be honest... it was better done than a lot of the graphic audio books I've read on Audible. The vocal effects were done well and you could still understand the words being said. The background sounds did not step over the narration, and the narrators were very good. If I was rating the production quality of this audiobook it would be at least 4 of 5 stars.
The book itself just wasn't for me. The author's page says he "yearns to create something completely new", and I wonder if that is more a negative than a positive. I feel like the story was just all over the place and the plot (if there was one) was lost in the mix. The characters were non-relatable, and the "world" was nonsensical.
There are some writers who are just naturally funny. And then sometimes humor feels forced. I am very particular about humor in books where humor isn't the main focus of the book. I think this book was trying to attempt a lighthearted humor, which was a swing and a miss for me. It just felt like the book was trying to do too much, be too many things.
If you like Christopher Moore, or Jason Pargin, you might like this book.
This was my second book by this author. I may try to read his book The Vagrant Chronicle, because it is critically acclaimed, but other than that (and unless I find it amazing), I wouldn't read more by this author. However, I would listen to an audiobook he produced.