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Joni J Mielke

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Intriguing story, excellent narration

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 09-11-21

This is the third Charles Dickens book that I've read (so far) and it is my favourite. Whether it's because of the story, which brings the turbulent times surrounding the French Revolution to life with heart and humanity, or because of the audiobook's excellent narration - or a bit of both - I really found a gem with this book, which had been on my TBL list for the longest of times. I'm looking forward to more Charles Dickens books read by other excellent narrators now!

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Very good performance

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-06-21

This story provides a very interesting perspective on the people whose job it is to observe, learn from and engage with groups and individuals that are very different from themselves. At the forefront of the story are the anthropologists themselves, and the tangled web of passion, coveting and jealousy that binds three people inextricably. The story is interesting, the perspective quite unique, and the characters realistic. A word of praise to the narrators. Their performances did the book great credit as they captured the various characters near perfectly. A good listening experience, over all.

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Brilliant writing, narration was on point

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-04-21

I absolutely loathed the main character of this book, which itself is a testament to how very well-written this book is. Once again John Marrs has woven a story together that is completely different from his other books - which are in turn very different from each other - but this is as compelling a read as any of them. The narration complemented the story perfectly, with each voice suiting their characters well. I look forward to reading more books by Marrs. A well-deserved 5 star listen.

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Very cleverly written, excellent narration

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-22-21

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The characters, in all their flaws, weaknesses and very human foibles, were as real and vivid as if they had just stepped off the pages into reality. This is an excellent example of what a psychological thriller should be, thanks to the clever writing which takes readers down paths that are seemingly simple and uncomplicated at first but gradually, ever so gradually, give away their secrets as Maggie and Nina's stories continue to unfold.
The narration was excellent, with the narrator capturing two distinct main characters of varying ages - as well as the secondary characters - with consistent attention to detail so that there was never any cause for confusion as to who was speaking - in case the named chapters weren't sufficient as clues.
Taken altogether, this is an excellent story and a worthy audiobook. I look forward to listening to more books by this author.

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A Rollicking Fun Listen

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 03-18-21

Listening to this audiobook, I found it amazing how much the speculative future world resembled the past with its airships, spies, double agents and armadas. This was a fun listen, featuring renegade patriot Harry Lampeter and an ensemble of fiends and friends - and some who fell somewhere in between. Although I enjoy dystopian, SF books, Steampunk is a relatively new genre for me, which I will most probably revisit in the future.

Seeing Martin Riley in his cameo role at the beginning of the book was like briefly bumping into an old friend. Likewise for the mentions of Diana and James, the then Muslim king of England. A nice sense of continuity there.

The narration is very good - adjusting to the style of the book, staying a tune to the characters, and remaining consistent throughout.
Overall, this has been a worthy listen - but more than any other adjective, it was FUN!

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Thought-provoking and enjoyable

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 03-15-21

Having listened to The Muslim Prince recently, which is a spin-off book from this one, it was richly satisfying experience to be introduced to the context and science of it all, with its complexities and ramifications all present and accounted for. That's not to say it reads like a textbook, because like any sci-fi book worth its salt, Chronoscape is strongly investired with complex individuals who grow on you despite - or perhaps because of - all their flaws and imperfections.

For me, at least for the duration of the first half of the book, Martin Riley was very much the main character of the novel. Ambitious, driven, and not a little frustrated with the lack of recognition he had received for his contributions, Riley remains a likeable and relatable character despite grating on one's nerves re his hypocritical attitude towards his wife's infidelities that make you want to punch his lights out. Unless that's just me? Moving on...

The second half of the book, which actually picked up from where the epilogue began, positively blew my socks off. Time travel and temporal adjustment always come with consequences, and it is no different here. On a character note, I liked learning more about Mary- who had also played a significant role in TMP- but I felt, for the most part, that she and her partner, Patrick's story could have filled another book on it's own without being hitched to Martin's adventure. Roger Ley does integrate their stories well enough, but I could easily have done with a novella or short novel about Mary. Her life and work is certainly interesting enough and I feel there's a lot of potential there.

As before, Craig Bowles does an excellent job narrating this audiobook. Switching between Martin's point of view and that of the narrator requires subtle changes in tone, accent and modulation, and the narrator nails it. The characters are well differentiated, the pace is steady but moves along quickly enough, and in the end I was happy to listen to this for hours at a time without getting bored or distractedly missing things.

A very good book, overall. I'd definitely recommend it.

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Original premise, well-thought out follow through

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 03-10-21

I haven't had much experience with books that deal in alternate accounts of history, but after listening to this I'm definitely going to look for more of this genre! While the present-day world unpicks and dissects the latest scandal surrounding the British royal family, it felt so good to be able to immerse myself in the fictional though completely plausible sounding world of what if.

What if Diana hadn't died? What if she had gone on to marry Dodi, finding happiness in a second union, and with time putting into motion a course of events that would fundamentally alter the system that has held England in its place for so many centuries?

What if we lived in a world that was more like this one? More colourful and inclusive in parts, accepting as a reality and norm the technological advances that come with futuristic settings, while never failing to remind us that will always be those who will object and plot in darkness when confronted with any kind of change from the status quo. All of these things are explored with attention to detail where research is clearly evident, with subtle-ish tongue-in-cheek pokes at establishments like monarchical reign without thought of retiring that many question to this day.

In the end, you are left with a not-unrealistic sounding story that very well *might* have happened had Diana not died. Lastly, but by no means least, the narration was excellent. Craig's solid, clear, measured tones keep the listener engaged as the story swings from character to character and between various settings. All of these changes are conveyed well and with the apparent ease that belies the hard work that goes into such endeavours.

Altogether a very good book that I would heartily recommend to those who seek a little lightness, a little other-ness from the current day drama and strife of the royal family. This 5 star listen will not disappoint!

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Great Narration

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 12-22-20

Paula-Anne Jones really brings this audiobook to life with her Jamaican accent that is singularly apt in this story. The principal characters are enlivened by the voices they are given, and Esther stars in her own story with the effervescent brilliance that Paula-Anne's voice has given her. The story of a slow-burning love/passion between two unlikely candidates, and it drew me in ever deeper as I listened for developments and actions that took place at a slow but ever-building pace until the inevitable end. Although this is billed as a romance story, one of second chances at love, it is ultimately a picture of renewal and self-actualization. It succeeds at this admirably. Altogether, this was a pleasant listen and well worth the addition to my Library.

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Absolutely loved it

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 12-20-20

I say this every time I finish another book in this series, but that doesn't make this statement less true: this has been the best book of the Outlander series thus far. I love seeing more of Brianna and Roger, Jemmy, Ian, Fergus and Marsali and their brood, as well Lizzy and the other regulars who have joined Claire and Jamie in their epic journey of life. I hope to see more of all them, and more, as life leads some in new directions and future plots become less certain - but all the more interesting for the newness of it. This is an epic tale with unforgettable people that grow on you - and remain fast. After 57 hours and more of listening, this should feel more like the reading equivalent of running an ultra-marathon but I could as easily take my mark at the beginning of book 8 and dive back in. This has been really special. Definitely worth persevering with the series to get this far, and further.

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Tough and gritty story with great narration

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 11-25-20

I enjoyed listening to this a great deal. Duke Dempsey is as consistent as ever, with sharp instincts and endless perseverance that sees him through from the first gunshot fired to the unveiling of the last conspirator. And boy, do those conspirators pop up in the most interesting places; situations are not always what they seem and the same goes for characters.

Like book 1, there's a lot of action here and I'd expected nothing less, but as the title of this book suggests The Holy City Hustle is more focused on the vein of corruption that is found in Charleston's circles, though this is evenly balanced with the mob-like Cuban threat. The plot's trail is dark and twisted, aided and abetted by the efforts of Mr Blake's narration, which suits Ron Plante Jr's setting and characters perfectly. The dark grit of the story is mirrored in its portrayal, although lighter tones convey the loyalty, honour and courage that Duke personifies.

An excellent book and captivating mystery - I look forward to Book 3!

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