David A

Better and Better

Reviewed: 09-24-15

This is a really good series. Interesting characters. Good mysteries. I'm already listening to the earlier books a second time.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

How could this have been published?

Reviewed: 04-02-12

I can truly say this is one of the slowest books I have ever read.  I can only imaging that the editor was afraid of the author or perhaps on vacation.  

The same exact points are made over and over and over until I wanted to scream.  What in the world was the author trying to accomplish?  Was it intended as an endurance test?  

One of the characters announces that something has gone wrong and then faints before he can say what.  Improbable.  But ok.  I accepted that the first time.  But he does it again.  And again.  

One of the characters has gone fishing.  No one knows where he is.  We know that because we are told that over and over and over.

Another character is an insufferable snot who makes the same threat again and again and again until I wanted to reach through the speaker and strangle him.

Now...  If you think I've made this point too many times, just wait until you listen to this recording.

I cannot imagine how this could have gotten an award.  It doesn't deserve an award.  It deserves an abridgment.  

The sad thing is that there really is a good story in here. The premise is great. The characters are engaging. I was drawn in by them. I felt compelled to carry on to the end. But it was a near thing. Twice I quit. If I'd had a well paced alternative waiting unread in my library, I wouldn't have made it.

There is an excellent 7 hour story in this 26-1/2 hour recording.  If you get it I recommend playing it at 2x speed (or 3x if you can tolerate it).  And don't expect anything much to happen for the first say 2/3 of the story.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

23 people found this helpful

A really good story. (What homosexuality?)

Reviewed: 09-29-10

This is a really interesting adventure. There are wizards and magic. Evil bad guys. A valiant hero and his apprentice. Adventure. Breath taking escapes. A whole world has been created for our enjoyment.

How can anyone complain of spoon fed homosexuality in this story? One of the characters entertains a few thoughts. That's about it. You will get stronger sexual references in the average TV commercial. I'm started on the second volume and so far in the two stories the only overt sexuality is heterosexual.

There are some really, really intolerant folks writing reviews. It isn't the story that did it. Must be something inside the reviewer. Are they just too stimulated at the thought that a hero might be gay?

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

54 people found this helpful

Very exciting

Reviewed: 10-02-09

This is a very exciting work. I highly recommend it.

The book concerns the defense of the eastern border of the Roman Empire against attack by its neighbor, the Sassanid Empire, focusing on one particular city. The narration adds to the enjoyment.

The main character, Ballista, is well drawn. And, I was left wishing I knew more about some of the minor characters, in particular, Ballista's Greek secretary.

But the real excitement for me was in the battle scenes and preparations. I was so drawn into the story that I began conceiving my own ideas for defense to the extent of wishing I could suggest improvements in weapon design.

There is another work in the series, Warrior of Rome, King of Kings. I certainly hope that Audible makes it available.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful