AvidReader91

too much complaining

Reviewed: 09-25-20

I've enjoyed other books by the author, but I couldn't get through this one. Although there were a few funny bits, the first 3 hours were actually pretty depressing. it was really just a long monologue about how awful the soon-to-be ex was. I couldn't relate, and when I found myself wondering when the protagonist would stop rambling yet again, I knew it was time to stop.

The narrator is good. I will probably look for other books by this author, but it turns out I do not find divorce entertaining.

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More over-dramatic than necessary

Reviewed: 03-03-20

I read this book years ago and enjoyed it, and bought it with fond memories. It is an interesting story, with some surprises, plot twists, and just enough of a cliff-hanger to make you interested in what comes next. However, I found I didn't really enjoy the narration at all; the reader makes so much of the book completely over-dramatic that I found it somewhat exhausting to listen to. In addition, it is very difficult to distinguish between many of the characters' voices, so I found myself having to concentrate, trying to figure out who was speaking. A great deal of the emotion and emphasis in the story was done with volume, which makes it very difficult to listen in a car or with headphones.

Goodkind is a very "wordy" writer. I found myself constantly wanting to skip forward through long descriptions, especially when the characters were enduring some particularly unpleasant experiences, which seemed much longer than I remembered from my first encounter with the book. If I want to re-experience any of the rest of the series, I will just pick up a paper copy so I can skim through the unpleasant parts.

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Too depressing

Reviewed: 11-06-17

I can't quite figure out the appeal of this book for so many. I came away feeling horribly depressed for the next few days. I get that for many it's a view into contrasting worlds of privilege vs. the "Help" but I just can't force myself to like the book. No issues with the performance, really...in fact it might have been too well done, adding to the general impression of hopelessness I ended up with.

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Old favorite, disappointing narration.

Reviewed: 06-04-17

this narrator did very little to enhance the story. I found many of his pronunciations strange, and there was no natural flow to his reading. it was as if someone had gone in and sprinkled dozens of extra commas through the story, resulting in oddly placed pauses all over. it is a good story, but I didn't really enjoy listening.

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Overrated; good writing, horrible story.

Reviewed: 11-04-15

Although I can appreciate the word choices used by James Joyce in this book, I found myself actively avoiding listening to the story. I was unable to find a single aspect of the main character that made me care in the least what happened to him. I have nothing at all in common with him - from family experiences to school, and even in terms of how he thinks and reacts to things. Joyce is a good writer - he successfully made me understand that the environment and situation of the main character was repellent, but he essentially made it so horrible that I had no desire to continue reading the book. In the interest of full disclosure, I do admit that I was unable to finish it. I managed to get between a third and halfway through, and at that point I discovered there were many, many things I preferred to do with my time, including housework. Apologies to those who rhapsodize over James Joyce, but this book was awful.

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4 people found this helpful

Good story. Too much swearing.

Reviewed: 11-04-15

Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot. If I have one complaint, it is the unnecessary amount of swearing. I understand using it in context, and there are certainly times when it would fit believably based on events. However, it's overused to the point of being jarring, especially since it would otherwise be a great story to recommend to middle-school students (or older) who enjoy science.
The sheer amount of science woven through this book was the reason I liked it so much - from chemistry to botany, from programming to mechanical engineering, the realistic use of human ingenuity to solve problems makes it an engaging story of survival. Definitely a good read for all ages, as long as the unfortunate language is taken into account. It's definitely parental-guidance-suggested; parents will know their own children best.
For those who have seen the movie, there are numerous challenges that were skipped over (though seamlessly). It's worth reading even if only to get the rest of the story.

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Long, but enjoyable

Reviewed: 07-13-15

I have read this book (and the rest of the series) several times since buying them in paperback a few years ago. The audio version highlighted a few flaws, such as the overly-long descriptions (especially of the various antagonists) and the very slow first half of the book. Susan Ericksen, however, is a fantastic narrator, and I thoroughly enjoyed listening. Kellen is presented as a youth who is dissatisfied with his life. Although he could easily have grown up as a spoiled brat, he thinks about the people around him and is indignant on their behalf as he learns about various ways in which the high mages take advantage of them.

One reviewer claims that Kellen acts like a 10-13 year old. I have two teenage boys, and I can only wish they showed the kind of concern for others I see in this character. Yes, he has doubts, but I don't see any evidence of the whining some others complain of. In fact, being handed one shock after another, being uprooted and having to make major adjustments in his life, he deals with it quite well for the most part.

The biggest problem with this book is the amount of repetition. Especially when Kellen is musing over a problem, injustice, or puzzle, the same questions and observations are repeated way too many times. It's almost like the authors are concerned the reader will forget something important, which is unfortunate.

I fully intend to get the next two books on audio. To avoid spoilers, I will only say that some of the story arcs resolve very interesting and surprising ways, and there are enough plot twists to keep the reader (or listener) guessing. Even with the occasionally too-wordy descriptions, the trilogy is carefully woven together, rich in detail, with characters that have motivations most of us can relate to.

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28 people found this helpful

Plenty of plot twists

Reviewed: 06-04-14

Some of the books in this series have the characters in possession of most of the details about their murderer, with the focus being finding him or her (Reunion, Betrayal). In most cases, it's all about figuring out the "who" - and this is a good example. Robb does a great job with the balancing act between retrieving data from "fried" data units and tracking down the culprit. Though the reader is given a few hints along the way, I still remember being a bit stunned and startled by that particular twist the first time I read the book.

There is more background given about Eve's past when the "HSO" is brought into the picture (Homeland Security Organization), and Eve's and Roarke's reactions to what they find out creates some tension between them. Robb handles that aspect fairly well - for the most part I didn't find it overdone, and the resolution was consistent with the personalities of our main duo. I prefer the books without marital tensions, but I understand the need to shake things up once in a while.

Overall a very good addition to the series. Ericksen does a fabulous job as usual, and I will certainly listen to it again.

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Lots of character development

Reviewed: 06-04-14

Some of my favorite books in this series involve high points in the character development for Peabody and/or McNab. As the crew focuses on narrowing their list of suspects, Peabody is studying for the detective exam. Without listing specifics, I will say the ending of this book ranks very high on my list of favorites.

As for the main storyline, you have a set of equally viable suspects, though there are hints throughout the story as to who Eve suspects the most. Lots of humor and byplay between our beloved main cast. A solid addition to the "In Death" series.

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Quickly holds your attention!

Reviewed: 08-30-13

I listened to this nearly all in one sitting. I frequently enjoy YA books and tend to read them / listen to them with my own two children in mind. I was not very far into this book before I noticed myself thinking "the boys would love this!"

I had to set a bookmark for myself and re-start the story with my 11-year old, and he was hooked nearly as quickly as I was. I don't find very many books with female protagonists that he is willing to read (especially when there really are no boys at all as main characters). However, he was very intrigued and was laughing right along side me as we listened to the Sabrina & Daphne's first meeting with their grandmother, the ancient (& very loud) car, the crazy house with all its locks & keys, and the myriad colorful characters that are introduced in this book. I'm ready to head out & grab the second one already. Highly recommended!

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1 person found this helpful