Marcus

I Wanted to Like It

Reviewed: 03-01-22

I REALLY wanted to like this audiobook, but even after finishing it, I have no desire to listen to it, ever again.

It wasn’t that the story was bad, and the actors were okay…it just…seemed to go nowhere. I didn’t feel anything for either character, and I’m not certain if that’s a disconnect between the writing and the performance, or what.

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4 people found this helpful

A Great Performance Of A Confusing Entry Point

Reviewed: 05-13-20

I'll say, off the bat, that Kale Williams does a phenomenal job with performing the content that he's given. The content, itself, is fun, entertaining, and enjoyable.

My biggest issue, I suppose, lies in the fact that it starts "in medias res" - in the middle of things.

We open with a murder (which is pretty standard for a Josh Lanyon novel), and then, we're immediately thrust into a confusing game of "Who's Who." Characters are introduced with little background - a technique that I guess is supposed to be suspenseful or create intrigue, but is really just confusing.

We're introduced to John, who, out of nowhere, kisses Cosmo (the protagonist) after he's been interrogated after being picked up from a murder scene. And then, we leave John behind, without finding out much about him. Then, about two chapters later, we find out that they're engaged to be married, and that he's been put under a love spell. Then, we're introduced to the character who put him under that spell, but without knowing who she is in relation to Cosmo, other than a friend. Two chapters later, we find out that John is a police commissioner.

This is the big problem I have: characters are introduced with no real planning or explanation of who they are, what role they play, or how they sit in relation to the protagonist. It's as if Cosmo is wandering down the street and has a brief interaction with every person he meets along the way, and that's all we get. It's confusing, and really not a great way to introduce characters, from a writing standpoint.

Again - Kale Williams' performance is above reproach. The story, however, is just...not very well planned or constructed, from a writing standpoint. Obviously, this is just my opinion, so take that as you will.

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1 person found this helpful

This Series Is Phenomenal

Reviewed: 10-27-19

I tend not to review books, because I almost never read reviews. With this series, however, it must be done.

In the spirit of Clovenhoof, I'm going to overshare:
This series of books has made me laugh so often, so loudly, and so forcefully that negatively physical consequences have occurred that required immediate cleanup.

The material given to Matthew Lloyd Davies is phenomenal, but his rich characters and fantastic voicing for each character truly makes both Clovenhoof and Pigeonwings two of my favorite audiobooks, ever.

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26 people found this helpful

I Have Rarely Laughed So Often Or So Loudly

Reviewed: 10-27-19

I tend not to review books, because I almost never read reviews. With this series, however, it must be done.

In the spirit of Clovenhoof, I'm going to overshare:
This series of books has made me laugh so often, so loudly, and so forcefully that negatively physical consequences have occurred that required immediate cleanup.

The material given to Matthew Lloyd Davies is phenomenal, but his rich characters and fantastic voicing for each character truly makes both Clovenhoof and Pigeonwings two of my favorite audiobooks, ever.

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6 people found this helpful

New Narrator Breathes New Life

Reviewed: 02-07-17

What did you love best about The Burning World?

The story expands upon the best things about its predecessors - the characters are deep, introspective, and feel like more than "survivors." The expansion beyond the airport and the dome into the greater world make the story vast, with luscious descriptions that deepen as the story progresses.

What other book might you compare The Burning World to and why?

This book is more comparable to it direct predecessor, Warm Bodies. While R is not so much the struggling, angsty protagonist of the second (nee first) book in the series, Marion does a fantastic job of allowing R to develop beyond the zombie savant of Warm Bodies, and into a fully realized and confident protagonist worthy of being the reluctant hero.

What does Jacques Roy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator's storytelling skills do a fantastic job of making the tale immersive in a way that reading words on a page may not. While the writing itself is both technical and lush, Roy's telling of the tale lends considerably weight for those who get bogged down by good writing that affords no coddling for light readers.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There are several, but, "Spoilers."

Any additional comments?

While Roy's narration is very well executed and enveloping, my one criticism is that the main characters are voiced in a largely similar manner. The accents and vocal inflections used by Kenerly in Warm Bodies is sorely missed. That said, he does an excellent job, overall.

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9 people found this helpful

A Wonderful Tale Ruined by an Actor

Reviewed: 09-29-13

What would have made Little Women better?

A totally different narrator would have been a massive plus to this recording. I'm certain that someone must like her reading, but the simpering performance takes the strong women in the story and turn them into caricatures of themselves.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Little Women?

I cant think of very few highlights. From the very beginning, the actor's reading voice is so off putting that it takes away from the story.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

As well-spoken as the narrator is, and she clearly goes into this with the best of intentions, both her general narration and the voices she assigns to the characters are so similar, it's difficult to discern when characters are actually speaking.

Additionally, the very purpose of Little Women is the growth the characters experience as they go through their trials; the narrator, however, maintains the same voices for the characters throughout the book. From the beginning, her characterization of these young women is so simpering and poorly "faux period," that it's difficult to even begin to enjoy listening to the book.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Little Women?

The book is a classic; why should I play editor? It stands alone without my tampering.

Any additional comments?

Although I appreciate the amount of work that went into recording this version, I simply cannot recommend it. The narrator truly does ruin a book that has stood the test of time, for me.

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4 people found this helpful

The New Narrator Gives a New Voice

Reviewed: 02-13-12

Would you listen to Fish & Chips again? Why?

Yes, because I enjoy the story and the series, as a whole. Fantastic books, I say!

What other book might you compare Fish & Chips to and why?

The previous books in the series, Cut & Run and Sticks & Stones. Also great books.

What about Sean Crisden’s performance did you like?

His reading gave a fresh take on characters we've grown to love; while he didn't nail every character, he did make the two main characters seem sexier.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I like to sleep to audiobooks, which really makes this question moot. It is wonderful to listen to in that regard.

Any additional comments?

I am a huge fan of Abigail Roux & Madeleine Urban's Cut & Run series, and greatly look forward to Divide & Conquer coming out in audiobook form.

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3 people found this helpful