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DrayFace 15

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Wish I had bought version with narration by Wil Wheaton

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

Reviewed: 05-29-24

The story is great as a follow up of Locked In—same main characters, Agent Van and Agent Shane, picking up presumably several months after the first book left off. This book dives into world of Hilketa, a sport that is reminiscent of gladiators fighting to the death in front of an arena full of fans, but the athletes are navigating threeps, so no one really dies. Scalzi takes on game politics, the finances of the league, and the implications that come with people having computer networks installed in their brains. Very interesting read, but I really wish I would’ve known that audible produced another version that was narrated by Wil Wheaton. I really struggled with the narrator on this one. The story is told from first person point of view for a male, so it was an awkward adjustment to have a female voice narrating. Sometimes her voice really grated on my nerves, but eventually I adjusted and was able to finish the book.

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Not a “Feel Good” story

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

Reviewed: 02-10-24

And it’s NOT a love story—I’m perplexed by anyone trying to call it that. The author and the narrator do a fantastic job of depicting the seduction through the eyes of a 15-yr-old girl, Vanessa, who believes she is falling in love with her teacher, Jacob Strain. But the author also tells the story in such a way that she makes it clear, an adult with a “consenting” teen is abuse. I’ve never read anything that illustrates so well the process of grooming and the devastating effects of grooming on a person’s psyche. Over and over again, Strain plays the victim while he shares blame and accountability for his actions with his victim. Vanessa wobbles back and forth between understanding this is wrong, even being angry with Strain, and then convinced again it is her own fault, and that he was good and gentle. Whenever she tries to confront Strain, her thoughts (and even the facts) get twisted around and thrown back at her. It’s an emotionally challenging read: there are some sex scenes that are really more like rape scenes, and Vanessa’s isolation and depression weigh heavy as she remains loyal to protecting their secret. Seventeen years later, Vanessa has to wrestle to redefine Strain, but not without first clinging harder to her romanticized version of their past. I’m glad the author touched on capacity for healing. The last scene in Vanessa’s therapist’s office where she tries again to explain “I wasn’t abused, it wasn’t like that for me” was one of the most gut-wrenching scenes. The therapist was so masterful at gently helping her through her grief and her trauma. I definitely recommend, but be prepared to be uncomfortable. When I had to pause the book to do other things, I found myself feeling grumpy and irritable for no other reason then the story was upsetting and it sucked me in that deeply.

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Not for me

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

Reviewed: 06-27-23

I managed to get through it, but thought of quitting several times. I didn’t connect with many of the characters. I don’t particularly like how the adults in the book couldn’t keep their sex lives to themselves, but instead kept awkwardly putting the 13 yr old main character and his friends into cringy situations. There were some good Native American story telling moments, and history lessons on how life on the reservation had diluted their cultural traditions. The mystery around who assaulted the mother (and if/how Justice would be reached) kept me listening, but I can’t recommend this one.

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If you have wrestled with faith while suffering

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

Reviewed: 06-22-23

I’ve asked myself from time to time, perhaps when I witnessed someone experiencing hardship but still praising God, or when I was going thru difficult events in my own life, “How? How do people who are deeply suffering hang on to their faith?” I know many hold onto their faith in spite of enduring extreme atrocities, persecution, torture, and injustice. The Jews who lived through and found themselves inside a death camp in WW2 often came to my mind when I asked myself this question. It’s a faith I hope I have but wonder about. Could I still cling to Him in the face of suffering? If I lost everything?

It’s not lost on me that this book shows up in my list of suggestions from Audible now, because yes, this season of my life has been a “dark valley.” While I have leaned into my faith, I have also shed tears, fretted, and questioned God. “Why is this happening? What is your plan anyway? When, God, when will you step in? What am I supposed to do?”

I don’t think I can adequately explain how Corrie Ten Boom’s story helped me to hold on tighter and see God more. This book was such an encouragement to me. The faith of Corrie and her family is truly inspiring. I feel like God sent it to me now because I needed it. Listening I often felt Good saying to me, “I see you. I’m here. I always have been.” Strongly recommend. For me, it was a beacon of light when I needed it.

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Memorable, well written

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

Reviewed: 05-25-23

This book has a lot to say and the stories are wonderfully told. I loved all the characters, the island, and the mystery. I loved the role that the black cake played in bringing women together, bridging generations, traumas, and continents. One of the reoccurring themes is about being an “ in betweener”, or being a blend of two groups and therefore not being enough to be really part of either groups. Another recurring theme is the cost of silence, both for yourself and the people around you, but also the reasons we chose to stay silent.

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Couple good twists

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

Reviewed: 03-03-23

The story is mostly a dramatic build up where you know things cannot be as they appear, followed by a couple surprising twists. Unfortunately, the ending feels rushed. After the twists are played out, the ending is just not well developed. Still, I enjoyed this story better than I liked “Blink”.

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Thought provoking

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

Reviewed: 02-28-23

Journeying with Nora through an infinite supply of possible lives, I really contemplated the power of my choices made, and the limitless paths that could stretch before me. Also, what is happiness? How do I define success? Why do I hold onto regrets anyway? In the end, this “feel good”book ends the exact way you hope that it will. The first half is possibly triggery to those with a background of suicidal ideation or those who have experienced loss of a loved one through self harm.

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Good but not great

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

Reviewed: 02-16-23

The story unfolds a bit slowly andI thought I was going to give up on it for awhile there’s. Eventually I got used to the Australian accents and enjoyed the narrator’s portrayal of the characters and I did like how we get to delve into each of the characters psyche. The story dues finally start to pick up and it will catch you by surprise.

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Feels like one of the classics

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

Reviewed: 12-14-22

This is historical fiction and as such, there is a lot of descriptive writing that portrays what life was like in a small town in the American South in the 1950’s and 60’s. It delves into the specific geography of the Carolina shoreline, bringing the marsh to life thru the eyes of Kya, a young girl who was left to fend for herself. She learns about relationships, loss, love, and many other things by observing the behaviors of the marsh creatures. She demonstrates incredible resilience, intelligence, and imagination while simultaneously being crippled by her fear of abandonment and her hurt over repeat rejections and prejudice from the townsfolk. In the end, this is a story about survival, self love, and forgiveness. Although slow paced, the poetic descriptions and introspective reflections made for a beautiful unique story.

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Mystery, intrigue, and romance

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

Reviewed: 11-23-22

A glimpse into gothic Victorian era with a likable main character. Lots of great themes: choosing to see the good in others, generosity, forgiveness, compassion, being true to yourself in spite of other people’s expectations for you, trusting in God to get through the hard times, and acknowledging/accepting the faults in those we look up to, The plot does a great job of revealing surprises, and introducing new twists, keeping the reader guessing. There’s a good deal more going on in this story besides the romance!

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