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Damien

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  • 4
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Adventure stories from 14th Century Europe

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

Reviewed: 05-08-24

Every book by Christian Cameron has been a hit for me. I love learning about history and Cameron's novels give access to lives and politics in a way I can't get from noon fiction history novels. I am aware that Cameron isn't writing historical facts and is taking license with what can be proven and writing at the edges of what is truly known. Still, he does his research for both the high level politics (intimate conversations with the Roman emperor, seeing the decay of the Empire in the late 1300's) and the locations and fighting. His stories always flow and everything I've ever read from him consumes me and sends me to the Internet and Wikipedia to read further on tidbits he drops into his books.

The narrator is amazing and modulates his voice so that I know who is speaking during conversations, and the English accent is perfect for the characters he portrays.

This book covers 1372-1375 and includes adventures in Italy, Constantinople, the Euxine, and Greece. I loved every second of it and got the audiobook after I read the printed version, just for narrator's pronunciation and to pick up things I might have missed in my initial read.

highly recommended!!

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Read, Don't listen

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

Reviewed: 03-14-24

My biggest question is this: why have a British woman as the narrator when there isn't a single British person in the entire book? The American accents are just terrible.

The book is about what happens after death. Will and Claire two FBI agents, are chasing after a serial sniper. Both are killed and end up in an "echo" of life, where killing someone else endows you with power. Will and Claire, who were employee and supervisor, were also in love when chasing after the sniper. They soon find out that dying is just one step in the afterlife.

I enjoyed this book, but had a really hard time with the narrator. A different reader world have made this book much more enjoyable in audiobook form.

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Worst DeMille novel I've ever read

Overall
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Story
2 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 12-10-22

I truly struggled to finish this waste of a novel. I've enjoyed many Nelson DeMille novels, including The General's Daughter and Plum Island, but this was truly awful. if you took out the number of times the protagonist, John Correy talked to himself about busting the PI agency after the weekend, the book would be fifteen minutes long. Thin plot, wrap supporting characters, made me wonder if this was really written by Nelson or some by someone else under his name. even true DeMille fans should skip it.

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Worst Reacher I've ever read

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

Reviewed: 02-03-20

I've read every Reacher novel every published. this one seemed like it was written by someone else. The plot was boring, the reasoning was more of a stretch than usual, and the actions of most people involved, friends and foes, were incomprehensible. Avoid!

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Read it

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

Reviewed: 05-04-16

Well written, excellent character development, and a great hook at the end. I cant wait for the next one!

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Ex-Patriots Audiobook By Peter Clines cover art

Seems like a retread

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

Reviewed: 03-24-13

What did you like best about Ex-Patriots? What did you like least?

Best was seeing everyone from Ex-Heroes again and hearing more about the fall of the world. Worst was the ending...SPOILER ALERT...both bad guys get away, AGAIN!

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

A more satisfying ending, perhaps the vanquishing of the enemy from the first book or the enemy of the second book.

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

The narrator really helps get into the minds of the characters.

Did Ex-Patriots inspire you to do anything?

Not buy the next book in this series.

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Don't Waste Your Time!

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

Reviewed: 02-27-13

What would have made Swarm better?

Believable characters to start with. Devoted father loses his two children and within a week is pawing after a sexy Latin sexpot with no use in the book. Secondly, if you want to make a military sci-fi book, study some military tactics. Everything about the military scenes reeked of someone who had no clue. The protagonist made stupid decisions throughout the book, every time he made a decision I was shouting NO!

What do you think your next listen will be?

I will listen to the second Troy Rising book by John Ringo. Although it has a bit too much "science" and not quite enough "science fiction", belief can be suspended without a lobotomy. If you want a lighter military sci-fi listen, try the Dauntless series by Jack Campbell, who totally understands military tactics and writes fleshed out characters...men and women.

What three words best describe Mark Boyett’s performance?

Fantastic voice actor.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Frustration at every step of the way.

Any additional comments?

I made it through the book after three tries, would never buy another from this author again.

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