Rocky

Good, but it left me wanting more...

Reviewed: 03-27-17

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the complexity of the story.

Have you listened to any of Angela Dawe’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Angela Dawe does an outstanding job, as always.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were moments I cried and others that made me laugh. It was a good listen.

Any additional comments?

Okay...I liked this book; however, while Holmberg weaves the story excellently, he doesn't fully develop the potential. Just when I was hooked and expecting more...he ends it with a tidy bow. Not even the hope that the characters he spent so much time developing will get more to their story. That was disappointing. There were a lot of excellent moments and I highly recommend the listen, but be aware that you'll want more at the end.

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No - just no - Gone Girl moment ruined the story.

Reviewed: 01-24-17

Would you try another book from J. T. Ellison and/or Teri Schnaubelt and Nick Podehl ?

No. The narrators were talented; however, the story (which wasn't great) took a "Gone Girl" turn and then flipped back in a disjointed, totally implausible twist.

What was most disappointing about J. T. Ellison’s story?

While I didn't like the time jumps, they did make the story work after a fashion. Until the last section of the story, I felt the story progressed sufficiently, if predictably. Then came the "Gone Girl" moment which not only didn't fit the story, but didn't fit the established characterization of the protagonist. Then, to compound insult with injury, the ending was as if that section had never been added.

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

Disgust. The moment the author turned the protagonist into the genius mastermind of the entire "my husband has gone missing" center plot, the story was ruined. Until that moment, the protagonist was motivating, sympathetic, and reasonable. Making that change to the plot, and it was a change if the ending is anything to go by, ruined not only the story, but the author's credibility.

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Narrator is a train wreck...and not in a good way.

Reviewed: 04-02-16

What disappointed you about Unhidden?

Okay - I'm an avid audiobook listener as I make my daily commute. That hour in the car (one way) is generally enough time to get through rough patches in any story; however, not in this one. The narrator talks so fast that you cannot understand her in sections and attempts dramatic speech in others that is ... just ... awful. I've attempted to listen to it on four separate occasions, but now I'm giving up on it. Maybe, in written format, it wouldn't be so bad; however, I am not willing to throw any more money away on this book.

Has Unhidden turned you off from other books in this genre?

Not really. I love Urban Fantasy as a genre; however, I won't be purchasing any more of Ms. Given's books or Ms. Strey's narrations.

Would you be willing to try another one of Cate Strey’s performances?

NO!

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

I honestly didn't get through it so I can't make that assessment. I suppose it would be the waking up next to a stranger bit because it definitely didn't fit into the grand scheme of things.

Any additional comments?

This book left a seriously bad taste in my mouth. Whether it was the fact the narrator was so bad and read the text too fast for comprehension or the fact the story just didn't...work...I'm not sure. Either way, I'm walking away from this book with the idea that there are some series that I don't need to attempt in audio format.

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Was so much better than expected!

Reviewed: 09-22-15

Would you listen to Sideswiped again? Why?

After reading reviews of this new series, I came into it tentatively. I started with this one with the thought that if I wasn't engaged, I didn't have to carry forward to The Drifter. However, I found this book entertaining, emotionally satisfying, and a perfect introduction to a new premise from a well loved author. I am moving forward with The Drifter and hoping for the best! Having said that, Peri was not my favorite character in the book. She's not very likable. I'm taking it on faith that Kim Harrison will create the same connection between the reader and the protagonist that she's famous for with the change in point-of-view.

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Brilliant narration! Fantastic story!

Reviewed: 05-20-15

Where does Snow Like Ashes rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book, obviously, is well written; however, I'm not sure if it's half as good as I think it is thanks to the brilliance of the narrator. She makes the characters live and breathe, infused with characterization. The story is vivid and entrancing. It pulls you in and never lets you go. I can't wait for the next one!

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8 people found this helpful

Writing is brilliant, as usual; however...

Reviewed: 06-06-14

What would have made Shield of Winter better?

Angela Dawe failed this story. Her narration was discordant, lacking both harmony and rhythm, and her inflection was atrocious. I was so shocked at her narration that I looked back on the others to see if I'd just failed to remember poor narration. No, she did a beautiful job in all but this one.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Shield of Winter?

I was unable to finish the audiobook due to poor narration. I downloaded the print version on my Kindle, but it'll be weeks before I have the time to sit and read it. That is why I always pre-order my favorite authors on Audible. The first seven chapters had brilliant writing, but were a struggle to listen to.

How could the performance have been better?

Angela Dawe's narration could have been consistent with previous books in this series.

Any additional comments?

Nalini Singh has written a brilliant book; however, the narration was awful. I will have to find the time to finish the book in print and this might well be the end of pre-ordering the Audible version. Definitely, for the next one, I'll wait to test a sample before I buy it.

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12 people found this helpful

Great story...poor narration.

Reviewed: 07-29-11

Harry Dresden is an icon. Jim Butcher delivers a masterpiece in this story, it is typically Harry Dresden with all the brilliant nuances and twisting story lines that make him great. However, John Glover does not do Harry justice. When James Marsters narrated the previous books, it was as if Harry talked directly to the readers, engaging them in the story and carrying them along with the cadence of his voice and tide of his story. John Glover....well...he reads the story just fine, but I had to continually go back over each part to understand the nuances of what was being said. I finally gave up and sent the audiobook to my Kindle so I could read along with the narration and understand the story. It was as if Mr. Glover couldn't find the cadence of the first-person narration and read it in an engaging manner. I'm desperately hoping Mr. Marsters signs back on for the next Dresden book.

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5 people found this helpful

John Glover doesn't do Harry justice...

Reviewed: 07-26-11

Jim Butcher is a master and I LOVE Harry Dresden. The wit, the action, the irreverence to society, the general brilliance of the world that is the Dresden Files...it's all wonderful.

Unfortunately, after coming to know the voice of Harry as James Marstars, the switch to John Glover was hard to accept. Mr. Glover, while I'm sure he's a very talented narrator, just didn't put the cadence I fell in love with for Dresden Audio. I had to listen to this free chapter twice to fully understand and appreciate the more subtle wit that Jim Butcher does so well.

*sigh* SInce I have the entire series on audio and listen to them over again each time a new book comes out, I'll buy the full version of this, but it's going to be a long, long listen if I have to keep rewinding in an effort to keep up with the story.

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4 people found this helpful