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ArchStanton

  • 8
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  • 17
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  • 16
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Mixed feelings

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

Reviewed: 12-06-22

I would echo several comments in other review. This one left me with many mixed feelings.

While I think the stories succeed greatly with the aesthetics and imagery of horror, I didn't find myself gripped with terror or suspense. It boiled down to beautifully described ... gore. I would not say it was "scary" though, just gruesome. This is partly because I didn't feel attached to many of the characters, so i wasn't necessarily worried about them. None the less, the writing itself is often fantastic and so it grips you with curiosity rather than suspense.

The individual stories are very clever and imaginative. Most had a really intriguing plot and setting, which produced an immediate sense of excitement at being drawn into the narrative. That said, every one (except the last) seemed to end about halfway through the third act, leaving me wanting more of a sense of closure.

There are a few common threads throughout all the stories, with the first and last serving as bookends. In fact, the last (and my favorite) entry - The Buther's Block- ends up being a sort of prequel to the first. It also provides some context and exposition for the collection, even a sense of closure. Kind of. If you find yourself halfway through or more, and not sure if you want to finish, I recommend sticking it out for The Butcher's Block, which is excellent.

The narration is first class, though I did have trouble with hearing the softer spoken parts of The Butcher's Block.

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hard for me not to like

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

Reviewed: 11-03-22

This largely comes across as a series of collected vignettes and snapshots from a trip, so the are many times when you wish it would dive deeper but it does not. That said, there are also lots of Easter egg moments scattered throughout with touching insight.

Mostly though, being a rider, and having been on trips with a riding companion, I found so much of it to be SO relatable (the turn signal thing!).

The author comes across as insightful, honest, and generally likable including all the flaws to which he readily admits.

Overall, I'd say the story is true, heartfelt, sweet, and enjoyable. The narration might have come across a bit better with a more seasoned professional reading it.

I have ordered "Through Dust and Darkness" print version, which just arrived, and can't wait to get started.

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excellent

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

Reviewed: 01-11-22

Very fresh, smart, and original with perfect narration. At first I thought this was goung to be a re-telling of The Martian (smart guy uses science to survive in space). It is not! The use of critical thinking and scientific inquiry remains prominent, but the story has lots of unexpected turns and additions which I don't want to spoil. If you're thinking about it, don't hesitate.

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gets better as it goes along

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

Reviewed: 01-17-19

These books are a bit odd. Violence and body horror galore, but absolutely no profanity or sex. The first few books are a bit redundant and sort of follow a format, almost like Scooby Do episodes. About halfway through, over-arching storylines develop and make it much more interesting. So overall, a good way to pass the time on my daily commute. I thought gh t the reader was adequate but came off as a bit cheesy at times.

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The Elementals Audiobook By Michael McDowell cover art

creepy, macabre

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

Reviewed: 11-09-18

A good quick horror story, very creepy and macabre. The reader sounds a bit like Walter Cronkite giving a newscast, but his voicing of the character s is very good.

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Not for the squeamish

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

Reviewed: 11-04-18

This is by the book body horror. Well and efficiently written, though the story has a tendency to dwell on particularly gruesome scenes and force you to listen to every detail when you'd rather move on. I guess that's part of the point, though. Definitely keeps you attention.

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Blackwater: The Complete Saga Audiobook By Michael McDowell cover art

wow

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

Reviewed: 11-04-18

Beautifully written. I can't believe that Michael McDowell has been dead over 20 years and this is the first I'd heard of him. He was an absurdly talented writer. Blackwater is basically a saga that follows a wealthy family in a small Alabama town for 50 or so years. There are some elements of horror and the supernatural but only rarely and usually to good effect. Mostly this is a drama full of good humor and dynamic, well written characters that you can't help but fall in love with. Unfortunately, Mr. McDowell wasn't afraid the let you spend hours and hours getting to know a character and becoming invested in them, only to kill them or hurt them terribly. There is no profanity or sexual content at all, the violence is occasional but can be not only graphic, but heartbreaking. As for the reader, very well done. His mild southern accent is well suited to this story. My only complaint is that 2/3's through the story he decided to give a character (James Caskey) a lisp, which drove me nuts. Otherwise, highly recommended to everyone.

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Sometimes hard to follow in this format

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

Reviewed: 09-22-18

Very good story, it's just that I found it a bit hard to follow with sound effects versus exposition. This was particularly true during action sequences. Otherwise, very enjoyable.

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2 people found this helpful