Destry

An Exciting listen

Reviewed: 12-17-22

This was an entertaining listen with compelling characters, some time travel and some historical. I listened to it for hours and was disappointed if I had to turn it off. The narrator did a very good job. I very much wanted to see the main character succeed.

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Vastly entertaining

Reviewed: 09-28-22

The burglar herself is one of Perry's finest characters, someone leading a unique life. The plot has surprising twists and a very satisfying ending. I hope Mr. Perry writes a sequal.

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Great Civil War novel

Reviewed: 07-11-20

What the Yankee Widow does well is the Civil War. Few novels can match it when it's focus is the war and Caroline's contact with it. You feel how someone of that time is impacted by the horror of it. I was not as impressed in some of the second half of the novel when it turned to the romantic triangle, but then people can judge for themselves. Another wonderful aspect of this book is the characters. So many fully drawn, they each took on life as if they had been real. And lastly, it should be said like all great historical novels, Ms. Miller wrote the characters with the feelings and attitudes of the times in which they lived, not as 21st century transplants. Recommended highly.

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1 person found this helpful

Better than I thought

Reviewed: 05-24-20

No, it wasn't as good as the HG trilogy, but it was still a five star novel and performance. It was good to be back in that world even if 65 years before Katniss. Collins is a talented writer, and this novel is entertaining and compelling. Having Snow as the main character was not my favorite choice but it was okay, Good story, good look at the capital just after the first rebellion and initial Hunger Games...before all the pomp. With Snow as the protagonist and the most interesting, and likeable character Lucy Grey Baird, his tribute from District 12, I worried about the ending, but it was satisfying. A good way to bring this story to a close. Sorry about the vagueness, but no spoilers needed. The question is with so much of Snow's future before Katniss left to tell will there be other novels to come? Will this be a trilogy? Last thing, the narrator was excellent. Him being a successful actor, I worried about that, too. Many big time actors are less than stellar book narrators. Santino Fontana knew how to do it and did it well.

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Thoroughly enjoyable and imaginative work

Reviewed: 05-05-20

Everything about this novel kept me with the ear plugs in. The performance was first rate. Susannah Jones is a top, top narrator.
The story is compelling throughout. Andrew Mayne knows how to build tension. What I like best about the novel is the character of Sloan McPherson. She has skills as a diver developed over years growing up in and around the sea with her treasure hunting father and criminal uncle. She makes impulsive decisions, some of them good, a few rash, but all plausible with her fascinating character. Another book is set for next year but that is far too long to wait. Write faster, Mr. Mayne. Also, two books is not enough. Let Sloan loose. Let her go on.

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1 person found this helpful

Compelling, engaging, entertaning

Reviewed: 03-13-20

I truly love it when you find a book that you just want to keep listening to all day. The character of Tallulah is someone I loved spending time with, gritty and tough. The story kept me riveted throughout. I never knew what was going to happen next. It felt like real people, real emotions, real conflict. And an ostrich ranch. Wrangling ostriches. This was something new and fascinating. I can't wait for the next April Davila novel.

Ms Mollo-Christensen, the narrator is very good. Her performance added to the enjoyment of the book, so much so that I will be looking for other work of hers.

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2 people found this helpful

Top, top novel

Reviewed: 08-14-19

This novel is compelling. You listen and your disappointed when you have to shut it down for something or worse when it ends. You want it to go on so we can see what happens to the characters in their further lives. I could read about Klara and her daughter Alecja for countless more novels. Klara does some tough, even horrendous things, but it is to keep her daughter safe in a world where too many people mean her harm. Not only if you like WW2 novels but if you like wonderful, enjoyable novels, do yourself a favor and read or listen to this one.

As for the narration, Imogen Church made the words live. It was a great pairing, Kate's words and Imogen's performance. World class all the way.

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2 people found this helpful

Why waste Alaska?

Reviewed: 02-13-18

Disappointing.
As far as writers of fiction go, there are none better than Kristin Hannah. The Great Alone is a decent enough novel. Worth the price of admission. But it could have been so much better. Alaska was wasted.

The title would suggest otherwise. However, as others have said, this story could have taken place anywhere. For instance, when Leni, the main character, is seventeen, we see her in her element, a hunter out in the snowy wilds tracking and killing an animal for meat. That is the only scene in the entire book of this skill, this ability to tame and adapt to the land. This skill has no part in the story. It is an appendage to it.

That's why the novel is disappointing. I had hoped to see Leni overcome the wilderness and that ability play some part in overcoming the conflict of the story. It didn't. The title is a tease that doesn't payoff.

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6 people found this helpful

Narration, not so good

Reviewed: 11-16-17

It is unfortunate that some authors or publishers feel they need to hire a famous actor to do the narration as if it's no particular skill, just being an actor is good enough, It's not. There are many, many top audiobook voice actors. It is an art form different from acting for stage or movies.

Rosario Dawson does her best, but for me doesn't add anything to the novel. In fact, the narration detracts from it. Words are unintelligible sometimes because her voice falls off as if she's in rapid conversation, and some words are not distinctly pronounced. Inflection is there, but seemingly at random with no rhyme or reason to it.

A top audiobook narrator knows when a dramatic voice is necessary and when it isn't Too many books which should be great listens are not because the publisher or writer feels they should have a big name actor do the work now. Instead, I suggest they just get a great audiobook narrator.

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15 people found this helpful

One of the best

Reviewed: 08-03-17

The Right Side is one of the best novels I've read. It's equal with books like the Nightingale and All that We Cannot See. The problem with listening to a novel such as The Right Side occurs with about an hour left in the audiobook and you realize it will soon be over. And then it is, and you have to leave behind LeAnne Hogan and that world, and that leaves you a little blue for a while..

It is the best book I've read about PTSD and the difficulties of a warrior dealing with severe injuries. It is also a story of suspense, action, and my God, there's even a kickass dog.

I love rereading or re-listening to great books, but you have to let a little time pass. So, I'll come back and visit Leanne again in a year or so. Can't wait till then.

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