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stephiemav42

  • 35
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Onley James did it better

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

Reviewed: 08-10-24

Listened solely based on the narrators - they're amazing. However, if you would like the same story with much, much better writing and brilliant characters, read Onley James's Necessary Evils series.

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There's No Heart in It

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

Reviewed: 11-02-23

Continuing to set these in the past is a very bold choice, particularly given the events of the last several years. I found it difficult to relate to the small, petty nature of the pre-pandemic perspectives. It was hard to keep rooting for characters when they were relentlessly selfish. As usual, the storytelling and world building is excellent, but the lens through the narrative is told is narrow and without compassion. It felt like a cold collection of words.

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A Whole Lotta Heart

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

Reviewed: 07-02-23

Here's the thing: this feels very much like a first outing for both the author and the narrator. Rough edges abound and you can choose to snag on them or let them glide by because the obvious heart and sincerity is just more compelling. I'm glad I didn't let the snags get in the way of a pleasant story (and I am a very, very picky listener).

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Fell in love myself

Overall
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-23-23

About love in all of the different ways it shows up - family, romantic, and the family we choose. Truly a trove of riches.

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Refreshing and delightful

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

Reviewed: 05-21-23

What tremendous characters and original plot. I found myself grinning with delight at the creativity of the story and world building as much as the language.

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Darned delightful!

Overall
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 12-29-22

This series is just too much fun and this review is like when they give the best picture Oscar to the last movie in the trilogy. Separately, the books are good - together they are a treat.

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I thought Nick was the smart twin

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

Reviewed: 12-16-22

I quit with 3 hours to go. Izzy was so unimaginably dense, childish, and irresponsible that I couldn't fathom that anyone as intelligent as Nick had appeared in the first novel wanting anything to do with her. I didn't want anything to do with her! Add in the fact that the narrator could not pronounce the male lead's last name, nor several (SEVERAL) other words correctly, I just couldn't. I'm not expecting great literature but I do have standards.

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Serviceable

Overall
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-15-22

Consider the genre and set the bar accordingly. If you're looking for plausibility and sparkling prose, go elsewhere. If you need brain candy after a rough week, this won't make you feel cheap in the morning.

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Painful

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

Reviewed: 10-15-22

The writing is so repetitive that it makes the characters seem extraordinarily stupid - which is a feat because they are not very bright to begin with.
Make no mistake, I am aware this is a bodice-ripper and have adjusted my expectations accordingly. I do, however, require that the main characters have, at the very least, the ability to think more than 3-4 thoughts rendered in the exact same language within one chapter - only to follow the same pattern, with the same thoughts, in the next chapter.
Also, if your narrator cannot sustain an accent for any length of time nor make it consistent so a character sounds the same each time they speak, hire someone else for the job.

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Courage to Make the Hard Decisions

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

Reviewed: 10-08-22

Another tremendous adventure in Elan with world building that makes it feel like coming home. With the history of the First Empire series and the knowledge of future events from the Riyira novels, it is wonderful to wrap yourself in Farilane and revisit old friends.

Sullivan has never shied away from making the best decisions for the story - no matter how devastating. Farilane is no different. As much as I rage and ugly cry, I know the story is "right" as it is. At least there will always be pie.

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