LisaB2595

New Perspective for the Apocalypse

Reviewed: 05-21-23

This was very enjoyable. Clever, heartfelt. The narration was very good. I look forward to hearing the sequel.

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Really enjoyed this

Reviewed: 05-03-23

I really enjoyed the story, and not the least because Ray Porter read it. He's just a great reader.

The premise was interesting, and all the characters were well written. Worth your time if you enjoy some science in your speculative fiction.

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*sniff*

Reviewed: 12-21-22

After fifteen books, I've gotten rather attached to the Merry Band of Pirates.

This was a fine sendoff. I will miss them.

As always RC Bray knocked the narration out of the park. If Neflix ever decides to adapt Ex Force, he'd better be the voice of Skippy the Magnificent.

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Funny and Keeps You Guesing

Reviewed: 12-21-18

This is my second Yahtzee book, and like the first, it turns out to be a genuinely funny and complex story.

Like the other book, it takes a bit for the story to really get going, but one it does, you become invested and want to listen every chance you get.

And yes, I am a fan of "Zero Punctuation".

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1 person found this helpful

Always fun!

Reviewed: 04-07-18

listening to the adventures of Colonel Bishop Skippy in the merry band of pirates is always a very good time.

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Quite Enjoyable!

Reviewed: 01-31-18

If you could sum up Will Save the Galaxy for Food in three words, what would they be?

Funny, unexpected, smart.

What did you like best about this story?

It was a far more complex universe than I expected.

What about Yahtzee Croshaw’s performance did you like?

I'm a fan of his video reviews, so he was a blessing and curse. Because I was so familiar with his "persona" it made it more difficult for me to think of the main character as someone not reviewing video games in his spare time.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, but I don't listen to any book in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

It's a nice, genuinely funny sci-fi adventure.

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Not What I Hoped For

Reviewed: 04-21-17

Is there anything you would change about this book?

How many characters do I get? My sub-title for this book is "Or What Happens When Stupid People Get Time Travel." The bone-headedness of all of the characters was immensely frustrating as were the half-baked futuristic elements. We've got time travel, but we're still frustrated by "phone outages" and characters asking to borrow phones although in 1992, cell phones weren't unknown. Surely the author could have seen a future with them? No one can look up an NHS number. There's been a worldwide flu pandemic, but Christmas vacation means no one can do anything. Does anyone actually believe the CDC says "sorry, they're on vacation" when a possible pandemic is in the works? Entire hours are seem to be wasted on the inability of the quarantine area receiving supplies. First: not gonna happen that way, and two, probably not the reason you picked up the book. You probably picked it up wanted to read about life in the 14th century, and there's precious little of that.

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

Characters that are smart and capable. The characters were all so slow on the uptake. Forgetting important concepts until 10 minutes into the conversation. I'd be mentally reminding them to ask about "X" while I listened to character blab on about stupid stuff that wasn't story. The historian is particularly susceptible to being an idiot, taking forever to realize what's going on (The whole "wicked man" episode in the church was particularly grating.) There was so little actual medieval history or culture in this book, IMO, and waaaaay too many annoying children (yes, there are TWO.) Also, some resolution to where the actual director of History had gone off too. They spend the entire book looking for him, entire sections devoted to "finding Basingham (?)"

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

My frustration with the characters probably has roots in the way the reader would repeat a question like she'd never heard of the concept before. Typical exchange: "Yes, but what if Kivrin catches the flu?" "Kivrin?" said like they'd never heard the name before. OMG. It was head-bashing frustration at times to listen to this book.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Probably because a movie would certainly cut out all of the over-writing. If this author could find a way to make something more time-consuming, she would. Everything skitters out of reach requiring a second try. Everyone gets sick and has to bring the story to a stop while we have scene after scene of "no visitors!" or "you're not supposed to be out of bed."

Any additional comments?

What sold me on this book was the fact it had won both the Hugo and Nebula awards. As science fiction, I found it lacking. As history, I found it lacking. By the time the "real" story starts, you're ten hours in. This book would have been more enjoyable with a length of maybe 15 hours.

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62 people found this helpful

Overwritten and Overwrought

Reviewed: 06-22-16

What did you like best about The City of Mirrors? What did you like least?

I wish I could say this was worth 29 hours, but I would like a few of those hours back. Probably eight would be good. This book is too long. It wastes time doing stuff we don't need to know in half the detail that Cronin provides. Zero's backstory is simply not. that. interesting. It brought to mind Tabitha King's reaction to some backstory in "Bag of Bones": "you don't have to bore me with it, do you?" Honestly, more than once I said, "would Zero please shut up?" In all honesty, much of the book was overwrought for me. Cronin spends two much time trying to make me "care" about new characters, especially after the main plot is resolved. Small spoiler: way too much time is spent writing about a character giving birth to twins. The entire point of this seems to be so we can name them after Premium Characters. The plot often felt predictable. Everything goes wrong because *of course* everything goes wrong. The reader doesn't help. I don't remember Brick's narration being a problem in the last two books, but here, he has a this constant monotone that becomes especially grating. No one has any personality. Every thing sounds dire. Read it because you want the resolution. I hope you aren't as bored to tears as I was in parts.

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10 people found this helpful

You had me at "Kate Mulgrew."

Reviewed: 05-10-15

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The story is original, genuinely creepy, and Kate Mulgrew does a great job reading.

What other book might you compare NOS4A2 to and why?

Stephen King's work is an obvious comparison.

What about Kate Mulgrew’s performance did you like?

I'm an old woman, so I've been a fan of Kate Mulgrew since "Ryan's Hope." She does an excellent job reading this, particularly the narration where she never misses a beat. If I had to pick out a weakness, occasionally her character voices feel strained, but that's only if you *make* me pick on something.

If you could take any character from NOS4A2 out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Maggie, she needs a friend. And I have questions. :D

Any additional comments?

If you like Stephen King, you will like this book.

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1 person found this helpful

Engrossing.

Reviewed: 02-24-15

Would you listen to The Things They Carried again? Why?

Yes, but not for a while. It's an emotional ride.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Things They Carried?

SPOILERS:


killing the baby buffalo.

Which character – as performed by Bryan Cranston – was your favorite?

Rat.

Who was the most memorable character of The Things They Carried and why?

The main character.

Any additional comments?

Bryan Cranston does a wonderful job reading this book, and the author's note at the end is also very good. Be sure to listen.

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