Book Buddy

Was there a point?

Reviewed: 06-22-25

Violence and sexual abuse are rampant throughout the book, and it seems gratuitous.

After four hours of listening, I debated whether to continue. By the seven-hour mark, I seriously considered quitting—but I stuck with it, hoping the ending would redeem the story. Unfortunately, it didn’t. I was relieved when it was over.

The narrative perspective also felt off. Told through the two main characters, the story often describes the events they experience in a detached, observational manner, making it difficult to connect emotionally to either of them. Both were unlikeable - one causing pain, the other submitting to it.

I’ve enjoyed Octavia Butler’s work in the past, but this was a major disappointment.

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Nothing Like Empyrean Series

Reviewed: 02-05-25

I got this book after reading the Empyrean series (so far 3 books). The first two book were excellent, the third was very good! Great story, developed characters, intrigue, a powerful love story and a lot more.

This book in contrast is a typical romance novel. From the first chapter you know where it is going. The story around it is all fluff, as in who cares?

If you love simple romance stories you will like this if you are looking for something with depth like the Empyrean series, skip it.

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Good Story But Violent

Reviewed: 01-22-25

Mark Lawrence is an excellent writer and story teller.

This is the first book in a series and though I wholly appreciate it’s value I can not continue listening through the rest of the books because of the extreme violence - it starts on page one, continues through out the book with a reprieve only on the last few pages, which suggest more violence is yet to come.

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Amazing Narration

Reviewed: 01-17-25

Story is well conceived, main characters interesting and believable with a healthy sex life, and relationship struggles. Respect between men and women is a underlying theme and well executed.

The narration adds so much to the story! Her voice, tempo, and changes for different characters are spot on and especially effective during the fight or drama filled scenes.

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Boring and Annoying

Reviewed: 11-09-24

This book came highly recommended, and I was eager to learn more about the stories surrounding the building of the Panama Canal.

While the topic appears to be well-researched, the characters feel lifeless, manipulated like cardboard pieces on a game board to follow a predetermined path. The author focuses heavily on the drama in their lives but fails to delve into their personal connections or relationships, leaving the characters flat and lacking depth.

The narration didn’t help; it fell short and drew attention to itself with bland, uninspired emphasis on uninteresting descriptions and dialogue. Rather than blending seamlessly into the story as a good narrator should, she seemed to play a starring role of her own.

After 1 1/2 hours, I couldn’t continue.

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Really about death and dying

Reviewed: 10-13-24

The summaries of this book focus on the blended family and the uncovered picture that appears to be them.

But the bulk of the story is about a grandson and his grandfather who is over 100 and has cancer.

That story reaches a conclusion.

All other storylines are left incomplete, as if the book is incomplete.

Well written but unsatisfying.

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Boring, I couldn’t finish it

Reviewed: 10-08-24

Up until 10 hour mark almost all content is reading of emails. Reading the date, time, subject, to from and sign, and offs like “kiss, kiss, kiss” or “XXX” for every email = 25-50% of the content. It may have continued through the end of the book but I couldn’t go on…

Weird too, all of these characters respond to the emails immediately or quickly, as if they were text messages. Things like “I am waiting for you, where are you?” or “Are you coming to work today, you are not here yet.” no email material.

There are some paper russlings and comments very infrequently which I finally figured out was suppose to represent the women looking through the emails for clue to a murder. Not helpful comments at all, could have been left out.

Once the person who was murdered was revealed in a very nonchalant way, I couldn’t go on to find out who was the muderer because there was not one engaging character - and how could here be if all we learn about anyone the are emails to and from them.

And some characters did not send emails (or they were not included in the pile) so anything we know about them is hearsay, which makes no sense because they are important to the plot.

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Very Impressed With Insights Revealed

Reviewed: 09-30-24

This is an honest inside look of the struggles between people, with one having been damaged by her family. A story rarely told, especially in an empathetic and compassionate manner.

Striving together to grow and change, through their up and downs, their story provides insight into the complexities of finding true love.

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Essential Reading for Parents and Everyone Else

Reviewed: 08-17-24

Heartfelt description of Jody’s experience with sexual abuse at 11 years old, and how he and his family survived and thrived it.

After reading this book, readers will understand that it is not the stranger in the street we need to worry about assaulting children - it is family members, friends of the family, and people who care for children that are the real threat to a child’s safety.

In the last chapters Jody includes actionable steps and resources for ensuring the safety of children, and if they are abused, how to respond to help them to thrive.

Sexual abuse is our worst nightmare but does not need to be an unbearable cross to bear.

This is Jody’s message and his story and life are proof that this is true.

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1 person found this helpful

Everyone needs to read this book

Reviewed: 07-20-24

There are many ways and reasons for our focus to be stolen - as individuals and as a human collective.

Johann Hari explains what problems we face in detail with engaging stories backed up by compelling research. He also offer a host of solutions and resources to turn the ship around.

It is clear that it is not one or two concerns that keep us unfocused - it is a collection of issues that are dragging us down, impacting our focus and imperilng our futures, the futures of our children, and of humankind.

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