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Christine A. (965 KP) rated To Sleep in a Sea of Stars in Books
Sep 16, 2020
Space Epic From The Author Of The Eragon Series
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed Christopher Paolini's Eragon series, I looked forward to listening to the audiobook of his latest novel, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars.
Paolini did not disappoint. His work on this space opera spanned for nearly a decade. The research completed to make it accurate as possible shows he did not rush his writing.
Do not expect to read/listen to this in one sitting. The run time is 32 hours, 29 minutes, and the book is 880 pages. The book could have been released into a trilogy but do not let that scare you. The story may be long, but it is well built and full of completely fleshed out characters and worlds. My favorite character is Gregorovich, a ship mind. Paolini's sarcastic words and the narrator's voice makes him a character as memorable as paranoid Marvin from H2G2.
In 2013, the narrator, Jennifer Hale, was recognized by Guinness World Records as "the most prolific video game voice actor (female)." Her voice is instantly recognizable, and the array of voices she uses in the audiobook are separate and distinct from each other.
Paolini's story and Hale's voices make this an enjoyable story to remember.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 9/15/20.
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed Christopher Paolini's Eragon series, I looked forward to listening to the audiobook of his latest novel, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars.
Paolini did not disappoint. His work on this space opera spanned for nearly a decade. The research completed to make it accurate as possible shows he did not rush his writing.
Do not expect to read/listen to this in one sitting. The run time is 32 hours, 29 minutes, and the book is 880 pages. The book could have been released into a trilogy but do not let that scare you. The story may be long, but it is well built and full of completely fleshed out characters and worlds. My favorite character is Gregorovich, a ship mind. Paolini's sarcastic words and the narrator's voice makes him a character as memorable as paranoid Marvin from H2G2.
In 2013, the narrator, Jennifer Hale, was recognized by Guinness World Records as "the most prolific video game voice actor (female)." Her voice is instantly recognizable, and the array of voices she uses in the audiobook are separate and distinct from each other.
Paolini's story and Hale's voices make this an enjoyable story to remember.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 9/15/20.
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Dead Air in Books
Aug 6, 2020
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
It is no secret I am proud to be from Philly. I love the people, the sports, the arts, and the energy. Philadelphia is not perfect, but if you want to get my attention, set a novel in my city. I will read it. Michael Bradley, a southern Jersey native, set his third novel in Philly and combined his knowledge of the area and radio broadcasting to write Dead Air: A Novel of Suspense.
Kaitlyn Ashe, a radio DJ in Philadelphia, receives anonymous letters that threaten the life she built for herself. That life hides secrets she does not want to be revealed but, when the letters escalate, her fiance insists on calling the police. Kaitlyn needs to figure out who knows about the Shallows before her life crashes down around her, and her secrets revealed.
Rachel Fulginiti, an Audie-nominated narrator and veteran of the stage, skillfully narrates the audiobook, allowing us to hear Kaitlyn's "radio voice" and her normal voice. You can imagine Rachel is Kaitlyn conveying the story to us.
I found the audiobook a little slow to listen to at 1.0 speed. Philadelphians do not talk slowly so I played it at a more comfortable, higher rate.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 8/5/20.
It is no secret I am proud to be from Philly. I love the people, the sports, the arts, and the energy. Philadelphia is not perfect, but if you want to get my attention, set a novel in my city. I will read it. Michael Bradley, a southern Jersey native, set his third novel in Philly and combined his knowledge of the area and radio broadcasting to write Dead Air: A Novel of Suspense.
Kaitlyn Ashe, a radio DJ in Philadelphia, receives anonymous letters that threaten the life she built for herself. That life hides secrets she does not want to be revealed but, when the letters escalate, her fiance insists on calling the police. Kaitlyn needs to figure out who knows about the Shallows before her life crashes down around her, and her secrets revealed.
Rachel Fulginiti, an Audie-nominated narrator and veteran of the stage, skillfully narrates the audiobook, allowing us to hear Kaitlyn's "radio voice" and her normal voice. You can imagine Rachel is Kaitlyn conveying the story to us.
I found the audiobook a little slow to listen to at 1.0 speed. Philadelphians do not talk slowly so I played it at a more comfortable, higher rate.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 8/5/20.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose in Books
Nov 20, 2017
Poignant, humanising a politician
Listening to Joe Biden's frank and open memoir dealing with his son's cancer and bereavement is heartfelt, especially as it is read by himself.
Unlike most books by politicians, "Promise Me, Dad" is committed to communicating to us the values and principles of a family man who happens to have been a senior member of government.
His most compelling narration comes in the form of him discussing his hopes, fears, dreams and nightmares through which a family succumbs while dealing with cancer. I became emotional listening to him break down while discussing the death of his son - his voice audibly trembles which is why the audiobook gives a whole new depth to the biography.
Warm, insightful and thought-provoking.
Unlike most books by politicians, "Promise Me, Dad" is committed to communicating to us the values and principles of a family man who happens to have been a senior member of government.
His most compelling narration comes in the form of him discussing his hopes, fears, dreams and nightmares through which a family succumbs while dealing with cancer. I became emotional listening to him break down while discussing the death of his son - his voice audibly trembles which is why the audiobook gives a whole new depth to the biography.
Warm, insightful and thought-provoking.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated King's Cage in Books
Jul 12, 2018
Well, that was a long book. I really have enjoyed this series but I had a hard time finishing this book.
Most of the book is very angsty. I know I'm a little older than the target for this book but it just dragged on with how much angst there was. With that said, I really did enjoy the book. It took me a while to finally finish it but I am glad that I did.
The characters are unique and different yet you can find something to relate to any of them.
All in all, this was a good book but it did leave me emotionally drained and I had to turn the audiobook to 2X speed just to push through it.
Most of the book is very angsty. I know I'm a little older than the target for this book but it just dragged on with how much angst there was. With that said, I really did enjoy the book. It took me a while to finally finish it but I am glad that I did.
The characters are unique and different yet you can find something to relate to any of them.
All in all, this was a good book but it did leave me emotionally drained and I had to turn the audiobook to 2X speed just to push through it.
Gisell Middleton (189 KP) rated The Nearest Exit in Books
Jan 25, 2020
I enjoyed this novel much more than its predecessor for many reasons, not the least of which is the different narrator chosen for the audiobook. I wholeheartedly believe this narrator made the plot seems more interesting, the characters more vivid and the pace of the novel better than the previous one. The recurring characters, along with the multitude of new ones, really fleshed out the story which takes off running after the events of The Tourist and, although background is always recommended, works nicely as a stand-alone. The fact that this narrator was different from the first made me give this one a try; that the next has the same narrator as this makes me want to continue the series.
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First I genuinely loved the plot of this and I think I'd love it as a movie but there were a few things that didn't sit right writing wise. I just didn't really vibe with the characters and while the dialogue itself was fine a lot of the internal monologue dialogue kinda annoyed me. Don't get me wrong, I love a sex scene in a book but for me there were just too many and they really detracted from the plot unfortunately. But I was invested enough in the story to finish it so I guess that's something. I listened to it on audiobook which was good as there were two different narrators for the two different perspectives which made it easy to follow.
Erika (17788 KP) rated The Hot Zone in Books
Jan 28, 2021
So this book was an interesting experience. I had been wanting to read it since the Ebola outbreak in 2015.
This book is no joke. I have never had such a visceral reaction to a book. When it was describing, in detail, the symptoms, and how you could die of an extreme case of Ebola, I got dizzy, and seriously nearly passed out at my work desk (I was listening to the audiobook). I suggest skipping those sections if you have a weak stomach.
It was definitely an entertaining read, in a horrific and morbid way. I know recently it's been called out for embellishment, etc. But hey, anytime you could possibly bleed out of any/all orifices, it's horrifying.
This book is no joke. I have never had such a visceral reaction to a book. When it was describing, in detail, the symptoms, and how you could die of an extreme case of Ebola, I got dizzy, and seriously nearly passed out at my work desk (I was listening to the audiobook). I suggest skipping those sections if you have a weak stomach.
It was definitely an entertaining read, in a horrific and morbid way. I know recently it's been called out for embellishment, etc. But hey, anytime you could possibly bleed out of any/all orifices, it's horrifying.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated The Shadows in Books
Jul 29, 2020
A thriller with some real chills. Returning to his home town for the first time in 25 years Paul is still haunted by the murder that occurred there in his childhood and with a copycat about he's not the only one finding it hard to forget the town's horrific past.
This is not a tale for the weak-stomached with some truly gory and creepy imagery. It's both well written by Alex North and the audiobook was a great listen (narrated by Hannah Arterton and John Heffernan.)
I did find the ending slightly anti-climatic but I think part of it was the build-up was just so good.
Thanks to Macmillan Audio, the author, and NetGalley for the copy.
This is not a tale for the weak-stomached with some truly gory and creepy imagery. It's both well written by Alex North and the audiobook was a great listen (narrated by Hannah Arterton and John Heffernan.)
I did find the ending slightly anti-climatic but I think part of it was the build-up was just so good.
Thanks to Macmillan Audio, the author, and NetGalley for the copy.
David McK (3425 KP) rated Arabian Nights Volume Two in Books
Aug 23, 2020
The second (of, currently, two) of Audible's Arabian Nights series, this is again framed - as the original tales are - as Scheherazade telling her Sultan increasingly fantastical tales so he will not kill her, and so that she will live another night.
This time around, the tales are all of Sinbad the Sailor and his many adventures, although I'm pretty sure that these are told in a different order than they usually, and with a different way of linking each tale rather than Sinbad going back to land, getting bored, and heading off on a new voyage.
You may note I said earlier of, currently, two - this is left open for a sequel: I must admit, also, to be surprised at the rather abrupt ending of the audiobook!
This time around, the tales are all of Sinbad the Sailor and his many adventures, although I'm pretty sure that these are told in a different order than they usually, and with a different way of linking each tale rather than Sinbad going back to land, getting bored, and heading off on a new voyage.
You may note I said earlier of, currently, two - this is left open for a sequel: I must admit, also, to be surprised at the rather abrupt ending of the audiobook!