Mark

I have high standards for quality of writing; these books are maybe a 6 or 7 out of 10 in that respect. Butcher does not have a delicate touch. But the quality of the plotting, of the story, the appeal of the characters and the performance of the narrator are really, really excellent. I have bought them all, listened to them all, and missed every single one when it ended. Harry Dresden is the kind of character you wish was real, and wish was your best friend. I enjoy all the time I spend in his company.

This is one of the books I listen to over and over again. It's a great story but the narrator is perfect for this. Can't imagine Abercrombie without Pacey.

Great concept, well executed, weak ending.

I don't generally like Prachett too much, but this I enjoyed. It is not a comedy, for those that expecting that; its' a concept book, a scifi novel about an idea, and I generally like those. The characters are good, and I enjoyed spending hours listening about their adventures.

My only criticism is that it is a first half of a book; the main climax and conflict to come in the second, I expect. So it doesn't wrap up in a satisfying way. I had to check with audible to see if I had missed the last part in the downloading. According to wikipedia there are two planned in the series,

But it is engrossing and interesting. I don't imagine we will have to wait for the conclusion as long as with some other series.

With those caveats I would recommend this book.

I have loved this series, but am losing interest. Butcher's expositional style, his pausing to explain and belabour every point is getting pretty tiresome.

I listen to this book whenever I have a slip up or need shoring up. The hardest part about quitting smoking is psychological. This book helps address that issue by systematically attacking all the little rationalizations we use to keep smoking.

Buy it. Stop smoking. It costs about the same as 3 packs and could give you back decades of your life.

The story was thin, the prose poor - but not terrible- and sexist. Female characters provide scenery.

Reasonably, yes. No complaints about the reader.

There were no interesting or appealing characters.

If you like Harry Dresden,then you'll probably like these. I like them a little better.

This is a good book, and nicely develops the story of the first two. However this one and the last are major cliffhangers, and given you're going to have to wait for a year to see the story develop (it feels like its only halfway through), I would recommend buying, but not now. File away to buy in a year (or two if the next one is the same) and then buy the whole series.

And it wasn't the narrator, it was the book. Felt like Butcher is starting to enjoy his (Harry's) pontificating a little too much. Seriously what was that?

I've bought every one of these books and will buy the next, but really. That was practically boring, I only finished it out of sheer loyalty.

The Miles Vorkosigan books are good. This reader is painful to listen to, though. Don't recommend it.

I love, love Kate Reading as a narrator and have moderately enjoyed some of Connie Willis' other books.

This book is less interesting and much less thought-provoking than the ingredients list on a cereal box.