"From Burton to Gilliam for the YA & Adult alike!"
I enjoyed his almost 'in-the-know' delivery; like the stranger-from-the-outskirts-that's-really-a-gentle-soul that all the parents say to keep away from simply because they don't understand him... but he has one heck of a tale to tell!!!
Sounds like he was even part of the goings on at some point. Like he was a witness to it. Good stuff.
It's been a long time since I've read (heard) a book that took me back to my childhood. And I don't mean because it was like the books I read when I was young, but it actually made me feel like I was 10 or 12 years old again.
The little guy inside me had an absolutely blast listening to this book! Since the dawn of Harry Potter, there have been a lot of books that followed in its path (Percy Jackson, Eragon, and the like). I'd love it if Scourge were to receive the same type of attention.
This is truly groundbreaking stuff here that I can't highly recommend enough. It's put together so well and is so vivid. While similar in nature to the above-mentioned books, it also stands apart in it's creativity. The best way I can put it is if Terry Gilliam would direct Scourge as a movie, it could easily be his "Hugo."
I'm making it my mission to get this book into every area library it's that good. I really think kids from age 8 or 9 up through 14 or 15 would get a great thrill out of it. I think parents would find it equally as exciting. The humor is wity and wry - very 'English' and accessible to anyone with a sense of humor.
PLEASE DON'T PASS THIS ONE UP!!!
"A Legend Comes Back Strong"
Absolutely. Mumford is an outstanding writer. Such romance in his descriptions - he paints a picture of the old west that comes straight from personal experience. The poetry of his language is almost impossible to match these days.
Besides that - his characters are so rich. Picture the group in Young Guns (Estevez, Sutherland, Phillips, Sheen, etc.) but more gritty and bad-*ss; while at the same time hilarious with their brotherly digs and unwavering commitment to each other.
The view into Hopalong's softer side. Seeing Hopalong, the baddest of the bad, become a complete mess around a lady is pretty funny.
Thought I was listening to Sam Elliot narrate for a bit! He has a very rich, grit to his voice that really captures the essence of an Old West tale. Great stuff!
Check out The Coming of Hopalong and Bar-20 as well. All three are really quite impressive
"Unreal... in a GOOD Way!!!"
HO, LY, and CRAP!!
This story is all over the place geographically and historically. Imagine Raiders of the Lost Ark, Se7en, The DaVinci Code, and one of Led Zeppelin's mystical/mythical songs all mixed together with ancient Peruvian rituals, organic hallucinogenic drugs, and a who what why and when non-stop race unravel more than one mystery.
Without question.
Great twists.
Yes - big Bray fan. He really upped his game with this one - try to picture one guy performing a conversation among a Scotswoman, an Australian bloke, two English cops, paranoid elderly witch doctors and more all while using his own voice to narrate. It's pretty astounding not to mention that he never detracts from the story with his accents or delivery.
MANY times I found my mouth to be in a permanent "O" with my eyes bugged out of my head....
Other times I had to press pause until the laughter died down (Boris Valentine... awesome character - awesome narration!)
"A True Original"
Not any one scene in particular. I just really liked the descriptions of when they were traveling on horseback. Burton did a great job of painting the picture of weary travelers on a quest.
I liked Leezle (sp?). Creepy. Set a great tone for where the world has gone after what the author calls "The Shift."
Also, the Obek leader. Narrator was able to make him fearsome yet personable. Great job.
Not really. But there's some really great humor laced throughout that catches you off guard. Narrator does a great job with the dry humor and sarcasm.
I agree with the previous reviewer. Well worth the credit. The author has created a really intriguing world of old and new. Would definitely recommend this audiobook.
"Way to go, Aquila!!"
The 7 year old mind that created it! Such talent and such fun!!
Hope this contributes to getting that puppy!!!
"3rd Times the Charm!!"
Both Descent and Pursuit were nicely full of characters, back story, development, etc. Ascent is great too, but it seemed to lag a bit at times while using 5 words where 3 would've done just fine. That's not to say that it's overwritten, but Robinson does seem to want to make sure we know the back story a little too much sometimes.
Other than that, this is what I would call a great 'bridge' to what's coming next - as well as very nicely tied into Antarktos Rising.
To sum it up - not my favorite in the TLH Saga thus far, but definitely a must and a fun listen for TLH fans.
RC Bray did a nice job again (I especially liked how he matured Sol's voice a bit)
Books 4 and 5 coming out later this year? Nice!!! (Hope they come out before the Apocalypse though!!!)
"Truly astounding forgotten US history"
The story itself. I believe it's dubbed as the most interesting true story you've never heard. You got that right.
Very unique
I am not used to hearing a Non-fiction book 'acted' out.
He put voices to everyone involved in the case, outside of the case, even those unnamed that had a random quote here and there. It definitely helped bring the people, Ft. Worth, and era back to life. Especially Rev. J. Frank Norris.
Out of curiosity I found some old audio of a few of his sermons to see if Mr. Bray was even close - turns out... he was almost spot on. The delivery of the sermons especially. Firey and passionate. It was hard not to feel like I was in the pews!!
Very well done
This was absolutely great. I'm a fan of the shows they put up on A&E and Bio and am always enthralled when a 'new' old story rears its head. (I actually saw the author speak of the book on Book TV before or just after its release). The Shooting Salvationist is one of the most interesting ones I've come across in a long time. Thanks so much to Rev. David R. Stokes for his obvious passion for this part of American history and for his incredible research to bring it to light for the rest of us.
"Hollywood's Back, Baby!"
I've always loved the grit, humor and realism of the Hollywood Station stories by Joseph Wambaugh. But of the several audiobooks I've listened to of Wambaugh's work, narrator R.C. Bray definitely got it.
How true to human emotions it is; especially the use of humor. Humor helps aid in everything from sadness to loneliness to pure elation (obviously!). And Joseph Wambaugh is a natural master at it. The politically incorrect banter between the cops is incredibly refreshing. Nice to see that people aren't afraid to 'cross the lines' because they know that it's all in good fun and embracing our differences as well as our respective stereotypes - can be exhilaratingly hilarious and freeing.
His tongue-in-cheek take definitely created a different vision of the Hollywood Station books for me. It's hard to bring a character to life more than Joseph Wambaugh, but R.C. Bray definitely held his own - he fleshed them out nicely. The accents were great too!!!
This is one of my things that borders on a pet peeve but it'd be great if there was some consistency in the narrator for the 'Station' books. Not knocking the others by any means, but if I had my say I'd nominate R.C. Bray!
Yes - but having a full time job, and a family... kinda put the kaibash on that! HA!
A truly great listen - enjoy!!!
"Call me a Fan!!!"
Out of all the audiobooks I've listened to throughout my life, it's hard to rank it among Cormac McCarthy, Stephen King and the like - but I have to say that despite all of the negative feedback this audiobook has gotten (which, I admit, made me think twice about getting it) - I definitely rank it among those I'd listen to more than once... happily. Being a fan of both Bishop (Jeremy Robinson) and narrator RC Bray ultimately won out over the naysayers.
If you're looking for an awe-inspiring life-changer, this isn't it. It's an adventure with a really freaky take on the undead (I'm sooorrrry!!!) that proves to be highly entertaining and totally worth while. I definitely recommend it!!!
The undead/zombies. In most movies today they're portrayed as ravenous spider monkeys who come standard with parkour in their blood (not knocking it - totally love it!!) but what they have in Torment (without giving too much away) is a very unique twist.
Also the journey from the beginning to the end. That's not me saying I "like the whole thing" - I'm just saying that from where it starts out to where it ends up is a great twist!
A couple come to mind (the McMansion at the beginning, finding the other crewman in the forest) but definitely the ones with Liz (the little girl) - very well written! (and hysterical to say the least!)
Yes - but I think describing it would ruin it.
Jeremy Bishop (aka Jeremy Robinson) seems to put out a book every other day and, having read a bunch of them, I can't help but be amazed at how thorough he is with each. Nothing is sacrificed in his expediency. The storyline, the characters.... all fleshed out and solid. Outstanding work, Jeremy!
Also, I've now listened to several audiobooks narrated by R.C. Bray and I have to say that he is definitely becoming one of my favorite narrators. He has a very approachable and personable manner of narrating and makes some very interesting character voice choices that really enhance the story.