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Michael

Long Beach, CA, United States | Member Since 2006

7
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 5 reviews
  • 27 ratings
  • 0 titles in library
  • 70 purchased in 2013
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  • Borders of Infinity: Miles Vorkosigan Series | [Lois McMaster Bujold]
    Borders of Infinity: Miles Vorkosigan Series
    UNABRIDGED

    Borders of Infinity: Miles Vorkosigan Series

    • UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 35 mins)
    • By Lois McMaster Bujold
    • Narrated By Grover Gardner
    Overall
    (674)
    Performance
    (337)
    Story
    (339)

    The popular adventures of Miles Vorkosigan, a clever and outlandish science fiction hero for the modern era, continue in these three tales. In The Mountains of Mourning, Miles is dispatched to a back-country region of Barrayar, where he must act as detective, judge, and executioner in a controversial murder case. In Labyrinth, Miles adopts his alternate persona as Dendarii Mercenary Admiral Naismith for an undercover mission to rescue an important research geneticist from Jackson’s Whole.

    DERALD says: "Even better than expected"
    "Answers a couple of nagging questions"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    While the narrative trick that binds these three stories together seems a bit forced, the stories themselves are natural and necessary components in the development of Miles' character. You will love the story behind how the loveable Taura became a part of the Dendari Mercenaries. And, unless you are a heartless bastard, you will need to have a box of tissue beside you as you finish the title story.

    5 of 5 people found this review helpful
  • Out of Phaze: Apprentice Adept Series, Book 4 | [Piers Anthony]
    Out of Phaze: Apprentice Adept Series, Book 4
    UNABRIDGED

    Out of Phaze: Apprentice Adept Series, Book 4

    • UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 2 mins)
    • By Piers Anthony
    • Narrated By Traber Burns
    Overall
    (131)
    Performance
    (82)
    Story
    (84)

    Two worlds - the scientific Proton, and the magical Phaze - exist side-by-side. Now, Mach has crossed from Proton to Phaze, switching places with his counterpart, Bane. And both must learn to survive in environments alien to their own nature.

    Michael says: "Phaze 1 - Stile 0"
    "Phaze 1 - Stile 0"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    What other book might you compare Out of Phaze to and why?

    The previous three books in the series were entertaining despite the gross flaws of the main character Stile. The author had obviously projected a wild wish-fulfillment fantasy onto his main character and it was quite disturbing at times. The protagonist Stile is an arrogant, self-serving jerk.


    Any additional comments?

    So, it was quite a pleasant shock that the best book in the series so far was the one that was almost entirely absent of the Stile character.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Spider's Bite: Elemental Assassin, Book 1 | [Jennifer Estep]
    Spider's Bite: Elemental Assassin, Book 1
    UNABRIDGED

    Spider's Bite: Elemental Assassin, Book 1

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 59 mins)
    • By Jennifer Estep
    • Narrated By Lauren Fortgang
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (1741)
    Performance
    (1194)
    Story
    (1202)

    They call me the Spider. I'm the most feared assassin in the South -- when I'm not busy at the Pork Pit cooking up the best barbecue in Ashland. As a Stone elemental, I can hear everything from the whispers of the gravel beneath my feet to the vibrations of the soaring Appalachian Mountains above me. My Ice magic also comes in handy for making the occasional knife. But I don't use my powers on the job unless I absolutely have to. Call it professional pride.

    amanda says: "I am bitten"
    "Southern Stereotypes"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    What did you like best about Spider's Bite? What did you like least?

    The elemental magic described in the books was unique and developed well throughout the story - although it was difficult to believe anyone would go to the trouble of producing ice cubes out of thin air when she works at a restaurant that probably has an ice machine!! All of the characters played to rather atrocious Southern stereotypes and only barely moved beyond that by the end of the book. The main character, Gin, has an endearing quirk of counting time in her head.


    Would you listen to another book narrated by Lauren Fortgang?

    The story line was good enough that I would listen to another book in this series. I hope the characters move beyond their stereotypical roles and get fleshed out as real people.


    Any additional comments?

    Be aware that the sex if fairly explicit. Also, I found it odd that the author creates this world that is rife with decadence and yet all her characters are essentially militantly heterosexual.

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Countdown: A Newsflesh Novella | [Mira Grant]
    Countdown: A Newsflesh Novella
    UNABRIDGED

    Countdown: A Newsflesh Novella

    • UNABRIDGED (2 hrs and 16 mins)
    • By Mira Grant
    • Narrated By Brian Bascle
    Overall
    (129)
    Performance
    (113)
    Story
    (115)

    The year is 2014, the year everything changed. We cured cancer. We cured the common cold. We died.

    This is the story of how we rose.

    When will you rise?

    Countdown is a novella set in the world of Feed.

    Robert says: "Strong Prequel"
    "Good Background"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Is there anything you would change about this book?

    The story worked well as background to the Newsflesh series, but it was very technical. There was a lot of background, but not much story.


    Would you be willing to try another book from Mira Grant? Why or why not?

    This series is one of my favorite "zombie" series. The characters are so easy to relate to and the situations in the story have an immediate and real world feel.


    What about Brian Bascle’s performance did you like?

    The reader's performance was outstanding and added to the terror in very real ways.


    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Hounded: The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 1 | [Kevin Hearne]
    Hounded: The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 1
    UNABRIDGED

    Hounded: The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 1

    • UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 11 mins)
    • By Kevin Hearne
    • Narrated By Luke Daniels
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (6533)
    Performance
    (5718)
    Story
    (5700)

    Atticus O’Sullivan, last of the Druids, lives peacefully in Arizona, running an occult bookshop and shape-shifting in his spare time to hunt with his Irish wolfhound. His neighbors and customers think that this handsome, tattooed Irish dude is about twenty-one years old - when in actuality, he’s twenty-one centuries old. Not to mention: He draws his power from the earth, possesses a sharp wit, and wields an even sharper magical sword known as Fragarach, the Answerer. Unfortunately, a very angry Celtic god wants that sword, and he’s hounded Atticus for centuries....

    Chris says: "Finally, a modern day fantasy that really hits the"
    "Fun and funny"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Where does Hounded rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

    A great first book in a great new series. Likeable characters and a good pace to the action mean that I will be returning to this series. It is almost worth the listen just for Luke Daniels delightful take on the voice of the Irish wolfhound.


    1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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