Michael

I have read &/or listened to more that 5000 books over the last 40 years. In all that time and with all those opportunities I have not finished only one title - until this book. For only the 2nd time in 40 years I did not finish a book that I had started. Believe me when I declare that I have had the urge to quit several other times, but managed to perservere. However, I just could not justify wasting any more time on a volume that provided no enjoyment or satisfaction. Actually, I did get some satisfaction by stopping the audio player. The producer's hype was terrific. The presenter did a very good job. The subject matter was geared to an intelligent 12 year old and left me cold. I wasted a credit and wish that there was some way to return it to Audible like an inedible meal at a restaurant.

The story is an excellent example of terrific writing that merges multiple subplots within a primary theme. Actually, it is what I have come to expect from David Weber. HOWEVER, the narrator significantly detracted from my enjoyment. The straight story narration is wonderful. The narrator has a melifluous style that is very enjoyable. BUT his voices are terrible for the males and totally horrid and unacceptable for the women.

Terrific descriptions of fighting and battles. Excellent major characters. Thorougly engaging and hard to put down. Many more named and described characters than were necessary to keep the story moving. I will definitely try another book by this author.

The story, the character development, the ease of association with earthly history, the eager anticipation to listen to the next step in the adventure, the absolute belief in the reality of the entire volume.

There was nothing to dislike

N/A

A story of love,adventure, and Bushido.

It truly sets the stage for the 4 volumes which follow. What a masterpiece of excitement and adventure mixed with treachery and regrets.

Good story (and so are the next ones in the series) - decent character development - very weak science, but when you encounter FTL travel you are forced to suspend a lot of reality - however, it is obvious that neither the author nor the director of the narration have reasonable knowledge of military ranks or the tactics of battle - oh well there are worse sins, such as the narrator who reads descriptive text well and in a generally pleasing tone, but whose characters' voices are disgraceful. Honor frequently sounds like a whining, slightly nasal, pre-pubescent little girl. Most of the other female voices are poor to fair, but the male voices are horrid. Worst of all is that there is little differentiation between characters even with regard to the sex of the speaker and a multi-character discussion is very difficult to follow.