Jason

Highly disappointed is an understatement. This is the first time I have tried to read a James Bond adventure and now I wish I hadn't. I'm not completely sure if it's the writing or the person reading it? The long drawn out moments that lead from point A to point B are tedious, uninteresting, and at times downright boring. You should not be able to fall asleep during one of these books! The novel is short on the upside but the movies are much shorter and much better. Ten bucks for the book or Ten bucks for the movie? Get the movie.

still iffy.

Any kind of fantasy book that has weird creatures in it.

It was one hell of a Christmas party!

MHI wants you! We just can't tell you!

I liked it. It had action, creatures, a little comedy, and it kept moving. There are many different types of events that lead so fast to the main event that you won't believe it's a 15+ hr book.The narrator was consistent, well paced and consistent.The down side is the gore. I just pushed through it but there is A LOT. However, I didn't just stop listening to it like I have with other similar types of books. The other part is the gun fascination. I got bored with the authors need to describe every gun and knife with precise detail. I'm more of a "see monster, kill monster" kind of reader. I don't care about the existential's.Overall, It's a solid well written, well narrated book. If you can handle the existential's, give it a shot.

ABSOLUTELY. I hang with a bunch of redshirts myself.

This is sci-fy comedy. I don't have anything else like this.

Wheaton was awesome, I even really forgot it was him. til it was over.

Yes, and I did TWICE in two days.

My geek/nerd card has officially been stamped! I never really thought about it until I figured the plot-line out before I got halfway through the book. No, it's not B.S.I was also laughing my butt off the whole time and subsequently lost 20 lbs doing so. Okay, that's B.S. However, I was laughing A LOT!

This book is really for the wanna be star trek extras (everyone alive ever!).

Alternatively, I usually don't like famous, OKAY somewhat famous, actors reading my books, it puts a face to the main character and I get irritated by someone taking my imagination away from me. Wheaton did an amazing job though and I was thoroughly surprised that it did not affect how I interpreted the characters at all. He was great.

The most amazing part of Scalzi's book, to me, is his awesome way of skipping over that embarrassing moment you wish you weren't "there for" or listening to. Every book I've ever read always has that one point I could miss the second time around and not care. This book did not, it was fun the whole time.

My only tiny gripe, and this was probably some kind of inside joke for the author, was the constant use of the "he said" or "she said" after almost every dialogue. It was kinda funny and annoying at the same time. Like is this really how he writes? I can't hack on him cuz he IS published right?

Anyway, the book is fantastic and worth the time and credit. If you want a good-time ride this is definitely it!

The narration was excellent.

Most: Sailors out of their element for a long period of time.
Least: Planet of the Apes aspect.

There is a point where the "modern" WWII sailors have to board an 18th century ship.

Complete bewilderment.

There was an 80's movie with Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen called "The Final Countdown" when a modern aircraft carrier goes through a weird water vortex and ends up fighting in the battle of Pearl Harbor. This chaffed me from the beginning, the similarity of sailors and time travel I mean. In fact it still does right NOW.
The book starts out as the destroyer men are fighting a vicious battle against the Japanese in a retreat during WWII. They go through a strange squall and.....

The similarity definitely stops there!

The WWII sailors are suddenly in a place that is more like "The Planet of The Cat people" and "The Land Before Time". It turns out to be a parallel universe in which these cat/monkey/people are fighting a war against an evil enemy that are like walking human/raptor dinosaurs.

Yeah, I'm just as confused as you are.....

Nevertheless, the sailors befriend the cat/monkey people and decide that they will help fight the evil human/dinosaurs. What choice do they have with no other resources and the human/dinosaurs eat everyone/thing.

The narration was excellent. There are numerous (at least 12) characters and the narrator does an amazing job of making them different and distinct. With so much happening that is crucial.

Despite the narration, these are my major issues.

First: this is slow reading. I can usually read one of these books in 3-4 days. It took me over a week and a half just because I couldn't bring myself to continue.

Second: I don't care for, or rarely EVER sympathize with non human characters.

Third: Most of the character flaws and personalities are cliche (to me) Ie. The captain is drawn to the head nurse/doctor, it's a "burden of command" similarity that I am sick of. And the issue of so many sailors with NO women in port BUT womanlike creatures with breasts?

Anyway, the book leads into the next one, so I will probably venture the next book just to test the waters further. If it gets into the question of bestiality I am definitely NOT reading the third.

Yes, it has points that intersect with the main series.

When Andrea covers ALL of the interior of Raphael's house in purple carpet.

The part where Enubis explains fractals.

When Andrea describes her youth to Asconio.

I have to admit that I am partial to the main series and have had problems getting into some of the short stories that include the other "Alphas". While this book does not necessarily change that fact, it definitely hurt my normal arguments.

First, it is longer and more complex. Grab your Almanac of Mythical Beasts and brush up on your ancient mythologies cause it's on now. Pretty soon their going to have to publish their own version just so you can keep it straight. I found myself researching these creatures just so I could follow better (yes, I have too much free time).

Second, If you have read the "Magic" series and like the characters this becomes a must read. As in all of the shorts Ilona Andrews has published, it will all blend into the main series in one way or another ( ee Magic Gifts released last Christmas on her blog site only). Andrea and Raphael are major characters in the "Magic" series so... it is kind of important that you know how their relationship gets healed and how it came to fruition so in the next "Magic" book you don't get confused.

There are several laugh out loud moments I found in this book but for the most part it is a straight forward magic detective story. There are a lot of instances where Andrea's past comes to light and you get to hear the whole story of how she got so messed up. She has a very good excuse. I usually dislike graphic descriptions of violence, I am blind and have an impossibly good imagination, but Ilona and Gordon keep it moving and before you know it, it's over!

My only major gripe is that I wish the "Magic" books were as long.

Yes, for those who played the game it is essentially the prequel.

Unfortunately, the ending. I don't do spoilers.

solid and consistent.

No, it is vast, deep and sometimes cumbersome. The characters and happenings are so vast that there may be times you want to shut it off to try to absorb it.

I have waited for this book for years, since the first game came out. This is not a direct translation of the game. It is entirely the prequel. It describes the origins of Rapture and all of the major players.

It left me feeling empty. I can't see to play the game and I was hoping it was the direct game translation and would bring some of that excitement, it wasn't and really didn't. That is not to say it wasn't good. For those who played the game it will add depth and explanation. For those that won't play it, it is a foray into strange political intrigue.

The main character Andrew Ryan is obsessed with building a "utopian" world underwater to escape the dangers of living on the land post WWII. Once this is done, hIs failed leadership decisions turn the world into chaos and destruction worse than anything happening on land. A power struggle ensues and between Ryan and his two antagonists, Dr. Lamb and Fontaine, they provide an all-encompassing view of three types of societal living without regulation. Capitalism, Communism, and Anarchy are explored and it turns into an underwater hell that threatens to kill them all slowly.

In many ways this could be taken more like critical literature than just an entertaining novel about a video game story. Don't be fooled by the game or the title this subject matter is deep, no pun intended. If you are into political theory, sociology, psychology or just want to know how Bioshcok began, this is a very interesting read and you MUST read it to fully understand it.

Yes, it is a solid continuation of the story line began in the first book.

Historical fiction books. Some characters have real names and places but circumstances are not real.

As in the first, his performance is excellent. Character vocalizations are consistent and help bring the story depth and life.

I don't get overly emotional. sorry.

This is the second book from the video game series. As in my first review, this book is also excellent. The action is virtually non stop. Oliver Bowden does an excellent job of moving from one scene to another without missing a beat.

Gildert Jackson, the narrator, continues his excellent portrayal of all characters with consistency.

I honestly do not know how closely it mimics the games actions but it does not matter in the least. If you love adventure and action it is well worth the credit. If there are any issues that I found it has to be the seemingly cliche ending of books or movies of these time periods. Nevertheless, it will not ruin the ride. If you liked the first, the second book will not disappoint.

People who collect Halo memorabilia, and collectors of noir genre material.

Something less depressing.

The narrators were not bad. The stories were too damned depressing!

None.

Look. I like Halo. I have all the books, games and so on. But this sucked. Every story I read AND I will ADMIT it I couldn't finish it, everybody dies! It's a never-ending barrage of stories of people who died. No hope. No glory. Just death. That is not worth the time reading. It would have been nice if they could have interjected some positive stories but they didn't. I understand that it is what makes John 117 so great, that so many people failed and he did not but if that's the case why bother telling these stories? He did have support somewhere didn't he? Overall, stay away if you can. I pre-ordered this too! It's too bad.

Stephen King having read it so I didn't have to.

Leland Gaunt? (I am blind I'm guessing at the spelling).

I like the depth of characters, King's performance isn't spectacular but I can forgive that.

They did with Ed Harris and Max Von Sydow. I loved it too!

I believe this to be one of King's best works EVER. The magical weaver of words defines people, places, and actions with an ease that's mesmerizing at times. However, this book, like some of his others can get explicit and gory at times which may drive some away. Nevertheless, the characters and message of this book are truly fascinating and the way it is told is absolutely captivating.

Stephen King reading this book is more of a treat than a performance to me. I love to hear authors read their own works. It's kind of like getting a personal insight as to how they would hear their own characters voices and attitudes.

Overall, buy this book. It's a true classic.

Each book runs into the next and I love Renee Raudman. She is an awesome narrator

Character developments.

Only the one's in this series, she is the best female narrator I've heard.

No, but I did immediately buy the next book. I'm guessing Ilona loved that!

I love the continuation of this series. I know her and her husband write on these books and it definitely shows. It has romance without being nasty or sappy, and action without being overly gory and explicit. The mix continues to work well and if you haven't read/listened to the previous books, do, it's highly entertaining and worth the time. The creatures and mythology involved become more entrancing as they have done some serious research (or fibbing) to build the foes their heroes battle. It is an excellent mythological and magical adventure that does not disappoint.

The narration is perfect. I will honestly admit I never knew who Renee Raudman was before this book series but I have to say I am in love. She has great character inflections, timing, and consistency in how she reads. I have to say she is the best female narrator I have ever come across in thirty years of listening to books.

I don't own printed books.

Read by the Authors.

A little of their own personalities.

Yes, and I did.

I loved it. If you remember SportsCenter when it was often more entertaining than the games that were played, you owe it to yourself to listen to this book. KO and DP were the dynamic duo of broadcasting and you get a little more with this book.