Hartland, WI, United States | Member Since 2008
"Written at a teen level with adult content"
This book could have been done very well, it was not. It is written at a teen level, with content that is not at all teen appropriate.
Mr. Hancock explains that he chose to use modern language for his prehistoric protagonists, I for one think it is a lazy way to write. He has cave people thinking in very complex ways, and it makes it feel less like they are cave people and more like there is a raid at the local mall. The fact that he has his teen cave-girl saying "f**king" on a regular basis just seems dumb.
Other authors have managed to transport me back in time with writing that evokes a primitive's mind frustrated with new concepts. Here, people are just able to adapt as quickly as a modern person.
The story sometimes just uses violence and graphic descriptions when less would really have been more. Again, I wish he would have put some of the relish he seems to have with describing the killing of children into creating a more tangible past.
I had to listen to the book at 2x just to get through it. The writing was at the same level as The Hunger Games, but not the same quality. It's too bad, the story had promise, just no follow-through.
I nearly asked for my money back.
"I want book 3 already!!!"
Very entertaining series. The main character is likable and the villains switch, you have to pay attention to see who's being bad (or good) to who and why. Card has learned to create believable characters. I want the 3rd book already!!!
"A really good story! Well written, told well."
Sanderson took the time to develop a new magic system, and did a fine job. The story is good, and told in a manner that draws you in. It has aspects of Tolken and Jordan, with the scope of the story being epic, and the delivery spot on.
This is not a "quick" book, the story moves along at a steady pace, but it does drag a little at times. Still, the information you're given is things you'll need for a full understanding later on.
I would highly recommend this series, and this book kicks it off well.
"What it could have been and what it was."
What this story could have been is exciting and far more entertaining than it was. The sex scenes were sometimes graphics and actually took away from the story, rather than adding to it. While the premise seemed entertaining, by the end of the book I was listening to it on triple speed.
Had some really interesting information on Beethoven, and I actually liked the historical intrigue. Where it failed was delivering on all of the sub-plots and MOST of the mystery.
SPOILERS***SPOILERS***SPOILERS***SPOILERS***SPOILERS***SPOILERS***
Don't read if you don't want a major plot-point ripped apart.
So there is some sort of inter-dimensional hell portal that is brought up a number of times. And then is just used as a convenient dump. It was disappointing that there was more (poorly written) sex, for no apparent reason other than the heroine is possibly a victim of nymphomania, and very little on what would have been really interesting. It was not the worst book I have listened to, but I would not listen to it again.
"Such promise, but it's starting to drag"
I'm 8 hours in to the book, when I just had to bump the narration speed to 2X. To be fair, I generally listen to books at 1.25 to 1.50 the standard narration speed, finding the slow pace to be just too much. This book has some odd characters in it, and the main character seems to be mercurially unstable, I hope that it gets better, but otherwise it's just a B-movie in book form.
The sound quality is a bit odd, and the narrator often sounds like she's in a tin box.
It will pass the time, but I would not recommend it unless you just have nothing else in your queue and need some sci-fi.
"Campbell's ancestors would be proud."
I did not have any idea how much I would enjoy space battle based on a more realistic physics model. It's like ships on the high seas with stars instead of water. It was refreshing not to have the "magic" of advanced technology solve all of the problems in the book.
I think it was well written and I liked the narration. The whole series is worth the time and money.
"I was making excuses to listen."
I liked the book, the narration and the story a lot. He drags you on a trip using the characters as mules. It's hard to stop listening and you just want to keep seeing what's around the next corner.
Preston has a way of writing that is similar in all of his books. I like his style a lot, however I begin to get board with it if I listen to a number of his books in a row, sometimes you just start to sense the cadence and it becomes more predictable.
"It makes you want to see what happens."
A classic capture/escape done well. I like the style of writing, the characters are interesting and the narrator kept me engaged. It does make you think about what defines us as human.
"Great possibilities, but a great dissapointment"
An ending. This whole story just led to the end of a chapter and then quit.
Probably not. She spends far too much time explaining great things that have little to no bearing on the story.
The narration was well done.
It was an Indiana Jones style story. However it ends in a way that is just lazy. If you're leading up to something, then there should be a great ending. It's like she just got tired of writing and ended at the 2nd act.
I would suggest that you choose another book, I wish I had.
"I Did Not Want it to END!"
If you like guns, and action then here's your story. The magic is just a bonus.
It had good flow, and while it was predictable in most parts, it's what made it enjoyable too. I grew up reading the John Carter of Mars books. Capture/escape/capture/escape It's what made Indiana Jones so much fun to watch. And then there's the 1930's alternate history. It's well done as a whole.
I would have never imagined Jake's hayseed drawl. After the description, he would have had a Brooklyn accent. I liked Bronson's narration.
No, it's not a book that you are moved by, just thoroughly entertained by!
Listen to it, then thank me.