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Dorian

Hope Mills, NC, United States | Member Since 2004

HELPFUL VOTES

10 reviews
59 ratings
0 titles in library
25 purchased in 2013

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The Vanishers

UNABRIDGED
- by Heidi Julavits
- Narrated by Xe Sands
The Vanishers

UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 46 mins)

By Heidi Julavits

Narrated By Xe Sands

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(34)
Performance
(29)
Story
(30)

Julia Severn is a student at an elite institute for psychics. Her mentor, the legendary Madame Ackermann, afflicted by jealousy, subjects Julia to the humiliation of reliving her mother's suicide when Julia was an infant. As the two lock horns, and Julia gains power, Madame Ackermann launches a desperate psychic attack that leaves Julia the victim of a crippling ailment. But others have noted Julia's emerging gifts, and soon she's recruited to track down an elusive missing person who might have a connection to her mother.
jill says: "One of my favorite books"
"Yawn..."

Overall
Performance
Story

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

People who like long, boring, and overly analytical stories that go around in circles will love this one.

Would you ever listen to anything by Heidi Julavits again?

I don't know.

Would you be willing to try another one of Xe Sands’s performances?

I did not enjoy the quiet, whiny voice. If this is how she always sounds, no I won't be listening again. I'm hoping this was just part of the acting.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Vanishers?

everything in the middle...yawn

Any additional comments?

No, I've spent too much time on this book already. The only reason why I'm responding now is to perhaps save others from wasting time.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Confessor: Chainfire Trilogy, Part 3, Sword of Truth, Book 11

UNABRIDGED
- by Terry Goodkind
- Narrated by Sam Tsoutsouvas
Confessor: Chainfire Trilogy, Part 3, Sword of Truth, Book 11

UNABRIDGED (23 hrs and 19 mins)

By Terry Goodkind

Narrated By Sam Tsoutsouvas

Overall
(993)
Performance
(433)
Story
(440)

Descending into darkness, about to be overwhelmed by evil, those people still free are powerless to stop the coming dawn of a savage new world, while Richard faces the guilt of knowing that he must let it happen. Alone, he must bear the weight of a sin he dare not confess to the one person he loves...and has lost.
Jessica says: "Wow.....More rhetoric?"
"The Real Truth"

Overall
Performance
Story

Terry writes an interesting story laden with atheist undertones. Also, it's too bad that Richard separated the worlds, but I guess that was to emphasize the author's point that those who believe in the Creator are hateful people who hate life...a very sad and misguided point Terry was trying to make about people who believe in God. Really, Terry?

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Wizard's First Rule: Sword of Truth, Book 1

UNABRIDGED
- by Terry Goodkind
- Narrated by Sam Tsoutsouvas
Wizard's First Rule: Sword of Truth, Book 1

UNABRIDGED (34 hrs and 10 mins)

By Terry Goodkind

Narrated By Sam Tsoutsouvas

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(3034)
Performance
(1484)
Story
(1504)

In the aftermath of the brutal murder of his father, Richard Cypher encounters a mysterious woman, Kahlan Amnell, in his forest sanctuary. She seeks his help...and more. His world, his very beliefs, are shattered when ancient debts come due with thundering violence.
J. says: "The most comically awful book I've ever read"
"Read Critically"

Overall
Performance
Story

Know what you believe. Terry writes an interesting story laden with atheist undertones. As you proceed through the Sword of Truth series, it becomes more and more evident. You will notice that everyone in this series has a voice EXCEPT the "Creator." While I agree with him on his values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, our right to live our own lives. I don't share his other beliefs...The author, Terry Goodkind, seems to believe that there is nothing beyond the life in this world but darkness and that those who believe in the Creator are hateful people who hate life...very sad.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Chainfire: Chainfire Trilogy, Part 1, Sword of Truth, Book 9

UNABRIDGED
- by Terry Goodkind
- Narrated by Jim Bond
Chainfire: Chainfire Trilogy, Part 1, Sword of Truth, Book 9

UNABRIDGED (26 hrs and 13 mins)

By Terry Goodkind

Narrated By Jim Bond

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(947)
Performance
(423)
Story
(433)

As Richard fought to focus his mind on his need to remain conscious, the breathless voices sounded to him as if they were coming from some great, dim distance. He wasn't sure who they were. He knew that he knew them, but right then it just didn't seem to matter. He struggled to put voice to his burning concern, but he couldn't form the words, couldn't get out any more than a gasping moan.
Karanja says: "Much improved from the Naked Empire"
"Jumping the Shark"

Overall
Performance
Story

What would have made Chainfire better?

The author implies that those who believe in the Creator are hateful and ignorant people. I'm assuming that he is referring to God when he uses the term "Creator" ...not appreciating that in the story...

Has Chainfire turned you off from other books in this genre?

Yes

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator's voice sounds mechanical, like a robot.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Not really

1 of 2 people found this review helpful
The Subtle Knife: His Dark Materials, Book 2

UNABRIDGED
- by Philip Pullman
- Narrated by Philip Pullman , Full Cast
The Subtle Knife: His Dark Materials, Book 2

UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 2 mins)

By Philip Pullman

Narrated By Philip Pullman, Full Cast

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(3269)
Performance
(706)
Story
(713)

In this stunning sequel to The Golden Compass, the intrepid Lyra finds herself in a shimmering, haunted otherworld, Cittagazze, where soul-eating Specters stalk the streets and wingbeats of distant angels sound against the sky. But she is not without allies: twelve-year-old Will Parry, fleeing for his life after taking another's, has also stumbled into this strange new realm.
Geoffrey says: "The second book in a fantastic trilogy!"
"Interesting, But Lame"

Overall
Performance
Story

I've read all three of the books in this series. For a while it looks like it's going to be a great story, but then comes the lame part. I suggest you stop after the Golden Compass. You are not going to like the ending of this trilogy.

0 of 5 people found this review helpful
The Amber Spyglass: His Dark Materials, Book 3

UNABRIDGED
- by Philip Pullman
- Narrated by Philip Pullman , full cast
The Amber Spyglass: His Dark Materials, Book 3

UNABRIDGED (14 hrs and 47 mins)

By Philip Pullman

Narrated By Philip Pullman, full cast

Overall
(2633)
Performance
(629)
Story
(640)

Lyra and Will, the two ordinary children whose extraordinary adventures begin in The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife, are in unspeakable danger. With help from Iorek Byrnison the armored bear and two tiny Gallivespian spies, they must journey to a dank and gray-lit world where no living soul has ever gone.
Anita says: "an exceptional story that's had bad press"
"Disappointed"

Overall
Performance
Story

Mr. Pullman's atheist views are clearly evident in this novel. There is a theme of disappointment and hopelessness complete with a disappointing ending to the entire story. I don't care for this novel at all. If you enjoyed the Golden Compass, I suggest you stop while you're ahead.

2 of 12 people found this review helpful
Atlas Shrugged

UNABRIDGED
- by Ayn Rand
- Narrated by Christopher Hurt
Atlas Shrugged

UNABRIDGED (52 hrs and 19 mins)

By Ayn Rand

Narrated By Christopher Hurt

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1952)
Performance
(290)
Story
(294)

This is the story of a man who said that he would stop the motor of the world - and did. Is he a destroyer or a liberator? Why does he fight his hardest battle not against his enemies, but against the woman he loves? Tremendous in scope, breathtaking in its suspense, Atlas Shrugged is Ayn Rand's magnum opus and launched an ideology and a movement. With the publication of this work in 1957, Rand gained an instant following and became a phenomenon. Atlas Shrugged emerged as a premier moral apologia for capitalism, a defense that had an electrifying effect on millions of readers (and now listeners) who had never heard capitalism defended in other than technical terms.
Robert says: "Over before you know it"
"Phenomenal!"

Overall
Performance
Story

Right in line with the situation in America today. Loved it!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Monsters of Templeton

UNABRIDGED
- by Lauren Groff
- Narrated by Nicole Roberts
Monsters of Templeton

UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 6 mins)

By Lauren Groff

Narrated By Nicole Roberts

Overall
(164)
Performance
(28)
Story
(27)

In the wake of a disastrous affair with her married archeology professor, brilliant Wilhelmina Cooper arrives back at the doorstep of her hippie mother-turned-born-again-Christian's house in Templeton, New York - a storybook town her ancestors founded on the shores of Lake Glimmerglass. Upon her arrival, a prehistoric monster surfaces in the lake, bringing a feeding frenzy to the quiet town. And Willie learns she has a mystery father her mother has kept secret for Willie's entire life.
Dan's Gal Sal says: "SPOILER ALERT!!"
"Intriguing, Mystical"

Overall
Performance
Story

This is an intriguing story that centers around a woman who is trying to solve the puzzle about her father's identity based on sparse clues from her mother. Her search takes the her back into the family history including some scandalous events. Lots of surprises . . . I loved it.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Confessions of a Shopaholic

UNABRIDGED
- by Sophie Kinsella
- Narrated by Emily Gray
Confessions of a Shopaholic

UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 44 mins)

By Sophie Kinsella

Narrated By Emily Gray

Overall
(1156)
Performance
(307)
Story
(308)

Sophie Kinsella's debut is a romp through the perils of shopping and spending, spending, spending! Becky can't resist a sale, and she's only a little overdrawn on her VISA. Readers will laugh aloud at Becky's retail adventures as she finds new and creative ways to relieve her increasingly credit card debt. Emily Gray's narration bounces along with Becky and her buying whims, while delivering a humorous account of what happens when credit goes bad.
M. says: "shopaholic fun fun fun"
"Hilarious"

Overall
Performance
Story

Great comedy for all shopaholics. . . the woman in this book just cannot pass up a "bargain." She gets into all kinds of priceless situations as she tries to juggle her credit cards and balance her checkbook.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Songs Without Words

UNABRIDGED
- by Ann Packer
- Narrated by Cassandra Campbell
Songs Without Words

UNABRIDGED (14 hrs and 1 min)

By Ann Packer

Narrated By Cassandra Campbell

Overall
(71)
Performance
(2)
Story
(3)

Liz and Sarabeth were childhood neighbors, brought as close as sisters by the suicide of Sarabeth's mother when the girls were just 16. In the decades that followed - through Liz's marriage and Sarabeth's attempts to make a happy life for herself - their relationship remained a source of continuity and strength. But when Liz's adolescent daughter enters dangerous waters that threaten to engulf the family, the fault lines in the women's friendship are revealed.
Dianne says: "Depression dissected"
"Sad"

Overall
Performance
Story

A depressing book about suicide and its impact on the lives of friends and family

3 of 3 people found this review helpful