Devin

This book has everything I normally enjoy in a modern fantasy; morally grey protagonist, dark corners of society, action, no boring nobility worship/endless politics. So I should have loved this, but something about the story just didn't grab me. The characters are all well developed and generally interesting, but I just couldn't get emotionally attached to any of them or to the plot. I found the planning of the scams to be interesting, but the excecution didn't seem to pay off emotionally. Maybe it's because the victims were generally not bad people, sure they're rich and somewhat self-absorbed but I never felt like they needed their just deserts so to speak. There are evil villans certainly, but their not the victims of cons exactly. I think if the author wants to write about conmen, you need to feel like the marks are getting what they deserved. Also it seems like authors of modern fantasy aren't happy until they arbitrarily kill off half of the character's that you've grown attached to. After reading several books lately where this is the case it feels like a cheap ploy to make the story seem dramatic.

That being said this isn't a bad book, at no point did I feel it ventured into that dreaded "waste of a credit" territory. However, I did find myself searching audible for new audiobooks before I finished the story(with a great audiobook I don't even log into audible until it's done, and then its to search for sequels)

It might just be a case of my generation Y desensitized mentality but I didn't really notice the profanity until perusing the reviews and seeing that it bothered some people. But really, its adult modern fantasy about thieves and conmen, do you expect to hear the King's English??

One thing I should mention, I bought the sequel "Red Seas Under Red Skies" so It was good enough for me to want a second helping. And the sequel is better, much more humor mixed in with adventure, but still somewhat lacking. Lame can't use paragraphs anymore in reviews?

This book was a whole lot of fun. I don't want to be too descriptive and give away any spoilers but the story follows a man who moves into a new apartment building in LA that seems too good to be true. Well it is...

The protagonist slowly begins to notice an increasing number of quirks and small oddities in his apartment and the building as a whole. The story centers on how he and a select group of neighbors explore these eccentricities.

Did I mention that the fellow apartment dwellers are just as odd and eccentric? Learning about the characters and seeing them develop is almost as fun as the main mystery. I won't introduce them here and ruin the fun, but they're all interesting without being so odd that you can't identify and empathize with them.

This isn't so much a mystery that gives you clues in hopes that you can figure it out before the end as many crime mysteries are. You sort of fall into the story and the mystery is a current that pulls you along. Don't over think it, just enjoy the ride!

Ok, so I understand this book is cherished by countless Sci-Fi fans and is considered a masterpiece, although as a whole its really not that good. But, but, Its DUNE, THE DUNE you say. The book universally adored by legions of rabid fans, a "classic" even. Well, sit down, we need to have a talk...

First off, Frank Herbert is a brilliant writer. He created an amazing, intricately detailed universe full of wonder and inhabited by equally interesting cultures in constant conflict . Unfortunately that's where the brilliance ends. Its not very accessible, and frankly, the story just isn't that interesting. I've been hearing about how great this book is for years, so the disappointment is all the more depressing.

Herbert created a great setting and wasted it by focusing on the inner musings of every single character ad nauseum. The vast amount of character development overshadows the interesting parts of the plot to the point that the brief bits of excitement are constantly paused just to explain what everyone is thinking at every turn. I'm sad to say, most of these peoples thoughts aren't particularly interesting. Now before you discount me as philistine who needs constant action, I love Tolkien, George RR Martin, Neal Stephenson, and many other "long winded" authors.

If your a Dune lover, please don't hate me. I get that this holds a special place in the hearts of many. Honestly, a lot of people who's opinions I cherish love this book, but I kept asking myself if I was reading the same Dune as everyone else. I can't recommend this to anyone who didn't grow up with the tale, but who cares I'm clearly in the minority here.

If you're a fan of modern fantasy you need to get this book. This tale follows a young farm boy Arlen, as he grows up in a brutal world tormented by demons who rule the night. The people of this world struggle to use every last minute of daylight before fleeing nightly to the safe haven of magical wards. Mr. Brett has created a vivid and deep world that's both touching and terrifying.

The perils of night and relative safety of day add a tension to this world that shapes the lives and culture of all it's inhabitants. For as long as anyone can remember families have huddled fearfully in their homes listening to the screams of demons, or worse, the screams of those caught out in the night as the demons rise from the earth. There are tales of days long ago when people knew of killing wards that could allow humans to retake the night, but these wards have long been lost to time. Some day they say the deliverer will come to teach people of the long forgotten wards and lead them to regain the night, but there is little hope in these old stories.

If any of that sounds interesting, you won't be disappointed. Not only is this an exciting book full of action, but the author also explores in detail the effects this existence would have on it's inhabitants. The many characters in this book are all unique and well developed, and you grow to love most of them. There is a true sense of empathy with each person in this story. Even when you hate a character you can understand how they got to that point.

Don't waste any more time reading reviews and download this now.

**One warning, there are some graphic scenes of violence and sexual abuse in this series. If you're a prude or are easily offended you might want to stay away.**

Highly Recommended!!

I've tried and failed to finish this audiobook on several occasions, and its not for lack of trying. I stuck it out until I was at least halfway through(the 2nd time) so I believe I made it past the "slow beginning". I'm normally a fan of very long books, and I hate to give up on a story but this one just falls short for me.

If Jane Austin and Charles Dickens had a child who wrote fantasy books, I think those books would be a lot like this. This is more a book of manners than a plot driven story. The writing is very clever and witty, but so much of the story is centered on stuffy gentlemen and ladies discussing magic in drawing rooms and parlors. Don't get me wrong, the writing is very clever and witty. You can tell author has great talent, she just focuses that talent in the wrong areas of the story.

Judging by the other reviews a lot of people love this book. Personally I don't see the attraction. I'll admit there is some amusing dialog and the setting is well thought out, but that only goes so far. Don't get me wrong this is a very well written book from a talented author, but some witty repartee can only carry a novel so far.

For me this was a wasted credit. Listen to the sample before purchasing. It just goes to show that one person's masterpiece is another's snoozefest.

I've listed to the first two books of the Dresden Files. I like the magical detective aspect in a modern world. Jim Butcher pulls this story off without the cheezyness factor that a lot of modern fantasy hybrids have.

That being said, the two books I read aren't my favorite. Harry Dresden the main character gets himself into a lot of easily avoidable trouble that makes me very frustrated with the books. It seems like the author has trouble generating conflict and excitement without Harry making predictable bone headed moves.

Butcher has created an engaging and fun world that blends mythology magic and modern day Chicago. Harry acts a lot like a crotchety old man, although I don't think he's supposed to be that old. The grumpy old man act is a mix of annoying old school ideas and endearing genuine kind hearted eccentricity. In the end you can't help but like Harry Dresden even if he's a pain sometimes.

I like magical world and characters much more than the predicable plots in the two books I read. That being said, plenty of people seem to love these books.

Worth a credit, but not one of my favorites. I haven't decided if I'll buy more books from the series.

The Lost Gate is a fun little fantasy book. Like all OSC books, it's a fast and entertaining read. The book is about a boy from one of many magical "families" that are descended from the old gods.

This is not a happy friendly magical world, there are rival factions that are in an almost constant state of war. They view non-magical people as subhuman and have only slightly more respect for their own.

Although the rival factions are important plot pieces the story mostly focuses on Danny's growth and development in this world. There is also a sub plot focusing on Wad a young man who inhabits the magical counter part to Earth.

I thought the book was great. My only complaint is having to wait for the next book as this one ends in a cliffhanger. If you enjoyed Harry Potter, The Name of the Wind, or the Mistborn series you'll probably like this as well. It's not that similar but shares a few themes found in each of those works.

Well worthy of a credit!!

I was somewhat disapointed. I read Survivor and Diary by Chuck Palahniuk and liked them more than Fight Club. Normally I vastly prefer books to movies, but not in this case. I related to the main character(s) more in the movie for some reason. Although the movie follows the book farily closely, they just seem more whiney and naive in the original format. Afterall anarchy is well, anarchy you know, not the utopian ideal that is glorified in the book.

It's still is a wild ride that will keep you entertained, but after reading a few of his books it seems like the author is more interested in coming up with strange, flawed characters than anyone you could really get attached to. Each book has a different premise, but always contains protagonists who dance wildly on the fine line dividing deranged and genius. It was edgy and refreshing the first time I encountered the style but the charm wears off faster than expected.

Anyway I would still say it's worth the download, provided you don't mind the thought of rendering human fat to manufacture soap or other equally plesant topics.

When all is said and done, I think most adventurious listeners should try Chuck Palahniuk at least once. He really is an incomparable writer.

As a fan of Morgan's previous works I was dissapointed with this audiobook. It took a long time to get started and never really made up for the slow start. There are alot more political ramblings than his other books. Although I would imagine we share similar political views it certainly did not make for an exciting story.

There were some exciting points and all of the usual Richard K Morgan ultra-violence, but I was hoping he'd try something new with this novel. Its the usual missunderstood super soldier premise that he's covered in depth before, only less exciting. If you've enjoyed to his other works you might like this one, but its certainly not as good as the Kovacs trilogy.

I'm not a prude by any measure but as usual the author has included unnessary gratuitus sex scenes that do nothing for the story and only serve as a distraction. I think I would have loved this aspect of his writing when I was 12-15 years old, but for any one who's not a teenage boy they come off as boring, amateurish, and overly pornographic.

I could only recomend this audiobook for those who have already enjoyed the Kovacs trilogy and have some extra credits to gamble with.

This book reminded me of the most interesting parts of Heinlein's star ship troopers with alot less political rambling and alot more excitement. The characters are very easy to like and you feel for their struggles. I wouldn't say that this is great literature but I really enjoyed the story. Its an exciting listen and the author created a very interesting universe.

Check it out if your interested in a sci-fi adventure that is easy to follow and enjoy. The narrator William Dufris has always impressed me too. You'll probably want to download the sequel as well, it's just as good if not better.