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consumergirl

Washington, DC, USA | Member Since 2006

HELPFUL VOTES

33 reviews
212 ratings
0 titles in library
27 purchased in 2013

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Passage

UNABRIDGED
- by Connie Willis
- Narrated by Dina Pearlman
Passage

UNABRIDGED (29 hrs and 44 mins)

By Connie Willis

Narrated By Dina Pearlman

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(83)
Performance
(67)
Story
(66)

Dr. Joanna Lander is a psychologist specializing in near-death experiences. She is about to get help from a new doctor with the power to give her the chance to get as close to death as anyone can.
Aser says: "You Can't Get There From Here"
"Not her best"

Overall
Performance
Story

What did you like best about Passage? What did you like least?

The idea for the story. Ms. Willis has an amazing imagination.

If you’ve listened to books by Connie Willis before, how does this one compare?

I much preferred Blackout and Doomsday Book. And I thoroughly enjoyed To Say Nothing of the Dog. But this endless tome went on and on. After the first couple of parts it was all gloom, with scene after scene in the same pattern. It should have been cut a good 50 - 100 pages.

What three words best describe Dina Pearlman’s voice?

When doing Maisie (sp?) - annoying. Otherwise, she was fine.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Only if it got rave reviews.

Any additional comments?

Maybe if I read the book it would have been a better experience since reading is much faster than listening. But I would love a word count on the word "no." It seems the protagonist said it constantly.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Etiquette & Espionage

UNABRIDGED
- by Gail Carriger
- Narrated by Moira Quirk
Etiquette & Espionage

UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 55 mins)

By Gail Carriger

Narrated By Moira Quirk

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(265)
Performance
(245)
Story
(247)

Fourteen-year old Sophronia is the bane of her mother's existence. More interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper etiquette at tea - and god forbid anyone see her atrocious curtsy - Mrs. Temminnick is desperate her daughter become a proper lady. She enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.
But little do Sophronia or her mother know that this is a school where ingenious young girls learn to finish all right - but it's a different kind of finishing.
Lynne Phelps says: "Fans of the Parasol Protectorate, Rejoice!"
"Fun. But Parsol Protectorate was better."

Overall
Performance
Story

This was, indeed, for a younger audience the Soulless books. It seemed more over the top (if one can say such a thing in comparison to a steampunk supernatural comedy of manners) and a bit sillier. I appreciated the backstory of a certain Scotswoman - that was fun. For those who read Jane Austen, Etiquette and Espionage is to Soulless as Pride and Prejudice is to Northanger Abbey. If that helps.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Nine Princes in Amber: The Chronicles of Amber, Book 1

UNABRIDGED
- by Roger Zelazny
- Narrated by Alessandro Juliani
Nine Princes in Amber: The Chronicles of Amber, Book 1

UNABRIDGED (5 hrs and 31 mins)

By Roger Zelazny

Narrated By Alessandro Juliani

Overall
(726)
Performance
(663)
Story
(666)

Amber is the one real world, of which all others including our own Earth are but Shadows. Amber burns in Corwin's blood. Exiled on Shadow Earth for centuries, the prince is about to return to Amber to make a mad and desperate rush upon the throne.
Robert says: "Great book, lame deal!"
"Why such high ratings?"

Overall
Performance
Story

After struggling along I realized I was reading a computer game. First, this barrier, then that barrier to overcome, then out pops the monster to fight, blah, blah. Where is the novel? All populated with a bunch of dislikable characters. I finally got tired of trying to like this audiobook and stopped struggling. I feel pretty ripped off. If I wanted a computer game, I would play one, not try to read one.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Through the Ever Night: Under the Never Sky, Book 2

UNABRIDGED
- by Veronica Rossi
- Narrated by Michael Goldstrom
Through the Ever Night: Under the Never Sky, Book 2

UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 55 mins)

By Veronica Rossi

Narrated By Michael Goldstrom

Overall
(117)
Performance
(108)
Story
(111)

It's been months since Aria learned of her mother's death. Months since Perry became Blood Lord of the Tides, and months since Aria last saw him.
Now Aria and Perry are about to be reunited. It's a moment they've been longing for with countless expectations. And it's a moment that lives up to all of them. At least at first. Then it slips away. The Tides don't take kindly to former Dwellers like Aria. And the tribe is swirling out of Perry's control. With the Aether storms worsening every day, the only remaining hope for peace and safety is the Still Blue. But does this haven truly exist?
Katheryne says: "Way beyond my expectations! Amazing sequel"
"Narrator killed it for me."

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you listen to Through the Ever Night again? Why?

Yes. It is a good story, though not as compelling as the first one.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters.

What aspect of Michael Goldstrom’s performance would you have changed?

He seemed to read most of the story with less expression than the narrator of the first book. I wish she had been able to read it this time, too. He had sort of a monotone compared to her. Perhaps that is why I did not like this story as much as the first book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Rescuing the nephew and the other people. It was touching and suspenseful.

Any additional comments?

Please get the first narrator again for sequels.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful
The Crimson Petal and the White

UNABRIDGED
- by Michel Faber
- Narrated by Jill Tanner
The Crimson Petal and the White

UNABRIDGED (41 hrs and 36 mins)

By Michel Faber

Narrated By Jill Tanner

Overall
(153)
Performance
(111)
Story
(116)

NOW A MAJOR BBC DRAMA starring Romola Garai, Chris O'Dowd, Gillian Anderson, Richard E. Grant, Shirley Henderson and Mark Gatiss. 'Watch your step. Keep your wits about you; you will need them....' So begins this irresistible voyage into the dark side of Victorian London. Amongst an unforgettable cast of low-lifes, physicians, businessmen, and prostitutes, meet our heroine Sugar, a young woman trying to drag herself up from the gutter any way she can.
Anne says: "Loved this Book!!"
"Unremitting sordidness"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Probably not. I had to stop - none of the characters were very good people, and the constant sordid nature of the plot and motives got to me after a while. The author has talent and writes very well. The construct was imaginative. But ...

Would you recommend The Crimson Petal and the White to your friends? Why or why not?

Probably not.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Liked her accent.

Was The Crimson Petal and the White worth the listening time?

Not really.

Any additional comments?

Obviously this appeals to others much mor than to me. I have been disappointed in my recent choices and will stick to known authors or reread some of the ones I have enjoyed in the past for a while.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful
A Song for Arbonne

UNABRIDGED
- by Guy Gavriel Kay
- Narrated by Euan Morton
A Song for Arbonne

UNABRIDGED (19 hrs and 39 mins)

By Guy Gavriel Kay

Narrated By Euan Morton

Overall
(106)
Performance
(46)
Story
(49)

A Song for Arbonne is Guy Gavriel Kay's critically acclaimed fantasy of love, both courtly and forbidden, and of kingdoms endlessly opposed - one dominated by male rulers and their male god, the other guided by women and their goddess.
John says: "First 50 pages makes it 4 not 5 stars"
"OK, I guess"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you try another book from Guy Gavriel Kay and/or Euan Morton?

Probably not.

Would you be willing to try another book from Guy Gavriel Kay? Why or why not?

Probably not. I found the opening scene disgusting - like they were trying to pack as much repulsive stuff into one scene and one person as possible for the shock value. I read plenty of fantasy w/tough scenes but this struck me as gratuitous. And something about the repackaging of the male dominated world abusing women, in this instance, was annoying.

What does Euan Morton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A British accent

Do you think A Song for Arbonne needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Nah.

Any additional comments?

I've read better.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Raised by Wolves

UNABRIDGED
- by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
- Narrated by Eileen Stevens
Raised by Wolves

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 53 mins)

By Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Narrated By Eileen Stevens

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(360)
Performance
(238)
Story
(239)

Adopted by the Alpha of a werewolf pack after a rogue wolf brutally killed her parents right before her eyes, 15-year-old Bryn knows only pack life, and the rigid social hierarchy that controls it. That doesn't mean that she's averse to breaking a rule or two. But when her curiosity gets the better of her and she discovers Chase, a new teen locked in a cage in her guardian's basement, and witnesses him turn into a wolf before her eyes, the horrific memories of her parents' murders return.
Dorothea says: "Enjoyable listen."
"Couldn't finish"

Overall
Performance
Story

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

Young readers. I think I might have outgrown this one by 14 or 15 at the most.

Would you ever listen to anything by Jennifer Lynn Barnes again?

Probably not.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Her male voices were pretty odd. And she did not have much expression. She mispronounced a couple of words.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Raised by Wolves?

I found the whole first part to be a bore - middle school rants against parents rules went on and on and on. Not much of a plot all that time - no action. Should have condensed it. I did not listen past the first hour and a half. And I like YA books most of the time, if they are good ones.

Any additional comments?

Author doesn't understand what irony is - misused it. At that point, I shut it off.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Magyk: Septimus Heap, Book One

UNABRIDGED
- by Angie Sage
- Narrated by Allan Corduner
Magyk: Septimus Heap, Book One

UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 4 mins)

By Angie Sage

Narrated By Allan Corduner

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1332)
Performance
(476)
Story
(479)

The first book in this enthralling new series by Angie Sage leads readers on a fantastic journey filled with quirky characters and magykal charms, potions, and spells. Magyk is an original story of lost and rediscovered identities, rich with humor and heart.
Lindsey says: "Very enjoyable"
"A great young adult/kids book for all"

Overall
Performance
Story

I loved this whole series, and was sad that there were no more books in it. The charming, eccentric, humorous characters as seen from the kids' point of view were great. Plenty of suspense and scary stuff broken up by the fun and funny. Lots of magical goings on in a world dreamed up by a very imaginative author. I recommend it highly.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Book Thief

UNABRIDGED
- by Markus Zusak
- Narrated by Allan Corduner
The Book Thief

UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 56 mins)

By Markus Zusak

Narrated By Allan Corduner

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(2593)
Performance
(1230)
Story
(1230)

It's just a small story really, about, among other things, a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak's groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can't resist: books.
Sandra says: "Will steal you!"
"Quality, and wonderful characters"

Overall
Performance
Story

This is a unique story, told from the point of view of a young girl in Nazi Germany. It takes talent to grow a fresh tale from ground that has been turned over by so many before. I truly cared about the characters, who lived their convictions the best that they could and took the consequences. The narrator was great.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Prince of Tides

UNABRIDGED
- by Pat Conroy
- Narrated by Frank Muller
The Prince of Tides

UNABRIDGED (22 hrs and 41 mins)

By Pat Conroy

Narrated By Frank Muller

Overall
(1585)
Performance
(811)
Story
(808)

Spanning 40 years, this is the story of turbulent Tom Wingo, his gifted and troubled twin sister Savannah, and their struggle to triumph over the dark and tragic legacy of the extraordinary family into which they were born.
Ella says: "A "Prince" amongst novels"
"5 stars for the Prince of Tides!"

Overall
Performance
Story

This book ages well. I just finished it, marveling at the wit and lyricism of Pat Conroy. He spins this story out piece by piece, building a whole from the puzzle pieces of the story. I wasn't sure of the narrator at first but soon decided he was the perfect voice for the main character. He read well and did those southern accents proud. I loved this book and this audiobook!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful