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Techpotato

BC, Canada | Member Since 2011

11
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 10 reviews
  • 25 ratings
  • 0 titles in library
  • 24 purchased in 2013
FOLLOWING
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FOLLOWERS
3

  • Fatal Voyage

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 47 mins)
    • By Kathy Reichs
    • Narrated By Kate Harper
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (69)
    Performance
    (55)
    Story
    (57)

    Temperance Brennan hears the news on her car radio. An Air TransSouth flight has gone down in the mountains of western North Carolina, taking with it 88 passengers and crew. An a forensic anthropologist and a member of the regional DMORT team, Tempe rushes to the scene to assist in body recovery and identification. She finds a field of carnage: torsos in trees, limbs strewn among bursting suitcases, and smoldering debris. Many of the dead are members of a university soccer team. Is her daughter among them?

    Kathi says: "Good, but a bit tedious in places"
    "The best so far"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Maybe I am getting used to the highly technical nature of these books, and the first-person style in but this book has a great mystery and more twists in both plot and relationships.

    Kate Harper is also a better performer for Kathy Reichs' style, and she kept the characters different and entertaining. I was disappointed to see that she is not narrating other books in this series.

    The only detraction was that the characters took a little too long to catch up to the reader. It is always good to let the reader come to conclusions a moment before the main characters -- that helps the suspension of disbelief, but at times this story takes it a tiny bit too far.

    Over all very entertaining. If you are a fan of the series, definitely don't skip this one.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas

    • UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 41 mins)
    • By John Scalzi
    • Narrated By Wil Wheaton
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (3074)
    Performance
    (2874)
    Story
    (2870)

    Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid, flagship of the Universal Union since the year 2456. Life couldn’t be better…until Andrew begins to pick up on the facts that (1) every Away Mission involves some kind of lethal confrontation with alien forces; (2) the ship’s captain, its chief science officer, and the handsome Lieutenant Kerensky always survive these confrontations; and (3) at least one low-ranked crew member is, sadly, always killed.

    Elle in the Great NorthWest says: "Scalzi writes another winner/it's really different"
    "If I heard the word "said" one more time,,,"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    The dilemma here is that the "story" was great. I laughed. I cried. What more can you ask from a book?

    The writing, however, was painful. In the dialog (of which there is a lot) every sentence ends with "(character name) said".

    Unfortunately, the performance needs all of these "said"s since Will Weaton does not use different voices for each character. Without the continued explanation of who is talking, there is no way to know.

    It was so painful that I was going to ask for a refund after the first chapter, but I was driving and by the time I got to my destination, I was hooked on the story.

    This story reads like a book written by a screenwriter. Unable to deal with the fact that in a book, you don't put the character's name at the start of each line, the author just tacked "said" to the end (unless the character whispered, exclaimed, cried out et cetera).

    Maybe I am spoiled by Christian Rummel's performance of the Lost Fleet series, an epic story with dozens of characters, each with a unique voice, but this book was painful.

    Now for the surprise ending...

    If you can get past the writing style and the performance, the STORY is worth it!

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Legion

    • UNABRIDGED (2 hrs and 8 mins)
    • By Brandon Sanderson
    • Narrated By Oliver Wyman
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (2362)
    Performance
    (2138)
    Story
    (2178)

    Stephen Leeds, AKA 'Legion,' is a man whose unique mental condition allows him to generate a multitude of personae: hallucinatory entities with a wide variety of personal characteristics and a vast array of highly specialized skills. As the story begins, Leeds and his 'aspects' are drawn into the search for the missing Balubal Razon, inventor of a camera whose astonishing properties could alter our understanding of human history and change the very structure of society.

    Rick Howard says: "More more more!"
    "I hope there are more!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Ok, so I downloaded this because it was a promotion, but I rushed back, credits in hand, to get more.

    Alas, the only thing bad about this story is that there are no more stories about these characters (should it be plural or singular?)

    This is an original story and there are so few truly truly original story concepts. It feels like a "pilot", and I really hope there are more.

    Do not miss this listen.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Storm Surge: Featuring 3 Derrick Storm Shorts: Brewing Storm, Raging Storm, and Bloody Storm

    • UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 4 mins)
    • By Richard Castle
    • Narrated By Johnny Heller
    Overall
    (73)
    Performance
    (66)
    Story
    (67)

    When Derrick Storm needed to leave the CIA, he couldn't just retire. He had to fake his own death. So when his former boss calls in an old favor that will bring Storm out of early retirement and back to Washington to investigate a high-profile kidnapping, he knows there must be more at stake than the life of a senator's son. Working alongside, but not exactly with, bombshell FBI investigator April Showers, Storm must make sense of a confusing flurry of ransom notes and a complicated web of personal relationships and international politics.

    Techpotato says: "You really can see this being written by Castle"
    "You really can see this being written by Castle"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This book is expertly ghost written. You can really envision this being written by Richard Castle.

    If you are a fan of the TV Series, this (as are the Nikki Heat books) is a must-listen because it gives insight to the back-story of Richard Castle and enhances the character.

    The story is engaging and hard to turn off. This book may have cost me more on gas because I found myself taking the long way home to listen longer (I listen to audiobooks in the car).

    I wish Audible would do this with more short story series. I enjoy short audio books but it is painful buying them one at a time at a price that is higher than buying a full video production that takes many dozens of people to produce.

    3 of 3 people found this review helpful
  • The Lost Fleet: Dauntless

    • UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 59 mins)
    • By Jack Campbell
    • Narrated By Christian Rummel, Jack Campbell
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (3101)
    Performance
    (1742)
    Story
    (1774)

    Captain John "Black Jack" Geary's legendary exploits are known to every schoolchild. Revered for his heroic "last stand" in the early days of the war, he was presumed dead. But a century later, Geary miraculously returns from survival hibernation and reluctantly takes command of the Alliance fleet as it faces annihilation by the Syndics.

    Appalled by the hero-worship around him, Geary is nevertheless a man who will do his duty. And he knows that bringing the stolen Syndic hypernet key safely home is the Alliance's one chance to win the war. But to do that, Geary will have to live up to the impossibly heroic "Black Jack" legend.

    Jean says: "The lost Fleet:Dauntless"
    "Not complete. Totally unsatisfying."
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I bought this book because I heard rave reviews about it. The story was engaging and I even found I was listening to it at odd times because I wanted to know what happens next.

    Then, all of a sudden it ended. Just smack dab in the middle of the story. No conclusion of any of the story. Just "to be continued in the next book".

    Now I realize that reading one book is a $100+ or 6 credit commitment. Do not read this book unless you want to commit to all six. It felt like this book was all set-up and no substance. It is a good tale but I felt cheated.

    Yes, I knew that this was book one of a series. I enjoy other series, and it's expected that there will be some character arc across the series. I also expect, however, that one individual story will come to conclusion in each book and (as you can probably tell) the lack of ending just made be upset.

    I am now torn between returning this to exchange for another book (ironically probably in another series) or making a 5 credit commitment by buying the next book in the series, knowing that the next book will probably have no ending either.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Bare Bones

    • UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 36 mins)
    • By Kathy Reichs
    • Narrated By Michele Pawk
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (399)
    Performance
    (99)
    Story
    (97)

    Dr. Temperance Brennan looks forward to her first vacation in years. She's almost out the door when the bones start appearing. Most puzzling of all are the bones discovered at a remote farm outside Charlotte. The remains seem to be of animal origin, but Tempe is shocked when she gets them to her lab. Why are the X rays and DNA so perplexing? Who is trying to keep Tempe from the answers? Someone is following her, and must be stopped before it's too late.

    Sara says: "Not as good"
    "Don't miss this one"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I almost skipped this one because I red a few bad reviews. I am so glad I didn't!

    To say why without spoilers is difficult. Let it go as this book has key character developement points that you do not want to miss.

    As I write this I have yet to read the next book, but I expect that if I had skipped this installment I would be exchaiming an old military term, "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" and going back to read this anyway.

    Of course the style is very technical and somewhat over explanitory, but that is the style of the series.

    Overall I give an overall rating higher than either the writing or performance alone because this is one book in the series that youshould not miss.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Doctor Who: Borrowed Time

    • UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 4 mins)
    • By Naomi A. Alderman
    • Narrated By Meera Syal
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (32)
    Performance
    (28)
    Story
    (27)

    "You want more time Mr Brown, of course you do. We all want more time. Let me make you an offer...." Andrew Brown never has enough time. No time to call his sister, or to prepare for that important presentation at the bank where he works. The train’s late, the lift jams. If only he’d had just a little more time. And time is the business of Mr Symington and Mr Blenkinsop. They’ll lend him some - at a very reasonable rate of interest. Detecting a problem, the Doctor, Amy and Rory go undercover at the bank.

    Techpotato says: "One of the Best Doctor Who Listens to Date"
    "One of the Best Doctor Who Listens to Date"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

    This is one of the best Doctor Who audio book I have listened to so far. The performance is so good that I sought out other books performed by Meera Syal. This cautionary tale captures the quintesential Whovian style, eeping you just a half-step ahead of the story, yet occasionally throwing you off the trail.


    What was one of the most memorable moments of Doctor Who: Borrowed Time?

    The best moments would be spoilers, but the fates of certain characters are classic.


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

    Meera's performance is outstanding, her voicing brings the characters to life.


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

    Yes. But telling would be spoiling.


    Any additional comments?

    If you need your Who fix, this is the right drug.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Doctor Who: The Gemini Contagion

    • UNABRIDGED (1 hr and 20 mins)
    • By Jason Arnopp
    • Narrated By Meera Syal
    Overall
    (23)
    Performance
    (19)
    Story
    (19)

    Meera Syal reads this exclusive audio story featuring the Eleventh Doctor and Amy Pond.The ice-planet Vinsk, in the year 2112. The all-new anti-viral handwash, Gemini, has been laced with Meme-Spawn: a sentient micro-organism which makes the user fluent in every language in the universe. However, manufacturer Zalnex made one crucial mistake.

    Techpotato says: "Excellent performance but linear story"
    "Excellent performance but linear story"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

    Meera Syal does great performance, as usual. The story, however, lacks the usual twists and blind alleys of Doctor Who tales. Part of the problem is that this is short.


    Have you listened to any of Meera Syal’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

    I chose this because of other Doctor Who she has done and her performance adds 2stars to what it could have been.


    If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

    If the best laid plans can go bad, a poor plan can be a disaster.


    Any additional comments?

    If you can't resist a Doctor Who story, go ahead. I recommend you click on the performer link above and check out some of her other performances such as "Borrowed Time"

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Doctor Who: Pest Control

    • UNABRIDGED (2 hrs and 26 mins)
    • By Peter Anghelides
    • Narrated By David Tennant
    Overall
    (227)
    Performance
    (105)
    Story
    (107)

    The TARDIS is lost in battle on a distant planet. When the doctor sets off in pursuit, Donna is left behind, and finds herself accepting a commission in the Pioneer Corps. Something is transforming soldiers into monstrous beetles, and she could be the next victim.

    Rebecca says: "One Word: FANTASTIC!"
    "Scratches the itch"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Where does Doctor Who rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

    This is a great adventure from the Doctor-Donna era. It is an entertaining story and true to form.


    Who was your favorite character and why?

    The Doctor is of course the well played by David Tennant.


    Have you listened to any of David Tennant’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

    As with the other books read by David Tennant, The Doctor is well played, but he also does Donna very well (Oi!).


    If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

    When you are at war you had better know who your enemy is.


    Any additional comments?

    If you are a Doctor Who fan, waiting for the next instalment, this definitely scratches the itch.

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
  • Doctor Who: Autonomy

    • UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 6 mins)
    • By Daniel Blythe
    • Narrated By Georgia Moffett
    Overall
    (61)
    Performance
    (34)
    Story
    (34)

    Hyperville is 2013's top hi-tech, 24-hour entertainment complex - a sprawling palace of fun under one massive roof. You can go shopping, or experience the excitement of Doomcastle, Winterland, or Wild West World. But things are about to get a lot more exciting - and dangerous! What unspeakable horror is lurking on Level Zero of Hyperville? And what will happen when the entire complex goes over to Central Computer Control?

    Vincent says: "Another Who Novel.... another winner!"
    "Entertaining"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    If you could sum up Doctor Who: Autonomy in three words, what would they be?

    True to form.


    What did you like best about this story?

    The story feels very "Doctor Who". The pacing is right and the reader (listener) keeps just a few seconds ahead of the story, which is the way it should be for optimum suspension of disbelief.


    Have you listened to any of Georgia Moffett’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

    Georgia Moffett is excellent at the voices and accents of the characters, including the David Tennant Doctor (maybe it helps that he is her husband).This is the first one by her, but it made me want to buy more.


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

    The third act twist, and double-twist, and triple-twist were such classic Who that it really felt nostalgic.


    1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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