T. Smith

This book moved to the top of my list due to a performance that was simply fantastic due to the writing. The narrator was great at the voices and gave the character each their own, but the writing made each character easily distinguishable and unique to each other as well as being refreshing in the land of fantasy with many Dwarven forefathers. I couldn't stop listening to this book because I didn't want to say g'night to them!

I want to compare it to dragonlance as far as memorable characters, but as far as story, I think this book just blew Dragonlance away. I still love Tanis and Tas, but they seem like hand puppets in comparison to the richly made characters in this book. It's not that the story lines are different, it's a quest and there's companions ect...just, the details captured in each personality made me visualized being the fly on the wall along with them. I feel that this tops even the LOR trilogy.

There are so many, but I loved the play within the novel. It was a brilliant way for heitz to tell us why the wizard has turned like a worm in an apple. It's rich detail allowed for a moment of doubt in the reader. At that point, I knew I didn't know exactly where the story was going. Which, with my voracious reading list, is saying a lot.

No crying...yet, this is just the first book. It looks like audible doesn't have the next one yet :( but I laughed like a loon many times. The humor in here is excellent. And each character had his/her own sense of humor, rather than the group sharing all the same tastes or one being a hater of the joviality. There are times that the characters have to take a moment out figure out why something may be funny. It's great because it makes it all the more funny as you, the reader, get it before the character. I felt like I was around the campfire or in the tavern with them haha

It's a long book and worth every minute. If you like epic fantasy, you will enjoy this. I liked the Game of Thrones, but it didn't make me laugh as much as this. I like the LOR, but it didn't make me feel the epic character development this one did. I LOVE the stone of tears, but I have to admit that this was richer. Give it a shot.

the narration of this story was perfect, Nacy Wu has perfect timing and her ability to fluxuate her voice for the characters added depth. That said, she had an excellent story and beautiful writing to work with.

Alison Goodman uses Eon, a crippled girl disguised as a boy, to bring forth a world of spiritual magic and political intrigue. Eon goes through struggles with personal beliefs, greater good, and the heart. She chases her desire through lies and doing what one has to while trying to form bonds and keep them.

That's the short of the story. The long is that you just have to read it. I found myself engaged with every character, none of them stereotypical in any way. The book also doesn't rely on magic to carry it through to the end. If anything, magic is like power and money in the real world, a corrupter if sought with no regard to those around you.

This book is magnificent for young adults, and I would argue that adults and younger children would benefit from some of the deeper emotions and thoughts within, as they read it together. It shows the up and downs to pursing a greater position in life and following your dreams. There is always a struggle and ethics are never black and white. What would you compromise in yourself to get to where you believe you need to be?

I have also read Eona, and the two book series does not lose momentum, it builds powerfully upon itself. The language within the pages is well turned and paints some beautiful pictures when the dragon eyes bond with their dragons.

I was first introduced to this guy in a mythology class and I was instantly enthralled. Campbell follows yesterdays myths and points out how much many of our stories are influenced by world mythology today. Specifically he talks about heroes and themes. If you are a superhero fan, he even touches on myths that influenced characters like superman.

The format is that of an interview, where Campbell is asked questions that lead deeper and deeper into discussion. The six parts build on the information of the previous, but the information isn't and overload to the beginners mind.

I highly recommend this listen for anyone who has ever wondered, 'Hey, I wonder how people come up with these ideas.' It's fascinating to trace the influence on The Lord of the Rings and the graphic novel hero.

I was just looking for something light to take a break from the length of finishing Dune before I started Messiah. Ooops, I stumbled on to a series I can't stop listening to. In a parallel world, one of our own gets sucked into a land of Pires and Thropes and their inability to deal with the concept of serial killer/criminally insane perps. Barant is obviously very educated, or at the very least extraordinarily well read, and it shows in the development of her plots, her use of pulp fiction, her references to modern pop culture and the variety of characters she makes from classic horror fiction. Just when I thought I couldn't be delighted more, what with my inner nerd hopping and pointing at every reference I understood, I started listening to the second book. BOOM, she impressed me again with her intimate knowledge of the comic book world. Not just with the heroes and villains, but with the culture and the artists!

She uses this alternate world of hers to take Jace (I think that's the spelling) and make an Heroin that is part stephanie plumb, part buffy sass, part dick tracy (or name your favorite dick), part lois lane (tenacity) all seasoned with some John McLaIn attitude. I'm sure there are other attributes in there, but Jace is a truly fun character.

If you are a nerd, even a little one, you will love this series. If you like strong female characters, take a listen. If you like fantasy, alternate worlds, the non traditional use of the familiar and laughing, i recommend this series. Barant weaves these characters with extreme skill and presents information about the world with excellent narration.

Go, spend a credit.

I've read or listened to almost all of Marc Tufo's stuff, having more Mike Talbot, who is just a great character, is absolutely fantastic.

Mike Talbot. He's got a great wit. He's strong. He thinks beyond himself even while he's broken and in pain. In these books, he is kinda like a super hero, standing up against the aliens and those who chose to use the situation to bring out their worst. In the grans scheme, it really is the adverse moments that show humanity, not the perfect peace times.

Sean is consistent. His voice is great and his capturing of characters is inspired.

Aliens, welcome to earth. Aliens, Meet Mike Talbot.

The end. It just goes no where. I understand that this is an experiment in three forms of writing, It's a journal, it's a memory and it's an historical find. But the characters were so passive that it was hard to maintain interest. Even when the historians were talking about their discovery of the Handmaid's tapes, they were so passive about their discussion that the whole thing came together as...well, nothing. Some people find this to be great literature, a genius experiment, a test of semiotics and self aware philosophy. Some may say that this an experiment i self and other or that it show's the arbitrariness of self, society, rule and or law, but there still needs to be some sort of completion. Ok, so history has no completion because we were not there and even in memory it's not complete because we only remember parts of what we were there for, I get it. But it's a book. Not reality and it just doesn't carry off the attempt at all of the above things very well to make a cohesive 'story' that most readers want.

However, of your into the attempted pretension and the 'deeeeep' sociophilosophical stuff and the role of woman/man/society, you will probably enjoy this book greatly.

Less passive characters. There are certain situations that we have to just live with. Offred is in one of those, but even her moments of defiance, the commanders moments, Nick's moments, they were all just so passive. Also, it was like the character was trying to make the bartering of oneself and of knowledge and of goods in said situation were self tarnishing, as if it were something that made a person less human to do these 'things' for the sake of survival or preservation of sanity. It would have been better had she made Offred acknowledge that she was in a situation that changes the perimeters of self and human and dignity. A lot of authors want to do this exploration of self in a totalitarian or dystopian future, but they forget, the only reason we have dignity and self is that we have the luxury of such ideals during times of peace and or prosperity. Rules change when there is no security. there is a bit of self, like will I kill for food or share with as many as i can that one can keep, but ultimately, body, knowledge and services become commodities.

This was my first. She's a good voice for reading.

None, it would have been horrible if what was there was missing anything. It was already disjointed enough.

I'm not saying don't read this. If you like this type of genre, then by all means, you will love it. The above is just my opinion, my personal dislike of the passivity of the tale itself. Yes, those people exist, those situations exist and no one knows if they will be reactive or proactive until in said situation and there is much to be said about the rule of law and how it can tamp the spirit, but I don't think it works in literature as much as we would like it too, since we all know that in reality, of you're that passive, you dissapear and no one writes a story about you.

Every character in this story, including the bad guys was well developed, highly visual and amazingly independent of each other's descriptions. Often in YA when there are many characters, some of them are interchangeable and their voices are weak. Not so here. As the narrator, not very versed at multiple voices, spoke for each character, it was clear who each was.

I also loved that the characters stayed true, or found the truth in the face of loyalty, integrity and teamwork. This book really plays on those themes and not in a cheesy or forceful way. the way Michael interacts with bullies, with not powered and the way he holds true to his own beliefs despite torture is amazing. While the story is not traumatizing for YA readers, it is very clear that there is a role model in Michael for those who may be bullied in real life.

and it's not just Michael. His friends are amazing. I love Austin. He's so funny and geeky and absolutely indispensable to Michael and Taylor. I really can't wait for the next book. Imagine my joy when I found out it was only a month away!

The language matched the premise and the characters were consistent as was the story line. That's hard to fins in YA sometimes. For example, Hunger games was a great premise and had several interesting characters, but the language and sequences did not match the premise of children being forced to kill each other for the glory of their district. It was mold and not quite believable. I think it was one of the few times the movie did a better job than the book. With Michael vay, I hope they make a movie, but I fear they can do it justice.

In a time when loyalty is shocking, meet Michael Vey. (lame, but jeeze, you sprung this on me :)

if you liked percy jackson., you will like this book. If you didn't like percy jackson, you will like this book. If you like hunger games, you will like this book. If you like the x-me, you will like this book. If you liked the Maximum ride books, you will like this book.

Yes. Sean Runnette gives good character.

One for the Money, because of the main characters sense of humor and ability to waft through trouble that he gets into and having a strong moral compass to help him along the way. The two premises are completely different, but it's the ability for a human being to find humor in every day life, easy or tough that makes them dynamic.

MIke talbit, the main character, but honestly, he gives such good character that you can't confuse them. And his voice is alluring in his story telling.

Go ahead, eat my face. You can't stop my laugh.

There is too much drama in most Zombie Apocalypse books. I just don't buy, as a reader, that anyone trying to survive doesn't have the time to find the humor in the dead consuming the living. I mean, there will be body parts every where and after awhile you just have to make the jokes. The walking dead is great, but too serious. Laugh. Humans last defense in any given situation is hope, and humor is a significant signifier of hope. I love that this book realizes it's genre and incorporates a little of the spoof humor the genre can bring, like mentioning Sean of the Dead. favorite line; "Some ass hole is licking my peep hole" as he looks out the peep hole to see who's on his porch. This book made me laugh so hard I'd have to pause to share the great scene\line with co-workers and friends. It's awesome.