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REVIEWS

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HELPFUL VOTES

Mount Dragon

UNABRIDGED
- by Douglas Preston , Lincoln Child
- Narrated by David Colacci
Mount Dragon

UNABRIDGED (15 hrs and 38 mins)

By Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child

Narrated By David Colacci

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1006)
Performance
(334)
Story
(340)

Guy Carson is a brilliant scientist at GeneDyne, one of the world's foremost biochemical companies. When he is transferred to Mount Dragon, GeneDyne's high-security genetic engineering lab, his good fortune seems too good to be true.
Carson soon finds that it is. He learns that GeneDyne geneticists are tinkering with a common virus with an eye on the enormous profit to be had from a cure for the flu. Their cure involves permanently altering DNA in humans. What's more, Mount Dragon harbors another secret that puts the world at horrifying risk.
Willard says: "Good Stuff"
"First class narration"

Overall
Performance
Story

This narrator really draws you into the story. Outstanding pacing. Excellent character voices.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Existence

UNABRIDGED
- by David Brin
- Narrated by Kevin T. Collins , Robin Miles , L. J. Ganser
Existence

UNABRIDGED (32 hrs and 30 mins)

By David Brin

Narrated By Kevin T. Collins, Robin Miles, L. J. Ganser

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(213)
Performance
(189)
Story
(187)

Gerald Livingston is an orbital garbage collector. For a hundred years, people have been abandoning things in space, and someone has to clean it up. But there’s something spinning a little bit higher than he expects, something that isn’t on the decades’ old orbital maps. An hour after he grabs it and brings it in, rumors fill Earth’s infomesh about an "alien artifact".
A. Massey says: "Big ideas, good science fiction, frustrating style"
"Science Fiction at its Best"

Overall
Performance
Story

If you could sum up Existence in three words, what would they be?

Insightful Intriguing Inspiring

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tor. She is the type of person we should all aspire to emulate.

Which scene was your favorite?

The ending. This is one of those rare tales that has a very satisfying conclusion. I obviously can't describe what I liked about it without spoiling it.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely. When I absolutely had to put it down to sleep, I had the headphones back on before I even got out of bed when I woke up.

Any additional comments?

I'm beginning to find that my tastes no longer align with the majority of reviewers, so I didn't let the mixed reviews put me off. SciFi is my favorite genre when done right and my least favorite when done poorly (unfortunately, most of today's SciFi falls into the latter category). This is one of the best science fiction novels I've ever read.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Dreadnaught: The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier

UNABRIDGED
- by Jack Campbell
- Narrated by Christian Rummel , Jack Campbell
Dreadnaught: The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier

UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 21 mins)

By Jack Campbell

Narrated By Christian Rummel, Jack Campbell

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1865)
Performance
(1353)
Story
(1360)

The first book of best-selling sci-fi author Jack Campbell’s new series Beyond the Frontier returns to find Captain John “Black Jack" Geary, the hero of the Lost Fleet series, awoken from cryogenic sleep to take command of the fleet. Geary’s legendary exploits have earned him the adoration of the people—and the enmity of politicians convinced that a living hero can be a very inconvenient thing.
Ken says: "Very interesting series"
"Excruciating"

Overall
Performance
Story

What would have made Dreadnaught better?

More action, less bickering. More focus telling the story of the aliens and a lot less dwelling on the inanities of imposing 18th century notions of propriety on an advanced society. Senior officials who at least give some effort to sounding like adults rather than children.

What could Jack Campbell have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Written for adults instead of children.

Would you be willing to try another one of Christian Rummel and Jack Campbell (Introduction) ’s performances?

I will avoid all Christian Rummel narrations like the Black Plague. He sounds like he's 14 and his female voice acting is some of the worst I've ever heard.

What character would you cut from Dreadnaught?

I can't think of any I care enough about to say who to keep, much less who to get rid of.

Any additional comments?

I don't expect much from Jack Campbell novels - they're supposed to be light reading. This novel lowers the bar beyond what I can tolerate.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Star Wars: Darth Plagueis

UNABRIDGED
- by James Luceno
- Narrated by Daniel Davis
Star Wars: Darth Plagueis

UNABRIDGED (14 hrs and 49 mins)

By James Luceno

Narrated By Daniel Davis

Overall
(877)
Performance
(811)
Story
(811)

Darth Plagueis: one of the most brilliant Sith Lords who ever lived. Possessing power is all he desires. Losing it is the only thing he fears. As an apprentice, he embraces the ruthless ways of the Sith. Darth Sidious: Plagueis’s chosen apprentice. Under the guidance of his Master, he secretly studies the ways of the Sith, while publicly rising to power in the galactic government, first as Senator, then as Chancellor, and eventually as Emperor. as Chancellor, and eventually as Emperor.
Jeff says: "Of superior quality! Worthy of Sci Fi prize"
"Star Wars: Darth Sidious"

Overall
Performance
Story

The book should have been titled "Star Wars: Darth Sidious", since most of the story revolves around him. That's fine with me, since he's a more interesting character in any case.

The things I enjoyed most about this Audible title were the voice acting and the parts that transport you back to Episode I to see the story unfold from a different perspective. The story does a good job of pulling back the curtain to allow the reader to see what's going on behind the scenes. The ending twists were especially satisfying.

What I disliked most was that Plagueis had a decidedly Snidely Whiplash aspect. I could almost imagine him twirling his mustache, had he had one, as he ruminates about the "Sith Grand Plan". Sidious steals the show in this book, but he is best portrayed in Matthew Stover's "Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith"

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
11-22-63: A Novel

UNABRIDGED
- by Stephen King
- Narrated by Craig Wasson
11-22-63: A Novel

UNABRIDGED (30 hrs and 44 mins)

By Stephen King

Narrated By Craig Wasson

Overall
(13193)
Performance
(11570)
Story
(11510)

On November 22, 1963, three shots rang out in Dallas, President Kennedy died, and the world changed. What if you could change it back? In this brilliantly conceived tour de force, Stephen King - who has absorbed the social, political, and popular culture of his generation more imaginatively and thoroughly than any other writer - takes listeners on an incredible journey into the past and the possibility of altering it.
Kelly says: "I Owe Stephen King An Apology"
"This is why you joined Audible"

Overall
Performance
Story

King knocks this one out of the park in the grand style of his early works and the narration is absolutely first rate. This takes the #1 spot in my favorite titles from Audible and has become one of my favorite novels - period.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Paranoia: A Novel

UNABRIDGED
- by Joseph Finder
- Narrated by Scott Brick
Paranoia: A Novel

UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 47 mins)

By Joseph Finder

Narrated By Scott Brick

Overall
(1347)
Performance
(205)
Story
(202)

Adam Cassidy is twenty-six and a low level employee at a high-tech corporation who hates his job. When he manipulates the system to do something nice for a friend, he finds himself charged with a crime. Corporate Security gives him a choice: prison or become a spy in the headquarters of their chief competitor, Trion Systems.
Karen says: "Clever and interesting."
"Great entertainment"

Overall
Performance
Story

I decided to take a chance on a new author (I hadn't read/listened to any of Joseph Finder's books before) and I'm glad I did. There was plenty of suspense as we wonder how Adam is going to get out of the multiple layers of trouble he's gotten himself into. The author's sense of humor is compelling as well and I found myself grinning and even laughing out loud as characters and situations struck familiar chords.

As others have noted, the ending is rather abrupt and the big twist was easy to see coming, but it was entertaining as hell.

Scott Brick, as usual, was a joy to listen to. I haven't had this much fun with a book in quite a while.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Thunderhead

UNABRIDGED
- by Douglas Preston , Lincoln Child
- Narrated by Scott Brick
Thunderhead

UNABRIDGED (17 hrs and 20 mins)

By Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child

Narrated By Scott Brick

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1084)
Performance
(483)
Story
(476)

Nora Kelly, a young archaeologist in Santa Fe, receives a letter written 16 years ago, yet mysteriously mailed only recently. In it her father, long believed dead, hints at a fantastic discovery that will make him famous and rich - the lost city of an ancient civilization that suddenly vanished a thousand years ago. Now Nora is leading an expedition into a harsh, remote corner of Utah's canyon country, but what she unearths will be the newest of horrors.
Leesa Scott-morrow says: "Brain Candy"
"This is more like it"

Overall
Performance
Story

Looking at my reviews, I noticed I was long on negatives and short on positives, so let me say that I really enjoy listening to Scott Brick. Every time I listen to one of his narrations, I feel like I'm on vacation at the beach - probably because that's where I first started listening to Audible books and Scott narrated the first book I listened to. Oh and the book was great too!

0 of 1 people found this review helpful
A Dance with Dragons: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book 5

UNABRIDGED
- by George R. R. Martin
- Narrated by Roy Dotrice
A Dance with Dragons: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book 5

UNABRIDGED (49 hrs)

By George R. R. Martin

Narrated By Roy Dotrice

Overall
(6401)
Performance
(5292)
Story
(5290)

Dubbed the American Tolkien by Time magazine, George R. R. Martin has earned international acclaim for his monumental cycle of epic fantasy. Now the number-one New York Times best-selling author delivers the fifth book in his spellbinding landmark series - as both familiar faces and surprising new forces vie for a foothold in a fragmented empire.
J. Cano says: "A tale of two publishers:"
"Narrator detracts from immersion"

Overall
Performance
Story

All female characters sound like old crones, even beautiful young women like Dany. I couldn't get past it. It destroys the sense of immersion in the story for me, so I stopped listening to the audio and started reading the book.

12 of 17 people found this review helpful
First to Kill

UNABRIDGED
- by Andrew Peterson
- Narrated by Dick Hill
First to Kill

UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 42 mins)

By Andrew Peterson

Narrated By Dick Hill

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1661)
Performance
(889)
Story
(876)

When you're the best at what you do, it's not always easy to walk away. Nathan McBride was retired. The trained Marine sniper and cover CIA operative had put the violence of his former life behind him. But not anymore. A deep-cover FBI agent has disappeared along with one ton of powerful Semtex explosive, enough to unleash a disaster of international proportions. The U.S. government has no choice but to coax Nathan out of retirement.
David says: "Great Find!"
"Dick Hill's narration saves this from a one-star"

Overall
Performance
Story

I bought this because several reviewers gave this a good rating and compared it favorably with the Jack Reacher series. I beg to differ. The plot is about as engaging as a staff meeting punctuated by long drawn out descriptions of traveling from point A to point B. There are action sequences, but they are few and far between and I never really developed any attachment to the characters, so the action felt flat. Only Dick Hill's dependably rich narration saves this from a one-star rating.

0 of 3 people found this review helpful
Subterranean

UNABRIDGED
- by James Rollins
- Narrated by John Meagher
Subterranean

UNABRIDGED (12 hrs)

By James Rollins

Narrated By John Meagher

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(166)
Performance
(54)
Story
(54)

Travel to the bottom of the earth...to a place you never dreamed existed. Beneath the ice...a hand-picked team of specialists makes its way toward the center of the world. They are not the first to venture into this magnificient subterranean labyrinth. Those they follow did not return....
David says: "Great story, funny Ausrtalian accent"
"Preschool Narrator"

Overall
Performance
Story

The narrator's tone reminds me of Donovan Patton (Joe from Blue's Clues) reading to pre-schoolers. As others have noted, the pace is a bit too brisk, not leaving you time to savor the passages and the high pitched delivery destroys any sense of menace or foreboding.

Not recommended.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful