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Aileen

Armidale, Australia | Member Since 2011

17
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 16 reviews
  • 56 ratings
  • 275 titles in library
  • 20 purchased in 2013
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  • The Lost Fleet: Courageous

    • UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 42 mins)
    • By Jack Campbell
    • Narrated By Christian Rummel, Jack Campbell
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (2136)
    Performance
    (1162)
    Story
    (1181)

    The Alliance has been fight a losing battle against the Syndicate Worlds for over a century. Now, Captain John "Black Jack" Geary, who returned to the fleet after a hundred-year suspended animation, must keep the Alliance one step ahead of its merciless foe.

    Jesse says: "Great Scifi!"
    "Good series well narrated"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I've enjoyed all three books in this series so far, though I fully endorse previous comments about the author's tendency to belabor points unnecessarily without really exploring them in an engaging way. The main character is quite well drawn. The supporting characters tend to be flat and lifeless.
    The premises are interesting, and the hints of a non-human race manipulating the warring parties are intriguing. I hope these are followed thru in the rest of the series.
    The reader has a pleasant voice and style. His accents are a bit cringe-worthy especially the Australian one (not even entirely sure he's supposed to be Aussie. If so, no. Just no.)
    In summary, probably more a three and a half stars. interesting elements. In need of better editing.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Cotillion

    • UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 14 mins)
    • By Georgette Heyer
    • Narrated By Phyllida Nash
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (281)
    Performance
    (117)
    Story
    (120)

    The three great-nephews of cantankerous Mr Penicuik know better than to ignore his summons, especially when it concerns the bestowal of his fortune. His freakish plan is that his fortune will be his step-daughter's dowry.

    connie says: "Don't judge this book by its cover."
    "A Regency Romance starring Bertie Wooster"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This was an enjoyable romp. The hero was really quite loveable and I enjoyed Heyer's deliberate inversion of the reader's expectations around the apparent romantic lead - who turns out to be a 'cad.' The heroine was okay but nothing very engaging.
    The narration was top notch.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Rivers of London: Rivers of London, Book 1

    • UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 58 mins)
    • By Ben Aaronovitch
    • Narrated By Kobna Holdbrook-Smith
    Overall
    (46)
    Performance
    (36)
    Story
    (37)

    My name is Peter Grant and until January I was just probationary constable in that mighty army for justice known to all right-thinking people as the Metropolitan Police Service (as the Filth to everybody else). My only concerns in life were how to avoid a transfer to the Case Progression Unit - we do paperwork so real coppers don't have to - and finding a way to climb into the panties of the outrageously perky WPC Leslie May.

    Readalot says: "Touch of the DWJs"
    "Wonderful urban fantasy"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I don't really know if this qualifies as 'urban fantasy' as such. It is a fantasy in an urban setting, but the tone is light and engaging, not dark and mysterious. I prefer light and engaging, and this delivers. I love the main character protagonist and most of the minor or secondary characters too. I found this funny, smart, imaginative and really interesting.
    the voice narration is good too. Really, a winner and strongly recommended.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Confession: An Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery

    • UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 35 mins)
    • By Charles Todd
    • Narrated By Simon Prebble
    Overall
    (255)
    Performance
    (211)
    Story
    (215)

    Declaring he needs to clear his conscience, a dying man walks into Scotland Yard and confesses that he killed his cousin five years earlier during the Great War. When Inspector Ian Rutledge presses for details, the man evades his questions, revealing only that he hails from a village east of London. With little information and no body to open an official inquiry, Rutledge begins to look into the case on his own. Less than two weeks later, the alleged killer’s body is found floating in the Thames, a bullet in the back of his head.

    Judith A. Weller says: "Most exciting by Todd Yet"
    "good but lacks coherence"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I really like this style of mystery - police procedural, interesting protagonist detective, set between the wars in England. I thought the main character was really quite well drawn. However, I found the story somewhat confusing and the mystery itself implausible and almost irrelevant. I liked all the ingredients, but for me the story itself was not interesting. Also, all of these characters who take on each others' identity. That whole thing didn't work for me, and didn't seem to have any point or plausibility.
    The main character is very interesting and likeable. I was hoping for more involvement with his sister, who only appears in one scene but is also engaging. I might try number 2 in the series, eventually. An okay listen, but not as good as i had hoped. Nicely narrated, though, except for the terrible attempt at a scottish accent Xb

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • The Name of the Wind

    • UNABRIDGED (28 hrs and 6 mins)
    • By Patrick Rothfuss
    • Narrated By Rupert Degas
    Overall
    (153)
    Performance
    (145)
    Story
    (145)

    I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep. My name is Kvothe. You may have heard of me.

    William says: "Amazing. I want you to listen to this."
    "Great rollicking story"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I loved this book in hardcopy, so I thought I'd take a chance on the audio book. I loved the narration and the whole experience of listening to the story rather than reading it. I've reviewed the book in Goodreads, where I talk about how clever and savvy the writing is. Of course that holds good for the audio version too. I did not always agree with the voices chosen for characters - for example, the evil characters are given a spanish accent (?) by the narrator, some of the characters are given scottish or irish accents. Perhaps I just didn't pick up the same hints in the text. Anyway, this is quite a trivial quibble.

    I have read reviews of the book that really take issue with Kvothe's uncanny ability at everything he turns his hand to. I mean everything. I think this would be grating in some books, but it never jars me with this book. Maybe that's because it is set up from the beginning that he is a hero's hero. Also, we are shown major character flaws - his impatience, his inability to trust others, his arrogance - so he does not seem perfect at all.

    Also he is the classic unreliable narrator, and this is lampshaded quite a lot throughout. The form of first person narrative is enfolded in the structure in a way that continually points out that the story is told by Kvothe and only from his perspective. I love that narrative structure. I think it isl really clever and it works for me.

    If you haven't read this book or heard of it, I would recommend it as a great story. If you are a fantasy reader, the pleasure of it will be in watching all those standard tropes and devices being both used and gently mocked.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Spirit Ring

    • UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 27 mins)
    • By Lois McMaster Bujold
    • Narrated By Jessica Almasy
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (127)
    Performance
    (107)
    Story
    (110)

    Fiametta Beneforte dreamed of making beautiful and enchanted objets d'art, but alas her magician-goldsmith father was more likely to have her scrub the kiln than study magic. After all, it was a waste to train a mere daughter beyond the needs of the moment.... Thur Ochs dreamed of escaping the icy mines of Bruinwald. But the letter from his brother Uri arranging his apprenticeship to Master Beneforte was not the only force that drew him over the mountains to the Duchy of Montefoglia.

    Becca says: "On the whole, a disappointment"
    "Incredibly awful narration destroys a good book"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I've read the Spirit Ring by Lois McMaster Bujold. Bujold is one of my very favorite writers. This is a really good book.

    The narrator, however, is simply appalling. Her performance is clueless and hammy. Truly an embarrassment to listen to. I have rarely heard such a terrible performance. I simply can't get past the first five minutes of the book without cringing and hitting the pause button. Why would they choose such a talentless actress to narrate this, or any other book?

    2 of 4 people found this review helpful
  • A Game of Thrones (Part One): Book 1 of A Song of Ice and Fire

    • UNABRIDGED (16 hrs and 39 mins)
    • By George R. R. Martin
    • Narrated By Roy Dotrice
    Overall
    (356)
    Performance
    (303)
    Story
    (307)

    This is Part One of Book 1 of the A Song of Ice and Fire Series. This first volume in the hugely popular and highly acclaimed epic fantasy series A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE is unabridged and split into two parts. Now a major Sky Atlantic TV series from HBO, starring Sean Bean. Summers span decades. Winter can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun.

    Karenza says: "A feast of a tale faithfully narrated"
    "intense, multi-layered and vivid"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I started reading this series years ago when only books 1 and 2 had been released. i was riveted but got frustrated waiting for each installment and gave them away. I'm really enjoying listening to them now. the narrator is fantastic - so many different voices and characters. Some of them are, for me, not quite right, but the major characters are brilliant.
    If you haven't been introduced to the series before, I can strongly recommend the audio version - with one reservation: the maps and genealogies the are available in book form really help to anchor the story. With so many characters and so much sweeping action, it can be a little confusing without these resources. Especially because audio doesn't really allow you to go back and pick up a detail you might have missed.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Hangman's Holiday: A Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery

    • UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 35 mins)
    • By Dorothy L. Sayers
    • Narrated By Ian Carmichael
    Overall
    (6)
    Performance
    (4)
    Story
    (4)

    In this collection of 12 ingenious and baffling tales, the author demonstrates her mastery of the short, sharp mystery story. Lord Peter Winsey appears in several of the stories, as does Monague Egg, the travelling salesman extraordinaire.

    Aileen says: "Quite Fun"
    "Quite Fun"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I do enjoy Dorothy Sayers. This collection was a little hit and miss. Not crazy about Montague Egg, myself. I really enjoyed the Wimsey stories.

    I would LOVE to listen to some Wimsey books read by someone other than Ian Carmichael. He monopolised the movie and audio versions of Wimsey. I've always found him very ordinary and cliched. As a narrator, one of his favourite characterisation techniques seems to be to suck air in through his teeth after every sentence. Perhaps he might have thought it sounded appropriately nobby for Wimsey - but he does it for every character! I think he was quite untalented and managed to carve out a career playing upper-class buffoons because he was always playing himself. Okay, not very insightful or charitable. But please won't someone think about re-recording these books using another narrator? Please?

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Master and Commander: Aubrey-Maturin, Book 1

    • ABRIDGED (4 hrs and 23 mins)
    • By Patrick O'Brian
    • Narrated By Robert Hardy
    Overall
    (19)
    Performance
    (5)
    Story
    (5)

    Master and Commander is the first of Patrick O'Brian's now famous Aubrey/Maturin novels, regarded by many as the greatest series of historical novels ever written.

    Robert says: "abridged too far"
    "Not a great one for Audio"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I had huge problems following the action in this book. Most of the time I had no clear idea what was going all. So much unfamiliar nautical jargon, combined with somewhat careless and muffled narration, just meant this was all a bit baffling. I have listened to a lot of Hornblower on audio without this being a major problem.Yes, sometimes listening to Hornblower I get a little lost. But I was basically lost from go to whoa on this one.
    I thought Robert Hardy would be wonderful, but his voice is a just a little too phlegmy and fruity for comfort. He sounded like he was having a bilious attack most of the time. I found him hard to understand. His voice is very plummy and it kind of annoyed me.
    I think I will try to get my hands on the hard copy of these books, which have been highly recommended to me several times.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Dissolution

    • ABRIDGED (6 hrs and 29 mins)
    • By C. J. Sansom
    • Narrated By Anton Lesser
    Overall
    (17)
    Performance
    (8)
    Story
    (8)

    Henry VIII has proclaimed himself Supreme Head of the Church, and the country is waking up to savage new laws. Under the order of Thomas Cromwell, a team of commissioners is sent to investigate the monasteries. At the monastery of Scarnsea, events have spiralled out of control. Cromwell's commissioner, Robin Singleton, has been found dead. And Matthew Shardlake, lawyer and long-time supporter of reform, has been sent by Cromwell into an atmosphere of treachery and death to investigate.

    Aileen says: "Wonderful historical mystery"
    "Wonderful historical mystery"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This audiobook was a wonderful experience. The story is absorbing and well-plotted. The characters, especially Matthew Shardlake, are beautifully drawn and believable. It is very difficult to balance historical authenticity and sympathetic characterisation. The main character's rather modern sensibilities and values are made more credible by his physical disability, which casts him as an outsider in Tudor London. For me, Sansom got it exactly right in that regard. I know nothing of the author's background, but I am convinced he is deeply knowledgeable about the period.
    The setting is England during the reformation. The main character is committed to the new order and works for Cromwell. His beliefs and values are shaken by the implications of what happens in the course of the novel. I found the political and domestic intrigue very interesting and absorbing.
    I loved the book, and the narrator is simply perfect. His voice, accent and characterisation all got it right. For me, it was the perfect form for the content. I love narrators who are able to suggest dialogue by opposite-sex characters without descending into parody - the deep grumble by a female narrator, or the embarrassing falsetto by the male narrator. Anton Lesser was able to give real depth and consistency to a whole raft of male, female, adult and adolescent characters.
    I recommend this audiobook wholeheartedly.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Sovereign

    • ABRIDGED (7 hrs and 2 mins)
    • By C. J. Sansom
    • Narrated By Anton Lesser
    Overall
    (13)
    Performance
    (3)
    Story
    (3)

    Autumn, 1541. Following the uncovering of a plot against his throne in Yorkshire, King Henry VIII has set out on a spectacular Progress to the North to overawe his rebellious subjects there. Already in York are lawyer Matthew Shardlake and his assistant, Jack Barak. Shardlake has reluctantly undertaken a special mission: to ensure the welfare of a dangerous conspirator being returned to London for interrogation. But the murder of a local glazier involves Shardlake in deeper mysteries.

    Aileen says: "Great historical crime series"
    "Great historical crime series"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This is a wonderful series set in Tudor England. Sansom captures exactly the right mix of historical authenticity and modern sensibility. The narrator is fantastic. I love his voice and he does a wonderful job of conveying character with subtlety.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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