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Richard

A good way to get through the work day.

FOXBORO, MA, United States | Member Since 2012

HELPFUL VOTES

38 reviews
42 ratings
78 titles in library
30 purchased in 2013

FOLLOWING

FOLLOWERS

Empire: Star Force, Book 6

UNABRIDGED
- by B. V. Larson
- Narrated by Mark Boyett
Empire: Star Force, Book 6

UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 15 mins)

By B. V. Larson

Narrated By Mark Boyett

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(434)
Performance
(405)
Story
(413)

Kyle Riggs has been away from Earth for a long time.... What’s happening back home? In Empire, the sixth book of the Star Force Series, the story moves in a new direction. Earth falls quiet, and the few reports coming out of the homeworld are increasingly strange. Isolated in the Eden system, Riggs realizes his enemies are forming an alliance against him. Crushed between two monstrous fleets, the last defenders of Star Force must forge their own alliance with the biotic aliens. But which alien race can Riggs truly trust?
Professor says: "EMPIRE OR COLONY?"
"The story goes on"

Overall
Performance
Story

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

Stop the Empire

Who was your favorite character and why?

Quan, cause he is a funny dude.

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

Mark Boyett brings life to the characters and sucks you into the story.

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

Yes!

1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Stealing Light: Shoal, Book 1

UNABRIDGED
- by Gary Gibson
- Narrated by Charlie Norfolk
Stealing Light: Shoal, Book 1

UNABRIDGED (14 hrs and 53 mins)

By Gary Gibson

Narrated By Charlie Norfolk

Overall
(72)
Performance
(63)
Story
(64)

In the 25th century, only the Shoal possess the secret of faster-than-light travel (FTL), giving them absolute control over all trade and exploration throughout the galaxy. Mankind has operated within their influence for two centuries, establishing a dozen human colony worlds scattered along Shoal trade routes. Dakota Merrick, while serving as a military pilot, has witnessed atrocities for which this alien race is responsible.
C. L. Turner says: "Fun, entertaining, something borrowed."
"Not sure at first, but well worth it."

Overall
Performance
Story

Wasn't sure what I was getting into when I first got this book, but I soon found out it was well worth the purchase. First and foremost this book has a very good plot. But along with that the story is very well written and grabs your attention.

The reader does a good but not great job telling the story.

The story really heats up at about the mid point until the end. By the end of this I knew I would be getting the next book in the series.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Annihilation: Star Force, Book 7

UNABRIDGED
- by B. V. Larson
- Narrated by Mark Boyett
Annihilation: Star Force, Book 7

UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 23 mins)

By B. V. Larson

Narrated By Mark Boyett

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(24)
Performance
(23)
Story
(23)

Kyle Riggs is in for a rough ride. In Annihilation, the seventh book of the Star Force Series, nothing goes as planned. The three fledgling human colonies in the Eden System are beginning to take hold, but the forces threatening to root them out are many. The Crustaceans are calling for help, despite the fact they are the sworn enemies of Star Force. Are they potential allies, or vicious tricksters? And why are the oceans of their world heating up?
Richard says: "Can't help but want more!"
"Can't help but want more!"

Overall
Performance
Story

Another great addition to the Star Force series. Though I did feel that this book started off a bit on the slow side. Annihilation definitely lives up to its name and leaves you begging to know what's going to happen next.

This installment brings back some great drama that we haven't seen since the first book. Larson locks you in emotionally and there's no turning back. You also have the different enemies/aliens/machines planning, plotting, and attacking from every which way keeping you wondering how far this rabbit hole goes.
With all the possible story angles this series can only get better.

Mark Boyett continues to do amazing work telling the story. And as always he brings extra life to each character.

The most unenjoyable part of reading this series is easily waiting for the next book. Let the torture begin.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Guardian: The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier, Book 3

UNABRIDGED
- by Jack Campbell
- Narrated by Christian Rummel
Guardian: The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier, Book 3

UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 41 mins)

By Jack Campbell

Narrated By Christian Rummel

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(203)
Performance
(198)
Story
(199)

Admiral Geary’s First Fleet of the Alliance has survived the journey deep into unexplored interstellar space, a voyage that led to the discovery of new alien species, including a new enemy and a possible ally. Now Geary’s mission is to ensure the safety of the Midway Star System, which has revolted against the Syndicate Worlds empire—an empire that is on the brink of collapse.
Hassan says: "Black Jack Going BackHome Again and Again!!!"
"Can't get enough of The Lost Fleet"

Overall
Performance
Story

Another great addition to the series. I honestly wish this book was longer because I didn't lose interest for second.

As usual the author does a great job of building a story with twists and turns that will continue to throw you for a loop. He also leaves enough questions to have you begging for me of the story.

The narrator continues to bring extra life to the characters as he's done in the past books with great range and consistency. Was so sad to see this book end. Now comes the torture of waiting for the next book.

4 of 6 people found this review helpful
Gust Front: Legacy of the Aldenata

UNABRIDGED
- by John Ringo
- Narrated by Marc Vietor
Gust Front: Legacy of the Aldenata

UNABRIDGED (25 hrs and 34 mins)

By John Ringo

Narrated By Marc Vietor

Overall
(500)
Performance
(273)
Story
(276)

In this, the sequel to A Hymn Before Battle, Captain Michael O'Neal and his forces on Earth prepare to hold back an impending Posleen invasion.
Gary L. Parks says: "This is CAN of Military Sci-Fiction Woop Ass!"
"Good stuff"

Overall
Performance
Story

Really enjoyed this book. Like the first book it was chalk full of action. Once again though I found myself lost because of the constant switching of characters telling the story. Again, I was also waiting for the viewpoint to switch to the character Mike O'Neal. Though this book is good it doesn't hold my interests enough to get the next book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
A Hymn Before Battle: Legacy of the Aldenata

UNABRIDGED
- by John Ringo
- Narrated by Marc Vietor
A Hymn Before Battle: Legacy of the Aldenata

UNABRIDGED (14 hrs and 32 mins)

By John Ringo

Narrated By Marc Vietor

Overall
(634)
Performance
(334)
Story
(331)

With Earth in the path of the rapacious Posleen, the Galactic Federation offers help to the backward humans - for a price. You can protect yourself from your enemies, but God save you from your allies!
Matthew says: "surprised and delighted"
"The fight of your life."

Overall
Performance
Story

Good start to this book. Once the action starts it does not stop.

The fact that the story is told from many different characters makes it tough to follow and a bit confusing at times. At times all the viewpoint switching caused me to lose interest. I found myself waiting and hoping that the viewpoint would switch to the character Mike O'Neal who was a lot more interesting than the other characters.

The narrator did a pretty good job but didn't have great range with his character voices. Got confused often because many of the characters sounded very similar.

Overall a very good book and will definitely listen to the next one.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Gateway

UNABRIDGED
- by Frederik Pohl
- Narrated by Oliver Wyman , Robert J. Sawyer
Gateway

UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 37 mins)

By Frederik Pohl

Narrated By Oliver Wyman, Robert J. Sawyer

Overall
(469)
Performance
(282)
Story
(284)

When prospector Bob Broadhead went out to Gateway on the Heechee spacecraft, he decided he would know which was the right mission to make him his fortune. Three missions later, now famous and permanently rich, Robinette Broadhead has to face what happened to him and what he is...in a journey into himself as perilous and even more horrifying than the nightmare trip through the interstellar void that he drove himself to take!
Ben says: "more heechee please"
"Whoa! Inventive and thought provoking."

Overall
Performance
Story

Gateway wasn't the most action packed book, but somehow still kept my attention. Great story that really makes the listener think. Not another book i can compare this too which makes it very different but still a great book. The main character isn't the most likeable person but this adds to the realism of the characters and the story. Hoping the the next book has a little more action. Could end up being a great series.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Five by Five

UNABRIDGED
- by Kevin J. Anderson , Aaron Allston , Michael A. Stackpole , B. V. Larson , Loren L. Coleman
- Narrated by Phil Gigante
Five by Five

UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 8 mins)

By Kevin J. Anderson, Aaron Allston, Michael A. Stackpole, and others

Narrated By Phil Gigante

Overall
(4)
Performance
(4)
Story
(4)

Five short novels by five masters of military science fiction. It’s a war out there. In these pulse-pounding tales, the best (or worst) soldiers in the galaxy are pitted against powerful aliens on distant battlefields. Never-before-published stories about monsters, deadly combat tech, treachery, and honor.
Frank Lawrence says: "Cyborg and sci-fi military combination"
"Not bad, Enjoyed a few of the stories."

Overall
Performance
Story

A good selection of stories by great authors.
I've listened to a few of these authors before and they continually hit the mark. Would have been great if Jack Campbell (John G Hemry) could have had a story in here also.
The best book had to be "Comrades in Arms". Was a great story that i would have liked to read the full book.

All in all not a bad buy for the cost.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Into the Looking Glass: Looking Glass Series, Book 1

UNABRIDGED
- by John Ringo
- Narrated by L. J. Ganser
Into the Looking Glass: Looking Glass Series, Book 1

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 19 mins)

By John Ringo

Narrated By L. J. Ganser

Overall
(451)
Performance
(249)
Story
(248)

When asubatomic physics experiment causes a massive explosion, interdimensional gateways open in Florida - and aliens pour out. Some intend to bring Earth to its knees. Others seem willing to help, but will annihilate the planet if Navy SEAL Command Master Chief Robert Miller can't stop the menace from spreading.
crazybatcow says: "Other than a little slowdown in the middle..."
"The action made this book go!"

Overall
Performance
Story

First, if your hoping for something like Troy Rising don't hold your breath. I really enjoyed the Troy Rising series, but this did not live up to that.

The best moments of this book was when the focus was on Mike O'neil. The switching between so many characters really slowed this book down. It also made the book a lot harder to follow. I found my self just waiting until it swtiched back to Mike O'neil.

The narrators performance was very good. He brought some positive things to the story and didn't hurt it in any way.

All in all not amazing but a good listen. Listening to the next book and assume it will get better.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Way of the Wolf: The Vampire Earth, Book 1

UNABRIDGED
- by E. E. Knight
- Narrated by Christian Rummel , E. E. Knight
Way of the Wolf: The Vampire Earth, Book 1

UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 42 mins)

By E. E. Knight

Narrated By Christian Rummel, E. E. Knight

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(522)
Performance
(215)
Story
(215)

Louisiana, 2065. A lot has changed in the 43rd year of the Kurian Order. Possessed of an unnatural and legendary hunger, the bloodthirsty Reapers have come to Earth to establish a New Order built on the harvesting of enslaved human souls. They rule the planet. They thrive on the scent of fear. And if it is night, as sure as darkness, they will come.
On this pitiless world, the indomitable spirit of mankind still breathes in Lieutenant David Valentine.
Kevin says: "Its what you expect, and thats not a bad thing."
"Ended well, but was very hard to get into."

Overall
Performance
Story

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The story wasn't written well enough to keep my interest. The story also did not build up very well. If i could change anything it would be to make the main character cooler. More impressive.

Would you recommend Way of the Wolf to your friends? Why or why not?

No, story was way too slow.

What does Christian Rummel and E. E. Knight (Introduction) bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Christian Rummel saved this book. If it wasn't for the great narrator i would have stopped listening 30 minutes in.

Could you see Way of the Wolf being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Yes, if the story was changed.

Any additional comments?

The next books seem to be rated better so 'ive been debating getting the next book.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Gabriel’s Ghost: The Dock Five Universe Series, Book 1

UNABRIDGED
- by Linnea Sinclair
- Narrated by Dina Pearlman
Gabriel’s Ghost: The Dock Five Universe Series, Book 1

UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 56 mins)

By Linnea Sinclair

Narrated By Dina Pearlman

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(72)
Performance
(37)
Story
(38)

After a decade of piloting interstellar patrol ships, former captain Chasidah Bergren, onetime pride of the Sixth Fleet, finds herself court-martialed for a crime she didn't commit and shipped off to a remote prison planet from which no one ever escapes. But when she kills a brutal guard in an act of self-defense, someone even more dangerous emerges from the shadows. Gabriel Sullivan alpha mercenary, smuggler, and rogue is supposed to be dead.
Paul says: "Gray Fuzzy Soft Laser Pulse Rifle"
"Meh"

Overall
Performance
Story

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

No, definitely did not hold my interests. Moved way too slow, way too often.

What could Linnea Sinclair have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Not a bad plot, but the way the story was told was very boring.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

The narration wasn't bad, but could've been much better.

Do you think Gabriel’s Ghost needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Either way I will not listen to the next book.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful