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Kim Venatries

Member Since 2010

197

HELPFUL VOTES

42 reviews
370 ratings
836 titles in library
60 purchased in 2013

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Odd Interlude: A Special Odd Thomas Adventure

UNABRIDGED
- by Dean Koontz
- Narrated by David Aaron Baker
Odd Interlude: A Special Odd Thomas Adventure

UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 34 mins)

By Dean Koontz

Narrated By David Aaron Baker

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(454)
Performance
(403)
Story
(402)

Nestled on a lonely stretch along the Pacific coast, quaint roadside outpost Harmony Corner offers everything a weary traveler needs - a cozy diner, a handy service station, a cluster of motel rooms...and the Harmony family homestead presiding over it all. But when Odd Thomas and company stop to spend the night, they discover that there’s more to this secluded haven than meets the eye - and that between life and death, there is something more frightening than either.
G. House Sr. says: "Wow - Koontz Cranks out another Hit"
"Good One"

Overall
Performance
Story

Where does Odd Interlude rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Dean Koontz is in the top five of my favorite authors. This one is on par with some of his best.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Odd Interlude?

Odd's conversation with the check-in clerk. And, the scene in the kitchen.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Nothing extreme. There were a couple of laughs. There always are for me with a good Dean Koontz story.

Any additional comments?

Fans of Odd Thomas will like this one.

2 of 4 people found this review helpful
The Martian

UNABRIDGED
- by Andy Weir
- Narrated by R. C. Bray
The Martian

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 28 mins)

By Andy Weir

Narrated By R. C. Bray

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(147)
Performance
(143)
Story
(141)

I’m pretty much f**ked. That’s my considered opinion. F**ked. Six days into what should be the greatest two months of my life, and it’s turned into a nightmare. I don’t even know who’ll read this. I guess someone will find it eventually. Maybe 100 years from now. For the record... I didn’t die on Sol 6. Certainly the rest of the crew thought I did, and I can’t blame them. Maybe there’ll be a day of national mourning for me, and my Wikipedia page will say "Mark Watney is the only human being to have died on Mars."
Brian says: "Duct tape is magic and should be worshiped"
"Who Knew? So Much Science Could = So Much Fun!"

Overall
Performance
Story

The story is packed full of science-- biology, botany, physics, chemistry, astronomy-- you name it and it is in there. But it is not at all dull or tedious. You do not have to understand it all completely (a lot flew right over my head) to enjoy the story. Mr. Weir manages to make even rocket science a seamless, painless part of a good story. At its heart is a very simple story about survival under the most hostile and unnatural conditions imaginable. There is an astronaut stranded on Mars without enough food, water and air to last until a rescue. And rescue is extremely doubtful since everyone on earth believes him dead. On the “bright side” there are plenty of "70's sitcoms and disco music to keep him company. His struggle to survive and remain sane and the herculean efforts to save him are excellent entertainment.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Jumper

UNABRIDGED
- by Steven Gould
- Narrated by Macleod Andrews
Jumper

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 49 mins)

By Steven Gould

Narrated By Macleod Andrews

Overall
(201)
Performance
(174)
Story
(179)

What if you could go anywhere in the world, in the blink of an eye? Where would you go? What would you do?Davy can teleport. To survive, Davy must learn to use and control his power in a world that is more violent and complex than he ever imagined. But mere survival is not enough for him. Davy wants to find others like himself, others who can Jump.
Katherine says: "Lot's of fun"
"Don't Miss This One...Dare You to Stop Listening!"

Overall
Performance
Story

At least you will not want to stop listening. Very good story, well written and narrated. Mr. Gould is a master of the "what would you do if...." He puts you in the story and what a story! I'm making Steven Gould one of my go-to authors.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Animal Kingdom: An Apocalyptic Novel

UNABRIDGED
- by Iain Rob Wright
- Narrated by Peter Bishop
Animal Kingdom: An Apocalyptic Novel

UNABRIDGED (5 hrs and 43 mins)

By Iain Rob Wright

Narrated By Peter Bishop

Overall
(2)
Performance
(2)
Story
(2)

Everything is going great until a bizarre snake attack sends everybody in the zoo running for cover. It isn't long before Joe realizes that there is a lot more going on than a simple snake attack. And if the hungry lions, roaring gorillas and charging elephants now free from their cages have anything to say about it, there is more bloodshed to come. All of the world's animals are attacking, and no one knows why. What they do know is that man is now on the bottom of the food chain.
Kim Venatries says: "Good Story of Animals and Humans Behaving Badly"
"Good Story of Animals and Humans Behaving Badly"

Overall
Performance
Story

Nothing deep or complex here. Tight plot, action and human drama all within the confines of a British zoo. Well written and a decent performance.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Wildside

UNABRIDGED
- by Steven Gould
- Narrated by Paul Boehmer
Wildside

UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 43 mins)

By Steven Gould

Narrated By Paul Boehmer

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(14)
Performance
(13)
Story
(13)

Forget the lottery. Teenager Charlie Newell has just discovered something that will make him and his friends billionaires. What if a world existed in which no humans ever evolved? No cities. No pollution. No laws. A fantastic world filled with unimaginable riches in which everything - everything - was yours just for the taking?
Charlie has found that world. And he plans to use it to make him and his friends rich.There is a problem: How do you keep something this big a secret?
Matthew says: "And welcome to it..."
"What if you could...."

Overall
Performance
Story

Step into another world rich with resources like for instance, gold? Stuff that you can sell in this world for lots of money? And then suppose you told your very best friends about it so they could help you haul it back to this world and share in the wealth? This is a great story with action and suspense but not what you’re thinking given the cover art. Now I did have a little trouble swallowing teens randomly knowing that much about legal issues and it’s a bit heavy with the avionics and mechanics but those issues are minor and hey if your into those things, bonus for you. The take away is the story is really good and will hold your attention. Good job with the narration as well.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Zombie Fallout: Zombie Fallout, Book 1

UNABRIDGED
- by Mark Tufo
- Narrated by Sean Runnette
Zombie Fallout: Zombie Fallout, Book 1

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 30 mins)

By Mark Tufo

Narrated By Sean Runnette

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1613)
Performance
(1507)
Story
(1509)

This is the story of Michael Talbot, his family, and his friends: a band of ordinary people trying to get by in extraordinary times. When disaster strikes, Mike, a self-proclaimed survivalist, does his best to ensure the safety and security of those he cares for. Book one of the Zombie Fallout Trilogy follows our lead character at his self-deprecating, sarcastic best. What he encounters along the way leads him down a long dark road, always skirting the edge of insanity.
Teddy says: "Hooked!"
"Not for Me... Apocalypse is Just Not That Funny"

Overall
Performance
Story

I like humor. I like apocalypse fiction. I like zombie fiction. I can even like a book that combines all three in the right proportion. But somehow the recipe was off for me in this book. Maybe it was the timing of the wise cracks or the amount of jokiness. I tried but I couldn't get through this.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Whiskey Beach

UNABRIDGED
- by Nora Roberts
- Narrated by Peter Berkrot
Whiskey Beach

UNABRIDGED (15 hrs and 24 mins)

By Nora Roberts

Narrated By Peter Berkrot

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(332)
Performance
(287)
Story
(283)

For more than 300 years, Bluff House has sat above Whiskey Beach, guarding its shore - and its secrets. But to Eli Landon, it’s home.… A Boston lawyer, Eli has weathered an intense year of public scrutiny and police investigations after being accused of - but never arrested for - the murder of his soon-to-be-ex wife. He finds sanctuary at Bluff House, even though his beloved grandmother is in Boston recuperating from a nasty fall. Abra Walsh is always there, though.
Lauren says: "Usually love Nora, but this one is a dud"
"Not So Good"

Overall
Performance
Story

This was not an enjoyable experience for me. I don't normally complain about a book being too long but this one sags and drags. I did not bond with the characters or the improbable plot. There was no suspense for me. Very repetitive and farfetched. The narration was okay, it was the story that disappointed.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Nids

UNABRIDGED
- by Ray Garton
- Narrated by Seth Michael Donsky
Nids

UNABRIDGED (4 hrs and 7 mins)

By Ray Garton

Narrated By Seth Michael Donsky

Overall
(1)
Performance
(1)
Story
(1)

Medical research? Genetic experiments? No one knows exactly what goes on inside the sprawling BioGenTech building on the edge of town. But after an enormous explosion at the facility, people in town start turning up dead...and in pieces. Something is loose in Hope Valley. Something big...and fast...and hungry. It has a lot of legs, a nasty disposition and a big appetite. This is one spider you can’t step on.
Kim Venatries says: "Okay Story...Laughably Bad Narration"
"Okay Story...Laughably Bad Narration"

Overall
Performance
Story

The good: 1950s style giant insect menaces small town. The bad: abrupt ending. The ugly: super awful narration. Seriously, just listen to the sample. Especially the voices. Like a mangled accident scene you can't tear your ears from. The narrative was overly dramatic and uneven and the voices...the town seemed to consist of people with random heavy New England accents, southern California valley girls and Fog-horn Leghorns. The adult female voices were either cutesy two year olds or whiskey soaked octogenarians. Nothing in between. Nothing even close to what they should have sounded like. I cannot recommend this audiobook unless you are looking for a primer on how NOT to narrate a book. Or you need a laugh. Get the print version instead.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Extinction Machine: The Joe Ledger Novels, Book 5

UNABRIDGED
- by Jonathan Maberry
- Narrated by Ray Porter
Extinction Machine: The Joe Ledger Novels, Book 5

UNABRIDGED (14 hrs and 58 mins)

By Jonathan Maberry

Narrated By Ray Porter

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(177)
Performance
(166)
Story
(165)

The president of the United States vanishes from the White House. A top-secret prototype stealth fighter is destroyed during a test flight. Witnesses on the ground say that it was shot down by a craft that immediately vanished at impossible speeds. All over the world, reports of UFOs are increasing at an alarming rate. And in a remote fossil dig in China dinosaur hunters have found something that is definitely not of this earth.
Karen says: "Another Amazing Entry in the Series"
"Go for Maberry…Need More Please!"

Overall
Performance
Story

What did you love best about Extinction Machine?

Frankly it's a tie between a fantastically good story and superb narration. Mr. Maberry is very good at taking the unbelievable and making it not only completely plausible but he makes you look at it from a wholly new prospective. Yes, the story is about alien visitation but it has nothing to do with little green men or space lizards that come to conquer. It will make you think, worry and wonder while enjoying a rousing thriller. (Heavy sigh) now the wait until the next installment.

Which character – as performed by Ray Porter – was your favorite?

Ray Porter is why audiobooks rock. He takes the character of Joe Ledger and the series to another level.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Rig: A Novel of Terror

UNABRIDGED
- by Bryan W. Alaspa
- Narrated by Clifton Satterfield
Rig: A Novel of Terror

UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 25 mins)

By Bryan W. Alaspa

Narrated By Clifton Satterfield

Overall
(3)
Performance
(3)
Story
(3)

Rig 42, the largest and most advanced oil rig the world has ever known, has just hit something. The airwaves fill with the sounds of screaming, terror, and torture, and then there is silence. Now, the biggest oil rig in the world sits quietly. But something evil has infiltrated the massive structure. The company is desperate to find out what's happened. A team of mercenaries and oil rig experts is dispatched to determine what the danger is and if it can be eliminated.
Kim Venatries says: "Doesn't Really Deliver...Bub-Lite"
"Doesn't Really Deliver...Bub-Lite"

Overall
Performance
Story

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I would not say it was well-spent but it was not a total waste either. It should have been better.

Would you be willing to try another book from Bryan W. Alaspa? Why or why not?

Probably not. The story was not well written. The plot summary begs for a listen/read (if you like this kind of story) but the actual story falls flat, DOA. The characters are one dimensional or no dimensional and the suspense is non-existent. I kept listening hoping there would be some huge plot twist or big reveal to make it all worth the effort.

What about Clifton Satterfield’s performance did you like?

He did a decent job. Not particularly memorable or bad.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes. Maybe on screen with a more fleshed out screen play and appealing characters it would be more engaging.

Any additional comments?

Get J.A. Konrath's Origin instead. Same premise but much, much better done.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Island 731

UNABRIDGED
- by Jeremy Robinson
- Narrated by R. C. Bray
Island 731

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 47 mins)

By Jeremy Robinson

Narrated By R. C. Bray

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(48)
Performance
(41)
Story
(42)

Mark Hawkins, former park ranger and expert tracker, is out of his element, working onboard the Magellan, a research vessel studying the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. But his work is interrupted when, surrounded by 30 miles of refuse, the ship and its high-tech systems are plagued by a series of strange malfunctions and the crew is battered by a raging storm. When the storm fades and the sun rises, the beaten crew awakens to find themselves anchored in the protective cove of a tropical island...and no one knows how they got there.
Shane says: "The Best Listen I Have Ever Had"
"Action-Packed Science Fiction"

Overall
Performance
Story

A research ship is lured to an island run amok with monsterous human experiments, mutants and at least one really mad scientist. The story isn't complex and the "science" is a bit thin but the story will hold your interest with non-stop action.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful