Radford

First of all let me state that I absolutely loved this story. I actually think Stephen King is better at writing this kind of story than horror stories. If you haven't read the Dark Tower series, check it out and you'll see what I mean.

Now onto why I gave this a 4 and not a 5. I waited a week after I finished it before deciding to write a review in case I changed my mind. The reason might seem silly to some folks but for some reason I just couldn't get over it. It's all about the yellow card man. He attempted to explain it towards the end of the story but it felt rushed. Some people may feel that he explained it enough but after the taste he gave towards the ending, I realized I wanted to know a lot more about this person and more about the effects because of the consequences of Jakes time travel.

He may write a book later on about the yellow card man (I'm purposely staying singular here for those that have already read the story) and that may satisfy my appetite then but for right now, I need more :).


I'm not going to rehash a summary; other people have given good reviews already. Overall this a great story and I highly recommend it.

Joe Kicks Ass!

Wow, without giving anything away, It has to be when a Major event happens to the DMS Warehouse in baltimore and Joe's reaction to it.

Ray Porter is awesome for this series. If this ever gets greenlight for the television series I can actually picture who I would like Joe to be (Jason O'Mara).

The way Ray voices Joe is just spot on. The tone, the attitude, everything. I love what he does with the other characters as well. You have to give serious props to Ray for bringing the writing to life. One of my favorite parts in this book from a narration perspective is when Top is speaking with Joe at Joe's uncles house right after they arrive.

Joe's mental dilemma in the cavern after he's been caught and gets free and has to make a decision on what to do with the people in the "lab" I'm using lab very loosely here in order not to give anything away.

Read all the other books in order. You don't have too but it will so enrich the story.

The first two hours of this book were a complete waste of time and in my opinion did nothing to add to the story. Now with that said, you're either going to like this book or not. I fall into the latter camp. It isn't a bad book but it's not an action story and requires you to really listen to it and pay attention (which I do with all my audio books), otherwise you can get lost quite easily.

Maybe I've read too many books but I found the story line very simplistic and predictable.
It revolves around finding a mole within the spy agency label as the "circus". An analytical mind may find this story appealing.

If it wasn't for the fact that I always listen or read a story once I purchase it, I would have left it after those first two hours of listening.

Based on this book, I would not

I believe he set the tone of this novel quiet well but honestly he puts me to sleep. He has one of those voices that are easy to listen to but can lull you. Based on this performance alone, which is the only time I've ever heard him, It doesn't seem like he has a wide range of voices as I've heard from others.

I would have cut out the first two hours.

You can read everybody else's reviews for the meat. It's a good book and fits well. The only difference here is you get a happy ending. A lot of people didn't like that, I did. Here are a few of the characters from the First law series that make appearances.

Caul Shivers and Nicomo Cosca play big roles in this book although they are not the main characters.

Shylo Vitari has an important role

Carlot dan Eider minor role

Jezal dan Luthar very minor in this book. He makes an appearance

Yoru Sulfur minor role as well

I'll let the other reviews give you more details but this trilogy rocks. Multiple times in throughout the series it is stressed that history repeats itself. It's interesting that it ends much the same way it begins.

I also like how he portrays the characters. It show that not everybody you think is bad is bad and those that are "good" are not always so. It also addresses a lot of grey areas.

IMO Bayaz is a bad guy, Luther is good and Nine fingers is in the grey area. This is just a example of how things change from when you start the series.

The series is not one of those that wraps everything up neatly in the end but nonetheless it is enjoyable. There are two stand alone books that go with this and there is a third on the way. I plan on listening to them all.


The first is Best Served cold
http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_5?asin=B0032ITJEA&qid=1346238801&sr=1-5

The second is The Heroes
http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_4?asin=B004PKDGMK&qid=1346238801&sr=1-4

The third is Red Country
http://www.amazon.com/Red-Country-Joe-Abercrombie/dp/0316187216

I liked the story within a story. I probably would call this book 4.5 more like 4.1.

It has less to do with the current situation in midworld and more about Rolands past.
While it was fun, especially the Wind in Through the Keyhole story that Roland tells, it just didn't feel relevant to the whole series overall. This would have been really good as one of the graphic novels that are currently ongoing.

As for Stephens narration, it wasn't awful but it was flat. I miss the feel that the other narrators gave to it.

Like others have said, it may be work actually buying the book. The only cool thing this has over the book is a chapter from the Shining sequel at the end.

When I first started this series it was a break from the normal in depth books I tend to read. The quick action, interesting characters and end of the world ( or at least chaos of the world) plots are just simply delightful and addicting.

This book brings back Galt and Toys and the author did it in a good way. It didn't feel cheesy or forced. I really hope that they follow through on this and make the TV series.

If you read or listened to the other books you know the basics already. Good Guy Joe Ledger and the DMS must save the world again against the evil organization of the Seven Kings and the Goddess.

So if you need a break from the complex books, like action and can put aside the near invincibility and luck of Joe Ledger, I highly recommend this book. This is one of those books to just sit back, enjoy and go with the flow.

This is a collection of short stories linked together by the main character Azhrarn. There was one story I found particularly enjoyable and it was the longest in the book about a girl who was the daughter of a King but her father was killed by other kingdoms. I kind of wish that would have been the overall story instead but alas I guess that is why the title is Tales from the Flat Earth, with the emphasis on Tales.

The writing is okay but I just couldn't get over the fact that it felt disjointed. While she does blend in different mythologies and tales from other cultures, it failed to grasp this listner. Most, not all, of the stories felt superficial and lacking in details (to which the author eases herself out by writing in that the details are not known.) It felt lazy in my opinion.

I couldn't stand the Narrator. The main reason for this was her rhythmatic way of reading. She does an ok job with the voices but the overall tone is boring and made me want to go to sleep.

IMHO, I believe this book would be targeted towards early teens. It's simple enough to follow and enough to let them enjoy the fantasy.

I personally won't be continuing the series.

I'll be honest. I'm enjoying these books. They are just packed full of action. I'll also agree with some other reviewers is that these were written more for teenagers but they are still fun for those of us above the age of 35. I think I may have been a little harsh on the narrator in the first book. When I analyzed the narration in this book, I noticed I was more bothered by the editing in a couple spots than the actual narrator. I have just started the 3rd book and look forward to just a very good action orientated book.

I was debating how I would rate this overall. I just came off of listening to several complex books and when I was listening to this one, it was hard for me to overcome the simplicity and straightforwardness of it. Now I'm not saying that was a bad thing just it took me a while to adjust.

I did read online that this is in the works for a television series and when I was getting close to the end, I was thinking "I hope they don't make a movie out of it, it would be better for TV".


No onto the review. The narrcator did a good job overall. It wasn't great but his voice wasn't consistent throughout the whole story. He maintained his accents good and characters good but it was off in some parts and that's why I gave him a 3.

The story itself is pretty straightforward and I can honestly say nothing surprised me but when I started thinking about it, it reminded me of going to a very good action movie. Sometimes you go to a movie it makes you think and you can talk about it for days, weeks, months etc.... Other times you go to a movie just for the pure enjoyment of the action. The plot may not be super tight but the characters and everything they have to go through make it enjoyable. That's the way this book is. It moves quickly and the characters make it hold up well. I listened to the epilogue and was really surprised at how much research the author put into the book.

I really wish there would have been some more twists in this but if you enjoy action, you won't be dissapointed. The other thing, mainly of which I'm guilty of, is that I didn't read the summary in well. I saw patient zero and immediate saw a zombie and thought oohhh this is going to be an everything went to hell zombie book where most everybody has been turned into zombies and they are going to explore the first zombie. Well it's not for those that are expecting that. It's more of a how do we stop the zombie plague from being released and infecting the world.

So in short, if you want a "good action movie" this book is for you. I will be checking the second one out in this series and if I like that then I'll get the rest.