Suzn F

Mr. Koontz, thank you for bringing back the childlike flavor of a favorite character, Odd Thomas. Your last few books have sadly been a bit of a disappointment, but this one rings true to character once again. Odd's side kicks, JoLeigh and Ed are delightful and interesting.
Unfortunately the enigmatic pregnant woman is here and remains an annoying mystery.
But overall the story held my interest; I enjoyed the book.

Yes I am a die hard SK fan. This story set in a small town Carney is told from the point of view of a sweet nineteen year old boy. His first love has broken his heart and he is ready for new adventures. I expected the typical scary SK horror tale and yet there was no horror nor really not much of a mystery but nonetheless the book held my interest. I cared about the characters and wanted the best for them. So for me it was a good book, certainly not one of my favorites. I'm glad I had a listen, the narrator was good, he fit the bill.
Mr.King please give us another real good one, we're ready!

When I heard that Lauren Weisberger released another "Wears Prada" book I was psyched. But sadly this one just didn't hit the mark. The quick witted and darling Andy Sachs returns. She becomes "besties" with Emily, her former nemesis from the "Runway".office. Andy is in a relationship with darling, handsome, patient and kind Max (who later in the book completely violates Andy's trust pretty much out of the blue with no real explanation). Andy and Emily start their own upscale bridal magazine called "The Plunge". Once they become successful, near the middle of the book finally Miranda appears. I had been wondering where is Miranda, that devil in Prada? Miranda is alternately sweet, kind and then her old predictable horrible self. Overall her interactions with the girls are fairly limited leaving the reader/listener wishing for more.
This could have made for a fun quick paced story like the last one but it falls somewhat short.This story lacks cohesion. I'm not sure it's because this is a sequel or some other reason. However I'm still glad I listened... but wished for more.

Imagine that you live in a society where all your dental and medical care is free. And your food is free. And there is no violent "crime". And everyone works together for a common goal. And the leader of this place is called " Dear Leader".
You wouldn't have to worry about paying bills, what school to send your children, and what to wear at the office party. Why? Because everything is decided for you including your wife or husband, your career, your food, where you will live, and if your children will be allowed to grow up in your home.
Welcome to this book about North Korea and the orphan master's son, the main character. Identities are regularly changed, without a question. Citizens must regularly submit to "self criticism sessions". Torture is routine. You may be assigned a substitute spouse should your current spouse disappear or die. No one is allowed a voice. The dear leader always knows best. Paranoia rules.
This book is written in a style reminiscent of Haruki Murakami, although not quite as wonderful, still very solid.
I keep thinking about this book. I very glad I read this although at times it went on and on and perhaps because I was listening and not reading in print, I found it confusing with the replacement characters.

Oh I was hoping Mr Koontz would bring back the magic of our beloved Oddy. Although this book was an improvement on the last two in my opinion, the overall charm and cohesion was still missing a bit.
There is a cult of supernatural (some are) bad guys who have kidnapped a group of young children for reasons that are super creepy, the spirits that Oddy sees, a darling hot rod wealthy granny with lovely charm and plenty of dogs, what's not to like?
This all makes for a pretty good Odd book, however because the earlier ones were so good I can't help feeling this disappointment.
And I can't write this review without a mention of the ever pregnant Annmarie character who once again is dangled in front of the listener without any connection to the story. This one pony trick is wearing; doesn't Mr. Koontz realize that there is no need for this ploy? We are loyal reader/listeners and we do not need the "enigmatic ever pregnant woman" to keep us interested in your books. I have the opposite reaction personally.
So of course I look forward to the next Odd book and perhaps the baby will finally arrive and the annoying Annemarie will fade away into the past. Happy listening!

I loved this book.It reminds me of the wonderful book "Roots". However I especially liked that this book was written from a woman's point of view, thus giving the reader another perspective of the horrors the African slaves endured in both Africa and in America.
This story gave us an insight into this amazing woman's life story, told so well by Mr. Hill and Adenrele Ojo. Great team! This book is unforgettable, wonderful and yet so difficult to listen to.... so very very horrible, human's ability to cause another such pain in so many ways.

Oh it was okay. I enjoyed the usual Mary Roach funny tone which is always the best part. It was for me pretty much a gross out experience but I knew that going in, so no fault of the author or book itself. I guess I was wanting something more, I'm not sure what, maybe if I could have felt a bit more informed, wait......I did learn one thing...or I thought I did... never mind, now I've forgotten. So I will chalk this one up to an easy fun listen, just not memorable in any way.

This book mainly about a woman who renovates a small older hotel in the northern coast of Ireland will hold your interest with its vignettes about the guests who arrive during the opening week as well as the owner and her life story. Each guest has his or her own story, a sadness, disappointment or loss. The guests are in this lovely place and interact with one another and of course there is redemption for most and all is well in the end. So yes a tidy, dear book.

I dare the reader/listener to keep a dry eye. This book about a young girl and her horse and her foster "family" made me feel and held my interest every in chapter. Jojo Moyes is becoming a favorite for me. This is the second book from this author I've truly enjoyed. And this one had a horse as a main character who develops a unique bond with his young rider. This is a story with adventure, family bonds, romance, betrayal, danger and redemption. I so enjoy a book that invites you in and brings you along for the ride.

Another Prey series from Sanford and this one really delivers overall. This book has everything a reader/listener of the series would want. There is of course our beloved Davenport and his family, bad guys that play political dirty tricks and of course murder,a less than honorable billionaire politician, expensive one of a kind jewels in a safe, a safe cracker, computer hackers, 2 very loyal scary non-barking guard dog German Shepherds, and more. You know not the best deep read ever, but just what one wants from a Prey series. Enjoy!

These three southern beauties deliver in this story, but after a bit of a start and stop beginning. Others reviewers have set the stage describing the plot, so I'll just say that this is a good book, an enjoyable read. I did feel it got off to a slow start and maybe it is because the narrator/author sounds very much the same in each character so make sure you pay attention in the beginning of each paragraph where the author/reader indicates who is speaking in the first person.
And I did glow in the loveliness and the fun of the characters', especially Mosey's southern (we called them) diddy's...cute as a pixie sayings.