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Serene

Marina, CA, United States | Member Since 2003

34
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 20 reviews
  • 67 ratings
  • 643 titles in library
  • 17 purchased in 2013
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  • Kill Decision

    • UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 6 mins)
    • By Daniel Suarez
    • Narrated By Jeff Gurner
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (1608)
    Performance
    (1438)
    Story
    (1436)

    Linda McKinney is a myrmecologist, a scientist who studies the social structure of ants. Her academic career has left her entirely unprepared for the day her sophisticated research is conscripted by unknown forces to help run an unmanned - and thanks to her research, automated - drone army. Odin is the secretive Special Ops soldier with a unique insight into the faceless enemy who has begun to attack the American homeland with drones programmed to seek, identify, and execute targets.

    Mark says: "LEO WAS RIGHT, PART II"
    "Entertaining"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I really enjoyed listening to this. I just couldn't wait to find out what happened. I thought it was suspenseful from start to finish, although I thought it perhaps was all resolved a bit too quickly. The idea of a robot being based on an ant intelligence was clever. This was a great one!

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Earth Below, Sky Above: The Human Division, Episode 13

    • UNABRIDGED (2 hrs and 1 min)
    • By John Scalzi
    • Narrated By William Dufris
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (197)
    Performance
    (179)
    Story
    (179)

    At last, the Earth and the Colonial Union have begun formal discussions about their relationship in the future - a chance for the divisions in humanity to be repaired. The diplomats and crew of the Clarke are on hand to help with the process, including Ambassador Ode Abumwe and CDF Lieutenant Harry Wilson, both of whom were born on Earth. But not everyone wants the human division to be repaired.... And they will go to great lengths to make sure it isn’t....

    Joshua says: "Thrilling Yet Open-Ended Conclusion"
    "No resolution, felt like filler..."
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Lots of wise-cracking but not a lot of plot in this segment. I heard this was the last one, but nothing is really resolved. Kind of felt like filler.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Slay and Rescue

    • UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 23 mins)
    • By John Moore
    • Narrated By Jake Lewis
    Overall
    (1)
    Performance
    (1)
    Story
    (1)

    Prince Charming must work overtime when he becomes embroiled in a plot involving an evil sorceress, an enchanted castle, an angry dragon, and three beautiful damsels in distress. In this hilarious fairy tale parody, Prince Charming is getting tired the constant need to Slay and Rescue.

    Serene says: "Kinda tiring"
    "Kinda tiring"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I like the idea- a story told from Prince Charming's POV, however, prince Charming is a horny teen and obsesses constantly about women and their physical attributes. I was bored. I think the writing is supposed to be funny and sometimes it was, but I gave up about the time Prince Charming got his quest from the evil queen. It was a little bored of the 'Johnny one note' quality of the writing.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Battle Station: Star Force, Book 5

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 43 mins)
    • By B. V. Larson
    • Narrated By Mark Boyett
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (659)
    Performance
    (612)
    Story
    (613)

    In Battle Station, Kyle Riggs faces new challenges, new alien fleets, and learns the secrets behind the war he has been fighting for years. In the fifth book of the Star Force Series, the Eden system is in humanity's grasp, but can they keep it? Star Force is weak after a long war, and many yearn to go home. Knowing the machines will return with a new armada eventually, Riggs seeks a more permanent solution. Along the way, worlds are won and lost, millions perish, and great truths are revealed.

    William says: "Non-stop Sci-Fi Action"
    "Can't do anymore"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I thought the series was innovative at first, but eventually the main character began to drive me nuts. He is far too much of a super-sue. What is the point of having military advisors if you ignore them and do what you want? The female characters also began to drive me nuts. Sandra in particular is really irritating. Its like a normal woman is not enough, he has to make her a super hero. I can easily see Kyle becoming an overbearing dictator. He is well intentioned but he makes too many mistakes. This would be so much better if Kyle and his favored ones weren't the bestest at everything.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Pines

    • UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 33 mins)
    • By Blake Crouch
    • Narrated By Paul Michael Garcia
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (134)
    Performance
    (128)
    Story
    (126)

    Wayward Pines, Idaho, is quintessential small-town America — or so it seems. Secret Service agent Ethan Burke arrives in search of two missing federal agents, yet soon is facing much more than he bargained for. After a violent accident lands him in the hospital, Ethan comes to with no ID and no cell phone. The medical staff seems friendly enough, but something feels…off. As the days pass, Ethan’s investigation into his colleagues’ disappearance turns up more questions than answers. Why can’t he make contact with his family in the outside world? Why doesn’t anyone believe he is who he says he is? And what’s the purpose of the electrified fences encircling the town? Are they keeping the residents in? Or something else out? Each step toward the truth takes Ethan further from the world he knows, until he must face the horrifying possibility that he may never leave Wayward Pines alive…

    Matthew says: "I had no idea"
    "Exciting, but how many times can a man get beat up"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I really liked this one, granted I did think it started really slow, but after the the slow start, it picked up. You just can't help but want to know what is going on in the mysterious town of Pines. The only thing I didn't like was that the protag gets beat up and tortured like 3-5 times during this narration. It really started to get a bit ridiculous. The main character should only get beat up once in a story, and make it count, otherwise it becomes a bit silly.

    Overall, though I liked the ending. It was a zinger. Highly reccommend!

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • House of Zeor: Sime~Gen, Book 1

    • UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 16 mins)
    • By Jacqueline Lichtenberg
    • Narrated By Michael Spence
    Overall
    (8)
    Performance
    (6)
    Story
    (7)

    The first published novel in this best-selling series asks the question: "What if the basic human nature suddenly changed?" Hugh Valleroy of the Gen Police undertakes a covert mission into Sime Territory to rescue the woman he loves from the Sime kidnappers who would use her to destroy his government. His protector and guide? A Sime who carefully and deliberately plans to kill him!

    Zoe says: "A Life Time Favourite Brought to Life"
    "Enjoyable!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I love Jacqueline's stories, and this is the first in her fabulous Ren~Sime series. The narrator does a good job bringing the characters to life, although at times he makes one of the main characters sound a bit too much like Leonard Nimoy. The story and plot though- are all excellent.

    This is basically about a world where humans have mutated into two distinct races Simes and Gens. Gens are outwardly normal, but Simes have tentacles on their arms, and a voracious thirst for Selyn- an energy the gens produce.

    This is basically a buddy drama set on an alien reality. A sheer delight to listen to, after many duds.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • One Jump Ahead: Jon & Lobo, Book 1

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 27 mins)
    • By Mark L. Van Name
    • Narrated By Tom Stechschulte
    Overall
    (29)
    Performance
    (28)
    Story
    (28)

    Jon Moore wanted only to relax on the pristine planet of Macken - but Macken was the secret battleground of two megacorporations, both determined to control the local jump gate and the riches of an undeveloped world. Moore was too valuable a tool not to be used, whether or not he was willing. What the corporations didn't realize was that Moore had a mind of his own and a conscience that wouldn't let him quit until he'd righted their wrong. And Moore had Lobo - or just possibly, Lobo had Jon Moore, because this Assault Vehicle had a mind of its own,

    Professor says: "It's all just a beginning."
    "Narration felt wooden"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I couldn't get into this one. I thought the narration was wrong for this character and I just thought the story was a bit goofy. Sentient laundry machines? Eh... I'll pass.

    0 of 7 people found this review helpful
  • Carnival

    • UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 10 mins)
    • By Elizabeth Bear
    • Narrated By Celeste Ciulla
    Overall
    (9)
    Performance
    (4)
    Story
    (4)

    Garnering rave reviews from multiple publications, Elizabeth Bear is a rising voice in science fiction. Michelangelo Kisanagi-Jones and Vincent Katherinessen, former abassador-spies, have been ordered to New Amazonia to bring back information about the planet's cheap, renewable energy source. But secretly, one of the men devises other plans.

    Serene says: "Best book I've 'listened to' all year"
    "Best book I've 'listened to' all year"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I really enjoyed Carnival. It is a really interesting and intriguing space opera/sci fi story with a fun gay couple as the protagonists. And this is a gay couple with mega baggage from their previous encounter, but a lot of love for eachother. Vincent and Angelo are both diplomats, but Vincent is out to succeed in his mission and Angelo is out to sabotage it. Their reasons are complex and heart-wrenching. They also have to deal with New Amazonia- a planet where men aren't well regarded, and the politics and aliens on this stange new world. I though the narrator did a wonderful job with these characters, and their lives. The only thing is I felt like there should be a prequel to Carnival. A story where Vince and Angelo first meet. There is so much history there it really needed to be explored.

    Overall, I really liked it and am looking for more books like this one.

    There is some sex, but its light and nderstated and this is not an erotic book although there is romance.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Zombies of Lake Woebegotton

    • UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 57 mins)
    • By Harrison Geillor
    • Narrated By Phil Gigante
    Overall
    (108)
    Performance
    (68)
    Story
    (69)

    The town of Lake Woebegotton, MN is a small town, filled with ordinary (yet above average) people, leading ordinary lives. Ordinary, that is, until the dead start coming back to life, with the intent to feast upon the living! Now this small town of above average citizens must overcome their petty rivalries and hidden secrets in order to survive an onslaught of the dead.

    Cidney says: "Why is no one making a movie out of this?"
    "Goofy annoying Narration"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I guess I was expecting more. I just couldn't get into this, and despite all the amazing ratings, I just found it to be goofy and irritating. The narration really bothered me too. I guess I wasted a credit.

    1 of 3 people found this review helpful
  • Upstairs Downstairs: Secrets of an Edwardian Household

    • UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 18 mins)
    • By John Hawkesworth
    • Narrated By Jean Marsh
    Overall
    (34)
    Performance
    (25)
    Story
    (25)

    Jean Marsh, who played Rose in the TV series 'Upstairs Downstairs', reads John Hawkesworth’s classic novelisation. It is 1905, and the Bellamys reside in Eaton Place, in the heart of London’s Belgravia. Above stairs, Lady Marjorie runs the house and plans her husband’s future in the government. Below stairs, Rose and Sarah, the maids, pursue their duties beneath the ever-watchful eye of Mr Hudson, the butler....

    Barbara says: "Just wonderful -- except it's not edited!"
    "Enjoyable, despite the editing mistakes."
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Upstairs Downstairs is one of my favorite series. This really brought the memories to life. The funny thing is there are several mistakes on the narration, where the reader is asked to re-read certain parts, or the reader makes a mistake and reads a section again. Even with this, the narration is still better than most. She does a wonderful job with the characters and accents. 5 fabulous stars.

    5 of 5 people found this review helpful

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