Monster Hunter International

By: Larry Correia

Narrated by: Oliver Wyman

Length: 24 hrs

Publisher's summary

Five days after Owen Zastava Pitt pushed his insufferable boss out of a 14th story window, he woke up in the hospital with a scarred face, an unbelievable memory, and a job offer.

It turns out that monsters are real. All the things from myth, legend, and B-movies are out there, waiting in the shadows. Officially secret, some of them are evil, and some are just hungry. On the other side are the people who kill monsters for a living. Monster Hunter International is the premier eradication company in the business. And now Owen is their newest recruit.

It's actually a pretty sweet gig, except for one little problem. An ancient entity known as the Cursed One has returned to settle a centuries-old vendetta. Should the Cursed One succeed, it means the end of the world, and MHI is the only thing standing in his way.

With the clock ticking towards Armageddon, Owen finds himself trapped between legions of undead minions, belligerent federal agents, a cryptic ghost who has taken up residence inside his head, and the cursed family of the woman he loves. Business is good.... Welcome to Monster Hunter International.

©2009 Larry Correia (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Greatly Imaginative but Poor Story Telling

Mr. Correaia has lots of imagination. What he doesn't seem have is the ability to tell a story that makes you care for characters and doesn't involve hyper violence all the time for its own sake. I'm not bothered by violence in general; but this story goes way overboard. The characters are not very believable. Granted, its fantasy, but the situations the characters are placed in are, to be blunt, largely absurd. But for the great talent of the narrator, I probably would not have bothered to finish it.

Entertaining - lots of action

This was a fun listen, and the author did pretty well in parts with details and character development. If a listener is a person who is interested in guns, or various weapons, or hand to hand fighting or groups of people in combat against monsters . . . this one book can fulfill a lot of that interest.

I see the author started another series after this one, and it has really good reviews, so I'll skip the rest of this series and go to the next series.

This book was very detailed on weapons and the boy meets girl stuff was very basic and predictable, but the book manages to be very entertaining. I'm not sure if it was meant to be somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but there were some laugh-out-loud parts for me - but not because the author had written something funny but because it was so "B-movie-ish" or kind of over-the-top in parts that I just had to shake my head and laugh.

The author shows some talent in this book, so the next series, which reviews indicate is far better, has my interest.

The narrator did a good job here.

Great Listen

We had a 32 hour drive to and from ahead of us. This book was perfect for our family. Great story combined with a great voice actor.

Awesome listen

Loved it. Awesome performance and story line. Story really pulls you in and allows your imagination to run wild.

My 13 year old was listening and got hooked too!

Where does Monster Hunter International rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Right up at the top. My 13 year old and I have listened to all of Rick Riordan, and I mean all, the Seven Wonders series (Amazing!!), the Last Apprentice series, and I thought this series was for me. He started listening and asked if he could listen. It was so good the first time, I started over with him and am on my second reading.

What did you like best about this story?

He is not afraid to make his lead a little goofy. He is big, burly, super strong, and can take a hit...but there is always someone who is just a little better than him. It doesn't make him weak, but it does make the story fun and interesting. 'Parlez vous this, M***** F***er!" is by far one of the goofiest lines, and he knows it...making fun of the character through another right after the line is uttered. I like that this story doesn't take itself too seriously.

Have you listened to any of Oliver Wyman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have never heard him before, but I will be hearing him again for the sequel.

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

No LOL or crying, but I definitely want to hear the next one...

Wouldn't that be ......"Accursed One?"

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Great stuff. The stuff of "b" movies......especially if you like guns..I don't. Worth a second listen.

What did you like best about this story?

The narration, and the author's sly sense of humor...

Which character – as performed by Oliver Wyman – was your favorite?

The dead Russian guy..

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I didn't quite like that he killed Conquistador, after his cursed was lifted, oh well..

Any additional comments?

Yeah an engaging listen afteran improbable opening , though its a story that must have been told , hundred times though,it was very entertaining and flawessly read.

Though also it was a bit unimaginative for the author to have to use firearms so much throughout the story, he mus tbe a real gun nut. You wonder what kind of munitions and firearms would take out a vampire?

Very high Fun Per Word

Want a fun book? Buy this. Want another fun book? Buy the next one.

I am a Larry Correia fan

This book was fun and entertaining. The next two in the series get even better. Hard Magic is as good or even better than this series. As the title suggests, I am looking forward to more from Mr. Correia. Keep up the good work!

Oh yeah, the narrator was great as well. He fit the character perfectly in my mind.

A cheesy, yet excellent book to lose oneself in

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is the type of book you pick up or listen to when you want to sit back, laugh a little and enjoy the ride. You can't take it seriously but the author does an outstanding job of keeping you engaged with twists, turns, and action that rarely slow down.

What other book might you compare Monster Hunter International to and why?

Little can compare to this book but the closest I can come when it comes to witty comments and style would be the Dresden Files

Which scene was your favorite?

The opening scene catches you from the start. You don't know what to expect and then, BANG, the story is there in your face and you are off and running.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When you get to the end and all of Z's predecessors are there, well, read the book and you will understand what he just did.

Any additional comments?

Read it, listen to it. This is a story you can take in time and again and will be a mainstay when I need that escape from reality.

Action Packed Monster Killing Satisfaction!

What did you love best about Monster Hunter International?

The story kept moving forward without any downtime. There is an underlying love story that doesn't get too sappy and the details during the action sequences are clear and vivid, making you see every image.

What did you like best about this story?

Lots of monster battles and cool characters.

Which character – as performed by Oliver Wyman – was your favorite?

Owen the hero of the story.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The beginning where Owen fights his werewolf boss.

Any additional comments?

Can't wait to read the next in the series!