Jane Carver of Waar

Waar, Book 1

By: Nathan Long

Narrated by: Dina Pearlman

Length: 12 hrs

Publisher's summary

Jane Carver is nobody's idea of a space princess. A hard-ridin', hard-lovin' biker chick and ex-Airborne Ranger, Jane is as surprised as anyone else when, on the run from the law, she ducks into the wrong cave at the wrong time - and wakes up butt-naked on an exotic alien planet light-years away from everything she's ever known. Waar is a savage world of four-armed tiger-men, sky-pirates, slaves, gladiators, and purple-skinned warriors in thrall to a bloodthirsty code of honor and chivalry. Caught up in a disgraced nobleman's quest to win back the hand of a sexy alien princess, Jane encounters bizarre wonders and dangers unlike anything she ever ran into back home. Then again, Waar has never seen anyone like Jane before.

Both a loving tribute and scathing parody of the swashbuckling space fantasies of yore, Jane Carver of Waar introduces an unforgettable new science-fiction heroine. Nathan Long is a screen and prose writer with two movies, a Saturday-morning adventure series, and several TV episodes to his name. His official website is: www.sabrepunk.com.

©2012 Nathan Long (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Nothing special

Great performance but story was nothing special. Another present-day heroine with attitude sent to past/primitive society with typical sarcastic remarks at the appropriate situations. Having read a few urban fantasy novels with female leads recently, the typical sarcastic attitude has been getting tiring, despite the great performances of the narrators. Whether it's the performances being similar or the heroine's sassy attitude or the first person perspective, or the combination of all three, which do tend to go together in modern style fantasy these days, I feel like the modern female heroine has consolidated into one personality. I haven't read the John Carter book but saw the movie. This book has such a similar plot that there isn't really any point. The other reviews made me so optimistic that the new take on the story would make it fresh, or extra witty, but it was all just too shallow. If it's trying to be a spoof, it failed dismally.

Thought I wouldn't like it...

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the parody of Burroughs work. It was one of the better audiobooks I have listened to this year (if listened to with a view towards its humor). I can't wait to listen to the rest of the series.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I went for a few days without to it; however, it's still a great story.

Loved it.

Would you consider the audio edition of Jane Carver of Waar to be better than the print version?

If there is another Jane Carver I sure would.

What did you like best about this story?

The dialog was great and different.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not in one sitting but I listened to it in longer sessions than I normally did.

I wanted to love this one

So I bought this book about a year ago and put in the "when i need a good book and this will definitely be a good book" pile, mean a book that mimics, plays around with a spoofs one of my favorite books of all time, The Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burrows, lots of positive glowing reviews, cool cover art, what could go wrong?

We'll start with the prose because truth be told this is not a bad book.
First off the narration was fantastic, Pearlman I will be looking for in other audio books as she really did become Jane, and i don't say that lightly. Her narration was nearly as in character as James Marsters in the Dresden Files, hence why she got five stars.
2. The was a lot of world building filtered through, which made things similar to the Barsoom series to be familiar yet different enough to be its own thing.
3. Jane, for the most part, was a fun character i enjoyed, especially how her backstory was properly layered in, she kept to character, actually acted based off her backstory and history and not plot. She felt close to being a real person which is rare. The other characters and their characterizations were not quiet as well but still better than standard.
4. I don't know how explain this beyond the story felt like it had the proper scaling. You know how some times Joe or Jan Doe, who are just normal people, get dropped into world changing and extraordinary events which test your belief that a normal person could actually do something like that? Yes those stories, nothing against them, I hope you know what I mean. Well there was none of that in this book, Jane and her comrades never do something that feels like they couldn't, with a bit of luck sometimes, pull of and the author uses the 'with luck' excuse sparingly.
5. The pacing was overall spot on, the book never lagged, slowed, or dragged anywhere nor did it feel overly rushed.
6. while there were no real twists, so if that's your thing this would be a negative, however for me I much prefer a book have logical well thought out cause and effect, which this one has.
7. This is the last of the positive and one I really appreciate. That being the characters' reactions to their situation and each other being more real than normal. What do i mean? Well when a certain character starts being a spineless fool, the characters at first understand but slowly loose patience and start calling it out. Which is a nice change from the endless excuses many characters often get in literature, when a character is being a coward, they called a coward, when they're a blow hard or being other wise less than perfect their 'friends' call them out on it just like friends would in real life. I see this far too rarely in books not to point it out.

Now the Negatives, there are only two but they are big ones, at least to me, hence the lose of two stars despite all the praise.
1. The author's clear disdain for traditional values makes me wonder why he wanted to make a series somewhat based on the series he did. What do I mean? Well the Basoom series was written by a military school for boy director who wrote his original series to expound upon the value of traditional values, especially masculinity and honor. However honor is never mentioned positively in this book. Nor are thing like the value of wanting a virginal bride in a pre-industrial society based on inheritance. There's really only one way for a man to know if the child is really his or not, whose mom is obvious, whose dad well that can get complicated in pre-dna days. Mind you I'm not saying women have to be virginal till wed, no definitely not, but I can understand the worry. So the thematic whip lash between what this book is based upon and what the author has to say is more than a bit jarring.
2. for those who have come across my reviews before you probably are expecting this one given con number 1. The biggest detraction of this book is the thick, and I do mean thick coating of PC and modern cultures into this book. Look if i want to debate politics I'll listen to YouTube. When I'm listening to a book and I really rather not hear politics of any sort, and I do mean any sort. the layering is worst in the first 4 hours then peters out into little to nothing other than Victorian era of "yes women actually do have libido and enjoy sex (yes it went there) too women's suffrage stuff" which is no duh. Which again, it's a nearly three century old discussion; we all know by now I don't know why it was here, in fact the plot and culture seemed to be twisted a little bit just to make this point. Sadly this isn't the only times this happens, it happens a lot. Anyway the story only touches this and a bit of homosexuality/ bi but only lightly. That is until the last hour, then the PC/Modern culture comes back with a vengeance to the point with a mere 20 minutes left I well left. I couldn't finish it. Why did they bring up Atomic bombs are bad? Why bring up women can be leaders? Mean seriously I get it and agree! In essence, I read fantasy books to escape the real world and enjoy not have the pc culture shoved in my face, nor do I appreciate every aspect of masculinity only being shone in as negative a light as possible. I've personally had quiet men being men is bad narrative that seems to popular these days. We do not need to tear men down to build women up! This especially stings since the first time I head in media of any sort that it was not only okay, but a good thing to be masculine was in the Princess of Mars printed in 1913! A book this is a parody of.

In essence if an intrusive and thick coat of PC culture and more tradition and honor/duty are bad doesn't bother you this is a good book. Personally I've been kicked enough and have had quiet enough of authors being sexist and displaying only the most negative aspects of half the world's population so I recommend passing on it.

What a hoot! Never Stopps being fun.

Not laugh out loud funny but amusing all of the way. The action never stops! It makes you wish Jane was real and really sent those tapes to Nathan. I just downloaded the next book. Bravo! I think I just found a new favorite for my author list!!! Narration was excellent also!

Outstanding in all aspects

What made the experience of listening to Jane Carver of Waar the most enjoyable?

Good story, moved quickly and elicited enough laughs. Excellent narration which brought Jane to life. I never thought I was not listening to her real story. I couldn't wait to get back in my car to keep listening and was disappointed when the story ended.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jane. Just seemed real.

What about Dina Pearlman’s performance did you like?

Excellent, excellent, excellent.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely, If I had the time.

HOW FREAKING FUN

Loved every word spoken to tell this story. Mistress J is a hoot on to book 2

Not ashamed to 'read' this book..

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

I would have to select the right person to read this book, they'd really have to have an open mind and a great sense of humor

What was one of the most memorable moments of Jane Carver of Waar?

I just love when she returns to Waar and is totally willing to give up on our not so interesting world here

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

Dina is always a strong voice but, I always seem to associate her with Jane. It's just such a unique character

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

Too many laughs to count!

Any additional comments?

Just 'do it' and listen to Jane talk about her adventures...Hysterical from a woman's viewpoint of some wimpy Dudes-exposed...

I'm in love with a Big Pink Biker Chick!

Would you listen to Jane Carver of Waar again? Why?

I loved this Series. I usually don't read Sci-Fi, but this sucked me in from the beginning.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Jane Carver of Waar?

Mr Long has written the most kick ass heroine. Her voice is so funny and real. Throw me into another world and I would be letting the F bombs go too.

What does Dina Pearlman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The performance of Ms. Pearlman is is perfect. That rough voice and her sarcastic delivery is right on.

Any additional comments?

Mr. Long and Ms. Pearlman make a wonderful combination. Funny, funny, funny!

not bad if you have a credit you wanna spend

I just hated the voice actress it's an ok story and maybe more enjoyable as text her voice just something I couldn't get past