Patrick W

Potentially Interesting Narrative Terrible Reader

Revisado: 02-20-20

I will say this. I tried desperately to get past the reader's vocal flaws but his style of reading was both wooden and truthfully painfully nasal. The story was engaging enough but I literally could not get past his pretentious overbearing vocal demeanor. It is a pity since I was genuinely interested in this series. I'm glad I checked this title out with Audible Escapes. I am glad to have been saved doing a return.

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Sorry I waited

Revisado: 10-10-19

I had this book in my "wish list," for years. I bought it on a whim and was pleasantly surprised at the narration, narrative, and story. The characters sounded one-note at first but in no way did any of them remain as much.

This is a wonderful piece of gay fiction, with a touch of romance, intrigue, danger, and many other elements that simply made it enjoyable.

Unlike many gay "romance," works this work is perfectly reasonable for listeners down to the age of perhaps twelve. After all, no one even blinks when Prince Charming kisses Snow White.

As with my other recent purchase, "Full Service," I listened to this work all the way through. It was highly engaging and did not follow any path I expected or anticipated.

Steve Berman, you are a talented story teller, my compliments.

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Johnny Heller's voice

Revisado: 10-10-19

I will only on comment that at the very first, Johnny Heller's voice seemed more mocking than serious narration. However, by the end of the first chapter he found his rhythm and brought the book to life.

I will not comment on details. I will, however, comment that what I heard matches what I know and/or can piece together from historical information.

This work, as a whole, was well written and engaging. I listened straight through in one night. I found myself wishing to step back in time and see some of the history described. Ironically the locations and evolution of Hollywood was equally as interesting as Scotty Bowers' life narrative.
WELL DONE!

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esto le resultó útil a 5 personas

A Different Point Of View

Revisado: 08-16-18

Though I liked the first two books of this series, much like the Path Of The Shaman Series by Vasily Mahanenko this third installment had an unsatisfactory ending to me. I won't go into detail, my perspective might be unique but I will offer a few spoilers, the hero doesn't get the girl, guy, or success. Like Chewbacca, in that famous narrative "Star Wars," this story ended with the main character getting was the shaft. Perhaps this author intends to continue his series, as Mr. Mahanenko did, and redeem his narrative. Though his writing is strong, and consistent, I honestly disliked this book so much that I literally skipped over something like five chapters. I get that stories can't always come out perfect or have a happy endings. But as a reader/listener, the last thing I need or want is to experience a story that has an ending that very much matches the rotten parts of real life. Why would I want to read about an adventurer that doesn't break even, much less win? With Mr. Mahnenko, his main character eventually not only broke even, he pulled slightly ahead. So, overall, though I liked the performance, I did not enjoy this third book of this particular series. Again, this is my opinion and is weighted by my own life experiences. Other readers/listeners obvious did enjoy the story. If you're looking for a good, happy, or exciting ending, this book will not meet your expectations. Keep that in mind as you go into this third installment.

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esto le resultó útil a 6 personas

A Different Point Of View

Revisado: 08-16-18

Though I liked the first two books of this series, much like the Path Of The Shaman Series by Vasily Mahanenko this third installment had an unsatisfactory ending to me. I won't go into detail, my perspective might be unique but I will offer a few spoilers, the hero doesn't get the girl, guy, or success. Like Chewbacca, in that famous narrative "Star Wars," this story ended with the main character getting was the shaft. Perhaps this author intends to continue his series, as Mr. Mahanenko did, and redeem his narrative. Though his writing is strong, and consistent, I honestly disliked this book so much that I literally skipped over something like five chapters. I get that stories can't always come out perfect or have a happy endings. But as a reader/listener, the last thing I need or want is to experience a story that has an ending that very much matches the rotten parts of real life. Why would I want to read about an adventurer that doesn't break even, much less win? With Mr. Mahnenko, his main character eventually not only broke even, he pulled slightly ahead. So, overall, though I liked the performance, I did not enjoy this third book of this particular series. Again, this is my opinion and is weighted by my own life experiences. Other readers/listeners obvious did enjoy the story. If you're looking for a good, happy, or exciting ending, this book will not meet your expectations. Keep that in mind as you go into this third installment.

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esto le resultó útil a 6 personas

Like the Story, Like Reader's Voice BUT!

Revisado: 10-09-17

This series is interesting. The idea of an artificially intelligent machine life-form and yes, Bob meets all the criterion as Earth science defines it, is very well handled. The surge drive isn't unfeasible either. This book is full of well handled technical descriptions.

The narrative is interesting and well written.

What I'm having the worst problem stomaching is the reader's mispronunciation of all the star's names. Bob is a self professed engineering, sci-fi fan geek. He makes it clear on many occasions that he's a "Star Trek," fan. Yet many stars some as Omicron, Cassiopeia, and Eridanus are so badly mispronounced. The thing is, the reader, Ray Porter who has a good voice for the main, and all supporting characters, used the correct star names in the first books. What happened??? I thought this series was produced at Audible Studios. Normally they have such stringent standards. Did no one catch Ray Porter's sudden shift to the obtusely verbal incompetence?

I like the story but I have to take it in very small doses because I wince every time he gets a word or phrase wrong. Some words in the American/English language have wiggle room. Star names, do not, nor do some of the scientific terminologies.

I wish they'd revamp the book with the corrected annunciation. Some kid might get this and believe these word faux pas' are correct. OW!

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Misleading reviews

Revisado: 08-05-17

Where does The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
Excellent.

Who was your favorite character and why?
Harry August (main character)

What about Peter Kenny’s performance did you like?
His voice brought all the characters to life. What I found most enjoyable was how he managed to find dialectic accents and hold them accurately without issue.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
My reaction was not to the book itself but the misleading reviews which made me so reluctant to buy this book. I heard again and again "Violent," yet in truth this book held no more violence than common television series today. There are moments where the visceral truth of the character's reality is clearly described.

Any additional comments?
I am sensitive to violence, either spoken, written, or portrayed. I've been known to get up and leave the room when character seem in imminent danger of being killed. I've had to stop listening to audio books with similar description.

That being said, I found myself completely able to follow this book without adverse reaction. I had no severe negative reactions of the nature to this work. I must say that all those reviews that speak of violence were overstated. I regret not purchasing this book sooner. It was seriously well performed, well written piece of fiction. I am considering more works by this author based on the level of quality I encountered with this title

Bottom line. If you like this genre, but have hesitated to buy this book based on reviews, Ignore the negative reviews, buy it, give "The First Fifteen Lives Of Harry August," a fair chance. If you really hate it it's returnable. I've had to do that with a few books in past. I will never return this title, ever. It is a very excellent narrative read by a person whose voice matched the characters very well.
#TimeTravelPast #UnlikelyHero #Violent #Clever #Underdog
#Tagsgiving #Sweepstakes

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esto le resultó útil a 332 personas

A great classic, classically read

Revisado: 07-08-17

Would you listen to A Little Princess again? Why?

Yes and I do, regularly. At least once a month or two. It is one of my favorite audio books.

What other book might you compare A Little Princess to and why?

The Wee Free Men: Discworld Childrens, Book 2, by Terry Pratchett. Though Wee Free Men is comedic in style, there are elements of the two characters that very much remind me of each other. I find Tiffany Aiking to be a sometimes arrogant, but otherwise thoroughly charming character. Sara Crue is thoroughly charming almost all the times and those few times when her veneer cracks she becomes even more endearing.

Which character – as performed by Wanda McCaddon – was your favorite?

Sarah, "The Little Princess."

Who was the most memorable character of A Little Princess and why?

Miss Menchant, she was so dire and austere. Having recently re-watched a sociology-anthropological study of Edwardian England, about Manor House life, one sees and is able to physically compare what Sarah and her close friend Becky live through on a daily basis. This book's telling of the era's social hierarchy was beyond accurate to the point of being visceral and real.

Any additional comments?

I have only one complaint and it's not with the book. I feel that Audible did this recording a disservice by laying the file as a single six hour piece. If not for my kindles ability to set timed sleep and bookmarks I could not go to any particular chapter. Frankly it is well below Audibles regular upload quality. How difficult is it to place some chapter markers in an audio file for crimony sake?

Additional:
Please note, I've only ever heard this book in audio form. I'm guessing on the spellings of names, having never read the text.

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A reader better suited to a western than sci-fi

Revisado: 03-18-17

If you could sum up The Spaceship Next Door in three words, what would they be?

The story was well put together, and interesting. However it was so hard to get past the reader who sounded like someone out of an old tyme radio play. His voice inflection was finite an off putting. I would love to listen to this reader performing something like Huckleberry Finn, or How The West Was Won, but he should not read science fiction.

Enough about the reader.

The story holds together well. As the plot thickened, and you will have to have patience, it took quite some time for elements to begin unfurling, I found myself thinking "Another Zombie Story?" But I was wrong. If you're looking for the Zombie Apocalypse, this is not your type of listen. If you want science fiction that laughs at itself while at the same time gets downright serious, then this is a work worth your time.

Be patient, the story unfolds slowly, though once it unfolds all the petals, the flower blooms with a brilliant pallet of colors.

What other book might you compare The Spaceship Next Door to and why?

There is a children's book by Diane Duane, called "So You Want To Be A Wizard," which had some elements not unlike this story, though aimed at a younger audience. I sense that except for the reader's inability to understand timing, there was some "HItchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy," humor though not as tongue in cheek. Again, be patient, the reader wasn't meant for this kind of work. If they found someone like Bronson Pinchot or perhaps MacLeod Andrews, of the "Reckoner's Series," the humor would have delivered as well his vocal range would have made the voices more discernible and believable.

What three words best describe Steve Carlson’s performance?

Not meant for comedy or science fiction. Inflexible in his auditory range, pitch, or delivery.

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

I enjoyed the final moments of the book best. The ending stated something that should be obvious, but wasn't till it was said aloud.

Any additional comments?

Redo the book with another performer . . . PLEASE!

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Alien N' Outlaw - Simple, Sweet and Insightful

Revisado: 04-30-15

Would you listen to Alien 'n' Outlaw again? Why?

Already have, going through the story for a second time. For a novella the fore-story and back story are very well developed and woven nicely into the plot. History drives both central characters and those underplayed side-plots leave you asking but not wanting for answers.

The two main characters take a reasonable time too come to an understanding. It's not drawn out or tedious. All the supporting characters in this story serve a purpose. They are never fatuous or unnecessary.

It is a difficult thing to balance main and supporting characters. K.C. Burns does an excellent job in this piece.

What did you like best about this story?

K.C. Burns surprised me. I've read so many trash novels by women who think they grasp gay men and gay love/lust. They do not. K.C. Burns displays in this story a very real grasp of that subject/genre.

K.C. Burns' narrative, and character development are rich and complete. I found both central characters very likeable and charming. The story makes you wish you were inside instead of watching from outside.

I will give Mrs Burns' other works closer scrutiny, now that I know she's not in the business of emasculating gay men as other female writers often do. I hope to find in future listens/reads by this author that same depth and quality of writing that I very much respected in this piece.

Additionally, for once I can say this. When dealing with non-human species the rules of human culture do not apply. The way K.C. Burns develops Ricky's cultural background is pure science-fiction of the highest caliber. She doesn't obsess but references Ricky's racial habits in context and on cue. For once in a very rare while I really loved someone's interpretation of an alien culture. Ricky's race is, to me, totally believable.

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

No.

Chad Maxwell is a good reader but sometimes gets too fast on the tongue and gets a little "tongue-tied." His grasp of character even when two men are of very similar voice speak, they still, in most cases, are quite discernible.

Mr. Maxwell would do better to learn more tonal variation and perhaps some accent variation.

Perhaps, since this is my first experience with one of his performances, I will find in future, that his skills are improved.. Otherwise I would encourage a potentially talented audio book performer, Chad Maxwell, to explore deeper into his profession and to better develop his skills

All-in-all, still a fine reader.

If you could rename Alien 'n' Outlaw, what would you call it?

Rogues and Princes though this is less close to the gist of this story.

This book could even be titled "Star-Crossed::Prince and Pirate"

Any additional comments?

This book is very well worth the money or credit. Please give it a listen if gay genre is your pleasure.

K.C. Burns does not slam you with heavy explicit content.

The Prince's Boy, volumes 1 and 2 by Celia Tan which fall into this same category are so overwhelmingly trashy. She is a misogynistic angry woman who takes her hatred out on her defenseless gay characters. This woman tortures her characters and left me feeling deeply dissatisfied with your crap writing. Truthfully this set sickened me for all the loathing and hatred she presented. The ending disappointed to no end.

Another work I listened to and literally hated was "All the Colors Of Love," by Jessica Freely. It threw gay in my face and glossed over sexual exploration of her main characters. There was so much unpremissable worthless red herring back-story side crap that totally distracted from the story to the point where it was painful to continue. In her case that title was tenuous at best.

Alien N' Outlaw rides the fine line between romance and sexual exploration. It's beautifully written, and very enjoyable. Even Chad Maxwell's rare verbal faux pas' are quite unimportant. The book is enjoyable and well worth your time. I really enjoyed their emotions and miscommunications. There was no hatred or misogyny in Alien N' Outlaw, you can take that to the bank.

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