Daniel W. Leahey

A Brand New Sound

Revisado: 10-23-19

TItus Groan is exquisitely written. Its language is rich and thorough, hovering over the smallest detail or action until it has been rendered as a perfect image in the mind. The characters are vivid, with each person's name perfectly capturing both their role in the endlessly sprawling and decrepit castle of Gormenghast but also in the story. Swelter. Flay. Steerpike. Prunesquallor. They all speak in circles, in riddles, in labyrinths that match the senselessly wending halls of the castle in which they are trapped. They have become so indentured to their daily ceremony that they can no longer relate to other people. Beyond the walls the girl Keda tries to find and understand love for all things, but even outside of Gormenghast there are deadly mazes. This is an absolute classic and I can't wait to continue the series.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Victory

Revisado: 10-01-19

Modern Gothic, murder, superpowers, and alliteration! I was concerned by what I felt was a slightly slow start with two rather unlikeable main characters. My concerns were unfounded. VE Schwab’s Vicious is sharp, brisk, and clever, and once it picks up the pace it never lets up. It’s well written, it’s tense, and it’s satisfying. Solid performance by Noah Michael Levine. Highly recommended.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Making history fresh and approachable

Revisado: 10-23-18

I've been listening to Mike Duncan's podcasts for years, ever since I got bored one day and searched for "history" on the Podcast app. His slow, mellow delivery often belies a wry sense of humor, and both are on full display here as he narrates his own rendition of the years when the Roman Republic began to crumble at the base. I can think of few histories I've read that make the details seem as engaging and interesting as fiction, or that bring to light, without beating us over the head with the parallels, just how much the events of the current day rhyme with the events of thousands of years ago.

I strongly recommend The Storm Before the Storm to anyone interested in Roman history, history in general, or just a good story. I also recommend The History of Rome, Duncan's first podcast (going back to listen to the episodes that cover the events in this book and comparing the two was a lot of fun), as well as his more recent and ongoing podcast, Revolutions.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A classic for a reason

Revisado: 10-23-18

I've read several of Ursula Le Guin's short stories but this was my first experience with her longer fiction, and I'm delighted to say that her capacity for compelling storytelling and immersive worldbuilding are maintained at novel length. While it shows some influence from Tolkien, in certain thematic elements and even in some place names, like the best fantasy writing A Wizard of Earthsea is neither knockoff nor copycat. Its world is rich and unique, and implies vast histories and further stories waiting to be told just at the edges of the main character's vision.

Sparrowhawk is not the most complex protagonist in fantasy literature, but his actions and motivations are immediately familiar and relatable. He simply wants to learn, to improve, and to impress his rivals, but in doing so he unleashes a terrifying power that he barely understands. The story that subsequently emerges is one of external and internal discovery, as our hero uses compassion and intelligence rather than brute strength to defeat evil forces and improve the lives of the people he meets.

Plus, do you like boats? This book has got a crazy lot of boats in it, if that's your thing.

A Wizard of Earthsea is nice and short (gets its point across and doesn't overstay its welcome) so it's good for a long flight or a road trip. Featuring yet another wonderful voice performance by Rob Inglis. I can't recommend this classic highly enough.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

A sneering disappointment

Revisado: 09-20-18

Loving the movie adaptation as I do, I was very excited for this story. Sadly, it suffers myriad problems, including the curious and unnecessary switch between 1st person journal and 3rd person narration which is abandoned halfway through the book, a distinctly unlikeable protagonist, and a weak and thinly drawn female lead.

The novel’s issues are only highlighted by the performance, which, and forgive me if this sounds unnecessarily mean, is surprisingly, almost stunningly bad. The entire text is read with a sneering disdain, in a voice which, I’ll just be completely honest here, sounds like the villain in a cartoon where all the major characters are cats.

Unfortunately I don’t think I can recommend The Children of Men. If you want to experience a superior version of this story, please watch the film instead.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Brief, beautiful, and haunting

Revisado: 09-18-18

Every Heart a Doorway is a lovely, dark tale about identity and innocence, and how both can be lost and found again. Beginning with the well-traveled concept of special children at a special school, it distinguishes itself through its tone and its cast of sympathetic misfits. The characters feel believable and real, even though each of them has come from a place that seems very unreal. What emerges is a story about people trying to find peace and acceptance in a world that wasn’t made for them, highlighted by blossoming friendships, colorfully and richly detailed alternate realities, and a macabre murder mystery. I profoundly enjoyed this book and would read more by Seanan McGuire in a heartbeat.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

The End

Revisado: 03-10-18

The final book in the Metro trilogy, and arguably the best. Almost relentlessly bleak, 2035 eschews the supernatural elements present in the first two books. There are no creatures and no anomalies: all the monsters here are human.

Following the disappointing 2034, Glukhovsky has returned to form, presenting the story of a man who relentlessly staggers on the edge of death and madness, moving from one crushing failure to the next, in the futile hope that one day he might be able to save humanity from itself.

The grim descriptions of misery and suffering can be difficult to take at times, but if, like Artyom, you can just make it a little farther, you will find inexplicable and unexpected hope, like a little light at the end of a long, dark tunnel.

Rupert Degas is, as in the previous Metro audiobooks, fantastic, moving deftly between portentous English and characterful Russian accents. A truly excellent presentation overall.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A very sweet coming of age story

Revisado: 03-07-18

Nora’s journey through Europe isn’t the kind of tale that’s completely fresh and original, but it feels less derivative than universal. Liking someone who doesn’t feel the same way. Doubting your abilities, direction, and decisions. Fighting with a parent, as much because you understand each other as because you don’t. And We’re Off is brisk, fun, and touching, and I’d recommend it as strongly to a young person contemplating their future as I would a parent trying to connect with their kids.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña