Blue Falcon

Fantastic! Engrossing cover to cover

Revisado: 12-26-24

I don’t recall where this book was recommended to me, but I’m glad it was. This was an absolutely engrossing and detailed look at specific structures/functions of biological females and the evolutionary reasons they might have occurred. The books chapters stay focused, address competing theories, and never get lost in the details. I appreciate that it was written very recently, challenges poor alternate theories by citing the scientific challenges, and in the rare cases where the author puts forth their own speculative reasoning - they specifically call it out. The narration was also quite well done (by the author, no less).

I’m quite impressed, will look forward to other titles by this author in the future

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Feel-good, but pragmatically empty self-help

Revisado: 12-19-23

This book goes to great lengths to dissuade you from trying to label, understand, or replace habits - and instead hand waives at “dismiss those thoughts” as a permanent, no-effort solution. Gaining insights, the author claims, is the missing link to success that all other methods neglect. Now, there has been a lot of research into insights (sometimes referred to as “ah ha!” moments), but reading this book you wouldn’t know that. The author presents them as magical entities that immediately appear when you need them, are always correct and completely solve the issue at hand.

This is a running theme of the book, which frequently denigrates common coping strategies as ineffective, yet fails to ever actualize a pragmatic and repeatable approach to change. You’ll read about countless people who, using her method, overcome their difficulties - but you won’t leave with a toolkit to use. There isn’t any scientific rigor here - it’s more akin to: my friend’s friend told me the one amazing tip that will break any habit! Also: we are spiritual, everything is connected, and those probably aren’t your thoughts anyway. Yeah, you’re going to get a lot of that.

I believe the author when she states that she found a unique way to overcome a very difficult issue, however what she’s presented here isn’t actionable. It’s feel-good, but pragmatically empty self-help.

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Not worth the credit

Revisado: 10-26-23

Do less, focus on what really matters.
Say no more often.
Do less, and do those things better.
Outcomes over outputs.

Have you heard those phrases before? Because they make up the core concept, and while it’s introduced in an entertaining way, it and it’s many anecdotes aren’t enough to justify this book. You’ll hear these ideas branded as essentialism (endlessly, and almost religiously), but there’s nothing new here.

NOTE: You won’t learn methods for gauging the essential, prioritization, or discussion strategies

The author’s sum total advice: just make a list of all the things on your todo list, then cross off anything that isn’t essential and don’t do them. Apparently every reader will unfailingly be able to determine if something is essential immediately, and the list of most-to-least essential items will automagically sort itself. If asked why you aren’t doing something, just reply: I’ve decided that it’s not essential. You’ll never be questioned further, never be asked how you arrived at that decision, never have to collaborate with anyone on what is/isn’t essential, never have to deal with conflicts of priority - those things just don’t happen in the authors worldview, certainly not to the essentialist.

There are established mechanics for determining value & prioritization, as well as how (and when) to discuss these decisions - but the author feigns ignorance. This book will get you excited about the concept without showing you how to achieve it.

Unless you need a thin veneer of inspiration, pick up something else

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

One of the worst books I’ve ever read. Spend your 4 hours elsewhere.

Revisado: 09-05-19

It doesn’t matter if you throw a bunch of money at audio-production if the story is worse than a poorly written video-game. This is simply awful. Take seven random Alien details, mix them in with an entirely expendable cast, find someone who sounds like Ripley. Prepare to lose brain cells as you experience a story so predictable it makes paint-by-numbers look like high art.

I got this as part of the audible-originals free 2-books each month, which have largely been flops. That said, this was so bad that audible should have given me a full-length book for free - just for reading this dribble.

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Treats you like you're an idiot.

Revisado: 04-13-14

The problem with numeric scores is that if a book finds a target audience, they tend to come out and rate the book a "5", even when the book is half-baked with little substance (see the Twilight series for more on this).

"Into the Black: Odyssey One" is the top-ramen of the sci-fi genre. It's "The Last Airbender" of military sci-fi. It's pointless, boring, and treats you like your an idiot. You'll be treated to thin caricatures, devoid of substance or motivation. There are better ways to spend fourteen listening hours.

If you want an entertaining military sci-fi human-vs-bugs romp, just read Heinlein's "Starship Troopers". It's just as shallow, but a hell of a lot more entertaining.

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esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

Bait and switch. Skip it unless you're a teenager.

Revisado: 03-05-14

This is a tough review to write. I greatly enjoyed the first three books in the "Old Man's War" series, and picked this up without hesitation - as it was listed next in line. However, this is not a book targeted at adults even though it's mistakingly placed in Contemporary SciFi. This is pure bait and switch to sell a few more copies to unsuspecting customers.

1. "Zoe's Tale" is Young Adult Science Fiction.
2. "Zoe's Tale" is an almost verbatim retelling of "The Last Colony", except it's the "Twilight" version.

I'm quite miffed at Audible & the publisher for not prominently calling this out, and classifying the book correctly.

It's strange that Scalzi chose to re-write "The Last Colony" entirely from a teenagers point of view. I had expected Zoe to START OUT as a teenager, then slowly grow into a woman as the story moved forward. However, what I got was Scalzi channeling giggling girls, fart jokes, and teenage crushes. Really? Had I not been on some very long airline flights, this book would have been returned for refund posthaste.

It's clear that there was a kernel of a story hidden in "The Last Colony", where Zoe impressed General Gau, and somehow wrangled an impressive piece of technology from The Consu. However, Scalzi does very little with those events, and thus you'll spend the entire book building up to a rather flat third act.

The one shining star in this whole mess was the narrator: Tavia Gilbert. She grew on me quickly, and her voice acting was very well done.

So - would I recommend this book to a teenager? No.
Why? Because, they'd be dropped into a series 2/3'ds of the way through, with no other books voiced for them before or after.

Scalzi is a good writer, but your credits would be better spent on his other work.

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esto le resultó útil a 115 personas

Epic in scope, space, and time

Revisado: 02-09-12

Where does Pushing Ice rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Near the top of the sci-fi stack. I listened to the first Revelation Space book, and it just didn't grab me - so I avoided Alistair Reynolds for quite a while. This book, however, thrilled me from start to finish.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Pushing Ice?

About 6 or 7 hours in I realized that the book wasn't even halfway over yet. This was significant because more had happened in less than half a book, than happens in so many other books. Densely packed, and wonderful for it!

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

I've listened to a ton of John Lee; he may not do nuanced differences in character voices - but he does imbue them with a lot of personality. If John Lee reads a book, I'm 80% sold... he's that good.

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

Only hoping that Alistair Reynolds has more like this up his sleeve. This was epic in scope, and exactly what I crave in good sci-fi. Coupled with John Lee - you get a perfect audio book.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

A fast, compelling sci-fi read

Revisado: 01-31-12

If you could sum up Hunter's Run in three words, what would they be?
Who am I?

Who was your favorite character and why?
You'll spend the most time with Ramone in this story, though with a twist. Still - he really grew on me as the story unfolded.

Which character – as performed by Marc Vietor – was your favorite?
The interesting thing about Ramone is that he is a feisty personality... a jerk, full of hubris and venom. A second rate reader would have made that all sound insincere... hallow and plasticy.

However, Mark Vietor simply becomes Ramone Espejo; a seamless and nuanced performance that entertains through the entire book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
At just under 10 hours, this is a little too long to hit in one sitting. Still - I burned through this in a week - and was looking for excuses to get in my car just to listen (as it's the primary place I listen to audiobooks).

Any additional comments?
I came into this with zero expectations, having no experience with the author or reader. I really love sci-fi, and was pleasantly surprised at how well the story was crafted, and the excellent performance that Mark Vietor gave. Quite pleased with all aspects.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Near future scifi/spy intruige

Revisado: 01-07-12

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

Absolutely. I've been a fan of Peter F. Hamilton after going through his later works, and wanted more of his style - which is deceptively subtle, fast paced, and very engaging.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Greg Mandell - He's a few years removed from military service and while still retaining his edge, more human. He appreciates the way of soldiers without being reduced to a simpleton military mindset. Adding psi empathic abilities to a solider makes for really good reading.

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

I had to look this book up again just to make sure Toby Longworth was the only narrator - he's simply fantastic! He gives each character not only a distinct voice, but also personality. He is smashing! One of the best readers I've ever come-across.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

You can't hide the truth from him...

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esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Science Fiction for people who don't like sci-fi

Revisado: 09-11-11

This is a story about many things: longing for love, a lover had, a lover lost. Politics, business, and a power struggle between father and son. There are science fiction elements sprinkled into the long, winding tale - but a sci-fi tale it's not.

Like the main character who is afraid of confrontation (won't go after the girl, won't stand up for himself, won't look into the box), Wilson sparingly teases you with interesting sci-fi concepts, only to beat a hasty retreat back to his comfort zone. This relegates the majority of the book to the minutiae of daily life and exquisitely boring relationships.

This is science-fiction for people who don't like science-fiction.

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esto le resultó útil a 11 personas