Kirsten M. Crippen

Laura Linney IS Nancy Drew!

Revisado: 06-25-14

I loved Nancy Drew as a girl and was so excited when I saw that there were audiobooks narrated by one of my favorite actresses, Laura Linney. The finished product was wonderful. The incidental music and Laura's performance of the different characters was a joy. I can't wait to listen to the next in the series.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Bravura!

Revisado: 01-30-13

What an incredible performance! Alan Cumming and Tim Curry! Not to mention Katy Kellgren. Just incredible.

Also, I have always loved the story. Never could understand why Hollywood has never tried to get it right. There's a lot of tension there. Could it be because "darling Miss Mina" is too strong a female character?

This performance is incredible the way it just grabs you and doesn't let go. Thank you Audible!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Miles is at it again!

Revisado: 01-21-13

I've read this once before. But as I had recently been going through the Vorkosigan books on audiobook, I thought I'd get this one too. Reading (or listening) after I've gone through the previous 4 really made it stand out even more.

Not the best of the series that I've read so far, but still it stands out as a fun read. I continually really enjoy how there can be such varied cultures all from the same source. But of course humanity has such varied cultures on Earth, too.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Go, Miles, Go!!!

Revisado: 01-11-13

So far, the best of the Vorkosigan books! This one had humor and great action and adventure. It made me laugh, it made me sit up and rub my hands with glee. This would make a great movie. (Most of them would.)

The last third of the book was wonderful. In many ways it reminded me of some of the best James T Kirk episodes: A Balance of Terror or the movie Wrath of Khan.

Such fun! I'll have to re-read this the next time I get the flu!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Great forward momentum!

Revisado: 01-11-13

The first Miles Vorkosigan book. It's hard to believe that a 17 year old could get in as much trouble as this kid without getting killed. Living on Barrayar must make you mature fast. Or maybe he just is that much of genius.

I really love Miles, but I do wish I'd seen more of his mother, Cordelia.

This book just throws you into it. Intrigue, machinations, actions scenes. What fun! Miles is a great character. But an incredibly unique one. 4 foot 9, a twisted spine, hunchback in a society that hates mutants. Of course, Miles is not a genetic mutant - and is more than happy tell you that! He is arrogant and proud but not so much to make him unlikable. His arrogance and pride are great strengths and great weaknesses.

In some ways, Miles reminds me of Peter Parker (except Peter has a lot more trouble paying his rent). Miles also questions himself constantly. He is also very endearing because of how he wants to experience love.

Another great part of this book is the humor. I would get the giggles at several points in this book. Miles is just such a manipulator and is always several moves ahead of his opponents (and allies for that matter).

As a side note, this book also has a scene that is still disturbing me. I'm sure there are worse torture scenes in other books. But this one is still making my stomach turn. (Of course, that could be the flu.)

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

Is Machiavelli required reading on this planet??

Revisado: 01-11-13

The second book in the Vorkosigan saga, Barrayar picks up almost instantly after Shards of Honor. This book is chock full of political intrigue, machinations - honestly, is Machiavelli required reading on this planet? - and murder.

Bujold throws a little romance, social commentary, and ethics into the mix. Also, it's just a great adventure.

The worlds and culture of Barrayar and Beta are wonderfully sketched out. Beta a truly egalitarian society - where access to information is a constitutional right - and Barrayar a more rigid, warrior-centric, and imperial society are good case studies.

I also think this idea that making all the different worlds as direct descendants of Earth, instead of including actual alien civilizations is interesting. All the different civilizations are distinct and different, while all are human.

The characters are wonderful. Not only do you care for them, but you really want to know more about them. A sign of a great storyteller. On to the next!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Great adventure!

Revisado: 01-11-13

I was originally introduced to this universe by my sci-fi book club when I read Cetaganda. While sick with the flu, I decided to start listening to the series from the beginning.

Most of the Vorkosigan saga deals with Miles Vorkosigan. This book and its follow-up, Barrayar, revolve around around Miles' parents.

The worlds the author creates are wonderfully sketched out. The historical and cultural backgrounds, the people, the intrigue. Throw in some romance and a little mystery, and you've got a cracking good adventure!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Laughed so hard I wet my pants!

Revisado: 01-04-13

This is my third Mary Roach and the second as an audiobook. Sandra Burr is wonderful narrating Mary Roach. And Mary Roach is just such a hoot!

Space travel, life after death, and now I'm learning about science and sex. Just hilarious. (I just love the idea of a scientist dressing mice up in polyester or cotton pants to see how it affects their sex life.)

Mary Roach really brings science alive. She presents science in an entertaining and educational way. Highly recommended.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A Disappointment

Revisado: 01-01-13

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The victim. Very annoying. I kept on hoping Reacher would kill *her*.

Would you ever listen to anything by Lee Child again?

Yes! Love the Jack Reacher novels!

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene with Ellie in the hotel

Could you see Echo Burning being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Yes. Just not sure how you could do it where you didn't hate the victim so much.

Any additional comments?

The first 1/3 to 1/2 of the book was terrible. Once Carmen was put in jail it started to flow much better. The villains didn't seem nearly as threatening in previous books. Also, as I've said previously, I really could care less about Carmen, Ellie was much more likeable - and Alice was a breath of fresh air except for at the end where she got a little whiny. I don't know if that is the way Lee Child wrote it. But unfortunately the reading seemed to make the women get a little whiny at times.

Another issue I had: in previous Reacher novels, he was a large black man - yet in this one he's a large white man. I haven't read all the novels, so I'm not sure if this is a continuity error. Still, black or white, there is no way in hell that Tom Cruise could portray him. Get a clue, Hollywood!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I HAD SOME QUESTIONS

Revisado: 02-20-12

I love Dirk Pitt! There are very few novels I will read over and over. I read all of Clive Cussler's novels (and J. D. Robb's In Death series) over and over. This was my first reading of Trojan Odyssey and I did really like it.

However, I felt that he left many questions unanswered.
* Was the hurricane at the start artificially created and, if so, why did the bad guys do it?
* The floating hotel at the start - why did it have to be destroyed? Was it just for the insurance? Or were they trying to kill someone?
* What about the tomb? Was it connected at all to the bad guys? Or were they just a bit mad?

I just felt there was quite a bit left out. I know this was just a glitch for Clive. And nothing - but nothing - will stop me reading and re-reading his stuff!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña