Alex Ferrara

low stakes slice of life

Revisado: 12-22-22

I am discovering I like a good slice-of-life comfort read. Especially with this narrator--the juxtaposition of the ex-military mannered butler MC and the aristocratic and elderly wizard voices were quite wonderful to listen to. I also like that this had more conflict that the the other Nathan Lowell books I've read (Quarter Share 1&2), with the curse and the grasping niece. Actually reminded me a lot of Legends & Lattes--which makes sense, since it is a similar slice-of-life low-stakes genre.

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low stakes, high satisfaction

Revisado: 12-17-22

I really enjoyed this. It has very low stakes--almost no tension--just a nice slow journey of growth both for the MC and for the crew. Part Military SF without the militant part, part economics satisfaction story. I liked the characters, I liked the scenes of chopping vegetables and strolling through flea markets, I liked the economics talk though my brain did glaze over sometimes when things got too numeral, but those parts didn't last long. It was very satisfying to see Ish work his way into a respected and valued position in the crew. If I have one criticism, it's that I never felt Ish actually worked through the tragedy of the first chapter--but I can headcannon that away with the explanation that ship-life was so different, and so busy, that he rarely had opportunity to think of it.

The narrator did an great job. The voices weren't the most distinct I've ever heard, but they were distinct enough, and easy to follow. The narrator's tone was as smooth a lullaby as the story itself.

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s

Revisado: 05-31-22

Same narrator as #4, but I think I'm getting used to her Dina.

A lot shorter than the earlier ones, but well contained. Like the title suggests, we get a cute story highlighting Dina & Sean as they figure out how to work together as co-Innkeepers. New aliens, including SPACE CHICKENS!!, which I loved, and Orro gets his own little arc. I enjoyed all the side bits more than the big climax, and the epilogue made me tear up.

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Maud & Space Vampires

Revisado: 05-24-22

A different narrator from the Dina books, just as good, but when she did different voices for people like Nuan Cee and Dina, it was a little like "huh what?"

I'm glad to have gotten Maud's story. A chapter or two of the previous events from her viewpoint, then jumping right in to Space Vampire politics. A fun little romp, and while I'm still not overly fond of instalurve, that is the genre, so I should really stop grumbling. I did like that Maud was not willing to throw herself into a new relationship headfirst, regardless of her feelings. She had other priorities that needed to be taken care of first, and needed to approach a relationship on equal footing. I really liked how competent and knowledgeable Maud was, and Helen was frankly adorable and good for a lot of laughs. New aliens, new cultures, lots of fun new stuff.

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An interesting "what if"...

Revisado: 05-24-22

The narrator did a great job, especially with all the varying forms of accents. I did find it a bit confusing at times, however, during heated conversations between the main character and main antagonist--their accents were fairly similar, and were easy to squish together.

The story itself is a very interesting take on time travel/reliving lives. I've been reading the Middle Falls Time Travel series starting with The Unusual Second Life of Thomas Weaver with a book community on Goodreads--and it's a similar premise, but a very different execution.

The story is written like a diary, the past told in recollection, and with a narrative that bounces around between Harry's multiple lives without much warning. If you're not paying attention, it is easy to get lost. In the audio, I found it especially confusing to keep track of the main storyline versus the various offshoots of recollection. But instead of taking this premise in the direction of "what I would do differently if I could," this book instead explores the global repercussions of this what if scenario. What if there was a community of people who could not die, and who were blessed--or cursed--to relive their lives again and again? What would that community look like? How would they view the world? What would they do TO the world?

The examination of this thought experiment, and the paths it trod, were very chewy. Lots of interesting food for thought. Some of the conversations waxed overly didactic and a little dry, but overall it was a very interesting read/listen.

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Michael Hollister reprise...

Revisado: 05-24-22

For all that this book is labeled Max Hartfield, it is told from the POV of Michael Hollister. It was really nice getting a reprise--since not only was he probably my favorite Middle Falls book, but he is also one of the few that we never got to see him past his twenties. We left him happily ensconced as the heir to Hartfield Academy, and didn't get to see him cycle his way to the end.

Here, the focus is on Max, but it's really a buddy story about two brothers of the heart: Max & Michael. It is a heartfelt capstone to Michael's story, and the ending especially tugs on the heartstrings.

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Yet another satisfying Middle Falls book

Revisado: 05-24-22

Another awesome narrator, as always.

I'm always surprised by how much these light comfy books make me think afterwards. Effie dealt with some heavy stuff in her life, and I found myself cheering for her and cursing the antagonists often. I like that Effie is more decisive than some of the previous characters--she may have had a bit of a slow start in self-advocating, but she didn't put up with the painful situations as long as I was worried she would. She tried out different paths, and eventually found her way.

I especially liked the little peek into the publishing industry, all of the little cameos from previous residents of Middle Falls, and the representation of people dealing with eating disorders.

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Another satisfying story

Revisado: 05-24-22

Another great narrator, and another fun entry. Aiden really does try vastly different paths, and it is cool to see a Middle Falls MC branch out a bit more. It was fun to see the music scene and house remodel scene, and the ultimate conclusion was decently satisfying. Also loved seeing Charles again, and it is interesting seeing him breaking the rules.

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I laughed. I cried. I want more.

Revisado: 05-22-22

This series is so much fun. Narrator Andrea Parsineau is a genius. Pirateaba is makes me care about all the characters after just a chapter. We get a few new folks introduced in this entry, but also a lot of our old favs, and and some more background on people who have been only slimly introduced in previous chapters, including Geneva and Flos.

Ksmvr and Bird make me laugh out loud every scene they are in, without fail.

Lots of character growth, and lots of tears.

I still need more Tom though. Gimme more Tom.

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Lots of forward movement

Revisado: 05-08-22

I've come to really appreciate the narrator. She does a great job distinguishing all the voices, and she has good comic timing.

A fun new entry in the series. I really liked how this one made some progress on overarching plotlines, and introduced a potential big bad. We learn a little more about the innkeepers, the universe, and about Dina as well. A lot of chapters made me laugh out loud--and I still love Caledonia.

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