Ellen Zelda

Page turner!

Revisado: 02-02-25

The first was a little slow with details but after that, WOW! I couldn’t put it down. Everything was first class - story, narrator, ending.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Should have returned after second chapter

Revisado: 01-08-25

The first half was boring. The second half was preposterous. Most of the main characters didn’t come to life. It was also slightly depressing.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Absolute one of the best books I’ve read in years. The book and narrators are magnificent.

Revisado: 07-07-24

I couldn’t stop listening and am sure it’ll be one I listen to again. The first chapter is a little slow, but after that, it’s a page-turner.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Difficult to plod to the finish.

Revisado: 07-13-21

I've rated all of Liv Constantine's books 5-Star. This one started off slow and got worse from there. The narrator tried to be urgent but the overall effect was timidly whiny. I never return a book if I've made it to 50% so I finished it. With relief.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

Annoying lead character development.

Revisado: 09-25-20

The main character in this book (Beatrice) seems to just float along from one circumstance to another. This is difficult to put into words. She reminds me of the type of character you find in a Theodore Dreiser novel (e.g., Sister Carrie or Jennie Gerhardt) - but her character is not built out in the same way. She comes off as either stupid or just not "all there." Despite all her advantages, she approaches life as a victim. This sounds harsh - and it would be if the book weren't pretending to be a work of art or, at least, something more substantive than a drawn-out story.

There is one excellent feature of the book: the society women (or traditional Greek chorus) are very well portrayed. Each has clear features and attitudes that add perspective about "high" society of the time.

Erin Bennett is one of my favorite readers. However, the lackluster character gave her no opportunity to really shine.

I am sorry I didn't stop reading this book half-way through. I was just sure it had to get better.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Narrator destroyed the story.

Revisado: 06-22-20

I like Jaime Brenner's books. However, I couldn't concentrate on the story . . . the narrator sounded like she was reading text for the first time. I listen to 3-5 books a week and this was the worst "listen" I've had in months. I would have liked the book a lot more otherwise.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Julia Whelan makes all books great!

Revisado: 02-19-20

I never would have bought this book on its own. However, I search for new Julia Whelan-narrated books monthly and found it. For the first hour or so, the book seemed like a YA (Young Adult) piece. Soon, however, it became much more. The story is an excellent example of how easily lives can be damaged - or repaired - through irresponsible (negative or positive) comments online. Reputations can be ruined. Negative (or positive) actions can be incited. And consequences, even if unintended, can be far-reaching and deep.

As always, Whelan brings the characters alive and multi-dimensional. Like a fine wine, the story goes down easily!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 19 personas

Wonderful from start to end!

Revisado: 12-08-19

Hopefully, this author has something new sooner rather than later. This legal mystery reminds me of the first time I read John Grisham's Firm. The story is absolutely compelling. The character development is full. The scenes are so realistic that you feel like you have a front-row seat to the events. Finally, as the icing on the cake, the reader is top-notch.

I listen to 3-4 books a week. This is one of the best I've read all year!

Note: I'm hoping for a sequel. The main character could have the staying power of a Bosch or Reacher.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 21 personas

Beyond great.

Revisado: 11-05-19

With all the twists and turns of the current Administration, we depend on Rachel Maddow - night after night - to make events understandable. Particularly in the Russian-Trump investigation and the Ukraine situation.

Maddow contextualizes the focal, central role Oil has played and plays in politics, world economies, environmental cataclysm and pandemic corruption. And yet, in her careful, clear manner she helps us form the breadcrumbs into a loaf. It is clear to see how Big Oil generally and Putin specifically control wealth and the wealthy, particularly in America.

The book brings today's "players" to life - Russian, American and 3rd world. What is shocking is that this small group of men have so completely controlled the lives of all "regular" citizens. Too many earthquakes from fracking? Animals dying from the poisonous waters produced as by-products of fracking? Secret oil spills in Louisiana or Africa? All of this - and more - is beyond our control.

Blowout is so full of vital, relevant stories and histories that I've been listening to it a 2nd time - and will probably need a 3rd. It's compelling.

One final note: the bonus of listening to the book on Audible vs. reading it in print is that you get to hear Rachel's expressive narration. I'm probably going to buy the print book as well because a few of the chapters are full of Russian and Ukrainian names that are difficult to remember (i.e., highlighting and notations would help).

Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear history in full-flow. It's worth 3 credits, so 1 is a steal!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Ends in the middle of a non-finished Trilogy.

Revisado: 10-14-19

I preordered this book because it is by one of my favorite authors. I didn't know it was a continuation or a trilogy. I didn't love the first one...and this 2nd book was less good than that.

However, my complaint is that the book ended right in the middle of the story. No conclusions. No word to "stay tuned." Nowhere. Therefore, I'd recommend waiting to buy it for a year until the 3rd part of the story is out...then listen to the last two parts together.

Given the above, I wouldn't have wasted the credit.

The narrator, Erin Bennett, remains one of my all-time favorites, though.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona