Patrick Flynn

Fantastic presentation of an amazing story

Revisado: 10-14-20

The story of Sandman in epic and broad in scope. Three performances are spot on, but sometimes get lost in the mix of everything.
Sometimes the story can get muddy, with it's complication and occasional loose threads. But all comes to a satisfying full circle.
This is Gaiman at his best.

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In some ways a better story than Last Colony

Revisado: 02-14-16

I loved this story even though much of it is the same story as The Last Colony. The biggest fear and plus side is the perspective of Zoe and how masterfully Scalzi writes from a young female voice.
If you want a follow up to make The Last Colony even better, read/listen to this book.

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Just so awesome

Revisado: 01-28-15

Easily one of my favorite books and narrations I have ever read our heard.
If you are a comic book fan, sleet heroes, sci-fi, light fantasy, etc, you should enjoy this book.
Fun, action packed, and well written, I just can stop recommending it to everyone.

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Now what I was hoping for

Revisado: 08-08-13

As a huge fan of the Ender's Game books, I was interested in hearing analytical and outside takes on the book and its influences.
Although some entries were interesting and informative, not all were.
I do think the the bridge from print to audiobook may have lost its intention. I think if you are interested in this book for obvious reasons, check out the print version instead. A bit disappointed.

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More of the story of the first Formic wars

Revisado: 08-08-13

If you have enjoyed the previous books in this mini-series within a series this will not disappoint. Telling the story of the soldiers, industrialists and civilians caught up in a world event.
Great writing and story of what you would expect from Card and now Johnston.
Can't wait for the next book!

I was a bit disappointed that there was no "Bonus Material" interview with Card at the end, but alas, I'm sure there is a reason.

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My favorite book and audio recording ever!

Revisado: 04-23-13

I did not read Ender's Game when I was younger, I remember my classmates reading and giving reports on the book, but I never thought it sounded interesting, but I have since discovered that most 11 or 12 year olds (or those who did not truly understand the impact of what happened in the book) didn't "get it".
The premise is this, in a not too distant future, aliens have attacked twice, some 60+ years before. An international military conglomerate had been formed to fight off any additional attacks (called the International Fleet or IF), but the IF also knew they did not have the type of military leaders it would take to completely defeat their enemies. In order to find this leader, the IF monitors all children with a small implant.
The story follows Andrew "Ender" Wiggin from when he is six years old to his recruitment into "Battle School" with the IF and beyond. Ender is subject to ridicule, teasing, bullying, and abuse, it is hard to go through everything with him, but it helps tell the story and leads up to the climax.
This is my favorite book because of the emotional investment we have in Ender and the things he goes through. The lessons to learn from this book regarding ethics, leadership, politics, war, fear and more are HUGE! And, it is an entertaining story to boot, stay with it, the first half may seem slow, and you may find yourself asking "What exactly is going on?" it will all make sense by the end.
The audio recording is great, done by an ensemble with a main voice for each character's perspective. When the chapter is focused on Ender's perspective, one man reads all of the parts. When told from Ender's sister Valentine's perspective, a female character read most (if not all) parts, and so on. I love this method of recording and each of the voice actors are fantastic.

I fully recommend this book even if you are not a big sci-fi fan, or if you are just a fan of quality storytelling and great audiobooks, this is definitely worth your money or credit!

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Not the most original story, but good for YR

Revisado: 03-25-13

Would you try another book from Christopher Paolini and/or Gerard Doyle?

I will only to see what the continuing books have in store.

If you’ve listened to books by Christopher Paolini before, how does this one compare?

No

What aspect of Gerard Doyle’s performance would you have changed?

Nothing, I think if the dialogue were more orginal and rich, he would have been able to run with it a little more.

Did Eragon inspire you to do anything?

Get my son into more sci-fi and fantasy stories, instead of pulp YA books, but real, invovled and challenging stories.

Any additional comments?

Keep in mind, Paolini was VERY young when this was written, he borrowed a lot of pieces from his favorite stories, so in a way this book is a homage to Lord of the Rings, Wheel or Time, etc. So for those who are young adults and looking for a entry into fantasy, this is a great book!

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Gritty mythological noir

Revisado: 03-25-13

Where does American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition (A Full Cast Production) rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very high, although not in my "Top favoorite" simply because it wasn't the type of story I love. But the book is very good and and recording performance is excellent.

Who was your favorite character and why?

By far Shadow was, but I was very intrigued by Chernobog as well. I found myself researching the mytholgy of all the characters from ancient and old civilizations the stories come from.

Which scene was your favorite?

***SPOILERS*** From a character and cinematic perspective (I envision all the books I "read" from a movie standpoint) the scene following Wednesday's death, and the interaction of all the old gods and the new. And the mythological connotations of how his wake is handled.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

NO! The story is far too intense in spots, and very long, but I did find myself listening very intently much longer than I would have under normal circumstances.

Any additional comments?

Great recording and voice acting, makes the story very cohesive and provides great context. This is a very intense book, much like how Pulp Fiction was upon first viewing. I hope Gaimain follows through and makes a sequel at some point.

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Filling in the gaps by an expert craftsman

Revisado: 01-15-13

I have read everything in the Ender and Shadow series, and to be fair, I haven't totally loved all of it. I do love the setting and the arching story. I have come to appreciate Card's storytelling, while not simple, and not for everyone, I love the way he does it.
This story does not have a lot of action even though there is much going on, discoveries being made, and pieces of a chess board being moved into place by Card and Johnston.
For fans on the Ender stories, this is a great book, for those not initiated with Ender and the Formic Wars, I suggest starting with Ender's Game, and go from there. I don't think this story would make much sense unless you knew what happens in Ender's Game, like a good prequel should be. Keep in mind, the book ends in a somewhat abrupt manner (although not as bad as some people have made it out to be) but it sets ups the next book nicely (due in June 2013).
The narration is once again wonderful. Using Card and Jonston's text, Rudnicki and cast use a different approach than most audio recordings and it breathes wonderful life and perspective into the story. The narrators take turns reading the chapters or sections to give a unique voice to the perspective of whomever the focus character is for that section, it works well and I wish more audio books did this, but it may take a special literary approach to make it work in the first place (Card writes with performance in mind).

Once again as an extra bonus, Orson Scott Card has a short interview at the end of the book. I love these "Bonus features" and honestly wish there were more!

Great book/story, great performances, and a great setup for a trilogy filling in some gaps in one of my favorite book series of all time.

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Excellent addition to the "Enderverse"

Revisado: 01-03-13

Would you listen to Shadows in Flight again? Why?

Yes, it is chock full of nuances, information and mysteries that I love about this series.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Shadows in Flight?

The discovery of the mystery ship, and the processes Bean and the kids go through to determine what they should do.

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

The narrators are the same as previous Shadow and Ender books, and I love that they have kept it consistent over the years. I also love that the author has personal involvement in the production of the audiobooks.
Seperate voices for each character helps distinguish each point of view (since they are often so different) is great, the personality each voice lends to the characters is important, and a great decision made by the producers.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The end, I wont spoil it, but I shed a couple tears.

Any additional comments?

This is a short novel, according to Card, he felt he had to tell this story before telling another story (coming soon I presume) and the length is just right. If you have listened to and enjoyed previous Shadow or Ender stories, you will love this one, and I think it is as good as the best of these series. Even though it is shorter than most novels of Cards, I did not feel cheated or that the length was not worth my purchase, I might suggest just paying the purchase price, rather than your monthly credit, if you want to maximize your value.
I love the fact that Orson Scott Card has little "commentaries" at the end of his books, its like getting a short "Bonus feature" like you get on DVD's. I wish more authors did this (I think Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter did this as well). This bonus adds even more value to my purchase, thank you Mr. Card!

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