Karen Syed

Sigma Rocks

Revisado: 09-12-12

What did you love best about Bloodline?

One of my favorite things about this entire series is the narrator. He has the talent to bring each and every character to life and gives them their own distinct personality. James Rollins is one of very few authors who can make the story an actual character. Not sure how to explain that, but every aspect of his books play an integral role.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Sigma books always keep me hanging on. Rollins takes mundane facts and weaves them into interesting tales. From history to mysteries, every book has its own special roadmap that makes the journey worth every minute invested.

Have you listened to any of Peter Jay Fernandez’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This narrator has piqued my interest and while the only books I've heard him read are there Rollins books, I will definitely be looking for more.

Any additional comments?

My only problem with this book was Rollin's excessive explanations of medical aspects and the historical points. In previous books he gives us what we need to know, but in terms that most people can easily understand. I found myself a bit intimidated by the details and wanting to skip ahead.

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A Story told as it should have been.

Revisado: 04-30-12

Would you consider the audio edition of A Local Habitation to be better than the print version?

One of the reasons I enjoyed this book so much is because of the tones and accents the narrator used when telling the story. It didn't sound like someone simply reading a book.

What did you like best about this story?

One of my favorite things about this, and all of McGuire's books are her characters. Each one is unique and the author makes certain to accentuate each of their traits.

Which character – as performed by Mary Robinette Kowal – was your favorite?

When listening to the October Daye novels, I truly am mesmerized by Tybalt. I'm not sure if it has more to do with the narrators voice, or his personality. More than likely it is a combination of both. I find him irresistable.

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

I can't say my reaction to this book was extreme, but I will admit to being more than a little obsessed with continuing on as I listened. I dreaded having to stop and getting to the end.

Any additional comments?

This is one of the best paranormal series I have run across in many years.

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A Super Listen!

Revisado: 10-06-11

I never would have thought I would enjoy this book so much. I was desperate for something to read and happened upon this. I loved it. The story is fresh and interesting. The characters are unique and enjoyable. The overall impact of the book is memorable. So often when I finish a book, it just goes away. This has been in my mind enough that that I have suggested it to several people I met in store lines.

I am headed off to buy the next in the series.

The narrator was excellent. I've added Mary Robinette Kowal to my list of repeat readers.

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Good Solid Story

Revisado: 05-18-11

Up until the series hit television I had never heard of Rizzoli & Isles. I enjoyed the show and thought I would give the books a try. I downloaded ICE COLD from Audible for my last trip and I was not disappointed.

Since this was my first one, and it was #8 in the series, I was a little lost with some of the character dynamics, but the author did a well wnough job of getting me up to speed. I found ICE COLD fast-paced and solid There were a few places where the internal narrative of the characters grated a little, but that may have been for personality purposes and probably not just to annoy me.

The story was a lot more interesting than the jacket copy led me to believe and even though it took me a little while to get into it, I truloy enjoyed it. I will be reading more of this series.

One of the reasons I chose this book is because I recently discovered Tanya Eby (Narrator) and am really enthralled with her ability as a reader. This was my second book read by Eby and there will be plenty more.

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A Pleasant enough story

Revisado: 04-19-11

I have come to enjoy the new type of books Nora Roberts is writing. The romantic suspense is much easier to read than her previous romances.

The Villa has a great cast of characters and Ms. Roberts does a good job of keeping them straight and organized with regard to the story. The premise of The Villa was interesting and I found all of the secondary characters necessary and well-developed.

I have to admit though, I figure Tyler to be the main male protagonist/hero, but found David to be a much more likeable and admirable hero. The three generations of women were refreshing in their strength and the kids added a wonderfully light touch to the story.

Overall, a great listen. And I do enjoy Laural Merlington's narration. She has a talent for the variety of voices that adds depth to the audio version not found in the print version.

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Really Really Really Good Listen

Revisado: 12-02-10

George Mann's "The Affinity Bridge" was a real eye-opener for me. I am new to the steampunk genre and have been looking for books to read in order to quench that need. I have started several but became so bogged down in vampires and werewolves that I just stopped reading.

This book however is beautifully written. Yes, there are a few zombies, but they do not overwhelm the story. Mann captures the feel of the Victorian era with clever descriptions and remarkable characters. Maurice Newbury is quite a character in himself, rakishly flawed, but powerful in his determination to do right by the Queen and her country.

Veronica Hobbs is a force to be reckoned with. Headstrong, loyal, and as determined as Sir Maurice, they make an awesome pair.

Fighting against several unknown entities, Newbury and Hobbs are cast into a world of near chaos. They must discover if the forces at work are those of the dark forces, one of Newbury's weaknesses, or if something far more sinister is afoot.

With plenty of action, emotion, and a few good twists, "The Affinity Bridge" is one of my favorite steampunk novels so far. I can't wait to download the next one in the series.

As for the narrator, I normally don't prefer the male voices, but Simon Taylor has quite a talent. I think his performance of the various voices was quite exceptional and I will be looking for more books narrated by him. A damn good listen!

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A cacophony of gossip

Revisado: 02-19-10

Extravagant dinner parties at culturally prejudice clubs, and homophobic cronies who rule their domain with an iron fist and no mercy shine. Leamer takes us back to when the rich and political went to Palm Beach for seclusion and solace and mingled without worry of the filth of the lower class and Jews. Leamer spends a lot of time reminding us of the socially outcast community not welcome in paradise. The Palm Beach residents discover all too soon, nothing stays the same. The old die and the new take over. For most people, old money spends no differently than new, it just doesn't smell as musty.

Leamer tells of the infighting, the betrayals, and of the power of the cutting edge of the "Shiny Sheet," the local gossip/society column that could literally make or break a man or a woman. From the disgraces of social etiquette revealed at million dollar fund raisers to the erotic and unequaled bashes of the more recent residents. It never ceases to amaze me how writers find it such an easy tool to single out those who are different and try to cast them in a light that intimates that they are actually better than what they are, or worse at it were. In the case of Madness Under the Royal Palms, it is the Jews and the homosexuals.

Not a bad book. It was more than a little interesting in a hangnail kind of way. You know it'll hurt when you pull the skin, but you keep playing with it. I couldn't stop, but only because my morbid sense of curiosity kept at me. At the end of the book I don't know how Laurence Leamer fit into it all.

The betrayal seemed minimal and I found the stories not nearly as scandalous as sad. The way the residents, past and present, are portrayed is more pathetic than unique. The mental instability and lack of values give me cause to celebrate my ordinary existence. The deaths in this book, nothing spectacular. Just dead.

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An awesome way to spend your time!

Revisado: 08-05-09

I was a little disappointed that this was not a Rosato & Associates story, but Look Again is an excellent story. Lisa Scottoline has taken an extremely difficult topic and given it back the emotion it deserves. As usual her character development is outstanding and the reader really gets to know each person in the story through their respective roles.

One of my favorite things about listening to Lisa Scottoline books has always been the voice Barbara Rosenblat, so when I read that this was a different voice, I had concerns. I can tell listeners that Mary Stuart Masterson, a tremendously talented actress, did a fabulous job. She took to the story with ease and never let me down once.

I also enjoyed being able to listen to the interview with Lisa Scottoline at the end of the presentation. Ms. Scottoline is a not only a remarkable writer, but shows her talent as an advocate and a mother as well.

Look Again is a must for not just Scottoline fans, but also fans of a good suspense!

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Extraordinary

Revisado: 07-16-09

Not being one for biographies, I went into this book with a bit of hesitancy. From the very beginning I was captivated.

Queen Noor reveals intimate details of her life as a Queen in a place that held so much curiosity for the rest of the world. She shares the details of her love for the King and the country that became the home of her heart.

Well told and filled with delightful tales and emotional memories, this story is one that everyone should read. From her unique family background to the intense commitment she made to improving the state of Jordan and people all over the world.

Queen Noor is definitely a woman to be considered extraordinary and the telling of her life with King Hussein is a beautiful one, though often filled with turmoil and despair.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a warm love story with strong characters, all the better that these characters are real.

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Bitterness Revealed

Revisado: 07-16-09

This book is one of the worst examples of sour grapes I have ever read. Christopher Byron uses the written word as a weapon against someone who may or may not have ever done something wrong to him.

His narrative is angry, ruthless, and one-sided. Byron has chosen to focus on every negative aspect of Martha Stewart's life, by using overly dramatic punch words and accentuating the discrepancies in media stories.

As a narrator, Christopher Byron would wonderfully suited for thrillers or suspense novels, but as a biographical writer, his objectivity leaves something to be desired.

Martha Inc. is labeled as an unauthorized biography, when in fact it is simple character assassination. Everyone knows Martha Stewart is human and has faults, but with such blatant disregard for the theory of creative license, it is my opinion that Byron steps over the line.

This book is senseless and more than a little annoying.

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