Dennis and Angelika Chappell

Political bias is showing

Revisado: 04-24-25

I will be returning this book. The author's disappointing political bias set the tone. It made me wary his ability to present a dispassionate account. I have highly respected this author and read of his works. This was a sad departure.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

The narrator has improved - some

Revisado: 08-21-24

This is the third book in the series that I have listened to (with my 10 y.o. grandson). The story plays out fairly well, the characters are as well developed as one can expect from young person fiction. The use of Greek mythology is well done. I liked that, when a physical location was used, specifically, Colorado Springs, CO, it appeared the author had actually been there. In all, it was a pleasant addition to the story.

Now for the down side: The narrator is the same as the previous two novels. I realized that, duh, he may actually be a young person. If not, he does a good job of sounding like it. But, that said, there are issues with his reading. He frequently mis-interprets the mood of statement by a character. He depends on add accents or tones to convey the mental image of a particular character, rather than employing a more subtle voice. In previous novels he as done a poor job of foreign accents. His timing in conversations becomes out of kilter. I could go on. BUT, in this reading he has improved - some.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

The reader is TERRIBLE

Revisado: 07-31-24

I've been listening to the Percy Jackson Olympians with my grandson. The writing is well suited to it's intended younger audience. The plot is enjoyable, if predictable, and the use of Greek mythology is very well done. The problem is the reader. His tone and timbre are accurate for a young person, but beyond that, he's terrible. His impressions of the characters are mostly off base, he can't do a foreign accent and he misses the cues for changing the voice to suit the situation. His timing is non-existent. That's why I give this a 3 star rating. The book is fine. The reader is off-putting. I've never given a bad review to a reader before, In this case, the reader makes listening a frustrating experience.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A bit tiresome

Revisado: 03-14-24

A quick review before I return the title: This is the last Sandford book I'll essay to listen to. I was a few chapters in when I realized that I just wasn't enjoying it.

The performance was fine with the new reader. The trajectory of the story was revealed early on. That left a partial mystery, but I just didn't think it was intriguing enough to pursue it.

Sandford has had a problem with his politics. Over the course of several of his more recent novels he has allowed his liberal politics to show through. That's distracting and irritating. It was worst in the novel he did during covid. He suffers from the same affliction as Hollywood types: His characters use guns, but he personally doesn't like the idea of citizens owning guns, something which he lets slip a few times every book. In this novel there was automobile virtue signaling as well, which was additionally distracting.

So, I have enjoyed Sandford's work for at least a couple decades, but he has left me and, I'm sure, plenty of other readers behind.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Thoroughly satisfying.

Revisado: 08-10-23

The style is intentionally similar to fiction written during the 20s-30s - erudite verbiage and literary references. The reader does a superb job of switching characters, voices and accents.

The premise itself is fresh and quirky. The plot plays out more or less as expected, but it takes some turns along the way. Each of the characters has a distinct trajectory and each of those plot lines ends in a satisfying manner. A most engaging and fun book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I REALLY wanted to like this book

Revisado: 03-28-23

I was excited to see a new Davenport book from Sandford, especially one combining Virgil Flowers and Lucas Davenport. It had such potential. But too early on I noticed what has been an increasing trend in Sandford's books: liberal politics. The bad guys and the bad people were more often characterized as being convervatives who are either loony and dangerous or despicable. And then there's the gun thing: It's OK for Davenport to gun people down but, at least once per novel, Sandford declares that guns should not be among the general population, or he portrays gun owners in some bad light.
.
And then there were the frequent covid references: masks, in particular, plus a reference to the destructive measures imposed by the 'response' as being prudent. This book was published in October 2022. There was simply no reason why it had to be set during the covid insanity. So, too many factors in the story that made me cringe or grit my teeth as I listened. I gave up on it early on. The performance by Richard Ferrone was perfect, as usual, I guess I'll have to give up on John Sandford. He's too inclined to let his liberal politics play a role in his stories. Too bad. I'll be returning this one. It wasn't worth wasting a credit.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

It was great until...

Revisado: 03-21-23

I was excited for this new novel by Ray Porter. I've really enjoyed his stuff up to this. The story was a fine departure from the more common alien invasion plots and it developed well. Narration was good. The narrator did well with feminine voices.

However: I gave up about 2 thirds through and am returning the book. The author decided to employ tired, too common and inaccurate tropes, equating socio-political conservatives, climate and covid vaccination skeptics with the bad guys in the story. It was disappointing from this author who has up to now preented refreshing and well-crafted novels.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Too many cheap political shots

Revisado: 07-21-22

I have enjoyed everything I've read byJohn Scalzi - so far. This book could have been great fun. The plot concept was neat and different, characters fairly well defined. The plot progression was fairly predictable, but enjoyable nonetheless. Will Wheaton's narration was great, as always and really added to the quality of the listening experience.

The 'overall' gets two stars however. It was apparent that the author, whom I deeply enjoyed and respected prior to this, spent the 'pandemic' period in which he sets the story self-quarantined and watching MSNBC. He just couldn't refrain from throwing in cheap shot at Trump, virtue signaling about masks, throwing in stock homosexual characters and doing the silly 'pronoun' game.

Scalzi has lost a lot of cred with me and, from other reviews, it appears many others as well. It's always troubling to learn that a favorite author has objectionable socio-political notions. But, he could keep that to himself and we'd be none the wiser. It's uncertain if I'll ever purchase another book by him; and that is sad.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

wonderful fresh look

Revisado: 04-11-22

The author provides both broad views and intimate personal stories. He works to dispel and debunk popular myths and incorrect ideas about the way the Allies and the Axis conducted their operations.

Downside: the narrator reads clearly but makes many errors in pronunciation

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Amazing detail

Revisado: 12-28-21

I admit: I have a passing interest in Bonnie and Clyde; perhaps a modicum more than the average person, primarily because I've been to some of the places they were in, including my city of (amazingly) Pueblo CO. This book caught my interest and I'm glad I bought it.

Complaints appear in other reviews of the narrator's style. I thought he was just fine for this book. He has a style that makes one imagine him sitting in a comfortable chair telling the story.

The book provides clarity and depth of detail about the duo, their psychology and those encompassed in their world, friends, relations and those who brought them to justice. It keeps up a strong narrative tempo and reads like a novel. Perfect.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña