JJ

Rechs - yes, Porter - no

Revisado: 07-26-19

I purchased this audiobook after reading the Kindle version because I find the audiobook brings the story to life in a different way. Unfortunately, the audiobook version was disappointing. I'm a big fan of the Galaxy's Edge series/universe and reading a backstory on one of its most iconic characters - Rechs - is a can't miss. The problem was that Ray Porter's voice just doesn't match Rech's character in any way. Porter has a light-hearted, slightly-sarcastic voice that brings to life great characters like in the Bobiverse, but he's no Tyrus Rechs. I found it difficult to listen to the whole book and constantly caught myself saying, "That's not Rechs!"

I think a good alternative narrator would be someone like Tom Stechschulte who voiced "The Road", RC Bray, Jonathan Davis, or Jeff Harding (Kings of the Wyld).

Bottom line, I recommend the Kindle version over this audiobook.

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Story is Good, Narrator is meh

Revisado: 07-26-19

Ray Porter has a great body of narration work, but the Galaxy's Edge series should not be among it. Leejs are men amongst men, but Porter makes most of the sound like scared little boys. The narration was so distractingly off that I had a hard time getting into the story. RC Bray doesn't have to narrate all of these stories, but this story begs for a stronger male voice to depict the best warfighters in the galaxy.

The story itself is solid and depicts a different angle on the Legion's battles along Galaxy's Edge, the complicated contexts of the House of Reason corruption along with the incompetence of the Point program. Plus, war isn't always clean. Hayes does a great job with Anspach and Cole to continue to expand and deeper the GE universe.

Please, just find a different narrator!

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Good brief look at the Luddites

Revisado: 01-31-19

Like me, you've probably heard the term "Luddites" being associated to people (aka. relatives) who are anti-technology. In my case, it's people who are afraid of the internet and Alexa "listening" to you at home. Maybe it's real, maybe not. But I personally wanted to understand where the term came from so I'm not just spouting buzz phrases without any knowledge.

This short overview of the Luddites is basically a research paper set to narration which does just that... it gives you a look into the history of the term and how the Luddites because known as a force in early industrial-age England.

What was interesting is how modern zeitgeist tends to white-wash real people's struggles into quippy buzz words. The Luddites were a real group of people fighting for real problems and, after listening, I have a better understanding of who they were and will be wiser in how I use the term from here on out.

I only rated it average because it was just that, average. But that's not to say it isn't worthwhile, but it's just not a gripping story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It was certainly worth the price.

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Keeps getting better

Revisado: 01-31-19

Whenever I listen to Galaxy's Edge, I have to remind myself that these are novellas added together. That being said, the story just gets better and better. Part 3 is essentially two books joined together in one purchase, and it's well-worth the credit. It consists of "Sword of the Legion" (book 5) and "Prisoners of Darkness" (book 6), which mainly circulate around Chunn and the Kill Team, with Wraith back in the mix. This series has fast become one of my favorites and you can see the authors growing in the collaboration as the series continues.

As for the critique that the story are is a Star Wars knock-off... well, maybe. But it's exciting military sci-fi and thoroughly enjoyable. There's enough difference with a Star Wars universe and GE isn't getting dragged into political correctness like Disney is doing with Star Wars. GE is a quality space opera with more of a military sci-fi bent, and I would love to see it made into a TV series.

I only hope they get the next books in the series turned into audio (with RC Bray please!) as soon as possible. I'm probably just going to dust off my kindle and read them for real in the meantime.

Keep them coming!

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Transition Book for the Series

Revisado: 08-17-18

As others have mentioned in their reviews, this book is a difficult one to review. Although I thoroughly enjoyed it and how Alanson has developed these characters, it did seem like a bridge or transition book towards whatever's coming next.

The good thing about this series is that it's always had a sense of driving towards some sort of epic finish, where all the streams are brought together and all the major questions are answered. The type of series where, when you finish the last sentence and close the last book, you sit back with a satisfied smile on your face and a "yes!" in your heart.

I feel like, even though this book seemed to wallow a bit, it will seem more significant in the long run as a key pivot in the series that shoots Skippy, Joe and the rest of the merry band of pirates right straight to the salvation of the earth, the restructuring of the universe, and the answer to all the riddles of forgotten past.

I really hope this is the case.

As usual, RC Bray is simply brilliant.

Bottom line, you're in book five and - who are we kidding - you're sold on the series. It's worth the credit and each subsequent book. Enjoy the ride!

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Like taking a step back and forward in time

Revisado: 08-17-18

This book is one of the more unique sci-fi adventures I've ever been on. It's literally taking a step back and forward in time at the same time. You go from WWII to dystopian future to disjointed past to... well, depends on where you want it to go. You've got war, baseball, 1930s culture, future technology, robots, Nazis, Yanks, love, betrayal, and camaraderie. I quite honestly don't think I've ever listened to a book quiet like this. Just on that basis alone, I would recommend this book.

Macleod Andrews did a tremendous job with the voices on all the characters, expertly capturing early 20th century manners, while seamlessly establishing a variety of voices for each of the main characters.

I always just a book on whether I forget that I'm listening to a story and this book definitely did it. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was it gets a little difficult to follow exactly what's happening in the most critical scene of the book. Maybe it would be clearer if I re-listened (and there's a good chance I'll do that).

Bottom line, a wonderful journey and a credit well spent. Believe the hype, this is book to remember.

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I wonder what could have been

Revisado: 07-26-18

I'm not a writer and don't pretend to be a critic. It's easy to see what occurs in multi-sequel books and movies, that it's just not easy to tie a grand scheme together time after time. This is sort of how I felt with the wrap up of this series. The first part was excellent, interesting and novel... a new twist to AI and space exploration. But as the story progressed, it got bogged down in personal politics and rushed storytelling. It's like the author came to a crossroad in book 2... to the left lead a path that would bring this series to epic proportions and galactic grandeur, while the right path lead to a quick and convenient end. You can sense the greatness of what could have been and, in finishing the story, I felt a sense of loss that it could have been more.

That is not to say it was not enjoyable. It was just too conveniently and quickly ended.

The narrator was good throughout the books and finished well here in book three.

It was worth the credit and I don't regret it, although I'll continue to wonder what could have been.

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Smith and Bray Deliver!

Revisado: 07-26-18

Another solid offering by Smith to the series. Honestly, I had some impression that this was the last book in the series... well, it is NOT! That being said, you get everything you would expect from the Hell Divers experience with some twists and turns thrown in.

Let's be honest, if you're listening to book three that means you've listened to book one and two already. You're either sold on the series or not. The good thing about this book is that it keeps the upward trend of good story-telling and character development, and sets the stage for a larger conflict to come. I tore through this book as quickly as I could.

As always, Bray delivers. He's a perfect voice of the lead character and does a great job with the rest of the voices.

I'm definitely in for the next book... and the next.. and the next.

(I only wish Bray could go back and re-do the Extinction cycle books... they'd be so much better to listen to!)

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Captivating story of a troubling time

Revisado: 07-26-18

Delving into the crimes affecting the Osage in the early part of the 20th century, this book provides three separate perspectives of individuals involved in the events surrounding Osage murders.The story itself is divided into three parts from three different perspectives in order to tell the span of the story; first from the perspective of an Osage woman caught in the middle of the crisis, second from the BI investigator tracking down the murderers, and finally from a reporter later on in the century looking deeper into the societal sub-currents lurking beneath the murders.

All in all, I found the story to be captivating and eye-opening at the same time. Having grown up in southern Kansas, you hear some of these stories but not to the depth or detail provided here. The story itself challenges the sub-human treatment of the Native Americans that permeated early 19th Century America and, to some degree, continues today. While the story is presented from an Osage-leaning point-of-view, it remains fairly neutral and attempts to stay to the facts of the investigation and what was revealed in subsequent court cases.

Some reviewers stated that the change in narrators was jarring, but I did not find this to be the case. It was actually helpful in that you are hearing from three different people in the telling of the story so it helps with making that distinction. Furthermore, the narrators themselves were well-selected to match the personality and tenor of the person they were representing.

Bottom line, this story will grip you and open your eyes to a grittier and less admirable past of the US.

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Keep it real

Revisado: 05-31-18

So this type of book is normally right up my alley... some sci fi, some mystery, some action, and RC Bray. BUT, I just felt a bit empty at the end, which has sort of a twist... even if it's not really unexpected. The story is pretty well-told and Robinson takes you on the journey with the main character. So why, you might ask, did I only give it 3 stars overall?

First, the ending disappointed me. Contrary to other reviewers who sort of ruined the story for me (you know who you are!), it really came down to the main character's choices which I didn't agree with. You might so it may not be disappointing for you. The story is interesting just not how I would end it. And, for your own good, don't read the other reviews until you're done. They get you thinking in ways about the story that just make it frustrating.

Second... and I can't believe I'm going to say this because I'm such a HUGE Bray fan... RC was not the right person to perform this book. His voice is awesome and he always does a great job. The problem here is that Bray's voice is too manly for this character. The two just don't sync up and I kept thinking, "There's no way this guy sounds like this." But Bray is AWESOME and helped me make it through the book.

Bottom line, this book is an existential debate about what is real and what is love. And how far are you willing to get lost in love. For me, the real thing is always better.

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