Calamari

I feel it Would Have Been Better as Just an Audio Book.

Revisado: 12-18-24

The way in which this was presented was pretty far off the mark for the tone of the story I feel. It's still campy for sure, but in all the wrong ways.

The voice actors are fine in their delivery. They just arent right for the roles.

The sound effects and music detract from the narrative as well.

Sad, because this is a fun little series of novela, and some of the entries for it appear to exist only in this format.

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Too Many Plot Holes to be Enjoyed

Revisado: 05-30-21

I did not like this book. It had some good ideas but it was not final draft quality in my opinion. The narration was spot on. full marks there.

Spoilers ahoy!

For me there were just too many plot holes to allow me to suspend disbelief in this story.

If they could download consciousness into clones as a means of resurrecting the dead in the first place than they wouldn't send the base humans suicide missions. Where was the oversight and verification of the copy process?

How did the pre mission psych evaluations miss the main character's clear instabilities and seriously unresolved trauma?

How come all the attending physicians and staff appear to be chosen for the mission by their willingness to sleep with the main character?

how are they having this much trouble writing AI to control the flight of these ships while in a station currently more massive and already flying in the same environment as said ships. A station that appears to be able to fly almost without human aid. Seems like that wouldn't wok unless you already solved that problem.

I get that there is an attempt to make insightful observations on the human condition but that seems so forced as to override basic attention to detail and regard for plot stability here. so much about the plot and even how the people interact and react came across as faked to force a narrative that it's for me at least anger inducing to listen to.

I am more outspoken here than I normally would be in a review because I am tired of this. I feel there is a current trend in writing that sees fit to forego basic research, plot continuity and general good writing practices in order to push specific narratives or ideals.

The human aspect should be blended into the story so as to appear one with it. You shouldn't feel like your being slapped with it and that the genre is a hastily donned glove over that striking hand.

That is how this felt to listen to for me anyway. I had to give it two goes because I couldn't make it through the first time. Second time I wanted to give it the benefit of pushing through in case it got better later on. I do not feel that it did.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

A fun adaptation of the Cthulhu mythos

Revisado: 10-08-20

If you're looking for something that captures the deep existential horror of H.P. Lovecraft's sories and poems you won't find it here. The author has however honored old H.P. in a different way. The terrors that lurk in the shadows of dreams have been yanked out into the light and instead of hiding behind the scenes and preying on the few they now prey upon humanity as a whole.

The book is one part adventure, one part military sci-fi but really succeeds where it very artfully and respectfully injects Lovecraftian lore into he world giving it a thrilling and ominous feel.

It is a slightly campy revenge romp chalk with combat, gunplay and adventure. I enjoyed it through and through.

as an aside: If this concept wasn't spawned from the campaign setting of the author's tabletop sessions then I think we would all be remis if we didn't use it in our own. It would make a wonderful campaign world.

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Needlessly overblown with metaphors...

Revisado: 11-07-19

Poses some interesting theories and follows them down pretty deep rabbit holes. This was presented to me as scifi space-horror in many reviews. It's more existential and thought provoking. Some of the story presented uncomfortable biological truths and portents of impending doom on an intellectual level but never does it really give a good ceepy. I would say that it left a feeling reminiscent to the first book in the Rama series with a much darker view of sentience, life and our place in the universe. i would recommend that outlook when considering reading this book my enjoyment was slightly diffused by the anticipation of a more traditional stab at horror.

fairly well written, early chapters have an abundance of additional flowery expressions and descriptions that try way to hard to convince you of a depth not yet established in the characters personalities. only later upon reflection do they make a bit more sense.

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Possibly the best reading of this classic to date

Revisado: 04-24-19

Always a masterpiece. This collection is read by the talented Stephen Fry in the order of their original release date. Fry's performance and voice acting is superb and serves to easily create an immersive experience when listening. The collection is only improved by the forward to each section by Fry in which he gives background on both the author the times and reveals intriguing facts about the impact these tales ultimately have had and will have on cultures all over the world.

In short these are wonderful stories preformed masterfully and will engage the listener and evoke that same wonder you felt when first reading a Sherlock Holmes tale.

Enjoy!

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Concept was good, but poorly written.

Revisado: 04-26-18

I was enticed to give it a try by the concepts presented in the summery, however this book was so poorly written and the characters such one dimensional tropes that I could not make it thorough to the end.

normally I have policy of finishing everything I begin to read/listen even if its bad but I just could not make it thorough past about five hours. The plot holes, bad character reactions and poor dialogue were distracting to the point of annoyance for me.

I am fair and will try to listen again later. If I find I feel different then amend my review.

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Five Stars and I'll explain why.

Revisado: 04-19-18

This collection delivers as promised. it was presented by summery and forward as a comic book series expressed in words and the writing & narration both hit that right on the mark.

As icing on the cake there are several unique avenues and twists of plot that make the tales as a whole a fun and original narrative.

It's fun and inventive and gives what it promises. Looking forward to more tales of the Goon Squad.

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More! I must have more of this story.

Revisado: 03-06-18

As a devote of space based science fiction and an avid reader in general I can safely say that this is a must read/listen . The first book harkens back to the feel of Starship Troopers, gritty, harsh, with a no nonsense brutality one expects in a book based around military themed writing. It then splashes in anecdotal details about the books universe. A fully enjoyable, gripping and finished story unto it self; the first half sets the stage for a much greater tale.

The second half is then that much better. Full of subtle plot twists and simply awesome concepts, rich characters that develop naturally for you bit by bit and enough well depicted action to keep you riveted all the way through.

It felt wonderfully like every epic science fiction RPG Campaign I've ever played layed out as a story. Do your self a favor and get this book.

The performance as well deserves note, well spoken, clearly voiced and the narrators use of different voices brings individual characters to life. Each one is spoken not just with a different sound but with its own defined personality. To me this is exceedingly important for an audio book as in many ways the narrator makes or breaks it. This one made it, five stars all the way.

I can't wait to read the next one.

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Strong ideas but shallow execution.

Revisado: 04-28-17

Characters are one dimensional, several glaring continuity issues with the fist book. Cleary tween targeted.

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Very entertaining concept

Revisado: 04-08-17

Intrigued by the world and the concepts. Certainly a fun listen. the story did feel rushed and fealt like it could have been granted more flwshing out. specifically I would like to have seen deeper conflict in genwral and more struggle for main character who remained kind of flat throughout. Do not expect this novel to answer any questions, it is a set up for a series.

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