Elizabeth

It's twice as long as it should have been

Revisado: 10-02-19

This is practically the poster child for what happens when either (a) an editor doesn't have the courage to challenge an author and/or (b) the author is so convinced of their own unquestionable talent they refuse to listen to advice.

This is a wonderfully unique premise, with superb world-building and interesting characters. Unfortunately, this is buried in such a pile of philosophical musings and unnecessary detail my brain kept tuning out. There are books that need pruning; this one needs major landscaping to cut out the dead wood and weeds so the story can be found.

All of that, of course, is a reflection of my subjective taste, and I'll mitigate it by saying those who enjoy Cixin Liu's science fiction will likely have a better time with this than I did. I just don't have enough patience.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Great stories poorly presented

Revisado: 07-07-19

I doubt there's any such thing as a bad Harry Bosch novel, and these are no exception. The problem lies in that Hachette Audio hasn't done the material justice.

To begin with, the books are out of order -- Echo Park should follow The Narrows, not precede it. In a series like this, continuity matters.

Second, there are numerous editing errors that result in garbled, repeating text. As a result, this "boxed set" comes off as hastily compiled. It's still worth having, but in hindsight the individual audiobooks would have been preferable.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

The Power of Women

Revisado: 11-20-18

In the 13th century, powerful women who refused to submit to power did so under constant threat of torture and death. In this story of a child destined to guard great power, Ms. Kightlinger has used real history to create a world in which what some call fantasy is only one more aspect of daily life. This is fantasy for people who don't read fantasy, and a must-read for anyone seeking characters who rise into reality strong and full of life. Best of all, it's suitable for young readers, and highly recommended. Just be ready for their questions.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

A message for today

Revisado: 05-28-18

I’m listening to all the Joe Pickett books in preparation for the new one, which waits in my
queue. This one struck home on several levels.

Joe Pickett might strike some as not very smart. That often happens with adult children of alcoholics who grew up in abusive families. They tend to have an overdeveloped adherence to rules, because their childhood was so full of chaos. And they also harbor an excessive need to take care of things, usually without asking for help.

This story places Joe in a situation that challenges him on both those levels. His friend Nate Romanosky, who has experienced the corruption and hypocrisy of government first-hand, understands that. Part of what makes this one of the best of the series is that confrontation of beliefs.

Near the end, one of those Joe is pursuing says “The people used to run the government; now it seems like it’s the other way around.” Superficially, it sounds like the sort of rhetoric used by the Cliven Bundys and other far-right extremists. In the context of this novel, however, and in Mr. Box’s skillful, light hand, it becomes a statement all of us, not just Joe Pickett, should pause and consider.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Predictable

Revisado: 01-05-17

Hardcore fans of military SF action movies will find this entry perfect for listening to in the background while doing something else. I confess I was irritated that the author apparently felt it necessary to emphasize the meaning of basic military acronyms by inserting them parenthetically when those most likely to enjoy the book are either already aware of their meaning or capable of deriving same from context. However, that's a personal peeve and may not bother anyone else.

So, decent brain candy wherein one so inclined can unearth the author's cultural references and inspirations and, therefore, worth reading--or hearing, as the case may be.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Bosch doing what he does best

Revisado: 12-30-16

First, a word about the performance rating. I love that Titus Welliver is narrating. However, there are times when he misread the tone of a passage sufficiently for it to be grating. I know that's nitpicking, but he has so beautifully captured the character both in the books and on screen, I think it matters. So, my rating is aimed more at the director than the performer.

The book is one of the best, both for character development and story. Two stories, actually, and both show Bosch at the top of his form. I particularly enjoyed seeing him interact with superiors who resisted his style without being bureaucratic tyrants.

For longtime fans, a terrific visit with an old friend. For newcomers, an excellent introduction to someone whose history will have you stocking your to-be-read pile for a long time to come.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Fascinating take on Cellini as Mage

Revisado: 12-22-16

Unfortunately, the author was so eager to demonstrate his body of research he chose to wrap it around a wisp of a plot and characters who are either stereotypes or present mainly to have something to wrap the research around.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Longtime and the Spirits

Revisado: 11-24-16

Poor Walt. He is so determined to find a rational explanation for everything, and sometimes life refuses to cooperate. I don't think it's a spoiler to reveal this is another story of the spiritual, and an excellent one as always.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Another one for the weekend..........................

Revisado: 10-15-16

More to come on this one soon and I hate to be dictated to. Not to mention Audible apps right hand doesn't know what the left is doing

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A potentially good story, mediocre editing

Revisado: 12-13-15

The underlying plot of Mr. Rickstad's novel is sound; the problem lies in the execution. Given it's all but impossible to offer specific details without giving away spoilers, which I won't do, I'll have to deal in generalities.

The initiating problem that draws former police officer Frank Rath into the mystery is the disappearance of an emancipated 16-year-old girl. Rath has apparently been doing PI work since adopting his orphaned niece 17 years earlier; her parents were murdered by a man who is eligible for parole. Mr. Rath suffers from a physical problem that disappears just when it might get in the way of the plot.

That, in a nutshell, is what made this book disappoint. There are simply too many contrivances intended to complicate matter; and far too many of them are forgotten when they become inconvenient or turn out to be not as complicated as they were made to appear. I could overlook the author's apparent obsession with his characters' teeth if it weren't that his editor apparently didn't point out to him that while detail is a good thing, it's also supposed to have some purpose other than being detail.

I hate cliffhanger endings, and I wouldn't mention that except other reviewers have given it away. That, however, is a subjective matter and nothing to do with the quality of the book as a whole. Which could have been better.

Mr. Bray's narration is, overall, excellent. I felt he overdramatized sometimes when it wasn't necessary, but he is a skilled storyteller; and, to be fair, much of what he had to read was overdramatized. I will certainly add him to my list of preferred narrators.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña