Kevin Crenshaw

Beware: aging sci-fi/fantasy writer syndrome

Revisado: 04-14-25

As a lifelong sci-fi/fantasy fan, I grew up reading Heinlein, Asimov etc. But after awhile I noticed a pattern: the older they got, the more they became *obsessed* with sex in their writing. I LOVED Stormlight Archive and Sanderson‘s other works because they had depth and great storylines and did not impose things like sexuality or gratuitous violence on the reader. But as of this novel, that is no longer true. Sex, both gay and straight, takes a repeated, increasing role in this novel. I’m looking for something on a higher plane. Also, the world building is becoming so complex I can’t keep track of it. Writing that confuses or jolts the reader out of their immersion in the story is not rewarding no worthwhile. So, this former Sanderson fan is signing out. I will not read the remaining Stormlight Archive installments nor encourage others to do so. Time for me to move on…

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Surprisingly interesting

Revisado: 04-14-25

The story starts out as a monologue, and it’s mostly monologue throughout. That concerned me at first, but the writing was good, the story was intriguing, and the conclusion left me thinking deeply. This is neither a tragedy nor a comedy, but something in between. A worthwhile listen.

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Excellent. Scientifically Accurate.

Revisado: 03-02-25

Enjoyed it completely. One flaw in the plot: [SPOILER ALERT] No massively important, complex, and expensive project would ever have a single point of failure. Ending would have been better with an epilogue: Veronica decides what she decides, but regardless of that several other people hear and release the crucial information at the appointed time. Failure was never an option.

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Technology Bores. Peril Entertains.

Revisado: 09-13-24

I enjoyed the first Bobiverse books, but I almost returned this book halfway through. The entire first half of the book felt like an endless array of new inventions and technical discussions and pulling rabbits out of hats. All of which is boring. People and interactions and perils are interesting, not technology. In the end, it all came together, but I don’t think it was worth slogging through the first half. And in the end, the array of miraculous new inventions broke the fourth wall for me: I was forced to face the reality that this is the only planet that we’ve got, unlimited useful energy is a lie, entropy really is a thing, and sci-fi that goes to this extent is really … fantasy.

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Excellent, The best installment of them all.

Revisado: 09-01-24

Story is well crafted, you like and care about the characters, you can imagine yourself in Arlo‘s world, faced with the dilemmas he is resolving. The voice acting is also superb. I highly recommend the series.

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A life-changing gift from heaven

Revisado: 08-28-24

Profound, precisely matches my real-world experiences with more than (I now see plainly) a dozen narcissistic people in the most powerful positions in my life. The result for me was the loss of my health at age 30, and I am only now realizing the underlying cause. This book explains what the victim of narcissistic abuse feels (if you are experiencing this, you are going to say “that’s exactly how I feel!“), why it is so confusing, why the victim feels isolated and without support, why they have a hard time letting go, and what to do about it. If you have any question about whether this is happening in your life, you need to read or listen to this book.

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Beautiful concepts, BUT…

Revisado: 08-11-24

I LOVE the principles in this book. I love the concept of making the first move, seeing others as people, looking within ourselves to decide if we want to build a relationship or just be right. And these principles are something I would’ve 100% believed in without exception a decade ago. I still believe in them, BUT… If you are in an abusive relationship, if you are in a relationship with someone who is an alcoholic or a narcissistic personality who verbally, emotionally, physically, or sexually abuses you or family members, abusive boss, this alone is not the right approach. “Safety first, then service,“ is crucial. And I realize that putting safety too high on our list can cause us to fear conflict, which the author points out is a problem. But there absolutely are situations where you must protect your safety, and if this book prevents you from taking those steps to ensure the safety of yourself or your children, then do not listen to what is being said here alone. You can’t have a positive relationship or safety where there is abuse. Certainly take the steps mentioned in this book to see the other person as a person and not an object, that will help you and change your heart. BUT do not let that dissuade you from finding the peace and personal self-respect and personal dignity and self compassion of making sure the abuse stops, without reservation, without excuse. This is such an important caveat and such a glaring omission from this book, that I could not rate it highly. I expected this exception to appear in the troubleshooting guide, or a special chapter on exceptions, but it is not there. And this, in my experience, makes this book dangerous for people in that situation. Do not let these otherwise correct principles guilt or shame you into blaming yourself or excusing their abuse. You have the right to live in emotional, mental, psychological, physical, and social safety.

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Romance Sci Fy for Teens

Revisado: 07-27-24

Continuation of the Cytonic world, same narrator, good execution overall. But I’m not looking for teen romance, so I skipped a lot.

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Good, except for the slanders and stereotypes on the Mormons

Revisado: 06-01-24

Story was generally well written, engaging, likable character, clever descriptions. And I appreciated the general lack of offensive cursing and adult themes, which would have distracted from this good story. Unfortunately, it seems the only research the writer did about the Latter-day Saints was to watch Amazon’s implementation of “The Expanse,“ which also misrepresented Mormons. (Note to Author and Narrator: it is pronounced “mor-OWN-eye” not “mor-OWN-ee”). But this has been a problem ever since Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Study in Scarlet,” so while it’s not altogether surprising, it is disappointing.

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Satisfying saga continues

Revisado: 01-17-24

The characters grow on you, the universe continues to fill out, and loose pieces increasingly come together. An enjoyable listen. 

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