Maisha Elonai

Robinson, now with real Bacon flavor (TM)

Revisado: 12-04-24

This book works, even if it seems at first blush to be different than other Robinson novels. Two exhortations I beg of anyone considering a purchase:

1. Trust the narrator! Robinson fans may be used to His Brayness on vocals, but Tom Taylorson creates characters so distinct you will forget there’s only one person reading. He’s really good, you’ll feel like you’ve made new friends.

2. Trust the writing! The premise of this story is delightful without being childish. We get the wit, shenanigans, and blushes of kaiju-style imagery that distinguish Jeremy Robinson. Meanwhile the novel avoids self-conscious monologuing and religious introspection that occasionally bog down his other light writing (and graces his headier work).

If you love dogs and sci fi and you want a light read, you won’t go wrong with this book. Can’t wait for the rest of the series!

PS, If I ever adopt a chihuahua, it absolutely will be named Chirk II.

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Robinson returns to horror

Revisado: 05-13-24

Yeah, I know, my review title sucks. There usually is an apocalyptic or end-of-world scenario in Jeremy Robinson’s works. That’s part of why we love them! But this one is more like Infinite or The Last Hunter. Don’t go in expecting witty banter or amusingly phallic aliens, because Point Nemo is more about heart strings. That’s not to say there aren’t some reasons to smile. Really, Jeremy? Weir, Maberry, and Scalzi? (Guffaw.) I guess it’s a fitting tribute; I like them, too.

Side note: If the author reads this, please keep writing novels like The Dark and The Others. Sci fi action with the right blend of comedy — that’s why I follow you, and it’s a beautiful signature. Thanks for all of your worlds!

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Whiny, monotonous, stagnant

Revisado: 04-18-24

I picked up this book on a friend’s recommendation, hoping for a fun trashy story. Unfortunately, J. Bree needs substantial work to elevate their writing to “trashy” from just plain “trash.” There is nothing redeeming about this book.

Characters
The protagonist of the story is two dimensional and unsympathetic. I waited an entire book for character development that never happened. Secondary characters are the same flavor in different containers. Their personalities are literally identical.

Diction
The author’s lexicon is limited to the f word with some lackluster phonemes thrown in as spice. As delightful as the f word can be when employed skillfully, its usage here feels more like sandpaper than silk. That’s not the only failing in the author’s language. Their words utterly fail to make the world of the novel visible — although whether that is due to weak descriptors or to lack of creative vision is at question.

Action
Don’t bother waiting for the plot to kick in. It doesn’t. There is some predictable action in the last 45 minutes of this read, but the rest of the audiobook might as well be the self involved recitation of a teenager’s day in college.

Romance
There’s none of that, either, aside from a few mentions of broad chests and nice “racks.” Do beware of violent assault against the protagonist that will make you feel uncomfortable, however. That is what substitutes for frisky fun. Also, the age gaps between some of the LIs are seriously disturbing.

Narration
I have no idea what the narrator’s actual performance quality might be because the text is so weak and the characters are so shrill. I can’t rate the narrator well because the performance was monotonous — but that’s the text’s fault. At least the narrator paced themself well, enunciated clearly, and read without making mistakes.

Overall
Don’t waste your time with this book. The nutrition info for a McDonald’s happy meal is more engaging to read, and probably a lot healthier for your mind.

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Strong story, stellar performance

Revisado: 04-08-23

This is a sci fi book for people who want SCIENCE fiction. Lovely world building and speculation on comparative evolution. The narrator is highly versatile with her voice, making each character distinct and true to its description.

If you’re looking for action or humor, this is not the book for you. I suspect that’s where lower ratings are coming from. If you’re looking for a well-crafted concept piece, stop, drop, and read!

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Interesting concept, dry delivery

Revisado: 08-16-22

I love Blake Crouch’s books. This one, by the standards of Dark Matter, Recursion, et al. is slow. It’s hard to connect with the protagonist because of his dryly delivered inner monologue — which is admittedly necessary for the character. End result was a novel that poses interesting questions about humanity, but isn’t the thriller I was expecting. I’m glad I listened to it, though.

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This story begs for more

Revisado: 02-22-22

And so do I. In the scavenging we’re all up to during this pandemic, this is lovely free content (and beautiful to a Yank’s ear). Although predictable the story is well wrought, leaving its formula less problematic than it is a recipe for a good listen. Thanks to everyone who worked to bring this audio together. You’ve left us quite a gift.

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I love this series

Revisado: 05-25-21

I love that NK Jemisin wrote it. I love that we have a work of art that shows our strength. I love the character arcs. I just love everything.

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Fabulous

Revisado: 05-22-21

Well-developed characters. Compelling storyline. Unique dystopian fantasy setting. And it is so good to see a narrative that involves race, orientation, gender, greed, and power but is more about building a new world than ruminating on prior suffering. I can’t wait to see how this series turns out. Thank you, Nora Keita, for your hard work. It’s beautiful.

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s*** however presently

Revisado: 04-25-21

I’m going to finish the series. The premise is interesting, and I want to know how the story ends. During this Covid-19 pandemic, these books are a serviceable time killer, and I’m fond of both narrators.

In terms of critique, Cole could use a stronger editor and/or group of beta readers to nudge him to greater heights. The writer’s lexicon is limited. He uses the exclamation “shit” so frequently and to describe so many different values of emotional response that it looses meaning. Cole seems compelled to string sentences together using words like “however,” “presently,” and “finally,” almost like a grade school essay. I noticed the habit in book one and hoped it would fade as the writer gained experience, but unfortunately it is endemic.

The characters also strike me as flat. I’m not particularly attracted to the protagonists because they spend so much time bickering or whining. Any other character in the stories are so limited in appearance they make a syllable in a Tarantino film seem like an epistolary novel by comparison.

Cole has won a number of awards, so I suppose I am not stylistically inclined to his writing and other people can say more to recommend it. I have significant respect for the author’s discipline in writing novels; that is extremely difficult. And if buying the next book is a compliment, he has it. But if any prospective readers come across this review and haven’t read anything by Jeremy Robinson yet, I’d suggest those novels instead. Much better writing, same great narrators, same fun genre.

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Oh, I feel this!

Revisado: 04-07-21

I’m going to recommend this program to every diasporan and first-gen American I know. The accuracy of emotion is so spot on, and the feelings about belonging and pride and shame and family and distance and colonialism — all of it is spot on, in my experience. I send my affection to the author.

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