Michael Hall

Interesting approach to horror

Revisado: 12-03-24

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Stories are creative, writing is good, and narration is great. Looking forward to listening to more by Grim.

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zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Revisado: 12-03-24

Murakami's goal was obviously to use as many words as humanly possible to describe even the most routine and boring activities, events, thoughts, and sex. I gave up after about five of what would have been an interminable 46 hours.

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zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Revisado: 06-23-24

If you like long & meandering stories, this is for you! However, if you like good writing, credible suspense and eeriness, and satisfying endings, give this one a hard pass.

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Disappointing

Revisado: 12-04-16

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Regrettably no. I absolutely love the Monster Hunter books and this one - I suppose because of the additional author - was a tremendous disappointment. Just not as good, not the same - weak plot, way too much time describing uninteresting characters.

What did you like best about this story?

The narrator! Oliver Wyman is always great!

How did the narrator detract from the book?

He didn't, he was the best part

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Definitely - if it were a movie, all of the boring material could go and it would be more like the MH books I have enjoyed.

Any additional comments?

I'll stick with this series but not forever if the books don't return to form.

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Perfect start to finish

Revisado: 04-28-16

What did you love best about The Life We Bury?

The complexity of the main character - his life, his experiences, his thoughts - was perfectly portrayed.

What did you like best about this story?

It was the perfect story for this length - the twist is expected but when it is explained it makes sense.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene in the woods, especially (strangely?) the description of the snow.

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Couldn't finish, what a disappointment

Revisado: 02-10-16

What disappointed you about Trigger Warning?

Primarily Gaiman's narration - he's moved from a fascinating & suspenseful reader to twee, slow, and dull. I own every Gaiman book and have listened to several; with this book I wanted to punch my computer. :(

What could Neil Gaiman have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Many of the stories seemed meandering and pointless, sort of musings and stray thoughts instead of actual narratives. I ended up wondering if this was just a set of cast-offs and side projects that didn't work.

Did Neil Gaiman do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Not especially; other than male vs. female, most of the characters sounded the same.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Very much disappointment.

Any additional comments?

I'll try the next Gaiman book but if it's as twee (sorry to use this twice, it's just the perfect word) as this one I might give up. (Definition of "twee": "Something that is sweet, almost to the point of being sickeningly so. As a derogatory descriptive, it means something that is affectedly dainty or quaint, or is way too sentimental.")

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A brilliant book of arctic exploration

Revisado: 11-16-15

If you could sum up In the Kingdom of Ice in three words, what would they be?

Man versus ice.

What other book might you compare In the Kingdom of Ice to and why?

The obvious one is Endurance, about Shackleton's heroic Antarctic adventure. There are many similarities but there are meaningful differences, too (besides the outcome). Shackleton and DeLong were very different leaders and it manifested itself in their men.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I WISH I had the time - the picture of the history, the detail of the crew selection, outfitting, and travel, the side stories of the more minor characters, but more than anything the geographical details (and the nutty idea that sent them on this terrible trip) were incredible.

Any additional comments?

I loved this book, but I think you would need to be an exploration buff to really get into it. I gave the narration only four stars because of the large number of inexplicable mispronunciations. I think that's more the editor's fault, but it was jarring.

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Standard "zombie" fare

Revisado: 11-16-15

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I guess.... like eating cotton candy, I suppose. Appetizing and tasty but nothing interesting or nutritious, and you feel guilty after eating it.

Would you ever listen to anything by Dirk Patton again?

Probably not. I've read dozens of zombie books that are basically the same as this one: disease, person needs to get somewhere; luscious woman; they keep getting attacked along the way but, miraculously, they make it. Oh, and a 10x dose of testosterone to go, please.

Have you listened to any of Jeffrey Kafer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Haven't, but I thought he did a nice job. I like his gravelly voice and the intonations fit well with the story.

Do you think Unleashed V Plague Book One needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Anyone who listens to the end (or the beginning) knows one is coming. Does it need one? Hardly.

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Slow and predictable

Revisado: 09-20-15

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

The book is a routine culture clash novel. I suppose people who are fascinated by the possibility of other life and what it might look like, although these insects end up being an awful look like people.

What was most disappointing about Brad R. Torgersen’s story?

Here is the story: groups of beings (read: people) who don't understand one another fight. Then they don't, so one can (implausibly) study the other. Then they fight again. Then there is a "surprise" that forces a few individuals from each group to learn about one another. Then - wow! - they discover that they're not that different after all! Peace in our time!

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of George Newbern?

Someone who could (a) do women's voices non-ridiculously, (b) handle accents consistently, and (c) voice any excitement at all. The Queen Mother ends up sounding like a cross between Mary Poppins and Mrs. Doubtfire; the (very few) "battle" scenes are narrated clinically and in the same near-monotone as the rest of the book.

What character would you cut from The Chaplain's War?

There are very few primary characters and I suppose they're all necessary for the story to work (to the extent that it does). But even the one conflict character is dull and predictable, so I'd toss him.

Any additional comments?

Surprisingly boring; I had to work to get to the end. Change the location and you have most of the culture clash books out there.

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Interesting, fun, and superficial

Revisado: 09-15-15

Would you try another book from Peter Clines and/or Ray Porter?

I like Peter Clines & have read a number of books by him.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Like any time travel story, if you look at it too hard it collapses. There isn't a fix for this; efforts to solve the paradox never work, not even in The Terminator.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Ray Porter?

I enjoyed the narration although I don't really choose books that way.

Could you see The Fold being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Ab-so-lute-ly!

Any additional comments?

The book starts out fun & progresses into silly and then a bit annoying. To enjoy this book my biggest recommendation is, don't think about it too hard. It doesn't work.

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