Tegan

A Tad Bit Aggravating

Revisado: 07-02-24

I’m always scouring this site for dinosaur fiction, which is surprisingly scarce. As such I was very happy to stumble onto this one. I really wanted to love this book too, but unfortunately it fell far from the mark. My biggest gripe is that the characters were so outwardly unlikable. I couldn’t care less whether they made it out alive or not because they were all so annoying, selfish, self-centered, and just plain stupid. It was like a fabricated Hunger Games for corporate greed. And although there were prehistoric creatures there wasn’t a big selection, pretty much the same one or two species over and over again. But by far, the bit that turned me off the most was the endless repetition of the phrase “Debbie Downer.” I swear it was in every single chapter multiple times. To the point where I began to cringe in anticipation. I guess this had something to do with the author’s first name being Deborah, but that’s only a guess. I even considered going back and counting but I really didn’t want to have to listen to it again. Once was more than enough.

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The Most Amazing Author/Narrator on Earth

Revisado: 12-30-23

I’ve purposely waited to submit a review of Devil’s Desk (Book 1), until days before the release of Devil’s Desk 2 (the official date is 01/02/24). I wanted the story details fresh in my mind, so I’ve also just recently reread the first book.

First let’s talk a bit about the author, Mark Tufo. He hits all the major marks in my opinion of a very intelligent, talented and amazing author. And his originality is off the charts! I’ve been an avid reader of books for over 50 years, with a proclivity towards the horror genre. I’ve probably sampled every horror author out there along the way, some good, some not so good. For me, the true test of a great author is when you find yourself rereading a book again and again because you just can’t get the story out of your head. With Tufo’s books I always seem to find something I missed the first time around, which is wonderful.

I have over 1000 audible books in my library and yet there are only a handful of authors that fall into that magical reread category for me. Mark Tufo is definitely at the top. And to sweeten the pot he is so prolific that he can pop out a book in record time, even while managing multiple outside storylines. The Zombie Fallout series alone, which he is probably best known for, has over 20 books written to date with yet another one coming out in March of 2024. And yes, I’ve read them all multiple times. Other storylines of his include Indian Hill and the Lycan Fallout series just to name a few. I tend to lose interest quickly in a series, no matter how good it is, when I have to wait years for the next book to be released. Not an issue with this author!

I would be remiss if I didn’t also give equal praise to the masterful narrator for all of Tufo’s books, Sean Runnette. Prior to listening to the first Zombie Fallout audible book (written in 2010), I had never heard of either Tufo or Runnette. But by the end of that first chapter I knew what a treasure trove I had been lucky enough to find. I have become entranced by the utter brilliance of Runnette’s narration. I swear every character has its own unique voice and style. It’s not always easy for a male narrator to realistically portray a woman or vice versa, but he does it effortlessly. Mostly he narrates from the viewpoint and observations of the lead character, Michael Talbot, so while he doesn’t necessarily imitate a woman’s voice, I still had absolutely no trouble whatsoever in identifying which character currently had the floor. And there are a lot of characters, situations, and important points to keep track of along the way.

In all the Tufo books I’ve read to date the story never outshines the characters, and the characters never outshines the story. It’s a literary partnership of the highest accord. You will find yourself fully invested in a world that just doesn’t make sense anymore, trying to survive alongside characters that quickly begin to feel like your own. And yet I was never abruptly thrown out of the story simply because it seemed too farfetched or unbelievable. There are many that may scoff at the whole Yeti or vampire genre as being somehow lowbrow, but Mark Tufo expertly wordsmiths his way through any and all skeptics and doubts in a very short order.

Another unique faucet of Tufo’s writing is that he routinely reuses his characters in his other books, but not always in the same way. I’m not sure if it was originally planned this way or it came about later. But I give him high marks for this risky move, because you wouldn’t expect it to work, and yet it does. In Devil’s Desk, for example, his entire family from Zombie Fallout is also included here (wife Tracy, sons Travis and Justin, and daughter Nicole). Although when these characters are reused they don’t always act the same way, or have the exact same relationship to the Talbots (like Trip and Stephanie). They may have a much smaller or larger impact to the storyline this time around (for example his kids while briefly mentioned in this book, were in another state the entire time). They may also not meet the same fate. And they usually have little to no knowledge of what is going on in those other worlds. Some others seem almost star-crossed to meet the same fate from another series, but it may be executed in a different way. Paul and Erin for example are two characters that seemed destined for tragedy no matter how much they try to outrun it. It leaves me wondering if there is a lot more to them that has yet to be revealed.

Another main character, second only to Michael Talbot himself, is Michael’s best friend, BT (stands for Big Tiny). I’ve loved this man from his very first appearance in the Zombie Fallout series. Their brothership of arms relationship is beautifully portrayed, whether they’re trading insults or saving each other’s lives for the millionth time. Honestly it never gets old. Although the subject line is often dire to the nth degree, there is also an equal amount of humor. Not easy to pull off but damn if he doesn’t manage. I’ve found myself laughing out loud so many times I can’t even count. There’s a McDonalds story in the Zombie Fallout series that never fails to make me laugh no matter how many times I’ve read it (and Runnette’s flawless narration of it). I know there are some readers that find it off-putting when Talbot goes off on a humorous rant right in the middle of Armageddon, but I don’t. Sarcasm is often used as a coping mechanism, and the author made it clear from page one that Michael just can’t help himself in that area. I think it’s great!

The one thing that I found notably different in this book (Devil’s Desk book 1) was the change in B.T. Same man, no doubt, as he is still the loyal friend, husband, and law officer. I don’t want to specifically give anything away but I will say that I was deeply affected by the hardships he went through in this book. First off, his wife? Now THAT was a revelation I never saw coming, even with the revolving characters, I would have never expected how she’d (literally) changed. And then that whole turncoat revelation that pretty much set the groundwork for the rest of the book… I’m at a loss for words. I am counting the hours now for the release of the 2nd book (on 01/02/24) to continue the riveting story. Can’t wait! Bravo author bravo!

Also if you haven’t yet partaken of the Zombie Fallout series, run don’t walk your next credit over to take it for a spin. After the first read I have little doubt that your next 20 or so credits will be spent on getting the whole series. In fact it’s so good and original that I often randomly pick one to reread (re-listen), and I never have any trouble picking up where it left off. He’s just that brilliant of a writer.

Oh, and animal lovers unite because they are as much a part of the Talbot family universe, as any other family member. Really missed Henry in this one, but I have a feeling he will be included soon.

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Maybe The Movie Colored My Expectations

Revisado: 04-05-23

It was only recently that I discovered that one of my all time favorite movies The Poseidon Adventure had been based on a book, and as such I was eagerly anticipating the read. Only to find that it bore little resemblance to the film at all. Yes at first I could easily recognize the characters and most of the situations and hardships they faced in common, but that was about it. What was sorely lacking in the book that was a great attraction for me in the film was the likability of these people. I wanted the film characters to live, to make it through - all of them - and I cried more than once when some met their tragic fates, after having fought so valiantly to survive. But not so in the book.

With a couple of exceptions, first and foremost being Manny and Belle, who were in my opinion two of the most beautifully portrayed characters in both book and film - I didn’t like these people. I didn’t care whether they lived or died. Sometimes I actually hoped some would die just so I didn’t have to listen to their incessant whining anymore. They were crass, selfish, self-absorbed, morally corrupt, and emotionally bankrupt. Women who cared more about getting their hair wet, or having to shed clothing that might hinder their escape than they did about those who had literally died right before their eyes. Men who felt they needed to corral their wives/girlfriends into compliance by means of physical abuse. As a whole they were just some of the most irritating group of misfit people I have ever encountered in my literary life.

And if all that wasn’t enough to form a sour opinion of this book - the sheer absurdity of some of the action/decisions taken bordered on absolute disbelief. Bear in mind that these people weren’t situated somewhere safe calmly awaiting the end of times. No, they were in an overturned passenger liner clawing their way up to the very bottom of the ship in hopes of rescue before the sea claims it whole. More than one character at different times even vocalizes the importance of time, and how little of it remained. Speed was clearly of the essence. And yet they mosey along at a pace that baffles the mind. There are no less than 3 sexual encounters of both a consensual and non-consensual basis (you heard me right). Some wander off looking for booze and snacks, even though scant hours before they had been eating and drinking in abundance.

Some of the characters in the book weren’t in the movie. Some who died in the movie didn’t die in the book, and vice versa. That’s to be expected as rarely does the book translate in full to the screen. Remember Susan and Robin from the movie, the young boy and his older sister who were traveling alone to meet their parents? Well, here in the book the parents were onboard with them. I thank the movie gods that they weren’t included in the film if they would have been portrayed in any way similar to their book counterparts. The dysfunctional state of this family took me completely by surprise as up to this one pivotal moment they had seemed like the perfect model of domestic bliss. I’m still scratching my head over that screaming outburst the wife made to her husband in front of everyone. I went back a few times and re-listened to to see if I could actually figure out what had prompted it, but to no avail.

But it was the scene just prior to this that also befell one of that family’s members that really shocked me. Not only the scene itself but how it was handled afterward. It was so out of place, so bizarre and unwarranted that I don’t think I’ll ever be the same. This was the point where I fervently wished I had never learned that this movie had been based on a book. Hands down the movie was a billion times better. Its only saving grace was the that it was the basis for a really great adventure action film. And I’ll leave it there.

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A Story That Needs To Be Told

Revisado: 09-11-19

I have over 600 audiobooks in my library and yet I have never come across anything quite like this book. It was like a spoken documentary that never lost sight of the unflinching truth without ever overloading the reader with dry facts and figures. I thought I knew the basics of this story before I purchased this book but the truth is I hadn’t even scratched the surface. I believe that this is a story that was made to be an audiobook, and some of the deeper hard hitting moments wouldn’t have been quite so compelling or heart wrenching if only read from a page. I know there are many book lovers who claim that they need to “feel” the pages in a hard bound paper book, so they prefer to avoid ebooks and audiobooks, which I can completely understand. But if anyone is considering a change from the written word - this is the book for you.

I don’t know how exactly this book was edited but the way it came together with interviews and testimonies was absolutely perfect. This wasn’t a simple narration, instead it was a glimpse into an underworld I never even knew existed, built from the raw and oftentimes difficult to hear truth. The anguished voices of the gymnasts and the devastation dealt them and their families by this predator in their midst was abhorrent. There are voices spoken here and pain revealed in ways that I will never ever forget. I not only still hear them, I still weep for them. Even the pathetic desperation of Nassar’s words, nasally and unconvincing as he was interrogated, trying to explain away his criminal deeds as medical “treatments” needs to be heard to truly understand the depths of this man’s delusions.

It’s the story of innocence lost, bureaucratic corruption, trust given and then brutally betrayed, and in the end redemption, brought about by the brave women who refused to remain silent. The lines of good and evil are at many junctures crossed in this story, where the people who were charged to protect these young girls chose instead to become accomplices to evil. I think these are the people I find the most difficult to understand. If not for their help Larry Nassar would have never been given hands-on access to these children for so long. They are equally to blame and should be facing jail time as well.

The tragic voice I will never forget above all the others in this book is the mother of the gymnast who took her own life at age 23. She gave witness to her daughter’s torment so that others might be spared the same fate. I truly hope that some day she finds peace.

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Not As Advertised

Revisado: 04-19-15

Would you try another book from Nancy Makin and/or Coleen Marlo?

Maybe.

What could Nancy Makin have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Change the description/summary to accurately describe the contents.

Which character – as performed by Coleen Marlo – was your favorite?

The lead character.

Was 703 worth the listening time?

Here's the issue I had it with 703: it leads you to believe this is a book about a woman who loses an immense amount of weight and then goes on to live the kind of life that she was never able to achieve before.And yet, weight, either the losing or gaining of, is virtually never mentioned. It an incidental element to the story, at best, where it should have been front and center, if not a character itself. I found the story of her rather extraordinary childhood very interesting, as well as her onset into womanhood and motherhood, the trials and tribulations, etc. and had it been summarized as such, I wouldn't have been as disappointed. But what I was looking for and promised in the summary, was a story about a woman overcoming obesity. How she did it, what problems she encountered along the way, and how she finally achieved her goal. I'm still clueless in that regard.This is one of the very few books where I want my money back. Not because it wasn't a decent read, but because it wasn't the read I was promised.

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