stephen giesen

BY FAR the best book she's written!

Revisado: 10-22-21

I've read most of the St Mary's books and all three time police books and this was by far the best crafted plot of any of them.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I prefer these characters to the St. Mary's books

Revisado: 10-19-21

I thoroughly enjoyed book 1 and pre-ordered book 2.

The chaotic banter of the St. Mary's books is wonderful, but too much of a good thing. The Time Police dynamic hits the perfect balance between banter and plot development.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I prefer these characters to the St. Mary's books

Revisado: 10-19-21

I thoroughly enjoyed book 1 and pre-ordered book 2.

The chaotic banter of the St. Mary's books is wonderful, but too much of a good thing. The Time Police dynamic hits the perfect balance between banter and plot development.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Best book I've read in a year.

Revisado: 02-11-21

The plot, writing, and narration are all first rate.

I don't believe I have read any of his other titles, but I am definitely going to give them a look.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Sound drops out

Revisado: 02-01-21

I still recommend the book, but the disparate cuts of audio are jarring. The story is worth enduring them.

It sounds as though edits were handled over the phone rather than a studio.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Best of the series so far.

Revisado: 07-05-20

I was prepared to hate book 1.

However, I'm glad I kept an open mind. This is my favorite series in a LONG time.

Rich, interesting characters, judicious use of time-travel, delightful sci-fi references and allusions and bright, witty dialogue.

I know the author covets constructive critique so I will invest a few lines to hopefully make the series even better.

Watch continuity issues; for example:
* Tea didn't arrive in Scotland until 1600.
* An indentured first century Roman would have no idea about the 1475 English law enforcement acronym "for unlawful carnal knowledge", even if a translater in his brain was at work.

There are others, but this isn't the place. I only bring them up as example.

Continuity issues are a slap-to-the-face shock that takes the reader out of the story. It is akin to having a visitor to Washington state reference Spo-KAIN rather than Spo-CAN. It is jolting.

Watch linguistic tropes; for example:
* "The smile didn't reach his eyes"
* "Let out a breath he didn't know he was holding"

Once again, these are only two for the purposes of example. There are others and they distract from otherwise stellar writing.

Finally, THANK YOU for being attentive and compassionate where your readers are concerned.

I also LOVED the The Kingkiller Chronicles, and felt betrayed by his abandonment of loyal readers. I STILL catch shit from friends I turned-on to Rothfuss, only to have them disappointed in both him AND me.

I want to help. I am a semi-retired educator and have the time and drive to invest in helping in any way you would find profitable.

I will reach out via Patreon or your website. I have low expectations of hearing back, but I am happy to offer the help in partial repayment for the joy your writing has brought me.

BTW Nick Podehl is the BEST narrator on Audible!

Sincerely,

Stephen G.
Everett, Washington

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Disregard the negative reviews

Revisado: 02-29-20

I'm not sure what some of the negative reviews are about but book 2 is very much in keeping with the style of book 1. I get why some may shy away from a YA series with a young female protagonist but by the end of the first book you know what you are getting.

I'm not the target demographic (not by a LONG shot) and I could personally do with fewer references to male anatomy and female hormones.

That said, this series has a point of view and I chose it because the adult version of the genre (akin to Jim Butcher's works) are in short supply. Well, better put, they are in limited supply and I've read everything that I am aware of, so dipping into the YA stacks is worth the investment of time and interest from my perspective.

I'll be starting book 3 tonight and I have high hopes for a lengthy run of books.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

You MUST listen through chapter 2

Revisado: 01-19-20

I was halfway through chapter 1 when Audible sent me a prompt inquiring as to whether I was enjoying the book. At that point I gave it a "thumbs down" for it seemed inane and catty. However, I have a firm personal rule never to give up on a book until I have completed 3 chapters. That rule is for books like this.

It is an exceptional opening foray into an alternate version of the Holmes canon and worthy of Doyle himself. I recommend it wholeheartedly!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

OK story, narration VERY over-dramatic

Revisado: 10-20-19

It was a bit of a slog to finish. The interplay of characters (especially key characters) was needlessly convoluted. It was as if an editor said "you need more twists and betrayals" and they were ham-handedly added. The "come here, go away" relationship between the protagonist and her beau was galling but I was able to finish the book. The narration was overwrought. It made the protagonist seem perpetually on the edge of a nervous breakdown.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Long on plot, short on dialogue

Revisado: 08-20-19

Love the story but the dialogue is inane. Narrator does a serviceable job (barely) but the plot is strong enough for me to move on to the third book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña