Mike Rembis
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Children of the Outback
- Tales from the Outback, Book 1
- De: Amanda N. Newman
- Narrado por: Angela Peters
- Duración: 18 h y 18 m
- Versión completa
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General5 out of 5 stars 2
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Narración:5 out of 5 stars 2
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Historia5 out of 5 stars 2
A long-ago civil conflict has left Australia divided into two societies, the urbanized New Australian Republic to the east and the rural Outback to the west, separated by the now-electrified dog fence. Elite dark magic wielders maintain order in the Outback, while slaver gangs patrol the border, searching for trespassers to capture and add to the slave trade. Grace Walker has become one of those slaves. Captured at a young age, she has spent the past four years confined to a slave camp, but now it’s her time to become a part of the trade.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Expansive story that demands attention
- De Mike Rembis en 08-18-23
- Children of the Outback
- Tales from the Outback, Book 1
- De: Amanda N. Newman
- Narrado por: Angela Peters
Expansive story that demands attention
Revisado: 08-18-23
There is a lot going on in the outback. It sprawls out storylines from all around the Outback and Australia’s New Republic, the two factions formed after a civil war. While the story is well told through multiple first-person viewpoints, the origin of the conflict is never explained. If it was, I missed it.
Nonetheless, each character has a distinct voice and tells their own tale in a way that easily weaves their stories together. Author Amanda N. Newman cleverly waits for the right moments to drop verbal bombshells and exposition that surprise, explain, and exhilarate.
The characters are slaves, their traders, magic wielders, and government soldiers. While there is little in the way of why the factions have separated and remain enemies, that mystery does not detract from the humanity of the characters. Each one wants something, and they all struggle to get it. And each of their struggles are completely unique.
I am trying not to drop any spoilers, but Magic Wielders can torture and kill with wands and spells. Bitzers (who are slave traders) are the antithesis of the Republic soldiers. As for Dingoes, some have magic, some do not. They are the elite ruling class of the Outback. And Slaves, like the main character Grace Walker, are generally captured as children from the Republic, by Bitzers, and sold to Dingoes in the Outback.
As an audiobook, actor Angela Peters does a fantastic job bringing each unique voice to life. Within a page or paragraph, she sometimes changes timbre to accommodate three or even four characters, and does so unflinchingly, so that you always know who is talking. Her male voices do not go extremely deep, but it was easy to hear the subtle differences between Ben, Rudolfus Lesikar (one of the coolest names ever), and Skar, when these men were in conversation, so you knew who was talking.
Each chapter (over 40 of them!) is a first-person account by any of the main 5 characters, maybe more, who come in and out to give us their take on their lot in life, how they deal with the others around them, and their situations, many of which are impossibly edgy.
In all, this dystopian vision is filled with surprises and that is what makes it great. Things happen that you do not expect, and then it leads to another surprise. This is exactly what great storytelling is, and with the authentic Australian narrator to lead you through the outback, you feel like you are there.
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Ready Player Two
- A Novel
- De: Ernest Cline
- Narrado por: Wil Wheaton
- Duración: 13 h y 46 m
- Versión completa
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General4.5 out of 5 stars 64,216
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Narración:4.5 out of 5 stars 57,762
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Historia4 out of 5 stars 57,651
Days after winning OASIS founder James Halliday’s contest, Wade Watts makes a discovery that changes everything. Hidden within Halliday’s vaults, waiting for his heir to find it, lies a technological advancement that will once again change the world and make the OASIS a thousand times more wondrous - and addictive - than even Wade dreamed possible. With it comes a new riddle, and a new quest - a last Easter egg from Halliday, hinting at a mysterious prize. And an unexpected, impossibly powerful, and dangerous new rival awaits, one who’ll kill millions to get what he wants.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Heartbreakingly Disappointing and Insulting
- De Marcus Haynes en 11-28-20
- Ready Player Two
- A Novel
- De: Ernest Cline
- Narrado por: Wil Wheaton
Another genuinely engaging, imaginative story!
Revisado: 07-17-23
I was thrilled with Ready Player One, being brought into the world's biggest video game and finding out (in the end) that the game itself was nowhere as contented as real life could be.
Ready Player Two makes even bolder moves toward keeping you engaged in the digital world. There is a bit of confusion once in a while about whether or not we are in the digital realm or the real world, but it does not take long to get back on track. This book is a true exercise for one's imagination. It helps if you are a fan of 1980's/90's pop culture, but even if you don't know everything, it is explained in enough detail that you will get it and not get bored.
The pace is hectic and surreal. This is a true mind-bender, without a doubt, and Wil Wheaton knocks it out of the park again.
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Ready Player One
- De: Ernest Cline
- Narrado por: Wil Wheaton
- Duración: 15 h y 40 m
- Versión completa
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General5 out of 5 stars 260,460
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Narración:5 out of 5 stars 240,983
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Historia4.5 out of 5 stars 240,497
In the year 2045, reality is an ugly place. The only time Wade Watts really feels alive is when he’s jacked into the OASIS, a vast virtual world where most of humanity spends their days. When the eccentric creator of the OASIS dies, he leaves behind a series of fiendish puzzles, based on his obsession with the pop culture of decades past. Whoever is first to solve them will inherit his vast fortune—and control of the OASIS itself.
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5 out of 5 stars
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I’m sorry I waited so long to read this book.
- De Julie W. Capell en 05-27-14
- Ready Player One
- De: Ernest Cline
- Narrado por: Wil Wheaton
A genuinely engaging, imaginative story.
Revisado: 06-19-23
Ernest Cline has penned a fascinating look at a dystopian future and the virtual escape from it through the newest progression of the internet; an active multi-use platform called The Oasis.
The first person narrative introduces us to Wade Watts, a young man living through a destitute childhood in the "stacks" of Oklahoma City, essentially, a trailer park where units are stacked up to rise into the sky, His, and most of humanity's escape from what the world has become is The Oasis. It serves as both a multiplayer game, place to meet friends, go to school, and shop.
Cline succeeds in painting a realistic vision of what the future may be. The Oasis is more than a video game. It is everything.
The story is brought to life by actor Wil Wheaton who inhabits Wade Watts and his alter-ego avatar Parzival on a quest for Halliday's egg, which will bring fame and fortune to whoever finds it. Wheaton does a tremendous job, convincing us of the depth and emotion of this character and pumping a heartbeat into the text.
Suitable for any age, the novel is a great story itself, as an audiobook, it is an absolute delight.
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The Swan Maiden
- An Australian Faery Tale
- De: Serene Conneeley
- Narrado por: Angela Peters
- Duración: 3 h y 17 m
- Versión completa
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General5 out of 5 stars 1
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Narración:5 out of 5 stars 1
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Historia5 out of 5 stars 1
For Signet, being human is much harder than she imagined. There are machines that are trying to kill her, people who want to replace her, and dizzying new emotions she’d rather not feel. When she finds herself torn between two wildly different worlds, she must discover how much she’s willing to sacrifice, where she really belongs, and who she truly is. Enter a world where birds shapeshift into wizards, women emerge from sealskins, swans transform into maidens, and love is the most powerful enchantment of all.
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5 out of 5 stars
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A beautiful tale of transformation
- De Mike Rembis en 05-01-23
- The Swan Maiden
- An Australian Faery Tale
- De: Serene Conneeley
- Narrado por: Angela Peters
A beautiful tale of transformation
Revisado: 05-01-23
This book is an absolute gem.
I will try not to give away any spoilers.
The Swan Maiden is a modern faerie tale made for any audience. The protagonist is a swan (Signet) who morphs into human form and the little girl (Gracie) who she is friends with. Far-fetched fantasies are not generally my thing, but I am smitten with this one. There is danger, intrigue, deception, and magic. And belly laughs! Wait till you hear what swans keep in their cupboards.
The transformation parable is also a tale of self acceptance and growth. While cleverly written to appeal to children, it still bears the hallmarks of literary excellence. There is no harsh language and adult themes are presented delicately, yet balanced with cheeky fun.
The book is presented as an Australian faerie tale, honoring the author's heritage, and describing many wonderful animals found only in Australia. Actor Angela Peter's narration brings the story to life. Her native accent lends itself perfectly to the story. She eases into the prose as the perfect upbeat guide, delivering each character with a distinct voice. You don't have to guess who is talking and her smooth transitions make it easy to listen to and follow along.
It is short, just under fours hours, and would be perfect for a long road trip with little ones in the back seat for the whole family to enjoy.
Do yourself a favor and listen.
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