Kim

Not for the faint of heart or stomach

Revisado: 12-18-23

First, the positive: there are a few gems here, among them, Elisabeth Hand’s “Maiden Flight of the Bellaraphon“. One of the best stories I’ve heard.
Second, if you like snuff movies, or stories of murder and rape, then this is your lucky day. An inordinate number of these stories deal with these topics and seem to be fascinated with horrific sex stories. Not anything you would share with your child. Not anything you would want to go to sleep listening to.
I suppose there is literary merit here, some sort of postmodern sensibility, breaking walls of convention, where morals don’t matter.
But there were quite a few of these stories that you ppnot that I couldn’t finish, or more often, regretted finishing.
Neil Gaiman wrote “Coraline” and “The Graveyard Book” and so I expected something macabre, but not the tone of celebration of the most horrific impulses humans have.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Great story, hard to listen to

Revisado: 06-01-23

I read the foundation trilogy many years ago. It is part of the Canon. So I had pretty high expectations for this traumatization. It was awful the British accents and poor sound quality made it almost undecipherable to American years didn’t finish it. Glad it was free.
Asimov deserved better.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

More male fantasy- don’t bother, ladies

Revisado: 04-03-22

I should know better, but expected at least some writing from a female POV yhat acknowledges the sexuality of real women. But no, if you’ve ever watched a male porn video, you know every “plot” in this collection. Kind of heavy on the /bdsm / domination genre, in which women re humiliated and demeaned.
Again, nobody buys these expecting great writuing or character development. But honestly, it doesn’t even work as erotica- pisses you off instead of getting you off.
Asking for a refund.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Captivating characters, compelling story

Revisado: 11-20-21

Imgine a story of brutal apartheid S Africa style, but played out over centuries on a generation starship. Imagine a brilliant and tough protagonist, who is misunderstood because she is “ on the spectrum”.
Imagine gender-bending romance and friendships that grow and reveal under stress.
The only flaw in the story was the somewhat rushed and abrupt ending.
I was delighted to discover Rivers Solomon’s fiction, and look forward to reading more of their work.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Another enthralling tale from Jemison

Revisado: 07-23-21

NK Jemison is one of the best storytellers of our time. This one takes a few chapters to really pull the reader in, what with the different character points of view and settings.
But those characters are three-dimensional, flawed, and fascinating. The reader quickly begins to care deeply about the characters, to the point that the story is hard to quit. I didn’t want it to end.

The moral and ethical questions raised are troubling, with implications for our own world: what are the tradeoffs for a truly peaceful society? What would color prejudice look like if it were reversed, and less melanin equalled lower status? How does the status of women compare between cultures?

Really, “The Shadowed Sun” is an almost perfect read. The only weakness is in the development of the “magic system”; I didn’t find the dreamblood “humors” as believable in this book as in the previous one in the series.

Start on the Dreamblood Series. You won’t want to stop.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Original premise, complicated politics

Revisado: 09-28-20

I’ve never been a fan of complicated political intrigue in stories- but the characters in “Galaxy Game” were compelling enough to keep me coming back until I finished the book.
As always, Robin Miles’ incredible narrative skills made the characters come to life.
The premise is the ramifications of what happens when humanity develops its psi abilities, and rejoins a universe in which other long lost human ( and non-human) strains have been developing along different lines for millennia. The moral is an old one- that unchecked power corrupts, and must be controlled, however ineptly. It is somewhat optimistic in opening possibilities of peaceful, cooperating galactic civilization.
It’s all based loosely on quantum and string theory. I found it very confusing, and had to reread chapters several times. This is one of those stories in which the author demands that the reader do a lot of work to form a coherent whole. Only the characters and Miles’ narration saved this one from being abandoned as a lost cause.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A fantasy thriller- excellent listen

Revisado: 08-03-20

Great characterization by narrator Robin Miles. Diverse. fascinating characters. Suspenseful, engrossing. Really well written story.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

All the same story, appealing to male fantasy

Revisado: 03-08-20

I bought this thinking it would be woman-oriented erotica. It isn’t. Although ostensibly from a female point of view, all protagonists in the stories are the same: fit, 40-ish, blondes who have semi-consensual encounters with hot, younger fit and well-endowedmen.

No diverse characters at all- no people of color, no bodies of large size, no elderly people. With a few exceptions, once you’ve read one of the stories, you’ve read them all.

The quality of the writing varies from laughably bad to competent. I realize that most people don’t read these collections for the literary quality, but come on now.

It’s ok as a stroke book, but don’t expect quality writing, any feminist awareness, or interesting characters in these stories.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Not a bedtime story

Revisado: 12-25-18

NK Jenison is a wonderful writer. Her characters and description are fully developed and memorable. The story is original and enthralling. I like the gender fluidity and matter of fact racial diversity. The magical system seems consistent and credible. It reminds me of the work of Ursula Le Guin.

That said, these stories demand attention and involvement by the reader. Jenison jumps around in time and sequence. It seems that in book two of the series, point of view also varies from chapter to chapter, and in some cases, even within a minute of narration. If you, like me, have a habit of going to sleep listening to audiobooks, you will become hopelessly lost and confused when you wake up and are decades previous or afterwards, or hearing from a completely different character or point of view. I enjoyed these stories listening to them while awake and driving or working around the house.

They are worth your time and attention, so stay awake!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Poignant, timely, absorbing.

Revisado: 10-01-17

Barbara Kingsolver is one of the finest living writers, and this story of a Tennessee farm couple confronting global climate change doesn't disappoint. the characters are fully formed and relatable; culture clash is in context. the gentle satire and social messaging are never preachy , and never interfere with the story. she also narrates her work well.
An enjoyable listen.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña