Trey S

Dalinar's Book

Revisado: 06-16-20

Trying to do this with the phone sucks. All I can say is it is a superb follow up to WoR. My favorite of the three so far. i was afraid this would be Kaladin's story - glad to know it won't be that.

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Interesting story, but sudden ending

Revisado: 07-01-19

I read this at the recommendation of friends. I did so without being ruined by the old movie which Sting starred in.

I don't wish to spoil it for anyone, so I'll just say I found the premise very interesting - the world (my favorite part of any fantasy venture) was well developed, as were the adaptations and attitudes of the fictional native people who inhabited it. The "villians" were mocked a little to heavily for me by the author - as in, this is told from a third person perspective, but the author's animosity towards him (and his family) was apparent. Far be it from me to tell a real writer how to write, but this bothered me. Had this story been told in the 1st person, this would've been totally understandable... Other than that, it was an entertaining read, but not the transformative insight into the human condition I've been searching for... But then again - I might be too thick headed. I read where Einstein cited "The Brothers Karamazov" as a catalyst for his deep fascination with the world and the human condition, but I read it and all I could think was "Who sews money into the collar of their shirt after murdering their father?"... Like I said, I'm pretty dense... I also found the end to Herbert's story pretty abrupt - not season 8 of Game of Thrones abrupt - but a touch hurried with the fate of Princess Irulan understood, but somewhat bewildering. Mua' Dib spent the entire story remaking tradition but in the final chapter is going to submit to convention and assume the Imperial throne by marriage? For real? I'm hoping the second book makes this more understandable.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Interesting Story about Nobody in particular

Revisado: 12-07-17

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Neil Gaiman is always a pleasure to listen to. His stories were meant to be read by him.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Richard. And Door. And it was fun to loathe Jessica.

Which character – as performed by Neil Gaiman – was your favorite?

Croup and Vandemar

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"A Surrealist Romp Through London"

Any additional comments?

Like American Gods, I wasn't too bound to the fate of any of the characters. I was intrigued by Richard's humanity and Door's vulnerabilities and talents. The part of the book that really resonated with me was Richard's ordeal. It was amazing in the way that it resulted in triumph with no need to slay a dragon, duel with another person or perform some other act of traditional heroism. At that point in the book I was at once afraid the whole thing would be revealed to us as a series of delusions leading up to and following a nervous breakdown while at the same time I was truly hoping for Richard to face his insecurities and overcome them. It was a small tale within the overall story that was every bit as impactful as the boldest wizard or knight facing down the bad guy and defeating him. My hopes for the rest of the story were somewhat let down after that... it returned to the familiar rhythm that had led up to that moment. The ending was satisfying but it took a while to get there. I am eager to read the follow up and enjoyed this much more than American Gods.

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How not to prosecute a war

Revisado: 09-27-16

Would you listen to Before They Are Hanged again? Why?

I'm pretty much finished with The First Law at this point

If you’ve listened to books by Joe Abercrombie before, how does this one compare?

There's no question the same person that wrote "The Blade Itself" wrote this book. Abercrombie is obviously a very competent author. I know that every fantasy world can't be a panacea, but this one was a little too bloody for my tastes.

What does Steven Pacey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Nothing beats the authority of a robust British voice.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I labored through the predictably terrible decisions by certain characters... but I wasn't too traumatized or excited by anything.

Any additional comments?

The maturation and fundamental change of certain characters was an enjoyable part of this book. There was some righteous killing and tragic dying. It was a good follow up of the first book and stage setter for the last book.

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esto le resultó útil a 7 personas

Brutal times, brutal characters, brutal story

Revisado: 09-27-16

If you could sum up The Blade Itself in three words, what would they be?

You can't sum it up in 3 words.

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

I've said so in other reviews - I have no business telling authors their business.

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

Don't think so - his performance was absolutely perfect.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No extreme reaction. I did feel like my misery tolerance was stretched.

Any additional comments?

As introductory books go, this seemed to me to be the most introductory. Since I loved Wizard's First Rule, I suppose I'm just not sophisticated enough for other fantasy series. I never got the sense at any point that the stories told in this book could possibly be concluded, and I was totally right. Thank goodness the author didn't screw around and knocked the subsequent volumes out. The truth is this whole series is not really about the world the characters inhabit, but is more about the characters the author has elected to talk about. They were interesting enough to get me to the end of the book, but personally, I care as much if not more about the fantasy worlds as the characters in them. If you're like me, you will probably have to push yourself to get through The First Law series of books.

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Absolutely required reading, a true taste of war

Revisado: 06-28-16

Where does With the Old Breed rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I dunno, I just regard them as "books". All I can say is that E.B. Sledge delivered with his memoir, and the actor that played him in the HBO series, Joe Manzello, did a great job reading his story.

What did you like best about this story?

The authenticity of the writing. I've heard many war stories from people who were mostly full of it. Even guys that I know were in combat zones - from Khe Son to Baghdad to Kabul have relayed stories that can be disproven by asking a couple pointed questions... Sledge's account is so matter-of-fact, his tone so monotonous, yet earnest, that it is impossible to deny the truth of his story or be skeptical. Any questions one could ask regarding dates, tactics, descriptions of interaction between Marines and their commanders can be easily confirmed by reading other memoirs, or serving in the Corps and deploying. I found this aspect of the book to be riveting and absolutely necessary reading for anyone who thinks about the glory of modern armed combat.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

The Marine Corps. I read this to more deeply connect with those who were Marines before me.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

They already made it - "The Pacific" on HBO.

Any additional comments?

Within the next 5 years, all of these amazing men will be lost to us forever. Their bravery, their sense of obligation, their superhuman ability to experience the worst mankind can do to one another and still build and maintain - for better or worse - the greatest, most powerful nation in the history of the world. The only thing that will remain are the stories they recorded for us - and not the crazy fiction of rocket-detecting boners or the hyperdrama of the Big Red 1. The simple tales of unfathomable brutality and the desperation to hold on to one's humanity in spite of it. This book doesn't cover it and I don't know all the details about Sledge's life after war, but his unbelievably good nature appears to have won out and he led an exemplary academic life after his experiences on Peleliu and Okinawa. We owe it to the men who suffered through this to listen to their stories and understand just what sacrifices went in to defeating evil and truly saving the world. Too many people blithely say "War is Hell" with no understanding of what that means. To read "With the Old Breed" is to fully comprehend what that means, and what that costs - in both lives that will be lived afterward and futures that will not be. I regret that it took me until my 40's to read this book, and fear the day when there are no more WWII veterans to share their experiences.

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The Godfather II of fantasy novels

Revisado: 03-18-16

I cannot stand Kvothe's devotion to Denna. It grates on my sensibilities like nails on a chalkboard.

The rest of the book was either interesting or awesome and if you were able to make it to the end of the first book, this one will be a reward of sorts.

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Maybe the hype was too much

Revisado: 02-29-16

If you could sum up The Name of the Wind in three words, what would they be?

Thorough, slow, detailed

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

As a handyman who fixes computers for a living, I would not presume to tell a real author how to tell a story

What about Nick Podehl’s performance did you like?

No complaints, clear articulation, enough variation to tell characters apart.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"Carrottop goes to school"

Any additional comments?

Yeah - I did a google search for "best fantasy story", after reading all of Tolkein except the Simarillion, all of the thoroughly disappointing Goodkind novels (Sword of Truth), and am tired of waiting for Martin to finish his work. For me, the world building is as key as the magic and the creatures. Rothfuss seems to go out of his way to frame magic (sympathy - although it's hinted that they aren't the same thing) as a part of the natural world that can be mastered through education, practice and experience. The writing was solid, don't get me wrong, I don't think there are any ridiculous plot holes, although there were some decisions that characters made that I felt were strange, and some coincidences I felt were too convenient. It was work getting though this book (took me about 6 months). I expected to enjoy it a lot more - just like other fantasy writers, Rothfuss makes withdrawls from my emotional piggy bank... it appears to me he's got 2 more novels to pay back the bank, with interest. Sometimes, an introductory work can be remembered more fondly provided the follow ups deliver on promises made by the first book. I'm 5 chapters in to the 2nd book. I'll be sure to review that one too.

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