zingara

Unbelievably disappointing

Revisado: 10-15-22

Darcy Coates is one of my favourite authors, which is the main reason I feel so negatively about this one. This is nothing like her other works! My ears felt like they were hyperventilating by the end of the first chapter, feeling so anxious as they were being forced (by me) to continue listening in the hopes things would get better. They didn’t. I had to stop listening midway through chapter two. But it’s Darcy: it’s gotta get better, right?! That didn’t happen until around (Audible) chapter eight, when another character was finally introduced and some dialogue began. Too bad it didn’t last the rest of the book! If you’re okay with listening to someone express their thoughts on their every sight, sound, smell, and current experience in a way that doesn’t move the story forward or add to it, then maybe you’ll enjoy this book. For me, I found my thoughts drifting for long periods of time during these tedious chapters, only to pull myself back to find I missed nothing of importance. Had I actually read the book, I never would’ve made it past the second chapter! Which is too bad, because it does have an interesting twist just before the end, and it turned out to be based upon one of my (normally) favourite concepts.
The narrator did a spectacular job with sounding confused, worried, and even scared throughout the majority of the book; her interpretation of the main character was spot-on. That being said: listening to that slightly shaky, anxious voice chapter after chapter did get a bit frustrating, though it was necessary based on what she had to work with.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Pass

Revisado: 07-27-22

Not like his first book! This book was like listening to a ghost-hunting show: you’re told what’s happened at the location, but you don’t really see it yourself. You aren’t frightened or pulled-in at all, and you feel no connection to the people that have made the claims. I didn’t care at all about the characters in this book; they lacked dimension. The story didn’t go anywhere for how long it took to get through. No surprising twists, no build-up to a climax, and the ending was flat. Disappointing.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

She did did it again...

Revisado: 08-31-21

“Ms. Bowen” has done it again! Another amazingly beautiful and well-written book, which easily draws- out a full range of emotions as the reader progresses through the story. This book, in particular, was a bit extra-special for me, as the subject of the book flowed effortlessly from war and relationships (and so much more!) to more-than-touching on a subject near and dear to my heart: herbalism!! The progression was...magical...it was so well done! And the narration was perfection!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Beautiful

Revisado: 08-18-21

Another beautiful novel by Rhys Bowen, equally heartwarming and heart wrenching. Wonderful characters and imagery. The sort of story that when it reaches its conclusion you tear-up a bit, not only because it’s over, but for the story itself.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Refreshingly different

Revisado: 12-21-20

I don’t understand the bad reviews. This was a book, to me, that demonstrated how a sick-minded but wealthy and therefore powerful individual can prey on those that have been emotionally damaged in some way. So true of how many cults work and become “successful,” unfortunately.
A couple of the characters aren’t given too much personality, but you know enough to be surprised when what you think you know of them turns out to be wrong. There are twists, it’s fast-paced, and it makes you question how trusting you should really be toward new...and sometimes old...friends, no matter how genuine they appear. (After all, how many victims knew their aggressors?) That’s the psychological kick!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I love her other series!

Revisado: 08-06-20

Unless someone can tell me what chapter I can jump to for this book to stop sounding like an amateur “romance” novel and more like a paranormal activity story...or something interesting...I don’t think I can finish this book. The first seven chapters seem to focus on a suddenly horny wife (which, predictably, I’m sure ties-in with the story at some point.) that just wants to have sex, walk Venice, and drink. The husband? Well, so far he just exists as the person the wife is having sex with. The narration is clipped and mostly monotone. Maybe because of that, the characters come off as cold and quite lifeless. Thus far, nothing even remotely interesting has happened in this book. And the wife’s character is also given a ridiculous and exaggerated fear of the plague mask and all “dark” masks. Honey, you shouldn’t be traveling to Venice in that case! I was cringing listening to that entire ordeal. I was looking forward to listening to this book, because I love reading her paranormal investigation series.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Immediate feelings only

Revisado: 06-16-20

I have just started this book, and though I have nothing yet to say about the story, I will comment on the narration. Why don’t the authors make sure their narrators can accurately pronounce words? It’s so distracting and frustrating. “Chaise LONG” (I was hoping I heard wrong, but then she said it again!) and “Carry-ON Crow”? SMH. Like the narrator that pronounces “library,” “liberry.” If the narration keeps up like this...!
Edit: The narration has not improved. (“candleLABAlum” over and over! REALLY??) Also, it’s very hard to distinguish who’s talking based on her voices; she’s seems to only have a repertoire of about 3. Not does she give the correct emotion to the voices. For example, at one point Nathan is concerned and out of breath, but instead sounds happily-excited without a trace of the physical exertion he just endured.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

Enthralling!

Revisado: 06-01-20

Wow. Like so many true stories, it’s great and sad. Well worth the read/listen. Dommek does a great job!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I have it a shot

Revisado: 05-26-20

The first book in this series, Haunting of Beacon Hill, was a better story than this one. Unfortunately, they’re both somewhat ruined by the narrator. Not only is she nasally, and she places her tongue incorrectly when saying certain letters (especially “st” combos), but she tends to end every chapter with an upward inflection as if the sentence isn’t complete. Very annoying. This series isn’t worth continuing with, though every other book by Mr. Ibsen I have loved! (Just stick with Mr. Hempel !)

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Liberry

Revisado: 05-15-20

Unless she’s working with a lisp, the narrator needs to go. She can’t pronounce library, her characters voices are poor, and her “t’s“ are too strong while her “s’s“ are too soft. Even her “o’s” are nasally. Her reading detracts from the story.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 4 personas