Judy, 83 & active

Not for me

Revisado: 06-21-19

Too loud and filled with crashes and descriptions for my taste, like a cartoon show with "described video". Not at all what I expected, so I'm glad I just tried the sample. I'm sure there are others who will love it, but I'm not among them.

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Good story but...

Revisado: 06-12-18

Unfortunately the performance detracted from my overall enjoyment. The reader failed to indicate scene breaks with even a hint of a pause and mispronounced several words.

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a fine new SF/R sure to please readers

Revisado: 07-07-15

THRESHOLD: Tales of Telenia, by Lorraine Bartlett ****
Reviewed by Judy Griffith Gill

Ms. Bartlett's new series begins with THRESHOLD. This book is both well-written and tightly plotted with believable characters and fun dialogue.. Once I began listening, I couldn't turn it off. Amanda, a med-tech from a technologically advanced Earth lands on an alien planet when her shuttle is sucked through a spacial anomaly. The part of Telenia where she regains consciousness is singularly medieval in its attitudes toward women, and Amanda is not willing to be dictated to, even by the haughty, demanding crown prince, Paxton, or maybe, especially by him. She hears stories that other districts don't have such draconian rules and is determined to escape to one of them. Prince Paxton is equally determined not to permit her departure.

Steven Barrett's presentation of this book truly enhances an already eminently enjoyable story with the versatility of voices he can produce. Never is there any doubt which character is speaking, or what that character's state of mind might be. I, for one, can't wait to listen to the rest of The Tales of Telenia.

DISCLAIMER: I was given an audible copy of this novel in exchange for an unbiased review. I am not personally acquainted with the author, though I have read and enjoyed previous books in her body of work.
JGG

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A Fine Novel marred by whistles

Revisado: 12-05-12

As an FBI agent,Esme Stuart was talented. As a wife and mother, she's equally so, and far happier, but now, her old boss needs her expertise once more and however reluctantly, she must answer his call. She owes him.

While Galileo Preys is a great concept, a well-conceived story which I wish I had read instead of forking out for the audio. While reading makes my eyes tired, the rendition of this book made my ears hurt. The narrator's sibalence jars and detracts.I tried headphones, earbuds, and listening through the computer's speakers. Nothing helped or changed what sounded liike a flock of little birds, or maybe a nest of hissing snakes. Warning: always listen to a sample before purchasing.

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Cronin's The Twelve

Revisado: 11-05-12

With The Twelve, Cronin has produced a dramatic sequel to The Passage, his novel of a dystopian future North America. Though marred by the same passive voice writing as The Passage (a style obviously ignored by editors who should have known better), The Twelve is as convincing a story as its predecessor. The canvas is broader, as is the cast of characters. The battles seem real and necessary, characters met in the first book grow and change along with their situations, learn from mistakes and develop as the story progresses. The author has created good heroes who sometimes win, sometimes lose, but they persevere as long at they can. Be prepared for some scenes not for the faint of heart and really loathsome villains, though all have plausible reasons for who and what they are.

The often rather toneless narration by Scott Brick might tend to put some listeners to sleep, but usually the action counteracts that.

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Stirling builds a new, possible world

Revisado: 04-19-12

Would you try another book from S. M. Stirling and/or Todd McLaren?

I would and will buy more books by Stirling. The Novels of the Change are great.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Sword of the Lady?

Rudi's fight with the primitive descendants of survivors on his travels while he tries to free his friends from a hostage taker by paying the ransom he must.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator, Todd McLaren, detracted from this book, and the previous ones I've listened to in the series by his frequent mispronunciations of words. For example, ration, rhymed with fashion, is the common usage. Ration, rhymed with nation, has not been used since the First Word War. His mispronunciation of the name of Portland's river as wil-a-MET, I noticed corrected in about book 4, so someone from Oregon must have complained and told him it's locally called the wil-A-met (short "a". It appears no one took the time or trouble to correct him on the pronunciation of Haida, the native tribe from the Queen Charlotte Islands. In the books where that tribe drew first mention, he pronounced it as high-EE-dah, and continues to do so in Sword of the Lady. It's too late now, since the series is finished, but should he run into it again, he might be interested to know it is pronounced high-dah, with no particular emphasis on either of the (only) two syllables. In earlier books, I felt he read words the author had not written, as if he was not paying full attention to what was on the printed page.

Did The Sword of the Lady inspire you to do anything?

Yes, it inspired me to continue buying the series because I enjoy Stirling's work. It also inspired me to take careful note of the narrator of subsequent purchases of books outside the Novels of the Change, to be sure I don't buy anything narrated by Todd McLaren, who can't be troubled to seek local knowledge when he runs across words unfamiliar to him. Though in all fairness, I must say he does British accents quite well.

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Tess Gerritson is a master storyteller

Revisado: 02-11-12

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

Yes, because this is the most powerful story she's written.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Silent Girl?

Jane's courageous struggle in the dark cellar while Mrs. Feng urges her on so Jane might live to hold her small daughter again.

Which scene was your favorite?

The last time Jane spots the silver hair where she least expects it, and her response to that discovery.

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

Tough Boston detective Jane Rizzolii solves a decades old case--with the aid of someone or something she cannot see, yet cannot help but believe in..

Any additional comments?

I've been reading Tess Gerritson's books for years, and found this the strongest, most compelling novel she's ever written. Tanya Eby's performance added greatly to my listening pleasure. All in all, a stunning experience. I look forward to any further books written by Gerritson and performed by Eby.

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Justin Cronin's book grabbed me and held me rapt.

Revisado: 12-15-10

In "The Passage" I found a story so multi-layered, so complex, and so beautifully presented I could not quit listening. I was at once captivated, frightened, and uplifted. The characters all felt real, fully formed, beautifully limned. Cronin has become a must-read author for me.

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Review, Firestorm

Revisado: 04-24-08

David Klass has come up with a winner and I, for one, can't wait for the next two books in his "Caretaker" series. His young protagonist, Jack, is entirely real and convincing as he jump-starts the story with his perfect, teenage normalcy and brash tongue. He's a good student, a fine athlete, and a normally horny teenager when his life is sundered. He's shocked and distraught by his parents virtually tossing him out alone into the night--to save his life--so he can save the world. Of course, he doesn't believe any of this. How can he? It's all got to be a big joke, or a nightmare. But when he meets up with a telepathic dog and a shape-shifting woman who tell him he's humanity's best hope for the future, terrifying events finally force him to believe them, if not to trust them. All Jack can do is follow the quest appointed him, through danger, pain, growth, and learning, until his adventures culminate in the reaching of his goal, and he begins to see that the fantastic beings who have been guiding him were right.

The narrator, Ramon de Ocampo uses his wonderful talent for voice and accents to keep the characters alive and the story active, moving right along with the swift pace set by Klass's superb writing.

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Altered Carbon

Revisado: 02-18-08

A great listen! Richard K. Morgan has a unique concept that captured me from the beginning and carried me right through to the end. He never loses track of where he's going with the story. The characters are clearly defined, each with his or her distinct personality and voice. I was sorry to reach the end of this fascinating tale. The reader did a superb job of helping to create the mood of each scene.

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