Ashleigh

Another Marillier masterpiece

Revisado: 10-13-20

If you like fantasy that makes you feel like you are seeing a new world that is much much older than you, Juliet Marillier has the touch. Truth be told, I’ve yet to read any of her books that I didn’t love, but this one will be a special one that I re-listen to. I appreciate seeing new long blossom while in the context of people who have very real weaknesses and scars that they must overcome. This book is no pretty tale of everything going perfectly, and I love it even more because of that. The narrator, Ruth Urquhart, did a fantastic job as well. Her ability to convey emotion is quite fantastic.

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Blew my expectations away

Revisado: 10-26-14

What made the experience of listening to On Basilisk Station the most enjoyable?

Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised. I had the Honor Harrington on my wishlist; I kept coming back to it and coming back to it without taking the plunge. I liked the idea of Honor Harrington so much that I didn't want to ruin it. What I mean by that is it seemed like one of those sci-fi series that would get so bogged down in the science/military aspect of this type of sci-fi that it would detract from the plot. Weber certainly did get into a lot of detail, but for some reason, it worked. Instead of being off-putting, it really brought out the militaristic efficiency that makes Honor such a fantastic character. In addition, I liked reading about a heroine who isn't quick to jump into somebody's bed as a means to define herself as a person. Plus, she's got a sense of humor similar to mine that makes me laugh out loud.

What other book might you compare On Basilisk Station to and why?

The universe reminded me a lot of the Trader's Tales series by Nathan Lowell. The main characters are very different, and instead of being the militaristic side of space travel, the Trader's Tales. However, they both have an interesting attention to detail, and while the main characters are very different in personality, they're both self-made people whose journeys we, as readers, are following along closely enough to almost be living them.

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

No, I have not.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I don't like to give spoilers away because I read reviews before I pick up a book, and I hate it when people give major plot points away. I will say that I love to see Honor interact with her crew and their growing relationships.

Any additional comments?

While my comments so far can be pointed towards the first book, I'm really speaking of the series as a whole. I keep gobbling it up, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is fond of a good science fiction.

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Something Original; Something Fantastic

Revisado: 07-16-14

What did you love best about Written in Red?

Everything. I am absolutely in love. I haven't been this excited about a book since I first found Discovery of Witches.

What other book might you compare Written in Red to and why?

I don''t think I know any other books like this one, really. Perhaps that's what I love so much about it. If you like fantasy with shapeshifters, vampires, etc, then you'll like this. But it's different from anything else. It's more...real somehow. Like the contents could actually happen. The characters are true to their natures and don't apologize for it.

Which character – as performed by Alexandra Harris – was your favorite?

Hmm......That's actually a hard question to answer. Each of the characters is very distinctive and fascinating in their own way. The text itself portrays that, but Alexandra Harris brings those unique differences out. Great narration.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Can't answer this without spoilers. It's near the end and is definitely the climax of the plot. read it; you'll love it.

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Great Book

Revisado: 07-15-14

What did you love best about The Color of Light?

I loved how real it was. The struggles of the characters were historically accurate. The only problem is that it's a bit too determinedly sad. There's only so much entertainment to be gained from characters whose lives always go wrong. What I do like, however, is that it is some pansy vampire novel. Most vampire books nowadays make the the vampire into some angsty emo on his period who is dying for human love. The vampire is angsty here, but there is more reason to it.

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I can't stop from playing it over and over again

Revisado: 07-03-14

If you could sum up Book of a Thousand Days in three words, what would they be?

Exotic original fantasy

What other book might you compare Book of a Thousand Days to and why?

I don't really have a specific book in mind, but I have a type of book. I read a lot, and once of the things I hate most about books is predictability. There's a point where you've read so much that each book is too predictable to be interesting. I may read them anyway, but I find it a bit boring. Something I've come to appreciate is unusual or original characters and story lines. Dashti, the main character of this book, is not a princess. She doesn't have magical powers. She doesn't have overly amazing powers of deduction that allow her to solve all problems in two seconds. I love Dashti because she is actually like a normal person and is, therefore, relatable. There are books I've read before with characters like that, but another fatal flaw for writers is that they rush a plot too quickly and end up ruining the characterization that would make those characters more likable. Shannon Hale did a perfect job with the pacing of the story, and the narrator, Chelsea Mixon, did will in keeping that rhythm in her narration.

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

I actually read this book many years ago, long before I knew there was an audiobook version or if I would even like to listen to audiobooks. Chelsea actually does a fantastic job portraying Dashti, narrating just like how I imagined Dashti to speak, the rhythm, the tone. All of it is well done. Because of that, Chelsea Mixon brings a new life to Dashti that isn't found by just reading the book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I actually received the audible badge for listening to a book straight through, so...yes. Haha.

Any additional comments?

This book is more of a young adult novel, but it is appropriate for all ages, I think. There is a darker understanding of the truth of the situation there for adults to pick up, but everything in the book is just mild enough that nothing would scare children too badly or be inappropriate for children to listen to. I highly recommend it.

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Enthralling

Revisado: 10-23-13

If you could sum up Feast of Souls in three words, what would they be?

Imaginative, Intriguing, Original

What other book might you compare Feast of Souls to and why?

I would say Feast of Souls compares well to Robert Jordan books and other fantasy books of the same type. Though the entire thing may seem a bit wordy, it's refreshing to me since most books lately, especially self-published, lack the quality, intelligence and wit that had always been in literature before. If you like fantasy but don't like the YA aspect that seems to have overrun much of recently written fantasy, you'll definitely enjoy this.

Which scene was your favorite?

I usually enjoy scenes when Kamala is locked in a battle of minds with any of the other Magisters. They're extremely entertaining and charged with an addicting sort of energy.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not until the last book, and because that is so far away, I don't want to spoil it. Just know that many of the characters will take you by surprise. It's refreshing to read about people who aren't entirely predictable.

Any additional comments?

If you don't like reading for the sake of reading, don't admire when an author weaves words together artfully and instead prefer unoriginal plots and unimpressive language, this series is not for you. If, however, you love when an entirely new world unfolds before you filled with characters unlike any others, you will adore this series.

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