Andrew Hawk

A story with heart

Revisado: 09-24-24

This is a great short story the likes of which you don’t see much of these days. This story makes you see the important difference between perceived love versus real love, and the lengths we must go to in order to find that love.

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Poignant and Punchy!

Revisado: 06-29-24

What a great short story that is so poignant and hits on many contemporary issues with current relations between the US and China. I wish more authors would write meaningful and punchy short stories that harken back to the days of Orwell, Bradbury, and Philip K. Dick. While I do wish this short story was a whole novel, I think Max Brooks did a great job of conveying the frustration, anger, fear, and jadedness of the main character in a very short period.

While listening to this story I admire how Brooks doesn’t shy away from the realities of China’s hold and influence over the US but rather leans into it as a warning. However this story is about more than just the foupaxs and hard learned experiences of one Chinese officer fighting an entrenched and determined insurgency force in a hypothetical war between the US and China, but the lessons are also an echo of the same mistakes the US made during the GWPT and Vietnam, as well as somewhat relatable to the lessons of war coming out of Ukraine. The lessons are transferable across many global conflicts. As a combat vet of the GWOT it was quite enlightening to hear an author voice the same opinionated and frustrations that many soldiers face when fighting an insurgency in prolonged warfare.

I would love to see a partner short story written from the opposing viewpoint of this faux conflict. Pick up this fun and thoughtful little read if you need a short filler story for your day!

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Fun Novella Focused Around Eastern Folklore

Revisado: 05-27-24

If you’re looking for a fun and interesting fast paced novella with Witcher vibes then look no further than When Among Crows. The three person narration worked wonderfully and while the story is short you get a bit of depth and development to the characters. While I wish it was a bit longer so some story points could be touched on in further detail it is a fun journey! Well worth the listen!

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Slow Burn But Amazing Payout

Revisado: 01-29-24

Many people say this is the weaker book of the series so far due to the slow build and Dalinar flashbacks; However, I tend to disagree. While Sanderson does add in a lot of backstory and world building in this book, I think it makes the end and the "Sanderlanch" just that much better! By far one of the best endings I have read in the series and Sanderson is truly a master of his craft.

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The Next Great Series in High Fantasy

Revisado: 01-10-24

To say that I was intimidated when I first started this series would be an understatement. Looking at the length of this audiobook and the prologue, where Sanderson throws you in and you have to learn to swim (Which he is known for), I can tell you that I thought wouldn't be able to get into it; How wrong I was. Sanderson's masterful world building of the characters, magic system, geography, and politics helps you to grasp what is going on enough to follow and your understanding just continues to build as you progress through the story and series. By the time you are at the end of this book and subsequent books you think back to where you started and smack your head for not catching key details earlier, which I always enjoy when I make those connections since it always feels like you are uncovering a mystery, which is Sanderson's intention. Sanderson brings life to characters in the Stormlight Achieves and makes you truly relate to them and feel their emotions whether that is good, bad, humorous, or serious and the character development for all characters is meaningful and not wasted. I can't recommend this series enough if you are a lover of fantasy and looking for your next series to commit to. If you go the audiobook route then this is a must have since Michael Kramer and Kate Reading do a terrific job with their narration.

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Instantly One of My All Time Favorites

Revisado: 11-02-23

Lonesome Dove has quickly become one of my all time favorite books and one I recommend to anyone looking for a story with heart, loveable characters with excellent character development, and themes of duty, adversity, and friendship. This is one of the few books I have ever read that has choked me at key parts and truly makes you feel for the characters. If you listen to any western, make sure it is this one. I know some people complain about the narration, but I honestly had no problem with t and thought that Lee Horsley did the characters justice with his voices that were unique and true to form for the characters.

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Instantly One of My All Time Favorites

Revisado: 11-02-23

Lonesome Dove has quickly become one of my all time favorite books and one I recommend to anyone looking for a story with heart, loveable characters with excellent character development, and themes of duty, adversity, and friendship. This is one of the few books I have ever read that has choked me at key parts and truly makes you feel for the characters. If you listen to any western, make sure it is this one. I know some people complain about the narration, but I honestly had no problem with t and thought that Lee Horsley did the characters justice with his voices that were unique and true to form for the characters.

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Great Conclusion to the Prequel of Call & McCrae

Revisado: 11-02-23

Comanche Moon brings a solid conclusion to the early years of Woodrow call and Augustus McCrae as the two companeros are now seasoned Texas Rangers who are desperately fighting to protect the Texas settlers in an ever expanding frontier from the likes of Buffalo Hump, Kicking Wolf, and the soon to be infamous Blue Duck, as well as dealing with their own personal problems with romance, duty, and an ever-changing world where Rangers may no longer be needed. On the opposite side we see an aging Buffalo Hump desperately trying to keep the Comanche together in a fast changing world that is slowly slipping away from them. This book is filled with the famous characters we have grown to love from Lonesome Dove and Dead Mans Walk, but also a slew of colorful support characters such as the eccentric Inish Scull, the ever inquisitive Kickapoo tracker Famous Shoes, and the new Texas Rangers troop members and future Hat Creek Cattle Company wranglers Pea Eye Parker, Joshua Deets, and Jake Spoon. We also get a glimpse into the relationship of Call and Newt far before the events of Lonesome Dove, which is both endearing and heartbreaking. This is a definite read for those who love revisionist westerns and Lonesome Dove.

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A Great Opening to a Beloved Series

Revisado: 11-02-23

This was a great introduction to one of my all time favorite books, Lonesome Dove. We see a youthful Call and Gus in their young naivety as they try and make names for themselves as Texas Rangers when they are sent on an expedition with dreams and promises of riches only to be faced with the cruel reality of the world on the Texas Plains. The characters are all likeable and unique and you find yourself caring about each one deeply as they fight to survive in their harsh circumstances. We also get an introduction to the ongoing antagonists of Gus and Call throughout the series, Buffalo Hump and Kicking Wolf, whose my appreciation and understanding for develop more and more over the series. Will Patton did a great job narrating this novel and giving life to each character. Not a bad place to begin your journey in this western epic, but I always recommend beginning on lonesome Dove first. ;)

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Can't Catch Lightning in a Bottle Twice

Revisado: 11-02-23

Lonesome Dove is one of my favorite books of all time and I loved both of the prequels, but this conclusion to the western epic just didn't give me the same joy and connection to the characters as the other books did. It fell a little flat to me. It kind of felt like McMurtry was pushed to write this as a way of wrapping up the story and appeasing either the fans or his publishers. However, it is still a solid addition to the timeless western series, I just wish it would have brought more to the table. I can see where McMurtry is trying to develop Call's character, but it just doesn't hit the mark in my opinion and just seems sad at the end and all for nothing. It destroys many aspects of what people loved about Lonesome Dove and it's characters and just turns it into a long sad slog throughout the southern border filled with lots of death but not much meaning and characters I just didn't care about. Please listen if you want to see this western epic to it's conclusion, but don't expect lightning to strike you twice.

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