AThoughtfulConsumer

Is this a rewrite?

Revisado: 05-14-22

I was really hoping I'd enjoy this book. Dark Hunters used to be one of my favorite series. I have the paperbacks, hardbacks, or digital copies of everything she's written... until the last few. Unfortunately, I've not been able to stay awake to actually make it through the book and the story annoys me enough that I check out when trying to listen to it.

What really bothers me about this book, however, is I swear this is the same storyline from a series she wrote as Kinley Macgregor back in the 90s. I don't remember the title and those books are currently boxed away. I think it was a series of three with "Sword" in the title or "Master". Each book was about a brother. I loved those books. Don't get me wrong. I knew her writing under that name before this one and would special order her books through my local used bookstore. What I don't enjoy is the constant repetitiveness of stories lately. Sure, her characters always follow the tortured soul route, but between the unapologetic verbatim copying of text in previous books to this weird rewrite of the same exact story and characters with just enough change to make it fit the series, I just find it annoying. I mean, this isn't just an author. She's a magnificent storyteller. She doesn't need to take shortcuts because she has the actual talent and imagination to create something new. That she keeps choosing not to and just expects that her fans of 30 years are going to buy whatever is frustrating. I used to pre-order her as a given. Now, I find myself hesitating even once published.

If someone hasn't read the other book, they might see this one differently. I don't know if the book changes or gets better because as I said, I can't stay awake to finish listening and I check out while I am awake. I've avoided my audible for that reason until today when I finally decided to just give in and return the book. Part of me feels bad for doing so, but I'm not using a credit on a retelling of a prior book unless I choose to do so knowing that's what I'm purchasing from the beginning. Plus, I just found the characters annoying for what I could stay awake for.

This one's a no for me.

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Should have skipped this one

Revisado: 02-15-22

This series is one of my favorite in this genre due to Ms. Cole's wit and the quirky styling of her characters. There's usually a flavor to her verse that is a real delight to digest.

I did not feel that with this book at all. I don't think I can blame it on the narration either because this was one of the better readings I've heard on audible, minus the female lead's accent. Unfortunately, she sounded like she already had one foot in the stereotypical grave. I will give credit where credit is due, the narrator did sound like a woman even if I wasn't sold on the vocalization choices.I did enjoy Munro's voice though. It was very easy to listen to. Unfortunately, the story just didn't do it for me, and I had to force myself to finish it.

I wouldn't recommend using a credit on this one. I'd wait for it to come out at the library. If a ghostwriter was used for this book, may I suggest finding a new one that can better capture the essence of this series? If a ghostwriter wasn't used, perhaps reading back through the series might percolate the original flow and get the zany, audacious juices flowing. I know styles change over time. Especially when writing for multiple series. This book was sadly missing the heartbeat of the series and Nyx seemed so very un-Nyx like. Though I did get a chuckle at the scene with the young witches. I would of enjoyed an entire book of that a lot more than I enjoyed this.

I sound like a grumpy old lady. Tell me I'm not about to start demanding authors take their words off my book pages just because I have a few wiley chin hairs that like to do spidersilk impersonations and glint in the night!

Please, whatever you do, when you write Nyx's story, don't hold back on the usual attitude and spunk. Use every speck of light across the night sky to shine a spotlight on her mesmerizing personality, even if she's exhausted, two coins left of a coo clue, and just ready to throw in the bat. (Poor Bertil Wertil. I didn't mean it!) That character has danced across this series leaving a flickering trail of confusion, gratitude, courage, changed minds, and conquered hearts in her wake. She doesn't just deserve her own lightning laced red boots and purple hat spun of some kind of ground up, fool encrusted, nymph inspected demon horns that Lothaire unadmittedly lost in a game of poker with a Gravewalker, or maybe it was a grave stalker. He still refuses to say. She deserves a chocolate coated Oscar that's all the right kinds of grouchy and only calls her "Nucking Futs" when she's Nïxing his socks off and demanding he say her name like he's meme'd it. The spunky old proto-Valkyrie has taken us for a wild ride on this windy whirly immortal road trip of a series, and I hope the spirit of her pedestrian Pogo petitioning selfie will somehow pounce the half-dead flames stuttering on the page's of this book's rendition of her back to a Jiffy Lube that never had the good fortune of seeing her coming. So that they can do the Lore a service and align her fronting with her toodle, and we can all get intoxicated on the fumes of the inferno of possibility that is Ms. Cole's delectable imagination, and she can feel the invigoration of immersing herself back into one of the most memorable, forgetful characters in this entire genre. (Just as I wrote the word "genre" I got a mental image of the ever-knowing fate defiler, or maybe that should be "duh filer", at the Jiffy Lube seated atop the misaligned Lykae filled Scooby van with Bertil and singing her version of the Debbie Boone song that everyone's had to of heard being belted during the middle of a Louisiana thunderstorm or two while playing with fire... literally... "Ewwwwwwww, ewe light up my life. You gift me soap. To ferry on. Ewes fight up my way, and steer my fright... with sooonnng." that then slides straight into Deee-lite's "Groove is where we part-art-art-art." I can just see the teensy witches lined up atop the bus as if that's exactly where they should be seated and all of them singing along, too. With the one cutie from this book who's name I've forgotten suddenly jumping up and exclaiming, "Keel the migration!" as the impatient wolves inside start shifting about and howling from the off-key racket, causing the van to vibrate atop the blocks.) 😁

I'm tempted to add another star just because that mental image has amused me and I'd never have had it were it not for the spectacular series by this author. This book just didn't bring the same kind of whimsical, gritty, sometimes corrupt, often craven, downright belligerent zest for life, strife, and well it did bring a knife, that those before it brought. The characters fell flat to me, and the storyline wasn't just predictable. It was boring, unimaginative, and reminded me of a mix of some of the B movies from the late 80s and early 90s. Mind you, I really enjoyed those movies at the time.

So, once again I've finished an audio book from an author I love, and I'm left wondering if my tastes have changed that much or if it's the book. In spite of how harsh this review is likely coming across, I think Kresley Cole is an incredibly gifted and imaginative author who has a real lyrical flare with words and the ability to pull off the more zany and crazy character stylings that most authors who try it fall flat on. This book just fell flat in those areas which caused it to read as if written by someone else. Whatever was the cause, I wish Ms. Cole good fortune on her next book. I really hope she finds her zing again if this wasn't a ghost writer.💜

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esto le resultó útil a 5 personas

Found it boring

Revisado: 12-10-21

This series was once one of my favorite series. I'm not sure if it's my tastes that have changed, if it's the story, if it's different listening verses reading or what. While there was some nice moments and I enjoyed various turns of phrase along with most of the vocal performance, overall I was just bored and often found my thoughts skittering away from the story. Not to mention the ending was just plain annoying. I really dislike when very talented and capable writers pull stunts like that.

I really wanted to enjoy this, but it's looking like the series has ran too long for me. It just doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Not really. I can't believe I'm going to say this, because I always prefer a book to a movie or series, but I think from now on, I'm just going to wait for however many years it takes for the televised series to catch up with the writing. I'd say if you found the last book slow or lifeless, you might want to skip this one. I do really hate saying that because Diana Gabaldon is a fabulous author. Clearly, many readers have enjoyed this book. I'm just not one of them.

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esto le resultó útil a 5 personas

Beautiful Story, Poor Voice Choices

Revisado: 03-13-21

This is another of the audio books where the narration has brought down the quality of the story. In this case, unlike some recent others, I didn't have to force myself to listen, but I also found some character's voice choices grating. Especially the female characters.

First, let me say this is one of my favorite series by one of my favorite authors. It's the first pre-ordered book this year whose context hasn't let me down. I look forward to seeing where Ms. Bishop takes the series. Assuming it will continue. I don't dig for such details, so it might be wishful thinking on my part. It will be on my list as soon as it's announced if so.

I would still encourage people to read the book instead of listening because the intonation of most of the characters were nothing like how I have imagined them when I've read the rest of the series. This is the first I've went with the audio version, and thank goodness for that because I'd have never made it beyond a sample had I started the series with audio. I suppose I should count myself lucky that Audible didn't exist decades ago.

The choice of voice for most females, the majority of children, and The Sadist was atrocious. I get that they're supposed to be aristocrats, but this was like a very strange caricature of aristocrats. Not to mention the voice choice for Witch was just... disturbing. The lines would have been so much richer if read in a different tone. Where I haven't really cared for the story of other books whose narration I've complained about, this book's story was worth a much better narration for some of the characters. If the same narrator is used for future books, I hope he will reconsider how he reads for female voices and some of the aristocratic males. It really took away from the story.

With that said, I still found myself crying in the end. That's a win in my book. Would there have been more tears had I read it instead of listening? I'm not sure. It's possible, because there was very powerful occurences whose emotional impact was lost due to those strange innotations. Not only that, but if passion/anger/fear/etc was to be enunciated during some phrases, others should have been spoken with equal spirit and energy.

Overall, this is another book where the narration choices left me wondering what the production and/or editing team was thinking. The book, on the other hand is worth taking the time to read. I hope people do not leave spoilers in their reviews. Wishful thinking, I'm sure. This is one book where if you've read the rest of the series, you definetly want to go in unaware and let the words take you where they may. If you haven't read the series, please start at the beginning. This is NOT a stand alone book by any stretch of the imagination. If you haven't read other books in the series, this one will be lost to you. If you have read them, enjoy this latest ride across the winds.

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Maybe Audio Just Isn't for Me

Revisado: 02-26-21

This is the second long awaited book in a much loved series that I pre-ordered last year with a credit. My thinking then had been how wonderful it will be to be able to listen as I do other things. The other book got shelved to start this one. This one is coming perilously close to getting shelved, too. I still have an easy 2/3's to go.

There's four blaring problems for me. 1) The accents. Just why? Mac's sums it up. They're like poor caricatures of real accents. While I can't speak for the others, there's no way someone of Mac's supposed age and upbringing sounding like that. Especially if she's spent all that time in Ireland and Faerie. I can't stand the over-the-top molasses oozing accent. It's made worse by 2) Mac. Can't stand the character in this book so far. Mind you, I was never Team Mac, but the spoiled selfishness has been kicked up to all new heights. Is this supposed to be because of her queenly aspects? I don't know. At this point, I don't care. Which saddens me. The only thing keeping me listening at this point is seeing where the story goes for Danny, Shaz, and Lyric. 3) Could the narrators or their producers/editors taken the time to have looked up and corrected pronunciation?! They've literally changed the pronunciation of the main protagonist's name!! 4) It's increasingly difficult to distinguish between when a character is speaking or the narrator is narrating actions or thoughts. Mac especially. Please don't narrate "Mac bangs her head into a wall because she's frustrating the listener." as if Mac is declaring it aloud in equal frustration. There's no distinction. Why is non-spoken sentences even being read in the character's voices?

I'm having a really difficult time understanding how best sellers can't have great narrations when much less popular, less expensive books do. I'm wondering if the author even listens to and has any say in approving the narration. Reading another review, I've discovered this is apparently wrapping up the series. That just makes me sad because what a low note to go out on. I hope the story improves and becomes less of Mac doing her best spoiled southern high school debutante impersonation and more great story telling so that I have a chance at finishing it.

If any narrators read this review, please try to find the middle ground between drab and over-the-top. A conversational tone should be just that... a conversational tone. Consider the character's background pertaining to accent and inflection. And please, please, please look up the correct pronunciation for words you're unfamiliar with. Especially if the language is not one you are fluent in. To get a main character's name wrong is an unforgivable blunder on many parts. Either no one paid attention, or someone made an executive call due to money and decided the readers/listeners paying top price for a professionally edited book didn't deserve to get what they paid for. I strongly suggest you buy the written copy for anyone who might be scrolling through reviews in debate of which edition to purchase. This audio book is a mess.

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esto le resultó útil a 22 personas

Ugghh

Revisado: 02-17-21

This rating is purely based upon the narrator because I'm not sure I can force myself to continue listening to the apathetic droning. I've read every other book in this series and have counted the days for this release. I ordered it on audible months ago, choosing to try this instead of reading. The reading sucks so bad that I can't get into the book. Since when do near immortal warriors sound like bored, apathetic teenagers? The full, lifeless droning is like nails on a chalkboard. I'm not trying to be cruel to the performer, but her reading sounds like she doesn't actually want to be reading the story. We're this a new author's first release the reading would have a very negative impact.

I can't recommend the audio version of this book. It's so bad that I'm unsure if I'd listen to it if someone paid me to. I don't know if the story is any good because I can't get past the narration.

edit: I've finally made it to the first big sex scene in the third part of the book. I read and write erotica, so the sex isn't the turn off. The reading of it makes me cringe to such a degree that I hit the fast forward. I normally devour a book in this series in one or two days by reading it myself. I'm having to force myself to listen to this because I can't stand the way the men are narrated so blah except for when C so grossly drags at N's name, and I can't stand how N is voiced especially when it comes to anything sexual. Also, if reading a sentence in a very dead manner, trying to elongate a single word in what's intended to sound sensual, but just ends up sounding like a perv from a beat up van waving candy around, please just don't do it.

I really couldn't tell you if this is a decent book or not. I almost put the first book in the series down. I couldn't stand the writing for P or T, but I enjoyed R when he was brought in. I wanted to see more of the Night Court so I continued with the series. I still thought the writing was heavy on the brattish teenage drama quite often, but I looked past it for the story and world building. I wanted to see where SJM was going with the story.

Now I find myself unsure if I'll purchase the next book because the narration is making me dislike everything about this one. I'm unsure if I'd look past annoying aspects were it not for the narration adding to the annoyance. I don't even want to attempt reading the book, because I'll just hear the narration. I can't fathom how this reading was approved. So many sentences are read with nuances that completely change how those personality types would be speaking the sentence. Granted, that's my opinion, but there is nothing about how the lines are read that says "warrior", "ruler", "Elfen aristocrat". I don't mean to keep going on and on about this, but it's just that aggravating and unrealistic, and I was so looking forward to this book.

Also, I can't stand most of the characters at this point. C, G, and E might just be the only characters I'll like by the end of the book unless there's some serious changes. Maybe I'll make another edit to this review. I don't know. I prefer long books. They give me something to sink my teeth into. I'm long past ready for this one to be over. I have another pre-order becoming available tomorrow. There's a high probability I will set this to the side to listen to the Fever book instead. I almost never set a book to the side to start a new one. If I do, I rarely come back to it. At this point, I'm only finishing this one because I spent my credit on it. I don't know how it's getting higher ratings unless people are just rating for their love of the series or the ending saves it like how the ending saved the Crescent City book, because this is turning out to be the giant dissapointment N keeps droning on and on about in describing herself.

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Review for the Narration

Revisado: 09-09-20

I've purchased most of PC Cast's books in this series back when the option wasn't digital. I was moved by one book so much I wrote her a letter, and she wrote back a beautiful letter that brought me to tears. I really wanted to listen to this audio, but I can't follow it long enough to get through the first chapter. Nor can I recommend this to someone else unless the narration changes. The voice used is fine. it's the intonation and inflection. Especially the lifting of the final syllable in almost every sentence. It makes it impossible to follow what is being said.

I believe in second chances, so I hope that's what will happen with this narration. For now, the audio version of this book is a hard pass for me.

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