Stephen M

Meh. Isolation, Bugs, Body Horror. Nothing new.

Revisado: 03-04-25

I liked Cutter's other works that I have read/listened to. The Troop, The Deep, and Little Heaven. This was, I don't know, not totally formed and drifted into that space where it's so incredulous that even suspension of disbelief can't stretch that far. Cutter does have a thing about bugs. This had extradimensional portals and body horror with bugs and didn't really mix the two that well. The concepts separated out like oil and water. The characters were there, but they didn't seem to come to life on the page totally. The Narrator was ok, but he made every character sound like they were in their 70's. It kept me company on a long drive, but I don't think I'll be re visiting this one.

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I do like the story, but...

Revisado: 07-21-24

The story is engaging and I genuinely want to keep going to find out what's next, but the quibble I have is all the conflict dumping between the main characters. Every spare moment in down time is a therapy session between 2 characters who knew each other as kids then reunite years later and act almost like they expect things to not have changed and they psychoanalyze their way through it. I found myself yelling at the speakers "Quit the therapy session and get on with it!" Again, it's not a bad story, There are just some flaws in how it's presented. I will probably give the next installment a go.

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Its a decent story, but....

Revisado: 07-15-24

Overall, it was an entertaining story. Sound effects from the game were a nice touch. It did take jarring turns from silliness to super graphic descriptions. I don't mind that so much if it serves a purpose but it seemed like the author said "I'm being too silly, I have to go to edgy now" Most of the other characters were forgettable. so much so that the author seemed to forget them too after a while. Beyond that, while I thought it was a cool story to pass a long drive, I found the main character a little hard to relate to or care about. Her motives seem...vague. No spoiler, but the end was...well let's say it's execution was ham handed. There is the seed of a really good story buried here, but the author needed to give it a few more revisions that it sadly didn't get. It's not a horrible story and I enjoyed the time I spent with it on the road. I doubt I will be inclined to travel with it again, though.

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Ray Porter got me through it

Revisado: 07-04-22

First off, Ray Porter is brilliant as always. That said, even he couldn't really rescue this one. The characters were cheesy, even by 80's standards, and it just kept getting more over the top as it went on. I couldn't keep myself from saying "Oh come on..." and getting knocked out of the reverie a good story brings. Then, as if he couldn't think of another way to clean up the mess he's made, McCammon resorts to one of the laziest endings I've seen. Sorry, I wasn't a fan of this one.

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I didn't like this one as much, Still good though

Revisado: 06-26-21

The performance was awesome and, overall, I liked the story but I wasn't as in love with this one as the first. It wasn't bad by any means but felt like it was more of a set up for book three than something that stood on its own in the series. That's fine. This is a marathon rather than a sprint.

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I'm excited to see how the story develops, but....

Revisado: 06-26-21

I like the story, but I'm not as charmed with Tom Taylorson as the narrator. To be fair, Ray Porter is a tough act to follow in this genre. I have heard other work Tom has done and found it enjoyable but it's hard to shift gears to a new Narrator that doesn't quite bring the characters to life in the same way. That said, once I got used to him, I liked this installment.. Kaine is evolving as a character as is Elise, Good to see. The others were a bit too much in the background from where they were. I look forward to the next book in the series. I'm hoping the New Narrator will have grown on me a bit more.

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Really fun.

Revisado: 04-19-21

This is a fun story. It's a sci fi thrill ride and Ray Porter always delivers with his narration. Don't overthink it. just hang on for a really fun ride.

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An Old School Horror Novel

Revisado: 07-13-19

I have read "The Troop" and "The Deep". Mr. Cutter likes his body horror and themes of isolation. Unlike those previous two, that were in your face from the beginning, this one is a wonderfully creepy slow burn that closes in around you. The characters are very well developed and the whole novel has an odd formality, almost poetic, way of expressing itself that you might think would be jarring but it really lends to the overall atmosphere. Don't think the style it's written in makes it tame. Hell no. There are really creepy and horrific nasties in here. The body horror and isolation are here too. It's set in the time period and, obviously, inspired by Jim Jones and Jonestown. Imagine, if you will, if Jim Jones was not the worst thing lurking around that settlement. I know some fans of the 1st two books though this was boring. To each their own, I suppose. I don't think it's boring at all. It takes more time to fully flesh out all the characters. and really set the stage while doing so in a way that keeps you engaged. The narrator is spot on too. I have listened to Little Heaven three times and will probably download it again for a re visit at some point. This is well worth the purchase price

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HP Lovecraft meets Dead Space

Revisado: 09-09-18

It has the era, and otherworldly monsters of HP Lovecraft and the Body Horror, Gore, and unpleasant experiences with doctors of Dead Space. Set in the 50's in an asylum in England, this had more potential than it actually explored and I think it let the gore get in the way. After a while, It stopped being shocking. it was like an author that only uses exclamation points at the end of the sentence; it kills the effect it's supposed to have. Still, It's a fun if splatterhouse horror story. Not to ruin it, but the ending left me wondering if he was setting up for a sequel or just couldn't think of something better. Hannibal Hills is not my favorite narrator. This is the second book I have listened to with him narrating. Maybe he needs a different genre. Over all. it's not terrible and the concepts presented do pull you along wanting to know more.

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It was ok, but only ok.

Revisado: 09-01-18

This book had promise. It did. It began with some decent hooks. Then the author begins beating you over the head with a sort of "Moral of the story" that isn't even trying to be subtle. The characters get a bit tiresome and I found it harder and harder to care about them as the story went on. The story line is straightforward without much new save for a few elements that only get explored in dribs and drabs. The author goes on and on in long winded fashion for stretches, (usually there is a moral of the story in these prosy interludes) Just when it gets to the point where you are yelling at the speakers to "just get on with it, damn it!", The author throws in an intriguing element that never gets explored leaving you going "Wait, I wanted to know more here. This was actually interesting!" Then you are back to the same characters that you were really beginning to dislike. Like I said, It's an ok story with an ok performance. The post script at the end is a decent element to throw in. A real life spooky story. If you have a member credit to throw at this one, It's not an absolute bomb, but I wouldn't buy it with money.

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