AbnerDoon

Worship your god, pray you never meet them

Revisado: 06-22-15

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

Yes! A well written short story. It has its own uniqueness in it's subject matter and the way it's composed that should be a welcomed addition to the library of anyone that enjoys this genre.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The God Engines?

The most memorable moment of the book for me was undoubtedly the ceremony toward the end when the elders son underwent the 'process' to call their new lord and that moment when the village elder was..absorbed..by Tephe's 'Lord'.. I imagine the looks between the men at that last moment and sense of terror and fundamental betrayal and instance of realization of truth that lasts but a moment. The final moments of the book also offer introspection to those of us that are persons of faith..after all, in the end, what was there left to do but 'pray'!

That exit music is a bit of well-timed icing on the cake too isnt it? With the numerous times that I've listened to this book, I wonder if it's for that ending with the music just as much as the whole story telling.

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

I have listened to Christopher Lane's performances before. I continue to be impressed by the talent that he and other narrators have in the lending of their skill to the telling of the story. I have quickly discovered that what determines if an audiobook is successful in it's storytelling and captures the imagination and attention of the listener all hinges on the quality of the narration.
I own older "books on tape" that have subsequently been reissued as digitally downloaded audiobooks, and the newer narrators in my opinion have performed so poorly that my interest in the book was negatively affected.

'Wizards First Rule' anyone? 'Children of Hurin' anyone?

A quality narrator is critically important. In my years listening to audiobooks that fact is undeniable and Christopher Lane's performance in this was superb.

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

Yes. I listen to a fair number of audiobooks. I especially enjoy a long story with details fleshed and flushed out, tho, every now and then, and in recent times, with greater frequency, I do like a short story that I can sit down and enjoy from start to finish in a relatively brief timeframe. For me the length of this book reading was perfect. Another worthy candidate is 'StoneFather' by Orson Scott Card.. That too is a story well fleshed, presented and performed in a satisfyingly tidy package.

Any additional comments?

I don't think I am predisposed to write reviews, but I saw criticisms of this book that I thought were not deserving. I agree that the story is admittedly dark with an ending that left one thinking of one's self almost supplanted in the person of the main character. I agree that this is unlike many of the other John Scalzi writings, it's quite different that it wouldn't surprise me if it were the creation of someone else.

I even believe some of the criticisms might come from those of us that might see the veiled critiquing of religion, devout belief and religious faith.. I see it.. clearly. I don't think these elements took away from the quality of the product. The story, the quality of the narration, the total delivery.. I think it was in it's way supposed to leave many of it's readers "hollow", almost with the sense of near hopeless dispair in the face of the obliteration of our reality as we saw in the captain (did I give too much away? Hope not..). It's amazing and a testament to the quality of the writing that it's at the very end where one goes from being immersed in the story to confronted by it.. The very last word takes you aback..

As for me, I continue to have unshakable faith in my Lord, I read his commentaries daily, am devoted and trust in his mercies... and faithfully await his promised return amongst us.. heh-heh-heh..;) (roll in that music)... Yea.. I can see why many of us are upset.. lol..

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esto le resultó útil a 7 personas

concur with disappointment in narration quality

Revisado: 05-29-08

I must concur with 'byron' and 'caren' with regard the quality of the narration. I have the original audio tapes in my collection and I assumed the Audible version was just a 'migration' from one media to another so I spent my credit and got a book in audio that I already had, just for ease of use and access also because my 'tape player' is begging for retirement.

I was sorely disappointed by the narration, I think the first two books in particular are as precious as 'gold pressed latinum' with the series up until 'Temple of the winds' being stellar. I actually have everything up 'til 'Phantom' but have not had the 'courage' to read/listen to anything past 'Naked Empire' because of the kinds of changes the series has been going thru. It has proven a challenge for me to continue, I'll get there eventually and I was hoping the audible versions would help in that endeavor.

I dont understand why there was not a seemingly simple migration of the 'original' audio from cassette to audible (both are 'Brilliance' products evidently). The portrayal of characters, humor, anger, emotion, personality, etc was superb it now seems simply lost in the audible version.

Alas it looks as tho I'll have to keep employing my circa 1989 cassette deck and keep the tapes manually scrolling from left to right balance in order to hear this great story. The audio on the original cassettes were put separately on the left stereo track and right stereo tract so as to place the many hours of listening on the dozen or so cassettes they were recorded onto so I was expecting the audible version to free me from the manual labor involved in using my old tapes..alas.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

very satisfying listen

Revisado: 12-26-07

wonderful listen, it's been a little while since I found a sci-fi with sufficient 'flesh on the bones' to be as satisfying as this has been. There are 'deeper' books, there are longer books but this was a superb 'read'. Great story, great concepts and well developed, well rounded characters. A 'credit' well spent indeed!

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esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

absolutely splendid

Revisado: 12-30-05

I just marveled at how the telling of these woven stories captivated me. The primary story and the following collection is a telling of the story of the history of lives lived in a complacent empire, the subsequent demise and the planned scattering of humanity to continue the seed of humanity in all it's unique variety and the specific story telling of the life and history of one particular thread of humanity saved from the brink and forging a life on one of the scattered planets and the parallel evolution of the descendants of their mythical saviour and their own development and trials with their unique abilities and their interaction with their fellow humans. Man, angel and messiah in it's execution and just a fantastic story. Sometimes preachy and morally thought provoking in it's structure but not negatively so, I think it works wonderfully with the structure of this story.

Anyhow it's late and I'm rambling. It's sci-fi so there is little reason to overanalyze the stories as some tend to do. And although Sci-fi, should be taken as seriously as is sensible and I found it such a good telling of a story I listened to it 3 times in succession I was so enthralled with it.

Give it a go, you wont regret it.

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