Hyrum R. Grissom

Master of Spy Craft

Revisado: 03-04-19

the novel witch built George smiley and John le carre. a short brisk Rush into a cold war spy world, quiet and cautious and bloody in its own way. a masterful start.

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Solid Fantasy

Revisado: 02-13-19

Absolutely loved the fantasy by way of eastern European influence. The middle stretch did strike some Harry Potter chords but then veered off strongly back into it's own story. Great characters and a world that's ripe for exploration.

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Solid

Revisado: 09-05-18

lot of stories, especially side stories to the main series have a hard time sticking the landing. the style was unexpected after the main MHI universe is so straight line stories. but over 3 books Ringo & Correia took the format change, had fun and still made Chad a character you greatly appreciate. they stuck the landing.

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passive

Revisado: 01-18-18

perhaps I'm just too far out of the demographic for this story I love fantasy and Urban fantasy and head hoped that this would be a new favorite.

the protagonist makes one active choice and repeats it later in the story, then becomes passive for the entire rest of the novel. at least her sidekick Curtis chooses and makes choices. and is overall a much more interesting character because of it. We are expected to follow what is a very long story 4 a sister's love our duty to her brother. but the rest of what's Happening is more interesting and even in the climax not much as exciting.

maybe a hit with portlanders but I'm asking Audible for my money back.

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overrated

Revisado: 02-27-17

Its a long drawn-out eighties nostalgia game of nerd lecture one-upsmanship, cramming as many references both popular and obtuse that it can fit in each sentence like the author got paid per references. And not even good references. often it's simply listing songs, games, movies or anime in long uninteresting lists jumbled together.

Essentially the story is Willy Wonka crossed with Peter molyneux and having the aborted baby of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. The first 6 chapters entirely are written as one long lecture and attempt at World building set inside a social justice Warrior cusp of the Apocalypse scenario.

The grand bit of action that happens in the first 1/4 of the book? The protagonist gets his laptop taken away by his aunt's boyfriend. That's it. FOR SIX CHAPTERS!

it commits the mortal sin of telling (often), rather than showing.

Even the world in which it exists makes no sense whatsoever. There's a grand energy crisis but everyone has free internet. There are no jobs but people have money for buying a digital toys inside this virtual world. Education is free but in-person public schools are still a thing.

What's worse is the fact that the basic premise isn't exciting but it's not awful. It's just dull. Boring.

the little action and Adventure that occurs usually ends in the narrator doing something that elicits applause from the masses watching his every move.

undeserving of the praise recieved.

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incredible

Revisado: 02-14-17

it is a pleasure to find a full fantasy story that seems to completely ignore Tolkien tropes of the genre. Instead electing for archetypes of Merlin Beowulf and Arthur. it's bloody and raw in all the best ways. and the entire trilogy goes extremely fast where Abercrombie manages to tell an enthralling story gritty in the Fantasy Realm and put Martin to shame.

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All Things Serve the Wheel

Revisado: 01-03-17

Where does The Wind Through the Keyhole rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book will make you miss not only the Ka'tet but also Roland & his first Ka'tet from Wizard and Glass. It certainly makes me wish King would revisit the world in this type of story because this is where he's at his most fantastical, his most pure fantasy. And its wonderful.

What other book might you compare The Wind Through the Keyhole to and why?

Wizard and Glass (obviously) but it also reminded me of bits and pieces from Arthurian Lore (again obvious) and for some reason I thought Tom Sawyer.

What about Stephen King’s performance did you like?

King as a narrator is certainly the weakest link with his New England accent and certain pronunciations. But by the by, he does it ok, while not great.

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

The entire legend, the story of a young man seeking to do what he must in the absence of a murdered father, facing terrors and challenges that previous were unthinkable. A great story.

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Chrichton's masterwork stands the test of time

Revisado: 03-16-16

loved every minute of it.
the narrator was good, not quite great, but the fast pace stands out. Chrichton's work is always one of ideas, all on display here.

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Hold the Pig Steady

Revisado: 11-14-15

It's hard to top a freshman effort firing on all cylinders, the creates a new universe and wets if cataclysm and apocalypse on the grandest of scales, and carry it soundly into the sequel.

Correia ratchets it up to 11 & goes for broke. necromancers, more Lovecraftian Elder God's mixed w Robert E Howards sense of righteous fury.

violence, honor, blood, fury, get paid.

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An Emerging Story

Revisado: 11-07-15

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The story appears to be a solid introduction to a rather interesting new world, yet its with a bit of wonder but with little passion, that we never quite get into the fun stuff. It builds to what I can only imagine would be an exciting and intriguing next chapter, but admittedly not a lot happens in this one. Its not very long, so was time well spent, admittedly just would have preferred there be more to the story rather than TO BE CONTINUED...

What was one of the most memorable moments of An Emerging Threat?

The wraiths are described in just enough detail to inspire awe at their monstrous visage, yet not so detailed as to derail the fear at their assaults.

What about Matt Ryan’s performance did you like?

He has a clear voice, easy to understand and follow. His pace needed a bit of development and the recording could have been cleaned up a bit. There is a slight squeak every now and again. But as a narrator he was comfortable and I would like to hear what he could do with a completed story.

Do you think An Emerging Threat needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

It does because the story doesn't really end.

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