Brian L. Parker

Slow start, but worth it

Revisado: 06-01-20

This was the first book I’ve read by Jack Hunt, but it won’t be the last. The book was a little slow to get going, but once it did, I couldn’t stop listening. I believe it’s meant to be the first book in a new series, so I can’t wait to see where the author takes it — but it also works well as a stand-alone.

The narrator did a superb job, picking up different dialects and intonations for the various characters, making it easy to recognize the back-and-forth banter in a conversation.

My only complaint is that the author used the terms “Marine” and “soldier” interchangeably. We are not the same.

**I was given a free audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Worth your time

Revisado: 03-09-20 El oyente recibió este título gratis

Religious fanaticism has taken over the militaries of Earth, adding a layer of political intrigue to the story. Just as the great religious armies of the Catholic and Islamic expansionist era, there are tons of problems as the clergy controls the muscle, while the government controls the purse. The military, as typical in this type of fiction, is a blood-thirsty juggernaught that wants nothing more than to eliminate every new species they discover in the universe, while the government wants to create treaties and understand their new neighbors...sigh. Obviously as a career military man, I have problems with this trope, but I digress.

Within this world’s construct, Bishop Gray is a military leader who is not nearly as pious as his followers. He’s intent on taking a prize that will shift the balance of power in favor of the clergy.

A former member of Gray’s special operations command, Timberwolf has the knowledge, skills, and resolve to stop Gray. Too bad Timberwolf’s mind is shattered from the war against a race of spider-like creatures who control their enemies’ minds.

Pick up the book, give it a go for yourself.

I was given this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

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Awesome

Revisado: 02-05-20

To say that there were several true laugh out loud moments would be an understatement. An ancient evil with a penchant for crotch-punching, a hilarious internal monologue, intrigue, suspense, and tons of absolute ridiculousness...this book has it all!

The narrator was spot-on, voicing everything with perfection. Wait until you hear Korock!

Get it. Get it now!

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Great autobiography

Revisado: 11-15-19

I’ve had Mat’s autobiography for a few months now and just got around to listening to it, for reasons, but damn! I wish I’d listened to it sooner. It’s really good.

I thought the title of the book, Thank You for My Service, was a joke at first, but after hearing his thoughts, it completely makes sense and I love his take on it. More on that later.

At first, I admit that I was skeptical when the author was also the narrator, but his wit and humor come out in his writing style and a third party narrator just wouldn’t be able to capture it properly.

I really liked the second-to-last chapter where Mat discusses what his years of service and the service of thousands of other veterans has meant to them. I’m in my last year in the US Army (25 years is enough!) and I’ve rarely heard someone describe how the selfless act of volunteering to do a job that 90% of people don’t want to do — Stolen Valor losers not included — was impactful for their life as well as he did in this chapter. It was an honor for him (and most of us) to serve, much more rewarding for him personally than people realize when they thank a veteran.

Good job, Brother. Keep up the great work!

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Great story!

Revisado: 11-06-19

Ok, the bad part is I can actually see something insane like this happening. “The Rise of the Machines” was a terrible prospect in the 80s with the great Terminator franchise (not that new garbage) and Maximum Overdrive. Humanity is dumb enough to create the scenario for ourselves.

This is a don’t miss read! Can’t wait for Trilo 2.

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Do it

Revisado: 10-25-19

You know that gif going around with Ben Stiller wearing a big wig and ridiculous open collar shirt with the words “Do it” flashing along the bottom? Yeah, that would do justice for this series. Pick it up. Laugh. Enjoy another great series and narration.

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Good storyline, but...

Revisado: 10-08-19

Seriously, the storyline was good. Engaging, well-paced, and all that other stuff that people say when leaving reviews to make themselves sound smart....BUT, bro. Seriously, why write about a pseudo-military organization and the US Army if you’re not going to bother even cursory research? It’s my hang up with books and movies, so I’m not going to slam the star rating, just...come on, man!

It was a long 39 hours, but off the top of my head: there is no rank in the US Army called “commander” or “deputy commander”, rifles (especially the SCAR-H) do not have slides that lock back when empty, Fort Detrick is primarily a research installation and there are only a couple thousand troops there (NONE of them combat troops), nobody uses Huey helicopters anymore (check that, Dept of State does downrange), decent job remembering ammo issues like magazine changes but sheer amount of ammo used by the Hunters is simply not physically capable of being carried by a dismounted operator...that’s all I can think of right now.

They say write what you know. It’s clear that the writer doesn’t know the military.

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Keep going!

Revisado: 08-07-19

I almost gave up on the book when PerfectQuestion went into the oubliette and it started to seem like it was going to slip into an alternate lifestyle type of book, it’s just not my thing.

But then, the character’s strength of will prevailed. He was able to move beyond the temptations down there and became a likeable protagonist who grew immensely over the course of the book.

Strong performance by the narrator helped to bring the story along. Pick it up, get past the rough parts, and you’ll be glad that you did.

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Amazing performance of an even better memoir

Revisado: 07-17-19

I read the book almost 10 years ago before my first deployment to Iraq, then again before I went to Afghanistan a couple of years later. Each time I read the book I was utterly impressed with David Bellavia’s actions in combat, his growth as a leader, his descriptions of the internal struggles that we go through between being soldiers or parents and spouses, and finally, his search for closure.

I picked up the audiobook when it was announced that SSG Bellavia would be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. The narrator, Ray Porter, presents a flawless performance, filled with emotion. On this third “read” through of House to House, it truly came alive and I wholeheartedly recommend the audio version of this memoir. Truly, a great job, Ray Porter.

Please, get this book, get other books on Iraq and Afghanistan. Listen to the stories of our war and help us to never forget the sacrifices of our generation.

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Great book, by a new (to me) author

Revisado: 07-02-19 El oyente recibió este título gratis

I was intrigued by the blurb, so I gave this book a shot and I was not disappointed. Blackquest 40 is about a corporate training event that goes terribly wrong. Not gonna get into storyline details, though. You have to buy the book yourself to find out what happens!

The good: Jeff Bond’s world-building was spot on, immersing me in the storyline immediately. Natalie Duke’s performance was stellar and I feel like she captured Deb’s snarkiness, Paul’s shyness, and Susan’s haute attitude perfectly.

The only thing that bothered me about the story was Deb’s continual meddling (and her involvement with those 3 things, you know, the ones that would get her arrested at the very least), then the Elite staff allowing her to return with little to no repercussions. Just didn’t seem plausible.

However, overall, I heartily recommend this book!

I was given the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

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