Rod A. Galindo

Probably the smartest urban fantasy I've read

Revisado: 07-03-24

This one is different. The start of a complex saga that interweaves science with traditional fantasy to make a seriously intelligent, modern vampire / slayer + werewolf / hood fairy tale. I highly recommend this if you're a fan of the genre!

No issues with the story at all. If I have any complaints, it's with the audio version and the sing-song commercial-like narration. Yes it's a human being, not an A.I. voice, and most of the time it's okay. But every now and again I actually shouted, "Why are you talking like that??" lol I understand there's a different narrator for the rest of the series, so I'm looking forward to listening to those books!

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Different than the usual, but still fun

Revisado: 05-23-24

The title kind of gave it away that this was going to be a different Bob adventure, but still fun, as usual. The other titles (even that of book five, which isn't out yet as of this review) are telling in some way as to the status or nature of the Bobiverse. My favorite title is "All These Worlds" (are yours except Europa), simply due to the fact it pays homage to a classic line from another one of my favorite novels. Heaven's River is aptly named however, because that's where the book spends the majority of its time, and where I wanted to spend the majority of my time, seeing the side stories as almost an annoying distraction. Turned out though, 90% of those side stories were necessary for certain plot points, with only two or three there to set up future adventures. Speaking of which, bring on book 5! I can tell even *bigger* technological miracles are coming, if you can believe that! Long live Bob-1! And most (not all) of his clones!

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Another fun Bobiverse adventure

Revisado: 05-11-24

The story continues exactly as I hoped it would. A lot of how I predicted, but in these light-hearted, humorous, medium-hard sci-fi novels, I don't mind that. I'm rooting for the Bobs and I'm happy when things go their way. These books were made for nerds by an obvious nerd, and they are fun and refreshing and not dark like so much sci-fi today. Can't wait to start book 4!

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A great second part to the continuing story!

Revisado: 04-07-24

Great continuation of a fun story, well written, and as usual, great narration by Ray Porter! See my review of We Are Bob book 1, pretty much everything I said there applies here.

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Fans of "existential sci-fi" will love this

Revisado: 02-17-24

Dennis Taylor obviously grew up at the same time I did, watching all the fun sci-fi (not to mention pop culture like SNL) of the 1970s '80s and '90s. I was very impressed with this book, not because of the wonderful nostalgia, but because sooo many ethical, moral, and just cool questions come up when we think of ourselves being put in a situation like Bob finds himself in. And every question that popped into my mind, Taylor answered in the form of Bob asking the same question, often at the same time! The answer presented itself eventually, or sometimes didn't because it couldn't, which was still great. The point is, all the cool questions came up, and I find that awesome.

Most things go Bob's way, which a lot of people would find too convenient, but I found refreshing, because I wanted to get on with the story and see how far Bob could get in his newfound existence. And I was not disappointed! But if I had any complaint about this book at all, it would be that most things go Bob's way! Well, once you get past the part where he dies, I guess! Lol But don't worry, in the Princess Bride, Westley died too, yet everything turned out okay. :)

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Eye-opening, heart-wrenching

Revisado: 01-10-24

First of all, my heart goes out to all good-hearted people deceived by this cult and others around the world, constructed by selfish, narcissistic, sometimes mentally ill men (and I'm sure women too) with self-esteem so low they have to invent a religion in order to feel loved and powerful and in control. I know I'll upset people by saying that I just described the basis of most if not all religions on the planet, but if you step back and look at them with an unbiased eye, you'll find it's true. I'm sure you will say it's true of all religions except your own, that's typical of human nature. Time to take that step back and reevaluate, just like Faith Jones finally did.

Second, as horrifying as the subject matter is, this book is very well-written (despite the author's own admission that in college she could barely lay out an essay!), nicely laid out, easy to follow, blatantly eye-opening, and absolutely heartbreaking. As much as I enjoyed it, several times I had to cease and desist because it just made me so angry! I know these Christian cults are just the work of evil people twisting an otherwise good, moral, peaceful guide for life, but it often made me angry at all religious people in general. Especially the Christians in my own country these days, because I see so many of them heading in the same direction as the cult described in this book. Many have lost their way. They don't follow the same values instilled in me, someone who went to church 3 or sometimes 4 days a week growing up. Theirs isn't the Christ I was brought up to inspire to be like. The hatred of anyone different. The control based on their own moral code. The tossing out of logic and common-sense reasoning like the proverbial baby with the bath water. It should make anyone as sick as it does me. But based on the polarizing, violence-inspiring, flat-out outlandish social media posts I see daily, it would seem I'm in the minority. I finally finished this book, and I'm glad I did, but it was often a very emotional experience.

Finally, regarding the audiobook version, I love the upbeat narration. It completely fits with Faith's outlook throughout the first 20 years of her life, where most of this book takes place. She loved the family and believed in their mission. It was a wonderful world and all that she knew. Of course she would be happy about it. Wll, until she got in trouble, but then she just blamed herself for disappointing the family and God. She was still upbeat about her environment and her world. Like most of us are in our own worlds.

I do hope Faith Jones continues to reconcile with her past and find peace. None of this was her fault; she was deceived as a little child by parents who meant well but were misled. I'm so glad she got out, but I know there are so many young people just like her who are still being brainwashed and abused right this minute. Children and teens and even adults who have learned so much fear they don't dare even think of escape. Because God can see inside their hearts and will surely rat them out to supposedly pious people with a direct line of communication to Him. People who can severely punish them in this life. It's so disgusting it makes me want to scream.

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Better than The Martian? Maybe!

Revisado: 07-17-23

In perfect form, Andy Weir delivers again. Another first person, hard science survival story set in a believable science fiction setting that pulls no punches. Only this time, the survival of all of humanity is at stake. It goes faaaarrrrr beyond that, but don't worry, no spoilers here!

Narration was wonderful. Ray Porter does a seriously bang up job, complete with all the emotion I was expecting. You just don't get that with every audio performance. A few times I was expecting him to yell louder because the situation warranted it, but that was my only complaint. Performance: 9.9 out of 10. If you enjoyed RC Bray's reading of The Martian, you'll enjoy this!

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Heartwarming, heart wrenching

Revisado: 06-06-22

If you like Tig at all, you'll love this very honest, raw and real memoir. And you might just gain a little bravery toward inevitable tragedy, and insight into how to cope with struggles in your own life, as I have. Love ya, Tig. Thank you for this.

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A fun and educational adventure

Revisado: 11-24-21

Stories told in first person are fun and often move fast, since the whole thing is basically dialogue between the character in the reader (or listener). Artemis is no exception. Rosario Dawson's performance is energetic, very well done, and perfect for the young female protagonist. On occasion it was hard to tell exactly who was speaking during multiple character scenes, but I'm not sure that's a shortcoming on her part as much as the text not lending itself perfectly to the audio format; often what's clear as day on paper doesn't come through as accurately when read aloud.

No, this was no "Martian", but things I loved about that book were here. Like unique scenarios requiring highly technical solutions that many sci fi authors just can't match (myself included for certain), except maybe the engineers and astronauts regaling NASA's stories about real life missions.

My only real complaint is how some things worked out very conveniently for or against the protagonist. "Crazy random happenstance" or besting a much tougher and more skilled opponent worked out either too perfectly or too wrong much too often. You might say I'm nitpicking, but bad things happening for zero reason at all just to force tension are annoying and patronizing. A solid, logical, scientific explanation, or a nefarious, human intervention, or a specific skill now used that was mentioned earlier, and it's all good. And often this is done. But not always. Bad things happening just to make to hero's journey more difficult, or unlikely escapes occurring just because, well, "the hero can't die right now, there's still a bunch more chapters left!" doesn't cut the lunar mustard. Especially when she absolutely would not escape, not in a million different realities that Dr. Strange can easily see.

But these arguably small annoyances aside, I enjoyed the story overall, and didn't want to put the book down. As usual with an Andy Weir novel. This is another fun, highly technical romp, the kind Mr. Weir is well known for. And I never seem to have enough problems with any of his stories to not buy and enjoy the next one!

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You'll love it even if you're not into westerns

Revisado: 06-23-20

I've never been a big fan of this particular genre, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was extremely well written, perfectly narrated, didn't annoy me with predictable outcomes, and the end mde me wish there were just a few more pages, just a few. Please...

Eagerly awaiting book 2!

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