Category audiobooks

Jul 3 2016

AudioBook Review – The Exodus Trilogy

 

Great to be listening to this and although I didn’t get to finish it off during the week. A very late night last night, gone 3.30am…. and a lie in (I never do that) left me still wanting to sleep at 9am…. so I got to finish this off while in bed, tucked up and awake enough to enjoy the last hour! bonus.

 

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  • The Complete Exodus Trilogy: Books 1-3 | [Andreas Christensen]
    The Complete Exodus Trilogy: Books 1-3
    UNABRIDGED
    Reviewed: 03/07/16

    “A great Sci Fi”

    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Three books in one, bargain! So here are my thoughts, never really in any order, especially as this was 14 hours plus, but here goes.

    Spoilers.. of course…..

    Book 1

    Exodus.

    Always takes me a little time to get used to the way a writer switches between POV characters, and to work out who and what they’re fighting for in my head. With this trilogy, I won’t lie there’s a big cast and a lot happening. What struck me the most through this book was that even though it did take me a while, it was still so very easy to follow with Jeffery’s easy sounding voice and character distinctions. That I was very grateful for.

    I’m defo not a political person, though I do have my beliefs, and this book was an amazing look into what could be a possible future for us as the human race. I found the writing though at times a little repetitive. (there’s always something that sticks in your head that a writer uses as a crutch. Even I have my own… of that I’m sure. But the politics and the action were spaced out enough to hold interest and keep me enthralled with the many characters that started to shape up.

    This book was exactly what we’d expect, and so much more. There are people who we know are going to make it to the next one, and then there are others who sacrifice themselves for the greater good. I of course wonder what happened to the ones left behind. After all we got to know some of them to… did they really all just die? A horrible thought for those left in the training prison afterwards who faced such hope only to have then failed.

    There is so much that does happen through this book, could it have been longer. For sure, but then maybe the story could have taken a different role. So, even though I would have liked more of the threads to have been slower. As an AudioBook it was very entertaining and as such as easy listen, even with all the politics.

    But Exodus, left the planets solar system, with 35 more people than it should have! amazing. I was almost sure that the kids were going to be sent back to Earth. Thankfully Tina and Greg came up with a viable plan. 🙂

    Book 2 –

    Aurora

    Through the many trials and tribulations to actually get to this new home world. The fact they’re there is brilliant. Over 1600 people and a new world to explore and get to know. The facts that there is such diverse life already on the planet is a little concerning, and not being able to breathe the air. (which I did know was going to happen at some point, accidents happen after all)

    The biggest issue that the survivors face if of course themselves. And this Thomas Dunn…. set out already to destroy or renew… I don’t think I liked his motives at first, thinking of course that he was out to kill off the last of the human race. (I did get to like him though) Such political angles still even though so many years ahead and such a diverse world to explore. I was sorry to see that the colony split, but glad at least that Tina and Greg where the ones who had their heads screwed on.

    Maria and her parents also divided, not sure how a family would have ever been able to stay with the survivor program, and I certainly don’t think that other colonists would either, but I think that Ramone and Isabella’s history with the company just about won me over there.

    I think that’s where the first book does let us down slightly, because we never really understand the selection process, only that it’s so hard and horrific for those who don’t make it. We never got to know who would be on the ship until it actually was in space and the characters were woken. A mystery but it just about carries itself off.

    The split between them however is really had to take in, knowing that they are so few already….

    Book 3

    Genesis

    With so much already at stake. And the new discovery by Maria over the Akaab (sp) I was heartbroken over so much in this book.

    There were some really horrid moments (not sure if the poison gas at the Trickler was in this or at the end of the second book) but it defied my mind that humans could even bring that sort of rubbish on a ship supposed to be their last hope of survival!

    The introduction to Shavanya and her ‘seed ship’ and other things were truly interesting. A thread at least we got to learn of as the book finished, but there were still so many things I wanted to explore with these characters, and the new sentient species…. maybe there is more, I need to go see but this review is based on not looking around the net… haha.

    I was totally sure that Maria was going to be the first pregnant lady on Aurora! and I was right, Thomas really started to grow on me with his heroics at disarming the first two nukes and in betraying George to the rebels. 🙂 so that was a great union although wish they’d had more time together. Such dangerous place they live.

    Ben, Lisa and Drew. wow. three kids who take off their masks and Ben is the worst off for it. Although he does redeem himself in some ways after all he’s the biggest asset that Tina has while they’re fighting George… but I felt so so sorry for him, listening to Jeffery narrate him losing his mind was harsh…. and then to think he killed his two best friends, so sad.

    I was glad he saved Tina from Henry though, even if he did lose his life there… and yes, I had tears in my eyes. A very emotional moment between the two.

    The new federation of humans is a life changer to, although they don’t want to be involved with the two warring factions, when the Chinese descendants attack they do offer to step in. I am very glad that even though it looks to be the easy option… that Kenneth doesn’t accept it. I wonder what conditions the humans on Aurora would have had if the Enderans had come to their aid…

    So, yes wrapping up.

    I really did enjoy the three books. Could they have been 14 hours long each. Of course. So many amazing characters, and just not quite enough time to get to know and hear all their worldly hopes and desires, but still it was a great listen.

    I do hope there is more though… finding out that the humans on Earth were in fact an escaped ship already called LifeBringer…. from a whole different world. And that this is why the Akaab know them and trusted them… ooo just so much more to this, and I hope it is explored by the Author, and of course the fabulous Jeffery Kafer…. there are a few guys who I could just listen to for hours and hours, and he’s one of them. 🙂

    So, now going to search and see if there is some more about… and if not you guys better get cracking on some. I love a good series.

Jun 29 2016

AudioBook Review – Half Share

 

Excellent to be back with this very different Space Opera : ) written by Nathan Lowell and narrated by Jeffery Kafer.

You can pick the book up here –

 

http://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Half-Share-Audiobook/B01GEWKMH8?

 

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“Great book 2! ”

It was nice to be back with Ismail and the crew of the Lowis and I really did enjoy everything that happened here.

Jeffrey Kafer, does an outstanding job with the character voices and emotion he puts in. He’s a joy to listen to, (so much so I have the complete Exodus trilogy on at the moment now too haha)

I must admit though, I wanted this book/listen to be a bit longer, or in this one something to go wrong, even if it were an environmental problem, but it didn’t and I honestly think that was the only thing letting it down here. Just not quite enough conflict. Of course, that being said, this series really isn’t like anything I’ve ever read/listened to before. It’s not the gun toting action packed Sci Fi SO where aliens invade and everything goes wrong, so it was kind of nice for there to be all internal character developments here.

Contains Spoilers ——

One of the many great things about listening to Ismail is the facts that we’re watching and learning more about him with every episode, shocked to hear he wasn’t a virgin, as I thought he would have been for sure, but I was okay with it.

This book focussed on his new job, the people around him which we really get to know a lot better here and in his own developments. There’s a new crew member on board, and Ismail’s caring nature brings the very hurt Sarah into her own. I’m glad of this, but again I think there was just a little bit to much of a ‘good thing’ here, most people who are battered, used and abused carry a fair few more demons than the author lets rip here, and either she’s going to blow up in the next book or she really should have had an episode to counteract all the good that goes on.

The trip to the tailor was very interesting, they went in as friends but came out as more. I can see that. 3 young eligible women cooing over an 18 years old in his underwear… lol must have been a sight to see either way, but there’s lots of growth here, and it fits for their relationship.

I do wonder though if Ish, is actually really sorry that he and Big B can’t get together, or one of the others, or is he just not sure at all what he wants… there’s still so much room for him to grow and do things, I wonder.

The fact he’s questioning his own life here, is also very good and I’m glad he’s also the people around him who care about him to make him question himself. I think he is destined for more, and having not read the books, I’m only guessing. But the mention of the academy and becoming an officer… ooooo squee. I can totally see Ismail Wong a Captain of a great ship! go Ishmail!

Anyway, just those two little cravats. But can’t wait for more 🙂

Jun 26 2016

AudioBook Review – The Damaged

Written by Simon Law and narrated by Rob Goll.

I saw this on AudioBook Boom and asked to review this. I was glad I did because I found it to be one of the most well written and chilling books I’ve had the pleasure of reading/listening to in a long time.

You can pick it up here – http://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Crime-Thrillers/The-Damaged-Audiobook/B01FHOX3ZM

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“Wow! Fantastically thrilling.”

There is so much I really enjoyed about this book. So, so much. From the storm itself, being reminded of all the things I love back in 87 I was 10 years of age then and Thundercats, and plugging in and shooting aliens was totally my life! I love this kid.

But, it soon turns really nasty and his parents are murdered. The storm itself is horriffic. The descriptions and emotions evoked through this are very real, and disturbing. This then does throw Matthew into the next years of his life as the damaged soul he is.

The writing and research that the author has done to get so deep into the psychological problems of such trauma is sheer amazing. From experience and my own pain, there was nothing here that struck out to me as being ‘wrong’ I could clearly identify with both Matthew and Tammy.

Tammy is as much as Matthew a very disturbed woman with a past almost as worrying. Almost killing her daughter, and drinking far too much for her own health. She’s supposed to be Matthews carer, but she’s hurt and suffers with illness as well. Not too sure that’s a combination that would be allowed. With my mental illness I was refused to go into the caring community job wise. A blessing in disguise I’m sure, for what they actually see.

So, yes, this book/narration is very real, very deep and hauntingly disturbing. And actually quite triggering, but don’t worry. It was good and good to see someone put so much effort both into the narration and the story.

This is the first British narrator I’ve actually listened to, and I did find that although Rob had a lovely tone for his characters, his actual narration could bring me out of the story just a few times. But, enough that I needed to mention. I do think that together both the author and narrator make a great team, the husky voice of Rob and the smooth flow… to the upward climb of tension towards the novel’s climax. Excellent working AudioBook.

If you regularly love horror, thriller and disturbing stories, then this is right up your street.

Jun 25 2016

AudioBook Review – Victory

It’s been nice to be back in work! honest… but to pick back up and carry on with my reviews, and the series I’ve been following.

I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one and it didn’t disappoint at all! Victory, written by Nick Webb and narrated by Greg Tremblay!

You can find it here. –

http://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Victory-Audiobook/B01F7S5T14/ref=a_listener__cco_1_1_i

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There are so many great things about this book. I am sure I’m going to forget something. But, I wanted first to say what a nightmare it was waiting for it to finally hit the UK… I could see it on my US account… but nope wouldn’t show or download for weeks, I wonder why?

Kinda glad I was on holiday as well, or I’d have been going more crazy waiting on this one.

Anyway, so worth the wait, and I’m really floored by the outcome.

SPOILERS ———– Don’t read till later.

Here are some of my fav and most emotional moments. (not in any given order)

The dreadnoughts’s first destruction, fantastic moment. But then…

Granger’s negotiation with the Sclura (sp) and learning about the billions of deaths he caused. Because they carry so many ’embryos’ inside.

Malakof’s death, and then of course Isaacson’s haha, brilliant.

The fact that the Swarm isn’t the Swarm they thought it was.

The CAG committing suicide.

Ballsy’s promotion and subsequent obsession still with Fishtail. I’m still not totally understanding the why’s here, and that’s freaked me out more than anything, why he was so obsessed, etc. But, it was still emotional, and I really wanted some romantic element here, or maybe that’s for their future. Who knows.

I did find there was a good bit of science from Shelby in here, which was very well presented, even all the science. I’m not a hard sci fi gal, but I thought there was a lot of thought gone into this, be it true or not I don’t think I’ll know but it didn’t detract form the story at all and brought all the puzzling pieces about the swarm together. So that really helps us understand.

Granger meeting himself, as the sick old man that went through the singularity was cool. Even Fishtail and Ballsy’s story arch there, where ballsy shoots his own down in order that the ‘enemy don’t get him’ believing that the Granger in that zone is evil controlled by the swarm. Such a brilliant turn with the writing. We know it’s happened, we saw it form all angles earlier, but finally understanding it as the characters do. Brilliant writing.

With the injured Matriarch and the Sclura helping Granger, despite their pain. As she died I’d tears… so so sad, all those babies inside her 😦 I wished there was a way to get them out before they were lost. I hoped they might save a few, but it was too late. Bummer.

And of course, Granger’s sacrifice. To send himself back to start the process again, or has it all changed. The timeline so weird and the fact no one understands it… don’t think I ever will.
But again, so very well written. Even the good bye scene for Tim and Shelby… uggh you were killing me here guys.

I did wonder what the trial was for and the aftermath, but the crew wanting Shelby as their Captain was a great ending to it, open of course. And there was the part with the president and malakof… so open ended. I know there is more coming. 🙂

As for the performance. OUTSTANDING of course. I’m a big fan of Greg’s… (biased, maybe) but if it wasn’t for the Nick Webb and Greg Tremblay Team… I wouldn’t be as much of a fan.

Keep on working together, and I’ll keep on buying, between this and promises of more spin offs. I’m hooked. 🙂

Jun 6 2016

Audiobook Review – Modern Sorcery – 1

Modern Sorcery – The first Jonathan Shade novel – by Gary Jones, narrated by Joe Hempel I’ve been listening to some shorter pieces this last week, so I’ve not reviewed them here, ( a couple of erotic books as well, shock horror) but this one was a very pleasant listen, so it gets to come here.

As usual, some spoilers, but enjoyed this one, I’ll be listening to more in this series.

You can find the audio book here – http://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Crime-Thrillers/Modern-Sorcery-Audiobook/B0193XZ55E

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“Head Turner”

Of course when you start following a narrator, you begin to see all the books they’ve done. this came on my newsfeed, and I thought okay why not. So I started to listen to it… I didn’t take much notice of the title, just more the ‘jonathan shade-novel’ and knew it was part of a series, I mean come on guys, the more series I listen to the more complicated my listening life is.

However, in all seriousness, I had no idea it was paranormal and no idea what this book entailed. So from the very first ‘Ester poked her head through the wall’ I was laughing at her, Jonathan and my own stupidity for not even realising this was paranormal. I presumed it was a normal PI kinda book. And I was very pleasantly surprised.

Joe does a great narration, and that’s one of the reasons why I picked this up. His characters stand out a mile, but I’ve gotta say that fact is marred by the ‘I said, she said’ you know when each character is speaking, and it got in the way a few times through this book. Of course not Joe’s fault, more down to the author. I could after listening to some of Joe’s other books tell this was an earlier version of him as a narrator, so I’ve still rated it according to all my thoughts.

What I really enjoyed about this book was the characters of course, Jonathan is a great guy, he’s his personal issues, and his life is plodding along, all until an old flame walks in and wants him to investigate the murder of her mother by her father. The murder itself is brutal and horrid to listen to, but it adds in some great tension. Naomi isn’t however letting Jonathan and his team in on all the facts and she’s quite the secret keeper. Of course only his team keep warning him that there’s something off with her and because he’s still got love blinkers on, he doesn’t listen till it’s too late.

I admit here, one of my fav characters, is Kelly, she’s the total kick ass woman we all love in these books, strong, not afraid to give an opinion and really not afraid to get stuck in and use what she’s got to get the information they need.

Ester comes pretty close as a great lovable character too. 🙂

I admit, Joe you’ve got me wanting the rest in this series, it’s action packed the characters are awesome, so much alive that you’d think they were real people. Goes all fangirl at the great storytelling and narrator acting. Haha now I gotta go pick up the others.