Category sci fi

Jul 7 2016

AudioBook Review – Man of War

Great listen this week, with author M.R Forbes and narrator Jeff Hays. It has been an interesting week. But at least I had one great book on the cards. As soon as it was live, I wanted to listen. So I finished the audio I had on the cards and dived right in. I wasn’t disappointed. By the author or the narrator. Which to me says a lot.

You can pick up the audiobook here

http://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Man-of-War-Audiobook/B01GQO9R4S

I am already a fan of Jeff, so now I can add the author to my list of who to follow, and have already picked up some other audiobooks he’s had done. 🙂

 

Review as follows —– with some spoilers sorry….

Man of War: Rebellion, Book 1 | [M. R. Forbes]
Man of War: Rebellion, Book 1
UNABRIDGED
Reviewed: 7/7/16

“Excellent listen!”

I think when you start to listen to AudioBooks in the way I have, you do become fans of people. Jeff’s books were some of the first I had the pleasure of listening to, even within a genre I wasn’t a lover of, and I am a fan of his.

Add in the sci fi element and well I’m sold before I even know the premise. 🙂 Some things you know are just going to be a good listen. The fact that a story can be written so many ways just excites me.

You might say that I’m biased, but no I’m not. I love a good story and these are my reasons for enjoying this audiobook and yes, it does include some spoilers.

– ——- —– apologies for the spelling of names… and in no real order, just as I remember my fav bits.

I think one of the best decisions that M.R made was to keep the POV’s to two really amazing characters.

You have Donovan, and Gabriel. Both very strong men, and totally different in their upbringing and beliefs. I liked that a lot.

And saying that… the writing entwined these both so vastly different worlds perfectly. The supporting characters.

For Donovan, there was Diaz, who was not just an amazing runner, but an awesome strong woman to boot. Even if she had fallen in love with her superior. (I can’t blame her, what a totally full on hero and stubborn man he is)

For Gabriel he had Miranda, Daphnia and her husband Soon. The of course the old gater, his father General St Martin. Who I must admit I never expected to make a come back. When he went to his room on Major Choi’s hint/order. I was so surprised but in a nice way.

I must admit that I do think the start is a little slow, but I believe the characters saved it there. I wanted to know more about them and why they thought and acted as they did. The ‘science’ in here is a little over exaggerated, and for someone like me who isn’t that much in the know over it, it might well prove to be a very entertaining story. But, I did have to knock it down a peg for some of the things that didn’t quite add up in my head. Still it was one of the better books I’ve listened to so far.

So yes, character wise, I really enjoyed the interaction between Donovan and Diaz, I knew she had a crush on him even before he mentioned it, because it was defo going that way. Though I’m still very glad that they stuck to military protocol and didn’t do anything, even if she kissed him towards the end. It was just a step over the line that I could live with despite the circumstances.

Gabriel I think went through the most in my mind being the pilot who lost everything in the woman he loved to just existing to evade the Dread, and to do his missions. The last one almost cost him his life, but was also the downside to the decisions on the colony he was settled in. If it wasn’t for Major Choi and a few others, Sturges.. I think he would have stayed in his hole and never come out to rescue the scientist, and to then go about and take the Majellen with his father. Which of course I’m glad he did.

The story did pick up in the latter half, but I do believe that the story had to be done this way, we wouldn’t understand the characters as much nor would we want ton get to know or understand them without seeing what they went through before the big battle etc. Could it have started a lot sooner too, yeah maybe. General St Martin and his wife’s story are also very compelling… even that of Rodriguas as the 17 year old back when the first evac happened. All just depends on what the writer wants us to witness…

I do think that Donovan and Diaz in the Dread mothership seems a little weird at first. Too good to be true… thought they were both gonners. but I was so glad they got out okay with the help of another.. a clone, and a clone no doubt of Gabriel’s mother… It’s like you can see all the pieces the author wants you to put together, and you come up with 10 instead of 12, but the fact is you’re kept guessing and wanting and needing more.

I do think that the ending leaves us with a lot of questions and a lot of them might never be answered for a while, but I think they’re really good ones. This is the kind of book I would listen to, wait for the second and then listen to this again before I dived back in for more. This is to me because there were hidden depths to all the characters and some i might have guessed wrong and others I know I guessed right. Because they did things as I expected.

I had hoped that Aria wasn’t a spy, and that the trip into the Dread’s mother ship was as unexpected as it seemed, but the more things she did and the more she seemed to give them in their escape the more I doubted her. Again though a great turn around for her, when she admits to the ProDom hunters that her plan worked and yet she still turned around and helped the rebels. 🙂 fab…

Gabriel meeting her… well that’s something I really do want to listen in on as he tells his father. We only learn after his departure what his mother meant to the Dread and to Aria… even if she didn’t meet her. And I think that is the saddest part. General St Martin, hopes his wife is still alive, or is it just that kind of blind hope…

Overall this is an epic start to something much bigger, and of course there will be parts some don’t like and others love. All in, this was a great book, well written, voiced and delivered by Jeff… I couldn’t ask for more in the genre. And I totally look forward to more..

I even went to check out other titles by this author… and low and behold Jeffery Kafer is the narrator on the others. I have tagged these for the future, but all in, please M. R Forbes, you have to write more on this, and soon… I can’t wait too long. 🙂

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?

 

—————-

“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 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

————

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. 🙂

May 31 2016

Squee! our AudioBook is live!

I’m super excited, after all our hard work and waiting it’s live today!

http://www.audible.com/…/The-Secret-King…/B01G9D0W2C

Blurb – (think you know but here it is) hehe

Kendro, King of the Aonise, can do nothing to prevent their sun from collapsing, consuming their home planet, Letháo, in a single fiery blast. Running out of time and options, he evacuates the entire population, setting off into the unknown galaxy in four crowded ships. Under constant danger from their ancient enemy, the Zefron, treasonous dissent seeps into his inner circle. Threatened inside and out, Kendro struggles with whom to trust, until a mysterious vision finally brings hope to the distraught king.

And it’s the LAST day to grab the ebook for free!

http://myBook.to/TSK

I promise I won’t post about it so much now it’s out. Normal everyday stuff and writing stuff will resume. 🙂

~

Dawn