Tag Archives: Book Reviews

Dec 6 2016

AudioBook Review – The Great Martian War – Invasion

I picked this up and was totally hooked – am waiting on the next one now 🙂

The Great Martian War: Invasion | [Scott Washburn]
The Great Martian War: Invasion
UNABRIDGED
Reviewed: 23/11/16

“Very interesting!”

Overall
Performance
Story

There were a few things that I really enjoyed about this book, the original concept is well known, but I think this gave us a few more things to think on, and enjoy. 🙂

The ideas to fight the Martians were pretty cool, and the journey from ‘believing they’re coming back’ to them actually doing just that is exciting. The characters are well developed. Although the death of a loved one really can make you choose a different life path I was glad that the story evolved as it did.

I’ve listened to a few of Ray’s books now, and this was a very refreshing change to the other style of Sci fi, more realistic and enjoyable. (the Martians POV was just great, to listen to and to think on, would they really think of us so badly… I guess so. I also think this was truly a good performance because of that, lots of different characters for Ray to dialogue, and they were great to listen to and easy to distinguish.

Totally worth the credit, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you to both writer and narrator.

Sep 6 2016

AudioBook Review – 36 Hours

Great shorter listen this week, by a narrator who I’ve had the pleasure of listening to before. Kevin’s voice is really deep, gritty but easy on the ears 🙂

Review as follows

—–

  • 36 Hours: The Blackout Series, Book 1 | [Bobby Akart]
    36 Hours: The Blackout Series, Book 1
    UNABRIDGED
    Reviewed: 06/09/16

    “Thought provoking”

    It was nice to listen to Kevin again, and this premise interested me a lot due to the science of it. I must admit there was a lot to take in at first. But as each first chapter introduced us to the characters and to what was coming, I got more and more sucked into the story.

    Preppers do have the mentality attatched to them of being a bit on the wacky side, but I think in all honesty having some sort of stock about you really isn’t. Especially with the way the world seems to be heading. Maddison was a fab Mom and did everything she could to help calm her daughter down and protect her from even her own thoughts at first.

    Alex totally different gal, you think she’s this quiet kid who just wants to do what kids do, but she rescues her mom from a mugger with a golf club! There were some really tough moments in this story. And the more we got to know Maddy and Alex, and her husband Colton. The more we were routing for them being re-united.

    I think my only grip is that it’s so short. I know there’s a sequel, but I feel it’s actually really part of this story. It stopped at a good place after they met up, but the only thing that led me to want more was the bonus chapter/teaser.

    Still excellent listen, Kevin has a deep, but soothing tone I really like. He puts great twists with his male and female characters and I’m happy to listen to anything he narrates because of that. Next one please 🙂

    This audio book was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

Sep 2 2016

AudioBook Review -Full Share

Back with the crew on the Lowis! If you love sci fi character driven stories, this is the one for you….

Review follows.

Full Share: A Trader's Tales from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper, Book 3 | [Nathan Lowell]
Full Share: A Trader’s Tales from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper, Book 3
UNABRIDGED
Reviewed: 02/09/16

“Excellent Listen”

I was so excited to get back to Ish and the crew. What a fantastic series this has been.

However, this was a great listen. There’s so much going on here, with a new crew member coming aboard and the uncertainty of Ish losing his place on the ship. This novel defo has a much sadder undertone, and Jeffery did a fab job as usual, with all the characters and especially the woman, it amazes me how much each person really has their own twist and voice. I am in awe of what narrators do. But the amazing writing, and drinking and food also still makes me want to drink more coffee and find out how to make spicy beefalow 🙂

I really did enjoy the full journey though, and the fact that Ish and Bev get together is just perfect, I wondered of the three who he actually might end up with if the opportunity arose. At most points through this book, I kept thinking, come on, I’m routing for him… the ship and almost dying, wow, really great writing and really awesome deductive work from Ish and the crew to get to the bottom of that problem. A mystery I was happy to follow, as I was with the problems they were having with the new crew member CC.

I was looking forward to the next one, but now I’m not so sure. And I have to say, I think the only thing with it that’s bothered me is the preview chapters and then subsequent wanting to skip the first few in the next new book. I also got a taster of the next book, (book 4) before I cut the off switch. And I’m sad if there isn’t anything really written of his academy days, I mean to skip 4 years of his life… seems a huge switch. Maybe it will work or not, but sigh. I really wanted to see what happened there too.

I am very much still looking forward to hearing the next book and following on with Ish and maybe Pip and Bev…. guess we’ll see when I get there.

Thanks for the great entertainment this week already pre ordered the next 🙂

Apr 26 2016

AudioBook Review – Riders of the Purple Saga

Written by Zane Grey, narrated by Ann M. Richardson.

A western… oh my goodness I actually listened to nearly 12 hours of a western. Where were the space ships and aliens…. haha.

Seriously if you love westerns this is a total classic, and a joy to listen to. 🙂

 

Review is ————-

 

“Different….”

The beautiful thing with Audio Books is that you can listen to them and do a hundred other things. For me it’s driving.

I used to watch and read westerns when I was much younger, but I admit I’ve never picked this one up.

It is a classic, and beautifully written, with long descriptive prose and imagery. This is the first book of Ann M Richardson’s I have listened to, and despite the genre not being something I would avidly seek out, I was totally swept away in her narration of Jane. Ann, has a fantastic ability to perform both side, male and female and to draw you in with the characters wonderful accents. It really was a joy to listen to, and I would defo look out for more books by her.

As for the genre and story, I think what surprised me more than anything because of the era and generation of the characters in the book, I really wasn’t expecting there to be as much sex, romance and violence, haha, but they were all very pleasant surprises, and I can totally see why this was a book that marked the era from which it came from, it’s so distinctive and well thought out. jane’s got so much going on, she turns to one person and things go from bad to worse, for her personal character I could only wish that many of my friends were as strong and had as much courage as Jane. With her religious beliefs and her upbringing she really stands out. I couldn’t help myself but like her.

The author tied in so many smaller plots, and wove the whole world together so very well that even though this was a long piece for me to listen too, it was still very much an enjoyable audio.It also left me thinking about picking up another western, I guess I’m not totally against any genre now. I’ve listened to so much more than i’d ever thought I would by becoming an Audible member : )

I would highly recommend this for someone who has already read and loved the book, or for those who would like a taste of life back in this era it is just so full of life, it’s hardships and it’s loves. A fab tale to become totally engrossed with.

I was given a copy of this audio in exchange for an honest opinion by the narrator.

Apr 20 2016

AudioBook Review – Broken Skies Book 1

Getting through my Audio list, haha but it’s tough, so so many good books to choose from. And the last couple of days I’ve had the pleasure of listening to Broken Skies by Therresa Kay and narrated by Andrea Emmes. I’m a fan already of Andrea and this was a must listen to in my book because of the premise, I just adored it.

So review as follows, and I admit, this is the first one in a series I’m totally disappointed that there’s not a second narration for me to buy. boo hooo….

🙂 you can pick up the book here – http://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Young-Adults/Broken-Skies-Audiobook/B00LSYXFZY

and my review is –

—————–

“Very cool!”

There were several things I really loved about this story, and a few I wasn’t so keen on.

I did receive a code from the narrator for one of her books in return for an honest opinion, but I can’t remember if it was this one or the last one I listened to, so I’m saying this one, and either way all reviews off me are honest wether they be gifted or not.

Jaz-Jasmine was a good character for the most part, but her panic attacks and personal weakness grated on me quite a bit. I have to admit I loved the story line and most of what she’s been through, but there were moments when I really think especially towards the end of the book that she would just get a grip and start to process things and move forwards as her own person. She was almost there when she first faced her brother, but she almost insisted with real conviction that things were the same, and they really weren’t. I had hoped she really knew and understood that before that moment.

The whole Lir storyline was very interesting and well written. (I do wish that Jax was a little more grown up with it, but she’s a young, and love struck teen who knows nothing about the aliens or their love/bonding rituals, so I can kinda forgive the writer for some of these things.

For the most part this story kept me on edge and I wanted to know what happened. I can’t believe the Author hasn’t had the narrator back to do the second book, I’m just gutted, so much so I had to buy the book, and I don’t often do that. I don’t have the time to read a real book. So I do hope that the author will have this on the cards next.

The narrator brings such an abundance of life, joy, love and heartache to Jax, that you just can’t stop listening even though sometimes, or most of the time she’s a pain in the butt and really can’t see the wood for the tress, silly girl.

So yeah, I was left with a book/narrator hangover. and I’m not used to that. You both make the best combination. And I do hope you’ll work together again.

~ Dawn