Official Blurb
After the zombie apocalypse decimates the world, human civilization tries to put itself back together again. Their secret weapon: the Mechs. But what happens when a mech pilot dies in his mech and becomes a zombie? Hell on earth is unleashed...
My Review
This book was not what I expected. It's been hanging around at podiobooks for a while and I've been avoiding it. Why? Because it looked like (and the blurb made it sound like) literary trash. I don't mean literary from some high-falootin intellectual position but rather it looked like a kids book, that is, written by kids.
BOY! WAS I WRONG! What you have here is a rather good military sci fi story with an after-the-bomb-type background, and the horror that is zombies entwined to make a great story.
The author has created a rich and interesting future for the human race and populated it with some great characters that he's put through a great story. In the future of "Dead Mech", humanity has fallen back to small pockets of humanity. Humans survive in the few city states or scrape a living out in the blasted wastelands. Protecting humanity are the few and the special, highly trained Mech pilots. These men and women pilot massive metal robots, and use them to protect people from hordes of zombies.
In this future a virus has caused everyone who dies to rise again and become flesh hungry zombies, so there is never a shortage of new zombies.
The story follows these few heros as they're world is rocked by events that threaten the survival of humanity itself. It's a story of high tech and horror (and the zombies aren't the worst of the horror).
So as you can tell, I really enjoyed this book, but there are a couple of things that might put you off. The book was written as a series of "drabbles" meaning that it was written in one hundred word segments. Although this hasn't effected the writing in any way that I noticed, it has effected the audio presentation. As you listen you'll notice a second or so silence between each "drabble". I admit this did bug me during the first couple of chapters, but after that I was so additcted to the story that I didn't notice it.
The second thing to be aware of, is that this is a horror novel aimed at adults with all that means. Not for those with a weak tummy, or those easily offended by sexual/horror/language issues.
The author is reading his own work and does a pretty good job. However there is music behind a couple of the chapters and this was off putting.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from the Podiobooks
Listen to the first part.
.
Friday, 31 December 2010
Saturday, 25 December 2010
The Planet Strappers by Raymond Z. Gallun
Official Blurb
The Planet Strappers started out as The Bunch, a group of student-astronauts in the back room of a store in Jarviston, Minnesota. They wanted off Earth, and they begged, borrowed and built what they needed to make it. They got what they wanted--a start on the road to the stars--but no one brought up on Earth could have imagined what was waiting for them Out There!
My Review
As the blurb suggests this is a story of settlers struggling to get off planet and then continuing the struggle out in space. There are a bunch of problems, ranging from trying to get money at the start through to xenomorphs trying to eat people.
It's not a single story throughout, the story arc as such is the disparate group of people all trying to make their way out into space and getting by. As such its made up of a series of mini adventures linked together. I particularly liked the beasties on mars.
It's not a great story, but by no means is it a slouch either. If your looking for an amusing story to keep you interested then this meets that goal but no more.
The reader has done a reasonable job and slips smoothly down the ear canal :)
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from the Librivox
Listen to the first part
The Planet Strappers started out as The Bunch, a group of student-astronauts in the back room of a store in Jarviston, Minnesota. They wanted off Earth, and they begged, borrowed and built what they needed to make it. They got what they wanted--a start on the road to the stars--but no one brought up on Earth could have imagined what was waiting for them Out There!
My Review
As the blurb suggests this is a story of settlers struggling to get off planet and then continuing the struggle out in space. There are a bunch of problems, ranging from trying to get money at the start through to xenomorphs trying to eat people.
It's not a single story throughout, the story arc as such is the disparate group of people all trying to make their way out into space and getting by. As such its made up of a series of mini adventures linked together. I particularly liked the beasties on mars.
It's not a great story, but by no means is it a slouch either. If your looking for an amusing story to keep you interested then this meets that goal but no more.
The reader has done a reasonable job and slips smoothly down the ear canal :)
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from the Librivox
Listen to the first part
Saturday, 18 December 2010
Ravenwood by Nathan Lowell
Official Blurb
A Tanyth Fairport Adventure.
After twenty winters on the road, Tanyth makes one last pilgrimage in her quest to learn all she can about the herbs and medicinal plants of Korlay before settling down to write her magnum opus. Her journey is interrupted when she stops to help a small village and learns that much of what she knows of the world may not be quite as it seems.
In this work, Nathan Lowell blends wiccan tradition and shamanistic lore into a fantasy quest and creates a world for a new - if unlikely - heroine to explore. She learns that the familiar sometimes hides the fantastical and that, even when you think you’ve made your decisions, life doesn’t always agree.
My Review
This book was written by the same author who wrote "Quarter Share", "Half Share", "Full Share", "Double Share" and "Captains Share", Nathan Lowell.
I can confirm that he has brought the same easy writing style to this book but with a twist. This tale also makes a change for him with regards to genre, rather than Sci fi, this tale is pure fantasy.
The protagonist is an older woman wandering the world leaning herb lore and finds herself in a tiny new village where she is needed, and for a time at least stops her wandering. Unlike the "Share" series that were great despite nothing seeming to happen(!), this book is full of adventure. It's not a classic trek across the world as so many fantasy books do, but rather a challenge to make the vilage succeed against adversity. Problems arise, including enemies that challenge the village and Tanith.
I love the way Mr Lowell builds the tension in this book. You know something bad is coming and it's just over the horizon but Nathan draws this out so that when it arrives it really delivers.
Do not expect a clash of armies or evil super villains, expect a good story with well made characters, and an excellent reader and you wont be disapointed.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from the Podiobooks
Listen to the first part
A Tanyth Fairport Adventure.
After twenty winters on the road, Tanyth makes one last pilgrimage in her quest to learn all she can about the herbs and medicinal plants of Korlay before settling down to write her magnum opus. Her journey is interrupted when she stops to help a small village and learns that much of what she knows of the world may not be quite as it seems.
In this work, Nathan Lowell blends wiccan tradition and shamanistic lore into a fantasy quest and creates a world for a new - if unlikely - heroine to explore. She learns that the familiar sometimes hides the fantastical and that, even when you think you’ve made your decisions, life doesn’t always agree.
My Review
This book was written by the same author who wrote "Quarter Share", "Half Share", "Full Share", "Double Share" and "Captains Share", Nathan Lowell.
I can confirm that he has brought the same easy writing style to this book but with a twist. This tale also makes a change for him with regards to genre, rather than Sci fi, this tale is pure fantasy.
The protagonist is an older woman wandering the world leaning herb lore and finds herself in a tiny new village where she is needed, and for a time at least stops her wandering. Unlike the "Share" series that were great despite nothing seeming to happen(!), this book is full of adventure. It's not a classic trek across the world as so many fantasy books do, but rather a challenge to make the vilage succeed against adversity. Problems arise, including enemies that challenge the village and Tanith.
I love the way Mr Lowell builds the tension in this book. You know something bad is coming and it's just over the horizon but Nathan draws this out so that when it arrives it really delivers.
Do not expect a clash of armies or evil super villains, expect a good story with well made characters, and an excellent reader and you wont be disapointed.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from the Podiobooks
Listen to the first part
Thursday, 16 December 2010
The Return of Fu-Manchu by Sax Rohmer
Official Blurb
Burmese Commisioner Nayland Smith and his faithful friend Dr Petrie continue their fight against the evil genius of Dr Fu-Manchu when they seek to save the good doctor’s lost love and protect the British Empire from disaster when their malignant enemy returns to England.
My Review
I'be looking forwards to hearing this one for a while. I actually recorded the first Fu-Manchu story for Librivox a while ago, and have only just got round to this sequel.
In case you dont know. Fu-Manchu is an evil genious who is working to bring down the British Empire by murdering scientists and leaders. The book puts the chinese forwards as "the yellow peril" to be battled at every level but open warfare.
This book, like the original that preceeds it, is very episodic. I believe they were written to appear in magazines hence the cliff hangers at the end of every chapter. These stories are not to be taken too seriously, the hero's are overly heroic the villains extreme and the characters single minded in everything they do. You should have the mindset of - I'm going to listen to a light hearted adventure serial.
This book has all of the characters from the first book return to do much the same in new ways in new locales. The heros chase, get trapped, escape, defeat thugs, discover clues and all the usual tropes, and all great fun to listen to. I don't mean to say it's a comedy, but rather just fun adventuring.
In summary, it's worth a listen if you want some classic style adventures, with a reader that does some cool voices.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from the Librivox
Listen to the first part
Burmese Commisioner Nayland Smith and his faithful friend Dr Petrie continue their fight against the evil genius of Dr Fu-Manchu when they seek to save the good doctor’s lost love and protect the British Empire from disaster when their malignant enemy returns to England.
My Review
I'be looking forwards to hearing this one for a while. I actually recorded the first Fu-Manchu story for Librivox a while ago, and have only just got round to this sequel.
In case you dont know. Fu-Manchu is an evil genious who is working to bring down the British Empire by murdering scientists and leaders. The book puts the chinese forwards as "the yellow peril" to be battled at every level but open warfare.
This book, like the original that preceeds it, is very episodic. I believe they were written to appear in magazines hence the cliff hangers at the end of every chapter. These stories are not to be taken too seriously, the hero's are overly heroic the villains extreme and the characters single minded in everything they do. You should have the mindset of - I'm going to listen to a light hearted adventure serial.
This book has all of the characters from the first book return to do much the same in new ways in new locales. The heros chase, get trapped, escape, defeat thugs, discover clues and all the usual tropes, and all great fun to listen to. I don't mean to say it's a comedy, but rather just fun adventuring.
In summary, it's worth a listen if you want some classic style adventures, with a reader that does some cool voices.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from the Librivox
Listen to the first part
Sunday, 5 December 2010
Tripping Astral by Brian Smith
Official Blurb
When a matter transfer experiment goes wrong, a scientist find himself stranded on a alien planet.
My Review
Well, that Official Blurb doesn't say a lot does it! I'll add a little something to give you a better idea.
As the blurb says, he wakes up on an alien world with no idea of where why or how. He finds himself on a beach with friends and enemies to be discovered.
The title sounds a bit trippy and hints at drug induced hallucination. It's an apt title that fits the style of the story. At times you're not sure if the protaginist is flipping his lid or just experiencing really odd things.
The story sunk its claws into me and wouldn't let go. If nothing else I found myself wanting to reach the conclusion to see if he was nuts! All told the seven parts add up to about an hour and a half so even it turns out to not be your sort of thing you'll be through it before you know. It seemed to me to be an "Astounding Stories" type short story, something with aliensbut not straight sci fi. Very interesting if not absorbing.
The audio is a full cast audio drama presented by the "Seeing Ear Theatre" and worth a download. Let's face it, at a price of "Free", you can't complain too much.
Reading 2/3
Production 3/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from the Internet Archive
Listen to the first part
.
When a matter transfer experiment goes wrong, a scientist find himself stranded on a alien planet.
My Review
Well, that Official Blurb doesn't say a lot does it! I'll add a little something to give you a better idea.
As the blurb says, he wakes up on an alien world with no idea of where why or how. He finds himself on a beach with friends and enemies to be discovered.
The title sounds a bit trippy and hints at drug induced hallucination. It's an apt title that fits the style of the story. At times you're not sure if the protaginist is flipping his lid or just experiencing really odd things.
The story sunk its claws into me and wouldn't let go. If nothing else I found myself wanting to reach the conclusion to see if he was nuts! All told the seven parts add up to about an hour and a half so even it turns out to not be your sort of thing you'll be through it before you know. It seemed to me to be an "Astounding Stories" type short story, something with aliensbut not straight sci fi. Very interesting if not absorbing.
The audio is a full cast audio drama presented by the "Seeing Ear Theatre" and worth a download. Let's face it, at a price of "Free", you can't complain too much.
Reading 2/3
Production 3/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from the Internet Archive
Listen to the first part
.
Thursday, 2 December 2010
Librivox hits 4000 books
I just thought I'd mention that Librivox has just added its 4000th audio book to their catalogue. That's a fantastic acheivement bearing in mind that every minute of that has been read by volunteers. Not only read, but proof listened and uploaded and a web page created.
Well done Librivox!
Well done Librivox!
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