Official Blurb
The future is boring. Technology has solved the world's most pressing problems, leaving people with tedious work and mundane play. Jack is a Security Officer Class 5, which sounds important, but isn't. However, her banal life as a cubicle worker by day and tinkerer by night is interrupted when she discovers that her employer's computer system has been invaded.
Jack enlists the help of her only friends – her co-worker, Gilles and Adrian, an online friend she's never met – to help her track down the source of the invasion. Her investigation leads her to a shadowy group called the Red, where Jack learns that not everyone lives a life of quiet servitude.
Even though she believes that the Red are responsible for a series of gruesome attacks, Jack begins to become attracted to their worldview. In her search for the people responsible for the attacks, she confronts the leaders of the group as well as her own burgeoning sense of self-awareness.
My Review
I really can't tell you any more about the story than the blurb has given away but I can tell you that this is a near future that appeals to my geeky side.
The internet has been replaced with the everywhere-nets. People dont use computers to access the nets but rather use implants in their heads. A person walking past you on the street with glazed eyes is likely to be accessing the nets and either checking their bank details or on "the boards" chatting with friends.
People are also getting body mods, physical changes to their bodies for arts sake, fancy a pair of horns!?
The reader is good. Took me a little while to tune in to her style, but once there it is was worth the effort. She has a lilt and a way of applying tone that is both subtle and engaging.
All in all I really liked the story, the ending caught me off guard and it was a fun trip. Dont expect high action or laser guns but you will find you self in a very high tech future.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from Podiobooks
Listen to the first chapter
Sunday, 31 May 2009
Friday, 29 May 2009
Diary of a Madman
Official Blurb
A man obsessed with serial killers becomes a murderer in search of justice.
My Review
I fear my review will be almost as short as the official blurb! Why? Simply put, I only managed to listen to about three quarters of the first chapter!
The story is bloody. It starts with a killer inflicting pain and torture on an unfortunate victim. It is a protracted, unending bloody gut churning opening chapter.
I simply could not take any more and had to turn it off!
I give no review rating as I really didn't listen to enough, but I know it wasn't for me. I neither suggest you listen to it or dont, but I am warning you :)
Download it from Podiobooks
.
A man obsessed with serial killers becomes a murderer in search of justice.
My Review
I fear my review will be almost as short as the official blurb! Why? Simply put, I only managed to listen to about three quarters of the first chapter!
The story is bloody. It starts with a killer inflicting pain and torture on an unfortunate victim. It is a protracted, unending bloody gut churning opening chapter.
I simply could not take any more and had to turn it off!
I give no review rating as I really didn't listen to enough, but I know it wasn't for me. I neither suggest you listen to it or dont, but I am warning you :)
Download it from Podiobooks
.
Friday, 22 May 2009
The Thing from the Lake
Official Blurb
To get away from city life periodically, New Yorker Roger Locke purchases an abandoned farm house in rural Connecticut, and with the assistance of his cousin Phillida and her beau Ethan Vere, he sets about fixing up the place.
Immediately however, an unseen mysterious woman begins giving him warnings during nocturnal visits to leave the house at once. Soon he begins hearing strange ominous sounds emanating from the tiny lake at the back of the house coupled with a permeation of sickly odors. An evil presence then begins to visit him during the witching hours of the late night, challenging him to a battle of wits from which there can be only one victor.
Is his mysterious female visitor there to help and encourage him to flee from the house, or is she working in tandem with The Thing From the Lake?
My Review
I grabbed this title because the title sounded rather Lovecraftian to me. The story isn't really Lovecraftian at all, it's more a ghost story type of thing.
The blurb gives you the story so I wont reiterate that, but what I can tell you is that this is a fairly slow story, but not in a bad way. It's of its age in that the story plods along , tyhe content is not high action or cliffhanger but is absorbing.
To give you some idea of how absorbing let me say that I normally listen to one chapter of a book as soon as I get home from work, well with this story I started like that but after about five I started listening to two each night. The lead character is a nice guy, and that appeals to me. The other characters are likewise believable and likeable and they fit together so that their emotive responses draw on your own while listening.
It's never terrifying, but is a good quality ghost story, very likeable.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
To get away from city life periodically, New Yorker Roger Locke purchases an abandoned farm house in rural Connecticut, and with the assistance of his cousin Phillida and her beau Ethan Vere, he sets about fixing up the place.
Immediately however, an unseen mysterious woman begins giving him warnings during nocturnal visits to leave the house at once. Soon he begins hearing strange ominous sounds emanating from the tiny lake at the back of the house coupled with a permeation of sickly odors. An evil presence then begins to visit him during the witching hours of the late night, challenging him to a battle of wits from which there can be only one victor.
Is his mysterious female visitor there to help and encourage him to flee from the house, or is she working in tandem with The Thing From the Lake?
My Review
I grabbed this title because the title sounded rather Lovecraftian to me. The story isn't really Lovecraftian at all, it's more a ghost story type of thing.
The blurb gives you the story so I wont reiterate that, but what I can tell you is that this is a fairly slow story, but not in a bad way. It's of its age in that the story plods along , tyhe content is not high action or cliffhanger but is absorbing.
To give you some idea of how absorbing let me say that I normally listen to one chapter of a book as soon as I get home from work, well with this story I started like that but after about five I started listening to two each night. The lead character is a nice guy, and that appeals to me. The other characters are likewise believable and likeable and they fit together so that their emotive responses draw on your own while listening.
It's never terrifying, but is a good quality ghost story, very likeable.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Time Crime
Official Blurb
The Paratime Police had a real headache this time! Tracing one man in a population of millions is easy—compared to finding one gang hiding out on one of billions of probability lines!
This story from 1955 has rocket ships, time travel, slaves, post-hypnotic suggestions, drugged citizens, and a complete disregard for human rights. And those are the good guys. As a look back in time at "classic" science fiction, it's an interesting snapshot of a time when tobacco was common, sexism was unconscious, and female characters were a long way from Lara Croft.
My Review
I loved this story. Quite a short story but not a moment passes when you're left twiddeling your fingers. The author is H. Beam Piper and I've reveiwed a number of his works here previously and this one fits right in with those. It's a classic sci fi piece as the official blurb says, and it's a good one.
The story involves the Paratime Police who police the various time lines ensuring that history is not mixed up and that legimate cross time business' continue to operate.
The story starts as a couple of cops are due to go on holiday but a big case of trans-time slavery comes up and the holiday has to get cancelled. We follow the investigators as they follow up the clues and question the suspects. Typical cop-crime stuff but in a sci fi setting.
The reader is the author/narrator of "Quarter Share" which I reviewed here a while back.. his narration is outstanding and a joy to listen to. I'm looking forward to hearing more from him.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from Podiobooks
Listen to the first chapter
.
The Paratime Police had a real headache this time! Tracing one man in a population of millions is easy—compared to finding one gang hiding out on one of billions of probability lines!
This story from 1955 has rocket ships, time travel, slaves, post-hypnotic suggestions, drugged citizens, and a complete disregard for human rights. And those are the good guys. As a look back in time at "classic" science fiction, it's an interesting snapshot of a time when tobacco was common, sexism was unconscious, and female characters were a long way from Lara Croft.
My Review
I loved this story. Quite a short story but not a moment passes when you're left twiddeling your fingers. The author is H. Beam Piper and I've reveiwed a number of his works here previously and this one fits right in with those. It's a classic sci fi piece as the official blurb says, and it's a good one.
The story involves the Paratime Police who police the various time lines ensuring that history is not mixed up and that legimate cross time business' continue to operate.
The story starts as a couple of cops are due to go on holiday but a big case of trans-time slavery comes up and the holiday has to get cancelled. We follow the investigators as they follow up the clues and question the suspects. Typical cop-crime stuff but in a sci fi setting.
The reader is the author/narrator of "Quarter Share" which I reviewed here a while back.. his narration is outstanding and a joy to listen to. I'm looking forward to hearing more from him.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from Podiobooks
Listen to the first chapter
.
Monday, 18 May 2009
The Ultimate Weapon
Official Blurb
Aliens have just been discovered! Only trouble is, the Solar System has just been discovered by those same aliens -- and they want it all for themselves. The result is a war and a desperate arms race between alien technology and human ingenuity. Who will win? What is the ultimate weapon?
My Review
A classic (1936) SF story. It has all of the classic elements except a love affair and a brawny hero. What does that leave in then, you ask? Well we have aliens, space ships, the other classic hero of a scientist working with cutting edge inventions, and of course warface in the vacuum!
It really is classic period and classic GOOD! In this fighting story, the Aliens have the technology advantage and start beating on the good guys ( us ) and leave them battered and bruised. Then the humans turn to ... super science! Only the brain of man will be able to meet the challenge!
The reader of this book, is an established narrator with great style. There are a few stutters and half misspoken words that slip through which can bring you out of the story, but they are very rare and the readers enthusiasm is so good that you'll stay on the ride.
Its a fun, exciting story read with energy and aplomb.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from the Internet Archive
Listen to the first chapter
Aliens have just been discovered! Only trouble is, the Solar System has just been discovered by those same aliens -- and they want it all for themselves. The result is a war and a desperate arms race between alien technology and human ingenuity. Who will win? What is the ultimate weapon?
My Review
A classic (1936) SF story. It has all of the classic elements except a love affair and a brawny hero. What does that leave in then, you ask? Well we have aliens, space ships, the other classic hero of a scientist working with cutting edge inventions, and of course warface in the vacuum!
It really is classic period and classic GOOD! In this fighting story, the Aliens have the technology advantage and start beating on the good guys ( us ) and leave them battered and bruised. Then the humans turn to ... super science! Only the brain of man will be able to meet the challenge!
The reader of this book, is an established narrator with great style. There are a few stutters and half misspoken words that slip through which can bring you out of the story, but they are very rare and the readers enthusiasm is so good that you'll stay on the ride.
Its a fun, exciting story read with energy and aplomb.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from the Internet Archive
Listen to the first chapter
Thursday, 7 May 2009
Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom
Official Blurb
Jules is a young man, barely a century old. He's lived long enough to see the cure for death and the end of scarcity, to learn ten languages and compose three symphonies...and to realize his boyhood dream of taking up residence in Disney World.
Disney World! The greatest achievement of the long-ago twentieth century. Now in the keeping of a network of "ad-hocs" who keep the classic attractions running as they always have, enhanced with only the smallest high-tech touches.
Now, though, the "ad-hocs" are under attack. A new group has taken over the Hall of the Presidents, and is replacing its venerable audioanimatronics with new, immersive direct-to-brain interfaces that give guests the illusion of being Washington, Lincoln, and all the others. For Jules, this is an attack on the artistic purity of Disney World itself.
Worse: it appears this new group has had Jules killed. This upsets him. (It's only his fourth death and revival, after all.) Now it's war...
My Review
I'm writing this just a few minutes after completeing this audio book. I've been in audio heaven. Firstly I really dig Cory Doctorow's sci fi stories, and secondly the reader is one of my all time fave's.
For blurb above gives you the idea of the story. Need has been defeated and the same with death itself. Cory has written a great novel while exploring the implications of no hunger and no death. He shows us what many would think of as a paradise, but he shows us the drama and pettiness that is still driving the human race.
The book starts very well, with introducing the environment and characters and then promptly killing the main character. Don't fret, he gets restored from a back up into a clone! So from this odd situation he dives into the human story and this is what really drives the story. Yes they are in the future and yes they do constantly engage with high tech gear but that is not the basis of the story.
The lead character finds himself driven to carry out some rather unfortunate actions but you the reader/listener are pulled along with him, and you totally understand why. Thats the heart of this excellent story, the characters, thier adventures and their journeys in a world gone sane!
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
Download it from Podiobooks
Listen to the first chapter
Jules is a young man, barely a century old. He's lived long enough to see the cure for death and the end of scarcity, to learn ten languages and compose three symphonies...and to realize his boyhood dream of taking up residence in Disney World.
Disney World! The greatest achievement of the long-ago twentieth century. Now in the keeping of a network of "ad-hocs" who keep the classic attractions running as they always have, enhanced with only the smallest high-tech touches.
Now, though, the "ad-hocs" are under attack. A new group has taken over the Hall of the Presidents, and is replacing its venerable audioanimatronics with new, immersive direct-to-brain interfaces that give guests the illusion of being Washington, Lincoln, and all the others. For Jules, this is an attack on the artistic purity of Disney World itself.
Worse: it appears this new group has had Jules killed. This upsets him. (It's only his fourth death and revival, after all.) Now it's war...
My Review
I'm writing this just a few minutes after completeing this audio book. I've been in audio heaven. Firstly I really dig Cory Doctorow's sci fi stories, and secondly the reader is one of my all time fave's.
For blurb above gives you the idea of the story. Need has been defeated and the same with death itself. Cory has written a great novel while exploring the implications of no hunger and no death. He shows us what many would think of as a paradise, but he shows us the drama and pettiness that is still driving the human race.
The book starts very well, with introducing the environment and characters and then promptly killing the main character. Don't fret, he gets restored from a back up into a clone! So from this odd situation he dives into the human story and this is what really drives the story. Yes they are in the future and yes they do constantly engage with high tech gear but that is not the basis of the story.
The lead character finds himself driven to carry out some rather unfortunate actions but you the reader/listener are pulled along with him, and you totally understand why. Thats the heart of this excellent story, the characters, thier adventures and their journeys in a world gone sane!
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
Download it from Podiobooks
Listen to the first chapter
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
Short Science Fiction Collection Vol. 13
Official Blurb
Science fiction (abbreviated SF or sci-fi with varying punctuation and case) is a broad genre of fiction that often involves sociological and technical speculations based on current or future science or technology. This is a reader-selected collection of short stories, first published between 1951 - 1962, that entered the US public domain when their copyright was not renewed.
My Review
Well the blurb wasn't very informative so lets see what I can do to enlighten you. As suggested this is a collection of Sci Fi stories without any apparent theme od reason for putting them together as a group.
The random nature of the collection distracts me a little. As I listen to a lot of audio books I'm of a "next chapter" mindset, and you don't get that with these collections. The stories are by different authors about wildly different subjects and read by a random collection of voices.
So thats the downside. The upside is that this is fun little collection. I enjoyed all of the stories and I can especially suggest you listen to "The Golden Judge" ( not really very sci fi ) and "The Next Logical Step", both of which brought a smile to my face.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to the first story
Science fiction (abbreviated SF or sci-fi with varying punctuation and case) is a broad genre of fiction that often involves sociological and technical speculations based on current or future science or technology. This is a reader-selected collection of short stories, first published between 1951 - 1962, that entered the US public domain when their copyright was not renewed.
My Review
Well the blurb wasn't very informative so lets see what I can do to enlighten you. As suggested this is a collection of Sci Fi stories without any apparent theme od reason for putting them together as a group.
The random nature of the collection distracts me a little. As I listen to a lot of audio books I'm of a "next chapter" mindset, and you don't get that with these collections. The stories are by different authors about wildly different subjects and read by a random collection of voices.
So thats the downside. The upside is that this is fun little collection. I enjoyed all of the stories and I can especially suggest you listen to "The Golden Judge" ( not really very sci fi ) and "The Next Logical Step", both of which brought a smile to my face.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to the first story
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Deathworld
Official Blurb
Deathworld is the first in a series of novels begun in 1960 and originally serialized in Astounding Science Fiction Magazine. It’s the story of Jason dinAlt a professional gambler with psionic skills who finds himself on Pyrrus the deadliest planet to be colonized by humanity. Violent weather, active tectonics, heavy gravity, abundant predators, and a hostile splinter group of colonists is only the beginning of Jason’s quest to learn the truth about Pyrrus.
My Review
This is classic Sci Fi at its very best!. Alien worlds, space ships, creepy creatures, fighting, discoveries and gambling. What more could you pssibly want from a Sci Fi novel?
Well, I suppose you might want an appealing lead chacter, whos the underdog but is likely to win through in the end. You might want a plot that doesn't sleep, that presents you one exciting scene after another. Perhaps you want to explore the strange? Well you've got all of that here, in a story that doesn't show it's age.
The lead character is a professional gambler who has an edge, he can use his mind to manipulate the dice! Yet these powers are very limited, he's not some Sci Fi wizard wandering around the worlds blasting his enemies, no, his powers are limited to rolling the dice, and a mind to rival Sherlock Holmes.
Ths is fairly short novel that is read very well and is a delightful afternoons listening. If your a SciFi fan you should treat yourself to this free treat.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
Deathworld is the first in a series of novels begun in 1960 and originally serialized in Astounding Science Fiction Magazine. It’s the story of Jason dinAlt a professional gambler with psionic skills who finds himself on Pyrrus the deadliest planet to be colonized by humanity. Violent weather, active tectonics, heavy gravity, abundant predators, and a hostile splinter group of colonists is only the beginning of Jason’s quest to learn the truth about Pyrrus.
My Review
This is classic Sci Fi at its very best!. Alien worlds, space ships, creepy creatures, fighting, discoveries and gambling. What more could you pssibly want from a Sci Fi novel?
Well, I suppose you might want an appealing lead chacter, whos the underdog but is likely to win through in the end. You might want a plot that doesn't sleep, that presents you one exciting scene after another. Perhaps you want to explore the strange? Well you've got all of that here, in a story that doesn't show it's age.
The lead character is a professional gambler who has an edge, he can use his mind to manipulate the dice! Yet these powers are very limited, he's not some Sci Fi wizard wandering around the worlds blasting his enemies, no, his powers are limited to rolling the dice, and a mind to rival Sherlock Holmes.
Ths is fairly short novel that is read very well and is a delightful afternoons listening. If your a SciFi fan you should treat yourself to this free treat.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
Sunday, 26 April 2009
Chessmen of Mars
Official Blurb
The Chessmen of Mars is a science fiction novel by the mental sword- and physical pen- wielding author Edgar Rice Burroughs. It the fifth installment of his Barsoom series. The Chessmen of Mars is a tale of wonder and excellence that follows John Carter and Dejah Thoris, along with their daughter Tara, princess of Helium, as she is sought after by Gahan, Jed of Gathol. Adventure and peril ensue as the story unfolds.
My Review
The Barsoom series of books are a steam punk type of story where heros leap around waving swords at the bad guys even when they can all lay their hands on firearms.
This story follows a familar Barsoom pattern of a journey across unknown parts of Mars and encounters with new races of "men". A woman in trouble needs rescuing and a manly sword waving hero is close at hand.
When you listen to these Barsoom stories there is never any doubt about a happy ending being around the corner but that's not the best part of the stories. It's the adventure and action that make the story worth listening to. In common with all of the other Barsoom stories I've listened to, this is a jolly good listen!
In this story the woman in trouble is John Carter's daughter who becomes lost and needs a heroic red man to come to her rescue. Which of course he does. We find at least two new martian races to complicate things and the usual collection of predator type animals to threaten everyone.
If you've enjoyed any of the other Barsoom stories and liked them, you can move onto this story with confidence.
The reading in this novel is pretty good, but there is a rather odd thing here. There are two versions of the first couple of chapters by different readers. I have no explanation for why that may be, it's odd.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
The Chessmen of Mars is a science fiction novel by the mental sword- and physical pen- wielding author Edgar Rice Burroughs. It the fifth installment of his Barsoom series. The Chessmen of Mars is a tale of wonder and excellence that follows John Carter and Dejah Thoris, along with their daughter Tara, princess of Helium, as she is sought after by Gahan, Jed of Gathol. Adventure and peril ensue as the story unfolds.
My Review
The Barsoom series of books are a steam punk type of story where heros leap around waving swords at the bad guys even when they can all lay their hands on firearms.
This story follows a familar Barsoom pattern of a journey across unknown parts of Mars and encounters with new races of "men". A woman in trouble needs rescuing and a manly sword waving hero is close at hand.
When you listen to these Barsoom stories there is never any doubt about a happy ending being around the corner but that's not the best part of the stories. It's the adventure and action that make the story worth listening to. In common with all of the other Barsoom stories I've listened to, this is a jolly good listen!
In this story the woman in trouble is John Carter's daughter who becomes lost and needs a heroic red man to come to her rescue. Which of course he does. We find at least two new martian races to complicate things and the usual collection of predator type animals to threaten everyone.
If you've enjoyed any of the other Barsoom stories and liked them, you can move onto this story with confidence.
The reading in this novel is pretty good, but there is a rather odd thing here. There are two versions of the first couple of chapters by different readers. I have no explanation for why that may be, it's odd.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
Friday, 17 April 2009
Murder in the Gunroom
Officlal Blurb
The Lane Fleming collection of early pistols and revolvers was one of the best in the country. When Fleming was found dead on the floor of his locked gunroom, a Confederate-made Colt-type percussion .36 revolver in his hand, the coroner’s verdict was “death by accident.” But Gladys Fleming had her doubts. Enough at any rate to engage Colonel Jefferson Davis Rand—better known just as Jeff—private detective and a pistol-collector himself, to catalogue, appraise, and negotiate the sale of her late husband’s collection.
My Review
When I saw this audio book over at Librivox all I saw was the name of the author, "H. Beam Piper". I knew that name from a number of good SciFi audio books, so thinking I had another classic SciFi story I downloaded without reading the official blurb.
So imagine my shock when I discover it's not filled with fighting space ships but is rather set on earth in times gone by, and is a murder mystery!
Once my shock was over I settled down to listening. The story is slow paced and takes a chapter or two just deciding if there has even been a murder. That aside it has a lot going for it.
The author certainly seems to know his antique pistols and brings that to the book in spades which is just as well as it focuses on a collection of these things and is filled with characters who also know a lot about them.
The lead character is attractive to all fans of the murder mystery, he has the usual methodical approach that reveals the story and put pressure onto the prospective murderers. He reminded me at times of Columbo.
I especially liked the way the author described the other characters, from their dress to how they smoke, he manages to evoke their attitude and tone without labouring the point.
I was happy with the ending and wasn't left cold by the end result. It was a satisfying ending.
The reading was really very good. The reader paced himself very well, I'm not sure what it was but his narration let the story slip into my ear, and mind at a "comfortable" pace. The result was very good. I'll be looking out for this reader again.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
The Lane Fleming collection of early pistols and revolvers was one of the best in the country. When Fleming was found dead on the floor of his locked gunroom, a Confederate-made Colt-type percussion .36 revolver in his hand, the coroner’s verdict was “death by accident.” But Gladys Fleming had her doubts. Enough at any rate to engage Colonel Jefferson Davis Rand—better known just as Jeff—private detective and a pistol-collector himself, to catalogue, appraise, and negotiate the sale of her late husband’s collection.
My Review
When I saw this audio book over at Librivox all I saw was the name of the author, "H. Beam Piper". I knew that name from a number of good SciFi audio books, so thinking I had another classic SciFi story I downloaded without reading the official blurb.
So imagine my shock when I discover it's not filled with fighting space ships but is rather set on earth in times gone by, and is a murder mystery!
Once my shock was over I settled down to listening. The story is slow paced and takes a chapter or two just deciding if there has even been a murder. That aside it has a lot going for it.
The author certainly seems to know his antique pistols and brings that to the book in spades which is just as well as it focuses on a collection of these things and is filled with characters who also know a lot about them.
The lead character is attractive to all fans of the murder mystery, he has the usual methodical approach that reveals the story and put pressure onto the prospective murderers. He reminded me at times of Columbo.
I especially liked the way the author described the other characters, from their dress to how they smoke, he manages to evoke their attitude and tone without labouring the point.
I was happy with the ending and wasn't left cold by the end result. It was a satisfying ending.
The reading was really very good. The reader paced himself very well, I'm not sure what it was but his narration let the story slip into my ear, and mind at a "comfortable" pace. The result was very good. I'll be looking out for this reader again.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
Thursday, 9 April 2009
Number One with a Bullet
The official Blurb
When the top ten hitmen face off in a last-man standing contest being bet on by some of the world's richest men, the only rule is to stay alive.
Assassins are ruthless and clever killers who get paid a lot of money to make problems go away. And pretty soon one of them is going to be a hundred million dollars richer if they can eliminate all the competition, before the competition eliminates them. But for retired hitman Johnny Dane, considered at one point to be the best hired killer in the world, getting out of the life doesn't necessarily mean getting out of the game.
Welcome to the world of high-priced hitmen and the game they've been thrust into. The last man (or woman) standing not only gets the prize but will be the only top notch assassin left available for hire. One of the top ten best killers has been notoriously absent from the contest, Johnny Dane. Having left the life, he's disappeared to an oceanfront hideaway and has vowed never to return, but when the game finds him and threatens the only woman he's ever loved, Dane realizes the only way out, is to get back in.
My Review
I really enjoyed this story from the outset. The reader and the text of the story seem to have been written to appeal to me! The author has written the book in a very cinematic style even uses phrases like "fade to a beach in the sun" or "cut to inside, Dane draws his gun". The cinematic style is not limited to these cute ways of moving from scene to scene but also in the action packed content scenes themselves. Heros and bad guys make ... well, heroic moves as they battle to the death. Fights are quick and bloody, and corners are always taken with squealing rubber in a breakneck paced story.
As I was listening I was constantly reminded of the books by Matthew Reilly ( look up "Scarecrow" on Amazon. The books by Matt Reilly are known as being literally non-stop. That's how this audio novel was.
The characters are well done, and just a little over the top as they need to be when you hero is the best hit man in the world. The bad guys are like wise very villain like. Interestingly the main bad guy despite being about as evil as can be, has his motivations explained. You don't exactly sympathise with him, he's not very nice, but you do understand him, and that's a mark of good writing.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
Download it from Podiobooks
Listen to the first chapter
When the top ten hitmen face off in a last-man standing contest being bet on by some of the world's richest men, the only rule is to stay alive.
Assassins are ruthless and clever killers who get paid a lot of money to make problems go away. And pretty soon one of them is going to be a hundred million dollars richer if they can eliminate all the competition, before the competition eliminates them. But for retired hitman Johnny Dane, considered at one point to be the best hired killer in the world, getting out of the life doesn't necessarily mean getting out of the game.
Welcome to the world of high-priced hitmen and the game they've been thrust into. The last man (or woman) standing not only gets the prize but will be the only top notch assassin left available for hire. One of the top ten best killers has been notoriously absent from the contest, Johnny Dane. Having left the life, he's disappeared to an oceanfront hideaway and has vowed never to return, but when the game finds him and threatens the only woman he's ever loved, Dane realizes the only way out, is to get back in.
My Review
I really enjoyed this story from the outset. The reader and the text of the story seem to have been written to appeal to me! The author has written the book in a very cinematic style even uses phrases like "fade to a beach in the sun" or "cut to inside, Dane draws his gun". The cinematic style is not limited to these cute ways of moving from scene to scene but also in the action packed content scenes themselves. Heros and bad guys make ... well, heroic moves as they battle to the death. Fights are quick and bloody, and corners are always taken with squealing rubber in a breakneck paced story.
As I was listening I was constantly reminded of the books by Matthew Reilly ( look up "Scarecrow" on Amazon. The books by Matt Reilly are known as being literally non-stop. That's how this audio novel was.
The characters are well done, and just a little over the top as they need to be when you hero is the best hit man in the world. The bad guys are like wise very villain like. Interestingly the main bad guy despite being about as evil as can be, has his motivations explained. You don't exactly sympathise with him, he's not very nice, but you do understand him, and that's a mark of good writing.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
Download it from Podiobooks
Listen to the first chapter
Thursday, 2 April 2009
The Arwen Series 2
The Official Blurb
The Gyssyc ship is in orbit above Ulliam; the Taskforce sent to meet them has been destroyed. Captain Cook fears the worst, the Gyssyc has declared war on the Ulliam. The crew of the Arwen must figure out what happened before a second fleet arrives, the fate of three races rests in their hands.
The Arwen Season 2: Ulliam is the sequel to the Parsec award winning novella The Arwen Season 1: Regal.
My Review
This book is a sequel but it still works as a stand alone novel. I would reccomend that you start with the first story in the series if Sci Fi is your thing.
The story follows the Captain and crew of the Arwen as it arrives on the scene of massive destruction, the floating debris of an entire fleet of combat vessels floating in space above the planet Ulliam.
If Sci Fi means space ships to you, if it means adventure, if it means battles, secret missions and people dangling on the edge of disaster then this exciting novel ( and its prequel ) is designed for you.
The lead characters are nicely fleshed out and even the Aliens come across as likeable and understandable meaning that it's easy to find yourself drawn into the story. I had this story set to deliver one episode per week over at podiobooks and I was waiting from week to week for Tuesdays when the next episode would download, they just didn't come around quick enough!
The reader does a very good job and the production is professional quality.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from Podiobooks
Listen to the first chapter
The Gyssyc ship is in orbit above Ulliam; the Taskforce sent to meet them has been destroyed. Captain Cook fears the worst, the Gyssyc has declared war on the Ulliam. The crew of the Arwen must figure out what happened before a second fleet arrives, the fate of three races rests in their hands.
The Arwen Season 2: Ulliam is the sequel to the Parsec award winning novella The Arwen Season 1: Regal.
My Review
This book is a sequel but it still works as a stand alone novel. I would reccomend that you start with the first story in the series if Sci Fi is your thing.
The story follows the Captain and crew of the Arwen as it arrives on the scene of massive destruction, the floating debris of an entire fleet of combat vessels floating in space above the planet Ulliam.
If Sci Fi means space ships to you, if it means adventure, if it means battles, secret missions and people dangling on the edge of disaster then this exciting novel ( and its prequel ) is designed for you.
The lead characters are nicely fleshed out and even the Aliens come across as likeable and understandable meaning that it's easy to find yourself drawn into the story. I had this story set to deliver one episode per week over at podiobooks and I was waiting from week to week for Tuesdays when the next episode would download, they just didn't come around quick enough!
The reader does a very good job and the production is professional quality.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from Podiobooks
Listen to the first chapter
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