Official Blurb
A shuffling of cabins puts Ishmael Horatio Wang in command of the worst ship in the fleet. He learns that being Captain doesn't make you infallible and that life in the Captain's Cabin is filled with new kinds of challenge as he tries to keep the ship moving, the crew out of trouble, and turn a profit to earn his Captain's Share. In a ship where the officers outnumber the crew, how can he manage to keep everybody happy? Welcome to the SC Agamemnon.
My Review
This is the fifth book in the series, and follows on from where Double Share left off. The protagonist becomes a Captain, but as the blurb says he unfortunately finds himself Captain of the worst ship in the fleet. It's quite a cast of characters on his new ship it's a small crew where nearly all of them are officers of their division with only a few crew hands to fill up the numbers.
Captain Wang take his usual approach to these things dealing out respect and understanding in equal doses as he wrestles the crew into shape.
Like the previous book, this one does have things happening which makes it even more appealing.
I have a strange relationship with this series. As I've mentioned in my previous reviews of these audio books, the author/reader is so good that he doesn't actually need events in his stories! So I go into the stories not expecting anything to happen, so when they do I'm somewhat amazed and pleased.
As well as wrestling with his crew problems, Wang has to turn the ship around from a profit point of view, and on top of that there are double jumps which we've not been introduced to before, and rescues, muggings and relationship problems. This book is a delight!
The reader has such a smooth voice that listening to this book is a real pleasure. If you've listened to the others in the series, you will not be disapointed with this one, in fact you'll love it.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
Download it from Podiobooks
Listen to the first chapter
Sunday, 18 July 2010
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Planet Savers by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Official Blurb
The Terran colony on the planet Darkover faces imminent destruction by a plague of the deadly Trailmen's Fever. The only hope is to develop a serum in time, but this requires the cooperation of the elusive native Trailmen, the brilliant parasitologist Dr. Jay Allison, and his split personality.
My Review
This is a great short book. Mark Nelson provides another great reading of a classic sci fi story. The story is pretty straight forward, as the blurb says the Trailmen carry a deadly fever that does not effect them but causes death in humans. But the trailmen are not human, they have different beliefs they behave "strangely", and many humans think them nothing more than animals. Yet the only chance for a cure means that a racist doctor needs to win the help of these elusive violent trailmen.
The story starts out setting the plot and then becomes a journey as the heros of the peice have to win their way to the trailmen, and then win their help and friendship, in order to save the humans on the planet. Along the way will be many trials and tribulations, all of them fun and exciting.
It's good, it's sci fi, download it NOW fool!
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
The Terran colony on the planet Darkover faces imminent destruction by a plague of the deadly Trailmen's Fever. The only hope is to develop a serum in time, but this requires the cooperation of the elusive native Trailmen, the brilliant parasitologist Dr. Jay Allison, and his split personality.
My Review
This is a great short book. Mark Nelson provides another great reading of a classic sci fi story. The story is pretty straight forward, as the blurb says the Trailmen carry a deadly fever that does not effect them but causes death in humans. But the trailmen are not human, they have different beliefs they behave "strangely", and many humans think them nothing more than animals. Yet the only chance for a cure means that a racist doctor needs to win the help of these elusive violent trailmen.
The story starts out setting the plot and then becomes a journey as the heros of the peice have to win their way to the trailmen, and then win their help and friendship, in order to save the humans on the planet. Along the way will be many trials and tribulations, all of them fun and exciting.
It's good, it's sci fi, download it NOW fool!
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Double Share by Nathan Lowell
Official Blurb
When he graduates from the Academy at Port Newmar, Ishmael Horatio Wang reports for duty in his first assignment as an officer. When he gets to his new ship, he finds things are not exactly the way he'd learned in school. The coffee tastes like used engine oil, the ship has no heart, and the nearest decent tailor is two quadrants away. What's a new Third Mate to do? Will he be able to trust Billy?
My Review
This is the fourth book in the series, I really loved the first one, was terribly disapointed in the second, thought the third was ok and have been once again terrifically pleased with this the fourth.
I noted in my review of the first book that, well, nothing happened, and that despite that, it was a terrific audio book. This book diverges from that and has a real plot!
I know what I've written sounds like a downer for the series, and though it's true that I've been unimpressed with one of the books, and I've said nothing happens, never the less the books are a fantastic listen. The author is reading his own work here and has such a haunting delightful voice that it brings the characters to life and makes the whole experience sparkle.
Anyway, onto the story. In this book, the hero becomes Third Mate on a trade ship that has trouble. The ship is nothing like his previous ship where everyone looked out for each other and formed one big happy family. Here, everything is dark and brooding, menace is in the air, and danger is stalking the decks. Officers aren't all you might expect and crew really are not your friends. It's almost a coming of age story, except the hero is not becoming an adult, he's an Officer instead.
It's a bit of a turn from the earlier books, and I was drawn in but the crouching danger element. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
One question that's been bothering me about this, is the idea of the hero being a "Third Mate", I would have expected "Third Lieutenant", which is more in keeping with naval tradition. Ho Hum.
Seriously, if you haven't tried this series, give it a go.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from Podiobooks
Listen to the first chapter
When he graduates from the Academy at Port Newmar, Ishmael Horatio Wang reports for duty in his first assignment as an officer. When he gets to his new ship, he finds things are not exactly the way he'd learned in school. The coffee tastes like used engine oil, the ship has no heart, and the nearest decent tailor is two quadrants away. What's a new Third Mate to do? Will he be able to trust Billy?
My Review
This is the fourth book in the series, I really loved the first one, was terribly disapointed in the second, thought the third was ok and have been once again terrifically pleased with this the fourth.
I noted in my review of the first book that, well, nothing happened, and that despite that, it was a terrific audio book. This book diverges from that and has a real plot!
I know what I've written sounds like a downer for the series, and though it's true that I've been unimpressed with one of the books, and I've said nothing happens, never the less the books are a fantastic listen. The author is reading his own work here and has such a haunting delightful voice that it brings the characters to life and makes the whole experience sparkle.
Anyway, onto the story. In this book, the hero becomes Third Mate on a trade ship that has trouble. The ship is nothing like his previous ship where everyone looked out for each other and formed one big happy family. Here, everything is dark and brooding, menace is in the air, and danger is stalking the decks. Officers aren't all you might expect and crew really are not your friends. It's almost a coming of age story, except the hero is not becoming an adult, he's an Officer instead.
It's a bit of a turn from the earlier books, and I was drawn in but the crouching danger element. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
One question that's been bothering me about this, is the idea of the hero being a "Third Mate", I would have expected "Third Lieutenant", which is more in keeping with naval tradition. Ho Hum.
Seriously, if you haven't tried this series, give it a go.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from Podiobooks
Listen to the first chapter
Thursday, 1 July 2010
Notes on Nursing by Florence Nightingale
Official Blurb
Notes on Nursing was published in 1859 and is a fascinating view into the theories underpinning the early development of modern nursing and public health reform by "the Lady with the Lamp", Florence Nightingale. Emphasising common sense and thought for the patient's care in many more ways than just administering physician-prescribed medicines, this is still a very relevant book for those interested in health or caring for the sick and infirm today.
My Review
This was a facinating book to listen to. As you listen to the excellent reading the forthrightness and character of the author comes through. After listening to this no nonsence guide to basic nursing you really get the idea of how insistant and demanding this woman must have been. I was left wondering if she was always like that, or her war time experience made her that way.
Florence tells us through this book, how to care for the sick, how a nurse must pay attention to the patients condition, what they eat, how they eat, how rooms should be aired. She repeats lessons that are both basic and neccesary, but apparently so often overlooked by nurses of the time. I particularly liked her attitude to taking direction from Doctors.
The lessons are presented in an easy to listen to style, full of anecdotes and plain speaking that never bores the listener.
If you have any interest in the authors position in history, or simply in nursing, then I think you'll find this as facinating as I.
The reader was perfect for the book, you can easily believe that Florence is speaking to you!
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
Notes on Nursing was published in 1859 and is a fascinating view into the theories underpinning the early development of modern nursing and public health reform by "the Lady with the Lamp", Florence Nightingale. Emphasising common sense and thought for the patient's care in many more ways than just administering physician-prescribed medicines, this is still a very relevant book for those interested in health or caring for the sick and infirm today.
My Review
This was a facinating book to listen to. As you listen to the excellent reading the forthrightness and character of the author comes through. After listening to this no nonsence guide to basic nursing you really get the idea of how insistant and demanding this woman must have been. I was left wondering if she was always like that, or her war time experience made her that way.
Florence tells us through this book, how to care for the sick, how a nurse must pay attention to the patients condition, what they eat, how they eat, how rooms should be aired. She repeats lessons that are both basic and neccesary, but apparently so often overlooked by nurses of the time. I particularly liked her attitude to taking direction from Doctors.
The lessons are presented in an easy to listen to style, full of anecdotes and plain speaking that never bores the listener.
If you have any interest in the authors position in history, or simply in nursing, then I think you'll find this as facinating as I.
The reader was perfect for the book, you can easily believe that Florence is speaking to you!
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
Sunday, 20 June 2010
The Lost Continent by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Official Blurb
Originally published under the title Beyond Thirty.
The novel, set in the year 2137, was heavily influenced by the events of World War I. In the future world depicted in the novel, Europe has descended into barbarism while an isolationist Western Hemisphere remains sheltered from the destruction. The title Beyond Thirty refers to the degree of longitude that inhabitants of the Western Hemisphere are forbidden to pass.
My Review
This is a Edgar Burroughs story but is a little different from his usual fair. How is it different, well, I'm not sure I can tell you, I can't put my finger on it.
It does follow the usual heroic focus, such as found in the Carter or Tarzan books but I guess this is it, the Hero starts off quite heroic but does not seem to live up to that title. Yep, thats it.
When the hero starts investigating the world "beyond thirty" he seems to become more passive, more of a passenger than a driver.
The world beyond the 30 is a land of barbarians, who seems to have lost the technology they used to have. It's not quite a fall back to the world of dinosaurs but wild animals have bred!
Overall it's an interesting story, but not quite up to the action and adventure of his other works. Certainly worth a listen if you like this kind of adventure, but I fear you might be disapointed if you've listened to his other books.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
Originally published under the title Beyond Thirty.
The novel, set in the year 2137, was heavily influenced by the events of World War I. In the future world depicted in the novel, Europe has descended into barbarism while an isolationist Western Hemisphere remains sheltered from the destruction. The title Beyond Thirty refers to the degree of longitude that inhabitants of the Western Hemisphere are forbidden to pass.
My Review
This is a Edgar Burroughs story but is a little different from his usual fair. How is it different, well, I'm not sure I can tell you, I can't put my finger on it.
It does follow the usual heroic focus, such as found in the Carter or Tarzan books but I guess this is it, the Hero starts off quite heroic but does not seem to live up to that title. Yep, thats it.
When the hero starts investigating the world "beyond thirty" he seems to become more passive, more of a passenger than a driver.
The world beyond the 30 is a land of barbarians, who seems to have lost the technology they used to have. It's not quite a fall back to the world of dinosaurs but wild animals have bred!
Overall it's an interesting story, but not quite up to the action and adventure of his other works. Certainly worth a listen if you like this kind of adventure, but I fear you might be disapointed if you've listened to his other books.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Undertakers Moon ( Excerpt)
Official Blurb
Croatoan Publishing has released the limited edition hardcover of Ron Kelly's Irish-Werewolf novel, "Undertaker's Moon". Here's a free download of the Audio excerpt produced and narrated by Wayne June.
My Review
I was pointed to this short little story by a podcasting friend who had interviewed the reader. It's a self contained excerpt from the book that forms a little short story all of it own. Its presented here as a promo for the book. The story is split into four, five minute sections. Really(!) the reader has a voice made for horror and fits this bloody "tail" perfectly.
So, this is a dark horror tale with a ton of blood that you can listen to in under half an hour. I'm not going to rate it, only because it's an excerpt, and I don't want anyone to mix up my rating of this excerpt with a rating for an audio book. I can tell you that I love the readers voice and the story was good too.
If your not adverse to a bit of horror, dig in!
Download from here.
Listen to the first five minute segment
.
Croatoan Publishing has released the limited edition hardcover of Ron Kelly's Irish-Werewolf novel, "Undertaker's Moon". Here's a free download of the Audio excerpt produced and narrated by Wayne June.
My Review
I was pointed to this short little story by a podcasting friend who had interviewed the reader. It's a self contained excerpt from the book that forms a little short story all of it own. Its presented here as a promo for the book. The story is split into four, five minute sections. Really(!) the reader has a voice made for horror and fits this bloody "tail" perfectly.
So, this is a dark horror tale with a ton of blood that you can listen to in under half an hour. I'm not going to rate it, only because it's an excerpt, and I don't want anyone to mix up my rating of this excerpt with a rating for an audio book. I can tell you that I love the readers voice and the story was good too.
If your not adverse to a bit of horror, dig in!
Download from here.
Listen to the first five minute segment
.
Monday, 14 June 2010
Conquest Over Time by Michael Shaara
Official Blurb
Pat Travis, a spacer renowned for his luck, is suddenly quite out of it. His job is to beat his competitors to sign newly-Contacted human races to commercial contracts...
But what can he do when he finds he's on a planet that consults astrology for literally every major decision - and he has arrived on one of the worst-aspected days in history?
My Review
Here's a short novel in the classic sci fi tradition. Set in a future where new "human" races are discovered almost daily as the terran empire spreads, where everyone speaks english and most worlds are even earth like in their development.
It's not serious sci fi, as you may have gathered, but a light hearted short story that uses sci fi as an excuse to explore the plot.
The characters are charming and the problems presented to the protagonists are far from lethal and dramatic, but yet the story still caught my attention and I was intrigued to see where it would lead.
The whole things runs for about an hour and a half, so if your looking for some "pop-corn" in sci fi form this is the story for you, and when its read by the excellent Mark F. Smith how can you go wrong?
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
Pat Travis, a spacer renowned for his luck, is suddenly quite out of it. His job is to beat his competitors to sign newly-Contacted human races to commercial contracts...
But what can he do when he finds he's on a planet that consults astrology for literally every major decision - and he has arrived on one of the worst-aspected days in history?
My Review
Here's a short novel in the classic sci fi tradition. Set in a future where new "human" races are discovered almost daily as the terran empire spreads, where everyone speaks english and most worlds are even earth like in their development.
It's not serious sci fi, as you may have gathered, but a light hearted short story that uses sci fi as an excuse to explore the plot.
The characters are charming and the problems presented to the protagonists are far from lethal and dramatic, but yet the story still caught my attention and I was intrigued to see where it would lead.
The whole things runs for about an hour and a half, so if your looking for some "pop-corn" in sci fi form this is the story for you, and when its read by the excellent Mark F. Smith how can you go wrong?
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
Sunday, 6 June 2010
South Coast by Nathan Lowell
Official Blurb
A Shaman's Tale from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper : Volume 1
Otto is Richard Krugg's only son and heir to the Shaman's gift. The only problem is Otto doesn't want it. He wants to be a fisherman. When company policies force unwelcome changes onto his life and threaten even the security of the village, Otto discovers that being a shaman isn't optional.Jimmy Pirano is caught between the devil and the deep green sea when new production quotas are handed down from corporate headquarters. Locked into a century of existing practice, Jimmy is forced to find new ways to fish and new places to do it in or face the very real possibility that Pirano Fisheries will lose the St. Cloud franchise.Join Otto, Richard, and Rachel Krugg as they struggle with what it means to be the son of a shaman. Cast off with Jimmy, Tony, and Casey as they navigate the shoals and shallows of corporate fishery along the South Coast.
My Review
Another good story from Nathan Lowell. I reviewed another book of his a while back called Quarter Share. In that review I mentioned how good a reader Nathan is and how real he makes the characters. Well he's done it again here in South Coast. This novel is set in the same universe as Quarter Share but does not share any characters. that novel was set on a solar clipper travelling the stars, but this one is planet bound and mostly set in a single village.
This novel tells the story of simple fisher folk living on another world in the far future. There are not any "alien fiends" to be disposed of, no battles, none of the usual tropes of sci fi in fact. Yet, it is still a sci fi novel, but grounded in common place things that help make this a story that is easy to relate to.
As with Nathans other books he's created characters that are appealing and easy to like, and placed them in situations that even though they are not perilous are compelling.
I got through this audio book in a couple of days. It would have been one day, but I literally did not have enough hours in the day! Its a long novel, and I loved every minute. If you liked any of his other books, then this is a natural download.
After finishing this novel I looked to see if there is a sequel available, alas, alas, not yet. Nathans published schedule has the sequel, "Cape Grace" planned for November this year.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from Podiobooks
Listen to the first chapter
.
A Shaman's Tale from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper : Volume 1
Otto is Richard Krugg's only son and heir to the Shaman's gift. The only problem is Otto doesn't want it. He wants to be a fisherman. When company policies force unwelcome changes onto his life and threaten even the security of the village, Otto discovers that being a shaman isn't optional.Jimmy Pirano is caught between the devil and the deep green sea when new production quotas are handed down from corporate headquarters. Locked into a century of existing practice, Jimmy is forced to find new ways to fish and new places to do it in or face the very real possibility that Pirano Fisheries will lose the St. Cloud franchise.Join Otto, Richard, and Rachel Krugg as they struggle with what it means to be the son of a shaman. Cast off with Jimmy, Tony, and Casey as they navigate the shoals and shallows of corporate fishery along the South Coast.
My Review
Another good story from Nathan Lowell. I reviewed another book of his a while back called Quarter Share. In that review I mentioned how good a reader Nathan is and how real he makes the characters. Well he's done it again here in South Coast. This novel is set in the same universe as Quarter Share but does not share any characters. that novel was set on a solar clipper travelling the stars, but this one is planet bound and mostly set in a single village.
This novel tells the story of simple fisher folk living on another world in the far future. There are not any "alien fiends" to be disposed of, no battles, none of the usual tropes of sci fi in fact. Yet, it is still a sci fi novel, but grounded in common place things that help make this a story that is easy to relate to.
As with Nathans other books he's created characters that are appealing and easy to like, and placed them in situations that even though they are not perilous are compelling.
I got through this audio book in a couple of days. It would have been one day, but I literally did not have enough hours in the day! Its a long novel, and I loved every minute. If you liked any of his other books, then this is a natural download.
After finishing this novel I looked to see if there is a sequel available, alas, alas, not yet. Nathans published schedule has the sequel, "Cape Grace" planned for November this year.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from Podiobooks
Listen to the first chapter
.
Sunday, 30 May 2010
Spacehounds of IPC by E E Smith
Official Blurb
When the Inter-Planetary Corporation's (IPC) crack liner “IPV Arcturus” took off on a routine flight to Mars, it turned out to be the beginning of a unexpected and long voyage. There had been too many reports of errors in ship's flight positions from the Check Stations and brilliant physicist Dr. Percival (“Steve”) Stevens is aboard the Arcturus on a fact-finding mission to find out what's really happening, and hopefully save the honor of the brave pilots of the space-liner Arcturus from the desk-jockeys' in the Check Stations implications of imprecision - the nastiest insult you could cast at a ships pilot. He and the pilots are right, it was the Check Stations that were out of position, not the ships. But that's cold consolation because before the Arcturus reaches Mars it's attacked by a small, mysterious, globe shaped spaceship.
My Review
Pulpy Sci Fi at its best! This is an excellent classic sci fi story written when men were men and women were beautiful ( and darn good with a bow and arrow ).
The story introduces our heros and almost immediately throws them into challenging scenarios and conflict. Of course being heros they are not easily killed and able to rise to pretty much any challenge.
The bad guys in this story are totally bad, in fact single minded and unthinking in regards to anything but "attack". It makes them rather two dimensional. Although the story presents them as highly technical and advanced, they are not fleshed out. This left them as a rather card board cut-out enemy, who although "bad" didn't really evoke a feeling of menace. I might also mention that in a couple of places the author has indulged in a paragraph techno-bable. These faults are however very small problems.
This is a fun adventure in space with aliens, spaceships, space-battles and heros. It's read by the impecable Mark Nelson who gives us an outstanding performance.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
.
When the Inter-Planetary Corporation's (IPC) crack liner “IPV Arcturus” took off on a routine flight to Mars, it turned out to be the beginning of a unexpected and long voyage. There had been too many reports of errors in ship's flight positions from the Check Stations and brilliant physicist Dr. Percival (“Steve”) Stevens is aboard the Arcturus on a fact-finding mission to find out what's really happening, and hopefully save the honor of the brave pilots of the space-liner Arcturus from the desk-jockeys' in the Check Stations implications of imprecision - the nastiest insult you could cast at a ships pilot. He and the pilots are right, it was the Check Stations that were out of position, not the ships. But that's cold consolation because before the Arcturus reaches Mars it's attacked by a small, mysterious, globe shaped spaceship.
My Review
Pulpy Sci Fi at its best! This is an excellent classic sci fi story written when men were men and women were beautiful ( and darn good with a bow and arrow ).
The story introduces our heros and almost immediately throws them into challenging scenarios and conflict. Of course being heros they are not easily killed and able to rise to pretty much any challenge.
The bad guys in this story are totally bad, in fact single minded and unthinking in regards to anything but "attack". It makes them rather two dimensional. Although the story presents them as highly technical and advanced, they are not fleshed out. This left them as a rather card board cut-out enemy, who although "bad" didn't really evoke a feeling of menace. I might also mention that in a couple of places the author has indulged in a paragraph techno-bable. These faults are however very small problems.
This is a fun adventure in space with aliens, spaceships, space-battles and heros. It's read by the impecable Mark Nelson who gives us an outstanding performance.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
.
Friday, 28 May 2010
The God Conspiracy by Derek Gilbert
Official Blurb
One e-mail. Five lines. 4,000 dead.
And it is only just beginning…
When a small boy in Iowa forwards a mysterious email from ‘God’ to a small group of friends, he unwittingly releases a trigger that sends blood pouring throughout his farming community.
Thousands more are dead across the country in dozens of simultaneous terror attacks and the government blames fundamentalists who want to trigger the Apocalypse.
FBI Agent Joe Unes reluctantly teams with reclusive Internet radio host Barney Ison (from Sharon K. Gilbert’s The Armageddon Strain) to expose the plot -- and discovers that he's not contending against flesh and blood.
My Review
I came across this book by accident. It was referenced in a blog or news report somewhere and that led me to go searching for it on Podiobooks. I've reviewed another book by the same author, a fantasy book called Iron Dragons, that I really enjoyed.. After listening to Iron Dragons I discovered the author runs a couple of podcasts over at PID Radio which I instantly became a fan of. Oddly, despite listening to those shows I hadn't picked up on the existance this book!
Anyway, onto the book itself. The official blurb gives you a good overview that doesn't spoil too much. The story follows the view points of various characters until they merge into a single narrative. This works really well as it gives you the chance to get to know all of the players in this game, both the good guys AND the bad guys.
The story investigates a number of political angles as the terror spreads. This terror is rather close to home. Ordinary people, people from happy families suddenly turn into raving killers for no apparent reason. The political side of it is likewise close to home. The author has woven current real world political moves and activities through his story. This tends to make the events of the novel feel more real.
So with common everyday locations, events all too close to reality and the threads of real-world policies, and of course a fine fine cast of believable characters we have the makings of a very good novel.
I found I was drawn in to keep listening, and the excitement level was very high meaning that I found this book ending far too soon!
The reader has done a splendid job. As I said with Iron Dragons, the pace of the reading is very fast, but that adds to the excitment generated by the story.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from Podiobooks
Listen to the prologue
BONUS :
I asked the author of "The God Conspiracy", Derek Gilbert, to answer a few questions which he has kindly done.
Q : What was you inspiration for this book, at first listen you seem to have drawn on the themes covered in your podcasts?
A : Exactly right. Sharon and I have always been conspiracy theorists at heart. It struck us that The X-Files was a lot closer to reality than most people realized, except that it didn't present an accurate--by which I mean Christian--worldview.
Q : How long did it take to write?
A : The novel took me about six months to write and another four months to rewrite. And then another couple of months to editing.
Q : How long did it take to record?
A : The recording took about an hour a week over a period of about six months.
Q : What's your recording set up?
A : The recording setup I used was a consumer-grade Plantronics USB headset mic and a G5 iMac. We've since upgraded to a quad-core Windows 7 machine with a Behringer mixer and mics. I'm looking forward to recording our next audio novel, which will be Sharon's Signs and Wonders.
Q : Why release it as a free audio book?
A : Marketing on a budget. People who've never heard of Derek P. Gilbert aren't very likely to spend $15 on the novel.
Q : Have you considered selling the audio book?
A : Not seriously. Same reason as above--nobody knows who I am, so why would they spend $10 or $20 to listen to something they might hate?
Q : What other audio projects have you done or got in mind?
A : My first novel, Iron Dragons, is also available as a free audio novel at PodioBooks.com. As I mentioned, I look forward to recording my wife's novels, which are far better than mine. Of course, Sharon and I produce the weekly podcasts P.I.D. Radio and A View From the Bunker, which I may turn into a live show soon.
Q : Do you have any other projects you'd like to mention?
A : I write weekly for the website HearkenTheWatchmen.com, and I'm toying with a non-fiction writing project to add to several unfinished novels languishing on my laptop.
Thanks for your time and consideration.
It's been my honor!
One e-mail. Five lines. 4,000 dead.
And it is only just beginning…
When a small boy in Iowa forwards a mysterious email from ‘God’ to a small group of friends, he unwittingly releases a trigger that sends blood pouring throughout his farming community.
Thousands more are dead across the country in dozens of simultaneous terror attacks and the government blames fundamentalists who want to trigger the Apocalypse.
FBI Agent Joe Unes reluctantly teams with reclusive Internet radio host Barney Ison (from Sharon K. Gilbert’s The Armageddon Strain) to expose the plot -- and discovers that he's not contending against flesh and blood.
My Review
I came across this book by accident. It was referenced in a blog or news report somewhere and that led me to go searching for it on Podiobooks. I've reviewed another book by the same author, a fantasy book called Iron Dragons, that I really enjoyed.. After listening to Iron Dragons I discovered the author runs a couple of podcasts over at PID Radio which I instantly became a fan of. Oddly, despite listening to those shows I hadn't picked up on the existance this book!
Anyway, onto the book itself. The official blurb gives you a good overview that doesn't spoil too much. The story follows the view points of various characters until they merge into a single narrative. This works really well as it gives you the chance to get to know all of the players in this game, both the good guys AND the bad guys.
The story investigates a number of political angles as the terror spreads. This terror is rather close to home. Ordinary people, people from happy families suddenly turn into raving killers for no apparent reason. The political side of it is likewise close to home. The author has woven current real world political moves and activities through his story. This tends to make the events of the novel feel more real.
So with common everyday locations, events all too close to reality and the threads of real-world policies, and of course a fine fine cast of believable characters we have the makings of a very good novel.
I found I was drawn in to keep listening, and the excitement level was very high meaning that I found this book ending far too soon!
The reader has done a splendid job. As I said with Iron Dragons, the pace of the reading is very fast, but that adds to the excitment generated by the story.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from Podiobooks
Listen to the prologue
BONUS :
I asked the author of "The God Conspiracy", Derek Gilbert, to answer a few questions which he has kindly done.
Q : What was you inspiration for this book, at first listen you seem to have drawn on the themes covered in your podcasts?
A : Exactly right. Sharon and I have always been conspiracy theorists at heart. It struck us that The X-Files was a lot closer to reality than most people realized, except that it didn't present an accurate--by which I mean Christian--worldview.
Q : How long did it take to write?
A : The novel took me about six months to write and another four months to rewrite. And then another couple of months to editing.
Q : How long did it take to record?
A : The recording took about an hour a week over a period of about six months.
Q : What's your recording set up?
A : The recording setup I used was a consumer-grade Plantronics USB headset mic and a G5 iMac. We've since upgraded to a quad-core Windows 7 machine with a Behringer mixer and mics. I'm looking forward to recording our next audio novel, which will be Sharon's Signs and Wonders.
Q : Why release it as a free audio book?
A : Marketing on a budget. People who've never heard of Derek P. Gilbert aren't very likely to spend $15 on the novel.
Q : Have you considered selling the audio book?
A : Not seriously. Same reason as above--nobody knows who I am, so why would they spend $10 or $20 to listen to something they might hate?
Q : What other audio projects have you done or got in mind?
A : My first novel, Iron Dragons, is also available as a free audio novel at PodioBooks.com. As I mentioned, I look forward to recording my wife's novels, which are far better than mine. Of course, Sharon and I produce the weekly podcasts P.I.D. Radio and A View From the Bunker, which I may turn into a live show soon.
Q : Do you have any other projects you'd like to mention?
A : I write weekly for the website HearkenTheWatchmen.com, and I'm toying with a non-fiction writing project to add to several unfinished novels languishing on my laptop.
Thanks for your time and consideration.
It's been my honor!
Monday, 24 May 2010
The Moon Pool by Abraham Merritt
Official Blurb
Dr. David Throckmartin’s scientific expedition to the South Sea Islands discovers among ancient ruins a portal into Muria, an unknown underground world. After the disappearance of Throckmartin, his wife and two companions, his old friend Dr. Walter Goodwin enters Muria with a rescue party, only to confront an fantastic world filled with incredible beings, astounding scientific advances, and the worship of the most evil of all creatures, The Dweller.
My Review
What we have here is a classical pulp style adventure. Look at the elements involved, an entire underground world containing multiple cultures, civilisations, evil religions and cults, mad dwarves and monsters!
You want it, then this story has it.
Personally I found it a little slow in the beginning but it soon moved up to a better pace. There are the usual investigating-the-strange-worlds chapters. The chase-across-the-landscape chapters. The love chapters! Of course we can't do without the huge final confrontation.
The reader is Mark Nelson who does a loverly job in creating voices for most of the characters and bringing the story to life in his well paced cadence. He's brought the skill with which he reads Sci Fi into this fantasy story with aplomb.
If you enjoyed Vernes "Journey" story I think you'll find this one very much to your taste.
Reading 3
Production 2
Story 2
Total 7/9
Download the book from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
Dr. David Throckmartin’s scientific expedition to the South Sea Islands discovers among ancient ruins a portal into Muria, an unknown underground world. After the disappearance of Throckmartin, his wife and two companions, his old friend Dr. Walter Goodwin enters Muria with a rescue party, only to confront an fantastic world filled with incredible beings, astounding scientific advances, and the worship of the most evil of all creatures, The Dweller.
My Review
What we have here is a classical pulp style adventure. Look at the elements involved, an entire underground world containing multiple cultures, civilisations, evil religions and cults, mad dwarves and monsters!
You want it, then this story has it.
Personally I found it a little slow in the beginning but it soon moved up to a better pace. There are the usual investigating-the-strange-worlds chapters. The chase-across-the-landscape chapters. The love chapters! Of course we can't do without the huge final confrontation.
The reader is Mark Nelson who does a loverly job in creating voices for most of the characters and bringing the story to life in his well paced cadence. He's brought the skill with which he reads Sci Fi into this fantasy story with aplomb.
If you enjoyed Vernes "Journey" story I think you'll find this one very much to your taste.
Reading 3
Production 2
Story 2
Total 7/9
Download the book from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
The Variable Man by Philip K Dick
Offical Blurb
Predictability has come a long way. The computers of the future can tell you if you’re going to win a war before you fire a shot. Unfortunately they’re predicting perpetual standoff between the Terran and Centaurian Empires. What they need is something unpredictable, what they get is Thomas Cole, a man from the past accidently dragged forward in time. Will he fit their calculations, or is he the random variable that can break the stalemate?
My Review
An odd book, in its structure at least. About two and a half hours long in only three parts with the first and last parts being an hour each. I guess that comes down to how the author chapterized his work.
The story however is pretty good. As the blurb says, we find our future driven by computers calculating the odds of every action before we take it. This authoritarian culture is at war, or at least, wants to be at war with an alien race. They are constantly striving to change the odds in Earths favour so that a real winnable war can take place.
I was confused a little by the characters interpretation of odds. At one point the odds become 7-6 in Earths favour and they declare its time for war. Those odds look a little slim to me! I'd want 100-1 or better before I'd risk all.
Anyway, odds aside, this is a good little book, with some twists in it to keep you interested and listening. The variable man of the title is our hero, a man out of his time and totally unpredictable.
Of course and as usual Gregg Margarite's reading is outstanding and sugar for your ears.
If your a sci fi fan, download it!
Reading 3
Production 2
Story 3
Total 8/9
Download the book from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
Predictability has come a long way. The computers of the future can tell you if you’re going to win a war before you fire a shot. Unfortunately they’re predicting perpetual standoff between the Terran and Centaurian Empires. What they need is something unpredictable, what they get is Thomas Cole, a man from the past accidently dragged forward in time. Will he fit their calculations, or is he the random variable that can break the stalemate?
My Review
An odd book, in its structure at least. About two and a half hours long in only three parts with the first and last parts being an hour each. I guess that comes down to how the author chapterized his work.
The story however is pretty good. As the blurb says, we find our future driven by computers calculating the odds of every action before we take it. This authoritarian culture is at war, or at least, wants to be at war with an alien race. They are constantly striving to change the odds in Earths favour so that a real winnable war can take place.
I was confused a little by the characters interpretation of odds. At one point the odds become 7-6 in Earths favour and they declare its time for war. Those odds look a little slim to me! I'd want 100-1 or better before I'd risk all.
Anyway, odds aside, this is a good little book, with some twists in it to keep you interested and listening. The variable man of the title is our hero, a man out of his time and totally unpredictable.
Of course and as usual Gregg Margarite's reading is outstanding and sugar for your ears.
If your a sci fi fan, download it!
Reading 3
Production 2
Story 3
Total 8/9
Download the book from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
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