Official Blurb
Francis Key Howard recounts in this book his life as a political prisoner of the United States. He points out that he was held captive at the same location where his grandfather was inspired to write the national anthem about the "land of the free," which makes a very stunning contrast. The sufferings that were imposed on him by the Union forces had the effect of solidifying his determination to resist unjust governmental dictates.
My Review
I though this was going to be a military history when it turned on on my radar, but turned out to be something a little different. It takes place during the American Civil war and features the events surround a newspaper man who finds himself arrested as a political prisoner.
As the author states he held the opinion that a war with the south would only leads to two nations and for this he was arrested, taken from his home and imprisoned with military prisoners, without trial or any recourse whatsoever.
The book is half memoir with the other half being made up letters sent and received by the author while in prison.
It's a quite fascinating read/listen for anyone with interest in the civil war. there have been many books written about the war but very few seem to deal with the prisons so this is quite a gem.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 1/3
Total Score 5/9
Download it from the Librivox
Listen to the first part
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Asteroid of Fear by Raymond Z. Gallun
Official Blurb
John Endlich needed to clean up his act. Gambling, drinking, a hot temper and wanderlust were the last things Rose and the kids needed. So he went to the Homesteaders Office and signed up to terraform Vesta, a chunk of a once thriving alien planet that had exploded from within; a flat lump of crust which was now the remains of a farm on one side and a mining operation on the other. The miners hated Endlich and sabotaged his plans at every opportunity. They were going to kill him and his family if he didn’t find a way to stop them.
Written by :
My Review
When I settled down to write this review it occurred to me that this was a western story set in space. The protagonist is a homesteader in the back of beyond and the "indians" are played by the miners.
Apart from that, the story is pure sci fi. It's set on an alien world that includes a dead ancient civilisation. People flit about in space ships and shoot "blasters" so it has all of the good sci fi stuff.
What it boils down to in the end is 80-90 minutes of classic sci fi story, a man with a history trys to settle a barren land and defend his family and his home from a bunch of bully boys that are armed to the teeth!
Add to that, the story being read by Gregg Margarite and you have a recipe for a great listen. Highly recommended.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from the Librivox
Listen to the first part
John Endlich needed to clean up his act. Gambling, drinking, a hot temper and wanderlust were the last things Rose and the kids needed. So he went to the Homesteaders Office and signed up to terraform Vesta, a chunk of a once thriving alien planet that had exploded from within; a flat lump of crust which was now the remains of a farm on one side and a mining operation on the other. The miners hated Endlich and sabotaged his plans at every opportunity. They were going to kill him and his family if he didn’t find a way to stop them.
Written by :
My Review
When I settled down to write this review it occurred to me that this was a western story set in space. The protagonist is a homesteader in the back of beyond and the "indians" are played by the miners.
Apart from that, the story is pure sci fi. It's set on an alien world that includes a dead ancient civilisation. People flit about in space ships and shoot "blasters" so it has all of the good sci fi stuff.
What it boils down to in the end is 80-90 minutes of classic sci fi story, a man with a history trys to settle a barren land and defend his family and his home from a bunch of bully boys that are armed to the teeth!
Add to that, the story being read by Gregg Margarite and you have a recipe for a great listen. Highly recommended.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from the Librivox
Listen to the first part
Sunday, 27 March 2011
The Silent Bullet by Arthur B. Reeve
Official Blurb
The many adventures of Professor Craig Kennedy were chronicled by Arthur B. Reeve (October 15, 1880 - August 9, 1936). Reeve was an American mystery writer who created 82 Craig Kennedy mystery stories. The stories have a very Sherlock Holmes type feel, In fact Kennedy has been referred to as the "American Shelock Holmes". Along with his reporter friend, Walter Jameson, Kennedy solves many crimes and unveils mysteries using science.
Each story features a facinating look at life in the early 20th century, and even includes some action along the way.
My Review
I'm really not sure what to say about this book! It's a collection of short stories about a Professor who is investigating crimes. As the blurb suggests the character is a Sherlock Holmes clone. He does perhaps rely more on forensic science rather than deductive reasoning, but the differene is only marginal.
Simply put, if you like Sherlock Holmes, I think this will be right up your alley. I'm a Sherlock fan and really did like this audio book. The stories are varied as they should be in such a collection but all revolve around the solving of a crime.
The reader is pretty good. He gives the lead character a very nasal voice. I thjought that an odd choice at first, but in the end it makes the story all the more clear for its distinctiveness. A pretty good job.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from the Librivox
Listen to the first part
The many adventures of Professor Craig Kennedy were chronicled by Arthur B. Reeve (October 15, 1880 - August 9, 1936). Reeve was an American mystery writer who created 82 Craig Kennedy mystery stories. The stories have a very Sherlock Holmes type feel, In fact Kennedy has been referred to as the "American Shelock Holmes". Along with his reporter friend, Walter Jameson, Kennedy solves many crimes and unveils mysteries using science.
Each story features a facinating look at life in the early 20th century, and even includes some action along the way.
My Review
I'm really not sure what to say about this book! It's a collection of short stories about a Professor who is investigating crimes. As the blurb suggests the character is a Sherlock Holmes clone. He does perhaps rely more on forensic science rather than deductive reasoning, but the differene is only marginal.
Simply put, if you like Sherlock Holmes, I think this will be right up your alley. I'm a Sherlock fan and really did like this audio book. The stories are varied as they should be in such a collection but all revolve around the solving of a crime.
The reader is pretty good. He gives the lead character a very nasal voice. I thjought that an odd choice at first, but in the end it makes the story all the more clear for its distinctiveness. A pretty good job.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from the Librivox
Listen to the first part
Friday, 25 March 2011
Marker Stone by Paul J. Joseph
Official Blurb
There’s trouble on CMC-6 and it’s been brewing for a long time. The golden age of space travel and asteroid mining has ended almost before it began and the bean counters have taken over. Sally Buds’ patients are all suffering from low-gravity syndrome because the Canadian Mining Consortium won’t spring for gravity generators and the miners won’t exercise. On top of this the station might be facing hard times. An expensive mining robot disappeared while surveying a region of space known and KEL-30 or “Kelthy.” The problem was not in replacing the robot, but rather in the fact that the machine reappeared after the replacement had been ordered. How could the station personnel have been so incompetent? But Sally has another question. Where did the probe go when it was out of contact? Where did the strange rock samples come from and why did the images it saw not correspond with known star charts? Her new friend Ian Merryfield, an RAF shuttle pilot, wants to know, too. But the station commander does not. What is in the Kelthy region and why do things disappear there? Is it a hoax intended to scare away claim jumpers or is it the greatest discovery of the twenty-first century? Ian and Sally intend to find out even if it means risking their careers or even their lives. Not knowing would be worse.
My Review
This book is a prequel of sorts to Homesick which was the audiobook I last reviewed, so yes, I'd reviewing them in the wrong order!
I'm really wishing I'd discovered this book first as it takes some of the same characters from Homesick and includes discovering "the fold" which plays a major role in the second book of the trilogy. Now having said that, I'm not disapointed in the book. It does stand alone with a pretty good ending, but the ending clearly leaves an opening for "Homesick" as the sequel.
I enjoyed finding out more about the characters I'd come to know in Homesick, their origins if you will.
The plot of this book, is "thinner" than that of Homesick, but I'm pretty sure I would have still enjoyed it as much if I'd listened in the correct order.
The reader is very good ( its the author ) and has a smooth voice that really set sthe mood well. All in all, this book is worth a listen. I can't find the third or fourth books in the series at podiobooks as yet... I'll keep looking.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from the Podiobooks
Listen to the first part
There’s trouble on CMC-6 and it’s been brewing for a long time. The golden age of space travel and asteroid mining has ended almost before it began and the bean counters have taken over. Sally Buds’ patients are all suffering from low-gravity syndrome because the Canadian Mining Consortium won’t spring for gravity generators and the miners won’t exercise. On top of this the station might be facing hard times. An expensive mining robot disappeared while surveying a region of space known and KEL-30 or “Kelthy.” The problem was not in replacing the robot, but rather in the fact that the machine reappeared after the replacement had been ordered. How could the station personnel have been so incompetent? But Sally has another question. Where did the probe go when it was out of contact? Where did the strange rock samples come from and why did the images it saw not correspond with known star charts? Her new friend Ian Merryfield, an RAF shuttle pilot, wants to know, too. But the station commander does not. What is in the Kelthy region and why do things disappear there? Is it a hoax intended to scare away claim jumpers or is it the greatest discovery of the twenty-first century? Ian and Sally intend to find out even if it means risking their careers or even their lives. Not knowing would be worse.
My Review
This book is a prequel of sorts to Homesick which was the audiobook I last reviewed, so yes, I'd reviewing them in the wrong order!
I'm really wishing I'd discovered this book first as it takes some of the same characters from Homesick and includes discovering "the fold" which plays a major role in the second book of the trilogy. Now having said that, I'm not disapointed in the book. It does stand alone with a pretty good ending, but the ending clearly leaves an opening for "Homesick" as the sequel.
I enjoyed finding out more about the characters I'd come to know in Homesick, their origins if you will.
The plot of this book, is "thinner" than that of Homesick, but I'm pretty sure I would have still enjoyed it as much if I'd listened in the correct order.
The reader is very good ( its the author ) and has a smooth voice that really set sthe mood well. All in all, this book is worth a listen. I can't find the third or fourth books in the series at podiobooks as yet... I'll keep looking.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from the Podiobooks
Listen to the first part
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Homesick bu Paul J. Joseph
Official Blurb
The mission to New Ontario, is not going as planned. The first landing ends in disaster when the American astronaut, Scott Anderson, goes down alone and dissappears. Captain Sally Buds, Ian Merryfield, Vladamir Coronov must put aside their personal differences and attempt an umarmed rescue unsure of what awaits them below.
On the surface, they find only the remnants of a civilization. Buildings are rotting and the remains of human-like bodies are scattered around what may once have been streets. But the rescue trail leads them to a Nazi-style concentration camp populated with crowds of human cattle living in squalor. The camp has no walls or barbed wire, but no one is trying to escape. In fact, the workers are smiling. There among them is Scott Anderson. To rescue him, they must face an unspeakably cruel regime with no concept of mercy.
But this turns out to be only the beginning. The Masters have discovered vital information about Earth, its technology, and location. Will the same madness that consumed New Ontario ultimately engulf Earth? Sally and Ian must risk their lives to prevent it.
My Review
This is a facinating and engaging sci fi story. Having fininshed listening to it I only then discovered that it was in fact part two of a loosely linked series. I didn't realise this, and still really enjoyed the book.
The blurb above tells you all you need to know about the stories plot which I found quite enthralling. The UN spaceship is populated with interesting characters who are well put together form a superb story telling dynamic. This group is neither the perfectly fitting and friendly carboard cuit outs from Star Trek, nor some grotesque groups of misfits you'd find in a bad soap. They don't all get along, but their differences are reasonable and what you'd expect from a group of real people. Making the characters this "real" is what makes the story so good. Real people in extraordinary situations.
Throughout the story you get little tid-bits of Earths recent history and the way they are dropped during the story was really nice, it added depth to the environment withiout having to go off on an info dump.
If your a fan of sci-fi, download this book. I was glad I did. I'm now looking to download the prequel and sequel.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
Download it from the Podiobooks
Listen to the first part
.
The mission to New Ontario, is not going as planned. The first landing ends in disaster when the American astronaut, Scott Anderson, goes down alone and dissappears. Captain Sally Buds, Ian Merryfield, Vladamir Coronov must put aside their personal differences and attempt an umarmed rescue unsure of what awaits them below.
On the surface, they find only the remnants of a civilization. Buildings are rotting and the remains of human-like bodies are scattered around what may once have been streets. But the rescue trail leads them to a Nazi-style concentration camp populated with crowds of human cattle living in squalor. The camp has no walls or barbed wire, but no one is trying to escape. In fact, the workers are smiling. There among them is Scott Anderson. To rescue him, they must face an unspeakably cruel regime with no concept of mercy.
But this turns out to be only the beginning. The Masters have discovered vital information about Earth, its technology, and location. Will the same madness that consumed New Ontario ultimately engulf Earth? Sally and Ian must risk their lives to prevent it.
My Review
This is a facinating and engaging sci fi story. Having fininshed listening to it I only then discovered that it was in fact part two of a loosely linked series. I didn't realise this, and still really enjoyed the book.
The blurb above tells you all you need to know about the stories plot which I found quite enthralling. The UN spaceship is populated with interesting characters who are well put together form a superb story telling dynamic. This group is neither the perfectly fitting and friendly carboard cuit outs from Star Trek, nor some grotesque groups of misfits you'd find in a bad soap. They don't all get along, but their differences are reasonable and what you'd expect from a group of real people. Making the characters this "real" is what makes the story so good. Real people in extraordinary situations.
Throughout the story you get little tid-bits of Earths recent history and the way they are dropped during the story was really nice, it added depth to the environment withiout having to go off on an info dump.
If your a fan of sci-fi, download this book. I was glad I did. I'm now looking to download the prequel and sequel.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
Download it from the Podiobooks
Listen to the first part
.
Sunday, 13 March 2011
Unkillable by Patrick E. McLean
Official Blurb
Unkillable is the story of a young man who is cruelly murdered then brought back from the dead to revenge himself. The kicker is: He’s not really alive. He can be hurt, he just can’t be killed.
It’s dark and funny and sad and beautiful and violent and magical -- if it could be summed up with just a few words, there would have been no point in writing a novel.
Unkillable. Life sucks. Death blows. In between is worse.
My Review
I've been listening to this fairly short book as its been released and I have to say I really looked forward to each new release. It has been a real treat to listen to.
The story is darkly humourous. Well, when the protagonist is a dead guy, you know it's not your average story.
The lead character is just your average joe, thrown into a highly unlikely occult type situation. Not only does he get quickly and inexplicably killed he then gets taken advantage of too by the undead occult powers. This guy just does not get a break even when he thinks he has. That's where the humour comes in. The author has made his lead character self aware, that is, aware that where he is, is bizarre and strange, so he's able to look wryly at himself.
After listening to this story, I've learnt that being dead isn't all it's cracked up to be!
The reading is by the author who has done a top notch job, his voice brings the characters to life in a way that only author readings can. He has a soft subtle voice that fits the work just-right.
Well worth a listen.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from the Podiobooks
Listen to the first part
.
Unkillable is the story of a young man who is cruelly murdered then brought back from the dead to revenge himself. The kicker is: He’s not really alive. He can be hurt, he just can’t be killed.
It’s dark and funny and sad and beautiful and violent and magical -- if it could be summed up with just a few words, there would have been no point in writing a novel.
Unkillable. Life sucks. Death blows. In between is worse.
My Review
I've been listening to this fairly short book as its been released and I have to say I really looked forward to each new release. It has been a real treat to listen to.
The story is darkly humourous. Well, when the protagonist is a dead guy, you know it's not your average story.
The lead character is just your average joe, thrown into a highly unlikely occult type situation. Not only does he get quickly and inexplicably killed he then gets taken advantage of too by the undead occult powers. This guy just does not get a break even when he thinks he has. That's where the humour comes in. The author has made his lead character self aware, that is, aware that where he is, is bizarre and strange, so he's able to look wryly at himself.
After listening to this story, I've learnt that being dead isn't all it's cracked up to be!
The reading is by the author who has done a top notch job, his voice brings the characters to life in a way that only author readings can. He has a soft subtle voice that fits the work just-right.
Well worth a listen.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from the Podiobooks
Listen to the first part
.
Saturday, 12 March 2011
Stand by for Mars by Carey Rockwell
Official Blurb
Tom Corbett - Space Cadet was one of the first multimedia sensations. In the 1950s the character had his own radio show, TV series, comic book, breakfast cereal, and a line of young-adult novels. A cross between "Tom Brown's School Days" and Horatio Hornblower (and loosely based upon Robert A. Heinlein's novel "Space Cadet"), the books follow the adventures of Tom and his friends Roger Manning and Astro as they work their way through Space Academy to become officers of the Solar Guard. Along the way they tangle with space pirates, smugglers, and the threat of demerits for breaking the rules.
My Review
This is a pure sci fi story in the true 1950's/60's tradition. Unlike many such stories, in this book the protagonists are not all super expert and good at everything. The characters in this story have their faults and don't all get along. This makes the story much more interesting.
The story follows the exploits of a group of young cadets as they work through training and even get sent on their first mission, which, of course in such boys-own stories does not go according to plan. As the blurb says they encounter all kinds of problems that need to be overcome.
It's got all of the great story elements of classic sci fi. Hero's, space ships, high tech and bad guys, and they're put together in a fun light story that will keep any sci fi happy.
Don't expect hard hitting gritty story here, it's light pop corn literature.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from the Librivox
Listen to the first part
.
Tom Corbett - Space Cadet was one of the first multimedia sensations. In the 1950s the character had his own radio show, TV series, comic book, breakfast cereal, and a line of young-adult novels. A cross between "Tom Brown's School Days" and Horatio Hornblower (and loosely based upon Robert A. Heinlein's novel "Space Cadet"), the books follow the adventures of Tom and his friends Roger Manning and Astro as they work their way through Space Academy to become officers of the Solar Guard. Along the way they tangle with space pirates, smugglers, and the threat of demerits for breaking the rules.
My Review
This is a pure sci fi story in the true 1950's/60's tradition. Unlike many such stories, in this book the protagonists are not all super expert and good at everything. The characters in this story have their faults and don't all get along. This makes the story much more interesting.
The story follows the exploits of a group of young cadets as they work through training and even get sent on their first mission, which, of course in such boys-own stories does not go according to plan. As the blurb says they encounter all kinds of problems that need to be overcome.
It's got all of the great story elements of classic sci fi. Hero's, space ships, high tech and bad guys, and they're put together in a fun light story that will keep any sci fi happy.
Don't expect hard hitting gritty story here, it's light pop corn literature.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from the Librivox
Listen to the first part
.
Saturday, 5 March 2011
Bone Machines by John Dodds
Official Blurb
They suffer for his art...
When a number of women are reported missing in Glasgow, the spectre of a previous spate of unsolved disappearances in the city rears its head.
Journalist Ray Bissett is drawn into the case when his daughter joins the ranks of the missing. And ambitious police detective Tom Kendrick won't let Ray forget a terrible incident from his past which resulted in the death of a young boy.
Damaged lives and dark secrets...
The streets of Glasgow haunted by the ghosts of the missing...
And an artist driven by a deadly inspiration.
My Review
This is a mystery/crime story set in modern day Scotland. It's a dark tale that might well turn your stomach during some of its ... juicier... moments.
The story starts out following the various seperate characters in thier own lives and gently weaves them together as the mystery is presented.
From it's nasty opening to the final climax I was gripped by the stories exploration of mans inhumanity. As I listened I couldn't help but remember news stories of the past where such dispicable deeds were truely done. They are repeated here in story form, and its quite gut wrenching. That said, I have a weak stomach for this kind of thing. Pain slowly inclicted really gets to me.
The author reads his own work in this presentation and does a sterling job. I only have two critisms of the reading. The first is that he leaps from the end of a chapter straight into the podcast outro, without even a pause for breath which takes a little getting used to. The other, is one piece of editing when a missing sentence has been patched back into the flow, and it's obviously recorded with a different microphone or in another room. Neither of these problems should stop downloading this horrific story.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from the Podiobooks
Listen to the first part
p.s. Thanks to Mosse for mentioning this book, or I would have missed it!
They suffer for his art...
When a number of women are reported missing in Glasgow, the spectre of a previous spate of unsolved disappearances in the city rears its head.
Journalist Ray Bissett is drawn into the case when his daughter joins the ranks of the missing. And ambitious police detective Tom Kendrick won't let Ray forget a terrible incident from his past which resulted in the death of a young boy.
Damaged lives and dark secrets...
The streets of Glasgow haunted by the ghosts of the missing...
And an artist driven by a deadly inspiration.
My Review
This is a mystery/crime story set in modern day Scotland. It's a dark tale that might well turn your stomach during some of its ... juicier... moments.
The story starts out following the various seperate characters in thier own lives and gently weaves them together as the mystery is presented.
From it's nasty opening to the final climax I was gripped by the stories exploration of mans inhumanity. As I listened I couldn't help but remember news stories of the past where such dispicable deeds were truely done. They are repeated here in story form, and its quite gut wrenching. That said, I have a weak stomach for this kind of thing. Pain slowly inclicted really gets to me.
The author reads his own work in this presentation and does a sterling job. I only have two critisms of the reading. The first is that he leaps from the end of a chapter straight into the podcast outro, without even a pause for breath which takes a little getting used to. The other, is one piece of editing when a missing sentence has been patched back into the flow, and it's obviously recorded with a different microphone or in another room. Neither of these problems should stop downloading this horrific story.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from the Podiobooks
Listen to the first part
p.s. Thanks to Mosse for mentioning this book, or I would have missed it!
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
Operation Terror by Murray Leinster
Official Blurb
An unidentified space ship lands in a Colorado lake. Equipped with a paralyzing ray weapon, the creatures begin taking human prisoners. A loan land surveyor and a journalist are trapped inside the Army cordon, which is helpless against the mysterious enemy. Can they stop the aliens before it is too late?
My Review
This a classic Sci Fi story set on earth when aliens turn up with super weapons. As the blurb says, it actually follows the exploits of a few ordinary people caught up in the attack. The characters are pretty believable and I have to say I found the main protagonist to be my kind of guy. Driven by love yet honourably self deprecating makes for a character I'll cheer for.
The plot closely follows the protagonist as he has to look after himself and his friends while the aliens buld up their base of operations and send out patrols.
The book runs for just over five hours but it didn't seem like that long because the story was captivating and the reader Mark Nelson gave a brilliant delivery.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from the Librivox
Listen to the first part
.
An unidentified space ship lands in a Colorado lake. Equipped with a paralyzing ray weapon, the creatures begin taking human prisoners. A loan land surveyor and a journalist are trapped inside the Army cordon, which is helpless against the mysterious enemy. Can they stop the aliens before it is too late?
My Review
This a classic Sci Fi story set on earth when aliens turn up with super weapons. As the blurb says, it actually follows the exploits of a few ordinary people caught up in the attack. The characters are pretty believable and I have to say I found the main protagonist to be my kind of guy. Driven by love yet honourably self deprecating makes for a character I'll cheer for.
The plot closely follows the protagonist as he has to look after himself and his friends while the aliens buld up their base of operations and send out patrols.
The book runs for just over five hours but it didn't seem like that long because the story was captivating and the reader Mark Nelson gave a brilliant delivery.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 7/9
Download it from the Librivox
Listen to the first part
.
Monday, 31 January 2011
Officer 666 by Barton Wood Currie and Augustin McHugh
Official Blurb
Bored with his life as a wealthy businessman's only son, Travers Gladwin learns of a plot by a renowned art burglar to rob his house, so rather than thwart the planned burglary, he borrows a police uniform from a friend and decides to confront the robber by posing as an officer. When the burglar arrives at the house, he tries to pass himself off as Travers Gladwin. From there, things only get more complicated, including the arrival of the burglar's girlfriend who believes that her beau is the wealthy man's son.
My Review
This is a comedic farce in the best tradition of such things. If you like P.G. Wodehouse's farces, then this will be right up your street.
This story does rely on a certain suspension of disbelief, the characters making somewhat odd decisions that lead to outrageous situations. This is to be expected of course otherwise there would be no farce! In fact, now I think about it, it's not just farce, characters in horror stories make odd decisions too!
The lead characters are all attractive to the listener and although perhaps not as distinct as Wodehouse's characters, they are the sort of people you'll laugh along with their antics. There are no real bad-guys in the story, even the thief is a likeable rogue.
The reader lends a voice to the story that is perfectly paced for this kind of story, he doesn't race through the comedy moments nor dawdle in between. This kind of pacing helps you keep track of things, and you need to do that in a farce.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from the Librivox
Listen to the first part
.
Bored with his life as a wealthy businessman's only son, Travers Gladwin learns of a plot by a renowned art burglar to rob his house, so rather than thwart the planned burglary, he borrows a police uniform from a friend and decides to confront the robber by posing as an officer. When the burglar arrives at the house, he tries to pass himself off as Travers Gladwin. From there, things only get more complicated, including the arrival of the burglar's girlfriend who believes that her beau is the wealthy man's son.
My Review
This is a comedic farce in the best tradition of such things. If you like P.G. Wodehouse's farces, then this will be right up your street.
This story does rely on a certain suspension of disbelief, the characters making somewhat odd decisions that lead to outrageous situations. This is to be expected of course otherwise there would be no farce! In fact, now I think about it, it's not just farce, characters in horror stories make odd decisions too!
The lead characters are all attractive to the listener and although perhaps not as distinct as Wodehouse's characters, they are the sort of people you'll laugh along with their antics. There are no real bad-guys in the story, even the thief is a likeable rogue.
The reader lends a voice to the story that is perfectly paced for this kind of story, he doesn't race through the comedy moments nor dawdle in between. This kind of pacing helps you keep track of things, and you need to do that in a farce.
Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 6/9
Download it from the Librivox
Listen to the first part
.
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
The Immortals by Tracy Hickman
Official Blurb
The future story of United States Internment Camps ... of the dreams of the pre-deceased ... and of triumph beyond oblivion.
It's 2020, and an attempted cure for AIDS has mutated into a deadlier disease, V-CIDS. The U.S., under martial law, has set up "quarantine centers" in the Southwest. Searching for his gay son, Jon, media mogul Michael Barris smuggles himself into one of centers only to discover that it and the other centers are actually extermination camps. With a strange assortment of allies, including the leader of the camp's gay barracks, an army officer and a local cowboy, Barris precipitates an inmates' rebellion that promises the unraveling of the death-camp system and the overthrow of the government that established it.
My Review
This is a good audio book. It's well written and has a loverly production including a minimalist approach to sound effects and some delightful incidental music. I found the story itself compelling, it was a book I HAD to finish.
It is a story set in depair, in a world an environment where life has no value, it's dark and upsetting. If not for the few sci fi elements thrown in this could so easily be just a couple of years in our future, or even today.
I was moved by the moments of human kindness presented in the horror of the camps and the audio presentation works perfectly to reinforce this.
Do not expect to be cheered though, this is not a happy story, its a sad tale that can give you scarey chills with it's likeness to reality.
Reading 3/3
Production 3/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 8/9
Download it from the Podiobooks
Listen to the first part
.
The future story of United States Internment Camps ... of the dreams of the pre-deceased ... and of triumph beyond oblivion.
It's 2020, and an attempted cure for AIDS has mutated into a deadlier disease, V-CIDS. The U.S., under martial law, has set up "quarantine centers" in the Southwest. Searching for his gay son, Jon, media mogul Michael Barris smuggles himself into one of centers only to discover that it and the other centers are actually extermination camps. With a strange assortment of allies, including the leader of the camp's gay barracks, an army officer and a local cowboy, Barris precipitates an inmates' rebellion that promises the unraveling of the death-camp system and the overthrow of the government that established it.
My Review
This is a good audio book. It's well written and has a loverly production including a minimalist approach to sound effects and some delightful incidental music. I found the story itself compelling, it was a book I HAD to finish.
It is a story set in depair, in a world an environment where life has no value, it's dark and upsetting. If not for the few sci fi elements thrown in this could so easily be just a couple of years in our future, or even today.
I was moved by the moments of human kindness presented in the horror of the camps and the audio presentation works perfectly to reinforce this.
Do not expect to be cheered though, this is not a happy story, its a sad tale that can give you scarey chills with it's likeness to reality.
Reading 3/3
Production 3/3
Story 2/3
Total Score 8/9
Download it from the Podiobooks
Listen to the first part
.
Owners Share by Nathan Lowell
Official Blurb
When Diurnia Salvage and Transport undergoes a change in management, Captain Ishmael Horatio Wang finds himself adrift in a sea of red ink, and intrigue. He dives in only to find that he is over his head in a universe where cut-throat competition takes on an all new meaning.
What price will he pay for his Owner’s Share?
My Review
This book is the sixth book in the series, it is also the final. The book continues the story of Ishmael Horatio Wang's rise in power and station. The author does another sterling job of reading his own work.
I remarked in reviews of the previous books in the series that despite nothing happening they were still good. This book breaks that pattern. The author has written a strong and fitting final episode to his serial.
I really do not want to give away any spoilers, (the title kind of does that) but what I can say is that I was blown away with this fantastic ending. I actually cried when it finished. Part of that was me wanting it to go on, but mostly it was down to the shock, the horror and the bitter sweet emotional elements that the author wove through his story.
If you haven't been listening along with the whole series, then this is not the place to start. The stories impact and meaning will be lost on you. Go back to the beginning of the series "Quarter Share" and start there.
If you've started this series, then I reccommend you finish it.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
Download it from the Podiobooks
Listen to the first part
.
When Diurnia Salvage and Transport undergoes a change in management, Captain Ishmael Horatio Wang finds himself adrift in a sea of red ink, and intrigue. He dives in only to find that he is over his head in a universe where cut-throat competition takes on an all new meaning.
What price will he pay for his Owner’s Share?
My Review
This book is the sixth book in the series, it is also the final. The book continues the story of Ishmael Horatio Wang's rise in power and station. The author does another sterling job of reading his own work.
I remarked in reviews of the previous books in the series that despite nothing happening they were still good. This book breaks that pattern. The author has written a strong and fitting final episode to his serial.
I really do not want to give away any spoilers, (the title kind of does that) but what I can say is that I was blown away with this fantastic ending. I actually cried when it finished. Part of that was me wanting it to go on, but mostly it was down to the shock, the horror and the bitter sweet emotional elements that the author wove through his story.
If you haven't been listening along with the whole series, then this is not the place to start. The stories impact and meaning will be lost on you. Go back to the beginning of the series "Quarter Share" and start there.
If you've started this series, then I reccommend you finish it.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
Download it from the Podiobooks
Listen to the first part
.
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