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philibin's reviews
841 reviews
Vigilant by Cory Doctorow
informative
medium-paced
4.0
(4.0 Stars)
This was a quick little story set in the Little Brother world. I liked it!
This was a quick little story set in the Little Brother world. I liked it!
Attack Surface by Cory Doctorow
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
(3.5 Stars rounded up to 4 because of the series)
This was my least favorite book of the series. Not because it wasn't interesting, because it was interesting. But the style of the book seemed to switch up for this book and it didn't really seem to fit as well in the series. It just wasn't as narrative as the rest of the books I've read from the series, or as easily flowing.
This story is a look into one of the characters from the other books. Not really a minor character, but not really one of the main characters either. The character growth is superb, and the world is disturbingly familiar. And if you have read any Doctorow, you know he likes to share a lot of real-world knowledge in his books. This book is no different.
I read the audiobook version. The narrator was just ok for me. She did good with accents and giving the characters unique voices, but at times the cadence seemed choppy or staccato or something.
This was my least favorite book of the series. Not because it wasn't interesting, because it was interesting. But the style of the book seemed to switch up for this book and it didn't really seem to fit as well in the series. It just wasn't as narrative as the rest of the books I've read from the series, or as easily flowing.
This story is a look into one of the characters from the other books. Not really a minor character, but not really one of the main characters either. The character growth is superb, and the world is disturbingly familiar. And if you have read any Doctorow, you know he likes to share a lot of real-world knowledge in his books. This book is no different.
I read the audiobook version. The narrator was just ok for me. She did good with accents and giving the characters unique voices, but at times the cadence seemed choppy or staccato or something.
Grand Theft Astro by Scott Meyer
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
(3.0 Stars)
I have to be honest... I feel bad rating this so low. It just wasn't for me.
There are some authors who are naturally funny, and others try... but the humor seems "forced". This author is in the former! He is great at making puns, one-liners, situational comedy that never seems out of place. But also is able to tell a story.
The characters are rich and vibrant. The world is easy to imagine, and the dialog is top-notch.
The story, while funny and logical, is like a spy-space-noir, which just didn't really work for me. I will read more by this author, it just would not include any sequel to this one. If you are looking for something to read by this author, I'd suggest Magic 2.0.
I have to be honest... I feel bad rating this so low. It just wasn't for me.
There are some authors who are naturally funny, and others try... but the humor seems "forced". This author is in the former! He is great at making puns, one-liners, situational comedy that never seems out of place. But also is able to tell a story.
The characters are rich and vibrant. The world is easy to imagine, and the dialog is top-notch.
The story, while funny and logical, is like a spy-space-noir, which just didn't really work for me. I will read more by this author, it just would not include any sequel to this one. If you are looking for something to read by this author, I'd suggest Magic 2.0.
Serial Killers: Real and Imagined by Emily Zarka, The Great Courses
informative
medium-paced
4.5
(4.5 Stars)
This was very informative and entertaining.
The author/narrator does a fantastic job with such a disturbing subject.
This was very informative and entertaining.
The author/narrator does a fantastic job with such a disturbing subject.
A Question of Navigation by Kevin Hearne
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
(4.0 Stars)
This was very fun, very short, and very good!
This is a good space adventure about being abducted, and trying to safe the world and yourself!
This was very fun, very short, and very good!
This is a good space adventure about being abducted, and trying to safe the world and yourself!
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
(4.0 Stars)
This book was fun, quirky, sad, and foreboding all at once. I really liked it a lot!
This book explores so many topics, and never loses track of being a well written story. It literally has something for everyone. If you like Speculative Fiction, SciFi, Espionage, (light) Romance, or even just a great book that makes you think, and stays with you after completing it... this could be the book for you.
The world building is done well. It was not too predictable, and is plausible for the universe that is created.
The characters are rich and relatable. The dialog, and internal monolog, are expertly delivered.
The narration is good, both narrators do well breathing live into the various characters.
This book was fun, quirky, sad, and foreboding all at once. I really liked it a lot!
This book explores so many topics, and never loses track of being a well written story. It literally has something for everyone. If you like Speculative Fiction, SciFi, Espionage, (light) Romance, or even just a great book that makes you think, and stays with you after completing it... this could be the book for you.
The world building is done well. It was not too predictable, and is plausible for the universe that is created.
The characters are rich and relatable. The dialog, and internal monolog, are expertly delivered.
The narration is good, both narrators do well breathing live into the various characters.
When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
(5.0 Stars)
I don't know how to describe this book without giving away the plot. But if you like horror and/or psychological thrillers, you will absolutely love this book. The narrator(s) are great (Helen Laser and Nat Cassidy). Even the afterword is excellent.
The world has depth and layers. The Characters are unique and perfectly played out. The plot and story are just wonderfully wicked. I cannot wait to read more by this author!
Special thanks to #NetGalley for making this audiobook available for me to read, in exchange for an honest review.
I don't know how to describe this book without giving away the plot. But if you like horror and/or psychological thrillers, you will absolutely love this book. The narrator(s) are great (Helen Laser and Nat Cassidy). Even the afterword is excellent.
The world has depth and layers. The Characters are unique and perfectly played out. The plot and story are just wonderfully wicked. I cannot wait to read more by this author!
Special thanks to #NetGalley for making this audiobook available for me to read, in exchange for an honest review.
Our War by Craig DiLouie
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
(4.0 Stars)
I've read a lot of this author's books and this one is unlike any of his other works. I really liked this thought provoking story. The characters are well developed and the environment seems plausible... maybe too plausible.
This, at it's heart, is a story about family (both the family we are born into, and the family we choose), and how we are shaped by circumstance. It is a completely apolitical story couched between politics and world-view.
The narration is good, maybe a little too calm for the action being narrated, but he had a nice voice, good pace, and spoke very clearly.
I've read a lot of this author's books and this one is unlike any of his other works. I really liked this thought provoking story. The characters are well developed and the environment seems plausible... maybe too plausible.
This, at it's heart, is a story about family (both the family we are born into, and the family we choose), and how we are shaped by circumstance. It is a completely apolitical story couched between politics and world-view.
The narration is good, maybe a little too calm for the action being narrated, but he had a nice voice, good pace, and spoke very clearly.
City of Last Chances by Adrian Tchaikovsky
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
(3.0 Stars)
With Adrian Tchaikovsky books I feel like I either love it, or am just "meh". I thought this book was going to be one of the great ones. I loved the book description, the concept, and reading the first few chapters I really started to like one of the characters.
Then I think it just plateaued for me. It didn't get bad, but the other characters just didn't grab me, and the majority of their story arcs just weren't as interesting to me. Again, it wasn't bad... It was just that I only seemed to care about one arc in this story, and how other characters interacted with (them).
The narration was very good. The pace was good. This is the first in a series of books.
With Adrian Tchaikovsky books I feel like I either love it, or am just "meh". I thought this book was going to be one of the great ones. I loved the book description, the concept, and reading the first few chapters I really started to like one of the characters.
Then I think it just plateaued for me. It didn't get bad, but the other characters just didn't grab me, and the majority of their story arcs just weren't as interesting to me. Again, it wasn't bad... It was just that I only seemed to care about one arc in this story, and how other characters interacted with (them).
The narration was very good. The pace was good. This is the first in a series of books.
The Vagrant Chronicle by Paul L. Centeno
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
(3.0 Stars)
This review is for the Audible Audiobook version read by Pavi Proczko. It is almost like a Graphic Audio, but is unabridged. In my opinion, I like this format better than most of the Graphic Audio books I've read on Amazon. There are some background sounds, but you can still hear the dialog over the sounds. There are also some vocal effects done, but it is not distorted so you can still understand the reader.
This book, is just not for me. And at 27+ hours, it is a commitment. I found the story to be all over the place. There were elements from The 5th Element, Peter Pan, and a few other books and movies that were probably an inspiration to the author. I think the author wanted to make something completely unique, but it was just too many things all at once (for me).
I've seen other reviews that say Centeno's books are not good for audio because they introduce a lot of relevant history that a physical book would allow you to go back and reread sections. I did not find that in this book. But what I did find is that this author created an entirely new world. Yes, there are names and places and races that are "new", but he also creates new flora and fauna, sometimes without great descriptions.
It wasn't a bad story, it was just not as deeply immersive as I would expect from a story of this length.
This review is for the Audible Audiobook version read by Pavi Proczko. It is almost like a Graphic Audio, but is unabridged. In my opinion, I like this format better than most of the Graphic Audio books I've read on Amazon. There are some background sounds, but you can still hear the dialog over the sounds. There are also some vocal effects done, but it is not distorted so you can still understand the reader.
This book, is just not for me. And at 27+ hours, it is a commitment. I found the story to be all over the place. There were elements from The 5th Element, Peter Pan, and a few other books and movies that were probably an inspiration to the author. I think the author wanted to make something completely unique, but it was just too many things all at once (for me).
I've seen other reviews that say Centeno's books are not good for audio because they introduce a lot of relevant history that a physical book would allow you to go back and reread sections. I did not find that in this book. But what I did find is that this author created an entirely new world. Yes, there are names and places and races that are "new", but he also creates new flora and fauna, sometimes without great descriptions.
It wasn't a bad story, it was just not as deeply immersive as I would expect from a story of this length.