Scan barcode
philibin's reviews
839 reviews
The Destroyer of Worlds: A Return to Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
(3.25 Stars)
This one just wasn't as good as the first book in series for me. I think the story was more structured or together or something... but it wasn't as interesting as the first book.
It was still decent, and I liked the characters. I do like this author, and look forward to more book by him, as long as they are not set in this world.
This one just wasn't as good as the first book in series for me. I think the story was more structured or together or something... but it wasn't as interesting as the first book.
It was still decent, and I liked the characters. I do like this author, and look forward to more book by him, as long as they are not set in this world.
Yours for the Taking by Gabrielle Korn
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)
This book hit a lot of my sweet spots for the books I like to read. Vibrant characters, dystopian, evolving plotline, vivid environments, and great storytelling.
Yes, it was slightly predictable, but that is just how the genre is.
The narration was good.
This book hit a lot of my sweet spots for the books I like to read. Vibrant characters, dystopian, evolving plotline, vivid environments, and great storytelling.
Yes, it was slightly predictable, but that is just how the genre is.
The narration was good.
The Bone Ships by RJ Barker
adventurous
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? No
3.75
(3.75 Stars)
This one started off slow for me, but then really started to grow on me. I ended up liking it. I do have to say some parts of the action scenes that were confusing for me, or at least not well described or something. There were a lot of parts of the book where I just couldn't either grasp what was going on or why it was happening. because it didn't seem to make sense. But this was just a few parts and most of the book was very enjoyable.
The narration was good, although with so many female characters it might have been nice to have a female narrator.
If you like high seas adventures and fantasy, this is a good book to pick up. I plan on continuing the series.
This one started off slow for me, but then really started to grow on me. I ended up liking it. I do have to say some parts of the action scenes that were confusing for me, or at least not well described or something. There were a lot of parts of the book where I just couldn't either grasp what was going on or why it was happening. because it didn't seem to make sense. But this was just a few parts and most of the book was very enjoyable.
The narration was good, although with so many female characters it might have been nice to have a female narrator.
If you like high seas adventures and fantasy, this is a good book to pick up. I plan on continuing the series.
Wasteland Warlords 6 by James Hunter, eden Hudson
challenging
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
3.0
(3.0 Stars)
The audiobook version is expertly narrated by Travis Baldree. The story is decent, but over the course of the six book is a little repetitive. Not that it is bad, it is just formulaic... yet still well-written. And also timely, since it is about the class struggle against the health industry. Not completely about it, but it is one of the themes.
This is only my second attempt at reading LitRPG, and I'm not sure I really like it as a genre. Dungeon Crawler Carl is next on the list.
The audiobook version is expertly narrated by Travis Baldree. The story is decent, but over the course of the six book is a little repetitive. Not that it is bad, it is just formulaic... yet still well-written. And also timely, since it is about the class struggle against the health industry. Not completely about it, but it is one of the themes.
This is only my second attempt at reading LitRPG, and I'm not sure I really like it as a genre. Dungeon Crawler Carl is next on the list.
Wasteland Warlords 5 by James Hunter, eden Hudson
adventurous
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? No
3.0
(3.0 Stars)
Once again, Travis Baldree does an excellent job at narrating this story. The story is good.
Once again, Travis Baldree does an excellent job at narrating this story. The story is good.
The Hermit Next Door by Kevin Hearne
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
(4.0 Stars)
This was a really good little story. Great concept, and excellent execution.
I read the audiobook version and the narrator did a great job!
This was a really good little story. Great concept, and excellent execution.
I read the audiobook version and the narrator did a great job!
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
dark
informative
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)
You can tell that this book was very personal for the author, and about subject matter he is very passionate about. I really liked this book. This book is YA, but don't let that prevent you from reading it as an adult. The themes are timeless and unfortunately still very relevant today.
I can't wait to read the rest of the series. If you like this, look for his podcast and other projects. He is the real deal.
You can tell that this book was very personal for the author, and about subject matter he is very passionate about. I really liked this book. This book is YA, but don't let that prevent you from reading it as an adult. The themes are timeless and unfortunately still very relevant today.
I can't wait to read the rest of the series. If you like this, look for his podcast and other projects. He is the real deal.
Ushers: A Short Story by Joe Hill
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
(5.0 Stars)
This was an excellent short story. It was like an episode of The Twilight Zone... one of the good ones!
This was an excellent short story. It was like an episode of The Twilight Zone... one of the good ones!
Classic Monsters Unleashed by James Aquilone
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
(4.0 Stars)
I thought this collection of short stories was very good. Most of the stories were entertaining and well written. The collection was mostly of stories inspired by classic movie monsters (Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, Wolfman, Creature, and various others). While there were some that really stood out as excellent, the collection as a whole was four stars. There were no "duds" in the bunch.
Most of the authors (and narrators) are familiar names in the literary world, so if you are new to Horror, this is a good jumping off point.
I thought this collection of short stories was very good. Most of the stories were entertaining and well written. The collection was mostly of stories inspired by classic movie monsters (Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, Wolfman, Creature, and various others). While there were some that really stood out as excellent, the collection as a whole was four stars. There were no "duds" in the bunch.
Most of the authors (and narrators) are familiar names in the literary world, so if you are new to Horror, this is a good jumping off point.
Post-Apocalyptic Joe in a Cinematic Wasteland: Episode 3 - The Rise of Post-Apocalyptic Joe by Joe Gillis
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
(3.0 Stars)
I listened to this audiobook as a serialized podcast narrated by the author. The story itself is fun, and while predictable, is still enjoyable. Like a lot of authors in this age group it is filled with pop culture references and has a very "90's feel" to it... But that isn't a criticism, it is more of an endorsement for a particular subgenre of works.
One of my favorite aspects of this are the "author notes" at the end of each chapter/episode. Some of them tell the inspiration for story parts and characters, and sometimes the author gets very personal and honest.
Imagine somewhat of a cross between Ernest Cline and Kevin Smith.
I listened to this audiobook as a serialized podcast narrated by the author. The story itself is fun, and while predictable, is still enjoyable. Like a lot of authors in this age group it is filled with pop culture references and has a very "90's feel" to it... But that isn't a criticism, it is more of an endorsement for a particular subgenre of works.
One of my favorite aspects of this are the "author notes" at the end of each chapter/episode. Some of them tell the inspiration for story parts and characters, and sometimes the author gets very personal and honest.
Imagine somewhat of a cross between Ernest Cline and Kevin Smith.