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philibin's reviews
815 reviews
FantasticLand by Mike Bockoven
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
(4.0 Stars)
This is the second book I've read by this author. I really like his style, and I really liked this book. It is a psychological thriller. The book description said it was like a cross between Lord of the Flies and Battle Royale, and I can't disagree with that.
The author weaves a disturbing tale, builds a descriptive world, and has great characters and dialog. It is written like a "shockumentary" and while I'd love to say the story is far-fetched... It is probably eerily accurate.
The narration is done by one of my very favorite narrators (Luke Daniels), and Angela Dawe, who worked great together.
This is the second book I've read by this author. I really like his style, and I really liked this book. It is a psychological thriller. The book description said it was like a cross between Lord of the Flies and Battle Royale, and I can't disagree with that.
The author weaves a disturbing tale, builds a descriptive world, and has great characters and dialog. It is written like a "shockumentary" and while I'd love to say the story is far-fetched... It is probably eerily accurate.
The narration is done by one of my very favorite narrators (Luke Daniels), and Angela Dawe, who worked great together.
Polostan by Neal Stephenson
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
2.5
(2.5 Stars)
Neal Stephenson is really good at detail and backstory. Although sometimes the main story suffers from it. This wasn't necessarily the case here. This story is interesting and the backstory really IS the story. However, I just didn't "love" it.
The Audiobook narration is superb, January LaVoy does an excellent job with this book.
The book is a pseudo alternate history, mixed with this oddly sexually fueled espionage and accidental spycraft. It was unnecessarily anachronistic, and while the plot did move along... it never seemed like there would be a final destination. Now, this is the first book in a series, but the build up for the entire book doesn't really seem to come together till the last few paragraphs, and that was just to make it a cliffhanger of an ending.
I couldn't tell if the author was going for something satirical, or was just being creepy.
With that being said, I am now invested in the main character, so I'll probably give the next book a shot when it comes out.
Neal Stephenson is really good at detail and backstory. Although sometimes the main story suffers from it. This wasn't necessarily the case here. This story is interesting and the backstory really IS the story. However, I just didn't "love" it.
The Audiobook narration is superb, January LaVoy does an excellent job with this book.
The book is a pseudo alternate history, mixed with this oddly sexually fueled espionage and accidental spycraft. It was unnecessarily anachronistic, and while the plot did move along... it never seemed like there would be a final destination. Now, this is the first book in a series, but the build up for the entire book doesn't really seem to come together till the last few paragraphs, and that was just to make it a cliffhanger of an ending.
I couldn't tell if the author was going for something satirical, or was just being creepy.
With that being said, I am now invested in the main character, so I'll probably give the next book a shot when it comes out.
Bad Astronomy: Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, from Astrology to the Moon Landing "Hoax" by Philip Plait
informative
medium-paced
5.0
(5.0 Stars)
This book was as entertaining as it was informative. It was well paced, arranged in a way that made sense, and referred back to earlier (or later) concepts by chapter. The audiobook narration was great but I have to admit that I liked Under Alien Skies better because it was narrated by the author.
This is for anyone who is interested in space, critical thinking, physics, or even general knowledge.
This book was as entertaining as it was informative. It was well paced, arranged in a way that made sense, and referred back to earlier (or later) concepts by chapter. The audiobook narration was great but I have to admit that I liked Under Alien Skies better because it was narrated by the author.
This is for anyone who is interested in space, critical thinking, physics, or even general knowledge.
Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
(3.0 Stars)
This is another book in the recent trend of "horror movie horror books". I liked this book, the audiobook was cleverly done. The sound of script pages being turned, the "re-takes", the inflection soundings... it was all well done. and like the horror movie genre, it was predictable, archetypical, and cookie-cutter.
Don't get me wrong, Paul Tremblay is an excellent author, his books are all well written and this one is no different. There have just been several horror authors all releasing books with the same basic plot. And All of them have been good, and I liked all of them, but none of them have been "ground breaking".
This is another book in the recent trend of "horror movie horror books". I liked this book, the audiobook was cleverly done. The sound of script pages being turned, the "re-takes", the inflection soundings... it was all well done. and like the horror movie genre, it was predictable, archetypical, and cookie-cutter.
Don't get me wrong, Paul Tremblay is an excellent author, his books are all well written and this one is no different. There have just been several horror authors all releasing books with the same basic plot. And All of them have been good, and I liked all of them, but none of them have been "ground breaking".
Over My Dead Body: Unearthing the Hidden History of America's Cemeteries by Greg Melville
informative
medium-paced
5.0
(5.0 Stars)
This was very entertaining, very well written, and super informative. I really loved it! And the narration was great as well.
This was very entertaining, very well written, and super informative. I really loved it! And the narration was great as well.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
(2.0 Stars)
ok... Maybe I am being too harsh. There was a lot going against me liking this book. First off, it was 36+ hours and I typically go for books that are <15 hours (by sweet spot is probably between 9 and 12). Next, I borrowed this from my local library and only had 7 days to complete it, so I felt a little pressured. And lastly... It became available to read on the same week as the 2024 US Presidential Election, so I was dealing with the existential dread of another Trump administration in addition to trying to consume 36 hours on 7 days.
The book's concept was what made me want to read this book. It is basically an alternate history of England where Magic is found out to be real, and the lives of two magicians and those around them. I found it to be very slow paced. I also thought the magic was just not done well, or just was not thought out.
I know, based on other reviews that I am in the minority here, but I just found the magic system to be incoherent, the world(s) to be flat, and the characters utterly uninteresting.
The narration of the audiobook was fine. There were some slight variations to the major characters, and a few different accents used so that helped keep track of the dialog.
ok... Maybe I am being too harsh. There was a lot going against me liking this book. First off, it was 36+ hours and I typically go for books that are <15 hours (by sweet spot is probably between 9 and 12). Next, I borrowed this from my local library and only had 7 days to complete it, so I felt a little pressured. And lastly... It became available to read on the same week as the 2024 US Presidential Election, so I was dealing with the existential dread of another Trump administration in addition to trying to consume 36 hours on 7 days.
The book's concept was what made me want to read this book. It is basically an alternate history of England where Magic is found out to be real, and the lives of two magicians and those around them. I found it to be very slow paced. I also thought the magic was just not done well, or just was not thought out.
I know, based on other reviews that I am in the minority here, but I just found the magic system to be incoherent, the world(s) to be flat, and the characters utterly uninteresting.
The narration of the audiobook was fine. There were some slight variations to the major characters, and a few different accents used so that helped keep track of the dialog.
Constituent Service by John Scalzi
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 cute and fun. Not much can be said about it that isn't in the description. The narration is good, and the story is jam-packed with adventure for such a short story. John Scalzi is truly a gem!
If you like sci-fi short stories, and campy alien drama, this is something you'll enjoy.
This was cute and fun. Not much can be said about it that isn't in the description. The narration is good, and the story is jam-packed with adventure for such a short story. John Scalzi is truly a gem!
If you like sci-fi short stories, and campy alien drama, this is something you'll enjoy.
Wasteland Warlords 3 by James Hunter, eden Hudson
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
(3.5 Stars)
I'm getting used to the format, and the narration by Travis Baldree really brings the characters to life. The story is decent, and the "grand plan" seems to be coming together. I will complete this series.
I'm getting used to the format, and the narration by Travis Baldree really brings the characters to life. The story is decent, and the "grand plan" seems to be coming together. I will complete this series.
The Five Points Ripper by Larry Correia
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
(4.0 Stars)
This was an enjoyable story with good narration. Basically it is a cop story in space with a mystery element. Well done and engaging. Good characters, and good world building. Short enough to complete in a day. While you could treat this as a stand-alone story, it is the third in a series of short stories.
This was an enjoyable story with good narration. Basically it is a cop story in space with a mystery element. Well done and engaging. Good characters, and good world building. Short enough to complete in a day. While you could treat this as a stand-alone story, it is the third in a series of short stories.
Self Help by Ben H. Winters
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
(3.5 Stars rounded up to 4 for the audio narrators)
Wil Wheaton and Ron Perlman, what a dynamic duo!
This is a fun audiobook. Yes it is predictable, yes it is archetypical for the genre, yes it is still a great little short story. It can be listened to in one day.
This is my first book by this author, but I have a few in the queue. I look forward to reading more by him.
Wil Wheaton and Ron Perlman, what a dynamic duo!
This is a fun audiobook. Yes it is predictable, yes it is archetypical for the genre, yes it is still a great little short story. It can be listened to in one day.
This is my first book by this author, but I have a few in the queue. I look forward to reading more by him.