Mer Barr
This book assumes you remember all details from Grey Sister, which makes my reading it, rather frustrating and a bit lost. It's been too long ago and all details are no longer in short-term memory or quickly recoverable from long-term.
I might pick this up again if I plan to reread Grey Sister.
This book assumes you remember all details from Grey Sister, which makes my reading it, rather frustrating and a bit lost. It's been too long ago and all details are no longer in short-term memory or quickly recoverable from long-term.
I might pick this up again if I plan to reread Grey Sister.
Too much worldbuilding and chitchatting to draw me in. I prefer a plot that moves along.
Too much worldbuilding and chitchatting to draw me in. I prefer a plot that moves along.
I love Tim Curry for his unique characters, one of which folks may not be aware of is the voice of a master assassin in the audiobook of one of Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson's Dune prequels. The assassin has a physical description of petite, prissy, and has a stammer. (Reminds me of Zorro's alter ego.) Mr. Curry did a great job of portraying this persona, including the stammer!
I love that he curses, is honest if he didn't get on well with people and doesn't try to degrade people. He also doesn't do the "juicy details" business.
It makes sense then, that he would do his own narration work. Be aware that his voice has been impacted by his stroke and needs a bit of concentration at the beginning until your ear becomes accustomed to his current voice.
I love Tim Curry for his unique characters, one of which folks may not be aware of is the voice of a master assassin in the audiobook of one of Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson's Dune prequels. The assassin has a physical description of petite, prissy, and has a stammer. (Reminds me of Zorro's alter ego.) Mr. Curry did a great job of portraying this persona, including the stammer!
I love that he curses, is honest if he didn't get on well with people and doesn't try to degrade people. He also doesn't do the "juicy details" business.
It makes sense then, that he would do his own narration work. Be aware that his voice has been impacted by his stroke and needs a bit of concentration at the beginning until your ear becomes accustomed to his current voice.
The author is not a professional writer so don't expect that level of quality, however the author does a great job of describing the emotions, exhaustion, stress, and loss that he and those around him felt. He also does a great job of walking a fine line between being honest about the brutality and physical and mental damage of wars and being too graphic with his descriptions.
He does seem to do a bit of timeline jumping around that I found confusing. Also references to directions of travel and towns are rather common and contributed to my confusion; I tried to not focus on trying to visualize relationships between places and some parts of his timeline.
The author is not a professional writer so don't expect that level of quality, however the author does a great job of describing the emotions, exhaustion, stress, and loss that he and those around him felt. He also does a great job of walking a fine line between being honest about the brutality and physical and mental damage of wars and being too graphic with his descriptions.
He does seem to do a bit of timeline jumping around that I found confusing. Also references to directions of travel and towns are rather common and contributed to my confusion; I tried to not focus on trying to visualize relationships between places and some parts of his timeline.
Story / Plot 5 of 5 - The story has 2 main storylines that I found confusing at first, probably because I must've missed an audible queue that there were 2 initial people. Once I figured that out, I enjoyed trying to guess how they were connected; my guess wasn't the winner. and there were 2 different objects which also added a bit to the confusion and eventually was clarified.
Character / People 5 of 5 - The important primary and secondary characters are well fleshed out with the history of several added to along the way, preventing a slowdown in the plot.
Setting / Worldbuilding 4 of 5 - There's not alot of historical or global worldbuilding, which is good for not slowing down the plot. As I'm fairly familiar with ancient Egypt, and the King Tut exhibit, I was able to follow along with the topics, references and terms. This may be a frustration point if someone's new to Egyptian archeology history.
Language / Style 3 of 5 - not an emphasis or integral part of this book, however the author does a great job with writing skills.
Story / Plot 5 of 5 - The story has 2 main storylines that I found confusing at first, probably because I must've missed an audible queue that there were 2 initial people. Once I figured that out, I enjoyed trying to guess how they were connected; my guess wasn't the winner. and there were 2 different objects which also added a bit to the confusion and eventually was clarified.
Character / People 5 of 5 - The important primary and secondary characters are well fleshed out with the history of several added to along the way, preventing a slowdown in the plot.
Setting / Worldbuilding 4 of 5 - There's not alot of historical or global worldbuilding, which is good for not slowing down the plot. As I'm fairly familiar with ancient Egypt, and the King Tut exhibit, I was able to follow along with the topics, references and terms. This may be a frustration point if someone's new to Egyptian archeology history.
Language / Style 3 of 5 - not an emphasis or integral part of this book, however the author does a great job with writing skills.
Story / Plot 3 of 5 - Although the storyline moves along at the pace of the river barge on the Seine, I get the sense that the story is only there to give some background movement for the characters.
Character / People 5 of 5 - I love books about the interactions between quirky characters. How people meet and grow into a family of choice; people who care about and support each other. And I enjoy seeing them experience their growth, maturity, and challenges.
Setting / Worldbuilding 2 of 5 - There is description of the surroundings but because the story is based on a time in our reality, not much building of how things work, is required. Just enough to place the characters in a time and place and provide the changing scenery.
Language / Style 3 of 5 - Not poetic, doesn't consist of difficult words, but they are incredibly rich in description, I can see the cats, feel the movement of the barge down the river, feel the bump as the barge is landed for the night, etc. It contributes to the enjoyment of the book.
Story / Plot 3 of 5 - Although the storyline moves along at the pace of the river barge on the Seine, I get the sense that the story is only there to give some background movement for the characters.
Character / People 5 of 5 - I love books about the interactions between quirky characters. How people meet and grow into a family of choice; people who care about and support each other. And I enjoy seeing them experience their growth, maturity, and challenges.
Setting / Worldbuilding 2 of 5 - There is description of the surroundings but because the story is based on a time in our reality, not much building of how things work, is required. Just enough to place the characters in a time and place and provide the changing scenery.
Language / Style 3 of 5 - Not poetic, doesn't consist of difficult words, but they are incredibly rich in description, I can see the cats, feel the movement of the barge down the river, feel the bump as the barge is landed for the night, etc. It contributes to the enjoyment of the book.
Story / Plot 4 of 5 - Continuing from where the prior book left off, thankfully. I"m not fond of books in the same universe with a new set of characters. The reason why is revealed fairly early because it allows you to follow a timeline but the who done it is left to the fourth quarter, leaving some sense of satisfaction to the mystery reveal element, if that's what you like. It also wraps up on a reasonable timeframe, has good closure to the storyline, and doesn't shut down the series leaving a bit of anticipation for the next in the series..
Character / People 5 of 5 - As this is #5 in the series there's not much additional depth to the book 1 characters, which is great! These are people I find interesting. It's been awhile since I read the previous book, so not sure if this one does / doesn't introduce new characters.
Setting / World Building 2.5 of 5 - There are two worlds to this series, the geographic world and the spy business world. The geographic is definitely not an emphasis. There is a bit more of this world's spy arena introduced as well as a bit of a character's world.
Language / Style Words 4 of 5 - It's the choice of words chosen to describe the characters and world that give this series the gritty, realistic, ordinary (if rundown) scenery and feel to this world. Much like Le Carré's George Smiley series, not Ian Fleming's James Bond series.
Story / Plot 4 of 5 - Continuing from where the prior book left off, thankfully. I"m not fond of books in the same universe with a new set of characters. The reason why is revealed fairly early because it allows you to follow a timeline but the who done it is left to the fourth quarter, leaving some sense of satisfaction to the mystery reveal element, if that's what you like. It also wraps up on a reasonable timeframe, has good closure to the storyline, and doesn't shut down the series leaving a bit of anticipation for the next in the series..
Character / People 5 of 5 - As this is #5 in the series there's not much additional depth to the book 1 characters, which is great! These are people I find interesting. It's been awhile since I read the previous book, so not sure if this one does / doesn't introduce new characters.
Setting / World Building 2.5 of 5 - There are two worlds to this series, the geographic world and the spy business world. The geographic is definitely not an emphasis. There is a bit more of this world's spy arena introduced as well as a bit of a character's world.
Language / Style Words 4 of 5 - It's the choice of words chosen to describe the characters and world that give this series the gritty, realistic, ordinary (if rundown) scenery and feel to this world. Much like Le Carré's George Smiley series, not Ian Fleming's James Bond series.
I'm not sure what I expected, but there was something about the book that did not end up peaking my interest, I was not sad to return the book unfinished when the loan period was up.
The title captures your interest, the summary as well because it's a topic and presentation that I've never seen before, the tone is light-hearted, and the level of information provided is exceptional considering the author has neatly bundled complex topics into one or two pages to give a reader unfamiliar with the topic, enough information to distinguish this topic from other, simiilar topics.
Maybe it was the attempt at presenting the various topics as part of a travel guidebook fell short of the mark. But given the topics presented, I don't see how it could be presented in any way closer to a guidebook than it is already.
I'm not sure what I expected, but there was something about the book that did not end up peaking my interest, I was not sad to return the book unfinished when the loan period was up.
The title captures your interest, the summary as well because it's a topic and presentation that I've never seen before, the tone is light-hearted, and the level of information provided is exceptional considering the author has neatly bundled complex topics into one or two pages to give a reader unfamiliar with the topic, enough information to distinguish this topic from other, simiilar topics.
Maybe it was the attempt at presenting the various topics as part of a travel guidebook fell short of the mark. But given the topics presented, I don't see how it could be presented in any way closer to a guidebook than it is already.
I'd stopped reading the series because the previous two books were pretty depressing and I assumed the rest of the series would continue the downward spiral. However, that's not the case with this book.
Story 5 of 5 - the story is well written, suspenseful, the pace is quick without any slowdown due to rabbit holes.
Character 5 of 5 - many of the characters from the previous books are here, the new characters are well fleshed out and although there are alot of characters in this book, their names and characters are distinct enough that you don't confuse one for another.
Setting 5 of 5 - the story's world is based on real world events, giving the story additional topics and themes to contemplate.
Language 3 of 5 - although the story is well written without excess word baggage or words that require a masters degree to understand, the emphasis is clearly the other doors.
I'd stopped reading the series because the previous two books were pretty depressing and I assumed the rest of the series would continue the downward spiral. However, that's not the case with this book.
Story 5 of 5 - the story is well written, suspenseful, the pace is quick without any slowdown due to rabbit holes.
Character 5 of 5 - many of the characters from the previous books are here, the new characters are well fleshed out and although there are alot of characters in this book, their names and characters are distinct enough that you don't confuse one for another.
Setting 5 of 5 - the story's world is based on real world events, giving the story additional topics and themes to contemplate.
Language 3 of 5 - although the story is well written without excess word baggage or words that require a masters degree to understand, the emphasis is clearly the other doors.
Two storylines that sloooowly creep closer to each other until you get almost to the end, so nicely done! Same good quality as the previous books.
Two storylines that sloooowly creep closer to each other until you get almost to the end, so nicely done! Same good quality as the previous books.
A nice mix of personal experience, facts and science and definitely a unique perspective, in a book, on death and dying.
Some of the subject matter is best not read while eating or just not read at all.
A nice mix of personal experience, facts and science and definitely a unique perspective, in a book, on death and dying.
Some of the subject matter is best not read while eating or just not read at all.
Wow! This one gave me nightmares because I've heard of this thing in ants and after hearing about so many viruses jumping from animal to man, it seems so plausible.
The author has done a great job of making this world real in my mind. The plot moves along and the beginning is especially great in how the world building is slowly introduced, leaving you with some questions about what this is all about yet not pausing too long to stall out the interest. You're caught up not long into the storyline and able to focus on the action... and horror.
Wow! This one gave me nightmares because I've heard of this thing in ants and after hearing about so many viruses jumping from animal to man, it seems so plausible.
The author has done a great job of making this world real in my mind. The plot moves along and the beginning is especially great in how the world building is slowly introduced, leaving you with some questions about what this is all about yet not pausing too long to stall out the interest. You're caught up not long into the storyline and able to focus on the action... and horror.
This is the type of science fiction and young adult that I enjoy; alot of technology and not alot of young adult angst. It also has a plot that moves along, no side tracking for topics that aren't relevant or pausing for too long, and characters that have some depth to them.
On second read I see alot of disjointed sentences and disconnects in logic like how can you tell someone is wearing blue if you're in the dark?
This is the type of science fiction and young adult that I enjoy; alot of technology and not alot of young adult angst. It also has a plot that moves along, no side tracking for topics that aren't relevant or pausing for too long, and characters that have some depth to them.
On second read I see alot of disjointed sentences and disconnects in logic like how can you tell someone is wearing blue if you're in the dark?
