Nancy Kimball

Wounded hero transformed by God's love

Revisado: 08-10-20

I loved this novel the first time in print and was curious to hear how it was rendered in audio to revisit these characters and story. This story blends and blurs genres particularly well - a little spy story, a little romance, a little medical drama, a little going to church, an overarching tale of redemption for both the main character and the two biggest men in his life (can't so more without spoilers) - weaving seamlessly from chapter to chapter in a captivating and memorable way for me. Especially because WOUNDED HEROES are my absolute favorite main characters. No question. Eric is that and then some which makes his trails and transformation even more endearing.
The cast of side characters really enhances the story for me - especially Toby and Roco, or "Rock" (not to be confused with Dwayne Johnson but equally memorable and unique in my mind).
The narrator did a good job for me on making the characters distinct, and I especially found his representations for Toby (once I got used to it), Moses, and General Templeton to be the best. After a few chapters and a few lines when new characters were introduced the narration did just want I wanted it to do - fade to the back so I notice the performance less and the story remains in the forefront. This is one I'll re-listen to again I'm sure.

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I can see why this is a classic.

Revisado: 09-10-17

Would you consider the audio edition of The Chocolate War to be better than the print version?

I didn't read the print version but the audio was FANTASTIC.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Chocolate War?

When brother Leon and Archie have it out. And then again at the end during the... end. That's all I can say without spoilers.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book sent me through the emotional wringer. I laughed, cried, got furious, got hopeful, just... all the feels. I can see why it is a classic. It is a YA book, and a rather simple plot, but the dynamics of the characters and subtle yet in your face social commentary was stunning.

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Exactly as titled.

Revisado: 09-10-17

Would you listen to Medicus again? Why?

I will, because now that I know "who dun it" I want to appreciate the clues along the way.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I didn't really have a favorite, though if I were being forced to choose one, I would say, Ruso, the star of the story. I really didn't like him at first, and he comes (in my opinion) dangerously close to being an anti-hero at times. But as his tale continued to unfold and he persisted in doing the right thing in the big moments that it mattered, he really grew on me.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Ruso was trying to describe Tilla to the natives after riding there on the broken down horse. I listened to it three times in a row.

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Big Cast - Lots of Historical Detail

Revisado: 09-10-17

What made the experience of listening to The Emperor's Knives: Empire VII the most enjoyable?

The "informant" and the grunts - their dialogue and the way the narrator brought out their distinct personalities was really good.

What other book might you compare The Emperor's Knives: Empire VII to and why?

Um... Medicus by Ruth Downie. Though this one was a bit more explicit/graphic, it also had a large cast and incorporated a lot of historical detail.

Which character – as performed by Saul Reichlin – was your favorite?

The informant. He was my FAVORITE.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy it, there were just so many characters and sub plots happening that I got lost pretty quickly. I stayed with it hoping eventually I would understand what was going on and that mostly became true.

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Prepare for an emotional roller coaster.

Revisado: 05-18-17

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is one of the best books I've read in the past ten years. When the audiobook was on sale I grabbed it and enjoyed the narrators performance of it. This is one of those books that gets into your soul and will change you.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Bailey Sheen. This novel wouldn't have been nearly as extraordinary as just a second chance romance story without Bailey.

Have you listened to any of Rob Shapiro’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, first time.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Victory is in the battle.

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Excellent Bonnie & Clyde modern retelling.

Revisado: 05-18-17

Would you consider the audio edition of Low to be better than the print version?

I wouldn't know as I didn't read the print version.

What other book might you compare Low to and why?

This was way outside of my normal listens/reads as I didn't realize it was an NA (New Adult) title when I purchased it. So I don't have anything in my backlist to compare it too other than a non-fiction account I read in high school of Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker.

Which scene was your favorite?

Their one night in the empty house where they could just be "normal" again.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I absolutely couldn't improve on the existing one: Even crooks love.

Any additional comments?

This drew me in because it was on sale and it smacked of wounded hero stories, which I love. I probably wouldn't have purchased it if I'd done a little digging. I don't normally enjoy novels with language and open door love scenes, but I found those in this story tasteful and appropriate within the context of the story. The author does do a credible and noteworthy job of bringing the listener/reader into the nuances of character and the circumstances which drive good people to engage in criminal activity.

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Excellent narration but "saggy middle" for me.

Revisado: 05-18-17

If you could sum up 11-22-63 in three words, what would they be?

Speculative. Personal. Epic.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sadie. Hands down. She was so complex and brought so much to the story.

What does Craig Wasson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He narrates with just the right depth of emotion that is appropriate for the scene without detracting from the power of the words themselves.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not at all. It went on FOREVER and about two thirds away through it lost a lot of steam for me, which I am told happens in Stephen King novels, but it made for excellent commuting.

Any additional comments?

I personally didn't care for the ending because I didn't really understand it, but I'm still glad I listened to it. My husband selected this title for me and I can see why he liked it so much. The story was incredible and thought-provoking, examining so many aspects of humanity within the workings of several main characters.

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Good blend of coming of age and historical fiction

Revisado: 03-29-17

Have you listened to any of Tiffany Halla Colonna’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I bought this because I really liked this narrator's performance of another title. But I really struggled with the story. There were too many characters for me to keep straight and at some points I got confused about how they fit into the story because there would be so many scenes in between when a main character appeared and by then I had forgotten things I needed to recall to remain in the story.

Any additional comments?

It might be entirely my fault I struggled with some aspects of the story because this is a series and I entered it here with this book. So while this was a DNF for me I still did enjoy the narrator. She's easy to listen to and can make the character voices distinct enough I get to know them by their voices, which I like in my audiobooks.

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Another home run

Revisado: 01-26-17

Loved it.
Everytime a piece of the story goes somewhere completely unexpected I am like, how did I not see that coming??
Love that old main characters play big parts as the series progresses.

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Wonderful

Revisado: 01-10-17

I cant believe how many times I have listened to this entire series. so good.

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