Knightlyte

If you like a colossally stupid MC.... well

Revisado: 12-27-24

Is anything more infuriating than authors writing mind-numbingly idiotic protagonists? Again and again, we see main characters with psychotic, genocidal, unrepentantly evil villains in their grasp—and they just... let them go. The justifications are weak, often hinging on flimsy moral conflicts. But when (spoilers ahead) you have sociopathic serial killers and mad scientists under your gun, villains who have sworn to kill you, your friends, and billions on Earth with a retaliatory virus, and the protagonist’s solution is zip ties and a hasty exit? Seriously?

I rarely write reviews, usually opting to put a book down when it becomes too obnoxious to finish. This time, though, I couldn’t stay silent. Mainly because this story had potential: the narration was strong, the writing serviceable, and the setup engaging. The protagonist even starts off as likeable. But this insistence on "sparing the villains" to recycle them for more conflict utterly shatters any respect for the main character and the world they inhabit.

Oh, and let’s talk about plot holes. A weaponized Chinese virus has been unleashed on the U.S., and we know this is the case. So where is the military response? A couple of nukes from a single aircraft carrier? Really? What about fleets of nuclear submarines, snugly isolated at sea and bristling with weapons? Where’s the Air Force’s rapid-response bombers or our ICBM arsenal? The absence of any meaningful military strategy is glaring and absurd.

I slogged through over 20 hours, hoping the characters would stop navel-gazing and grow a brain. Sadly, that seems unlikely.

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Old read not fan of bisexual MC .. sorry

Revisado: 04-14-24

You like what you like. Reading is an immersive pastime I like to indulge in. With condemnation, I just don't like immersing with an MC with the above stated preferences. Great voice acting, interesting plotline, but I honestly didn't pursue it beyond the revelation of MC's proclivities.

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esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

uh...nope

Revisado: 12-30-22

The gentlemanly romance at the heart of the story is just not my cup of tea. Writing and narration a just fine.

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Not-a-bot review

Revisado: 11-04-22

I'm a little confounded by the descriptions in the negative reviews. Their specific criticisms rarely seem to correspond to elements in this book at all. Almost as if bots are invading Audible as they are everywhere else online (conspiracy theorist alert? lol).

1. The narration is superb.

2. Is the book boring and slow developing?
Well, maybe... that is, if you are the type who likes the MC to instantly pop out of an OP box, dominate all challenges, easily blow through enemies like wet tissue paper and be instantly the most gregarious and well-adjusted person on the planet.
I, on the other hand relish a well-crafted, challenged and developing character arc.

3. World building? It's definitely there in teasing examples but does the author go off on tangents filling out a world with wonderous detail then drop in the characters to romp through it? Nope. The world is assumed to be, not obviously contrived. The world revelations are gradual and natural. I didn't once pause to ask, "Where or when is this? What universe is this?" Immersion was pretty easy.

4. Is this for everyone? I thought so until I started reading some of the negative reviews...

Well worth a credit!
Don't believe the Bots!!!

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Narrator's delivery ruins this story for me.

Revisado: 04-09-22

A possibly enjoyable story is run off the rails by Luke Daniel's narration. Some listeners are obviously huge fans of this narrator and if you are one of them this may be a great audio title for you. While I have made it through books he's read in the past ( not a fan ) This time, however, his bombastic, WAY over the top delivery has me returning this title and opting for the kindle version instead. Once he started voicing his first dungeon AI as Jim Carey in Ace Ventura Pet Detective on crack...well....I just couldn't take it anymore. This is a prime example of a narrator flexing his voice and morphing an author's text into something else entirely,

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Occasionally the MC porn fest is Interrupted by the story.

Revisado: 11-20-20

Unfortunately I am finally pulling the plug on this series. The authors increasing focus on the sexual antics of the main character, including bestiality now, has drown out the main storyline. Despite a plot and character development that continues to move forward, I just can’t listen to another chapter.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Apocalypse vs. Angsty Teen Girl with Boy Problems

Revisado: 12-22-13

Any additional comments?

Despite an innate ability to soldier on through shockingly bad storylines and/or ear grating narrators, I was unable to finish this story. Had the story sustained it’s initial arc of “young protagonist vs. apocalypse” this would have been a mediocre but listenable tale. Sadly, it appears this author is attempting to tap into the ever lucrative teenage girl readership. “Alex” quickly finds herself caught in the roils of romantic attractions between “Tom” her early savior but feels so guilty about conflicting feeling for “Chris” who really, really likes her but that damned “Lena” kissed him….yeah. Another MAJOR pothole in the bumpy road to Bad Book Purchase-Ville is the narration. The delivery is fine, even engaging…until any sort of action scene starts. Then she launches into this rapid paced, strident, semi-shouting technique that was not only irritating sonically but also quite stress inducing on a visceral level. That, of course, could be a unique combination of her voice and my inner ear… who knows.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Homoerotic cross-species S & M tale ... not for me

Revisado: 09-08-13

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Unable to formulate any combination of narration to have saved this story

What do you think your next listen will be?

Something that does not include cross-species rape scenes.

What three words best describe Jim McCance’s voice?

facile, consistent , likeable

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

distaste

Any additional comments?

Initially I was drawn in by the story's sci-fi setting. Who wouldn't be intrigued by an elfin, dualist ambassador entering a draconian empire (populated by actual dragonoid beings) to pit his bravado, whits and martial skill against a vicious race of star faring, imperialistic lizards. I was also drawn in by the vulnerability the protagonist's empathic nature posed when he is submerged in an ultra-violent, alien society.
But when the main character perceives his ambassadorial goals might be furthered by enduring repeated sodomizing rape by a huge dragonoid emperor...well...lets just say my level of empathy with the protagonist evaporated. As did any interest in finishing the story.
While I do not condemn anyone whose tastes run to a nice interstellar, enter-species, homoerotic, sadomasochistic love story - mine do not. Nor was I please to discover this fact well into the story.
Steer clear if you also find this outside your tastes.

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esto le resultó útil a 5 personas

young adult novel..

Revisado: 08-14-11

Had I read the synopsis more carefully I would have realized this was a young adults novel. Having said that ( as I'm an old dude ) I was impressed by the narration. It was well time and delivered. The plot, while juvenile, has good depth and pacing. I will definitely recommend this to my teenage sons.

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esto le resultó útil a 35 personas

Worth the wait

Revisado: 08-14-11

Enjoyed Hoffman's second installment. Great pacing, nice character development and a plot that truly evolves in a second novel rather than just being a transitional book setting up a conclusive third. Steve West's narration was as enjoyable as the first. This rating fell short of 5 stars due to some irritating inconsistencies with the protagonist's abilities ( ex: his mentor reaches out and connects with a surprising backhand....this sort of martial blow is supposed to be impossible to land according to the first book) and some illogical blindness of the characters. But all in all, I'm looking forward to the next book. Enjoy

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esto le resultó útil a 4 personas