Mark Dhas

Not a great review

Revisado: 03-09-24

First, I must say I enjoy Wil Wheaton's narration and have been a fan of his stuff for a while. He doesn’t disappoint in this book. While I’m not a fan of Neil Gaiman’s writing style, I must admit he’s an excellent narrator. Sean Astin, who I’ve always been somewhat underwhelmed by, did a pretty good job with his character. Lastly, after learning a little about Felicia Day, I figured this would be a fantastic book for me, mainly because I’ve been a fan of urban fantasy since reading my first Harry Dresden book. The premise sounded like it would be amusing, exciting and frankly just up my alley.

I can’t believe how disappointed I was by this book. Other than the narration, which was pretty decent, this book failed at every level. The introduction to the main character was my first inclination that I may have chosen this book poorly when spending my audible credit. As the book progressed, I started feeling that same uneasiness more and more. Until I honestly wanted the travesty to end. Unfortunately, with one exception, I’ve always listened to every book that I’ve bought from beginning to end and like a train wreck being viewed from a distance, I was unable to tear myself away from this book.

I’ve rarely written a review as scathing as this one, but I just felt that given all the positive reviews I read before listening to this book, maybe, just maybe, my one dissenting opinion might be valuable to someone. Now, I’m not going to say that I’ll never read another Felicia Day book or ever listen to her narration again. I’m willing to give her another chance, but I won’t listen to the end of the next book if it turns out to be as bad.

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esto le resultó útil a 7 personas

Absolutely brilliant

Revisado: 10-11-23

I have not enjoyed a Chronicles of St Mary’s book more, at least of recent memory and while that’s admittedly not quite as good as it once was this really is a good book. Lots of Malcolm and Max, not as much time jumping but that’s not necessarily the best part. It’s the banter between the main characters that is most enjoyable and this book has that in spades. I am left wondering though is this the end Max’s story?

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I am very disappointed

Revisado: 07-16-20

To say I loved Harry would have been an understatement. I thought the character was cool, funny, brave, thoughtfully written, in short he was awesome but since Harry became the winter knight things have been going downhill pretty quickly. The entire series seems to have fallen flat and I’m very disappointed with the turn it’s taking. I hope it will get better but I not going to rush out and purchase the book like I used to.

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esto le resultó útil a 8 personas

It's not the best but it's also not the worst.

Revisado: 04-02-17

Given the number of reviews that are gushing about how great this book is, I might be one of the few with a bit of dissenting opinion. First allow me to say that there's nothing wrong with this book but at the same time there's nothing right about this book The scenario the protagonist has been trust into was interesting but I felt myself constantly waiting for more. I read this book with a constant sense of underwhelming anticipation. I found myself saying to myself "Yes, and...?" constantly.

Completing the book, I do think it the end was pretty well thought out but at the same time the entire thing was anticlimactic.

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Slow start...

Revisado: 07-13-15

I found myself thrown into a world that the author did little to prepare the reader for. Almost nothing of who the main character Ballista was or why he is considered a barbarian. It's clear that the author knows a lot about Roman civilization however they seem to come up as asides instead of as part of the story. For example, at one part of the story Ballista invites his guests up to his Palace to partake in some figs and nuts. However in natural conversation it would be more normal if he had simply asked his guests to come up to his Palace to have some food.

That said after a while I did become somewhat engrossed in book though and more involved in the characters storyline and it was enjoyable.

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A really great read

Revisado: 03-18-15

An enjoyable yet predictable read. That said I really enjoyed when Uthred and Ragnar walked into the church. Reminiscent of the scene in gladiator where Russell Crowe first identifies himself to the Emperor.

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Oddly compelling

Revisado: 01-30-15

While I found the evidence that the author presented almost completely anecdotal, I also found the subject matter compelling.

I do wish the author had presented more information on how to meditate per se.

Prior to reading this book I had no idea who Dan Harris walls or is for that matter. I do you feel that he is perhaps the best narrator for his own work. That said I did find him a little grating at times.

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An instant classic

Revisado: 08-18-13

This isn't the type of book that I could summarize in three words but let me give it a shot:

"Suspense-filled, riveting and perplexing."

The narrator was exceptional, while I've never heard any of his other performances I can't compare it to anything else however he is definitely an exceptional voice actor.

In short get this book if you are a fan of science fiction, mystery or horror.

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Probably the weakest Dresden Files

Revisado: 07-12-13

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would probably recommend fan's of the dresden files listen to this book just so you know what happens. However if you just a casual fan, skip this book. I can sum up the book in a sentence. Dresden is dead but there's still things for him to do.

What was most disappointing about Jim Butcher’s story?

This seemed such a departure from your average Harry Dresden novel that I felt cheated. I'm sorry there's no better way to describe it. Here was I expecting the usual cast of characters doing what they usually do but Harry as a ghost just doesn't do it for me.

Which scene was your favorite?

This should section should probably be renamed "Which scene did you find you could bare with the best?" The end. No if's, and's or but's this is certainly not Mr. Butcher's best work.

Was Ghost Story: The Dresden Files, Book 13 worth the listening time?

In short, no.

Any additional comments?

Do yourself a favour here, accept that Harry died, learned a little about the afterlife, his friends and a smidgen about himself. Now he has moved onto being the Winter Knight in Cold Days. There now you can skip this book.

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Starts slow but stick with it

Revisado: 07-12-13

What made the experience of listening to Hard Magic the most enjoyable?

Coming from the Dresden files to this felt like a thorough let down. Boy was I wrong! The story itself is quite amazing amazing. This is quite obviously a phenomenal book if you can stick with it past the first few hours. Initially I found it completely implausible that people would rate it so highly but it's obvious that the author put a LOT of thought and effort into making his impeccable "world". It feels so full of little details and nuances I almost felt like going through it again.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Hard Magic?

I wouldn't want to give anything here away. So I'm not going to spoil this for anyone.

Which character – as performed by Bronson Pinchot – was your favorite?

There are obviously two main characters Jake and Faye and I can honestly say that I enjoyed both tremendously.

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

Honestly I don't think I could think of anything that would do this justice.

Any additional comments?

Stop reading this and go and get the book.

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