Lupdilup

A seameless continuation to a great series!

Revisado: 07-22-12

In the first novel, we got introduced to the high school dropout, Angel Crawford; a self loading, pill popping-looser; daughter of an alcoholic deadbeat, living in the swamps of Louisiana. I don’t think I need to draw you a picture, just look at the fabulous cover. But all that comes to an abrupt end when she wakes up in the morgue craving brains and wondering what that hell happened to her.
Who knew that becoming a zombie will put Angel on the right path, and the reader/listener in the path to discovering a fantastic, creepy, gross (better have a strong stomach) mysterious, funny, suspenseful, and downright entertaining world.
I love Angel; I think you will too, she’s smart and funny. Her sarcastic personality with her self deprecating-down to earth tone make a terrific, but most importantly, a genuine character. So, If you haven’t read/listened to the first novel, stop right here. You need to get properly introduced to Ms. Rowland’s zombies, with the first entry, My Life As A White trash Zombie.
Angel is coping with her new reality; she has learned most of how her new world works, and what she needs to do to survive. Everything seems to be going fine for Angel, but things start to get complicated, and now, besides making sure she has a jar of brain’s smoothie at hand - she also has to deal with new dangers; zombie hunters, conspiracies, her unsavory past catching up to her, not to mention her boyfriend's attitude.
The twist and turns, the mystery, the small dab of romance, and a great ending, make this entry a must read or listen. I’m seriously hoping we don’t have to wait a whole year for the following novel, White Trash Zombie Apocalypse.

Narration:
This is my first experience with Alison McLemore, and I thought she did a very good job bringing this novel and its characters to life.
I have to warn you, I’m not an expert in southern accents, but Ms. McLemore approach definitely worked for me, even though, at first I thought it might have been a little bit over the top, I settled down within the first chapter, and just began to enjoy the story. She does a fantastic job communicating Angel’s emotions, as well as the rest of the character’s.
The mood and feel of the novel are skillfully captured, and nicely transmitted to the listener.
One thing I’m not so sure about though, that is, the sense of humor. I did find the first novel (which I read) a lot funnier than this one - I’m not sure if my inner voice for Angel was funnier, or maybe this novel was a little bit more serious. I’m planning a re-visit on audio to find out.
I didn’t have problems distinguishing the different voices, except for Angel’s father, sometimes they sounded too much alike, but it's such small portion of the novel that it does not really make that much of the difference. I was fine with her male voices; this is not a romance ( the center anyway) so I’m a lot more lenient in these cases, and did I find them quite adequate.
All in all, this was a great listen, and I recommend this series to any UF fan in search of something new, engrossing, original and fresh, if the word "fresh" can be use when speaking about Zombies :)

GENRE: Urban Fantasy
SENSUALITY: Warm

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esto le resultó útil a 20 personas

Maybe Julia Quinn is not for me

Revisado: 06-04-12

Again the magic eludes me, I wanted to love this book, I really did, and for the life of me I don't get why her books don't move me, they just don't inspire any passion in me like Lisa Kleypas' novels do.
But I guess if you are a die hard fan of Julia Quinn you will find it enjoyable, for me this novel was just a little better than meh! And it's not the writing or the likeability of the characters, I just don't know what it is.
Rosalyn Landor's performance is as flawless and as terrific as always.

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esto le resultó útil a 8 personas

LARISSA IONE KNOWS PNR!!!

Revisado: 05-31-12

Larissa Ione delivers without disappointment the best entry to this series, no complaints at all with the story, in fact, I LOVED IT! But unfortunately the narration by Erin Bennett was less than ideal, despite her ability to bring the book to life during the narration parts in a nice tone and pace, the distinctions of the voices were horrendous, and as a result her delivery and characters portrayal felt flat and unimpressive.
I have to say that the book felt like she was just reading it without putting any effort to accomplish an accurate depiction of the characters.
I wish they had kept the same narrator from the previous book, Hillary Huber, then I'm sure I would be giving this audiobook the all around 5 stars it deserves.
Would I still buy the the audio? Yes!! I still managed to enjoyed it, the story is so good it survives the poor characters transitions.
To be enjoy as part of the series.
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Sensuality: HOT

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esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

JUST MAGIC!

Revisado: 05-17-12

When you finished a 13+ hrs audiobook in 24 hrs, it can only mean one thing, " impossible to put down"
Bahni Turpin is awesome!! And paired with the amazing writing style of Stacia Kane, it's just absolute magic!
With some heart wrenching moments we get one more mystery solved, all while we get to ride inside the messed up little head of our unconventional, some times irritating, but always entertaining Chess Putnam.
Another terrific entry to this dark, somber yet exciting and always engrossing Urban Fantasy series.

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esto le resultó útil a 8 personas

URBAN FANTASY AT ITS BEST!!

Revisado: 04-17-12

First let me just say, I haven’t been this thrilled... For quite a long time.

After listening to the next 2 books in the series, I have reconsidered my take on this novel, and these are my final thoughts.
There’s nothing better than a well written and original- dark Urban Fantasy ride, and Stacia Kane has created just that - even though this is not the best book in the series, it is the introduction to this enthralling world... darkness is all around, it's neither pretty nor easy… but grab you, it will!

This was my first novel by this author, and wow! I’m so glad I listen to the friend that recommended it, the writing is flawless and the setting captivating.
The characters are unconventional, the lingo is original, the plot is fresh, but most important; she has gone outside the box by creating a heroine that will challenge your reasoning and will demand your emotions; disdain, compassion, anger, sympathy and hopefully, understanding.
One thing though, amidst the darkness, drug use and low-lifers, we get a shining star; the most unusual hero, an anti-hero some call him, yet another departure from the norm when it comes to a leading male character, but I assure you! He will inevitably capture your heart.
Besides the terrific character development and the skillful introduction to Chess's world, we get action, suspense, mystery, and in the small glimpses of Chess’ happiness we also get a hot romance (tortured, but steaming)
Once thing is for sure, the world and the characters will stay with you, and you will be downloading the next novel in this incredibly gripping series, before you are even finished with this one.
I highly recommend it to any fan of UF genre that can approach the ride with an open mind, so just buckle up, and let the Author hurdle you into this emotional spin.

NARRATION:
An excellent performance!!! Yes, Bahni Turpin didn’t read these novels, she perfectly executed them.
I knew she sounded it familiar, I just couldn’t place her, and then I remember that she was one of the narrators for the book, Help, that was a terrific performance, and once again she absolutely shines with her rendition of this novel.
She expertly brings Chess to life conveying all the complexity of her character. She performs the dialogue in absolutely natural and convincing way.
I would dare to say, this is a much better book on audio than in print, at least for me. I think that my inner voice for Chess wouldn’t have had the vulnerability the Ms. Turpin layered in her character.
All in all, Bahni Turpin is the perfect narrator for this gritty, emotional and absorbing ride.

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Sensuality: HOT

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esto le resultó útil a 6 personas

LOVED IT!!!

Revisado: 04-17-12

I’m a colossal fan of this series; I look forward every year to the time when J.R. Ward and Jim Frangione will take me away to the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s world, and I will get completely lost in the drama, passion, tension, sensuality and ultimately romance.
So, did Lover Reborn do it for me? … Absolutely without a doubt, although the romance and tension didn’t come exactly from whom I expected, it never took anything away from my enjoyment; the character’s progress and growth proved sufficient to engross me from beginning to end.

In a way, I felt Ward was trying to give us a different kind of Romance, the kind that’s not easy or happy, but tortured, and after having spent almost 5 years with Tohr, I wouldn’t have believed it otherwise.
Did he get the best Shellan? Probably not, but I thought he got just what he need it.
Is almost a fact now that the series has taken a new direction, where the main couple is no longer the center of the story, but just another in the many plots and updates in the novel, and I can sense some might not be happy with the change. In my case; I’ll take anything Ward gives me as long as she continues to capture my heart and attention.
The side stories are amazing and so realistic; I constantly forget that I’m in a fantasy world and that these guys are just a bunch of vampires in Caldwell NY.
One more thing I love is the fact that the Lessers aren’t as important, and we are starting to get a different kind of evil, one that is not going to be as easy to identify as such, but the gray area between good and evil is going to come into play and it's going to force you to dig deep and question your likes and dislikes for these new guys.
In conclusion, the action sequences are some of the best if not the best in the series, the drama is at its all time high, and last but not least the writing is phenomenal.
The hints…. Well, more than hints of what's coming for Blay and Qhuinn are gonna have you wishing 2012 away.
I LOVED IT!

NARRATION:
Jim's delivery is superb in every aspect, with the minor complaint about his female voices, but honestly at this point they don’t even bother me at all because he is the reason why this book is not only 4 stars
Just one thing to the new audio listener, it takes a few chapters to get used to his voice and delivery, but once you do, you won’t have it any other way.
Look at the ratings for this book, so you can get an idea of how highly Jim's performance has been evaluated.

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esto le resultó útil a 5 personas

Great follow-up!!

Revisado: 11-17-11

4.1/2 stars, great follow-up to this fantastic series, new intrigues,new twist and turns, new bad and good characters, and the romance! aww! even though is not as steamy as I normally like, still very believable, heart-felt and hot and a whole new way.
I truly enjoyed it.
The narration is just superb! Gebra Zackman does a terrific job bringing this books to life with the perfect tone, pace and very accurate interpretation of the characters.

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My favorite in this series.

Revisado: 10-18-11

I don’t consider this entry the best of the series in terms of the plot. My rating for this novel comes solely from the fact that I utterly and fully felt in love with Siena and Elijah- it’s as simple as that, and I’m most likely ignoring some of the book’s flaws by my partiality towards their romance. From the moment these two protagonists met in the previous book; I felt their real and unquestionable chemistry, and when I finally got my hands on the book I loved every minute of it. The struggle they undergo to overcome their differences make their moments together steamy, erotic, spontaneous, tender, scorching hot and explosive. Elijah, the Demon Captain, is an alpha male through and through, but he’s not afraid to back down from the sometimes temperamental, Siena Queen of the Lycanthropes. I love them together as well as independently. They are both strong and determined leaders.
As a paranormal romance, these books do follow a formula, but after all, we read/listen to these books for the fantasy and escapism they offer, and this series is not the exception, the action, suspense, hot alpha males, kick -ass heroines, the erotic but tastefully written scenes, and the intricate world so cleverly put together by Ms. Franks, will do just that.
Xe Sands has done it again!! And I didn’t have any doubts to the contrary, especially after her great performance with Jacob (first of this series). The complete grasp of these characters and the world is clearly conveyed by her rendition. The long introduction at the beginning of this book, takes a completely different tone with the soft, sensual, never intrusive or jarring voice of Ms. Sands, and allows the listener to be completely submerged in the story, forgetting a times the fact that it’s being read by some else, that in and of itself is a tremendous achievement for a narrator and most definitely accomplished by Ms. Sands with the narration parts of this book. Again the male voices are impressive, no complaints at all with her portrayal on Elijah, his personalty was beautifully brought to life. Siena's Russian accent, although not the best I've listened to, was compensated by the manner it was delivered, clearly communicating her strong willed personalty.
All in all, this was an excellent performance by Xe Sands.

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esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

Oh Yea!!!

Revisado: 10-18-11

Wow! This is an impressive follow-up to FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT. Darynda Jones delivered without skipping a beat. If you love the first book in the Charley Davidson’s series, you will love this new addition even more. If you are new to the series, although is not extremely important to start with the first book, I say why not? Why pass on a downright entertaining listen that is only going to enhance the enjoyment of this entry.
Sookie, Stephanie Plum! Move over girls!! There’s a new girl in town! And NO! This is not a bumper sticker! This is exactly how I feel about this fabulous creation by Darynda Jones.
Yet another example of Lorelei King’s talent, her perfect approach and execution of these novels is nothing short of fantastic, I think she found the ideal blend of, Mercy (Mercy Thompson series) and Stephanie Plum (Stephanie Plum series) to perform Charley’s POV, giving her a unique tone and personality, one that brings her to life better matched than our inner voice, which is close to impossible to do, but my God she’s done it with Charley.
Charley’s inner dialogue is delightfully carried out, wholly conveying the humor and sarcasm, in a manner that yields a very likable character; simple and real and never over the top. Reye’s voice is perfect; his mysterious and sexy manner is absolutely believable and hot. She also gives the remaining cast of secondary characters a unique take not only with their voices but with their overall delivery.
The timing, approach and pace, are perfect for the story.
The Mercy Thompson and the Stephanie Plum series are also narrated by this incredibly talented artist and are two of my favorite series, common denominator? Lorelei King!

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Enthralling Urban Fantasy.

Revisado: 10-18-11

Just when I think I can’t be surprised anymore with an original plot in the world of urban fantasy- here comes Kelly Meding, and shows me my lack of imagination with her first novel in the Dreg City series.
With the clock ticking, we get taken along Evy’s side, a kick ass, strong, smart mouth heroine; a paranormal bounty –hunter whose job is to control and kill her city's supernatural bad creatures; shifters, vampires, gargoyles, fae, trolls, goblins- just to mention a few. But this is not an easy ride, this world is dark, mean, creepy, deadly, brutal and unpredictable; the magic is not pretty, and it’s everywhere, the supernatural politics draw an unclear line between the good guys and the bad ones.
Evy’s inner voice and narration force you to experience this world with all its anguish, creepiness, violence (yes, very strong violent scenes) and fear, but one most definitely worth the time.
Xe Sands approached this book with the perfect arsenal of emotions, and justifiably so, this book absolutely demanded it. Evy’s POV of this incredibly dark, dangerous and creepy world was brilliantly fleshed out with all its emotional depth and intricacy, this combined with the impressive array of voices for all the unsavory creatures, delivered an engrossing listening experience,and one that never felt forced or over the top.
By bringing Evy’s personality to life with the perfect balance of toughness and vulnerability, Ms. Sands conveyed a very likable and sympathetic character, and one that you can’t help but to root for.
Xe sands ability to perform credible male voices is ever present with her portrayal of Wyatt communicating his personality clearly.
Ultimately, I absolutely enjoyed this audiobook, so much so, that I’m half way done with the following installment “As Lie the Dead”.

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esto le resultó útil a 9 personas