J. Beecher

Better than the first! Pike is awesome

Revisado: 04-22-25

Pike is such an amazing narrator. She makes the book utterly thrilling. I loved every moment. Pike makes different voices for the different characters and they are all perfect and so real.

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Outstanding, riveting story of the KKK rise & fall

Revisado: 04-05-25

This book tells the story of the rise and fall of D.C. "Steven" Stephenson, the Grand Dragon of the KKK in Indianapolis in the 1920s. The book is by turns shocking, terrifying, suspenseful, and sad, but always fascinating and engaging. It is incredible to think these things happened just 100 years ago. The first third of the book tells of Stephenson's background and how he rose to power in the KKK. The second third tells of his grip on politicians, policemen, judges, etc., and the horrific hateful acts done in the name of the KKK, and Stephenson's evil kidnapping, rape, and torture of a young woman. The final third of the book is an edge-of-your-seat courtroom drama about the trial and ultimate conviction of Stephenson for the young woman's murder, followed by the downfall of the KKK. The book is not just a gripping story, but it is well worth reading because it reminds us of how fragile our liberties are, and how --not long ago-- corrupt politicians, police, and judges trampled the basic human rights and the constitutional rights of citizens -- not just black citizens, but Jews and Catholics and all immigrants. This is a fascinating and horrifying history that everyone should know and keep in mind.

Timothy Egan reads the book himself and does a fantastic job. I loved every minute. This book is WELL worth your time and your money.

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It’s interesting and worth the time

Revisado: 03-25-25

Interesting podcast with fascinating characters and events. Enjoyed it a lot. Would like to hear more by Ronan.

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Forgettable

Revisado: 03-24-25

It’s interesting how forgettable this book is. I have read it twice but did not write a review at the time. Now a year later I realize I remember very little about the book and that pretty much says it all. I think this series has gotten a little out of hand and has become product. The first three books were amazing. This one and the Sunrise on the Reaping just seem like cash grabs to me. They are well written but not memorable or stirring the way the first three books are. Sometimes you have to know when to stop.

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It’s pretty good but very grim

Revisado: 03-24-25

It’s ok. It must have been hard to write a book where we already know the outcome— we already know Haymitch wins the games and we know he has no wife or family or sweetheart. Given this, it is an accomplishment that this book is as engaging as it is. There are definitely some very intense parts that are gripping. The character of Haymitch is fully fleshed out. Other tributes in the games are also fully realized individual characters. We meet a younger Effie and Plutarch, Wiress, Beatee and Mags.

So why do I give it only three stars? Because it is pretty grim. There is a plot to destroy the arena but we know from the outset that it can’t go anywhere because we already know Haymitch is a victor and the games continue for twenty five more years. And the horrible cruelty of children suffering and dying started to wear on me. How many books about this can we consume before we say, ok, it’s overdone? The original three books had the benefit of hope of a happy ending but this book has no such hope from the very first page. We know we are reading a tragedy. It’s just a little depressing.

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Could not get into it

Revisado: 02-26-25

Meh. I couldn’t get interested. Seemed to start strong but I just didn’t care. Didn’t finish. Probably for younger folks than I am. I’m 50. Might have some nieces in their 20s who would like this.

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Oh Ben a simple list would be better

Revisado: 02-03-25

I really like Ben but this book is only ok. He took a few simple fat loss ideas/habits and bloated it up into a book. I wish I had listened for free on my Spotify account or borrowed this from the library.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Too dumb. Couldn’t finish.

Revisado: 02-03-25

I liked scalzi’s Dispatcher series but everything else I’ve read from him is too dumb. This is one of the dumbest. It’s trying really hard to be funny but it just isn’t funny. It reminds me of a bad SNL sketch.

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Interesting and short read

Revisado: 01-13-25

This is a quick listen and it’s interesting. It’s worth hearing. It’s interesting to learn about the horrors for street children in India. But getting lost was probably the luckiest thing that could ever have happened to the author because it led to his escape from a life of dire poverty.

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I can't stand the narration - Wheaton yells

Revisado: 01-09-25

The story is slow. I'm not interested in it. I loved other Scalzi books so I thought I'd like this, but no bueno. Wil Wheaton over-emphasizes everything and seems to be yelling or reading things in italics/all caps every other sentence. Can't stand it. Really unfortunate since Scalzi's other books are so fun. Zachary Quinto narrated the other ones that I liked and he was excellent. Wheaton is bad.

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