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chris

I read perhaps 1 or 2 books a year before Audible. Now I listen to 1 or 2 books a month. I'm mostly listen to sci-fi, fantasy, and classics. I'm a software developer and tabletop game designer.

Eden Prairie, MN, United States | Member Since 2010

3
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 12 reviews
  • 41 ratings
  • 195 titles in library
  • 7 purchased in 2014
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  • Foundation and Empire

    • UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 33 mins)
    • By Isaac Asimov
    • Narrated By Scott Brick
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (1305)
    Performance
    (928)
    Story
    (936)

    The Foundation novels of Isaac Asimov are one of the great masterworks of science fiction. Unsurpassed for their unique blend of nonstop action, daring ideas, and extensive world-building, they chronicle the struggle of a courageous group of men and women to preserve humanity's light against an inexorable tide of darkness and violence.

    Lynwood says: "Masterpiece"
    "Not as good as Part 1, but still engrossing"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I enjoyed the Foundation more than this sequel (part 2 of the trilogy). It's basically two storys, the first one dealing with the last battle with the fading Empire and the second dealing the new enemy, the Mule. I enjoyed the first one more. The latter is sort of a long winded setup for part 3 (Second Foundation). There was a mystery too the second story that I figured out quickly so that made it less enjoyable.

    Still, the writing is great and I'm excited for part 3.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Way of Kings: Book One of The Stormlight Archive

    • UNABRIDGED (45 hrs and 37 mins)
    • By Brandon Sanderson
    • Narrated By Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (11341)
    Performance
    (8750)
    Story
    (8808)

    Roshar is a world of stone and storms. Uncanny tempests of incredible power sweep across the rocky terrain so frequently that they have shaped ecology and civilization alike. Animals hide in shells, trees pull in branches, and grass retracts into the soilless ground. Cities are built only where the topography offers shelter. It has been centuries since the fall of the ten consecrated orders known as the Knights Radiant, but their Shardblades and Shardplate remain: mystical swords and suits of armor.

    Lore says: "Wow - 45 hours long and leaves you wanting more!"
    "Outstanding. Can't wait for the book 2."
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I read Brandon's mistborn series and loved it. Don't know if he can top it, but this book was an outstanding start. It's a huge book, but the world is so interesting and the characters so well developed that I burned through it. There were several points listening to this book I came to tears. Not really tears of sadness, but emotion. The writing really created empathy with the main characters.

    Just like in the mistborn books, the magic system is well defined. Magic can't do everything. I used to avoid fantasy books. Sanderson has changed that for me.

    Best way to describe this book is Mistborn combined with Game of Thrones. It has that huge epic world building feel, with all the great trappings of Brandon Sanderson's writing and creativity.

    Can't wait for book 2. And since Sanderson writes fast, it's nice to know we won't have to wait too long.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Wild Cards I

    • UNABRIDGED (18 hrs and 59 mins)
    • By George R. R. Martin (editor), Walter Jon Williams, Melinda Snodgrass, and others
    • Narrated By Luke Daniels
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (629)
    Performance
    (564)
    Story
    (570)

    In the aftermath of WWII, an alien virus struck the Earth, endowing a handful of survivors with extraordinary powers. Originally published in 1987, the newly expanded saga contains additional original stories by eminent writers.

    Joseph Rispoli Jr says: "A True Classic!"
    "Disjointed by Good"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    As with anything with multiple authors, this book is disjointed and inconsistent. Some of the styles of the authors clash, but the overall premised and setting is very entertaining. Even with the inconsistencies, there wasn't a clunker in this mix of short stories that ranged from good to great.

    It's easy to find stuff copied from Wild Cards that went into a few of the similar themed TV shows (heros, alphas, etc..). Now that all those shows have failed, they should really make a Wild Cards show.

    There's some fake articles in collection. One imitates Hunter S. Thompson and is worth the price of admission.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Alloy of Law: A Mistborn Novel

    • UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 51 mins)
    • By Brandon Sanderson
    • Narrated By Michael Kramer
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (3558)
    Performance
    (3212)
    Story
    (3245)

    Three hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads to supplement the canals, electric lighting in the streets and the homes of the wealthy, and the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds.Kelsier, Vin, Elend, Sazed, Spook, and the rest are now part of history—or religion. Yet the old magics of Allomancy and Feruchemy continue to play a role in this reborn world....

    Timothy says: "Pleased, yet wanting more..."
    "Short but just as interesting as the trilogy"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    The mistborn trilogy is one of my all time favorites. I didn't really realize he had planned to continue with the setting. The background of how this book came to be published made me worried, but I wasn't disappointed. The characters are just as interesting and fun as the ones in the original trilogy. The plot, while not as epic as the previous books, was just as engrossing. I also really like the way it ended. I'm happy to know that the author is planning a sequel to this story as well as a new trilogy (in modern times).

    Definitely don't read as a stand alone book, but if you've already read original mistborn trilogy, this will remind you how good that was and make you excited for future books.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Foundation's Edge

    • UNABRIDGED (16 hrs and 19 mins)
    • By Isaac Asimov
    • Narrated By Scott Brick
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (459)
    Performance
    (423)
    Story
    (426)

    At last, the costly and bitter war between the two Foundations had come to an end. Now the two exiled citizens of the Foundation - a renegade Councilman and the doddering historian - set out in search of the mythical planet Earth. Meanwhile, someone - or something - outside of both Foundations seems to be orchestrating events to suit its own ominous purpose.

    chris says: "Enjoyed it as much as the original trilogy"
    "Enjoyed it as much as the original trilogy"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I was worried to listen to this book, realizing it was written like 30 years after the first 3. But if I had not known that fact before hand, I would have never guessed it. The book doesn't miss a beat and feels consistent with the previous 3. I really enjoyed it. It was as good as the originals and in some ways better. The narrgator is top notch. It's a good mystery and kept me totally engaged. I was a little disappointed how it ended. Not that it was poorly done. It just sort of waterdowns the importance of the 2 foundations. But it was still interesting and well done. Looking forward to the next book. Sadly, it has a different narrator.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Ready Player One

    • UNABRIDGED (15 hrs and 46 mins)
    • By Ernest Cline
    • Narrated By Wil Wheaton
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (11302)
    Performance
    (10535)
    Story
    (10544)

    At once wildly original and stuffed with irresistible nostalgia, Ready Player One is a spectacularly genre-busting, ambitious, and charming debut—part quest novel, part love story, and part virtual space opera set in a universe where spell-slinging mages battle giant Japanese robots, entire planets are inspired by Blade Runner, and flying DeLoreans achieve light speed.

    Ryan says: "Wil Wheaton for President"
    "Personally, I found it brilliant."
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This is a hard book to review objectively. I'm was born in the 70s so I grew up in the 80s and 90s. I'm a software developer by trade, and also do game design, mostly RPGs, on the side. I'm also a huge gamer (both tabletop and video).

    It felt as if it the writer had written the book for me personally. So if you're not any of the above, maybe much of this book would be lost on you, but for me, it was a fantastic read. The references and themes are outstanding. The puzzles and riddles were a joy. The book always kept my interested and I couldn't stop listening.

    If you're anything like me, get this book. You won't be disappointed.

    Bonus points for the narrator Wil Wheaton of Star Trek: The Next Generation fame. He does a great job and it's pretty funny to her him reference himself in the book.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Fool Moon: The Dresden Files, Book 2

    • UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 6 mins)
    • By Jim Butcher
    • Narrated By James Marsters
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (8218)
    Performance
    (6236)
    Story
    (6212)

    Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden is Chicago's only openly practicing wizard. He is also dead broke. His vast knowledge and magical skills are unfortunately matched by his talent for making powerful enemies and alienating friends. With little more than his integrity left, he accepts an offer of work from Lt. Karin Murphy of Chicago's Special Investigations Unit. He wants to redeem himself in Murphy's eyes and make enough money to quiet his rumbling stomach.

    pterion says: "I'm liking Harry more and more"
    "Clever take on Werewolves. Better than book 1."
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I read the first Dresdon book and liked it barely enough to read book 2. I like the premise. It's not unlike all the supernatural stuff that is hot on TV/Movies now (true blood, being human, grim, etc..), but is more interesting and a little less silly than most. It has a hard boiled detective element to it and it takes place in Chicago, which I like.

    This book has to do with Werewolves. I feared this as I'm totally sick of werewolves and vampires (and zombies for that matter), but Butcher's take on them is clever. There are several types, each with it's own origins and features, and Butcher does a good job of integrating them into the plot. These details make it stand out from the standard werewolf fair.

    The climax was a little unsatisfying, but a bulk of the story keep me reading. I will read book 3 eventually.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Imperium: A Novel of Ancient Rome

    • UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 39 mins)
    • By Robert Harris
    • Narrated By Simon Jones
    Overall
    (1328)
    Performance
    (648)
    Story
    (653)

    When Tiro, the confidential secretary (and slave) of a Roman senator, opens the door to a terrified stranger on a cold November morning, he sets in motion a chain of events that will eventually propel his master into one of the most suspenseful courtroom dramas in history.

    Karen says: "Great Naration, Great Book"
    "Interesting but a bit slow and dry"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I'm a big Roman history buff so this novel really appeal to me. Overall I enjoyed it. I learned more about people I already knew a lot about, so that was a rewarding. But it was a bit slow and dry in some points.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Second Foundation

    • UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 23 mins)
    • By Isaac Asimov
    • Narrated By Scott Brick
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (1158)
    Performance
    (824)
    Story
    (831)

    The fate of the Foundation rests on young Arcadia Darell, only 14 years old and burdened with a terrible secret. As its scientists gird for a final showdown with the Mule, the survivors of the First Foundation begin their desperate search. They too want the Second Foundation destroyed, before it destroys them.

    Shukhrat says: "Culmination point"
    "Didn't Disappoint"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I really enjoyed the first two parts and the third installment didn't disappoint. I love how they defeated the mule and how the book ended. I wish I had read this ages ago. Sure the science is outdated, but it doesn't distract from the overall story. Also, I can see the influences this series has had on so many other novels I have listend too. It really is the grand daddy morden science fiction.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Foundation

    • UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 37 mins)
    • By Isaac Asimov
    • Narrated By Scott Brick
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (2500)
    Performance
    (1829)
    Story
    (1857)

    For 12,000 years the Galactic Empire has ruled supreme. Now it is dying. But only Hari Sheldon, creator of the revolutionary science of psychohistory, can see into the future, to a dark age of ignorance, barbarism, and warfare that will last 30,000 years. To preserve knowledge and save mankind, Seldon gathers the best minds in the Empire, both scientists and scholars, and brings them to a bleak planet at the edge of the Galaxy to serve as a beacon of hope for a fututre generations.

    Alexander T. McMahon says: "The Foundation Trilogy is a True Classic"
    "Amazing, especially for 1950."
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I've always been scared of reading the Asimov classics for fear the outdated science would ruin the experience.

    There is outdated science and technology of course, but it's not prevalent and you quickly adjust. But most of the concepts and story are timeless and it's amazing that they were written in 1950. After reading the Foundation, I downloaded I, Robot and the Foundation and Empire, which were equally as good.

    In short, it's a classic for a reason. Don't be be afraid that it was written over 60 years ago. It will still make you think.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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