Category: Uncategorized

Farside by Ben Bova
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I am a big fan of Ben Bova and have read quite a bit of his work, so although I did enjoy this book, I found it strangely lacking a sense of urgency. There was intrigue and danger, but little sense of real alarm among the characters. I liked the characters, and the moon setting was interesting, but if this had been a print book I might not have kept reading. Luckily, as I’ve said before, I’m less discerning with audiobooks because they generally accompany other tasks. This one is good SF, worth reading for some of the other aspects, but not a real page-turner.

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Working for the Devil by Lilith Saintcrow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not for the faint of heart, but if you like gritty urban fantasy with loads of paranormal stuff going on, you will like this book. I bought a HUGE volume with the complete series between two covers early in the summer, and I’m finally getting to it. Fast-paced with nicely complex characters and lots of action. Moved on to the next book already!

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A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am so sad now, because I’m caught up on all the Flavia books that my local library has in audio. Sigh. I see one of two choices in my future. I either break down and read the next one in print–but how can I enjoy Flavia if she is not voiced by the inimitable Jayne Entwhistle?–or finally join Audible just so I don’t have to wait. Decisions, decisions…

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Lucky Stuff by Sharon Fiffer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was my first encounter with the protagonist of this series, and I’ll certainly look for more. I found the book to be engaging and fast-paced; a nice little mystery and funny to boot. Ironically, I listened to the audiobook while I cleaned out my office–and the protagonist in this volume (an almost-hoarder)is having trouble letting go of material clutter. Perfect timing!

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The Book Taker by Bill Pronzini
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When I checked this audiobook out from the library, I didn’t realize it was short–either a long short story or a short novella. However, as a quick crime story featuring Nameless, it’s interesting and well-narrated.

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Death’s Apprentice: A Grimm City Novel by K.W. Jeter
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Before I say anything else, remember that a 2-star rating from me on Goodreads means what Goodreads says it does–it was okay. NOT terrible, just okay. Although it was quite violent and dark, I kept with this story because it had characters and a setting with a ton of potential. However, as the story progressed, it felt like the main focus was on that darkness, not on fulfilling the potential.

The writing is strong and evocative, and the storyline progresses quickly for the most part (the backstory on each new character is sort of dumped all in one go, but it’s interesting backstory and presented almost as part of the narrative, so it doesn’t really slow the story down). I think it suffers in audiobook form because there are a lot of fight scenes, which, when read, mostly become confusing rather than exciting.

All in all, it was not my cup of tea, but if you like darker themes, a bleak setting, and lots of action, you’ll probably like this book.

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Married With Zombies by Jesse Petersen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another audiobook with an excellently-suited narrator. I went into this book with no clear expectations, but ended up really enjoying it. It was funny and touching and suitably gross for a zombie novel, without going over the line for me. The plot was fast-paced and there was lots of tension on several levels. My biggest complaint was that it’s not a long novel, and it ended too soon. Apparently I’m in luck, though–there are more in the series!

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The Reversal by Michael Connelly
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I listened to the audiobook version of this book, which featured a narrator with a perfect voice for this book. Overall, though, I didn’t like it as much as the previous Connelly books I’ve read. The courtroom stuff comprised a little too much of the book for me, and I wasn’t very satisfied with the ending. However, I’ll try other title by this author; he does spin a good plot and I like the characters.

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The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As I suspected, it didn’t take me long to pick up another Michael Connelly book. Although Det. Bosch played a side role in this book, I also enjoyed the character of Mickey Haller and the legal procedural slant of the story. A nicely complex plot and characters, and a fast-paced, engrossing read. I wish the dialogue were a little less stilted at times (more contractions needed!) but I just have to turn off the editor part of my brain and enjoy the story. I guess it can’t be too bad, anyway–I’ve already started listening to the audiobook version of the next book in the series. :)

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The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Yes, I’m reading them out of order, but it really doesn’t matter. I love the protagonist of these books! Perhaps it’s the absolutely delightful audio presentation, but I have no difficulty believing in Flavia, as some readers seem to. I know, she’s only eleven, but I just want her to be real so much that–for me, she is! It could also have something to do with my lifelong penchant for books with precocious and adventurous young protagonists. :)

I have a little more trouble with some plot aspects of the novel than I do with the character. A bit too much exposition here and there, for sure, and some loose threads. But still a lovely read!

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