OYENTE

Angela

  • 37
  • opiniones
  • 8
  • votos útiles
  • 243
  • calificaciones

surprisingly solid

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 07-01-24

What with the title being a bit jargon-ey, I want sure what to expect from this title. The start was a little weird, but the book quickly gains its own wings and takes off. I appreciate the quality of the writing, the narration, and even the internal mechanics and verisimilitude of the in-world "system."

It is easy for a LitRPG book like this to rely on the use of game terms to establish tension and then expect the reader to be impressed at the protagonist when they overcome the odds, as when a level 12 character defeats a level 43 boss and his posse. This book instead properly uses dramatic tools to lay out the tension and the mechanical details are not unbelievable. When outlandish odds are overcome, there is a reason. The protagonist has a special power that quite understandably tilts things in his favor. It's well done.

I'm going to keep listening to the next book!

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A Fresh Load Of Coal

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 06-29-24

I admit that my ardor for this series had begun to wane a bit after the last couple of books. It started to feel kind of aimless as a contiguous narrative, and while I was excited for this book to be released I was also fairly trepidatious.

Fellow readers, have no fear; a fresh batch of coal has been tossed onto the grate. Not only have the flames rekindled, but now we begin to see there's been a wonderfully complex simmering above the fire and it's starting to take shape.

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Very fun book

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 03-28-24

As the author indicates in his postscript, this book is just supposed to be fun. It achieved that spectacularly. I love giant monster fiction in general, and this was a great example of the genre. It's a story with a compelling protagonist, fascinating science fiction, and a relatable story regardless of the obviously fantastical elements.

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

The Last Hour, Man

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 03-24-24

I've read a lot of Michael's books at this point; I've listened to far more audiobooks performed by Tim. I'm not sure whose effort here is a greater triumph, but the combination of the two is utterly breathtaking.

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Note To Self: No More Visits

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
2 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-24-24

I decided to reread this series because I remember LOVING the first one... but aside from the major plot points I couldn't remember a single thing about the second or third volumes.

Turns out that's because I didn't really like them much.

No particular reason - the writing is on point. And I did appreciate the ending perhaps more this time than I did on my first read-through. But I doubt I'll be back for a third trip through this world. Veronica Roth's writing has grown so much since this series - I'd rather read Chosen Ones 3 times than sit through these again, honestly.

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Two-For-One

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-11-24

The real downside to this series is that Michael Manning really doesn't seem to be able to write a single book. Both books in this series so far have read like 2-book omnibuses. It just makes it difficult to get as deep into the second story arc after the big release at the midpoint of the books. But that's my only complaint - otherwise the books are well-written, the characters are fully-formed, and the narration by Tim Gerard Reynolds is, predictably, fantabulous. I'll definitely be reading book 3.

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

An Instant Classic

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-11-24

This book takes my breath away. Marissa Meyer does great work, especially with her fairytale reinterpretations, so the first time I picked up this audiobook I expected it to be good.

It's not good, though - it's fan-freaking-tastic. I read a lot of books but very few are as completely consuming as this duology. While I'm reading, I am there. I exist in Serilda's world. Whatever is troubling me is automatically relegated to background noise, because there is a much more vivid world unfolding in my mind. (Which, as someone with a chronic illness, it exactly what I need sometimes.)

This book pulls deeply from some of our most beloved western fairytales, and sends you off to a Bavarian wonderland of gods and demons and wee tiny magicks. There's intrigue, romance, monsters, fighting, twists and turns, a sense of familiarity turned on its head... everything a heart could wish for. This would be a great roadtrip listen for a mixed group since there's something for everyone (which is quite the qualifier, if you ask me).

Next time you're sick, or stuck on a long, tedious work trip, or you just need to not be in your own shoes or head for a bit, pick this book up. Before you know it, you'll be reaching for the second book!

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

I'd Choose This One Again & Again

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-11-24

I absolutely adored this book. I really don't understand why its rating isn't higher - I was utterly charmed by it. It's definitely not a YA book, but for we adults who grew up with those YA books it's a really good (and somewhat cathartic) trip.

I thought the pacing was on point, and while it's true I was not expecting the events of part II (if the book hand continued as part I I'd have been just as thrilled with that) I wasn't upset with the turning of events. I had trouble putting it down, honestly - though I listened to the audiobook which has tremendously high production value and I can't suggest that version strongly enough.

I haven't read any Veronica Roth works aside from the Divergent books: those I enjoyed, but I really didn't like the third book at all, and found it to be very unsatisfactory. From those books to this one Roth has shown, I think, tremendous growth as a writer. I imagine that the character of Sloane in Part I is so believable because she's based in large part on Roth's own experiences with celebrity following that first trilogy.

Long story short: this is a standalone book. If you don't like it, you're not setting yourself up for a whole series. It ends with finality, so max you're in for a 15h 12m bit of background noise (if you're doing the audiobook - which you should) and it's over and you never have to think about it again. I loved it, myself, and I will probably be making a return visit.

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

LOVE AT FIRST LISTEN

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-11-24

Don't read this book: listen to it.

Seriously.

I have no idea why I bought this book, or when, honestly. It sat in my Audible library for years, untouched. I've been going through books so quickly lately that I've been making an effort to listen to the books I've purchased instead of just buying afresh whatever tickles my fancy, and that eventually lead me back to this book.

I can't believe it took me so long - I had no idea what I was missing!

But seriously, LISTEN to this book. I don't know what the physical book looks like or how it's laid out - I've never seen a copy - but I cannot imagine a world in which a paper copy is superior to the audiobook. This isn't your typical book-on-tape - it's masterfully composed into a radio-drama/audio play style narrative, complete with a full cast. I'm always skeptical of full-cast productions, because some of them are atrocious, but this one is not of that ilk.

If you like young adult fiction, sci-fi, a little bit of horror, fast-paced action, or just a really well-told story, you'll enjoy this immensely.

A note on the "horror" bits: I'm not a horror lover. I don't like it at all, actually. Blood and gore and zombies and gross-out moments are not for me. This book does contain some of those elements, but it's not overwhelming. I was fine with it (again, avowed horror hater here) and it doesn't feel like it's horror for horror's sake - it's actually a part of the story, and it's not present for the entire narrative. The second installment of the series has a little more body horror going on, but it's still pretty well done and incorporated into the narrative in such a way that it didn't bother me overmuch. If you're on the fence because of the horror elements, my vote is for just giving it a shot - the payout is worth the risk.

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Sophomore Syndrome In The Extreme

Total
2 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
1 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-11-24

Ehh. Just ehhh. Shame to say, but this book suffers from sophomore album syndrome in a big way.

I've been really looking forward to reading this ever since finishing Ready Player One for the first time in 2017, but anxious to start because of the mixed reviews. It started out strong, but I find myself with nothing to say now that it's done but ehh.

My main complaint for most of the book was that it suffered from, as those before me have noted, an overabundance of pop culture references. Whereas in RPO those references are critical to the story and are in large part what makes it such a fun read, Armada doesn't rely on them for story points nearly as much... and it almost feels like Cine is including them to prove something, or that he feels obligated to include them somehow? There were ones that were fun and slid into the narrative nicely... but most of them felt contrived and irrelevant.

The ending was... obnoxious is the only word that comes to mind. Worst to me was that it left plenty of room open for a sequel... and it really, really shouldn't get a sequel. It wasn't that good, and seeing as I couldn't even get through Ready Player Two, I don't feel like an Armada sequel will really help matters at all.

The beginning was fun, but it definitely was downhill from there - the second half was hard to get through, and I found myself wanting to skip sections because I just didn't care anymore.

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña