SRacerWV
- 14
- reviews
- 29
- helpful votes
- 119
- ratings
-
Croma Venture
- The Spiral Wars, Book 5
- By: Joel Shepherd
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 16 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 961
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 878
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 874
Upon the ancient drysine moon/city of Defiance, the UFS Phoenix is being rebuilt, but her crew cannot do so in peace. Parren factions jostle for control of not only Defiance, but of the drysine data-core that Phoenix won at such an awful price. But the parren do not lay sole claim to that ancient knowledge, and within the bowels of the machine-city, something long-dead is awakening. While aliens battle, Captain Debogande struggles to decide his next step. Human emissaries beckon him home, while a terrible new threat drives him toward the far edge of Spiral space.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
A big universe just got bigger
- By Wendell Yamada on 11-07-18
- Croma Venture
- The Spiral Wars, Book 5
- By: Joel Shepherd
- Narrated by: John Lee
Space opera at its best, John Lee remains a favorite narrator
Reviewed: 12-21-18
This series just keeps getting better and better. I’ve remained at the edge on my seat as the “family” of Phoenix goes deeper and deeper into the unknown. The release of next in this series can not get here quicker.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Hard Luck Hank: Robot Farts
- By: Steven Campbell
- Narrated by: Liam Owen
- Length: 13 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,720
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1,613
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,607
Sometimes it's not easy being a mutant thug. The space station Belvaille, once the center of civilization, is nearly deserted because of the new government's policies. Hank makes do by working odd jobs, but he isn't sure how long those, or the city, can last.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
fun as hell
- By Jeremy on 03-08-17
- Hard Luck Hank: Robot Farts
- By: Steven Campbell
- Narrated by: Liam Owen
For those keeping score...6-0
Reviewed: 01-12-18
Any additional comments?
Once again the dynamic duo has knocked it out of the galaxy. I’m still waiting to read a headline stating this series is under negotiation to become either a trilogy or perhaps a series on tv? Let’s just hope that creative rights remain with Mr Campbell.
I have one and only one gripe. That is he is over his normal time limit for another release. Knocking on 9months since we all smelled those farts from a metal arse. Come on Mr Campbell, please give us our Hank fix please.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Ready Player One
- By: Ernest Cline
- Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
- Length: 15 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 260,305
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 240,844
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 240,358
In the year 2045, reality is an ugly place. The only time Wade Watts really feels alive is when he’s jacked into the OASIS, a vast virtual world where most of humanity spends their days. When the eccentric creator of the OASIS dies, he leaves behind a series of fiendish puzzles, based on his obsession with the pop culture of decades past. Whoever is first to solve them will inherit his vast fortune—and control of the OASIS itself.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
I’m sorry I waited so long to read this book.
- By Julie W. Capell on 05-27-14
- Ready Player One
- By: Ernest Cline
- Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
Spielberg movie 2018....
Reviewed: 11-09-17
Yes, this is the audiobook of the upcoming movie early 2018 (March if memory serves me correctly).
Very awesome that Clines got Spielberg to do the movie since he was mentioned in it a lot.
So to through in with everyone else, I too grew up an “X”er. Proud of it too!!!
Revenge of The Nerds was a documentary.
Who is a 1337 H4X0R ..... this guy<—-
Was waiting to see reference to early social media, such as ICQ ( I seek you) IRC (internet relay chat) and many others. But I guess those came a little later. Keep in mind, most of this is referencing early 80’s through mid 90’s.
Anyways.... you are wasting time reading my dribble. Download this book and watch the movie in 2018.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Use of Weapons
- By: Iain M. Banks
- Narrated by: Peter Kenny
- Length: 13 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,176
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1,925
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,926
The man known as Cheradenine Zakalwe was one of Special Circumstances' foremost agents, changing the destiny of planets to suit the Culture through intrigue, dirty tricks, and military action. The woman known as Diziet Sma had plucked him from obscurity and pushed him toward his present eminence, but despite all their dealings she did not know him as well as she thought. The drone known as Skaffen-Amtiskaw knew both of these people. It had once saved the woman's life by massacring her attackers in a particularly bloody manner. It believed the man to be a lost cause.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Tips on how to listen to this novel - NO SPOILERS
- By Ken on 05-12-13
- Use of Weapons
- By: Iain M. Banks
- Narrated by: Peter Kenny
Not a "Culture'esq" book....
Reviewed: 06-30-17
Any additional comments?
Don't get me wrong, it's still one of the greatest series/authors/books of all time imho. However, if you are looking for the AIs of the other books, you shall be disappointed. This book is about commitment to which you could not understand. A book about sacrifice that a normal mind can't even comprehend. A novel that explains a grudge match between the two protagonists that ends.......well, I'll not give that away.
One more thing. If like myself and you are reading this in the "series" section of audible,you'll notice that there are 10 books in this series and not all are available to download. Why? I'll tell you why. It's because the estate of the late author will not allow those to be released outside of Great Britain. No idea why, and it took a lot of digging to find that much out. It's sad to say that we shall never again read/listen to another culture novel ever again. So why restrict the few that there are? Come on Audible, fight for our right to own these treasures!!! Please?!?!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
The Hydrogen Sonata
- By: Iain M. Banks
- Narrated by: Peter Kenny
- Length: 17 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,599
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 1,433
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,430
The Scavenger species are circling. It is, truly, provably, the End Days for the Gzilt civilization. An ancient people, organized on military principles and yet almost perversely peaceful, the Gzilt helped set up the Culture 10,000 years earlier and were very nearly one of its founding societies, deciding not to join only at the last moment. Now they've made the collective decision to follow the well-trodden path of millions of other civilizations; they are going to Sublime, elevating themselves to a new and almost infinitely more rich and complex existence.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
More more more...
- By SRacerWV on 11-20-16
- The Hydrogen Sonata
- By: Iain M. Banks
- Narrated by: Peter Kenny
More more more...
Reviewed: 11-20-16
Any additional comments?
For those that have NOT taken the time to research this author or his works, here is my take on this series. First: Sadly, Mr Banks is no longer with us. He passed away many years ago. There will never be anymore books by him. What little we have if the Culture universe is all that there will be. Second: All of his Culture books are in audio format and narrated by Peter Kenny. It's already done, no need to wait for them to be narrated. Third: From what I can gather in my research, the reason these wonderful works are not on Audible is due to the estate not allowing them to leave the Europe market. You can purchase all of Banks titles, you just have to live in Europe. There must be a solution here somewhere, someway, somehow. So come on fans of these wonderful books, let's collectively cause enough of a ruckus to be noticed. I want to own a copy of these works honestly. I don't want to break any laws to be able to have this collection complete. So who's with me?
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
11 people found this helpful
-
Consider Phlebas
- By: Iain M. Banks
- Narrated by: Peter Kenny
- Length: 16 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 4,569
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 4,023
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 4,031
The war raged across the galaxy. Billions had died, billions more were doomed. Moons, planets, the very stars themselves, faced destruction, cold-blooded, brutal, and worse, random. The Idirans fought for their Faith; the Culture for its moral right to exist. Principles were at stake. There could be no surrender. Within the cosmic conflict, an individual crusade. Deep within a fabled labyrinth on a barren world, a Planet of the Dead proscribed to mortals, lay a fugitive Mind. Both the Culture and the Idirans sought it....
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
Visionary but half-cooked intro to Culture 'verse
- By Ryan on 07-20-13
- Consider Phlebas
- By: Iain M. Banks
- Narrated by: Peter Kenny
There is more.....
Reviewed: 11-20-16
Any additional comments?
Please audible, do whatever it takes to close the deal to get the rest of the books in this series. They are out there on competing sites.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Hard Luck Hank: Stank Delicious
- By: Steven Campbell
- Narrated by: Liam Owen
- Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,881
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1,760
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,757
Belvaille has cemented its place as the most important system in the galaxy and Hank is working as an official Factotum, negotiating deals between gangs and noblemen under the watchful eye of the Arch Minister. When his ever-capable butler, Cliston, is approached to become the General Manager of a Super Class glocken team, Hank is hired not only as protection, but as a player. Hank finds himself thrown into the most grueling bloodsport in the galaxy and tasked with finding out how and why players are being abducted.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Hank grew on me like a fungus; but in a good way
- By Don Gilbert on 10-03-16
- Hard Luck Hank: Stank Delicious
- By: Steven Campbell
- Narrated by: Liam Owen
Delicious Indeed
Reviewed: 11-08-16
Any additional comments?
This entire series is well written as well as narrated. I've. It found any other Sci-Fi to compare it to. However, what comes to mind is an old Steve Martin movie "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid". Look it up on Google for you younger readers out there. A comical point of view from a "him-shoe" detective. Again, use Google if needed.
Liam Owen does a wonderful job giving each character a distinctive sound. To the point that you know who is speaking before he announces the. And after they speak. Even the female characters. There are. It many narrators out there with this gift. Mark Veitor comes to mind.
Anyways, I do hope that this is an on going series as I find it very enjoyable. Out of my vast library ( over 200+ books) I've only taken the time to write a review for Peter F Hamilton and these. Not saying that any of the others fall short, it's just that these are worth taking the time so that others will find the same or more enjoyment as I have. Besides, as you can now tell from my review... I'll stick to my day job before taking up the role of Book Critic. Suck I do at reviews, yes?
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
We Are Legion (We Are Bob)
- Bobiverse, Book 1
- By: Dennis E. Taylor
- Narrated by: Ray Porter
- Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 105,898
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 97,068
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 96,831
There's a reason We Are Legion was named Audible's Best Science Fiction Book of 2016: Its irresistibly irreverent wit! Bob Johansson has just sold his software company for a small fortune and is looking forward to a life of leisure. The first item on his to-do list: Spending his newfound windfall. On an urge to splurge, he signs up to have his head cryogenically preserved in case of death. Then he gets himself killed crossing the street. Waking up 117 years later, Bob discovers his mind has been uploaded into a sentient space probe with the ability to replicate itself.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Ignore the Publisher's Summary! This is Amazing!
- By PW on 04-12-17
- We Are Legion (We Are Bob)
- Bobiverse, Book 1
- By: Dennis E. Taylor
- Narrated by: Ray Porter
Summer of 2018 movie blockbuster, directed by Spielberg!!!
Reviewed: 10-12-16
This is a perfect candidate for a screen play, though mostly done in cgi, and should be investigated. That said ,here is why. This is a simple concept, human struggles in an environment where the apocalypse has happened at our own hands. How do we overcome?
This is a must read (listen) for anyone. Has comedy, adventure, drama all set in a near future not so hard to imagine. The science is accurate and very believable as well as entertaining. Get this and book two, you will not be disappointed.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Hard Luck Hank: Suck My Cosmos
- By: Steven Campbell
- Narrated by: Liam Owen
- Length: 11 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,053
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1,941
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,933
Life is tough on space station Belvaille - not for the aristocratic nobles that call it home, but for the poor slobs like Hank. Hank is considered a celebrated cutthroat and the oldest living person in the city. His occupation is to be hired muscle for those people who don't want to get their hands dirty but still want dirty things done.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
HLH is my favorite person ever!
- By Aaron on 09-23-15
- Hard Luck Hank: Suck My Cosmos
- By: Steven Campbell
- Narrated by: Liam Owen
!!!
Reviewed: 09-30-16
I have 5 books, are there more?
More please. More more more. I've never laughed so hard in my life. Actual tears!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Demon Star
- Star Force, Book 12
- By: B. V. Larson, David VanDyke
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
- Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,058
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 1,922
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,911
Three stars, three worlds, three civilizations...one massive war. In a triple star system, not all planets are equal. When the Demon Star swings closest in her orbit, the Insectoids always invade. They raid the inner worlds with grim regularity, riding hordes of stealth ships in ever-growing waves. Their mission is to destroy all opposition - alien, human or otherwise. Cody Riggs, lost among an endless chain of interstellar rings, flies his task force of starships into the middle of an eternal struggle for survival.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Riggs 2.0 comes full circle
- By Don Gilbert on 04-06-16
- Demon Star
- Star Force, Book 12
- By: B. V. Larson, David VanDyke
- Narrated by: Mark Boyett
Was alright...
Reviewed: 12-03-15
Mark Boyette gave a great performance as usual. But the story didn't keep my interest as the previous books had. I know this is a spin off off the original nano ship books, but something is missing. Open for a forth in the series, yes I'll buy that one too.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful