Moose in NZ

I can't believe how highly rated this was

Reviewed: 05-19-24

Underneath is the glimmering of a decent plot. However, the execution is pedestrian with more than one frankly unbelievable character. I persevered until about 40% of the way through. By then it was unable to relieve the tedium of traffic jams and I replayed another title. It lacks suspence, has grind, rather than pacing, and thin characters. It may get just a matter of taste, but listen to the sample well before you decide to buy.

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outstanding effort at making content accessible

Reviewed: 01-24-24

this is notable for its scholarship, but it's simultaneous accessibility. The narrator sold me as well - an American who pronounces English placenames with perfection. Yes, Birmingham sounded like Birming-umm, not Birming-HAM. And more rarely for any narrator pronounced Neanderthal correctly! it's German, so it's said like tarl, not thal with an emphasis like 'thing'. The whole book feels like a high quality approach. I've gone on to buy physical copies also. 10/10

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Perhaps ok for teens

Reviewed: 12-01-22

The slightly long winded prose didn't quite put me off. But the early interplay between a couple of characters felt like teen romance. It lacked the dignity and adult like emotions of say, Harkness' A Discovery of Witches, so despite being stuck in a traffic jam - I turned it off. Disappointed because the premise was intriguing, but this one, for me at least, was a dud. Hopefully Aaranovitch writes another Rivers title soon

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1 person found this helpful

possibly best yet

Reviewed: 09-07-22

After a long withdrawal, I was stoked to see another inbthe series, but frankly a little worried that it might not work for me after such a gap. I need not have been concerned. This is a really good addition to the series. personally I prefer the audiobooks over reading because I see them as a collaboration between author and narrator and I'm so glad that their relationship continues. Kobna really brings these to life. his range is impressive and I feel he's committed to the project. Another great story in the series.

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a surprise treat

Reviewed: 06-04-22

I bought this without a lot of confidence - but was pleasantly surprised. I'm a Brit who doesn't adhere to the sometimes popular conceit that British humor is the best. This was to my mind all that's best when Brit writers and performers hit the mark. Frequently ludicrous, but cleverly so, with just the right scattering of double-entendre to spice it up. The casting was really good and they made it work well. Really good stuff

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Not a match for bo9k one

Reviewed: 06-04-22

I really enjoyed the first book, but narration aside, this story line fell flat for me. I'll think carefully before buying another at this price point

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please read before buying and consider.

Reviewed: 05-17-22

I really wanted to enjoy this. I've been running short on Kindle/audio combos on topics like this and had planned to ease the misery of rush our congestion with this. I am very disappointed. Reasons are many, but after an hour of listening I've stopped, not even willing to try and get my money's worth. Two key reasons will do, the first being that the author, rightly, has some points to make about our individual responsibilities with the topic and the inevitable duality present in the universe. But it could have been handled competently inside a few pages/minutes - an hour in and it had become repetitive enough to feel condescending. Second key reason, the narration. I felt that the tone and overly dramatic emphasis was suitable for a pre-teen work on fictional vampires and love interest, but not here. As adults we understand the significance of certain elements without overly dramatic signaling. As I say, I wanted to like this. Maybe it's for you, and maybe it isn't. I'll let you judge

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3 people found this helpful

narration suitable for a children's story

Reviewed: 04-30-22

the story has promise and for a few minutes the narration held up, but it quickly became farcical enough to remind me that there's nothing worse than English or American actors doing a bad impression of each other's accents. coupled to some exaggerated extremes between characters, overly melodramatic inflection, and I managed an hour. worse, I had just listened to Daniel Davis narrate Darth Plagueris, so had an immediate reference point for Star Wars done well. I really wanted to enjoy this...

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very much better than many

Reviewed: 04-07-22

clear and interesting. well informed and excellent narration. Far less 'spooky' fluff than many titles

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painfully slow

Reviewed: 01-27-22

there's some excellent story elements here, but Ivd been listening in the car for well over 2 hours and - not wanting to spoil it for others - will confine myself to saying I feel like I've accidentally bought into a teen romance. It wasn't cheap, but I'll add this to a folder in my collection I have labeled "Regret buying ".

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