Larry D Bell+
- 15
- reviews
- 12
- helpful votes
- 492
- ratings
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Starship Troopers
- By: Robert A. Heinlein
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 8 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,004
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 1,873
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,873
Johnnie Rico never really intended to join up—and definitely not the infantry. But now that he’s in the thick of it, trying to get through combat training harder than anything he could have imagined, he knows everyone in his unit is one bad move away from buying the farm in the interstellar war the Terran Federation is waging against the Arachnids. Because everyone in the Mobile Infantry fights. And if the training doesn’t kill you, the Bugs are more than ready to finish the job.
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5 out of 5 stars
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The definitive version!
- By Kristopher G. Hesson on 10-03-24
- Starship Troopers
- By: Robert A. Heinlein
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
High expectations surpassed. Worth the wait.
Reviewed: 10-13-24
RAH's novel is a timeless classic that seems to have been written specifically to address 2024. Bray's reading elevates the work.
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Artificial Condition (Dramatized Adaptation)
- The Murderbot Diaries, Book 2
- By: Martha Wells
- Narrated by: Alejandro Ruiz, Bradley Foster Smith, Carolyn Kashner, and others
- Length: 2 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 124
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 106
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 106
It has a dark past—one in which a number of humans were killed. A past that caused it to christen itself “Murderbot”. But it has only vague memories of the massacre that spawned that title, and it wants to know more. Teaming up with a Research Transport vessel named ART (you don’t want to know what the “A” stands for), Murderbot heads to the mining facility where it went rogue. What it discovers will forever change the way it thinks.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Better cast but what's the hurry?
- By Lucy A. Pithecus on 10-14-23
- Artificial Condition (Dramatized Adaptation)
- The Murderbot Diaries, Book 2
- By: Martha Wells
- Narrated by: Alejandro Ruiz, Bradley Foster Smith, Carolyn Kashner, Eric Messner, Ken Jackson, Marni Penning, Michael John Casey, Rayner Gabriel, Elena Anderson, David Cui Cui, Jeri Marshall
The dramatization is perfectly ok...
Reviewed: 11-06-23
... Kevin R Free's performance in the original is just 1000 times better. If you are new to Murderbot, check out the original audiobook series first.
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6 people found this helpful
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Salvation
- Salvation Sequence, Book 1
- By: Peter F. Hamilton
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 19 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 3,094
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,798
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Story4 out of 5 stars 2,798
In 2204, humanity is expanding into the wider galaxy in leaps and bounds. Cutting-edge technology of linked jump gates has rendered most forms of transportation - including starships - virtually obsolete. Every place on Earth, every distant planet humankind has settled, is now a step away from any other. And all seems wonderful - until a crashed alien spaceship of unknown origin is found on a newly located world 89 light-years from Earth, carrying a cargo as strange as it is horrifying. To assess the potential of the threat a high-powered team is dispatched to investigate. But one of them may not be all they seem....
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3 out of 5 stars
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Wait For Book 2
- By StrikitRich on 09-26-18
- Salvation
- Salvation Sequence, Book 1
- By: Peter F. Hamilton
- Narrated by: John Lee
My first Peter F Hamilton novel
Reviewed: 10-11-23
I had been reluctant to read the Commonwealth novels, in spite of the recommendations of trusted friends, because of their length. I decided to give Salvation a try because of its ( relatively ) more approachable size. I enjoyed Salvation so much that during the seemingly interminable wait for Salvation Lost, I voraciously listened my way through 7 Commonwealth novels (all save Misspent Youth), The Great North Road, Fallen Dragon, and the Confederation Series. So much for my fear of the 40 hour audio book!
Salvation is a worthy sibling to Hyperion among the best literary descendendants of Chaucer. As such, Salvation will disappoint those who only enjoy fiction that is told in 3 plot focused acts. Salvation is more for those who delight in the juxtaposition of the Friar's tale with that of the Wife of Bath, for those who appreciate liminality as much as linearity, and for anyone who might enjoy an evening of stories told around a campfire as much as an evening of Shakespeare or Sophocles. This is not to say that Salvation lacks exposition, conflict, and resolution. Rather, Salvation offers a delightful alternative to standard plot driven structure and serves as an entertaining and compelling introduction to the trilogy.
Salvation was also my first John Lee audiobook. It took me a couple of hours of listening to grow accustomed to his style. Now, he is one of my all-time favorite narrators. I have listened to and enjoyed many books narrated by Lee that I otherwise would not have had the slightest interest in, including all 73* Spellmonger books (* and counting. just kidding).
In my humble opinion, the Salvation Sequence is Hamilton's best work so far. I will admit that part of my fondness for Salvation is that it was my introduction to his books. In any case, I highly recommend it and envy anyone who is about to give it a listen for the first time.
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The Final Empire
- Mistborn Book 1
- By: Brandon Sanderson
- Narrated by: Michael Kramer
- Length: 24 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 94,067
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 83,056
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Story5 out of 5 stars 82,974
For a thousand years the ash fell and no flowers bloomed. For a thousand years the Skaa slaved in misery and lived in fear. For a thousand years the Lord Ruler, the "Sliver of Infinity," reigned with absolute power and ultimate terror, divinely invincible. Then, when hope was so long lost that not even its memory remained, a terribly scarred, heart-broken half-Skaa rediscovered it in the depths of the Lord Ruler's most hellish prison.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Prepare for sleepless nights
- By tercia on 10-21-18
- The Final Empire
- Mistborn Book 1
- By: Brandon Sanderson
- Narrated by: Michael Kramer
5 stars
Reviewed: 05-01-23
Why do these reviews have to be fifteen words long? 5 stars. Outstanding book. Highly recommended.
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The Apotheosis of Pele: The Legends and Myths of Hawaiʻi
- The Fables and Folk-Lore of a Strange People
- By: His Hawaiian Majesty Kalākaua
- Narrated by: Kekoa Lake
- Length: 45 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 9
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 9
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Story5 out of 5 stars 9
King David Kalākaua introduces us to the people upon whom the legend of the Pele family is based. They departed Samoa as war refugees in the 12th century, settling in the foothills of Mauna Loa. As earthquakes and eruptions occurred during their interactions with the Hawaiians, this family of kahuna were accorded what the king described as “unique sanctity and power”. Pele was as mighty as she was beautiful. The tales of the volcano goddess earned the attention of Kamapuaa, the outcast son of the chief of Oahu who terrorized the island with his band of renegades.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Hawaiian History not “Myth”
- By Kamahana on 11-27-22
- The Apotheosis of Pele: The Legends and Myths of Hawaiʻi
- The Fables and Folk-Lore of a Strange People
- By: His Hawaiian Majesty Kalākaua
- Narrated by: Kekoa Lake
The Apotheosis of Pele
Reviewed: 04-07-23
Great story and narrator. Deserving of a larger audience. He inoa no Kalakaua.
Aia lā ‘o Pele i Hawai‘i ‘eā
Ke ha‘a mai lā i Maukele ‘eā
‘Ūhī‘ūhā mai ana ‘eā
Ke nome a‘e lā iā Puna, ‘eā
‘Owaka i ka lani, nokenoke
Ē Pele ē Pele ē.
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Infinity Gate
- By: M. R. Carey
- Narrated by: Dami Olukoya
- Length: 16 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 457
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 406
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 406
The Pandominion: a political and trading alliance of a million worlds–except that they’re really just the one world, Earth, in many different realities. And when an AI threat arises that could destroy everything the Pandominion has built, they'll eradicate it by whatever means necessary, no matter the cost to human life.
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2 out of 5 stars
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Great world building, but....
- By KJH on 05-04-23
- Infinity Gate
- By: M. R. Carey
- Narrated by: Dami Olukoya
Love this book
Reviewed: 04-06-23
Space Opera at its best, full of original explorations of empires, AI, personhood, slavery, xenophobia, beurocracy, climate change, military culture, friendship, and interdimensional travel. I'm not a fan of the "many worlds" interpretation of quantum mechanics in reality. But I'm sold on MR Carey's fictional take - more, please! - and soon!
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Children of Memory
- By: Adrian Tchaikovsky
- Narrated by: Mel Hudson
- Length: 13 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,205
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 1,886
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 1,887
Earth failed. In a desperate bid to escape, the spaceship Enkidu and its captain, Heorest Holt, carried its precious human cargo to a potential new paradise. Generations later, this fragile colony has managed to survive, eking out a hardy existence. Yet life is tough, and much technological knowledge has been lost. Then strangers appear. They possess unparalleled knowledge and thrilling technology–and they've arrived from another world to help humanity’s colonies. But not all is as it seems, and the price of the strangers' help may be the colony itself.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Read it and weep.
- By Saul on 02-03-23
- Children of Memory
- By: Adrian Tchaikovsky
- Narrated by: Mel Hudson
This time, things will be different.
Reviewed: 02-02-23
What could be more delightful than Avrana Kern cast in the role of a witch from chidrens' fairy tales? I can think of nothing in all of fiction, except, possibly, for everything else found within Children of Memory, taken, as a raven might say, in aggregate.
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The Jupiter Catastrophe
- Ice Moon 5
- By: Brandon Q. Morris
- Narrated by: Rafael Colindres
- Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall3 out of 5 stars 19
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Performance1.5 out of 5 stars 18
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Story4 out of 5 stars 17
After a long journey to Saturn’s moon Enceladus, spaceship ILSE is on its way back to Earth, carrying crucial cargo. The crew is exhausted and wants nothing more than a quick return home. Suddenly, a chain of malfunctions puts the expedition in peril. The difficulties appear to be related to planet Jupiter, whose orbit they are crossing. Is it the giant planet itself that won’t let these travelers pass? ILSE’s crew is heading toward catastrophe as an unknown power is forging plans designed to influence the future of human civilization.
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1 out of 5 stars
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Narration is an epic fiasco!
- By RY on 11-12-22
- The Jupiter Catastrophe
- Ice Moon 5
- By: Brandon Q. Morris
- Narrated by: Rafael Colindres
Warning. Listen to the sample before u buy!
Reviewed: 10-17-22
WORST NARRATION EVER.
I love the Ice Moon series and have been eagerly waiting for an English audiobook of The Jupiter Catastrophe for years. I was so excited when I hit play. Well, I lasted all of 7 minutes, and only because I really wanted to like this audiobook. Words cannot describe how terrible the narration is. Any comparison to any synthetic or robot voice is not justified. The first computer voice from Star Trek (tos) speaks with a wealth of emotion and expression this guy can't hold a candle to. If you want a more enjoyable audio experience than this Colindres Catastrophe, all you have to do is pick up your phone and dial a number that is out of service.
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1 person found this helpful
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Tar Valon After Dark | A Fantasy Comedy and Discussion Podcast
- By: Tar Valon After Dark
- Original Recording
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 52
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 52
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Story5 out of 5 stars 52
We're nerds. We're funny. We talk and make jokes about fantasy and sci-fi. You're welcome. Featuring LezbiNerdy, Nae'Blis, Kevin Angus, and Jess from The Amyrlin's Study.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Did not know I needed this podcast
- By David on 09-21-21
Strength and Honor
Reviewed: 10-08-22
What we do in life echoes in eternity. The Wheel weaves as The Wheel wills. Jess, I donate my Naeblis baby to you.
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Our Top B Tier Characters | A Wheel of Time Comedy and Discussion Podcast
- Length: 1 hr and 28 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 1
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 1
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Story5 out of 5 stars 1
Jess and Naebs are getting divorced and it's all Jenny's fault. We mildly disagree on what constitutes a B tier character. Eyes and Ears, Truth Defense Dispatch, News, you're welcome. Follow: https://twitter.com/tarvalondark Support: https://www.patreon.com/tarvalonafterdark
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5 out of 5 stars
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Best B characters
- By Larry D Bell+ on 10-05-22
Best B characters
Reviewed: 10-05-22
Verin ! and Olver 📯! Also: Silviana (because spankings) , Aran'gar, Leane, Hopper, Sorilea, Erith, Tylee Khirgan, Suroth, Alviarin, Noal / Jain
Great Show!
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