Zachary Stephen Murray

A meh book.

Reviewed: 02-17-24

After having this story in my library, for some time now and finally getting around to listening to it. I must say I'm disappointed. I writing style and performance were actually quite good. However the story didn't pull me in or hold my attention for very long. I had to start and stop multiple times. In short, it was boring. It certainly WASN'T a bad story, however. Which is why I gave this book overall 3 of 5 ⭐s.
If you were expecting it to be just like the show on TNT (which is actually good), you'll be disappointed. The back drop is entirely different as well as the characters. If you like military focused stories and scenarios. This my be the book for you?... It's fill with a lot of introspection by the main character as well as military like philosophy. beyond that, wasn't not my cut of tea.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Excellent! (Spoiler free Review)

Reviewed: 11-11-23

I will admit that at first I wasn't sure if I was going to like this story. But the as the story went on, it grew on me. What really sealed the deal was the TWIST at the end. Wasn't sure what I was listening to, and thought that I missed something along the way. Turns out it was just a clever piece of writing. 5-5⭐s for me. If you really enjoy other A. G. Riddles stories you will probably like this one too. Good characters, decent plot and with mystery all wrapped in to one excellent tale.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Great Adventure

Reviewed: 07-29-23

The story was very comprehensive. The characters, setting, and plot were easy to follow and immersive. I find the the subject of the stories setting fascinating and the possibility endless. Which is why I loved it so much! Having that said, the story was not perfect, but still very good!
One issue I had was in many respects the story was pretty derivative in comparison to others in the same genre. Another is, the story kind of leaves off in a "cliffhanger" ,which I typically hate. I suspect the author will being writing a sequel?... (not sure). Another thing, a line in the book made me cringe and my eyes role, was in reference to a back ground characters "gender identity" being in question. Puke!
Overall I really liked this book and hope it gets a second part at the very least. I'll give (4 out of 5) stars. Definitely check it out!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Expanding the Extinction "universe"

Reviewed: 07-21-23

First, I must say I rather enjoyed the writer gave the (West Coast) side, of the stories over arching events. Secondly, it's nice to see my home state of Arizona referenced. The thought the story was pretty good. The characters were likable and you sorta falling in love with them?.. The writing style was very similar to the Prime-Story so you didn't have that issue of different. story telling. The narrator (Bronson Pinchot) was very good! He has a commanding voice and so you instinctively listen to every word! I love character driven stories far more than other styles of writing.
However I was more than a few times finding myself getting ahead of the plot. Many parts were fairly predictable and saw them coming. But It didn't make me enjoy the story any less!. One other thing the draw back the dogs perspective was MEH! Totally unnecessary. So giving him a human like interdialogue was pretty dumb to me. Sorry. I did love his character though..
Overall the story was pretty good, but not prefect. If you love the Extinction Cycle series you'll probably enjoy this one as well!. 3 out of 5 stars.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Fare

Reviewed: 06-16-23

A decent story not as good as the first book. But still worth listening to. Curious to see how the next story plays out?...

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Excellent!

Reviewed: 06-09-23

A fantastic story and intriguing universe Frank Herbert created. I hope the new films do it justice. I only issues, if you like to call it that. Is the slice it somehow integral to every part of this universe is some lopsided. Nevertheless the story is one I've grown to enjoy. The characters and setting are believable enough you could think them real people. I alone would give this story a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐s. Because a story is nothing without good characters to love and/or hate. I would highly recommend this story to anyone who might enjoy classic adventures and sci-fi.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Decent

Reviewed: 06-06-23

Not sure that I liked this one?... The anthology style isn't really my thing. However there were a few good short stories that had some good character development in them, about some of the secondary characters. I just would've preferred a centralized narrative with a singular focus. But this one certainly wasn't awful. Point in fact you just skip this one and read/listen to main storyline and not miss anything.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Mama-Bear Mode, Activated!!

Reviewed: 05-24-23

Glad we finally got a Julie centric story. The plot was pretty simple but timeless. A mama looking for her child and doing anything to get him back. I also loved how the writers showed a more warm and nurturing side to Julie. I'm very glad they also made her formidable and vulnerable, but not too unbelievable. Even though she has a supernatural "gift" she's NOT a MARY SUE!
Hope we get a bit more of her in the future!?... Overall I'll give this one 4.5 stars. If you like urban-fantasy you'll enjoy this story. Be sure to read/listen to the previous stories otherwise many of the references might not track for you.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Descent but NOT awful

Reviewed: 12-09-22

I rather enjoyed the story. Having that said, I have a few minor issues with this story. The plot seemed disjointed to me in places. Like it was originally written like episodic set of stories. There was a small subplot with a couple of gay characters which didn't add to the story in the least. (yawn) 🙄😒 *A bit per "wokeness" before that was a thing yet?... Also the dialogue was sort of clunky between each character.
Can't say I'm a huge fan of "Urban Fantasy" but the premise is an interesting concept. But overall the story was pretty good and I'll probably listen/read book 2. I'm giving the story a 3-5 stars. Hopefully the story begins to pick up?

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Fun ride

Reviewed: 09-14-22

I must say it wasn't what I thought the story would be or how this first book would've ended. Although I was pleasantly surprised by it. I'm a big fan of the "Ancient Astronaut" theory. Although I don't really buy into the idea in any real sense. It made for a mysterious and captivating "plot driver."

[Critiques]: I found the plot slow and the character wooden in places. Although the story itself was well written and performed by the narrator (Jonathan Davis) was good. His distinctions between each of the characters was also wooden and difficult to tell them apart at times. Like when one character stops speaking and the other would reply, for example. I was confused as to who it was. Some of the chief characters dialog between them sounds forced and unrealistic. Like someone wouldn't really say that in a REAL discussion or at a first meeting. I'm also guessing he's not very good accents or dialects. Because one character is supposed to be South African and sounds like an Californian as does the main character Spanish Astronaut-Scientist. Just a bit bland in performance wise. It takes you out of the immersion of the story.

Despite these minor flaws. I found the story enjoyable and plan to listen to book 2. I would give it a B plus, and definitely recommend it to anyone how like this sort of sci-fi story. 👍🏻

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!