A strange book, that's mostly kind of dull until you get into the secrets.
It follows a lonely teenagerNarrated by Jesse Baek Presented by Octopus Audio
A strange book, that's mostly kind of dull until you get into the secrets.
It follows a lonely teenager as she seeks attention in many destructive ways, but without the context it's quite hard to like the protagonist. I guess that's probably the point.
This is a rather short story, about innocence and its destruction. It's not really long enough to be clever and memorable, but it raises some interesting ideas about the fragility and impressionability of youth.
The narrator does a decent job, but the voice didn't feel quite right to me. It was easy enough to listen to, but there were strange inflections here and there, with a few awkward pauses and emphases. I'd happily give this narrator another chance, though.
It was an average sort of story for me, but a full length novel of a similar idea would be rather interesting from this perspective.
Narrated by Rebecca LaChance Presented by Dreamscape Media
This one hooked me pretty well!
It's a fun little Southern mystery about a dead cheerleader aNarrated by Rebecca LaChance Presented by Dreamscape Media
This one hooked me pretty well!
It's a fun little Southern mystery about a dead cheerleader and who had reason to kill her. Cue drama.
There was plenty going on behind the scenes, so we get the slow unravel, courtesy of her former best friend and a nosy journalist who team up to get to the bottom of things.
There is some interesting insight into the world of professional sport/cheerleading, but ultimately this is all about the drama. We get pages from Jentry Rae's diary leaking some clues, but we also get unreliable details from ex-bestie Shaunette, who sometimes seems to clear things up but at other times muddies the water.
This was a great mystery, and an easy listen. The narrator does a decent job telling the story, though at times the voices do sound a little too similar and it can be hard to differentiate between who said what. But her voice was lively enough and conveyed the story in an interesting manner.
I'd happily recommend this to crime fans who like a side of drama, and the audio is an easy listen.
Narrated by Susie Riddell Presented by Bolinda Audio
This was really fun! A great, easy listen.
Hazel was such a conflicting character - I definitely wenNarrated by Susie Riddell Presented by Bolinda Audio
This was really fun! A great, easy listen.
Hazel was such a conflicting character - I definitely went through a range of emotions towards her!
Highly recommend.
Hazel is a successful author who hates people. When she receives some disturbing fan mail, it sends her on a quest of sorts, to root out the stalker and turn it into her next hit.
Honestly, Hazel was such an interesting protagonist. You really go through all kinds of emotions where you dislike a lot about her immediately, but then some aspects win you over, only to then be disappointed again in something she says or does.
At the same time, there's an aspect of fun in watching the wrecks she makes, and seeing her struggle as a consequence.
This is light and zippy, but it has some darker themes too that are worth consideration. There's a feministic streak that will have women onside, and will allow for deeper reflection beyond Hazel's antics.
A lighthearted story, but certainly not lacking depth.
The narrator did a great job differentiating between characters, and used appropriate tones without any awful long pauses. I'd happily listen to this narrator again.
All in all, a fun audio diversion for cosy crime fans.
Narrated by Diana Hill & Katy Bowman Presented by Uphill Books
This was a really motivating listen.
It wasn't all relevant, as there's a lot that revolveNarrated by Diana Hill & Katy Bowman Presented by Uphill Books
This was a really motivating listen.
It wasn't all relevant, as there's a lot that revolves around kids, or pets, but it had some really great snippets of inspiration.
This one is narrated by the authors, and I think it does really make a difference. You can hear the authenticity in the messages they're trying to convey, and they're clearly passionate about what they do. I appreciated that.
This lists a whole bunch of different excuses, so chances are at least one of them will be relatable for you. It allows self-compassion and a chance to pick apart the true feelings that might prevent us taking better care of our physical health.
It definitely feels like it's aimed at middle-aged mothers, but there's plenty here for the rest of us, too. While some sections may not relate at all, it still conveys that idea that there ARE no excuses - there's a workaround for everything, if you can learn to think outside the box.
I found this highly motivational, and I think it's a good one to pick up if you wish you exercised more but are held back by perceived limitations. This will enable you to think differently and treat yourself with kindness, so that you can take back a little control.
Highly recommend, particularly this audio version that allows the writers to reach you directly.
Narrated by Julian Elfer Presented by Highbridge Audio
DNF @ 56%
I heard more about DIPLOMAS and COINS than the actual subject of this book.
Halfway throuNarrated by Julian Elfer Presented by Highbridge Audio
DNF @ 56%
I heard more about DIPLOMAS and COINS than the actual subject of this book.
Halfway through, and I couldn't tell you a single thing about this man.
This is dull and dry and talks more about the way information is gathered rather than presenting any kind of interesting narrative. It's so concerned with giving the source of the information that it forgets to actually tell any of the story. I was tuning out from the beginning, and persisted way longer than I should have.
The narrator does an okay job, given the dull content, but it still all just sounds like getting stuck in a conversation with someone who is passionate about something incredibly dull and not knowing how to get out of it. You're nodding along but really your mind is thinking, 'Is he going to say anything I understand? Is there a point to all this superfluous information? Is it going to stop? Am I going to be here til dinnertime? What am I going to have for dinner? Did I remember to pull the meat out of the freezer? What show am I going to watch tonight? Is Stranger Things Season 5 out yet? ...' I did a lot of thinking about everything other than this audiobook.
Maybe history buffs will appreciate this more - particularly the scholarly type that derive joy from boring facts about historical legal sources. This was absolutely not my cup of tea at all.
Narrated by Frances Butt Presented by Tantor Media
Wow wow WOW I LOVED THIS.
I had no idea what I was getting into, and I'm SO GLAD.
This was FEROCIOUS.
FiNarrated by Frances Butt Presented by Tantor Media
Wow wow WOW I LOVED THIS.
I had no idea what I was getting into, and I'm SO GLAD.
This was FEROCIOUS.
Firstly, I'm really glad I didn't read too much of the blurb on this one (or promptly forgot it, whatever). We begin with Otrera, an abused wife forced to relocate to a small town with her drunk and abusive husband and their aging servant. There, she meets other women in similar circumstances as well as the confidant Phile, and begins to learn of her own power.
At first, when Otrera talked about rising up, I wasn't sure how it was going to go. She seemed too hot-headed for me, but I liked her in spite of it. But then the story just took off and man, I LOVED it.
These women are POWERFUL. The rise is something beautiful to behold, and it ended up being such a great adventure. When I finally figured out where it was heading (a spoiler in some blurbs) I was sucked in completely.
There was just so much to love about this one, but most importantly it is a fierce, feminine tale. It allows women to be strong, capable warriors, while also allowing them the softer side of love and affection, and maternal instinct. The balance in this story was perfect.
If it wasn't for the amount of time spent in the early, weaker days, I probably would have rated this 5 stars. It really drew me in!
The narrator did a brilliant job of voicing so many women, as well as the men. She used distinctive voices and gave appropriate inflections where necessary. Her voice was perhaps too urgent at times, but I did enjoy listening to her performance.
This is definitely a book I'll recommend to fans of Greek Mythology - particularly if you're after something powerfully feminine, without any gender-bending to make a point. An exceptional feminist tale about finding your inner power and using it to build up others around you.
Narrated by Natalie Naudus Presented by Hachette Audio
This was great fun, if a little predictable and slightly too long. Some great characters, and theNarrated by Natalie Naudus Presented by Hachette Audio
This was great fun, if a little predictable and slightly too long. Some great characters, and the setting is gorgeous.
Yet another Cinderella re-telling, but this one weaves in some beautiful Chinese mythology to make it unique. Our protagonist, Yining, has a ring stolen by her evil step-aunt, and trying to get it back sees her tangling with a handsome prince. Add in a handsome adviser and political machinations and we're off and running.
I really enjoyed this at the beginning, but as with many audiobooks, I eventually found my mind wandering. I think I'm getting a little tired of fairytale retellings and romance cliches, though, so this was more a me thing, I think.
The writing is actually done well, and there are some really unique ideas here, so it's not boring by any means. It's stretched out, though, and eventually feels overly dramatic.
The romance side of things was nice and tame - just how I like it. Mostly suggestion and innuendo, but with some great character development as the driving force. I enjoyed it for the most part, though as mentioned, the cliches get a bit tiresome.
The narrator did a great job of defining voices and keeping the tone interesting. She had a great pace and cadence for this one. I'd easily listen to her narration again.
There's plenty of action and adventure, and it's a beautiful setting. I think readers who have enjoyed this author's previous work should really enjoy this offering; in general, I think fans of fantasy will still get a kick out of this one.
Narrated by Kyle Shive Presented by AudioBee Productions LLC
This was an easy listen, though by the end I was kinda done with all the twists and turns.
INarrated by Kyle Shive Presented by AudioBee Productions LLC
This was an easy listen, though by the end I was kinda done with all the twists and turns.
It moves around a LOT, and I think if I was reading a physical book I'd enjoy the pace of the action, but as an audio book I found it just made the story seem to go for a lot longer than necessary.
The story follows a private detective who is looking for a lost uncle. The whole case becomes more and more tangled as it goes on, and it began to feel a bit ridiculous so I was sort of only half-listening by the end.
It's set in the 40s so the bad guys are Russian, and my god the accents were so hard to take seriously. I like this narrator when he's narrating, but when he does voices they often seem horribly out of place. One of his male characters sounded female so I was constantly confused.
The audio took a level of seriousness OUT, so it ended up being much lighter than it should have been. There are high stakes and body counts and plenty of guns and blood, but ultimately I never really cared about anyone.
I think this would be better for a physical read. There is plenty going on, and a physical read will get rid of the ridiculous voices and make the bad guys far more threatening.
I didn't totally hate it, but it's not my usual breed of thriller. I think others paying more attention to the details will really enjoy the twists and turns, but for me it was just an average listen.
Narrated by Deganit Nuur and Tim Murphy Presented by Brilliance Audio
Wow I actually LOVED this.
This is a self-help book that requires nothing but self-Narrated by Deganit Nuur and Tim Murphy Presented by Brilliance Audio
Wow I actually LOVED this.
This is a self-help book that requires nothing but self-reflection and imagination. Hello hi I am HERE for that.
So often, I find these self-help books ask me to write things down, or spend x amount of time doing this one thing, etc. Bro I'm reading a book, I don't want to stop for all of that stuff! So this was PERFECT for me.
I found it particularly useful in the audio format - I could be out walking and still practice these visualisations. It was quite relaxing, actually!
They seem ridiculously basic but that is what makes them so practical. These are all such small practices that trying them out is easy - there's no down side to giving it a go, and the worst that can happen is absolutely nothing. So I really warmed up to the exercises and appreciated their simplicity.
I truly love how the mind works sometimes.
The only downside for me really was the pace of the narration. I found I had to listen to it quite fast and there were still some long pauses that took me out of it. The narration itself though was clear and energetic, and as its narrated by the authors you can hear the belief in their voices. It added a lot of authenticity to this that was quite essential.
I'd easily recommend this to others on a self-improvement journey, and just anyone that wants to play around with some perfectly harmless visualisation exercises that may improve your life.
Narrated by Richard Armitage, Celia Imrie, Antonia Beamish Presented by Tantor Audio
This was interesting but the swerve into conspiracy theories threw Narrated by Richard Armitage, Celia Imrie, Antonia Beamish Presented by Tantor Audio
This was interesting but the swerve into conspiracy theories threw me a bit.
An interesting account of Dr William Sargant, a psychiatrist who kept a bunch of 'troublesome' women drugged up and asleep so he could give them continuous bouts of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Now sure, it was a different time, but there is so much wrong with what this guy did. There are some interesting discussions of consent (or lack thereof) and how much was for the good of the patient versus how much the research would benefit the doc and his ego.
It does focus more on Sargant than the women, as most of the women have sparse memories of their time in the facility. So instead we learn more of Sargant's biography, and how he justified doing horrible things in the name of science.
I found the inserts from patients quite interesting, and at the start they blended well though by the end they began to feel out of place. This book seemed concerned with the women only up to a certain point, but they end up being reduced to something of a footnote to the rest of Sargant's scientific exploits. That didn't sit too well with me.
I listened to the audio and as much as I love Richard Armitage I did have to speed him up to x1.75 and then eventually x2. He spoke eloquently but left such long pauses I found myself getting impatient. Otherwise, though, his narration was perfectly serious and well suited to the job. The female narrators were okay, but I found them sounding too - for lack of a better word - sane. They spoke very well as they discussed all manor of struggles and it didn't quite fit for me. I know that seems like a weird complaint, but ultimately it comes down to the narrator not seeming to match the written voice.
I enjoyed it much more at the start but as it started to drift away from the sleep room I found my attention wandering. There were a few questionable inclusions and it seemed a little like the author had an agenda when it came to discussing spies and psychological warfare.
I think this will be fascinating to fans of psychology, though listening to what the women were put through does enrage. It's an interesting study of a sadistic man, but if you want to read it for the stories of the women involved, you may be disappointed.
Narrated by Michael Crouch, Suzy Jackson, Nick Mills Presented by RB Media
I didn't mind this, though the narrator for Gum was not my fave.
Three inseparNarrated by Michael Crouch, Suzy Jackson, Nick Mills Presented by RB Media
I didn't mind this, though the narrator for Gum was not my fave.
Three inseparable teens return to their regular summer haunt, but things aren't the same since last summer, when their fourth member drowned. There are secrets and mixed feelings and super weird things happening.
This jumps straight into eerie supernatural happenings, and it doesn't shy from that which I quite enjoyed. It commits to the horror and it gives the story a nice solid feel.
I don't know that I ever really liked any of the characters - they all have stubborn and/or naive ways of looking at everything and it does get a little tiresome after a while.
I did also tune out a few times, especially during Gum's chapters because the narration bothered me.
I enjoyed the narration from the other two, but Gum just delivered everything in the same stressed tone. Like everything was concerning, but then when action was happening it was the same rather than more exciting. I don't know if that makes sense but my point is that it all sounded the same, making it hard to appreciate the more exciting events his chapters told.
The other two narrators gave enough inflection to give the story character, so I found those much easier to listen to and follow.
I enjoyed the mystery, but probably tuned out a few too many things to properly put the puzzles together myself. I liked the way things came together, and I'm glad that it stuck with its supernatural themes because they were interesting and creepy.
All in all, this was a fun YA horror story. I think I'd have got more out of it with a physical read, but listening was good fun and still sufficiently disturbing.
Narrated by Matt Bates Presented by Arcturus Digital Audio
A nice variety of mysteries from the ancient world, with plenty of tidbits to keep you thinkiNarrated by Matt Bates Presented by Arcturus Digital Audio
A nice variety of mysteries from the ancient world, with plenty of tidbits to keep you thinking.
This was a fun listen, with a great variety of stories. Ancient history is quite fascinating to me, so it was fun to ponder these mysteries and consider my own conclusions.
A lot of them are unsolvable, given the nature, but it's fun to think about which historians might be onto something. It does grate a little that most of the stories end as inconclusive.
The narrator did a great job; fantastic pronunciation and even quoting sources there was such a difference of voice that I wondered if they'd actually gotten the source themself to record. But I think it was all the one talented narrator, so I'd happily listen to this fellow again.
I'd easily recommend this one for history fans looking to dig a little deeper into some interesting stories from the ancient past.
Narrated by Chloe Massey Presented by HarperCollins UK Audio
An easy enough listen, but not quite the laugh-out-loud riot I was expecting.
The setup is sNarrated by Chloe Massey Presented by HarperCollins UK Audio
An easy enough listen, but not quite the laugh-out-loud riot I was expecting.
The setup is simple: two sisters go on a road trip around Scotland.
There's a lot about how life separates family sometimes - as everyone becomes busy with their own lives, it's hard to keep in touch with every detail of a sibling's life. There's a little hostility in their relationship - quite natural, really - but for the most part this is about their catching up and deciding what's important enough to share.
It was an okay listen, but I did find it dull in some places and as a consequence tuned out a bit. I didn't really like either sibling, but I get the feeling we weren't supposed to.
A massive subject is the difference between a life with kids, and a life without. I'm getting a little tired of the black and white comparison, to be honest - there are plenty of happy couples that choose a life without kids, yet for some reason there's a stereotype that a woman without kids is one who refuses to outgrow her 'party' years. This explored that a little, but not really satisfactorily to me.
There are some funny anecdotes here and there but for the most part it fell a little flat for me. I feel like this is a particular breed of humour that I personally find very hit or miss; it reminded me a bit of Derry Girls (which I loved) but didn't quite match it for me - perhaps because the themes are more adult.
The narrator did a great job - she differentiated between the sisters well, and there was plenty of humour in her tone that helped the jokes hit. The pacing was great, and there weren't any strange pauses.
Ultimately, I feel this one just wasn't my style. I can see others really enjoying this, and particularly readers who understand the nuances of this cultural sort of humour. I found it easy enough and I did enjoy it for the most part, but it was mostly immemorable.
Narrated by Matthew Lloyd-Davis Presented by Bloomsbury UK Audio
Another fun detective story!
Err, I mean, LAWYER.
Yes, Sir Gabriel Ward is tasked with inNarrated by Matthew Lloyd-Davis Presented by Bloomsbury UK Audio
Another fun detective story!
Err, I mean, LAWYER.
Yes, Sir Gabriel Ward is tasked with investigating a murder that's happened on Temple grounds. That's not, as I first misunderstood, a literal temple, but rather a special lil section of London where Lawyers rule. Gabriel is a little odd, but it's part of his charm.
I'll admit, the narrator didn't work for me at the beginning. For some reason I find some male narrators hard to hear at times, like they trail off at the end of the sentences or in the middle and I can't make out the words properly. Very frustrating. I also found the pacing off compared to how I'd read, but I wouldn't go so far as to say he did a bad job.
He did grow on me as I became more involved in the story, but I did find myself tuning out a lot at the start. The story sucked me in though and I regretted not paying thorough attention!
There's a double mystery here - the murder that Ward has been tasked with investigating, and the case he's currently undertaking in his role as a lawyer, that concerns the author of a children's book. It's the latter that really piqued my curiosity; Millie the mouse has become a hugely successful book and yet her authorship is unknown. Fascinating!
Eventually this book delivered everything I've really been enjoying in the Japanese crime novels I've been devouring: strange, seemingly irrelevant pieces, a large cast of potential suspects, quirky stories and completely wild ideas. I enjoyed the way everything started to be pieced together and the ultimate conclusion.
This is a great introduction to the series, but given all the clues and red herrings I'd love to read this one physically so that I can properly absorb every detail.
Highly recommend to crime fans who just want a straight up murder mystery without the brooding detectives and their messy love lives.
Narrated by Mack Gordon Presented by Arcturus Digital Audio
This is a case that really fascinates me, but unfortunately this audiobook didn't totally caNarrated by Mack Gordon Presented by Arcturus Digital Audio
This is a case that really fascinates me, but unfortunately this audiobook didn't totally capture my undivided attention.
I won't go over the details of the case too much - Zodiac was the name given to a serial killer who sent cryptic codes to newspapers after his murders. The killer has never been found.
This book begins with a detailed look at what happened with each murder - who, where, when, how - and states facts plainly with no frills.
It then goes into more information on the ciphers, suspects, victims, theories and even pop culture references.
I did find the information felt rather stale, and not particularly in depth. There's a lot of info to take in but it feels mostly superfluous, especially when we come to theories and suspects. Some of it felt unnecessary, or even irrelevant at times.
I think the audio perhaps isn't the best format for this one, since the ciphers were such a crucial part of the case and not being able to look at them or the code-breaking processes described made it harder to follow. The narrator also delivered his lines poorly, with pauses in strange places and emphasis where it perhaps wasn't necessary. His voice was fine for the book but the cadence was off so I found it a little frustrating at times.
It also felt like there was just no real empathy here - it's more about the killer and who he was and so fails to show any worthy amount of compassion to add a much needed human feel to it.
There's a decent amount of information here for people who are new to the case and want a more thorough account, but there's nothing new for those of us wanting more. It was interesting enough but there are perhaps other sources that do the case more justice.
Narrated by Dean Gallagher Presented by Tantor Audio
What a mixed bag this was!
Part true mystery, part guide book, this examines mysteries related to AmNarrated by Dean Gallagher Presented by Tantor Audio
What a mixed bag this was!
Part true mystery, part guide book, this examines mysteries related to American national parks and discusses how travellers can experience the related areas of said parks themselves.
For me - an Australian - I wasn't at all interested in the guide book stuff, but I was quite fascinated by some of the mysteries. SOME. I found myself paying rapt attention when the book covered the disappearance of the couple who went rafting through the Grand Canyon and disappeared without a trace, but tuned out a lot of the 'mystery of the tall trees' segment. Some of the mysteries were quite curious (disappearance of the cave dwellers), others rather dull and pointless (a random old gun find). They were all mixed up in the book, so it was usually a safe bet that a dull story would be followed by one more fascinating. I'm grateful for that, because it did mean that the book didn't really drag despite its less interesting cases.
It is quite thorough for the tourists in the way it explains tracks and trails to follow, and local information such as parking and tours that will help accomplish any trekking goals. So people using it as an inspiring guide book should find it to be a useful, insightful resource.
On the mystery side of things, a lot give only the bare bones of the case and remain inconclusive, with no fresh evidence or unique angles given. I found some to be quite frustrating in that a quick google turned up the same amount of info; yet the fact I felt the need to google in the first place suggests how much my curiosity was piqued. A lot of the cases covered were new to me, so I did enjoy learning about them.
The 'interesting people' stories weren't really for me; some were figures I recognised the name of, but their presence in this book baffled me a little.
The audio was done well. I found the narrator easy to listen to, and his expressive voice conveyed each case quite well. Enunciation was clear, and aside from a creative pronunciation of 'in situ' I followed easily.
I found the mix of mystery and tour guide didn't really work for me, but that's likely because I don't live in the USA so the guide book side of things slowed everything down pointlessly for me. American hikers and outdoorsy folks might appreciate the recommendations for particular trails to follow, and enjoy the immersion into the related stories. Mystery fans will find quite a lot to sink their teeth into.
Narrated by Madame Butterfly Presented by BooksGoSocial Audio
DNF @ 38%
Admittedly, it's my fault for being curious.
This is literally just a woman dNarrated by Madame Butterfly Presented by BooksGoSocial Audio
DNF @ 38%
Admittedly, it's my fault for being curious.
This is literally just a woman describing every sexual encounter she has.
That's it.
There's no feminism, no new way of thinking, no female empowerment. It's literally just a woman having lots of sex with multiple people and describing each act in awful detail, often with embarrassing similes and metaphors (lots of 'oysters' and 'precious pearls').
Plus, it's narrated by the author who sounds like she's never narrated anything in her life. There's no emotion, no inflection, no change in pace or tone or anything. It's just a monotone reading words.
I was curious in particular about the 'at sea' portion and was hoping there would be a look at the life of a woman in a typically male role, but I still have no idea what kind of ships this woman was sailing on and if indeed there was actually any sailing at all, since everything seemed to tee off at bars and beaches.
This was utter trash from the second it started and 38% was as far as I could stomach.
Do not recommend to anyone, to be honest. Even readers interested in the kinky details of her sex life will likely find more excitement elsewhere.
Hard no.
With thanks and apologies to NetGalley for an audio ARC...more
Narrated by Abigail Reno Presented by Spotify Audiobooks
Clearly written by a man, this one.
Aside from the gratuitous sex scenes, though, not too bad a Narrated by Abigail Reno Presented by Spotify Audiobooks
Clearly written by a man, this one.
Aside from the gratuitous sex scenes, though, not too bad a crime novel.
Two bodies turn up so our protagonist is sent back to her hometown in Napa Valley to investigate. Along the way she's got to deal with the local rich family, a cult, and the sheriff that put her father in prison many years ago for the murder of her best friend.
I was quite intrigued at first but once the cult was introduced my mind started to drift a little bit. It all seemed a bit too far-fetched and I just found it hard to follow how everything was tying in.
The pace wasn't too bad - there always seemed to be something happening and there are plenty of different threads to follow. Lana is not too bad for a protagonist, but nothing particularly new, either.
Some of the occurrences did seem a bit unnecessary for me, and the male author was very evident. I don't think it needed as much detail as it included.
I liked the setting, with some interesting tidbits on wine-making and the like.
The narrator was decent, and gave a good performance. It was fairly easy to distinguish most voices, and there was enough emotion to convey urgency when needed. I'd happily listen to this narrator again.
Nothing particularly memorable, but a neat crime novel that ties everything together nicely.
Narrated by Meg McKibbin Presented by Bolinda Audio
Really wanted this to be so much more than it was.
I got a physical copy of this signed by the auth Narrated by Meg McKibbin Presented by Bolinda Audio
Really wanted this to be so much more than it was.
I got a physical copy of this signed by the author, and it's gorgeous. But in order to get to it faster, I listened to an audio ARC from NetGalley. As the book went on, I was grateful for that decision.
It's not that it's bad but more ... bland. I had a hard time connecting to the characters as I didn't really like any of them, and there wasn't a lot of characterisation beyond the depth of feeling between Tabala and Lar. Which got old REAL FAST.
It felt very much like a dot-point journey; like they went here, then they went here, then they went here ... etc. I found it hard to follow the purpose of anything, but to be fair I did zone out a fair bit from halfway onwards. There wasn't really a lot about the story that interested me, so I think I might have ended up skimming quite heavily.
The narration had a huge impact on this story for me, as I found it kind of awful. There was no characterisation coming through - everyone sounded the same and there was no emotion in anything. I didn't mind the Australian accent but then for all the voices - man, woman, child, elderly person, etc - to sound the same it really just grated. It got confusing at times, too, and hard to follow who was speaking. There was no tension or turmoil; everything was delivered in almost a monotone. It was very much read, as opposed to performed.
Since I have a physical copy, I'll probably revisit it to see if it was just the bland the narration that made this one so dull. I did really want to like it more than I did so I'd like to give it a second chance, though seeing some of the other reviews on here I'm not hopeful.
