Audio Book Review: Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente

Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente


I really wanted to enjoy this book. I love the sound of the story idea. But...I had to DNF it.

There are very wordy descriptions. Very unique descriptions, but I got lost in what we were talking about. The story felt jumpy in time and characters for me. A very round about way to get to the point. So much "history" to tell current events. I struggled with audio in this sense. I'm thinking reading the book would have done me better, so I could keep up with who we are talking about and when.

I did enjoy listening to Heath's voice as he narrated though.



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Audio Book Review: You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero

You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book shared a lot of things I'm already aware of. It does put all the things we know or should open our eyes to into one place. There a lot of talk about vibe, which I do thing we attract what we put out.

Jen's experiences are shared throughout the book. And there are some very entertaining events. I even went on the search to find her music. Some of the events are very relatable. But there's a few who if I was in those moments, my anxiety would take over and I'd be afraid to relax and leave things to the universe and frequencies.

Through the book, the one most important thing we are to remember and is mentioned at each list.
Love yourself.
This is important for everyone. If you only take one thing from this book, I hope it's that. And you take time for yourself.

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Audio Book Review: A Nightmare on Elk Street by C.T. Phipps

A Nightmare on Elk Street by C.T. Phipps
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh all the horror movie references! And from a time when I watched horror (I don't watch horror anymore, or the newer ones). This was fun with them and all the cliches. Jane's not your "damsel in distress" type. She's a horror fan.

This book talks about Jane's time with Super Villainy and Straight Outta Fangton series's. It's nice to see them all come together with Jane here. Did I laugh as much...not really, But I love all the references to old time movies. So fun!

Jane has somethings to work through with her family. She also is working on her relationships. As the story goes, she works through these and learns about her relationships more as she solves the mystery of who's behind the horror characters trying to murder people...and why.

This story comes to what feels as an end for the series. Things feel to have tied together even though life goes on. It feels complete to this series.

There's a bonus Short Story added to this book. :D Always fun! It's a fun little adventure with Jane and her best friend Emma. A vampire looking for a very special sword buried in the area. It's a little history with Emma's family and a quick fun adventure.

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Audio Book Review: How to Date Your Dragon by Molly Harper

How to Date Your Dragon by Molly Harper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wanted something light and fun. This fit the bill. Jillian's quick humor is fun. She's kind and great with the people in Mystic Bayou...except one person gets under her skin. I enjoyed the tough start with Jillian and Bael. They both have their own reason's, and there's nothing wrong with them. But sometimes opening up and hearing what others thing can lead to a compromise, or better results.

I enjoyed getting Jillian's POV as well as Bael's POV. They are done in chapters which make it easy to follow. The narrators are split between the two views, Amanda for Jillian and Jonathan for Bael. I like this break between the chapters and characters. Each person interprets vocal cues and physical movements differently, and by having the narrators do whole chapters from the POV of the main character shows this. I feel sympathetic for each character as we get their view and their thoughts.

I enjoyed Bael's POV being added to the story. He didn't want someone here learning about their towns ways. Seems like there's something to hide...there is, but he's also trying to protect Jillian too. How he feels when other men are near her...it's more than attraction. It feels like a mate reaction. To see these two come together with the things happening is lovely, especially when murders start happening.

I listened while at work and couldn't wait to get to work to finish listening the second day. A quick, easy listen. Through the butting of heads with Jillian and Bael, I was always hoping for them to get together.

I'll be listening to the rest of this series as people come to Mystic Bayou. I look forward to more in this little town of magic.

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Audio Book Review: One Piece at a Time by M.K. Gibson

One Piece at a Time by M.K. Gibson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Through the adventures and dry humor of Salem (which I enjoy all of), M.K. Gibson shares nuggets of great thoughts. These nuggets relate to the events and experiences on a deeper level. The events spark Salem to reflect, and the results are amazing. They could be great discussion topics for groups. An example of these is maybe the world is constant and we are ever changing... I really enjoy these moments of insight from Salem.

I've enjoyed Jeffrey Kafer as the narrator for these books. He's been here since book one and continues strong with the characters. Salem suffers from PTSD in this book. Jeffrey does a great job of sounding like Salem, and sounding like he's covering the hurt he's feeling in some moments.

Salem has been through terrible things. We get to see those terrible events and why they happened as it all comes together in the end. These are traumatic moments and current Salem is working through PTSD. He's working through the trauma, the emotions of the events, along with emotions of current time. He still feels and sees and remembers all that happened. M.K. Gibson does a great job of setting the story to help Salem while he still feels from the events. It's NOT an easy fix and I appreciate that M.K. Gibson doesn't make it as such. So well written for this. We see life's pain, friends, and family along with how people are there for him.

We are left at the end with what feels like a closure for Salem. But, there's an epilogue that leaves us to feel as there will be more to happen in the future. Will that book come? I don't know. But I'm always up for listening to Salem's adventures.

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Audio Book Review: Cavern of Spirits by Carrie Summers

Cavern of Spirits by Carrie Summers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can't wait for more to see Devon become the champion with finding each relic and for Stonehaven to grow! Oh, and what's the new happenings with the demon side of things? I'm looking forward to starting the next book SOON!

This book felt to happen fast. There's lots going on everywhere. It's well written to balance the struggles in game and the real world for Devon. I wanted to know how it all worked out as I listened. The new mission, the search for stone mines, the growth of Stone haven, the players that are staying to protect the little village, and what all is going on with straightening out the servers with Zaa and the demons...

I really enjoyed the audio version of this book! It's fun getting all the voices and feelings through audio. We get a second narrator for the male voices. I had fun when the characters were in battle and we got sound effects like in the game. Love it!

Devon's a little nervous about her shadow abilities. She's nervous about leaving the village she's created as there's people who will come to raid and destroy her little home. Though, there are loyal players who stayed to protect the town.

Things are moving along for Devon, though there are many stumbles along the way. She's creative enough to figure out how to move around or past the obstacles. I have fun seeing her do her thing in these moments.

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Audio Book Review: Fortress of Shadows by Carrie Summers

Fortress of Shadows by Carrie Summers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this one. I love how the game is a game to the players, but it's becoming more each day. They have a "real" life outside of the game, but the game is starting to feel more and more like home with the NPCs they meet along with other players that don't live close to them.

I listened to the audio book. I really enjoyed the narrators in this one. I liked there was a female narrator for female characters and a male voice for male characters. As there are narrators that can and do amazing jobs differentiating characters, this was nice to get a different voice to help with that. You get a different feel from different people, which is great when you have a nice size cast of characters.

There were problems in game, but they 'seem' to be better. Was Devon the only one feeling it??? Devon learns more when her old team mates come her way... about the nerve sensors, about needing friends, and how other CAN help.

It seems the "God," or the AI running the game, has directed her friends to her with their missions.

New problems rise...landscape's changing and animals are scarce...all part of Devon's mission. And a new enemy arrives. There's no knowing if it'll attack or where or tracking it... I love how we learn about this enemy. It's affected by the real world events and in game events. I had a feeling it was something along these lines with where things were going, but to see it come together is always great.

I really like the village Devon is creating and I'm worried about it's safety too!

In the real world, I've really found the troubles Emerson has unearthed with the system on the players very interesting. I'm looking forward to learning more about what he'll do now. But, the world of Big Business... so much to fight against.

I want more!
To see what comes of Stonehaven, Devon's guest, and Emerson with the Big Company. I even wonder if Haley will find her own piece of the world and the team will come out at the very end ruling it all.

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