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Compellingly bad

Reviewed: 16-12-24

I'd never read James Patterson (or rather the James Patterson franchise) until recently, when I came across an audio dramatisation of another novel, starring Cobie Smoulders. The story was as daft as this one, but Smulders' performances can elevate anything she's in.

In this dramatisation the Smulders-less acting lies between average and wooden. The plot is ridiculous, and some sound effects are unintentionally hilarious. The whole is sufficiently gripping to keep half my brain entertained while organising pre-Christnas stuff.

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Fun listen

Reviewed: 30-05-24

Another outing for the staff of The Stranger Times, even more entertaining than the first. The narrator's voice acting is truly excellent; if I have one criticism, it's that the story narration is not as good as the character parts, with each sentence carrying the same intonation. Overall though, it's a minor point.

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Schlocky but absorbing

Reviewed: 08-05-24

I'm not a big fan of horror, but this novel was sufficiently entertaining that it helped divert my mind during a series of family crises, when I had no spare capacity for anything deeper. It's littered with familiar horror and science fiction tropes, and the themes reflect the late 80s/early 90s anxieties, that I remember so well, about the possibilities of cybernetics. Our anxieties have shifted since then, but communications have developed more or less as the story predicts. It all ends with some typically emetic American schmaltz.

I'm pushing 60 and don't have a huge amount of patience with trigger warnings. That said, Audible should perhaps give a warning about some dated and possibly offensive racial depictions, as well as patronising attitudes towards the disabled. The author tried hard, but didn't quite succeed. Yes, I'm being patronising. ;-)

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Overwritten

Reviewed: 05-05-24

The premise of the novel is wonderful, right up my street, but I returned the title after two chapters. The characters were arid and unengaging, and the protagonist given to seemingly endless psychological maundering. I'm not a fan of storytelling by flashback. It seems mainstream fiction writers have forgotten how to tell rich, interesting stories, and how to hint at their themes without semaphoring. This novel might have been a very good one, given the assistance of an experienced editor.

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Too much romance, not enough suspense

Reviewed: 15-04-24

I don't think this book is really aimed at me. Inbetween heavier or more experimental novels and a lot of non-fiction, I look for lighter, contemporary stuff that will stop me going going round the bend during tedious chores. But this novel is really too light and lacking in interest, although the narrator is very good.


The book also bears signs of an inexperienced writer, or a lack of editing: slow pacing; overwritten scenes; odd, unsignalled changes; uncertain POV in places; disappearing injuries; improbable psychological motivation; clichéd dialogue; and some weird lapses in K9 protocols. On the plus side, interesting characters and an intriguing backstory, though left undeveloped.

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Murderbot copes with PTSD on a hostile planet

Reviewed: 03-12-23

Another great contribution to the series. This one is perhaps not quite as easy to follow as the previous books, but it's still highly entertaining, with wonderful dry humour. System Collapse also provides an interesting examination of possible future machine sentience. I note the author's background in anthropology. The late Ursula K Le Guin came from a similar background, which appears to offer an author peculiarly sharp insights into human behaviour and socio-political systems in an unfamiliar context.

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A placeholder

Reviewed: 28-11-23

Mizushima is a competent mid- range writer, ideal for when you've had a run of heavier or more complex listening and just want something less taxing and reasonably entertaining while you catch up on the chores.

Books 5 & 6 in this series have been underwhelming, so I hope the final two will be more interesting. There comes a point in any series when it's time for the author to stop dumping backstory about previous events/character observations/personal issues/outdated theories about dog training etc., and just get on with providing a decently plotted story. The most interesting scene in this instalment was the very last one. I just hope it's the setup for a good final denouement. Fingers crossed!

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Unique and wonderful

Reviewed: 07-11-23

I can't really add anything more to the other positive reviews of this novel, but I felt compelled to listen to this wonderful tale every spare minute I had.

The narrator deserves a special mention. So many Audible narrators desecrate the work they're reading, so it's a relief when I come across one who doesn't mispronounce anything and who characterises the different voices so well. He relates the story with real verve. Just wonderful!

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Atmospheric story, superbly narrated

Reviewed: 25-05-23

I find ghost stories ultimately unsatisfying because of the deus ex machina function of the haunting. But I do love a yarn with real atmosphere, and if there are mountains too, so much the better. This is basically a tale of ghostly revenge, but the psychological study of the main character and the influence of the 1930s (to present day?) English caste system on individual and group behaviour are acutely observed and quite compelling. The narration is simply brilliant. How I wish all Audible titles were so well read!

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Essential reading/listening for female autists

Reviewed: 16-02-23

This is just my initial, brief review, having just finished the audiobook. It took me 27 years longer than it did for Sara to realise the source of my "problems", or rather my "blueprint" (Sara's word). Sara's life is not my life, of course, but so many of her experiences resonated. Sadly, in my own case autism has led to a lifetime of bullying and abuse, both physical and emotional. I am just starting to make sense of myself at this late stage in life.

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1 person found this helpful