LISTENER

Ian

  • 7
  • reviews
  • 1
  • helpful vote
  • 17
  • ratings

A knock out urban fantasy thriller.

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 02-11-20

I have become a cynic when it comes to urban fantasy. I'm very picky with what gets me invested into a world of monsters living among us. The Dresden Files I love for Harry Dresden and the way the stubborn wizard doesn't quit on people and elevates his friends. The Iron Druid Chronicles got me with Atticus O'Sullivan and the way he coped with immortality and the worlds of the gods. Other Series have struggled to grip me in such ways, especially when a series splashes in Erotica. When done well, erotica is such a wonderful genre and can add amazing things to a book that doesn't strictly deal with romance or sensuality. When executed poorly...it turns a good mystery with strong characters into a backdrop for mediocre porn.

Swing Shift has given me what I love in Urban Fantasy along with a delicate sprinkling of what I love in smut. The world feels believable even though the book seems to that the DC comics route of using fictional cities and never quite stating countries or states. The world building is solid and the exposition doesn't feel ham fisted. The characters are wonderful, each one having a vibrant personality and each possessing their own goals, motivations and unique ways of handling both internal and external conflicts. The quality of the characters leads to quality romance among them and allows the relationships formed to be believable. The mystery at the core of the book is well constructed as well, with seeds of the conspiracy at large sprinkled through out the chapters starting from the very first point of action.

I love this book and while it's by no means a perfect read I will happily give it five stars because to me it was worth my time to listen and enjoy the book and the narrators performance. I will easily be picking up the next book and noting how the story develops.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Fans of Lycanthropes and Harem Anime rejoice

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-10-18

I personally love the absurdity of this book bundle In execution. At face the concept of the book is not hard to grasp: A revenge story centered on a young hero tossed into uncharted waters with a mystery at its core. It's the details that really make the story interesting and cause it to stand out.

The main character is dragged into a world he was blissfully unaware of, the antagonists have made a terrible mistake though and have unwittingly empowered him. This alone makes the story a little more interesting to me because it's clear the arrogance of the antagonists is ultimately what will be their downfall and our main character and his friends are an unlikely resistance that they could have never forseen.

The book definitely falls into the "Supernatural Harem" sub genre of urban fantasy but I find that all the characters are interesting and engaging in their own ways. If you are a fan of Harem Anime or Harem Romance then this is a good addition to your library. However if monogamous romance is more your style maybe listen to this at your own risk.

Perhaps also listen to this one with headphones because this book gets a little raunchy. Sex is a big part of the book with some mild furry leanings as it deals with sex between hybrid-form Lycanthropes and sex between humans and hybrid-form Lycanthropes so listener beware. If you can have fun with some kinky beasty romance than this is the book for you, if you like your supernatural smut to be on the more Fairy or Vampire side then perhaps not.

Finally this book is also pretty violent. Any fan of good monster movies will enjoy detailed descriptions of hapless idiots being torn apart by beastmen. Claws and Fangs get lots of play in the story and the people that get killed certainly had it coming. Action and Horror fans will get a kick of it and while I'm certain most fans in the Urban Fantasy genre love some good monster movie blood and guts I would suggest fans with weak stomachs tread lightly into this book.

The audio is great with Leland King offering a good range of voices all with unique deliveries and flexibility. I'm always intrigued to listen to a Male performer voicing female parts in a smut heavy piece but I think Leland does a great job in this case. Each of the characters have distinctive voices and for the cases of the Lycanthropes he gives the human and hybrid forms unique voices so one can tell when a character is changed.

All in all I would recommend this book to the niche crowd that enjoys Lycanthrope-centric- Supernatural-Kitchen-Sink-Harems but I would also recommend this book to fans of fun and wacky concepts and stories that are a little more lively and lighthearted. This book has a compelling and interesting plot but I can say that it's mainly the absurdity of the situation that drives the story forward. While it tackles subjects like Slave Rebellions and the abuse of power it's more set dressing for a schlocky powerfantasy than a thoughtful essay on the imbalance of power and systematic oppression.

I'm gonna continue to listen because it's a story I have fun with and I hope others have fun with it too.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

incredible voice talent

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 07-15-18

Jeff Hayes and the production on this book brings the story to life. The payoff from the first two books setting up the growth and power of the Delvers and friends comes to life in this book and let's just say. Shit. Gets. Real.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

This book got me to love steampunk

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-24-18

Jim Butcher knocks it out of the park with an amazing story about growing up and learning ones purpose during the start of a war years in the making.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

I went in skeptical but was blown away

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 02-19-18

The story was an excellent tale of friendship cut with dark fantasy genre deconstruction. I went in fearing it was going to be a shlocky mess but i couldnt have been more wrong. The characters were strong and relatable if flawed and at times tropey. What this book does great though is turn a trope on its head and let a character have their own agency and moments of unique development.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Another great book by Butcher

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-11-17

I love all of Mr. Butcher's work and Skin Game is the latest of his triumphs. Great action, edge of your seat mystery and deceit, and wonderful emotional motions made this one Hell of a book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Fantastic

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-21-16

A ride from start to finish, great lead, good comedy, lots of provocative historical allusion. looking forward to the next book, fans of urban fantasy should consider this required listening

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!