MLB Pirate

Lives up to my highest hopes

Reviewed: 01-18-23

I am a avid fan of the writing of the author. I started with his first Audiobook book and was disappointed that it was the only one of his many works in the Rome series. I was so impressed with this series that I bought and read the first 11 volumes. All were very good and obviously kept my interest. So it was a wonderful surprise that finally this volume came to Audible and I immediately bought it.

I have also been a fan of the reader’s performance and had listened to his rendition of the first volume many times. Here he consistently continues his fine work including very good differentiation between characters’ voices (always important to me) and infection in the right places to give the emphasize, tone and energy in an appropriately dramatic way.

Thanks to whoever broke the barrier that has held back bringing the rest of the volumes to Audible. I believe many of Mr. Peak’s fans have been hoping for this. It is a great story full of action, human nature, and believable plots and characters.

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Satisfying entertainment

Reviewed: 11-10-22

Although it is slow on action which is a bit sparse, the writing is appealing and the way it described the operation of three countries government security and defense operations rings true. The oral performance was very good with clear differences between characters. It is a very good light entertainment. I plan on finishing this three volume series.

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If you liked The Martian, by Weir, this is for you

Reviewed: 06-27-21

I loved “The Martian” book and movie for the same reasons I love this. Mr. weir is excellent at pacing the story, using flash backs adroitly, and setting up engrossing science and engineering challenges with ingenious solutions. Of course, you have to like science fiction and this book requires you to go out further than his Martian story did into the fantasy side of science fiction. Still, he created a satisfactory base of currently accepted facts and theories as a premise and this made me comfortable with his leaps into making seemingly far fetched things into a believable story.

There are numerous short bouts of engaging action, convincing character development, humor (and he amused me even though I am hard to make chuckle), and pathos. He was especially good at developing the character and the bond with the alien who seemed so very alien at the beginning. He can make his readers happy, sad, and rooting for his characters. Of course, he also teaches his readers some interesting science without straining them while entertaining them.

If you like this kind of novel, this book’s quality is so engaging that if you listen to it, you will resent having to interrupt listening. You certainly will look forward to getting back to it as soon as possible. You will wish it is twice as long because it’s so well done. This is the kind of book I am always seeking.

The performance was very good. The performer has a easy to listen to, peasant voice. His distinction between character voices is excellent. Especially interesting is the way the performance handled the character who can’t speak words yet, still communicates in an unexpected way. I say no more about this to avoid spoiling the story.

Great book, highly recommended.

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Entertaining action

Reviewed: 09-26-20

Very entertaining action story that is enhanced by an excellent narration. The narrator really adds to the suspense and colors of the story and characters. Plot is a little predictable in places but not in others. I am looking forward to the continuation of the story in subsequent volumes. Hope the same narrator is used.

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Patience pays in finding a new favorite narrator

Reviewed: 10-23-19

This is the first in a series of books of historical fiction about the long career of an exceptional legionnaire by a great author of the war genre. Unfortunately it is the only book that has been recorded. However, it was so engrossing, I am reading the rest on Kindle.

I write this review not so much to praise the author; many others have well done that already. Instead, I write about the narrator who has been notably criticized by some others on this website. At first I found him a little off putting. Some say he slurs his words. I don’t think that quite captures it. Yes, the way he verbalized seems odd at first. His technique is not like any of the many narrators I have enjoyed so much. However, I liked the story so much, I have listened to it many times by now. The result is that I highly prize the narrator’s work. I like him so much that I searched to find other books he has narrated, but couldn’t find any. So, if you have patience, I think you too may find that you very much enjoy the full experience of the audio book with a new favorite to add to your list of appreciated narrators. For me, patience paid off handsomely.

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Absorbing

Reviewed: 04-03-19

Full of interesting and well written plots with enough characters to keep it compelling. Thoughtful explanation of how to make use of historical knowledge to make your way through a world of the distant past.

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Master piece continuation!

Reviewed: 06-05-18

Conn is my new favorite author. His historical works are fascinating and he has hooked me on English history of this period. It led me to begin reading the actual historical reports of the period. I especially like how well he describes action and intertwines it in the story. The timing of the vivid descriptions, exposition, motivations, explanation and action is done so well that there is never a dull moment.

I like historical fiction and unlike some critics, slight variations from facts is more than ok when it keeps the story to the point the author is striving to achieve. Here Conn makes the movement of the story with all of its arcs graceful and entertaining.

I am also a fan of history and read it often. Usually this has been American history but Conn has broadened my interest. The fictionalization of history, especially in an audio book, makes for engrossing relaxation when done this superbly. It is not meant to supplant history it’s self.

I have the audible versions of many of his other works and highly regard them. Somehow, even having different narrators with different talents, does not detract from Conn’s masterpieces. The narrator here is especially talented.

I am looking forward to Conn’s continued works in the future. His latest: An Abbot’s Tale, is just as fantastic as his other works. His history fiction, like the War of the Roses series, brings to vivid life an episode of fascinating history that was, to me, an otherwise obscure dull episode of English history. I would like to see him try his hand at some portion of the rich field of American history. Perhaps the early days of the revolution, the civil war in the West, or WW II focusing on the interplay of top British leaders, political and military, with their counterparts.

He has my thanks for a great work.

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High quality fascinating story/performance

Reviewed: 05-07-18

My favorite author does it again. Well paced innovative story that holds your attention and brings surprises with twists that somehow don’t seem impossible. The narrator is just right for the story and I will look for more of his work.

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10 people found this helpful

Leaves you wanting more!

Reviewed: 04-28-18

If you could sum up Emperor: The Blood of Gods in three words, what would they be?

Although it it varies from reported history, I didn’t find that troubling because any history is flawed by the amount of reliable sources and the natural human limitations of bias and limited abilities to analyze and perceive what was the true motivations of the people in the grip of action.

The story is captivating and my only disappointment is that, as the author says at the end of this last book of a series where all the books are very good, there’s a number of more books he could write to complete the span of the usual popular history of the characters. I wish he had done so.

His imagination far outweighs the few variations on supposed fact from popular concepts and accepted conclusions of what is truely unknowable in detailed and certain facts at a distance of 2000 years.

What other book might you compare Emperor: The Blood of Gods to and why?

The author’s books on the Kahan series. They have the same great descriptions of a story that has great, but not too long description of the back story and character motivations that lead up to very clear and sometimes quite moving action scenes.

What does Michael Healy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His voice was clearly understood and gave the appropriate emotion and timing of pauses and emotional emphasis that was needed for a very good entertainment experience. Unlike the narrator of some of the previous books in the series, he correctly pronounced all, not just most, of the Roman names.

If you could take any character from Emperor: The Blood of Gods out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Agrippa. I would like to know more about his invention and strategy/tactics as they were crucial in winning the wars.

Any additional comments?

The author is a great writer. I hope he returns soon to 2000 year old history. I am looking forward to upcoming books on the time of the creation of the English empire.

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