Month: October 2018

Awesome Audiobooks: Terminus 4.5/5 by Kevin Hardman

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, scifi, thriller , , , ,

 

Summary:

Gant Maker’s distinguished military career comes to a screeching halt when he runs across a race of homicidal aliens called the Vacra. Nobody believes him … until now. With the Vacra back, the military and higher-ups turn to Maker for help. They want to send him to Terminus, a disputed planet beyond the edge of civilized space.

Additional Comments:

– This isn’t the only audiobook prepped by this pair, but I think it might be the one that the narrator fits best. Naramore sounds very natural as a slightly grumpy, jaded military guy. (That’s a compliment, I promise.)

– The book has some unnecessarily long sections and a slightly painful beginning, but once past the first bit, it turns awesome. The way Maker’s initial story unfolds (him re-telling it to the people who come to him for help) is stuffed with interruptions that break up the flow, making it come out a hot mess. The setup and team-gathering part is okay, but from the time they set foot on Terminus to the end is very entertaining.

– Characters 4/5:

The team gathered is an all-star cast of misfits, headed by a guy all about second chances. There’s the blind sharpshooter, the pacifist doctor, the tinkerer, and the spy, as well as the shady sergeant with black market connections and the fearless leader, Maker.

Conclusion:

Any book has some setup. This book had it where it counted, in the middle and end. There’s enough closure to leave the listener satisfied yet leave the door open for more in the series. Nice start to a military scifi-thriller series.

 

Associate links to follow…

(If you click through and buy something, there’s the chance I’ll earn like $0.04 … not kidding, that’s basically it.)

Amazon Prime

 

Spirit’s Bane – Two guardian angels in training have it out with satan’s minions.

Try The Dark Side of Science – Genetically altered kids fight for the right to live.

Audiobook Reviews: 2 Books Narrated by Duncan Cassidy

Julie Gilbert Audiobooks, children's, Family , ,

3/5 Just Like Down Home by Dale Stubbart

Narrated by Duncan Cassidy

Length 30 minutes

Summary:

Strange little fantasy story about an English gentleman named Joel September who doesn’t particularly like his job but things are about to change for him.

Additional Comments:

  • The blurb pretty much tells the whole story, though I could have sworn the man’s name was Joe in the book I heard.
  • Not really sure I know what Joel’s day job is exactly. His night job was a tad better described.
  • Nice cover. Very soothing.

 

Conclusion: Strange short story.

 

2.5/5 Spend a Year on the Farm by Baby Professor

Narrated by Duncan Cassidy

Length 5 minutes

Summary:

A brief glance at what happens on farms.

Additional Comments:

  • Pretty sure the Wikipedia page for farms has more substance and actual information than this book.
  • Perhaps this book makes more sense as a picture book.
  • I don’t think it even mentions what can be grown or raised on a farm.
  • The narrator has a very unique style of reading that suits the book. Lots of ebb and flow to the phrasing.
  • I’m fairly certain I’m not in the target audience for the book, but then again, I’m not sure who is. Kids that young probably don’t care about a straight up audio because it lacks the visual piece.

Conclusion:

Not my cup of tea, but it’s totally kid safe.

 

Associate links to follow…

(If you click through and buy something, there’s the chance I’ll earn like $0.04 … not kidding, that’s basically it.)

Amazon Prime

 

Audible – If you’d like some free codes, please email me at [email protected] with requests for any of my works.

Try The Dark Side of Science.


OR

Movie Reviews 3.75/5 Stars: Night School

Julie Gilbert comedy, Movie Reviews , ,
One of those official ad thingies.

*spoiler speak at the end, after the ads*

Summary:

Theodore (Teddy) Walker is a great salesman, but an accident forces him to seek a career change. Unfortunately, that career change comes with the requirement of a high school diploma or the equivalent, a GED.

Genre: Comedy

Additional Comments:

– Congratulations, movie, I’ve been forced to give a rating I’ve never given before for a show. It was good, but not that good. It had hit or miss humor and a smattering of cool messages mired in misfired comedy efforts. (see spoiler speak for my example of this as well as my favorite moments.)
– It’s a modern movie in that there’s an ultimate message of celebrating learning differences.
– The cast of Night School people is pretty well-rounded. There’s the kid there to avoid juvenile detention, a lyft driver/ former waiter, an overworked mom, a father of a teenage son, a paranoid guy, and a prisoner.
– The principal’s an overbearing sterotype, but there’s decent character development here.

Conclusion:

Worth watching at least once. It’s not my typical movie fare, but I’m glad I got to see it.

 

Associate links to follow…

(If you click through and buy something, there’s the chance I’ll earn like $0.04 … not kidding, that’s basically it.)

Amazon Prime

Don’t have something in the truly comedic vein, but here are some short stories and lighthearted fantasy: Ashlynn’s Dreams Shorts.

Being the Chosen Redeemer could kill Vic. She’s got a destiny she doesn’t understand, two friends from feuding races, and zombies out to get her. (Redeemer Chronicles 1: Awakening)

****Spoiler Speak****

– Hands down, favorite line: “That’s not a chemical. It’s chemical warfare!” I was laughing so hard I couldn’t breathe.
– I enjoyed the fact that Teddy didn’t pass the first or second or even third go at the GED. Not really sure how many times you can take that test. But he persisted and eventually passed. I also liked that he had learning disabilities but people wouldn’t let him quit.
– Example of cool message strangled by misfired comedy: The very end where Teddy’s giving the graduation speech. He has some excellent stuff to say then keeps blithering on about the stuff his father said. The father’s expression is kind of funny, but I think the moment would have been much more powerful without that.
– Moral of the story: – Teddy’s a great character because he’s not perfect. He wants to be someone he’s not, so he lies, but the lies only get him into trouble. Hard work helps him rise above his learning disabilities.