:: Critical Me ::

SciPodBooks: The Planet Savers by Marion Zimmer Bradley

 I adore space stories, but I don’t really consider The Planet Savers of that genre. Sure, it’s not set on earth, but it is set on an earth-like planet. Yes, it has aliens, but the aliens seem like they could easily be one of earth’s indigenous peoples. Not much in the way of space ships, cool weaponry, or alien technology is featured. Instead, the plot revolves around the Terran colonists on the planet Darkover having to find and ask the elusive native Trailmen for their assistance to develop a serum to fight a deadly plague which threatens to wipe them out, but one which for the natives is a common childhood ailment. 

I will say however, that it is a terrific little adventure story. The colonists have to mountain climb their way over challenging and dangerous terrain, look out for potential ambushes, locate the elusive natives and plead for their help. I also really liked the plot device of split personalities for parasitologist Dr. Jay Allison, who leads the group, and his reliance on both parts of himself to accomplish his mission. 

The Planet Savers is read by the excellent Mark Douglas Nelson. My only quibble was with the sound effect? in Part 1 - it sounded as if he were in a very large echoey metal room. I’m not sure if this was intentional, but it was distracting. Otherwise, a very enjoyable listen.

 

Available at SciPodBooks  Reading time 3:13:18

 

LibriVox: At The Appointed Time by Anna Maynard Barbour

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Unh? Oh sorry, I must have fallen asleep.

I was really excited to listen to this story because I had just finished the very good “That Mainwaring Affair” and my typical m.o after I finish a good story is to immediately download everything else available by that author. Usually this works out well, but not this time.

 The story starts out great - train robbery, murder, main character falls into a coma, wakes up with amnesia. Fantastic. Then wtf? 20 something chapters of a coma inducing story. But, then mercifully the story picks up again! It’s kind of like they had a good short story but needed filler, mainly moody and with vaguely religious overtones.

 I was all the more disappointed after reading the excerpt of the July 1903 NY Times review they posted (here is a portion): "Those who remember that excellent detective story, That Mainwaring Affair will expect to find plenty of mystery and exciting incidents in A. Maynard Barbour's latest novel, called At the Time Appointed, and they will realize their expectations...” Puhleease.

 And unfortunately the readers can’t, or in some cases really don’t, help to make this story any better. Two stood out though as particularly good, Margaret Espaillat and Patti Cunningham, and could’ve made the book tolerable if they had read the entire novel.

 On a final note: Yay... another reader added to my NEVER EVER LISTEN TO AGAIN list.

Available at Librivox.org  Total running time: 11:43:41

LibriVox: The Sheridan Road Mystery by Paul and Mabel Thorne

A shot rings out in the middle of the night in a quiet Chicago neighborhood. Patrolman Murphy is directed to an apartment where a man says the shot came from. The apartment is locked and apparently empty. Was there a murder here? And if so, where is the victim? (Summary by J. M. Smallheer on LibriVox)

This was a really fun detective story! Good guys versus the bad guys, little mysteries scattered throughout the larger mystery, some misdirection,  a little romance, action packed and a good pace.

Admirable reading done by J.M. Smallheer. Smallheer gives good voice to the two main male leads and clearly gives characters their own distinct voice.

Find this on LibriVox  Total running time: 4:40:01

 

 

 

LibriVox: Mr Hogarth’s Will by Catherine Helen Spence

Good premise… but I've been spoiled by hollywood writers.   

By: K McJannett

 

I really liked the opening chapters of this book. Two young women suddenly cut loose from their rich upper crust lives and forced to make it out in the world on their own. Sounds good. I was sure I was in for smart thinking and clever ideas for how they would get back on top. Highjinks would ensue, it would be fun.

But the problem is this story is set in 1850. So, even though their recently late uncle who threw them to the wolves thought he'd prepared them well by educating them like boys, well - it didn't really follow the hollywood script I, or he probably, had in mind.

This book is read by various readers. Since LibriVox uses volunteers as readers they can range from adequate to brilliant - unfortunately, on this book I bypassed three whole chapters because *ugh* I just could not listen to another word out of someone's mouth. I have listened to literally upwards of hundreds of books, and have only skipped chapters two or three times - but I had had enough! I physically wanted to rip my ear buds out and fling them on the floor. Or, maybe I just need to go to the gym more and work off some aggression.

I do though, have a short list by my computer of readers who are a deal breaker for choosing my daily listening, and I have another list of favourites who I'll listen to anything they want to read.

Overall though, if you like period pieces - it is a good one. Interesting details and slice of that time. And it totally makes you appreciate the opportunities available to women today. Once I got past my expectation that they were going to be moguls I found it quite enjoyable.

LibriVox.org Total running time: 13:52:29