BridgeRich

It just was inane, wasn’t it?

Reviewed: 10-18-23

This was terrible. I tried. I really tried. I tried at upwards of 2x speed - didn’t I? - and I couldn’t find any “this is interesting” in this book. The writing was sooooooo beige. The wording was so annoying - wasn’t it? - and overall I could not find anything interesting to compel me to listen to this vapid, devoid of anything interesting, story about literally no one knows (or cares) after two hours in. I have never given up on a book but good lord - this was as if someone read aloud the dictionary about windows and red jars. Just pass unless you have credits to blow.

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2 people found this helpful

Something to be endured…

Reviewed: 10-16-23

It wasn’t a bad book, just not at all that interesting. It was overly detailed in some parts, and complete lacking details in others. Like the “game”, I felt this story was something to be endured and stuck with it hoping it would eventually become interesting and engaging. When it finally started to grab me…it ended. Abruptly. Not as good as I was hoping, based on the rabid reviews.

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I can’t get enough of Max!

Reviewed: 07-01-23

Jodi Taylor’s ability to weave surprises throughout the story - and throughout two different series - is unmatched. I learn something new with every adventure, and absolutely adore the vivid world and layered characters that the book brought to life. The narration, as usual, was absolute perfection. I cannot get enough of this entire series and this latest edition did not disappoint. I plan to go back and reread the preceding installments now that pieces of the puzzle have been revealed and know it will be as much fun as it was the first time.

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I think I missed something…

Reviewed: 05-17-23

This was great for mundane background noise, as the narrator was great, but the book and the characters within in, were confusing, blah and otherwise forgettable. The most interesting part was the editor’s note, which provided some interesting background details on the author. Just not sure what was happening throughout most of this, or how or why it tied together…much like the author herself according to the editor’s note.

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Fantastic, fun, worth every second.

Reviewed: 03-10-23

It’s been a while since a book felt like a craving, and this one for sure made me want more! I loved the author’s use of such perfectly descriptive words. The story was sweet, sad, dynamic and so inclusive. It was easy to fall in love with each of the cast of characters, despite their complexities or “warts”. The narration was perfect; she nailed the different accents and characters and made it easy to fall into the story with her soft, but expressive voice. I am so eager for this to become a series - finding out how everyone continues on in their witchy, magical lives would keep me coming back!

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Meh story; drags out and has painful narration.

Reviewed: 07-01-22

I really, really wanted to like this book. The narration is as everyone has said…terrible. The weird uptick in the inflection after every single word is, well, weird, but also very difficult to listen to. Add to that, the unnecessary “puritanical speak” and thou hast dost a book which I find I cans’t not abide listen to (is that a double negative or no? Because I couldn’t figure it out every time I heard it, but I digress). It was mildly interesting, overly drawn out and detailed in ways in which I doth not care, and basically a major bummer. I got bored at about chapter 9 and read the ending online, but stuck with it because I and stubborn but hopeful, but it mostly confirmed my thoughts that I should have just stopped. Still unclear at which hour there was a witch…

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Great continuation of the first D.O.D.O. book!

Reviewed: 05-03-21

I have been waiting for a follow up in this series and was so excited to see this book pop up! The story continues without missing a beat, and I loved that all the original voice actors read their same parts. Regarding the comments about this being only a reading of memos and written messages between the characters...it’s literally written the exact same way the original book was, so while it might be an unusual format to some, it didn’t even register to me, as that’s just how these books are written. My only minor knock was that the ending felt abrupt, with maybe not all loose ends - and I don’t mean the kind that lead to a third book, but relevant details in this book - completely resolved. That said, I will for sure be on the look out for a third in this series. I absolutely love the characters and how they are written; they remind me of a more “me”, or maybe more American version of the characters in the Chronicles of St. Mary’s, which is a high compliment. Stokes and Max would for sure be friends.

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4 people found this helpful

Glad I stuck with it! Wonderful story!!

Reviewed: 03-28-21

I nearly gave up on this book but am so glad other reviews encouraged readers to stick with it. The way the dialogue is written - mostly one sided with little actual conversation between the characters - was different, but actually grew on me and worked perfectly for this story. One of the sweetest, most redeeming books I’ve listened to in a while. Definitely makes you reconsider how we apply different labels to those deemed different, and how simple compassion and listening can literally change lives.

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Loved the Welsh lilt.

Reviewed: 12-19-20

Great story, and interesting perspective to consider; while powerful, how difficult would it be to communicate if you had no voice? I also loved the narration and the melodic Welsh accent, which can sometimes be difficult to master. Easy listening, easy to follow, and easy to fall into. Can’t wait to see what’s next in the series!

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Painful with no payoff.

Reviewed: 12-10-20

This book was painful and I regret continuing to plow through the slow, tedious, and mind-numbing dialogue. The main characters seemed vapid and and predictable, and the plot was so vague it was hard to really care or become engaged in the book. As others have mentioned, the only halfway interesting scenes occur in the last few chapters, only to have it sputter out with no resolution...unless you start the second book.

It felt like a young adult book written for a fourth-grade reading level; historical fiction with literally no history (since it’s all based on some weird, maybe post-apocalyptic, slightly medieval, kind of European society); a magical fantasy with absolutely no magic.

I have enjoyed reading CJ Archer’s other series, but this one felt like everyone just thought if they took Glass & Steele, but changed a few names, no one would notice. It was beyond predictable, especially since it felt like I literally already read this. I don’t think it will be physically possible for me to continue the series, as it was so painful to endure, which is disappointing since I’ve enjoyed the author’s other works. Do not waste your credits/money or your time.

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2 people found this helpful