Josh

Was underwhelming

Reviewed: 09-04-24

I found this series after seeing a Facebook reel from the author. I listened to the sample and liked the narrator, so I got the book. Have to say, I was underwhelmed with the story. it was a slow burn, and not really fast-paced like the synopsis claims. The story is definitely an interesting retelling, however I don't feel like Virio deserved a redemption arc. He was what drove Jerob mad by having an affair with his wife and then trying to spirit her away. He was rightfully a villain from the beginning, and Jerob had a much more compelling reason to turn from evil as he stated pretty much in his first chapter that he was against the taxes. He was never a villain, but a reluctant scapegoat doing what his cousin wanted, and was against it from the beginning. He only became a villain after he was driven mad by Virio and his actions. he is a tragic villain driven mad by those taking advantage of his state if mind. Jerob dying at the end to Virio is unsatisfying because Jerob was never a villain that deserved that fate. It makes Virio feel even more undeserving of a redemption by having him kill the guy he drive mad out of misguided revenge.

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Pretty Good

Reviewed: 04-22-21

I love the concept, and the story is great. The narrator, while not great at doing male voices, was definitely good, and varied the girl's voices enough that there was no monotony in listening. My only real issue is the orgy scene. The first time Violet and Jerry have sex, it felt natural. The build up between them since they met and the constant sneaking around helped build a believable tension between them that culminated in them having sex. But the orgy scene had zero build up. Jerry created the other two animal girls, names them, and then they aren't mentioned again until the orgy. The scene just felt put of place. No build up, no tension, not even a plot point to further. The girls surprise him, massage him, have sex with him, and then disappear when he showers after. And Violet is the only one really mentioned again after that scene. It kinda feels like the scene was added just to create another sex scene for the book.

Overall, I love the book. Its not overly exotic or explicit, and, aside from the orgy scene, doesn't have any issues with flow or story development. I'm eagerly awaiting books 2 and 3 to make it to audible. I just hope the future books don't have randomly added sex scenes just for filler.

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2 people found this helpful

Don't bother with it.

Reviewed: 09-25-18

I couldn't even make it through the first chapter of this book. The title is interesting, and would make for a great book, if it weren't for the author's preconceived notions of language. He takes a very literal approach to language, and doesn't seem to believe that body language, the act of communicating without words, isn't a thing. The first story told is about a grandfather getting bit by a rattlesnake and how, despite the daughter vividly remembering the snake shaking it's rattle, the snake did not give a warning, as a warning requires language. Any herpetologist that knows snakes can tell you that snakes use body language to communicate, as do most animals, including people. Language is not just something that requires speech, as the author seems to believe. The rest of the book could be quite good, but, unfortunately, I will never know because I can't make it past the author's notion that body language doesn't exist.

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52 people found this helpful

All other narrators can go home

Reviewed: 08-10-18

The third in the series, I couldn't wait, and ending up buying the book. It was a purchase well made. Just like the first two, this one had my attention from start to finish. And the Narrator has cemented himself as my favorite. He has set such a high bar that I find myself wishing for his narration on other audio books. This series is amazing, and as soon as I finish a fee more books, I'm definitely going back to listen to them.

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Another high bar for narration

Reviewed: 08-10-18

After finishing the first book, I had to wait to get the second on my free credit. But this was worth the wait. Once again, the narrator did a phenomenal job, firmly placing the bar into the top spot for me. Just like the first book, this one had me from the first word to the last. Never a dull moment. Never felt like I had to slog through boring bits. Never felt like a chore. This series has become a favorite, and I'm definitely going to be listening to them again.

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Gold Standard for Narration

Reviewed: 08-10-18

This was my first book on audible. First audio book in general, at that. However, the Eisenhorn books came highly recommended, and they did not disappoint. From start to finish, this book had my attention, to the point I sometimes had to stop listening because I forgot what I was doing, which isn't good when you're driving. The Narrator set a very high bar for me. He was perfect, and having now listened to several other audio books, I find myself wishing he had narrated them. As it was for me, I Highly recommend this book, and even this series, to anyone that loves scifi.

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Eddie Redmayne was perfect

Reviewed: 08-10-18

After watching the movie, I came to love Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander. Him narrating made this much better. Narration aside, I didn't know what to expect when I got the book. I hadn't read it before, so I wasn't prepared for essentially a bestiary written by Newt. I am a zoologist by trade, so a bestiary is still very entertaining for me. Just be aware that, if you're not familiar with the book, that it's not the story you saw in the movie. And aside from a preface that linked to the movie, you won't get any of that action here.

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