sb525

Decent overall

Reviewed: 04-11-20

Decent analysis overall. Was going to give 3 stars: minus one star for some cringeworthy lines like “payback’s a b*%#*” — and minus another one for some sweeping generalizations every now and then.

However, the author gained a star back for his hilarious and accurate description of a few of the countries he covered. His disdain for those governments was as poetic as it was unflinching.

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Excellent

Reviewed: 05-16-19

I felt like I was immersed in a high finance vein novel... except this stuff actually happened!

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Only for big SW fans, everyone else should avoid

Reviewed: 03-28-19

To start with the positive: the voice acting was very good. The special effects and sounds were great — made me feel like I was in the story. Very cool!

Now for the bad: almost nothing happens... until the end (~last hour in audible, last few chapters if you’re reading). I kept waiting for something to happen... and waiting... and waiting. Any time now. It almost never came.

Almost the whole story was about the details and procedures of 1) Padme and her team transitioning from Queen of Naboo to Naboo’s senator in the Galactic Republic; and 2) Padme’s first few moves as a senator. It was a big collection of side conversations with her bodyguards/body doubles and senate peers.

Literally almost nothing happened. Joining a senate committee was the defining point of the story. Finally, towards the end, a crisis occurs and Padme swings into action. THIS should have happened much earlier in the story. The visit home to Naboo, for example, was seemingly pointless, as was much of the book.

Part of me is conflicted. This is my first Star Wars book ever. When I read the book’s description, I wasn’t expecting huge battles or light saber duels. But I wasn’t expecting this diary of normal, everyday life as a galactic senator either. But maybe this book (and perhaps others) is to show that not everything in Star Wars is about space battles and galactic wars. Life in the Galactic Republic (even its government) can be mundane and even boring, just like in real life politics on earth.

With that said, more could have been done with this. There is a big gap between the end of this story and the epilogue. I feel like more can be explored there (and if it is, hopefully it’s not as monotonous as this book). Otherwise, it just seems like a waste to leave Padme’s story and experience like this.

Speaking of epilogue: I would be very interested in a potential story/book about what Sabé does in the aftermath...

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Creative story, but annoying main character

Reviewed: 02-01-19

Interesting and creative story! Much better than what the book description portrayed. Unfortunately, the main character was kind of annoying. Don’t get me wrong, I was rooting for her, but her actions and impulses were irritating. Maybe that was an important feature, and she was honest about where she was wrong, but it is what it is I suppose. Otherwise, great story and narration!

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Good, but moves at a glacial pace

Reviewed: 11-26-18

Considering that this was published over a century ago, the overall story is brilliant and ahead of its time. This is, after all, what introduced the vampire concept to the world. That being said, parts of the book are exciting, others interesting, and others extremely boring. Thankfully, the great voice acting kept things going and I was overall glad I experienced this classic.

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Excellent!

Reviewed: 09-26-18

Wonderful historical fiction that grapples with society’s ills... and zombies! The characters are great, and I hope the story continues in a second book! Kudos to Bahni Turpin for excellent narration and accents!

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Woodward knocks it out of the park!

Reviewed: 09-21-18

I already knew this administration was a dumpster fire, but I didn’t need to hear it from Wolff or Omarosa. This work is an indictment of a president from a man who is methodical and professional. It’s as entertaining as it is depressing and infuriating. Vote.

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1 person found this helpful

Excellent!

Reviewed: 08-20-18

At first, the story was slow — and it didn’t help that I didn’t grow up in the 80’s, so I didn’t get the nostalgia bonus that others felt.

However, things picked up and I got hooked! A really interesting plot with several twists. A lot of this was original and well done. The narrator did a good job with the voices and sounds. Really great story overall!

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Fascinating... and scary

Reviewed: 07-26-18

I’ve never binged an audiobook before — until now. I felt like I was listening to a mystery/thriller novel. The stuff Elizabeth Holmes and Sunny Balwani did were ridiculous, absurd, and unbelievable. You truly cannot make this stuff up. I can only hope that those criminals continue to get the book thrown at them. I can’t wait for the film adaptation!

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Brilliant!

Reviewed: 07-22-18

Haven’t binged something like this in awhile. Interesting, entertaining, and thrilling. The writing is easy to follow, but does not lack substance. Well done!

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