I really enjoyed the audiobook, although I wasn't happy about it being abridged. The format lent itself well to abridgment and I don't think it suffer...moreI really enjoyed the audiobook, although I wasn't happy about it being abridged. The format lent itself well to abridgment and I don't think it suffered much from it. I'm pleased it wasn't a tongue-in-cheek cheesy story along the lines of Shaun Of The Dead or Zombieland. Max Brooks is a good storyteller and I was well entertained. I especially appreciate that his military references were accurate and I didn't have to give him any mulligans there. Zombies(like vampires) have been played out in pop culture, so I was in no hurry to read this book from zombie fatigue. However, I was motivated when it came up as a possible selection for our next book for The Sword and Laser group here on Goodreads, and I was in. (less)
This audiobook was a bit hard to follow at times, especially when the language got poetic. I did like the narration and perspective it was told from....moreThis audiobook was a bit hard to follow at times, especially when the language got poetic. I did like the narration and perspective it was told from. I'm wondering how much of this book was setting up the rest of the series. I noticed on Audible that Shadow got the lowest ratings while the rest of the series was rated significantly higher. I also heard the audiobook would be more difficult to consume than a printed version. And who knows how much of Wolfe's writing just plain went over my head? I find it intriguing that this was published back in 1980, it doesn't come across as something written that long ago to me.(less)
This is a really fun book. The story moved along at a brisk pace with plenty of twists and turns. After listening to Tom Merritt on countless podcasts...moreThis is a really fun book. The story moved along at a brisk pace with plenty of twists and turns. After listening to Tom Merritt on countless podcasts over the years I think I have a bit of a feel for his personality, it was fun to see it coming through in this story. Mostly I'd say this is a Sci-Fi thriller, with some humor mixed in and a dash of hard boiled style to it. Merritt did a good job with the narration of the audio book. The mistakes in his reading were minor and easily forgivable. It's free for download on his blog, so whaddaya want, huh? (view spoiler)[I especially like the inclusion of Lake Merritt at the end of the book. I thought this was made up by the author, but such a lake actually exists in Oakland. (hide spoiler)] This was a quick listen/read and definitely worth checking out, very enjoyable.(less)
I have mixed feelings about this book. It was slow at first and took a while to pick up the pace, also difficult to follow at times. The world in the...moreI have mixed feelings about this book. It was slow at first and took a while to pick up the pace, also difficult to follow at times. The world in the story was unique and interesting, with some thoughtful concepts. What I didn't like was the lack of sympathetic characters. There were only two people in the book who were likable and one was killed off way too early. There are a couple of violent scenes that are unnecessarily explicit in their sexual detail that could have gotten the point across in a more reserved manner. There was also a section of the book with prolific use of the f-bomb, which was also unnecessary. This book had great potential that I think was unrealized. I'm not sure I would recommend it other than to satisfy your curiosity.(less)
I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this book as much as I did. I expected not to finish it, but gave it a try for the Sword and Laser group(htt...moreI was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this book as much as I did. I expected not to finish it, but gave it a try for the Sword and Laser group(http://bit.ly/I6NusA). I think Mark Bramhall's narration really made this audiobook work for me. I can see how many people didn't like the story, but I think the audio conveyed the humor and pastiche of J.K. Rowling and C.S. Lewis without coming across as mean-spirited. A line was danced around and crossed once or twice, but overall inoffensive to me in that regard. I also got a Terry Pratchett vibe from some of the humor, which was quite ridiculous at times. The story was interesting, funny, tragic, and Grossman's use of language was pleasing to listen to. I plan on listening to The Magician King in the future.(less)
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