I’m at AudioGals today reviewing My Lady Notorious by Jo Beverley, narrated by Alison Larkin. I enjoyed this one but have reservations about the performance of Rothgar.
Category: audiobooks (Page 80 of 93)
Why I read it: This was an Audible 2-for-1 sale recently so it cost me half a credit (or about $5.50). I loved To Say Nothing of the Dog (scroll down for my brief review) and I’d heard this was funny, with a little romance too.
What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Pop culture, chaos theory and matters of the heart collide in this unique novella from the Hugo and Nebula winning author of Doomsday Book.
Sandra Foster studies fads and their meanings for the HiTek corporation. Bennet O’Reilly works with monkey group behavior and chaos theory for the same company. When the two are thrust together due to a misdelivered package and a run of seemingly bad luck, they find a joint project in a flock of sheep. But series of setbacks and disappointments arise before they are able to find answers to their questions.
What worked for me (and what didn’t): Oh, this book was so much fun! I don’t know really that it is properly categorised as science fiction – it’s more science geek but there’s no time travel or alien technology. The book is firmly grounded in the 1990s. In some ways it is a kind of fairy tale, but what it mostly is it fascinating and laugh out loud funny.
Why I read it: I received a copy of the audiobook as a gift.
What it’s about: (from Goodreads) A glittering French aristocrat is on the run, disguised as a British governess. England’s top spy has a score to settle with her family. But as they’re drawn inexorably into the intrigue and madness of Revolutionary Paris, they gamble on a love to which neither of them will admit.
What worked for me (and what didn’t): I briefly reviewed the print version of this book back in March 2011.
I said then:
I’ve had this one on my TBR for ages and I really don’t know what took me so long to read it. However, inspired by the DABWAHA tournament, I decided to pick it up. I’m very glad I did. This is kind of a prequel to Bourne’s first book, The Spymaster’s Lady. Set shortly after the revolution in France, it follows the story of English spy Doyle and French aristocrat Marguerite. Bourne has such a wonderful touch with prose. You can tell when the point of view is from an Englishman or a Frenchwoman – there’s just something in the way the words are placed which make it obvious. And her phrasing, the pictures painted with words are just beautiful. Here’s a couple I particularly noted:
She could become lost in this man, in territories of amazement, countries of sensation.
and
She did not rush to fill the silence up, in case LeBreton might have a use for it.
The connection between the characters, how they related to one another and saw through one another and did not jump to misplaced conclusions about one another was refreshing and much appreciated. At the start of the book, both the hero and heroine are pretending to be someone else – but rather than making it the obvious “Big Mis” story, Ms. Bourne told another (and much more satisfying) tale. I was so inspired, afterwards, I went and read The Spymaster’s Lady again and then I ordered My Lord & Spymaster too. When I checked the author’s website, I was happy to see that Adrian’s story is coming out later this year. I’m very much looking forward to his story – we meet Justine (his lady) in The Forbidden Rose.
I’m over at AudioGals today with a review of Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur, narrated by Tamara Lovatt-Smith. It wasn’t terribly successful but I mostly put that down to it being the abridged version. I think the full version would likely have made much more sense. Frankly, I think the abridgement broke the book.
I’m reviewing Take Me Under by Rhyannon Byrd, narrated by Aletha George today over at AudioGals. This is a book I ranted about on Twitter when I was listening to it. I don’t have many positive things to say about it I’m afraid.
I’m over at AudioGals today with a review of Nora Roberts’ latest romantic suspense: The Collector, narrated by Julia Whelan. I enjoyed the narration but unfortunately the story didn’t reach the heights of The Witness or The Search.
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