An interesting story about a tragic figure in American history, this book lays out the biography of Benedict Arnold, one of the most notorious names iAn interesting story about a tragic figure in American history, this book lays out the biography of Benedict Arnold, one of the most notorious names in American history, from his childhood until his death. A hero early in the American Revolution, had he either not switched sides or had the British won the war, his story would be vastly different.
While I did learn many things about Arnold and his life, I'm not sure there was really enough for a 7 hr audiobook. Many scenes were clearly expanded to be able to get this to a book length but those scenes, IMO, didn't really add anything to the overall story.
The narrator, Mark Bramhall, does a good job.
For sensitive readers like myself, I warn that there are some fairly graphic descriptions of some battles. I fast forwarded through a couple of them because it was a bit much for me. ...more
Wow, what a ride this was. Fast-paced, action-filled, and an intriguing premise that keeps you guessing. And the ending! I did not see that coming. AnWow, what a ride this was. Fast-paced, action-filled, and an intriguing premise that keeps you guessing. And the ending! I did not see that coming. And now I need there to be a book 4.
Bronson Pinchot does a fabulous job narrating. ...more
A fantastic short story with everything I love about Ms. Jones’s writing—fast-paced, witty dialogue, and great characters. I hope she writes more abouA fantastic short story with everything I love about Ms. Jones’s writing—fast-paced, witty dialogue, and great characters. I hope she writes more about Andrea & Sebastian....more
I admit that it took me much longer than normal to work my way through this book. There are some heavy scenes and I needed to pace myself and interspeI admit that it took me much longer than normal to work my way through this book. There are some heavy scenes and I needed to pace myself and intersperse the heaviness with some lighter reading. This has been a challenging year and it shows in my reading speed. But that doesn't detract from what an amazing story this is.
I was immediately sucked into this world, alternating between Eve's story during WWI and Charlie's post-WWII story. Both women are captivating. Ms. Quinn has definitely created two incredible heroines. These are the kind of characters I love to read about. Characters who are so real, with strengths and weaknesses, that you'd think this was a non-fiction book about real people.
And the way she wove and interlinked the stories was just incredible. It's not easy to write alternating POVs in alternative timelines. One or the other often doesn't work, much less to try to attempt both. Kate Quinn made it look simple. And it worked beautifully.
This is definitely a must-read story. 4.5 stars....more
The third book in the Spook Squad series did not disappoint. Fast-paced action, more character development, and more answers to the overarching plot. The third book in the Spook Squad series did not disappoint. Fast-paced action, more character development, and more answers to the overarching plot. I again finished this one in one day. The only downside is this is it. This book clearly is the set-up for the big showdown (view spoiler)[sister versus brother (hide spoiler)] . . . but that will apparently never happen. I will also note that parts of this story did feel compressed and rushed as if Ms. Arthur was trying to get it done in a hurry. Given that this series was shelved for other projects, I'm guessing that it probably was rushed.
Overall a fantastic series. I would love to read more as I like this series a bit more than the Riley Jensen Guardian series. It's just too bad that Ms. Arthur didn't have time for it.
This is the second book in the Spook Squad series and wow, I was not disappointed, again finishing the book in one day. This book is well written, nicThis is the second book in the Spook Squad series and wow, I was not disappointed, again finishing the book in one day. This book is well written, nicely paced, and has great character development.
The story picks up from where the first book left off. Like the first book, the main story plot has a resolution, but the overarching mystery about Sam continues. And again, the world building is minimal, but as Sam learns more about her past, we are given more clues to the world of 2047.
As I mentioned in the review for the first book, this series was not meant to be a trilogy, but there are only three books and according to various sources, Ms. Arthur has commented that while she had plans to do a fourth book, it got pushed aside for her other series and she now has no plans to return to the Spook Squad. So I will be diving into the third book with some apprehension since I'm not sure all the questions about Sam will be answered. ...more
Because I enjoyed Ms. Arthur's Riley Jensen Guardian series, I picked up this one. And wow, this book starts off strong and doesn't stop. It was such Because I enjoyed Ms. Arthur's Riley Jensen Guardian series, I picked up this one. And wow, this book starts off strong and doesn't stop. It was such a fun read that I finished it in one day.
The world building is a bit minimal. Ms. Arthur teases a backstory of a previous war some 50-years ago that apparently brought to light the existence of paranormals. But she doesn't go too much in depth about the history or the various species (and their abilities). This world also has a fair bit of technology and is apparently set sometime in the future (view spoiler)[because of the computer/"com-units," clones, and apparently brain transplants. (hide spoiler)] I'm guessing as the story continues so will the world building. But the lack of world building in no way hampers the story. While it would have been nice to have more context, particularly of the history, I found that there was enough to understand the current story plot.
The character development is also on the minimal-side. But again, that in no way hampers the story. Ms. Arthur nicely brings out aspects of both the main characters' backstories just enough to keep you intrigued and wanting more. I liked both Sam and Gabriel. Both were strong characters but had evident weaknesses. I also appreciated that there was no romantic storyline (view spoiler)[although a secondary character (Mary) claimed that she saw some kind of connection. (hide spoiler)]. I liked the fact that for once the main male and female character had no romantic connection, no sizzle, no sex. Don't get me wrong, I like a good romance too. But in urban fantasy, it seems that the romance is always dominating the story. And for once, this one focused on the espionage and intrigue over any possible romance. Maybe that will change in book 2, but it was refreshing for once to not have to suffer through two people who *just* met falling over with sexual chemistry.
The big downside is that there are only 3 books and this was not meant to be a trilogy. Apparently, at one time, there were plans for book 4, but Ms. Arthur's other series took priority and this one was shunted to the side. And now, according to various sources, too much time has passed and Ms. Arthur has lost the pacing and feel for the characters. Too bad because this was a fantastic start to what could've been a fun series. ...more
I wanted to love this book—world-traveling librarian/spies, dragons, faw, magic, steampunk elements, alternate worlds + books & and "invisible" librarI wanted to love this book—world-traveling librarian/spies, dragons, faw, magic, steampunk elements, alternate worlds + books & and "invisible" library? All the things I love. But sadly, I'm at best indifferent. This book failed to grab me. In fact, several times I had to make myself pick it back. It took me far longer to finish it than it should have.
While I love the premise of this book, I found several key problems. First, I found the characters very one-dimensional. Even the main character Irene and the "villain" Alberich were blah. Some of this was simple lack of character development. Backstories were scarce. I get that some of that was to create an air of mystery, but that failed. Some of this had to do with the writing. Despite a lot of words used to describe the characters and the world, I still had trouble seeing them and I certainly couldn't connect to them. The writing was sterile, almost perfunctory—no beauty, no flow that makes a world and characters come alive. And then there was no clear distinction between one character and the next. They all felt the same, talking and reacting similarly, and at times unbelievable (view spoiler)[ a villain who no one else has been able to best and yet a junior librarian rather easily does? (hide spoiler)] Alberich fulfilled every villain trope there is and at the end wasn't the scary villain that the book had tried to build him up to be.
Second, there was a lack of world-building. I don't mind being dropped into a story with minimal to no explanation of the world. And I get that this "world" was dealing with an infinite number alternate worlds (in that each alternate world would be different), but there still is an overarching world that at some point, the world has to be explained. The explanation given was rather scant and incomplete. There was even little explained about the Library itself. Some answers were provided in the last few chapters, but the way it was delivered was again almost perfunctory.
Finally, the action fell flat. It was clumsy and boring. Part of that could be because the book itself is confused—is it a detective story? A fantasy/steampunk story? A spy thriller? There were elements of each, but none were adequately developed. And again, the perfunctory, sterile writing contributed to this.
Overall, this book clearly screamed "DEBUT NOVEL" as it suffered from all the first-time novel problems. It is a series, so I may try the second one just to see if anything (hopefully) improves because there is potential and I really do love the premise....more
2.5 stars, but because up I really liked Ms. Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series, I too rounded up.
Etiquette and Espionage did not quite work for m2.5 stars, but because up I really liked Ms. Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series, I too rounded up.
Etiquette and Espionage did not quite work for me. The rhythm of this book felt off to me, and the humor didn't work either. While I was intrigued of the plot-a finishing school that teaches intelligent gathering, the story didn't quite sell it for me. On the whole, it was rather boring. I had to push myself to finish this book. You hear finishing school that teaches espionage and you expect exciting things. This came across as any young teenage girl starting any new school. Occasionally techniques are mentioned about gathering intelligence and there's a werewolf teaching weapons. But that's it. Nothing exciting happens short of the opening scene and the ending scene. Even the steampunk aspects are minimal.
I considered that maybe because the main character was so young I just didn't connect- but I had no problems engaging in the early Harry Potter books. So, this one just fell flat for me. I felt the plot, which was rather weak, dragged out longer than needed without providing any real information (view spoiler)[ about who wanted the prototype, why Monica was seemingly double-crossing the school, any info on the various parties' motives, or any set-up as to how this prototype might play into the drama of the next book. (hide spoiler)]. Maybe more will be developed in the next book, but this story didn't even set the stage for anything other than she goes back to the school. And frankly, I doubt I'll read it.