Heavy handed but fun action romp

I love a good sci-fi military story, especially when the protagonist has to battle the odds of battalion life, not just the enemy. And stories with well written female main characters are always welcome.

This book ticks all the right boxes, though is very heavy handed in pointing out the misogyny our heroine must battle. And our heroine comes across as a Mary-Sue, with no flaws. It reminds me more of the 80's politic, without any modern nuances. But that's not a terrible thing. My wife loved listening to the book with me during a long drive, so clearly the author is hitting a target audience.

Character development is limited, but the plot kicks along nicely. No surprises. Plenty of fun scenes.

In short, the book is pure pop escapism: enjoyable but unlikely to live in my memory.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Another great read from Mr Daems

C.R. Daems generally writes coming of age stories about girls/women in a science fiction setting. This is my favorite story line and every one of his titles, while following that style is uniquely original.

I bought the eBook and the second in the series and when this came out in audio I bought that too. I have listened to and read this story 3 times in the last six months and eagerly await an audio version of the second in the series and any more in the series Mr Daems intends to write. I have recently found several novels of his that I haven't read and intend to download them shortly.

I applaud the choice of narrator. One of the issues I have is that once I have read a book I have given the characters their own voices so it can be jarring when a narrator goes in another direction with the characters. This performance felt right.

If you like this book I highly recommend his other series and novels some of which are available as audiobooks and some only as eBooks and paperbacks.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

What a great book

This is a fantastic audio book, it combines a great story with an amazing performance. Highly recommend the only problem is you just don't want to stop listening.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

pleasant surprise

initially purchased as I enjoy the narrator and soon found myself finishing the 3 books. not something i would normally choose, but I'm glad I did.
some assignments I struggled with ethically, but that is the nature of the world, and they were dealt with in a seemingly balanced way.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A great Listen

Although this isn't my usual genre, I was absolutely fascinated by the story, drawn in almost immediately and have already purchased the 2nd and 3rd book.
This book is included in the plus catalogue so really you have nothing to lose by giving it a shot and seeing if it hooks you in as well.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Storyline meh

Writing this after listening to the entire series, first of love Emily she is an awesome narrator. As for the books, basic story line was great, concept interesting but lead character while good was missing something.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Absolutely Brilliant

A love a kick ass chick and this book was AMAZING. The story was easy to envisage and I loved the feeling of being there with Jolie. The narrator was able to do so many different voices, it was incredible. I will definitely be listening to other books narrated by Emily Woo Zeller and will be looking for all the books written by CR Daems.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

So damn good!!!

Oh my gosh this!!! I love everything about this book. It grabbed my complete attention 10-15 mins in, and held it for the 90 minute car ride home, the rest of the night and the next morning until I finished it. Special forces/elite military + the delicious introduction and integration of (eastern/non western) philosophical thinking; inner discipline and insight practices; fighting styles of multiple martial arts and context dependent strategic thinking = brilliant!! Add to that a realistic contextualisation and portrayal of a female’s potential capacities and contributions in varying combat contexts…yeah I was impressed! I didn’t experience one instance of ‘oh come on a female would be able to do X in this way but not Y as a man’; nor ‘why is no one in this scenario thinking ahead, stopping to take in the bigger picture, processes and systems at play’; nor ‘uuuhhhh this narrator is killing me but I’ll push through’. Emily Woo Zeller is now on my top 5 narrators list. Love her work!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

high school assignment

I couldn't bring myself to finish the book. Felt like it was written for a high school assignment that received a C-. And the reading was not great. I'm sure Emily is fantastic in other readings but military voicing isn't her thing.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Welcome to hell

Started off very entertaining and exciting. Having such a kickass led women .

Then it was welcome to hell for the sure. It just droned on. So repetitive. It got boring with how good the Fox was at everything 🙄. I couldn't continue on with the series.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!