Fiction – Page 2 – Everything Is Better With Dragons

TBR Audiobook Review: Monstrous Regiment, by Terry Pratchett

Narrated by: Katherine Parkinson, Bill Nighy, Peter Serafinowicz
Series: Discworld, Book 31, Discworld: Industrial Revolution, Book 3
Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 23-02-23
Language: English
Publisher: Penguin Audio

Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

The audiobook of Monstrous Regiment is narrated by Katherine Parkinson, star of The IT Crowd and Here We Go. BAFTA and Golden Globe award-winning actor Bill Nighy (Love Actually; Pirates of the Caribbean; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) reads the footnotes, and Peter Serafinowicz (Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace; Shaun of the Dead) stars as the voice of Death. Featuring a new theme tune composed by James Hannigan.

‘THAT’S THE TROUBLE ABOUT THE GOOD GUYS AND THE BAD GUYS! THEY’RE ALL GUYS!’

In the small yet aggressive country of Borogravia, there are strict rules citizens must follow. For a start, women belong in the kitchen – not in jobs, pubs, or indeed trousers. And certainly not on the front line.

Polly Perks has to become a boy in a hurry if she wants to find her missing brother in the army. Cutting off her hair and wearing the trousers is easy. Going to war however, is not.

Polly and her fellow raw recruits are suddenly in the thick of a losing battle. All they have on their side is the most artful sergeant in the army and a vampire with a lust for coffee.

It’s time to make a stand.

The first book in the Discworld series-The Colour of Magic-was published in 1983. Some elements of the Discworld universe may reflect this.

My Review

I always enjoyed this book, right from the first time I read it when the hardback came out. Terry Pratchett took on gender in this novel and questioned everything. He acknowledged the complexities of gender and explores the attitudes of societies that have very strict gender roles and hierarchies.

Polly Parks is a barman’s daughter in Borogravia, and she needs to find her brother. He went off to war and nothing has been heard of him since. She joins a regiment, the cheese mongers, who are led by Sergeant Jack Jackrum, a legend in the army. The squad – a few humans, a troll, a vampire, a dodgy, political, corporal and the ebullient sergeant Jackrum – are the very last of Borogravia’s army recruits.

We also see Vimes and the Watch in their diplomatic roles.

I happen to love this book, and this edition of the audiobook is really good. Kathrine Parkinson is a good narrator. I’m not sure about some of the pronunciation but I managed to get into it and really enjoyed it.

TBR Audiobook Reviews: The Wizard/Rincewind – Discworld books, by Terry Pratchett – New Penguin Audio editions

Narrated by: Colin Morgan, Peter Serafinowicz, Bill Nighy
Release date: 07-07-22

Rincewind, and by extension the faculty of Unseen University, have a lot of adventures, fight all sorts of monsters, sometimes with a half-brick in a sock, and visit the far corners of the Disc.

Rincewind goes off to the both the Counterweight Continent and Fourecks, as well as over the edge of the Disc. He meets the Discs first tourist, the Discs greatest hero, a kid with amazing magical skills and another without any, some very tall ladies, a strange kangaroo, and plays football. In the process we see the way the University changes as an institution, and the social developments in Ankh-Morpork.

Some of the books were written in the early years of the Discworld, so there are attitudes that reflect that. Terry Pratchett was always trying to be a better person and you can see his social attitudes changing over the course of the novels, but the Rincewind/Wizards books are heavily weighted towards his early years. There is a massive improvement in his writing skills and his social conscience between The Colour of Magic and Unseen Academicals. There are legitimate criticisms of the orientalism in Interesting Times, and the treatment of women in The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic. I highly recommend The Truth Shall Make Ye Fret podcast for discussions about this.

Colin Morgan isn’t bad as a narrator, but his voices for Rincewind and some of the wizards are wrong. Sorry, they just are. I prefer Steven Briggs’ versions.

TBR Audiobook Reviews: The Death/Susan Discworld books

Narrated by: Sian Clifford, Peter Serafinowicz, Bill Nighy
Release date: 27-10-22

Death and then his granddaughter Susan StoHelit have a series of adventures across the Discworld, narrated by Sian Clifford, who also narrated Hogfather. I reviewed that one and the Witches books last May.

Sian Clifford isn’t too bad as a narrator and Peter Serafinowicz has a good DEATH voice. Bill Nighy’s footnotes are delivered in a deadpan tone that works well. I enjoyed the stories; I haven’t read them for a long time, so these books were a lovely reminder of how much I enjoyed them the first time around. I think I enjoyed some of them more now, because I read most of them as a teenager, and that was a while ago, given that I’m 40 in less than 4 weeks.

The development of Death and Susan as characters is particularly obvious if you listen to the books in order. By this I mean that Terry Pratchett was obviously developing the characters and the Discworld over time, and that the characters grew as people. Death becomes more human as he interacts with people, and Susan starts to understand her nature better. Their relationship also develops from almost disbelief to an uneasy alliance.

We also get to see The Sweeper in action and Albert doing something other than frying a pudding. If you don’t know who these people are, I highly recommend reading/listening to these books. Well worth it.

TBR Audiobook Review: The Truth, by Terry Pratchett

By: Terry Pratchett
Narrated by: Mathew Baynton, Bill Nighy, Peter Serafinowicz
Series: Discworld: Industrial Revolution, Book 2, Discworld, Book 25
Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 23-02-23
Language: English
Publisher: Penguin Audio

Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

The audiobook of The Truth is narrated by Mathew Baynton, star of Ghosts, Yonderland and Horrible Histories. BAFTA and Golden Globe award-winning actor Bill Nighy (Love Actually; Pirates of the Caribbean; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) reads the footnotes, and Peter Serafinowicz (Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace; Shaun of the Dead) stars as the voice of Death. Featuring a new theme tune composed by James Hannigan.

‘A lie can run round the world before the truth can get its boots on.’

William de Worde has somehow found himself editor of Ankh-Morpork’s first newspaper. Well, with a name like that…

Launched into the world of investigative journalism, alongside reporter Sacharissa Cripslock, William soon learns that the news is a risky business. For a start, his colleagues include a band of axe-wielding dwarfs and a recovering vampire with a life-threatening passion for flash photography.

It’s a big news week: the most powerful man in the city has been arrested, leaving Ankh-Morpork without a leader. And a dangerous criminal organisation will do anything to control the story…

The Discworld novels can be read in any order but The Truth is a standalone.

The first book in the Discworld series—The Colour of Magic—was published in 1983. Some elements of the Discworld universe may reflect this.

My Review

I’ve been listening to all of the new Penguin editions of the Discworld books and I’ve finally got around to reviewing one this year. I listened to The Truth over the last couple of days. I will probably be writing reviews over the next few weeks for all of the audiobooks I’ve listened to from the new Penguin editions. It may take some time.

I enjoyed this new edition of The Truth. I like the story anyway, but it was interesting to hear someone else’s interpretation of the characters. Mathew Baynton used slightly different emphasis on occasion which gave different interpretations to the sentences.

Mr Pin reminds me of the joking impressions of David Beckham – that squeaky voice and slightly ignorant tone. It definitely fits him as a character. I still don’t like the way these Penguin editions have characterised Drumknott, though. He’s been given a sibilant tone to his accent, like a snakes hiss. I think it’s a misinterpretation of the character.

Generally, I still prefer the Stephen Briggs editions, but this one is acceptable listening.

Audiobook Review: The Dying Season, by Rachel Amphlett

The Dying Season(Detective Kay Hunter crime thriller series Book 12)

Imprint:                      Saxon Publishing
Publication date:       12 February 2023
Availability:               Worldwide
ISBN eBook:             978-1915231-12-3
ISBN paperback:      978-1915231-10-9
ISBN large print:       978-1915231-11-6
ISBN audiobook:       978-1915231-13-0

When a man is shot at point blank range outside an isolated country pub, Kay Hunter is thrust into one of the most dangerous cases of her career.

As personal and political disputes threaten to undermine her efforts to track down the killer, Kay’s investigation is complicated further when her superiors elect to coordinate the subsequent manhunt themselves.

Uncovering a covert trade in outlawed weapons and faced with witnesses too scared to talk, Kay will have to do everything in her power to stop the killer and prevent another tragedy.

Except this time, one of her team is in the direct line of fire…

The Dying Season is the 12th book in the Detective Kay Hunter series by USA Today bestselling author Rachel Amphlett, and perfect for readers who love fast-paced crime thrillers.

Audiobook review: Fevered Star, by Rebecca Roanhorse

Fevered Star (Between Earth and Sky #2) by Rebecca Roanhorse

Narrated by Christian Barillas, Nicole Lewis, Darrell Dennis, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Cora Gee

Return to The Meridian with New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Roanhorse’s sequel to the most critically hailed epic fantasy of 2020 Black Sun—finalist for the Hugo, Nebula, Lambda, and Locus awards.

There are no tides more treacherous than those of the heart. —Teek saying

The great city of Tova is shattered. The sun is held within the smothering grip of the Crow God’s eclipse, but a comet that marks the death of a ruler and heralds the rise of a new order is imminent.

The Meridian: a land where magic has been codified and the worship of gods suppressed. How do you live when legends come to life, and the faith you had is rewarded?

As sea captain Xiala is swept up in the chaos and currents of change, she finds an unexpected ally in the former Priest of Knives. For the Clan Matriarchs of Tova, tense alliances form as far-flung enemies gather and the war in the heavens is reflected upon the earth.

And for Serapio and Naranpa, both now living avatars, the struggle for free will and personhood in the face of destiny rages. How will Serapio stay human when he is steeped in prophecy and surrounded by those who desire only his power? Is there a future for Naranpa in a transformed Tova without her total destruction?

Welcome back to the fantasy series of the decade in Fevered Star—book two of Between Earth and Sky

Audiobook Review: The Lord of The Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien, Narrated by Andy Serkis

I don’t need to introduce LOTR; by now everyone has heard of this book, read it or watched the films. You might even be watching Rings of Power on Amazon Prime. I have a rather large Tolkien collection, different editions of LOTR and The Hobbit, a couple of copies of The Silmarillion and a few of Tolkien’s other works. The collection isn’t as large as my Discworld/Pratchett collection, but it’s not bad.

Last September new audiobooks, narrated by Andy Serkis, who played Gollum in The Hobbit and LOTR films, were released. I only found out earlier this year. Obviously, I had to add them to my collection.

I like Andy Serkis. He’s an excellent narrator. His familiarity with the story and characters is obvious. He provides each one with a distinctive voice, showing their characteristics, and bringing the story to life. Reading LOTR can sometimes be a slog, but listening to Serkis read the book is not. He even sings the songs, rather well in my estimation. Highly recommended.

TBR Pile Review/Audiobook Review: The Oleander Sword, by Tasha Suri

Paperback, 512 pages
Published August 16th 2022 by Orbit
ISBN:0316538566 (ISBN13: 9780316538565)
Series
The Burning Kingdoms #2

Audiobook
Published August 16th 2022 by Orbit
ISBN:1668613557 (ISBN13: 9781668613559)

Blurb

“Alluring, action-packed, and gut-wrenching,” (Publishers Weekly, starred review), The Oleander Sword continues Tasha Suri’s acclaimed Burning Kingdoms trilogy, in which a powerful priestess and a vengeful princess will change the fate of an empire.

The prophecy of the nameless god—the words that declared Malini the rightful empress of Parijatdvipa—has proven a blessing and curse. She is determined to claim the throne that fate offered her. But even with rage in her heart and the army of loyal men by her side, deposing her brother is going to be a brutal and bloody fight.

The power of the deathless waters flows through Priya’s blood. Now a thrice born priestess and an Elder of Ahiranya, she dreams of seeing her country rid of the rot that plagues it: both Parijatdvipa’s poisonous rule, and the blooming sickness that is spreading through all living things. But she doesn’t yet understand the truth of the magic she carries.

Their chosen paths once pulled them apart. But Malini and Priya’s souls remain as entwined as their destinies. And saving their kingdom from those who would rather see it burn will come at a terrible price.

Audiobook Review: TARO: Legendary Boy Hero of Japan, by Blue Spruell

Blurb

Tarō is the heroic tale of Japan’s legendary boy samurai. Author Blue Spruell reimagines traditional Japanese folklore in a historical fantasy adventure filled with samurai swords, martial arts, and mythical Japanese creatures from old Japan. . . .

Lost in the mists of Mount Fuji. But no one can escape destiny.

The year is 1596 when samurai warlords fight for control of the Imperial throne. Tarō does not want to be a samurai-like his father, but fate takes a hand when a witch enchants the boy. Gaining supernatural powers, and befriending the magical forest animals of Mount Fuji, Tarō saves a powerful warlord’s life and discovers his destiny—as he hurtles headlong into the total war for ultimate control of Japan.

Audiobook Review: New versions of the Discworld books

I have listened to many Discworld audiobooks, and my favourite narrator is, and will always be, Stephen Briggs. Stephen Briggs was a fan before he was a narrator and it’s possible to tell from listening to his narration. These new editions all have three narrators – a main narrator which changes with the series, Peter Serafinowicz who plays Death, and Bill Nighy as the footnotes.