Meh... Followed by copious eye-rolls

[this review has possible slight spoilers]

I didn't quite finish this one. By the end I was rolling my eyes every couple of minutes and inwardly cringing at the predictable, pedestrian, and slightly juvenile plot-lines. To clarify, the actual plot of the story is pretty solid and in keeping with the series. It's the subplots & general believably that had me cringing. The way our "protagonist" is supposed to be, at once, a womanizing ladies man & coldhearted tactical killer AND overly sympathetic and self-righteous just couldn't hold water for me. Apparently he can sleep with another woman twice in a row, then convince you to "c'mon" and commit treason with him...

Most notably though, the author has logical fallacies here based on his own world-building. When we first see the shock sticks, the protagonist makes note that they have no readouts on them, just two buttons. Later, he references a power/charge readout. Aside from that we are constantly shown that upon revival there's a little while where your mind is a fog and your body basically doesn't work... And yet, somehow, our superhuman protag is able to defeat two fully capable soldiers in hand to hand combat moments after being revived. and then subsequently convince those two soldiers bent on killing him that they should work together AGAIN, in only about three sentences.

I just can't with this book. I'm really starting to dislike the main character, in all the wrong ways. I won't even start on what this writer apparently thinks makes women tick. His female characters are so naive it's painful.

I started this series because I accidentally bought book 8 first and figured I'd just start at the beginning. But I'm not sure if i'm gonna make it...

10 people found this helpful

Dying isn’t enough this time

Now that earth has become enforcers for the Galactic Empire in this part of the universe Specialist James McGill and Legion Varus have been assigned guard duty on a High Tech Planet called Tau Ceti, better known appropriately as Tech World; but even before they can embark on their mission some political infighting and McGill’s uncontrollable need to express his opinion lands him in trouble again.
Once matters are somewhat settled McGill and Legion Varus ship out for Tau Ceti where dying isn’t enough this time as the mercenaries must cope with greed and corruption on a planetary scale. As usual McGill will take it upon himself to make choices and decisions that could affect all of humanity as possible big changes concerning the entire Galactic Empire are coming to light.
B.V Larson’s main concept of re-growing bodies and retrieving memory leads to some interesting sub-plots in this latest installment in his series. From previous books we have learned that there are rules set in place regarding “Re-growths.” A person must be verified to be deceased before a new grow can occur to prevent multiples of the same person for instance, and if one does not die over the years it is recommended that the data banks be updated so a person doesn’t come back looking ten or fifteen years younger; both of these scenarios are explored in this book.
The narrator, Mark Boyett, gives another good performance and I look forward to the next book.

21 people found this helpful

Fun story but left me irritated

Performance. Mark Boyett did a fantastic job and I enjoyed his narration.

Story: This is an extension of the series, which I have enjoyed so far. Throughout the series McGill has done some crazy stuff. He is a troublemaker, a virtual slave to his passions, and a generally heart-of-gold type guy.

This installment was just as good as the previous two, and the first 2/3 of the book was great.

The last 1/3 really illustrates how much a slave to his passions McGill is. He follows his personal code and emotional state without looking back.

Without spoilers I'll just say that, in the previous books, he puts his own welfare on the line to help others, and convinces his friends to help when needed. In this installment he begins putting the lives and welfare of others on the line without their consent. It turned me off to his character. I don't know that it's inconsistent with the previous McGill, but I think it's certainly illustrative of a protagonist I'm no longer interested in.

I doubt I'll be buying the next installment.

15 people found this helpful

Action packed with McGill still causing trouble.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Indeed. This was a can't put down epic continuation on this story. The characters are well done. Story outstanding. A unique scifi setting. No typical romantic love with a not so expected final outcome. Its just keeps going and going into craziness and I found myself not wanting it to end.

What did you like best about this story?

The story just kept evolving. So many twists. So many things, I didn't expect. How it just got more insane, more crazy, more on the edge of everything going to crap. Only for McGill to push it even further with is crazy thoughts or just running his mouth. As the listener, I started feeling as if he should stop or just shut up to avoid further madness. Ha.

What about Mark Boyett’s performance did you like?

Mark Boyett is pure gold. His narration is always amazing. Voices are well done and near perfect tones that you can feel as hes telling the story. If I see his name on anything, I immediately check it out.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

As I listened to this epic tale, I found myself having those, "I can't believe he just said that". Even feeling in shock or just paranoid of what might happen next. Many outbursts of laughs due McGills crazy actions. Which happened quite a bit.

Any additional comments?

If you like scfi, guns, aliens, a great story, military combat, all with a not typical main character. This story is for you. Run and get it now.

11 people found this helpful

Self righteous yadayada

Main character is always right everybody else is always wrong. Main character is brave everybody else isn't. Main character is a self righteous moron who does not act like a mercenary at any point in time. He puts a higher priority on his own morality then the safety of his friends and comrades. Disagrees with every order he gets and never gets disciplined. The world the author built is very compelling. I like how it is built. But I hate the main character. I dont agree with anything he does ever. I hope the author kills this character off other wise I'm done with this series.

10 people found this helpful

What is wrong with me? I love this series!

I am a 70 year old with 14 grandchildren and love this series. Maybe it is the fact that I have all these youngsters around that helps me think "why not?" Or, maybe it is just a good story written well. Keeps me listening intently all the way through and cheering for the good guys. I'll finish one, say no more and then turn around and buy more. When will this end? Oh, geez, Larson has lots more for me to listen to...yea!

10 people found this helpful

I tried..

The first two book were barely okay. I tried the 9th cause it was on sale. It was painful. This one i could not get into. Just not my style.

Boyett is okay.

2 people found this helpful

Way to ruin a good story

I really enjoyed the first two books in the series, but when the character shows no growth, and the writer relies too heavily on Deus Ex Machina it really ruins a story. I do not really have a problem with the character's attitude towards women that seems to irk many other listeners, but do have a one with all the nonsensical decisions by all the characters - most especially McGill. Such a shame really, I really had hoped for the kind of story that would keep me hooked for years.

2 people found this helpful

McGill is such a screw up

why haven't they permed him yet. humanity would probably live at least another 100 years

2 people found this helpful

Hard to stay interested

I found myself needing to take more breaks than usual during this one. I have officially lost interest in the series. I may pick it up again down the road but I need something different. The story is interesting and has potential but there is too much that doesn't make any military sense and the frequent "making love" with everything and everyone is a little to Star Trek for my liking in a book series.

2 people found this helpful