Rob
Executive Summary: I've now read this book (not sure how many times), and listened to both versions of the audio. It's more like a 4.5 than 4, but I don't get 5 lightly. It's the book that started the Harry Potter series and I don't imagine I need to tell anyone how good those books are.
Jim Dale Audiobook: The first time I did the audiobook version, I did the Jim Dale version. Now that I've listened to both, I think I like him better for the first 3-4 books, and Fry better for the last 3-4. He's a very good reader. He does descent voices for the various characters.
Stephen Fry Audiobook: I wanted to see the difference between the Jim Dale and Stephen Fry versions, but if I'm perfectly honest that's going to be hard as it's been 2 years since I did the Dale versions. I feel like Dale did a better variety of voices, but the Fry version is certainly quite good. I particularly like his voice for Hagrid, but his voice for Snape sounds wrong. That's probably Alan Rickman's fault though and not Stephen Fry.
Jury is still out but after 1 book I have to give it to Dale.
Full Summary
I'm not going to bother with a very long review, as this book is very well known at this point. It's been a few years since I last read it (likely as a re-read before book 7). It's a great book for re-reading. The characters are all well developed and the story pulls you in and holds on as you adventure along with Harry as he battles bullies at home, at school, and on the quidditch pitch before confronting the ultimate bully in Lord Voldemort.
This book introduces the reader to the world of magic and muggles. Of Hogwarts and broomsticks. It's not as good as several of the later books, but it's an excellent kick-off and signs of what is to come are quite apparent.
Executive Summary: I've now read this book (not sure how many times), and listened to both versions of the audio. It's more like a 4.5 than 4, but I don't get 5 lightly. It's the book that started the Harry Potter series and I don't imagine I need to tell anyone how good those books are.
Jim Dale Audiobook: The first time I did the audiobook version, I did the Jim Dale version. Now that I've listened to both, I think I like him better for the first 3-4 books, and Fry better for the last 3-4. He's a very good reader. He does descent voices for the various characters.
Stephen Fry Audiobook: I wanted to see the difference between the Jim Dale and Stephen Fry versions, but if I'm perfectly honest that's going to be hard as it's been 2 years since I did the Dale versions. I feel like Dale did a better variety of voices, but the Fry version is certainly quite good. I particularly like his voice for Hagrid, but his voice for Snape sounds wrong. That's probably Alan Rickman's fault though and not Stephen Fry.
Jury is still out but after 1 book I have to give it to Dale.
Full Summary
I'm not going to bother with a very long review, as this book is very well known at this point. It's been a few years since I last read it (likely as a re-read before book 7). It's a great book for re-reading. The characters are all well developed and the story pulls you in and holds on as you adventure along with Harry as he battles bullies at home, at school, and on the quidditch pitch before confronting the ultimate bully in Lord Voldemort.
This book introduces the reader to the world of magic and muggles. Of Hogwarts and broomsticks. It's not as good as several of the later books, but it's an excellent kick-off and signs of what is to come are quite apparent.
Executive Summary: This is my least favorite book the series. Probably closer to 3.5 than 4, but since the series is great, I rounded up.
It's the weakest of the 7 books in my opinion.
Jim Dale Audio book: I did the Jim Dale audio book first. It was good. Dale is an excellent reader and does a descent job with the voices. I wish I had taken better notes on which voices I liked or didn't to compare with the Fry version a bit.
Stephen Fry Audio book: I liked Fry more for this book than I did for the last one. I particularly liked his voices for Dobby and Lockheart. His Snape voice still bothers me, but that's pretty much because I want Alan Rickman's voice.
Which Audio book? I've decided I'm no longer going to try to compare Fry to Dale to determine which is better. Why? It really doesn't matter to me. I think they are both a very good, though very different. I find little value it ranking them. People will have their favorites, but just because you like one over the other doesn't mean the same will apply to everyone. Overall I don't think you can go wrong with either version.
Full Review
It's a toss up who is more annoying, Dobby the house elf or Professor Lockhart. Neither are unlikable in the way Malfoy and his family are.
I suppose both are supposed to be annoying, but Dobby's scenes are especially tedious. He does redeem himself later in the series however. Moaning Myrtle is a bit annoying as well, but far behind the other 2.
The flying car is a highlight, but that's about it I think. There really aren't any cool additions to the existing lore. It has the weakest antagonist too.
The story has some interesting elements to it, but overall there is just something about this book that has kept it at the bottom of my list on the series.
Maybe it's all the annoying characters, or maybe it's simply a result of the quality of the other books. Still, this like the rest of the series can be a lot of fun is a quick read.
Executive Summary: This is my least favorite book the series. Probably closer to 3.5 than 4, but since the series is great, I rounded up.
It's the weakest of the 7 books in my opinion.
Jim Dale Audio book: I did the Jim Dale audio book first. It was good. Dale is an excellent reader and does a descent job with the voices. I wish I had taken better notes on which voices I liked or didn't to compare with the Fry version a bit.
Stephen Fry Audio book: I liked Fry more for this book than I did for the last one. I particularly liked his voices for Dobby and Lockheart. His Snape voice still bothers me, but that's pretty much because I want Alan Rickman's voice.
Which Audio book? I've decided I'm no longer going to try to compare Fry to Dale to determine which is better. Why? It really doesn't matter to me. I think they are both a very good, though very different. I find little value it ranking them. People will have their favorites, but just because you like one over the other doesn't mean the same will apply to everyone. Overall I don't think you can go wrong with either version.
Full Review
It's a toss up who is more annoying, Dobby the house elf or Professor Lockhart. Neither are unlikable in the way Malfoy and his family are.
I suppose both are supposed to be annoying, but Dobby's scenes are especially tedious. He does redeem himself later in the series however. Moaning Myrtle is a bit annoying as well, but far behind the other 2.
The flying car is a highlight, but that's about it I think. There really aren't any cool additions to the existing lore. It has the weakest antagonist too.
The story has some interesting elements to it, but overall there is just something about this book that has kept it at the bottom of my list on the series.
Maybe it's all the annoying characters, or maybe it's simply a result of the quality of the other books. Still, this like the rest of the series can be a lot of fun is a quick read.
Executive Summary: This is my least favorite book the series. Probably closer to 3.5 than 4, but since the series is great, I rounded up.
It's the weakest of the 7 books in my opinion.
Jim Dale Audio book: I did the Jim Dale audio book first. It was good. Dale is an excellent reader and does a descent job with the voices. I wish I had taken better notes on which voices I liked or didn't to compare with the Fry version a bit.
Stephen Fry Audio book: I liked Fry more for this book than I did for the last one. I particularly liked his voices for Dobby and Lockheart. His Snape voice still bothers me, but that's pretty much because I want Alan Rickman's voice.
Which Audio book? I've decided I'm no longer going to try to compare Fry to Dale to determine which is better. Why? It really doesn't matter to me. I think they are both a very good, though very different. I find little value it ranking them. People will have their favorites, but just because you like one over the other doesn't mean the same will apply to everyone. Overall I don't think you can go wrong with either version.
Full Review
It's a toss up who is more annoying, Dobby the house elf or Professor Lockhart. Neither are unlikable in the way Malfoy and his family are.
I suppose both are supposed to be annoying, but Dobby's scenes are especially tedious. He does redeem himself later in the series however. Moaning Myrtle is a bit annoying as well, but far behind the other 2.
The flying car is a highlight, but that's about it I think. There really aren't any cool additions to the existing lore. It has the weakest antagonist too.
The story has some interesting elements to it, but overall there is just something about this book that has kept it at the bottom of my list on the series.
Maybe it's all the annoying characters, or maybe it's simply a result of the quality of the other books. Still, this like the rest of the series can be a lot of fun is a quick read.
Executive Summary: This is my least favorite book the series. Probably closer to 3.5 than 4, but since the series is great, I rounded up.
It's the weakest of the 7 books in my opinion.
Jim Dale Audio book: I did the Jim Dale audio book first. It was good. Dale is an excellent reader and does a descent job with the voices. I wish I had taken better notes on which voices I liked or didn't to compare with the Fry version a bit.
Stephen Fry Audio book: I liked Fry more for this book than I did for the last one. I particularly liked his voices for Dobby and Lockheart. His Snape voice still bothers me, but that's pretty much because I want Alan Rickman's voice.
Which Audio book? I've decided I'm no longer going to try to compare Fry to Dale to determine which is better. Why? It really doesn't matter to me. I think they are both a very good, though very different. I find little value it ranking them. People will have their favorites, but just because you like one over the other doesn't mean the same will apply to everyone. Overall I don't think you can go wrong with either version.
Full Review
It's a toss up who is more annoying, Dobby the house elf or Professor Lockhart. Neither are unlikable in the way Malfoy and his family are.
I suppose both are supposed to be annoying, but Dobby's scenes are especially tedious. He does redeem himself later in the series however. Moaning Myrtle is a bit annoying as well, but far behind the other 2.
The flying car is a highlight, but that's about it I think. There really aren't any cool additions to the existing lore. It has the weakest antagonist too.
The story has some interesting elements to it, but overall there is just something about this book that has kept it at the bottom of my list on the series.
Maybe it's all the annoying characters, or maybe it's simply a result of the quality of the other books. Still, this like the rest of the series can be a lot of fun is a quick read.
Executive Summary: I've now read this book (not sure how many times), and listened to both versions of the audio. It's more like a 4.5 than 4, but I don't get 5 lightly. It's the book that started the Harry Potter series and I don't imagine I need to tell anyone how good those books are.
Jim Dale Audiobook: The first time I did the audiobook version, I did the Jim Dale version. Now that I've listened to both, I think I like him better for the first 3-4 books, and Fry better for the last 3-4. He's a very good reader. He does descent voices for the various characters.
Stephen Fry Audiobook: I wanted to see the difference between the Jim Dale and Stephen Fry versions, but if I'm perfectly honest that's going to be hard as it's been 2 years since I did the Dale versions. I feel like Dale did a better variety of voices, but the Fry version is certainly quite good. I particularly like his voice for Hagrid, but his voice for Snape sounds wrong. That's probably Alan Rickman's fault though and not Stephen Fry.
Jury is still out but after 1 book I have to give it to Dale.
Full Summary
I'm not going to bother with a very long review, as this book is very well known at this point. It's been a few years since I last read it (likely as a re-read before book 7). It's a great book for re-reading. The characters are all well developed and the story pulls you in and holds on as you adventure along with Harry as he battles bullies at home, at school, and on the quidditch pitch before confronting the ultimate bully in Lord Voldemort.
This book introduces the reader to the world of magic and muggles. Of Hogwarts and broomsticks. It's not as good as several of the later books, but it's an excellent kick-off and signs of what is to come are quite apparent.
Executive Summary: I've now read this book (not sure how many times), and listened to both versions of the audio. It's more like a 4.5 than 4, but I don't get 5 lightly. It's the book that started the Harry Potter series and I don't imagine I need to tell anyone how good those books are.
Jim Dale Audiobook: The first time I did the audiobook version, I did the Jim Dale version. Now that I've listened to both, I think I like him better for the first 3-4 books, and Fry better for the last 3-4. He's a very good reader. He does descent voices for the various characters.
Stephen Fry Audiobook: I wanted to see the difference between the Jim Dale and Stephen Fry versions, but if I'm perfectly honest that's going to be hard as it's been 2 years since I did the Dale versions. I feel like Dale did a better variety of voices, but the Fry version is certainly quite good. I particularly like his voice for Hagrid, but his voice for Snape sounds wrong. That's probably Alan Rickman's fault though and not Stephen Fry.
Jury is still out but after 1 book I have to give it to Dale.
Full Summary
I'm not going to bother with a very long review, as this book is very well known at this point. It's been a few years since I last read it (likely as a re-read before book 7). It's a great book for re-reading. The characters are all well developed and the story pulls you in and holds on as you adventure along with Harry as he battles bullies at home, at school, and on the quidditch pitch before confronting the ultimate bully in Lord Voldemort.
This book introduces the reader to the world of magic and muggles. Of Hogwarts and broomsticks. It's not as good as several of the later books, but it's an excellent kick-off and signs of what is to come are quite apparent.
Executive Summary: I've now read this book (not sure how many times), and listened to both versions of the audio. It's more like a 4.5 than 4, but I don't get 5 lightly. It's the book that started the Harry Potter series and I don't imagine I need to tell anyone how good those books are.
Jim Dale Audiobook: The first time I did the audiobook version, I did the Jim Dale version. Now that I've listened to both, I think I like him better for the first 3-4 books, and Fry better for the last 3-4. He's a very good reader. He does descent voices for the various characters.
Stephen Fry Audiobook: I wanted to see the difference between the Jim Dale and Stephen Fry versions, but if I'm perfectly honest that's going to be hard as it's been 2 years since I did the Dale versions. I feel like Dale did a better variety of voices, but the Fry version is certainly quite good. I particularly like his voice for Hagrid, but his voice for Snape sounds wrong. That's probably Alan Rickman's fault though and not Stephen Fry.
Jury is still out but after 1 book I have to give it to Dale.
Full Summary
I'm not going to bother with a very long review, as this book is very well known at this point. It's been a few years since I last read it (likely as a re-read before book 7). It's a great book for re-reading. The characters are all well developed and the story pulls you in and holds on as you adventure along with Harry as he battles bullies at home, at school, and on the quidditch pitch before confronting the ultimate bully in Lord Voldemort.
This book introduces the reader to the world of magic and muggles. Of Hogwarts and broomsticks. It's not as good as several of the later books, but it's an excellent kick-off and signs of what is to come are quite apparent.
Executive Summary: I've now read this book (not sure how many times), and listened to both versions of the audio. It's more like a 4.5 than 4, but I don't get 5 lightly. It's the book that started the Harry Potter series and I don't imagine I need to tell anyone how good those books are.
Jim Dale Audiobook: The first time I did the audiobook version, I did the Jim Dale version. Now that I've listened to both, I think I like him better for the first 3-4 books, and Fry better for the last 3-4. He's a very good reader. He does descent voices for the various characters.
Stephen Fry Audiobook: I wanted to see the difference between the Jim Dale and Stephen Fry versions, but if I'm perfectly honest that's going to be hard as it's been 2 years since I did the Dale versions. I feel like Dale did a better variety of voices, but the Fry version is certainly quite good. I particularly like his voice for Hagrid, but his voice for Snape sounds wrong. That's probably Alan Rickman's fault though and not Stephen Fry.
Jury is still out but after 1 book I have to give it to Dale.
Full Summary
I'm not going to bother with a very long review, as this book is very well known at this point. It's been a few years since I last read it (likely as a re-read before book 7). It's a great book for re-reading. The characters are all well developed and the story pulls you in and holds on as you adventure along with Harry as he battles bullies at home, at school, and on the quidditch pitch before confronting the ultimate bully in Lord Voldemort.
This book introduces the reader to the world of magic and muggles. Of Hogwarts and broomsticks. It's not as good as several of the later books, but it's an excellent kick-off and signs of what is to come are quite apparent.
I liked this one quite a bit more than Nolyn. Farilane is a great character. She has some flaws, but those mostly just serve to round her out. She also seems to grow quite a bit as the book goes along.
The opening chapter was really good at drawing me in. It was almost like a scene out of Indiana Jones or Tomb Raider.
The only issue I have with this is how it ended. It's hard to elaborate without spoilers, but I'll just say it didn't felt earned. It didn't ruin the book for me, because overall I enjoyed it, but it did knock a star off the rating.
I liked this one quite a bit more than Nolyn. Farilane is a great character. She has some flaws, but those mostly just serve to round her out. She also seems to grow quite a bit as the book goes along.
The opening chapter was really good at drawing me in. It was almost like a scene out of Indiana Jones or Tomb Raider.
The only issue I have with this is how it ended. It's hard to elaborate without spoilers, but I'll just say it didn't felt earned. It didn't ruin the book for me, because overall I enjoyed it, but it did knock a star off the rating.
I liked this one quite a bit more than Nolyn. Farilane is a great character. She has some flaws, but those mostly just serve to round her out. She also seems to grow quite a bit as the book goes along.
The opening chapter was really good at drawing me in. It was almost like a scene out of Indiana Jones or Tomb Raider.
The only issue I have with this is how it ended. It's hard to elaborate without spoilers, but I'll just say it didn't felt earned. It didn't ruin the book for me, because overall I enjoyed it, but it did knock a star off the rating.
I liked this one quite a bit more than Nolyn. Farilane is a great character. She has some flaws, but those mostly just serve to round her out. She also seems to grow quite a bit as the book goes along.
The opening chapter was really good at drawing me in. It was almost like a scene out of Indiana Jones or Tomb Raider.
The only issue I have with this is how it ended. It's hard to elaborate without spoilers, but I'll just say it didn't felt earned. It didn't ruin the book for me, because overall I enjoyed it, but it did knock a star off the rating.
I really enjoyed the original Ryria books so I was pretty excited for the First Empire series when it came out. I enjoyed the first few books in that series, but I felt like it lost steam by the end. So when this series was announced, I wasn't as excited.
I did want to read this eventually, but wasn't in a rush. I finally got around to it, and I found it another strong start to a new series. I thought the new characters were interesting, especially the titular character, Nolyn. Some of the supporting characters were reminiscent of characters in Ryria or First Empire, but the main characters felt more flushed out.
Overall I found this a fun listen and will be continuing right on into the second book. As usual, Tim Gerard Reynolds does a fantastic job with the narration. However there was one chapter where there was a lot of repeated text and it made for an agitating listen. If I had been reading the text instead I would have skimmed over that section.
I really enjoyed the original Ryria books so I was pretty excited for the First Empire series when it came out. I enjoyed the first few books in that series, but I felt like it lost steam by the end. So when this series was announced, I wasn't as excited.
I did want to read this eventually, but wasn't in a rush. I finally got around to it, and I found it another strong start to a new series. I thought the new characters were interesting, especially the titular character, Nolyn. Some of the supporting characters were reminiscent of characters in Ryria or First Empire, but the main characters felt more flushed out.
Overall I found this a fun listen and will be continuing right on into the second book. As usual, Tim Gerard Reynolds does a fantastic job with the narration. However there was one chapter where there was a lot of repeated text and it made for an agitating listen. If I had been reading the text instead I would have skimmed over that section.
I first heard about this book thanks to an article on Ars Technica. What I found strange was it was the time I heard anything about this. Given the timing (2020-21) of the bulk of the story though, it's not too much of a surprise. I had other things on my mind back then.
I've read a lot of computer history and cybercrime books. I find the topic fascinating. This book is really more about more traditional crime (drugs, guns, money laundering) with a technical aspect (encrypted phones). From a technical perspective I didn't enjoy this as much as other books, but it's still a fascinating story.
It poses a lot of issues as technology and specifically encryption techniques continue to evolve how do you balance our right to privacy against the needs to prevent crimes? I don't have any answers and this book doesn't attempt to answer that question. What it does it instead is to tell a fascinating story that seems like it's right out of a movie.
I think this could turn into a great documentary or possible a movie, but it's probably not flashy enough for the latter. Staring at computer screens reading messages is not exactly big screen cinema. Overall though I found this a great read.
I first heard about this book thanks to an article on Ars Technica. What I found strange was it was the time I heard anything about this. Given the timing (2020-21) of the bulk of the story though, it's not too much of a surprise. I had other things on my mind back then.
I've read a lot of computer history and cybercrime books. I find the topic fascinating. This book is really more about more traditional crime (drugs, guns, money laundering) with a technical aspect (encrypted phones). From a technical perspective I didn't enjoy this as much as other books, but it's still a fascinating story.
It poses a lot of issues as technology and specifically encryption techniques continue to evolve how do you balance our right to privacy against the needs to prevent crimes? I don't have any answers and this book doesn't attempt to answer that question. What it does it instead is to tell a fascinating story that seems like it's right out of a movie.
I think this could turn into a great documentary or possible a movie, but it's probably not flashy enough for the latter. Staring at computer screens reading messages is not exactly big screen cinema. Overall though I found this a great read.
Another fun entry in this series. I still don't enjoy it as much as his cradle series, but still a drop everything and read book for me. As someone who has watched a lot of Gundam over the years, I always enjoyed the Raion/giant mech subplot. As the title suggests, this book focuses heavily on him and Varic's relationship to him.
The audio is great. Travis Baldree does his usual excellent job with the narration
Another fun entry in this series. I still don't enjoy it as much as his cradle series, but still a drop everything and read book for me. As someone who has watched a lot of Gundam over the years, I always enjoyed the Raion/giant mech subplot. As the title suggests, this book focuses heavily on him and Varic's relationship to him.
The audio is great. Travis Baldree does his usual excellent job with the narration
Pretty solid ending to a mostly fun series. After his reckoner series, I had decided I was done with any non-Cosmere books. However the first one in this series changed my mind and for the most part it's been a fun holiday road trip book series for me. When this one came out I was busy with other books and am only now getting around to it. I don't like it as much as the Cosmere books, but still worth the listen.
Pretty solid ending to a mostly fun series. After his reckoner series, I had decided I was done with any non-Cosmere books. However the first one in this series changed my mind and for the most part it's been a fun holiday road trip book series for me. When this one came out I was busy with other books and am only now getting around to it. I don't like it as much as the Cosmere books, but still worth the listen.
