Still a good story but better narration

The captives on Koban have split into two camps with the first embracing genetic modification to be able to better handle the gravity, heat and atmosphere and those that haven't. The story continues around the same characters from the first novel and expands the relationships and character development. It is easy to root for the intrepid pioneers and be disdainful of the fearful slackers.

The author had a choice to continue with all the animal and plant life being extremely dangerous or to have the inhabitants come to term with some elements. He chose the later and while these elements add new aspects to the story that are worthwhile you do wonder if the story might have been better served with a continued struggle with the world of Koban.

But that is a minor issue and the story moves along at a good pace and expands on the interplanetary war that Krall are waging to improve their bloodlines.

The narrator has changed for this edition and the new narrator does a very good job and there is more bounce and pace in the reading especially in the narrative parts. The character vocals are well done with the voices of the women being less disruptive than in the previous edition.

Overall a good read/listen and is recommended. Only shame is that volume three is not out.

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A good Listen

The storey continues as good as the first book, and I hope the rest of the series isn't long in being published onto Audio.

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Great Read Great audio Book

If you could sum up Koban: The Mark of Koban, Book 2 in three words, what would they be?

I loved it

Who was your favorite character and why?

maggie, her part amused me

Have you listened to any of Eric Michael Summerer’s other performances? How does this one compare?

not yet but certainly will

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

the cats actions on the return of dillio

Any additional comments?

possibly the most enjoyable book or books i have listeners to

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Big Improvement

the different narrator is a huge improvement on the previous performance. Story is gripping and a real page turner if there is such a thing in audio books !

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Brilliant! Can't wait for the next book!

If you could sum up Koban in three words, what would they be?

Absolutely fantastic sci-fi

What did you like best about this story?

The thing I liked best was the next generation and the exploits of Carson and Ethan.

Have you listened to any of Eric Michael Summerer’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No I haven't listened to Eric Michael's performance before, but I liked his performance in this book, His voice was clear and easy to understand, and voices where good.

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1 person found this helpful

just brilliant

Where does Koban: The Mark of Koban, Book 2 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

one of the best

Who was your favorite character and why?

love the captin very cool guy

What does Eric Michael Summerer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

exallent naration with good very belivable

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

yes i started to cry when i saw no book 3 on audiable but you can get in book form sort this out need to listen to book 3

Any additional comments?

a must listen for any one that loves sci fi

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1 person found this helpful

gripping! thrilling! syfy bliss!

I was a little unhappy when I seen that the narrator had changed. however, the new narrator was an improvement which was a great surprise. This instalment of the series cleverly carried on a story that I just can't stop listening too! AMAZING!!!

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Entertaining, but brings little new to the genre

Overall I have found the Koban series to be entertaining and well worth my time. There was some rather serious issues with the narrator in the first book, but fortunately the following books have a new narrator who does a good job.

There is a good mix of character building and action bundled with the usual sci-fi technobabble to describe faster than light travel and other elements that seem necessary to a good sci-fi yarn. We follow a rather broad group of people who often learn about the world, the situation and the alien invaders as we do.

I had a bit of a problem due to the fact that I have been listening to the Merkiaari wars series recently. And the two series share a large number of similarities, such as:

1. A widespread human empire is faced with an invasion from a race completely dedicated to war.

2. This aggressive race is physically larger and stronger than humans.

3. The aggressive race was earlier a sort of slave-race to a now extinct alien race (who as killed off by our invaders)

4. The only way to level the playing field is to enhance normal humans so they can stand up to the much stronger aliens. This is very controversial in both series, but the authors present it as the only logical step to take.

5. Both series involve humans befriending large feline aliens who are also opposed to the invading aliens.

etc. etc.

These things dont really disqualify either series of books, but the similarities are so striking in many cases that I struggled to keep the storylines apart.

Koban is likely not getting a Hugo award, and I have yet to find anything new it brings to the genre. That is ok. I don't need to have my worldview shaken with every book I read. Sometimes it is ok to be entertained.

So, if you (like I do) spend large amounts of time in your car, you can spend your credits a lot worse than on the Koban series.

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