Hero's Curse

Friends don't let authors read their own books.

This book seemed interesting so I thought I'd gamble a credit. I actually enjoyed it and will probably read the next book and see what happens.

That being said the story is pretty flawed on a number of levels. First, the story is gun porn on an epic level. Even Larry Corriea would tell Mr. Lee to tone it done a bit. If you don't like that style then take a pass on this one. The author goes into every weapon and magic power in great (often excrutiating detail).

The author does a great job writing action scenes. The characters aren't very well developed but are likeable. Honestly, this seems more like author wish fulfillment than anything. This story reads like a comic book but I like comic books so I enjoyed it. I gave it 3 stars because of writing flaws more than lack of enjoyment.

Another issue is that the author starts sentences and paragraphs with the name of the character being spoken to a whole lot. it can be kind of annoying and gives the writing a staggering, almost Shatner-like quality to the timing. With slow halting sentences followed by several rapid ones following.

The author read his own book. For the love of God please quit doing this! I felt like the guy tried his best and I liked the main characters voice as he sounds like a higher pitched, slightly nasally version of Macleod Andrews (who would be a great narrarator for the series). The reading was bad enough to be entertaining in its awfulness (if that makes sense) more than annoying. it should also get an award for one having one of the worst Scottish accents of all time. He tries but goes from Scottish, to Liverpool English to American all in the same sentence. Not the worst accent I've ever heard in a book but defnitiely the second worst with a bullet.

The cosmology of the series was actually pretty interesting. The humor in the book is pretty good. I enjoyed this one enough to try the next story in the series. This is what I call a solid 3 star story. It has some good points but is series flawed in many areas. If you want a light action series with humor you might like this one, just don't put it high on your to do list.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

The Performance Ruins It

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I would have likely finished listening to this book if a more engaging, professional narrator had performed it.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I was interested in how a thief could become a paladin. I didn't think some of the rules that a paladin had to follow made the story any more interesting.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Jack J. Lee?

Luke Daniel would have been fantastic

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Hero's Curse?

I didn't finish the book

Any additional comments?

If this book were done over with a better narrator like Luke Daniel, I'd give this book another chance.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

My ears are bleeding.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would change only one thing; the narrator.

What did you like best about this story?

Descent premise, has the potential to be a interesting world.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I understand the author wanting to narrate his own book; due to the terrible "voice acting" he should stay far away from narration. I will give one example; the Irish accent was terrible.

Interesting "Quick Listen" and somewhat Irreverant

What made the experience of listening to Hero's Curse the most enjoyable?

It moved quickly, and had an interesting premise

What was one of the most memorable moments of Hero's Curse?

I like the main characters interaction with his two "support staff" their characters and that of the "Hero" made it for me.

Which scene was your favorite?

The fight scene with the other Paladin

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not particularly, I could put it down, but be assured I could pick it up again and follow along well without having to remember too many details

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to the next book in the series. I see it out in print.