An excellent first story!

I had to write a little something here about this audiobook, I was just getting ready to buy the 2nd and 3rd audiobooks because I absolutely loved the build up in this first one. I noticed the narrator had changed on the second and third books so I went along to Mr Bennetts FB page to see what caused it?

Seems there were some issues people were having about Patrick Freeman's narration, which in turn affected sales? Seriously? I mean seriously? I don't get it, I really don't. I absolutely loved what Patrick Freeman did with the narration here? There was a hell of a lot of tension in this story between species, Patricks methods of reading totally nailed that tension in my ears and in my visual imagination of what was going on with the Krall.

I've just taken a chance and bought the other two books because I'm totally hooked to the story and universe Mr Bennett has created, so yes, another new fan to his universe. I just hope the narrator of the other audiobooks, (Eric Michael Summerer) can nail the vibe that has been created in this first book. I got burned really hard with the change of narrators with Peter V. Brett's (The Demon Cycle) audiobooks, he dropped the narrator Peter Joyce and replaced all the books with Colin Mace and for me, killed the 'feel' of the audio story dead in the water.

Anyway, it's been a while since I've enjoyed a good long bit of audio Sci-Fi like this, the last time I got a feeling like this was listening to Peter F Hamilton's Commonwealth Saga. What ever the other books hold for me, this is a great story and a great bit of narration no matter the negative comments thrown out somewhat unfairly to Patrick Freeman (in my opinion).

If you are thinking about getting this audiobook and are taking in some of the negative comments about narration, don't listen to them. Get it the audiobook, judge the audiobook for yourself, it's a great rollercoaster of a ride.

For me 5 stars all round.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Abysmal narration

What didn’t you like about Patrick Freeman’s performance?

This is the worst narration I have encountered, odd intonation and slurring words, mixed with overly clear pronunciation of "complicated" words ruins the rhythm of the reading. I breaks further by the overlay of another actor reading some lines (possibly to "cover up" even worse performances of the original reade).

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

It may or may not be a good book, I don't know. I couldn't continue listen as I begun to fixate at the lisp(?) of the narrator.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

If you like having your intelligence insulted....

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?
Young teens could enjoy this book

What was most disappointing about Stephen W. Bennett’s story?
The pace of the plot line really drags. There's nothing surprising or unexpected in the story direction. It's all very clunky.

What didn’t you like about Patrick Freeman’s performance?
It's like having a 'voice over man' reading to you. The phrasing of the sentence is repetitive, and rarely matches the actual words being said.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?
I was disappointed, and slightly amazed that this had got good reviews.

Any additional comments?
I'm obviously not the target audience.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Harry Harrison feel

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

I liked the story line. As hinted in the headline this book recalled memories of Deathworld Pyrrus. This book however adds more ideas and twists. Due to it's length (excellent) the author covered many side stories that helped paint the picture but never losing the sight of the main storyline. I also liked the characters and clear effort that went into creating the social relations in post gene war society. And of course I will never get bored of the old line of humans as underdogs fighting against the odds and standing triumphant in the end(?)...hopefuly in future books.......fingers crossed

What was one of the most memorable moments of Koban?

Mental shift of all the Primes and newly arrivals becoming Kobani. .....United we stand.....

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Many scene were enjoyable. There isn't a favourite one but I liked the moment when the native tigers established mindlink with their human victims. The potentional richness of what could develop from this in future books is obvious and I can't wait....

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

the beast within

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the narration once I got used to it. However I think few characters, mainly the the women and characters in charge were little unnatural. Overall good and enjoyable performance. Thank you

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Very poor narration

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

A decent narrator, I turned it off after 20 minutes in disappointment

What could Stephen W. Bennett have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Choose a different narrator

What didn’t you like about Patrick Freeman’s performance?

Clunky, poor performance, with a slight lisp, that appears and disappears in unconnected places

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointed, and annoyed that I wasted a credit on it.

Any additional comments?

Never again with this narrator!

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

I was hooked from chapter one.

What made the experience of listening to Koban, Book 1 the most enjoyable?

The sound effects enhanced the great storyline.

What other book might you compare Koban, Book 1 to, and why?

I'd compare this to David Weber's writings because of the detailed descriptions and in depth analysis during the narration. Just my kind of reading.

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

I had a visceral reaction to the fighting etc. and loved the detailed descriptions of the dangers the characters faced.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Gave up after 2 hours

Any additional comments?

Obviously since I didn't finish this, it may have gotten better, but what I heard was not very good. It reads like a strange period drama almost - formal address and gender bias (though in women's favour). Almost like it was trying too hard to be something it wasn't. Now I usually love a good bit of science ficion and also period drama, so you'd have thought this might be for me, but seemingly not.

It didn't really seem to go anywhere much in the time I listened for - even when something finally happened, I just couldn't raise enough interest to follow what was going on, so decided to give up (which I don't often do). Badly written and not very well performed in my opinion...

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

I'm bored with it already

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

A less hackneyed plot and a narrator who can enunciate more than 6 syllables without pausing for his reading to catch up would have really improved this read for me.

Would you be willing to try another book from Stephen W. Bennett? Why or why not?

I'd be dubious now as I've been burned.

Would you be willing to try another one of Patrick Freeman’s performances?

Not a chance.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Koban, Book 1?

The Krall are boring and predictable. I find it completely unlikely humans would colonise some 700 worlds and end up in a state of internal peace. Talk about not understanding human nature.

Any additional comments?

I like escapism, it's not the escapist nature of the book I have an issue with. I'm just bored and not interested in finishing it. Plus the tiny hint of lisp the narrator has is starting to bug me. His characterisations are good though.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Amazing! had me hooked!

I don't know why there has been do much criticism of the narrator, I think he done a great job!

not enjoyable

very poor descriptive storyline. couldn't get further than first chapter before grimacing and removing content.