Syncing Forward

Good concept but unremittingly bleak

I was interested in the ideas and characters in this book but found that I was worn down by the constant barrage of bad news and misfortune for the characters. There was never any hope or redemption. Hard to listen to.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Refreshingly Original

What did you like most about Syncing Forward?

The originality of the story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The protagonist's eldest daughter. She is a very believable yet complex character.

What does Will Damron bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I don't usually like narration that has a slow tempo but Damron's slowish style was never sluggish. It seemed perfectly paced and in a strange way was a perfect match for the fast paced environment of the book. He did an excellent job and though I have a few favourite narrators on Audible I really don't think anyone would have done a better job. Damion was a perfect choice for this book.

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

Definitely. I actually listened to it in 2 sittings.

Any additional comments?

I may be wrong but after reading and listening to many hundreds of books (probably closer to thousands) over the years I've never came across one quite like this. It retains its originality throughout while still using the tried-and-tested formulas for character building, interpersonal relationships and drama that you'd expect from a good book. The book was brilliantly written and excellently narrated. It has made me want to hear more from both the author and the narrator. Well done Audible for bringing this book to your listeners.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Outstanding

Any additional comments?

I am astounded not to have heard about this and simply stumbled across it!!! I can imagine it as a film, would have to be a three hour film though...The story of a man who after being injected by terrorists, has to be 'synced' every few months or years just to spend a little time with family as he slows down to the extent where for him four years is one day (as in fours years only feels like one day for him - everyone else seems to speed up). His metabolism is so slow that he isn't aging so he goes through the agony of seeing his family die, then grandchildren and eventually he's 100 years into the future. Such a clever premise, brilliantly written and perfectly executed by the narrator.I found the gradual jumps forwards fascinating as they seemed to depict a possible future based on the way the world seems to be moving politically, technologically etc Can't recommend this enough.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Oh Wow!

This is was nothing like I expected, the description just scratches the surface, it is so so much more.
Don't expect Classic sci fi or every day time travel, this is a completely new twist . Its a must read, it makes you feel uncomfortable as you realise the implications of circumstances the characters find themselves in.
This is going to be be a best seller/classic read and is difficult to describe without removing the surprise.
So if your adventurous go for it, I don't think you will regret it.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Depressing

The story is very clever and I loved parts of the descriptions of the future and his travel through time but it was a very depressing read, it was 70% death 20% excitement and 10% positive. Was a bit of a struggle and a bit disappointing at the end!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Excellent - hope W Lawrence writes more!

Where does Syncing Forward rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have listened to many audiobooks and this has to be one of my favourites.

What did you like best about this story?

The author sympathetically deals with the issues faced by the central character and really brings him to life. I also thought the descriptions of the changing world were excellent - technology, economics, politics.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The entire book! I was sad when it finished.

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

I would not have listened in one sitting even if I could as after each few chapters I listened to I enjoyed letting them sink in and fire the imagination.

Any additional comments?

I love historical novels and historical facts. Also enjoy Stephen King. Have so much wanted to enjoy sci-fi and this single book has whetted my appetite for the genre as no other book has.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Promising but very sentimental

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

This had a promising story, but the plot is lost amid endless sentimentality from the main character; he is a family man and obviously and understandably massively upset by the situation he finds himself in. But, after hours of listening to him wish things were different, reminisce about when his girls were little and go off on long overly sentimental ramblings about how unfair his situation is I found it just too repetitive and annoying to stick with to find out how the story ends. I was expecting a bit of a sci-fi/mystery, and this is much more a family drama with a futuristic twist.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Religion and daddy issues

Religion in sci-fi - easy turn off. Add the soppy daddy story and it had me wanting to turn it off constantly. Narrator did a decent job, only saving grace.

Much potential, but ultimately disappointing

First of all, this book has a great concept, and that's what drew me in in the first place. However, it left me very disappointed.

The middle part of the story is repetitive and dull, and the characters are annoying and irrational - especially the main character, Martin James, who comes across as whiny and arrogant, and very hard to have any sympathy for, despite what he's going through - and the narrative is like wading through treacle at times.

The future world politics and technological advancements are interesting enough, but they couldn't save the book. Not nearly enough was done with what I still feel is a great concept.

I would not recommend.

An incredible, moving and very human sci-fi tale

What made the experience of listening to Syncing Forward the most enjoyable?

Without a doubt, it was Will Damron's narration! He demonstrated a very impressive range and variety of speakers, making every character, even background ones, feel like an individual. He even speaks some Spanish!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Syncing Forward?

I won't talk about memorable moments, as I will venture into spoiler town! What I will say is that this book will remain memorable for because of it's commitment to the path it was leading you down. Far too often in fiction do we, as a reader, get taken down a very dark and distressing story line, only for it to cop out. I never felt that Syncing Forward copped out.

What about Will Damron’s performance did you like?

Everything! Simply one of the best narrators I have listened to. I have head some reports that his normal speaking voice is a little dull and monotonous, but I never felt this way listening to him. Would absolutely listen to another performance of Damron's in an instant.

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

Absolutely not. Aside from the fact that it is in excess of 16 hours, it is also unrelenting with the barrage of bad news. You will be hard pressed to swallow the various depressing things that dominate the story all at once!

Any additional comments?

The only thing that really let this down from being a 5/5 was that there were one or two plot devices that I felt were ill explained. I don't much care for loose ends and it is a shame that this book did leave a couple laying around. Some may also say that some plot points are predictable or easily foreseeable, but, again, for me, it was only after something had been revealed that it became obvious that this is where the narrative had been taken me the entire time!