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The Chronicles of Pern
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Dragonsdawn
- Pern, Book 1
- By: Anne McCaffrey
- Narrated by: Adrienne Barbeau
- Length: 2 hrs and 53 mins
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The beautiful planet Pern seemed a paradise to its new colonists - until unimaginable terror turned it into hell. Suddenly, deadly spores were falling like silver threads from the sky, devouring everything - and everyone - in their path. It began to look as if the colony, cut off from Earth and lacking the resources to combat the menace, was doomed. Then some of the colonists noticed that the small, dragonlike lizards that inhabited their new world were joining the fight against Thread, breathing fire on it and teleporting to safety.
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Very Dissapointing
- By Scorpio on 17-02-19
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Dragonsong: Harper Hall Trilogy, Volume 1
- By: Anne McCaffrey
- Narrated by: Sally Darling
- Length: 7 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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Dragonsong is the spellbinding tale of Menolly of Half Circle Hold, a brave young girl who flees her seaside village and discovers the legendary fire lizards of Pern. All her life, Menolly has longed to learn the ancient secrets of the Harpers, the master musicians of Harper Hall. When her stern father denies her the chance to make her dream come true, Menolly runs away from home. Hiding in a cave by the sea, she finds nine magical fire lizards who join her on a breathtaking journey to Harper Hall.
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Terrible Narration
- By Mrs S on 28-07-14
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Dragonsinger
- Harper Hall Trilogy, Volume 2
- By: Anne McCaffrey
- Narrated by: Sally Darling
- Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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Menolly has returned home and entered the Harper Hall. But her entry into the Hall proves the beginning of more troubles, and the Master Harper gives her a difficult time because she is a girl. As Menolly begins to despair, she finds help in the shape of nine bright allies.
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A Great clasic revisited
- By Freddy Bence on 16-11-18
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The Girl Who Heard Dragons
- By: Anne McCaffrey
- Narrated by: Constance Towers
- Length: 3 hrs and 2 mins
- Abridged
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Teenage Aramina has the unusual ability to hear dragons. Her keen perception causes dismay to her mother, who fears Aramina will desert her family and commit to living the life of a dragonrider. In the land of Pern, Aramina's family is known as the "holdless," nomads who roam the land to hide from bandits. Aramina must find a way to exploit her unique talent without sacrificing the family she loves.
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Badly abridged
- By Kindle Customer on 06-06-17
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Crystal Singer
- By: Anne McCaffrey
- Narrated by: Adrienne Barbeau
- Length: 2 hrs and 37 mins
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Experience the first Killashandra Ree adventure, in which the indomitable Killa overcomes disappointment in one career by diving into a much more exciting one. Filled with suspense, anguish, romance, and intrigue, this distinctive adventure is one of Anne McCaffrey's best.
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Poor sound quality
- By STEPHEN MEADOWS on 28-04-17
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Crystal Line
- By: Anne McCaffrey
- Narrated by: Adrienne Barbeau
- Length: 2 hrs and 51 mins
- Abridged
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Killashandra Ree was drawn like a magnet to the song of crystal, and now it's erasing her memory. She knew the forgetfulness would be a byproduct of the singing, and she doesn't mind the little annoyances, like being unable to remember her address or the names of her colleagues. But she hadn't counted on the loneliness a person can feel when the heart still remembers what the mind has forgotten. Can the crystal that destroyed her memory somehow restore it?
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POOR QUALITY RECORDING
- By loopylu4848 on 08-11-19
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Dragonsdawn
- Pern, Book 1
- By: Anne McCaffrey
- Narrated by: Adrienne Barbeau
- Length: 2 hrs and 53 mins
- Abridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
The beautiful planet Pern seemed a paradise to its new colonists - until unimaginable terror turned it into hell. Suddenly, deadly spores were falling like silver threads from the sky, devouring everything - and everyone - in their path. It began to look as if the colony, cut off from Earth and lacking the resources to combat the menace, was doomed. Then some of the colonists noticed that the small, dragonlike lizards that inhabited their new world were joining the fight against Thread, breathing fire on it and teleporting to safety.
-
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Very Dissapointing
- By Scorpio on 17-02-19
-
Dragonsong: Harper Hall Trilogy, Volume 1
- By: Anne McCaffrey
- Narrated by: Sally Darling
- Length: 7 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dragonsong is the spellbinding tale of Menolly of Half Circle Hold, a brave young girl who flees her seaside village and discovers the legendary fire lizards of Pern. All her life, Menolly has longed to learn the ancient secrets of the Harpers, the master musicians of Harper Hall. When her stern father denies her the chance to make her dream come true, Menolly runs away from home. Hiding in a cave by the sea, she finds nine magical fire lizards who join her on a breathtaking journey to Harper Hall.
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Terrible Narration
- By Mrs S on 28-07-14
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Dragonsinger
- Harper Hall Trilogy, Volume 2
- By: Anne McCaffrey
- Narrated by: Sally Darling
- Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Menolly has returned home and entered the Harper Hall. But her entry into the Hall proves the beginning of more troubles, and the Master Harper gives her a difficult time because she is a girl. As Menolly begins to despair, she finds help in the shape of nine bright allies.
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A Great clasic revisited
- By Freddy Bence on 16-11-18
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The Girl Who Heard Dragons
- By: Anne McCaffrey
- Narrated by: Constance Towers
- Length: 3 hrs and 2 mins
- Abridged
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Overall
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Performance
-
Story
Teenage Aramina has the unusual ability to hear dragons. Her keen perception causes dismay to her mother, who fears Aramina will desert her family and commit to living the life of a dragonrider. In the land of Pern, Aramina's family is known as the "holdless," nomads who roam the land to hide from bandits. Aramina must find a way to exploit her unique talent without sacrificing the family she loves.
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Badly abridged
- By Kindle Customer on 06-06-17
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Crystal Singer
- By: Anne McCaffrey
- Narrated by: Adrienne Barbeau
- Length: 2 hrs and 37 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
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Performance
-
Story
Experience the first Killashandra Ree adventure, in which the indomitable Killa overcomes disappointment in one career by diving into a much more exciting one. Filled with suspense, anguish, romance, and intrigue, this distinctive adventure is one of Anne McCaffrey's best.
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Poor sound quality
- By STEPHEN MEADOWS on 28-04-17
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Crystal Line
- By: Anne McCaffrey
- Narrated by: Adrienne Barbeau
- Length: 2 hrs and 51 mins
- Abridged
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Overall
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Performance
-
Story
Killashandra Ree was drawn like a magnet to the song of crystal, and now it's erasing her memory. She knew the forgetfulness would be a byproduct of the singing, and she doesn't mind the little annoyances, like being unable to remember her address or the names of her colleagues. But she hadn't counted on the loneliness a person can feel when the heart still remembers what the mind has forgotten. Can the crystal that destroyed her memory somehow restore it?
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POOR QUALITY RECORDING
- By loopylu4848 on 08-11-19
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Killashandra
- A Crystal Singer Novel
- By: Anne McCaffrey
- Narrated by: Adrienne Barbeau
- Length: 2 hrs and 37 mins
- Abridged
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The exhilarating adventures of Anne McCaffrey's best selling Crystal Singer series continue with Killashandra, a story that mixes interplanetary political intrigue with passionate romance. In this installment, Killashandra Ree's crystal claim has been exhausted, forcing her to take a new assignment and leave her new lover back on their native Ballybran. She goes undercover on a distant, desolate planet, searching desperately for the crystal that will save her - and, quite possibly, the fate of the entire universe.
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A story of love in the midst of political rebellion
- By Mrs Clare Moses on 06-08-17
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The Vine Witch
- By: Luanne G. Smith
- Narrated by: Susannah Jones
- Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
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For centuries, the vineyards at Château Renard have depended on the talent of their vine witches, whose spells help create the world-renowned wine of the Chanceaux Valley. Then the skill of divining harvests fell into ruin when sorcière Elena Boureanu was blindsided by a curse. Now, after breaking the spell that confined her to the shallows of a marshland and weakened her magic, Elena is struggling to return to her former life. And the vineyard she was destined to inherit is now in the possession of a handsome stranger.
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leaves me with a desire to discover rural France
- By paul g on 13-10-19
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The Petaybee Trilogy
- Powers That Be, Power Lines, and Power Play
- By: Anne McCaffrey, Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
- Narrated by: Marina Sirtis
- Length: 9 hrs and 21 mins
- Abridged
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Day by day, the sentient planet is learning to recognize and understand the meaning of outside stimuli, to communicate its own needs and desires...even to use human speech. The Petaybeans have their hands full trying to protect their beloved planet from the sudden influx of tourists. Then some of Petaybee's staunchest champions are kidnapped.
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Not an inspired performance, a wasted credit
- By L.D. on 26-04-19
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Dragonwriter
- A Tribute to Anne McCaffrey and Pern
- By: Todd McCaffrey (Editor)
- Narrated by: Emily Durante, Mel Foster, Janis Ian, and others
- Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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When Anne McCaffrey passed in November 2011, it was not only those closest to her who mourned her death; legions of readers also felt the loss deeply. The pioneering science fiction author behind the Dragonriders of Pern series crafted intricate stories, enthralling worlds, and strong heroines that profoundly impacted the science fiction community and genre.
In Dragonwriter, Anne’s son and Pern writer Todd McCaffrey collects memories and stories about the beloved author, along with insights into her writing and legacy, from those who knew her best.
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The Ship Who Searched
- By: Anne McCaffrey, Mercedes Lackey
- Narrated by: Constance Towers
- Length: 3 hrs and 12 mins
- Abridged
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While on an archaeological dig, 7-year-old Tia falls mysteriously ill. Her sickness may have been caused by the EsKays, a race whose artifacts are scattered throughout the galaxy. The young shellperson goes in search of the EsKays, whose fate remains an enigma, to try to find answers. This heartwarming tale is narrated by television and stage actress Constance Towers.
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Weirdly Abridged
- By Justin Dee on 03-07-18
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PartnerShip
- By: Anne McCaffrey, Margaret Ball
- Narrated by: Constance Towers
- Length: 3 hrs and 14 mins
- Abridged
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Nancia's vision of human nature was shattered on her first voyage. Now she's bound for NX-928, and the last thing she needs is a "brawn" partner like Forister - he's the epitome of cynicism. Nevertheless, the idealistic Nancia and the worldly-wise Forister must band together to save the galaxy. This tale is narrated by television and stage actress Constance Towers ( Capitol).
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The Very First Damned Thing
- An Author-Read Audio Exclusive
- By: Jodi Taylor
- Narrated by: Jodi Taylor
- Length: 2 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
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Jodi Taylor reads the long-awaited prequel in her Chronicles of St Mary’s series, as Dr Bairstow struggles to set up St Mary’s as we know it in a world still scarred by the ravages of civil war. Ever wondered how it all began? It’s two years since the final victory at the Battersea Barricades. The fighting might be finished, but for Dr Bairstow, just now setting up St Mary's, the struggle is only beginning. How will he assemble his team? From where will his funding come?
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An intro....not much more
- By Robyn on 29-11-16
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Pegasus in Flight & To Ride Pegasus
- Anne McCaffrey 2-in-1 Edition
- By: Anne McCaffrey
- Narrated by: Adrienne Barbeau
- Length: 5 hrs and 23 mins
- Abridged
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To Ride Pegasus: They are extraordinary people who read minds, heal bodies, divert disasters, foretell the future - and become pariahs in their own land. Pegasus in Flight: As Director of the Jerhattan Parapsychic Center, telepath Rhyssa Owen coordinates the job assignments for the psychically gifted Talents in her group.
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Ruined by abridging
- By Peri on 04-12-17
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The Diamond Throne
- The Elenium, Book 1
- By: David Eddings
- Narrated by: Greg Abby
- Length: 15 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
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Sparhawk, the Pandion Knight and Queen's Champion, returns from a long spell of exile to find his native land overrun with evil and intrigue, and his young Queen grievously ill. Indeed, Ehlana lies magically entombed within a block of crystal, doomed to die unless a cure can be found within a year.
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Cowboy Knights
- By Joe Cairnes on 01-08-13
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Impostor
- By: LJ Ross
- Narrated by: Hugh Dancy
- Length: 7 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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After an elite criminal profiling unit is shut down amid a storm of scandal and mismanagement, only one person emerges unscathed. Forensic psychiatrist Doctor Alexander Gregory has a reputation for being able to step inside the darkest minds to uncover whatever secrets lie hidden there, and soon enough he finds himself drawn into the murky world of murder investigation. In the beautiful hills of County Mayo, Ireland, a killer is on the loose. Panic has a stranglehold on its rural community, and the Garda are running out of time.
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Another fantastic series by L J Ross
- By SandraL on 06-11-19
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Belgarath the Sorcerer
- By: David Eddings, Leigh Eddings
- Narrated by: Cameron Beierle
- Length: 32 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
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Best-selling authors David and Leigh Eddings welcome fans back to the time before The Belgariad and The Malloreon series. Join them as they chronicle that fateful conflict between two mortally opposed Destinies, in a monumental war of men and kings and gods.
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Enjoyable
- By Sheedy on 16-08-18
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The Ship Who Won
- By: Anne McCaffrey, Jody Lynn Nye
- Narrated by: Constance Towers
- Length: 3 hrs and 18 mins
- Abridged
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Like Helva, The Ship Who Sang, Carialle was born so physically disadvantaged that her only chance for life was as a shell person. And again, like those others, Carialle decided she would strap on a spaceship. Her brawn is a guy named Keff. Their mission: to search the galaxy for intelligent beings.
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Enjoyed it.
- By M. Jones on 04-09-16
Summary
Building a new life on a distant world, braving the dreaded Thread that falls like silver rain from the sky only to destroy every living thing it touches, flying heroically on the wondrous dragons - The Dragonriders of Pern!
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What members say
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Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Gemma
- 01-06-18
Let down by narrator
I really enjoyed these stories as part of the Pern series but the narrator was terrible. Hardly any emotion in her voice and some really odd pauses mid-sentence.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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- Nightveil
- 11-08-09
Good stories, poorly read.
A collection of short stories raking place in the early years of Pern, including the initial survey of the planet, First Fall is a good listen overall. Unfortunately, the reader, Meredith MacRae, is bland and lifeless. All of the stories feature multiple characters and MacRae's reading and lack of inflection or characterization makes it difficult to follow who's who. Likewise, it's very difficult to differentiate between male and female characters as MacRae fails to alter her vocal pitch at all.
The stories themselves are well written, but the actual reading makes for a difficult and distracting listen.
15 of 15 people found this review helpful
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- Bert
- 11-08-10
Poor reading ruins this
I couldn't even finish listening to part one. I only gave it one star because I believe the story has to be better than the reading. While a perfect and clear English speaker, the reader makes no effort to make any character voices whatsoever, and inflection is limited to basic grammar-based emphasis (like lilts for questions, and emphasis for exclamations). Grade wouldn't even be above a "D" for a public speaking class, let alone as a book narrator. She makes me drowsy. Choose a different reader, or a printed book over this disappointment!
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
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- Bob B.
- 16-07-10
I enjoy Dick Hill as narrator best.
The few women that have narrated just can't pull off the right tone.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
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- Designs
- 06-09-11
Great history on How Pern was settled
This is great for those who want to know how it all started. MacRae is not a good narrator, though. It was very difficult to follow her as she read - she runs the sentences together so it is hard to tell when there is a new sentence starting. I only stuck with it to know the history.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
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- Jamie Q
- 18-10-13
Dreadful Narration!
What would have made The Chronicles of Pern better?
Having Dick Hill continue his narration from "Dragonsdawn" and the "Dragonriders" trilogy. I only rated this so low across the board to drive down the overall four star rating. I enjoyed the stories and Anne's writing is impeccable once again, this just could have been better if either Dick Hill or Mel Foster had read it.
Has The Chronicles of Pern turned you off from other books in this genre?
Not at all.
Would you be willing to try another one of Meredith MacRae’s performances?
Absolutely not!
You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?
Great story and depth. Makes me love the characters.
Any additional comments?
Just want to reinforce that all my one stars were simply to drive down the overall average and emphasize that the narration ruined the audiobook as a whole.
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 12-12-16
The narration wasn't as bad as some reviews state.
Each story nicely fills in a back story hole. Thanks narration, however could be better. The most difficult part was when she moves from one sentence to the next with barely a pause. It can also, sometimes, be difficult to tell when switching between characters in the dialog sections.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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- Firethorn
- 08-06-19
It filled in some gaps but...
I know that the stories were cobbled together from Individual stories rather than being written is one book but it still seemed kind of clunky. The narrator was very uninspired and had very little voice differentiation for the most part and was boring to listen to. I am glad to have the information in the additional tidbits of back story but this entire presentation was not up to what I expect from Ann McCaffrey's work.
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- D. Hartley
- 26-05-19
Great story, Poor reading
I loved the story but the narrator seems to struggle with some word pronunciations. I would recommend, though.
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- Aidan
- 06-05-19
The narrator...!
I love this book for the little snippets of info it provides outside the bounds of the main books, but the narrator is just horrible!!! I tried to make it through, I really did, but she has a horribly grating voice that just sucks the life out everything. I liked Jim Tillek a lot, up until she was the voice of Jim Tillek. Really ruined the book, and the only reason I’m giving it two stars is for the story.
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- Heather
- 25-02-19
American english as a 2nd language
Ms MacRae did NOT do a decent reading of this wonderful book. I seriously wonder if she even read it to herself first. Waste of my money.