No Redeeming Qualities

I read a review before I started it that said "I hated it!" but didn't say why exactly and the book had a fairly good overall rating so I dismissed the review.

BUT

It takes a while to realize (halfway plus through) but I got there. I don't know if I'd say "I hated it!" but I definitely didn't like it and I definitely came away from it thinking "I would hate to be this author's wife...or daughter". All the women characters are written as shrews or whores or ugly or idiots or some combination thereof. Also, when ALL of the female character's physical attributes (with a sexual attractiveness rating vibe) are constantly described it's at a minimum tiresome and at a maximum offensive. The main character isn't likable. None of the characters are well written nor are the character relationships. Oh, and it seems like the author is obsessed with rape in a weird way. Full disclosure, I didn't finish it. I got 90% of the way through and decided that I didn't like the main character or the character he was supposed to be vindicating enough to care. Starting at about the middle of the book on I found myself liking it less and less and less.

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81 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Raymon Chandler Meets Xena Warrior Princess

This is a great book if you have an 8 to 10 hour round trip drive with your spouse. For the guys, it's got cool sword action, hot red-heads carrying weapons, all wrapped up in a mystery set in a fantasy medieval world. The ladies will like the mystery and the romantic twits and the velvety smooth voice of narrator Stephan Rudniki (this is definately HIS role) - my wife melted in her chair when his deep mellow voice came out of our car stereo. It's a great relief from the good vs. evil quest fantasies that are so worn out in this genre. I'm ready for the second book!

Great fantasy with a great story and a shocking twist or two at the end, told in the style of Raymond Chandler novels.

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27 persone l'hanno trovata utile

What a surprise, enjoyed dark age detective

First, Stefan Rudniki, I find to always do a great job narrating. (and in this case he didn't let me down) The first book by Alex Bledsoe I've ever had pleasure to listen to. This I belive is a trilogy, and I can't wait to download the next two. Some laughs and twists and turns that will keep your interest. (If "Dresden Files" and "Night Side" series had a baby it would be "Eddie La Cross") the character in this series. A mature hard nosed detective, who's life has given him lemons and he made "apple juice". I'm getting the next two books in series right now, and can't wait to listen.

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23 persone l'hanno trovata utile

OK followed by Dislike and ending in Hate Listen

I’m pretty sure the author had a bad break up or divorce half way threw making this book. I started the story enjoying the idea of a fantasy detective but it changed into masochistic wish fulfillment by the author. I finished the audiobook only to find out if there was a satisfying ending for the “mystery”, there was not.

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16 persone l'hanno trovata utile

excellent mystery/fantasy story

first of all, best narrator in the world.
2nd, very good story, even tho its short..8hrs..i mean wtf
good plot and twists, enjoyable and entertaining

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8 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Refreshing fantasy noir, my favorite reader

I picked up Alex Bledsoe's The Sword-Edged Blonde because it had just been released on audiobook and I was looking for something short, different, and fun. The Sword-Edged Blonde was exactly what I needed.

Eddie LaCrosse used to be a rich kid, but a tragic event drove him away from his past life and now he's a loner. He works as a detective, and he's really good at it. So, his old best friend, King Phil, hires him to solve a murder. Eddie soon realizes that the mystery is somehow tied up with his own past, so he finds himself confronting his most unpleasant memories as he tries to solve the strange case.

Eddie LaCrosse makes a great hero. He's a nobleman's son, so he's educated and has manners, he worked as a mercenary after he ran away from home, so he's an accomplished fighter, and now he's an aging rough-edged noir-style detective who doesn't take crap from anyone. But as the mystery and his past unfold, we find out that he's certainly not invulnerable.

The setting of The Sword-Edged Blonde was unusual. The lack of electricity, cars, and guns suggests an early time, but the character names (Janet, Stephanie, Kathy) seem out of place, as do words like ???debutante??? and model names for swords (The Edgemaster Series 3). This type of quirkiness is fine with me ??? I needed a break from the usual medieval-style fantasy.

Mr. Bledsoe's writing style was refreshing and had just the right feel for a noir detective story. It was clear and vivid and the dialogue sounded perfectly realistic ??? I was impressed with this caliber of writing coming from a new novelist (though, Mr Bledsoe has previously published dozens of short stories).

The plot of The Sword-Edged Blonde was fast and never lagged. Past and present were intermingled effectively.

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8 persone l'hanno trovata utile

PROBABLY, THE WORST BOOK EVER WRITTEN

TO SAY THAT THIS BOOK IS BAD, OR AWFUL,DOES NOT,DO JUSTICE TO THOSE WORDS.THE PLOT IF YOU CALL IT THAT,IS A PRIVATE EYE, IN A MYTHICAL WORLD,WITH GODESSES,SEEKING THE KILLER OF THE SON OF THE KING ,EVEN THE SPRINKLING OF SEX AND THE "4" LETTER WORD DOES NOT HELP.WHILE I KNOW THIS AUTHOR IS NEW, HE HAD BETTER KEEP HIS DAY JOB.DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK.I TRIED THREE TIMES TO LISTEN TO IT AND JUST GAVE UP.IT IS AN EMBARASSMENT AND A INSULT TO THE LISTENER, IT HAS NO REDEEMING QUALITIES AND I WOULD HAVE GIVEN A ZERO IF I COULD.

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7 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Automatic 5 star for making me lol

I heard Mishicotti (audio copy, not sure on the spelling) and it made me roll, as it's a village in Wisconsin (Mishicot). The burst of nostalgia was worth this rating

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6 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Love, love, love

I loved everything about this adventure! Just had to get the second book!!!! Get it. It's completely worth it! Best adventure in a long time!!!!

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6 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Yawn!!!

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It's not a terrible story. I listened all the way through. I enjoyed the main character's sarcasm. There is good humor to be found in the book. It might be better to read than to listen to this one. Nonetheless, the narrator wasn't bad. The mystery concept was unique; however, it didn't really grab my attention like I hoped that it would.

What about Stefan Rudnicki’s performance did you like?

Good range of voices and ability to do both male and female characters.

Was The Sword-Edged Blonde worth the listening time?

I don't regret the purchase. I may even purchase another in the series. This is the first in the series that I have purchased and listened to. I think this one might improve as the series progresses. All the essential elements are present for a great series, it just hasn't gelled for me yet.

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3 persone l'hanno trovata utile