5 comments about Grave Peril (The Dresden Files, Book 3).

1. This book was very enjoyable. There are ghost, wizards, vampires, etc. Each of the "Dresden Files" is more addicting than the last one. Before I finished reading this "Grave Peril", I ordered #4, 5, 6, & 7.



2. This is the third novel by Jim Butcher and I noticed both good and bad things about it. Grave Peril was the first of the Dresden novels that I really found exciting. I am used to different styles of writing, and this was the first novel that I wasn't annoyed by his writing. Despite the excitement, I was somewhat disappointed by the plot. When I am reading a series, I want each novel in the series to have its own story, yet move the overall plot ahead as well. I finished this book and felt that there was a weak overall plot for the novel even though it moved the series ahead.
   
   In this novel, some months have passed in Harry's life, and we have actually missed the battle that inspires the action. Harry took down a sorceror and Micheal took down a demon in between novels 2 and 3. When powerful spirits are killed, they have power to become ghosts and haunt things relating to their death. The haunting begins as Bianca seeks to exact her revenge on Harry. And what's the worst that could happen? A war between the White Council and Red Court? The series is really starting to heat up.



3. Butcher writes as well as always, and that Harry was involved more with S.I. is awesome. In the first two books, Harry and S.I. work mainly on cases together, but this time cops are victims in the investigation. Its great! I recommend to anyone interested - just read Fool Moon and Storm Front first!



4. Now we have White Court (oh yeah), Bram Stokers Black Court, Red Court, Ghosts, Dragons and a Kight of the Cross. What could go wrong with this book. The plot is so deed. Much more twists and turns than I expected. Perhaps to much? Depends on the reader. Another great novel by Butcher. With every succeding book, Harry's Kowledge and power goes up a notch. This series is turning out to be great



5. Harry Dresden, Chicago's favorite wizard, battles ghosts and vampires in this third renewal of Jim Butcher's excellent noir fantasy series. Some of the best points of GRAVE PERIL include an action-packed plot that can be read independently from the previous books and a new engaging character in the person of Harry's devout Christian friend, Michael Carpenter.
   
   Michael is Harry's friend and partner in battling an outbreak of ghosts that is terrorizing Chicago. Given what seems to happen to Harry's friends, it's a miracle he has one left. Micheal's a doughty man, strong in his Faith, who wields a sword that contains a nail from the True Cross. He keeps trying to reform Harry in between battles with unearthly agents of evil. He tends to raise ethical questions that Harry doesn't want to answer such as Harry's failure to carry out an old bargain he made with Lea, his faerie godmother.
   
   Michael and the issues he raises aside, the story in this book is similar to FOOL MOON, except we have vampires and sexual shenanigans instead of nice clean werewolves. The parallels are striking: even the season of the year is the same: autumn. Other plot elements repeat in differing degrees: Harry's troubles with the Law and his magical exhaustion. Less visible blood and more ectoplasm, vampire spit and other types of goo, that's the difference here. Also, there are so many bad guys (and gals) out to get Harry it's hard for any tension to build. Personally, I think vampires are getting cliched, but I really liked the ending.
   
   Paradoxically, the strong points of this book are also its weak points. The action-packed plot prevents exploration of Harry's inner soul and there's only so many times Harry can deal with a) a demon possessed ghost, b) another attack by twin vampires or c) another ambush by the evil faerie godmother. Harry isn't the only one to be burned out by too much magic. One wonders what would happen if an ethical issue was allowed to play out naturally. Hum, now I'm curious about the next book...Jim Butcher, you sly devil, you did it again.

5 comments about The Waste Lands (The Dark Tower, Book 3).

1. As a fan of the Dark Tower series I've read all the books at least twice. Wastelands I've read 7 times. It is one of my all time favorite books and the best of the dark tower series. It is the breakthrough book in which you really discover Roland's world and its links to ours. It is also a great adventure with SK's excellent character development.



2. 
   King takes no vacation from his imagination with this book, the third in the great series, The Dark Tower. The world his small team inhabits is getting more strange with every page. I loved the way Jake re-entered the story, it was very shocking and delightful at the same time. The end of this book is the real thrill. Sorry, can't spoil it for you, just buy it and read it for yourself!
   
   Kevin Gerard
   Conor and the Crossworlds: Breaking the Barrier
   Conor and the Crossworlds, Book Two: Peril in the Corridors



3. The first book was odd and it took me forever to realize what was going on; the second book was kind of boring with the whole mafia thing, and for the most part, the book was just too vulgar; now, with this third book, I finally started to see the imaginative world the first two books couldn't quite capture. I'll eventually finish the series, but so far, this one is my favorite.



4. The Waste Lands is the third novel in Stephen King's Dark Tower series. It picks up several months after The Drawing of the Three, with Roland, Eddie and Susannah hiking through Stephen King's imagination and a Richard Adams homage. Meanwhile, both Roland and Jake, who is back in New York, seem to be going crazy from the paradox Roland created in Drawing.
   
   In the first three hundred pages of The Waste Lands, practically nothing happens. Jake rejoins Roland, and the reader is inundated with foreshadowing of the second half of the book, which seems to have little purpose and is boring. The second half of the book makes up for it, as the group navigates a post-apocalyptic city. Here, Roland tries to rescue Jake and the group tries to find and ride Blaine, the train previously foreshadowed ad nauseum. This latter half of the book is quite exciting, as King is at his best here. His characters are outstanding. And there's a cliffhanger ending.
   
   This is a very uneven book, but it certainly has its high points.
   
   One complaint: A bear that "stood seventy feet high" would not have an eye socket "nearly the size of a baseball". That eye is way disproportionately small.



5. I love Stephen King and this series has me locked in. I live in a small town and to be able to order the books and get them shipped at a great price is awesome. I highly recommend this book and series!!

5 comments about Strangers.

1. Dean Koontz is a fantastic writer, who only gets better every year. "Strangers" looked like it could be a masterpiece. It's a long book (and writer's with long, 600+ books usually have a lot of faith in the writing) and it's by Dean Koontz and it's got a lot of fans including Mary Higgins Clark and Stephen King. Finishing the 681-page "Strangers," I found that it's got a few interesting characters, but a weak plot and a really weak ending. First, we meet all the characters (although in one case, with Jorja, he waits almost too long). The first is Dom Corvaisis, a writer who should be celebrating the upcoming publishing date of his first novel. Problem is that he's found himself sleepwalking recently. This wouldn't be a problem if he wasn't trying to nail shut his windows and grabbing weapons to protect himself from an unseen enemy. Then there's Ginger, a Jewish doctor, who has been experiencing fugues. These are, basically, panic attacks that she has whenever she encounters objects that remind her of something from her past. There are several other characters, but I won't get into those. Anyway, some of the characters begin receiving mysterious Polaroid's and are suddenly drawn to a place called the Tranquility Motel. Of course, Koontz' characters come up with all sorts of conspiracy theories about what happened to them and it all leads up to a very unsatisfying ending. The characters are interesting and the book is good for a while, but it gets to a point where it seems that Koontz just ran out of ideas. It's hard to write anything with a group of characters this large and even harder to keep them all interesting and all be necessary...That's why every time someone makes a movie with an ensemble cast they get compared to Robert Altman (the master of using very large casts in the best way possible). Koontz is a talented writer, but I don't think he knew how to keep all his characters interesting and all relevant to the story.
   
   GRADE: C



2. This is a fantastic read! Science fiction thriller. Keeps you guessing. You wont want to put it down. Dean Koontz at his best! It's a nice long book that you wont finish too soon & then be sad it's over! I don't like to say a lot about books because I don't want to ruin the story. So, my review is it's great, I love it, read it!



3. I read this book when it first came out. It was so good that I could not put it down and finished reading it in two days. Throughout the years, I have not stopped talking about it and I recommend it to everyone who mentions Koontz's name. I am always surprised when someone tells me they either never heard of this particular book or that they never read it. 'Strangers' is my all-time favorite book by Koontz. I am reordering it today so I can pass it along to my niece. She found Koontz a couple of years ago and has read just about every book he has written, except for this one. The story and relationships in the book makes it easy for one to think "this could really happen here'. For a great suspense read, get this book. You will enjoy a thought provoking journey.



4. "Strangers" is one of Dean Koontz's more ambitious efforts, attempting to bring together a small group of Americans, with semingly nothing in common, and putting them against incredible adversity. The individual characters are all introduced separately, and each is given plenty of room to develop, and 'breathe', before they are all united later in the story. So far, this sounds a lot like a review of Stephen King's 'The Stand', doesn't it?
   Koontz avoids the 'worldwide calamity' of that story, however, and instead gives us examples of ordinary people trying to cope with extraordinary thoughts, powers, perceptions, and the sense that life has changed somehow, and that they all now share a unique gift.
   The life stories of most characters are fascinating, although not everyone has the same impact on the reader.
   The conclusion of the story is somewhat anticlimactic, and overall, the story seems bloated by at least a couple of hundred pages. There were too many long stretches that I 'skimmed', because the pace had slowed. I found myself caring a lot about characters like Jorja and the two priests, and less about others, such as Faye or Ernie.
   It was still a worthwhile read, just not one I could zoom through, and after a while, I realized I was enjoying it less because of its length.



5. A truly good book is one of life's greatest pleasures. This was just such a book. I could not put it down.
   
   The story captured me from the first page. I marvel at how Koontz was able to portray each of these characters fully so that the I came to know them and to care for them as real people.
   
   
   Highly recommended!

5 comments about Storm Front (The Dresden Files, Book 1).

1. Even if you've read the novel more than once (as I have), it's another thing entirely to hear a Harry Dresden-like voice shouting down a Loup-Garou. Get a hot cup of tea, or coffee, or Mac's best stout, and sit back to enjoy a really tense novel read by a really tense gravelly voice with nothing better to do then sound beat up, angry and still pulling the heroes out of the fire. Go Harry!
   (And bravo James Marsters!)



2. I pick up this book thinking that it had a promising plot, but i soon came to realize that it sucks. I hated this book, the characters were ridiculous and what could have been a good premise was absolutely wasted. Do not under any circumstances try to read this book. I had to put it down around half way through. I would much rather stick to George R. R. Martin.



3. An entertaining, short fantasy read (the book is only 322 pages long).
   
   I stumbled upon this author (Jim Butcher) while reading someones' review; I've always enjoyed fantasy so I decided to give it a try.
   
   'Storm Front' is the first of a series of books (now 10 or so books) starring Butcher's hero, Harry Dresden. Dresden is a wizard/part-time private investigator who often gets involved, with or without the police, in investigating paranormal occurrences.
   
   The writing quality is reminiscent of your typical detective/sleuth novel...only better. What I really liked was the way the story really hooked you into reading on and on; there was always something happening, or about to happen, to keep your interest at a high level.
   
   Also, it was not hard to identify and like Harry with his self-depreciating and cynical humor. Other characters, although not greatly developed, are intriguing and easily fit into the frame work of this story. And as you might suspect, there were some interesting confrontations involving humans as well as your evil fantasy types.
   
   Conclusion:
   A short fantasy read that is well presented and fast paced. It has an interesting hero and the storyline that will tweak your curiosity to the very end. 4 1/2 to 5 Stars.
   
   R.Nicholson



4. If you like Harry Dresden you will enjoy this reading very much. The whole book is included, and James Marsters (Spike of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) does an Outstanding job of reading it. I intend to get all these books (with James Marsters reading), and urge the production of ALL the Harry Dresden series using Mr. Marsters as the reader.



5. I had high hopes for this book because I liked the series, but they were dashed by the end of page one. First of all, the writing is mediocre at best. As a writing teacher, I expect published authors to rise above first year writing students stylisticly. Too much repitition, some confusing sentence structures, cliches, unrealistic dialogue, and not very inventive (Nevernever was the best name the author could come up with for the alternate magical world?). Characterization is lacking. Dresden's maturity rarely rises above a teenage boy, and his wardrobe makes him come off pathetic. The only people who wear dusters and think they are cool are cowboys (admittedly cowboys do look cool in them), school shooters, and D&D groupies. The tv show was smart to change the duster to a bomber jacket and the VW to a Jeep. The women are interchangeable with little done to develop them. This could have been very compelling reading if the writing were more polished and the characters given a little more thought.

5 comments about World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War.

1. Personally im a very picky book buyer. My thoughts are if i get the book what if it sucks. This book is easily one of my top books to suggest to others. I was hooked from the beginning to the end. Some times i would look up at the clock and realize I had been reading for an hour. Zombie lover or if you just want a good book to read when your bored this is it.



2. Wow!
   
   After reading the Zombie Survival Guide, I was compelled to pick this book up. And let me tell you...I was riveted! I've read quite a few horror books, but this one had me one edge. The interview format was unique to me, and perfect for the storyline. Max Brooks has simply sold me, I'd read anything he's written now.
   On a broader sense though, when you think of how a world-wide pandemic might just play out in real life...I think he's pretty close to reality there with conveying mass hysteria, mob mentality, frantic large-scale responses, and finally the triumph of human adaptivity and spirit. Simply chilling and VERY well done. Read this book...



3. Ther are too many problems with World War Z for me to reccommend it to any but the most rabid zombie fans. There is no character development as each chapter is a story unto itself and that means there is no hero to root for. Any sense of drama stemming from anxiety about the outcome of the war is destroyed by the premise because its written after the war has been (sorta) won. Also, its meant to be a government report but the introductions at the beginning of each chapter are filled with melodramatic descriptions that belie anytype of objectivity. There are incongruities as well, which is a deal breaker in my book. For example, one moment a man puts his bloodied knuckles in a pool of zombie goo and lives to tell his tale, then in the very next chapter people are afraid to shoot zombies point blank because if the blood touches an open wound they will be infected. Last, each chapter has a different narrator and they come from communities as diverse as China, Tibet, Russia, etc., yet they all sound exactly the same with the exception of a foriegn word or phrase thrown in. Perhaps the worst issues for me are the lionizing of South Africa's apartheid masterminds and turning Isreal into a perfect, peaceful community that welcomes Palestinians and refugees back into its loving borders! That is really a stretch! All in all, a cool premise with poor execution and way too much hype.



4. First, this is not a novel -- it's a book made up of vignettes, so there's no real plot or character development. Second, it's highly focused on policies and strategies -- it reminded me of my husband's Army War College textbooks. If that's your idea of engrossing/interesting reading, you'll enjoy this book!



5. This book is incredible. Each account that Max Brooks creates paints its own picture and adds to the horror that mankind would face if we ever were thrown into the middle of an undead apocalypse!! If you have ever been a fan of Zombie movies or horror in general, you owe it to yourself to read this book!

5 comments about Cell.

1. The Master of Horror strikes again, proving he's not getting older, he's getting sicker! This is another chilling novel by the man who made the horror genre come alive.
   
   Cell phones across the country start to ring, but it would be better to let the call go to voicemail. People answer their phones only to become vicious, mindless killers. Clay Riddell, an artist, is away on business. He's just signed a contract for his first comic book deal. He stops to buy his estranged wife a gift as a way of saying "thanks for your support all these years". He then stops at an ice cream truck for a cone and while waiting his turn, a young girl answers her phone and after listening for a few seconds, changes into a zombie-like killing machine. Clay has to use the paperweight he purchased for his wife to bash the demented girl's brains in. This starts the beginning of Clay's journey as he tries to make his way back home in hopes of finding his wife and son alive and intact.
   
   One of the things I noticed right away was that King gets right to the story and doesn't waste a lot of paper describing things in pain-staking detail like he has in previous books. This is a vast improvement. There is no filler in this book, the reader reaches the top of the slide on page 6 and it's all downhill at break-neck speed from that point on, to the last page. Another thing King does is take time to breath life and soul into his characters, creating a feeling that you have known these people all your life.
   
   
   Cell is a fantastic story of survival, love, compassion, humanity and hope, with a big dose of creepy thrown in for good measure. It's a book that is hard to put down. Oh, excuse me, I think your phone is ringing, aren't you gonna answer it?



2. As gripping as old school King. This one is right up there with It, The Stand, and Insomnia for quality, characterization, and readability. I read it in two days and would not have minded another hundred pages or two.
   
   The only negative comment I can make is that it needs an ending. A prologue of some kind. We want to know what happens with Johnny and if the conversion of the Normies was complete before the showdown. If it wasn't does that mean the fate of the world is in the hands of one breeding couple and an otherwise all male entourage? Is the signal going to claim them the first time someone accidentally turns on a battery powered scanner or a f/m radio? Enquiring minds need to know. Drama be darned, man, feed the fans!
   
   All in all, this was the single most enjoyable read I've had in a long time.



3. I was recommended this book by another zombie fan who read some of my reviews here on Amazon. Sure, I've read some of King's novels, what self described fan of horror hasn't? So when I was told that one of the most prolific and famous authors of all time took a shot at Zombies I had to check it out.
   
   The story follows one man's (Clay) story as all hell breaks loose and he tries to make it home to his son. The story starts with Clay doing some shopping, celebrating the sale of his first graphic novel. Soon things go down hill fast as people seem to have lost their minds and have begun tearing each other apart. The city is in chaos and all Clay can think of is getting to his son.
   
   Ok, so what about the zombies? Well they are not exactly zombies in the sense that zombies generally are dead, the "Phoners" in Cell most definitely are not dead. In the beginning of the book they are more mindless animals in a blood rage while later in the book they become more intelligent. They don't really eat flesh or brains either like zombies do, they just like killing people. As a zombie purist I have to say that they are not zombies but in some ways Zombie-like.
   
   With the bit about zombies out of the way I will state that this was a great apocalyptic survival novel. People are hiding out trying to scrape by and avoiding the Phoners, power in many areas starts to go, whole cities are destroyed and humans are becoming the minority. There is a distinct helplessness and doom feel to the book which I live in any survival novel.
   
   Once again King manages to play on the common person's fears to spin a great story. If you are a father what could possibly be more frightening than the thought of your kid being torn apart? For a society so dependant on cell phones, what could be scarier than cell phones driving us mad? How about facing someone who is driven to bestial rage and knowing he will kill you on sight? Then imagine thousands of these Phoners roaming your streets. Kings writing style only adds to this fear inducing read.
   
   Now, what was King trying to get at with this Cell's plot? Nobody really knows but could he be pointing out that Cell Phones are some social plague? Everyone has probably noticed the total loss of manors we've seen in last 15-20 years and part of this surely has to be due in part to cell phones and people's need to be in contact at all times. Another spin: Brain cancer. There has been speculation that cell phones could cause cancer so in the realm of fiction it's not a far stretch that they could drive people nuts.
   
   As for the story, this one is action from start to beginning. What starts out as a straight forward zombie like novel ends up being more of a supernatural survival story. Many characters come and go in the story but the only one we really get to know well is Clay. There are plenty of gory scenes for those who like them and lots of twists to keep you turning the page. However, the ending (while sad) was kind of anti climatic and leaves you hanging. The book seemed to be building and building tension leading me to think that there was going to be a big "bang" at the end but it never really materialized.
   
   In the end the book was still highly enjoyable and I would recommend it to any horror fan. King's tribute to George Romero, while not quite zombies, was a truly fun read with great imagery and spooky feel.



4. This was the first book I've ever read of Stephen King and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt the character development was done well and each character brought their own unique personality to the mix.
   
   I loved the idea of cell phones being the cause of the outbreak, it was defiantly better than the typical viral cause.
   
   One of the things I didn't like were the weird abilities the zombies acquired at the end. I like the pure random violence of the zombies at the beginning, and even though the idea of an evolving flock of zombies was interesting--I just feel it was a little awkward coming from mindless zombies.
   
   The second thing was the cliff hanger ending, it didn't take away from the story, but it would have been nice to know what the result of that final phone call was.



5. King can really tell a good story. But he does not this time. What could otherwise have been a good zombie apocalypse is spoiled by the author's constant pop culture references. It got so out of hand at one point I threw the book across the room when King had his characters (who were running for their lives at the time, mind you) weigh in on a fight in the media between has-been dj Moby and rap/actor Eminem. This is just one example. And there are hundreds. Every time you are about let go and enjoy the dark spooky narrative, a silly conversation like this popped up. Ruined it.

5 comments about Duma Key: A Novel.

1. The last few Stephen King novels have been really boring to me...I could barely make it clear through Dreamcatcher, for example. So I was a little nervous when I saw that Duma Key was out. But it was Stephen King, so I HAD to read it, right? I was so relieved! I read the book over a weekend--I could not put it down. The housework suffered, I ignored my family, but I didn't care--it was too much fun to read. Finally, a new, great, spooky Stephen King novel!!



2. Hi. My name is Stranger Smith and I am a Constant Reader.
   
   It started back in 1990 when I picked up a copy of Carrie at the K&S newsstand. A few weeks later I was back for more - `Salem's Lot, The Shining, The Stand. I was hooked and I loved it. Still do. I always read `em cover to cover even when it hurts, (Gerald's Game, Rose Madder) because I know that if I stick around I'll be rewarded. (It, The Green Mile, DT...)
   
   So, here I am eighteen years later. A Constant Reader. An SK junkie. Here to talk about my last fix: Duma Key.
   
   I've been sitting here listening to everyone speak on it and I must admit that I'm a little surprised that some of you say this is your favorite SK ever. Wow... but hey, to each his own, right? I'm also surprised at the utter contempt that some of you have. You'd think SK had raped your cat or something.
   
   Some people say that 600 pages is too long. I'd say that's about average for SK.
   
   Some say that there's too much product placement. If that bothers you, then you probably shouldn't read any more SK.
   
   Oh, and the repetitive phrases. I believe that this is part of the character development that everyone praises. Haven't you ever known anyone that uses a certain word or phrase a lot? I once worked with a guy that called everyone "Hamma". I never knew what that meant. I think he was saying "hammer". One time he said to me: "Hand me that hamma, Hamma." I swear. So many people are up in arms because Wireman says some words in Spanish. One lady even referred to his use of "obnoxious Mexican-isms". (somebody call the pc police) I don't understand why this is so bothersome. Is it because you don't speak Spanish? I don't speak Spanish, but the two words that are used the most by far are "si" and "muchacho" and I know what they mean. On the rare occasion that a word or phrase was used that I didn't know the meaning of a translation was offered. This didn't bother me in the slightest.
   
   On the whole I would have to say that Duma Key is really good, but it wouldn't make my top ten King books even if I counted DT as just one. I think that people who don't typically like the horror genre may like this book. At the same time, it does have its scary parts. The very first supernatural element in the book was really creepy as well as the ending. I would agree with most in that the character development was excellent as well as the pacing. I also agree that if you really liked Bag of Bones then you'll like this one as well, although I wouldn't call these creatures ghosts like some. They were something else.
   
   One more thing and I'll sit down.
   
   I googled SK and went read about 20 pages of interviews, fansites and reviews and I came across one site that was really weird. Some of you may have heard about it, but for those that haven't you may find it interesting. Google "stephen king john lennon", click on the first option and prepare yourself for the absurd.



3. I am an artist and a writer and Stephen King is still my favorite author. The Shining was the first SK novel I read and I have been hooked since. Duma Key was great. Christine was the inspiration for my 2nd novel The Palace Theatre..Thanks Stephen..The Palace Theatre



4. Duma Key is a powerful and well-written book. It hooked me early on, and never let me go with the escalating action and suspense. It is one of the creepiest books that I have ever read. This story is one that stays with you long after you are finished reading. Don't let the 600+ pages scare you away, it reads quickly and is well worth your time. Overall, Duma Key is worthy of a 5 star rating.



5. This book has quickly gone to the top of my favorite King novels. Personally I thinks it's his best since "Bag of Bone", which is another of my favorites.
   
   Our man character has lost him arm in a work related accident and goes to remote little part of Florida to recover. His doctor tells him to try and do something he loves to relax and our man Edgar decides to start painting again. He turns out to be quite a prodigy but not only are his paintings good, they have the eerie power to foresee and change events.
   
   What I also liked about the book is that besides the creepy and scary aspects of it, there's also a lot of heart and soul espeically between Edgar and his neighbour/friend Wiremen. Also there is a mystery going on too involving ghosts and murdered children, which compelled me to read even faster to find out what happens.
   
   Such a great book. On my top ten King list for sure.

5 comments about Edgar Allan Poe Audio Collection.

1. Basil Rathbone was born to play Sherlock Holmes (in the films of the stories written by Conan Doyle, not the other spurious stuff) and to read the works of Edgar Allan Poe.
   My vinyl recordings were worn out long years ago. This set is more than I could have hoped for. Now in my 73rd year, these performances carry me back to a time well before my own... magic, indeed.
   For his part, Vincent Price delivers characteristically fine performances, but Rathbone's readings have been my delight. Rare excellence is here.



2. Edgar Allan Poe on audio is a perfect selection for the haunts of October. Who better to read his work aloud than Basil Rathbone and Vincent Price? In theory this is a wonderful collection. Unfortunately, it requires one to turn their speakers up near full volume in order to hear the replication. There are a couple of tracks when Rathbone exclaims a sentence very loudly, which, compared to the remainder of the stories, is excruciating on the ear drums once the speakers are full blast. I thoroughly enjoyed the collection and do recommend it. But, be forewarned, it is quite soft in volume.



3. I was looking forward to listening to this on a recent trip but found the experience less then hoped for.
   
   I feel that the problem is the material. The readers, Basil Rathbone & Vincent Price, have great voices. They are part narrator part voice acting and that can add a great deal. But, it makes it difficult sometimes as the sound levels are variable; sometimes almost a whisper then shouting. That makes listening while driving difficult.
   
   Also the material, Edgar Allan Poe, is rather densely written. The stories are convoluted and the words Poe used are intentionally obscure sometimes - all that makes it harder to follow in audio book form rather then in the actual reading.
   
   Not a bad production and I may listen to it at work, but it was not very good for travel listening.



4. A must have for Poe lovers. Excellent audio collection. Rathbone and Price are the perfect match. The audios are based on the quality of their voices and the writings. No sound effects are needed due to the talent of these two individuals.



5. I'm didn't like the audio levels, I had to turn it up to hear some of what the narrators were saying, but then other times it would be too loud.

5 comments about Stationary Bike.

1. GREAT STORY. I DIDN'T CARE FOR THE READER ON THIS ONE, BUT STILL A GREAT STORY.



2. I'm a Stephen King fan, but I was disappointed with this audio book. I've never purchased an audio book before, but this was the only format for this "novel." I'm not sure if I just couldn't really get into the story because I listened to it while I was driving (and, therefore, was too busy concentrating on driving), or because the story itself just wasn't all that interesting. It is a 2-disc set, and the story seemed very short. I am giving the audio book to my brother, who is blind. Maybe he will like it better than I did.



3. I am a Stephen King fan and have to read anything he writes. This was an auto book. It was okay but not that interesting. I prefer to read his books and not have them on audio.



4. I loved Stationary Bike. Ron McLarty could read the phone book and I would listen -- intently.
   
   Stationary Bike was a lot of fun. In the story we follow Siftkits (spelling?) as he takes a metaphoric journey down his metabolic path. The characters, the reality and the settings were all fun.
   
   It wasn't too long or too short, it was just right. And did I meantion Ron McLarty is a great reader?
   
   You don't have to be an SK fan to like this one.
   
   - Dan.



5. Richard Sifkitz is overweight. Giving into his doctor's encouragement to get in shape, Sifkitz purchases a STATIONARY BIKE. Sifkitz is an artist and begins painting an imaginary scene in which to pretend he's traveling while riding his bike. Soon, his fantasy and reality begin merging together as Sifkitz can't stop riding his STATIONARY BIKE.
   
   I expected better from Stephen King. The story meandered almost meaningless along the imaginary roads in a world populated with imaginary people... for no real purpose that I could discern. Sifkitz envisions the work crew that has been cleaning his system of all the junk he has eaten over the years, a work crew that is becoming increasingly disgruntled as Sifkitz is living and eating healthier now that he regularly rides his STATIONARY BIKE. We learn the identities of this imaginary work crew, but for what reason?
   
   STATIONARY BIKE is a short audio to listen to but one I found myself struggling to stay engaged in the story. I didn't care about Richard Sifkitz's dilemma at all. He wasn't necessarily unlikable; he just didn't have much of a personality at all. In fact, the entirety of his character development focuses mostly on his weight and his efforts to lose that weight. Even the imaginary work crew is more likable and well developed than Sifkitz!
   
   STATIONARY BIKE is not Stephen King at his best. Die hard King fans like myself with probably struggle through it and there may even be some who will insist that Stephen King cannot write a bad story. For me, however, STATIONARY BIKE is a major disappointment.
   
   COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

5 comments about The Gingerbread Girl.

1. Having read and/or listened to nearly all of King's work (okay, uncle, I didn't make it through _Insomnia_ or _Lisey's Story_), I have to say that this falls somewhere between _Gerald's Game_ and _Rose Madder_. This isn't King at his worst, but he's not at his best either. Other than _The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon_ (and that was written from the kid's POV), I'm not at all sure that King does well when it comes to writing about women or from a woman's point of view. As was the case with Lisey, this female protagonist was neither believable nor particularly interesting, and the action was drawn-out waaaayyyy too long.
   
   Oh, and I agree with another reviewer: just WHAT did the title have to do with ANYTHING?
   
   The narrator was credible; she's a bit like Lindsay Crouse who did _Gerald's Game_, but I found myself glancing repeatedly at my iPod, wondering just how much longer I had to listen to the perils of Pauline.
   
   If Florida is to become King's next "Maine" -- as it seems from this and _Duma Key_ -- then I hope he figures out something more interesting to do in such claustrophobic climes. _Duma Key_ was very good, but if I have to sit through one more island narrative, I might build myself a raft.



2. This story had me on the edge of my seat, begging to hear more and gasping in fear right along with Emily. I became Emily in my imagination and suffered along with her. Her fears were mine as well as her triumphs. This is one I will listen to again and share with my friends and family.



3. It's Stephen King, it's not too long, and it's beautifully read by Mare Winningham (who also read Lisey's Story on audio cd). It wasn't my favorite story by him, but it wasn't bad. It's definately suspenseful in parts, but I felt a little cheated at the end.



4. Mare Winningham does an excellent job narrating this two-CD audio version of Stephen King's long story. It doesn't feel long, though. This one is a well-built thrill ride, and King proves once again that he can reach into his bag of tricks and scare the daylights out of the listener. The story is simple almost to the point of bare-bones, but it has a lot of tension and plenty of surprises in store. Any fan of King who enjoys audiobooks will like this one. It's not profound, but it's great at what it does, gripping the listener in a vice of tension and suspense and not letting go. Saying any more would only risk spoiling this delightful treat for King's fans.



5. I thought this story was good but could have been better. It was so underdeveloped it almost seemed unfinished. I am still wondering what happened to the poor old guy that ran the bridge.
   
   Oh, and just an FYI for those of you who seemed confused by the title, I believe it is a reference to the kid's story "Gingerbread man" as in "run, run as fast as you can, you can't catch me I'm the gingerbread man."