Dying isn’t enough this time

Now that earth has become enforcers for the Galactic Empire in this part of the universe Specialist James McGill and Legion Varus have been assigned guard duty on a High Tech Planet called Tau Ceti, better known appropriately as Tech World; but even before they can embark on their mission some political infighting and McGill’s uncontrollable need to express his opinion lands him in trouble again.
Once matters are somewhat settled McGill and Legion Varus ship out for Tau Ceti where dying isn’t enough this time as the mercenaries must cope with greed and corruption on a planetary scale. As usual McGill will take it upon himself to make choices and decisions that could affect all of humanity as possible big changes concerning the entire Galactic Empire are coming to light.
B.V Larson’s main concept of re-growing bodies and retrieving memory leads to some interesting sub-plots in this latest installment in his series. From previous books we have learned that there are rules set in place regarding “Re-growths.” A person must be verified to be deceased before a new grow can occur to prevent multiples of the same person for instance, and if one does not die over the years it is recommended that the data banks be updated so a person doesn’t come back looking ten or fifteen years younger; both of these scenarios are explored in this book.
The narrator, Mark Boyett, gives another good performance and I look forward to the next book.

21 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Fun story but left me irritated

Performance. Mark Boyett did a fantastic job and I enjoyed his narration.

Story: This is an extension of the series, which I have enjoyed so far. Throughout the series McGill has done some crazy stuff. He is a troublemaker, a virtual slave to his passions, and a generally heart-of-gold type guy.

This installment was just as good as the previous two, and the first 2/3 of the book was great.

The last 1/3 really illustrates how much a slave to his passions McGill is. He follows his personal code and emotional state without looking back.

Without spoilers I'll just say that, in the previous books, he puts his own welfare on the line to help others, and convinces his friends to help when needed. In this installment he begins putting the lives and welfare of others on the line without their consent. It turned me off to his character. I don't know that it's inconsistent with the previous McGill, but I think it's certainly illustrative of a protagonist I'm no longer interested in.

I doubt I'll be buying the next installment.

17 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Meh... Followed by copious eye-rolls

[this review has possible slight spoilers]

I didn't quite finish this one. By the end I was rolling my eyes every couple of minutes and inwardly cringing at the predictable, pedestrian, and slightly juvenile plot-lines. To clarify, the actual plot of the story is pretty solid and in keeping with the series. It's the subplots & general believably that had me cringing. The way our "protagonist" is supposed to be, at once, a womanizing ladies man & coldhearted tactical killer AND overly sympathetic and self-righteous just couldn't hold water for me. Apparently he can sleep with another woman twice in a row, then convince you to "c'mon" and commit treason with him...

Most notably though, the author has logical fallacies here based on his own world-building. When we first see the shock sticks, the protagonist makes note that they have no readouts on them, just two buttons. Later, he references a power/charge readout. Aside from that we are constantly shown that upon revival there's a little while where your mind is a fog and your body basically doesn't work... And yet, somehow, our superhuman protag is able to defeat two fully capable soldiers in hand to hand combat moments after being revived. and then subsequently convince those two soldiers bent on killing him that they should work together AGAIN, in only about three sentences.

I just can't with this book. I'm really starting to dislike the main character, in all the wrong ways. I won't even start on what this writer apparently thinks makes women tick. His female characters are so naive it's painful.

I started this series because I accidentally bought book 8 first and figured I'd just start at the beginning. But I'm not sure if i'm gonna make it...

11 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Action packed with McGill still causing trouble.

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

Indeed. This was a can't put down epic continuation on this story. The characters are well done. Story outstanding. A unique scifi setting. No typical romantic love with a not so expected final outcome. Its just keeps going and going into craziness and I found myself not wanting it to end.

What did you like best about this story?

The story just kept evolving. So many twists. So many things, I didn't expect. How it just got more insane, more crazy, more on the edge of everything going to crap. Only for McGill to push it even further with is crazy thoughts or just running his mouth. As the listener, I started feeling as if he should stop or just shut up to avoid further madness. Ha.

What about Mark Boyett’s performance did you like?

Mark Boyett is pure gold. His narration is always amazing. Voices are well done and near perfect tones that you can feel as hes telling the story. If I see his name on anything, I immediately check it out.

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

As I listened to this epic tale, I found myself having those, "I can't believe he just said that". Even feeling in shock or just paranoid of what might happen next. Many outbursts of laughs due McGills crazy actions. Which happened quite a bit.

Any additional comments?

If you like scfi, guns, aliens, a great story, military combat, all with a not typical main character. This story is for you. Run and get it now.

11 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Self righteous yadayada

Main character is always right everybody else is always wrong. Main character is brave everybody else isn't. Main character is a self righteous moron who does not act like a mercenary at any point in time. He puts a higher priority on his own morality then the safety of his friends and comrades. Disagrees with every order he gets and never gets disciplined. The world the author built is very compelling. I like how it is built. But I hate the main character. I dont agree with anything he does ever. I hope the author kills this character off other wise I'm done with this series.

10 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

What is wrong with me? I love this series!

I am a 70 year old with 14 grandchildren and love this series. Maybe it is the fact that I have all these youngsters around that helps me think "why not?" Or, maybe it is just a good story written well. Keeps me listening intently all the way through and cheering for the good guys. I'll finish one, say no more and then turn around and buy more. When will this end? Oh, geez, Larson has lots more for me to listen to...yea!

10 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Different setting, B.V Larson never disapoints !

This one is set in a urban combat setting on an alien world.The first hour is a bit slow(still interesting events) but it is worth the wait.The stakes are high;.military illegal dealings by other legions , still one of the most interesting series on audible. Excellent story and narration.

8 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

disappointing third book in the series.

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

The writing and narration are as good as ever, but the plot was even more contrived and implausible as before. The overall galactic plot moves slowly as usual, but instead of developing a complex tactical engagement as in the previous books, the author has the hero bumble around following the real players while disobeying orders seemingly just for the sake ofof disobeying, not for any compelling tactical reason.

I enjoyed the book, but it was disappointing compared to others in this series and I wouldn't recommend it except to a die hard fan.

6 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Enjoyable and well paced, if slightly re-hashed

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

Worth the time and the credit, an enjoyable listen and in keeping with the series.

What other book might you compare Tech World to and why?

A combination of the reluctant hero and the noble man among lessers genres.... it reminds me a bit of David Gerrold's "Ch'Torr" series, and David Feintuch's "Hope" series.

Which character – as performed by Mark Boyett – was your favorite?

Mark is an excellent narrator, with a good sense of pacing and the wry humor included in the book. The perspective of the narrative being from the main character's "voice" he does an especially good job of inside/outside voice ... making narrative and dialogue stand apart. Which is tricky.

Did Tech World inspire you to do anything?

*chuckle* that's an amusing question for a SciFi... but no, not especially. It was lovely fun tho.

Any additional comments?

A decent third installment in Larson's "Undying Mercenaries" series, tho the plot does start to feel a bit rehashed. Thankfully, there is good followthrough from previous books' subplots, and very little of the often heavy-handed "in our last installment!!" stuff that many authors feel obligated to do. Some eye-roll worthy continuing chauvinism in the main character, but it's in keeping with his rustic southern personae.Nice world building of alien civilizations, with a believable but not overly detailed painting of the scenes. Boyett is really excellent for this series, with a comfortable baritone drawl that manages to sound both military and youthful one minute, jaded and aged the next.

4 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Another Excellent adventure for James McGill

B.V. Larson has certainly kept up the quality in this latest instalment of the Undying Mercenaries. The plot is excellent and the adventure non-stop. The character development of all the major cast continues with them being tested in many ways. The great thing about these books are they are complete books with the story finishing at the end. There are tantalizing bits about what may be happening next but it is none stop.

The reading by Mark Boyett is fantastic and the extra dimension he adds to a brilliant story is something to appreciate as you listen to this book.

4 personnes ont trouvé cela utile