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sylvia_is_reading's review
4.0
I really don't like the narration, I liked the story the first time but not like this.
the_novel_approach's review
4.0
I think this may actually have been my first time listening to a narration without having ever read the book prior, so listening to this particular audio was a different experience for me. I had no idea what would be happening in the storyline and no preconceptions of the characters and my own imagined voices, etc., before jumping into 72 Hours.
Overall, I was very impressed with the story. The story, told via Tanner’s perspective, had a very interesting plot—equal parts suspense/mystery and romance. Neither really overshadowed the other nor took the focus. When there was a lull in the mystery aspect, their past is explained in snippets, not so much flashbacks, more like Tanner remembering and explaining as if in conversation (from his perspective)—where it all went wrong and what caused their relationship to fall apart. Sometimes the present takes precedence, and vital information or a situation requires Tanner’s full attention, and their past is put on hold while they try to put the pieces together regarding a killer on the loose.
To put it simply; Tanner and Niall are a mess of epic proportions. Their lack of communication skills are impressive, to say the least. Their personalities and perspectives are so different, and there is so much hostility between the two. The falling in love and then the blowing up of their relationship, with the subsequent anger and unforgiving feelings towards each other, made sense and was done realistically, with the narration adding a believability to the situation. It’s obvious from the beginning the two have a major past, and Tanner’s feelings, as well as Niall’s reactions, make it clear there once was deep love between the two for them for both to harbor such astonishing animosity for each other. Tanner is likeable and…not. I sympathized with his character, but I also could easily see how difficult he made things for Niall, and Tanner’s immaturity came through loud and clear several times. I enjoyed his character, but at the same time was annoyed by his inability to communicate without throwing daggers and digs, especially because his internal dialogue knew better.
I guessed the bad guy pretty quickly, so that was sort of a downer, and the bad guy’s motivation was sort of meh when it all came together, in my opinion. Even so, I didn’t know what was going to happen while Tanner and Niall tried to figure it all out, like who was going to be targeted next, or when one of them would stop being so darn stubborn and breach the gap that separated them emotionally. So although I knew who the bad guy was, the suspense was still very present and the romantic element kept me invested.
For the narration, my general preferences for audio is a narrator who can give each character a distinct voice. As I said, this is my first experience listening to an audio without previously having read the book and already having some sort of expectation in my head, so it would have been hard to disappoint me by not using voices or accents I had pictured, as with some of my previous audio experiences. This was also my first audio by Michael Pauley, so I had no idea how this one would go. As far as I am concerned, he did a solid job giving each character their own inflection and personality. There were a couple times in the first couple of hours that the narration felt a little stilted, usually during one of Tanner’s explanations of a past situation. But, that also may have been because in some of those portions it felt like Tanner was giving a report and removing emotions from his explanations. His profession, being what it is, that may have been intentional on the narrator’s part. It was difficult to tell. By midway through the audio that no longer seemed to be an issue. There was emotion in the dialogue, especially between Tanner and Niall, but also with many of the secondary characters, which I really appreciated. I really am not one for a monotone performance where I am just being read to, I like to feel like the conversation is happening between real people in front of me! That’s not everyone’s bag, but for me, a narrator who can imbue their characters’ voices with emotion gets major kudos when I am the one listening!
72 Hours was a highly enjoyable suspense story with a solid narration and totally worth listening to!
Reviewed by Lindsey for The Novel Approach Reviews
Overall, I was very impressed with the story. The story, told via Tanner’s perspective, had a very interesting plot—equal parts suspense/mystery and romance. Neither really overshadowed the other nor took the focus. When there was a lull in the mystery aspect, their past is explained in snippets, not so much flashbacks, more like Tanner remembering and explaining as if in conversation (from his perspective)—where it all went wrong and what caused their relationship to fall apart. Sometimes the present takes precedence, and vital information or a situation requires Tanner’s full attention, and their past is put on hold while they try to put the pieces together regarding a killer on the loose.
To put it simply; Tanner and Niall are a mess of epic proportions. Their lack of communication skills are impressive, to say the least. Their personalities and perspectives are so different, and there is so much hostility between the two. The falling in love and then the blowing up of their relationship, with the subsequent anger and unforgiving feelings towards each other, made sense and was done realistically, with the narration adding a believability to the situation. It’s obvious from the beginning the two have a major past, and Tanner’s feelings, as well as Niall’s reactions, make it clear there once was deep love between the two for them for both to harbor such astonishing animosity for each other. Tanner is likeable and…not. I sympathized with his character, but I also could easily see how difficult he made things for Niall, and Tanner’s immaturity came through loud and clear several times. I enjoyed his character, but at the same time was annoyed by his inability to communicate without throwing daggers and digs, especially because his internal dialogue knew better.
I guessed the bad guy pretty quickly, so that was sort of a downer, and the bad guy’s motivation was sort of meh when it all came together, in my opinion. Even so, I didn’t know what was going to happen while Tanner and Niall tried to figure it all out, like who was going to be targeted next, or when one of them would stop being so darn stubborn and breach the gap that separated them emotionally. So although I knew who the bad guy was, the suspense was still very present and the romantic element kept me invested.
For the narration, my general preferences for audio is a narrator who can give each character a distinct voice. As I said, this is my first experience listening to an audio without previously having read the book and already having some sort of expectation in my head, so it would have been hard to disappoint me by not using voices or accents I had pictured, as with some of my previous audio experiences. This was also my first audio by Michael Pauley, so I had no idea how this one would go. As far as I am concerned, he did a solid job giving each character their own inflection and personality. There were a couple times in the first couple of hours that the narration felt a little stilted, usually during one of Tanner’s explanations of a past situation. But, that also may have been because in some of those portions it felt like Tanner was giving a report and removing emotions from his explanations. His profession, being what it is, that may have been intentional on the narrator’s part. It was difficult to tell. By midway through the audio that no longer seemed to be an issue. There was emotion in the dialogue, especially between Tanner and Niall, but also with many of the secondary characters, which I really appreciated. I really am not one for a monotone performance where I am just being read to, I like to feel like the conversation is happening between real people in front of me! That’s not everyone’s bag, but for me, a narrator who can imbue their characters’ voices with emotion gets major kudos when I am the one listening!
72 Hours was a highly enjoyable suspense story with a solid narration and totally worth listening to!
Reviewed by Lindsey for The Novel Approach Reviews
msmiz95's review
2.0
I think I need to start this review by saying I love Clare London and have enjoyed her other works. This one just did not work for me, not at all. First, these are supposed to be grown men. Second, they are also Agents in some secret Team that works behind all rules and laws. Third, I *think* they are supposed to be smart. But Tanner and Niall end up being the dumbest agents and the whiniest men I have ever read. They continue to bumble through this particular mission, which happens to be a threat to their secret team. I had the perpetrator pegged from the get go and I am not even able to shoot a gun straight. On top of the bad agent work from the ENTIRE team, we have the whacked out, fucked up, immature relationship between Tanner and Niall.
Their relationship takes dysfunction and childhood antics to a new level. There are so many instances where I was envisioning lighting each of them on fire and watching them go up in flames. They complained about how bad things got and they were not even together anymore. Lots of flashbacks, lots of guilt, lots of remembering of the good and mostly the bad times, and lots of cheap shots at each other. At about 50%, that is when the two of them decide to grab their balls, be men and not 16 year old drama queens and call a truce. They finally start communicating!!! Whooo hoo I was happy at 50%. Then the plot of 'who is hurting the team' comes to the forefront and they start bumbling over the mystery and I was unhappy again.
Kate has reminded me that there were some sunny spots. The secondary characters such as Junk, Dylan the dog, Phil, Sheri, etc really made good on the story and should be applauded for holding the story together!
Man I hate writing that I did not like a Clare London book. I love her, but this book just did not work for me, as if the review did not spell it out!
Their relationship takes dysfunction and childhood antics to a new level. There are so many instances where I was envisioning lighting each of them on fire and watching them go up in flames. They complained about how bad things got and they were not even together anymore. Lots of flashbacks, lots of guilt, lots of remembering of the good and mostly the bad times, and lots of cheap shots at each other. At about 50%, that is when the two of them decide to grab their balls, be men and not 16 year old drama queens and call a truce. They finally start communicating!!! Whooo hoo I was happy at 50%. Then the plot of 'who is hurting the team' comes to the forefront and they start bumbling over the mystery and I was unhappy again.
Kate has reminded me that there were some sunny spots. The secondary characters such as Junk, Dylan the dog, Phil, Sheri, etc really made good on the story and should be applauded for holding the story together!
Man I hate writing that I did not like a Clare London book. I love her, but this book just did not work for me, as if the review did not spell it out!
calila's review
2.0
This one really just wasn't for me. Didn't start enjoying it until the last 80-100 pages (counting by my nook). Timeline was super confusing, I'm still not sure on it. And the transition from current scenes to flashbacks wasn't really great. I had to stop and go back just about every time. Though as I said it did pick up towards the end.
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