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gillianw's review
Audiobook reviewed for Just Love
DNF
It’s the rare occasion when I pick up an audiobook of a story I haven’t yet read. Most of the time, I use an audiobook as a companion to my Kindle or paperback versions because I love the story and want the full book experience from written to oral.
It’s also a rare occasion when I don’t check who the narrator is before choosing an audiobook, because no matter how great the book might be, a narrator can make or break a story. A lesson most audiobook listeners have regretfully discovered.
In the case of Lord Mouse, though, I broke from protocol on both these counts and ended up with a big old DNF, something I hate doing because I always want to give a book plenty of opportunity to redeem itself.
So, what happened here?
Firstly, the story takes an inordinate amount of time to start. I mean, this is supposed to be a rescue mission, but before we even get a sniff of adventure, Mouse has to meet with umpteen different people to find the person, who knows the whereabouts of another person, who knows the place where people meet, to discuss the rumors about the place where the Prince is being held. In other words, it takes forever – FOREVER – for things to get started.
Now, if I was reading the book, I would have skimmed over a lot of this stuff to finally get to the meat of the story. But you can’t really do that in an audiobook, so you are forced to listen to each excruciating detail before the adventure portion starts.
Which brings us to the narration.
Full disclosure: Joel Leslie previously narrated one of the worst audiobooks I’ve ever had the displeasure of listening to, so hearing his voice on Lord Mouse was a grim reminder of that book-that-shall-not-be-named. I openly admit that there may have be some narrator bias on my part from the outset, but I determinedly plugged on, hoping to overcome that memory. But between that, the s l o w first half and the many, many accents the narrator employs, not always successfully, listening to this book felt like a punishment. I wish that was an understatement.
Anyway, I pretty much gave up just as Mouse FINALLY gets to Lord Garron because by then I had a) fallen asleep several times while trying to get through the slow parts and b) got annoyed by the narrator’s odd voice and continually dropping his accent.
Look, this audiobook has a lot of great reviews on Audible, so it’s entirely possible that this narrator just doesn’t work for me. Plus, I don’t think this book really lends itself to the audio experience. In fact, I’m very tempted to pick up the Kindle version and read it myself, because I *think* this could be something I could get into. Hey, at least I got through all the preamble already, so I can go straight to the adventure without delay!
If anyone wants to read a more comprehensive review of Lord Mouse (the book only), Elyse wrote up an excellent review here. But for my part, I just cannot recommend the audiobook.
DNF
It’s the rare occasion when I pick up an audiobook of a story I haven’t yet read. Most of the time, I use an audiobook as a companion to my Kindle or paperback versions because I love the story and want the full book experience from written to oral.
It’s also a rare occasion when I don’t check who the narrator is before choosing an audiobook, because no matter how great the book might be, a narrator can make or break a story. A lesson most audiobook listeners have regretfully discovered.
In the case of Lord Mouse, though, I broke from protocol on both these counts and ended up with a big old DNF, something I hate doing because I always want to give a book plenty of opportunity to redeem itself.
So, what happened here?
Firstly, the story takes an inordinate amount of time to start. I mean, this is supposed to be a rescue mission, but before we even get a sniff of adventure, Mouse has to meet with umpteen different people to find the person, who knows the whereabouts of another person, who knows the place where people meet, to discuss the rumors about the place where the Prince is being held. In other words, it takes forever – FOREVER – for things to get started.
Now, if I was reading the book, I would have skimmed over a lot of this stuff to finally get to the meat of the story. But you can’t really do that in an audiobook, so you are forced to listen to each excruciating detail before the adventure portion starts.
Which brings us to the narration.
Full disclosure: Joel Leslie previously narrated one of the worst audiobooks I’ve ever had the displeasure of listening to, so hearing his voice on Lord Mouse was a grim reminder of that book-that-shall-not-be-named. I openly admit that there may have be some narrator bias on my part from the outset, but I determinedly plugged on, hoping to overcome that memory. But between that, the s l o w first half and the many, many accents the narrator employs, not always successfully, listening to this book felt like a punishment. I wish that was an understatement.
Anyway, I pretty much gave up just as Mouse FINALLY gets to Lord Garron because by then I had a) fallen asleep several times while trying to get through the slow parts and b) got annoyed by the narrator’s odd voice and continually dropping his accent.
Look, this audiobook has a lot of great reviews on Audible, so it’s entirely possible that this narrator just doesn’t work for me. Plus, I don’t think this book really lends itself to the audio experience. In fact, I’m very tempted to pick up the Kindle version and read it myself, because I *think* this could be something I could get into. Hey, at least I got through all the preamble already, so I can go straight to the adventure without delay!
If anyone wants to read a more comprehensive review of Lord Mouse (the book only), Elyse wrote up an excellent review here. But for my part, I just cannot recommend the audiobook.
rena219's review against another edition
2.0
Oh boy. This is one of those things where I kept reading hoping it would get better but it never does.
All the plot twists and tropes are normally up my alley but the execution in Lord Mouse is so clumsy. Nothing important of how characters get from point A to B is ever shown. It’s mentioned but then there’s a mini time skip where normally character development or character chemistry is explored.
I wanted to like this book but it feels like it’s missing chunks of the story.
All the plot twists and tropes are normally up my alley but the execution in Lord Mouse is so clumsy. Nothing important of how characters get from point A to B is ever shown. It’s mentioned but then there’s a mini time skip where normally character development or character chemistry is explored.
I wanted to like this book but it feels like it’s missing chunks of the story.
chloeinbooksland's review against another edition
2.5
2,5-2,75/5
I was not convinced!
And the sex scenes were faded to black so the book doesn't even have the redeemable quality to go into my MM Spice AZ Challenge 😑
I was not convinced!
And the sex scenes were faded to black so the book doesn't even have the redeemable quality to go into my MM Spice AZ Challenge 😑
sleepingnerd's review against another edition
4.0
“You have convinced yourself you are wicked and incapable of redemption. I’m here to tell you you’re wrong.”
Oh, this was unexpectedly a lot of fun!
This book was fast-paced and action-packed. Thought it took a while to get going, after the rescue happens I couldn't put it down.The mystery was engaging, too, with us weaseling out little details and answers as the story progressed.
Mouse is your archetypal rogue, smart-mouthed, skilled and with a quick wit, and it wasn't long before I began to like him. I also greatly enjoyed all of his schemes and costume changes. Garron was a compelling character, and had more complexity than I expected. Also, it's all very unabashedly queer, which I love.
The romance progressed nicely and didn't feel at all rushed. Some common tropes were used, like "there was only one bed" and "thought he'd died", but they were fun instead of cliché. The end was woven tight, no loose threads left behind. Overall, a really good read!
ianthe99's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lezreadalot's review
3.0
CUTE! It was a bit slow going at first, took a while to really get started, but I loved the characters, and it had a neat plot and cute tropes and everything I want out of a romance.
finhatfield's review
4.0
I’ve read worse.
I was here for “prison break but with gays and magic” and while it fits that description it’s also like a romance book.
I was here for “prison break but with gays and magic” and while it fits that description it’s also like a romance book.
rokinkrys56's review
5.0
So this was a trip. A good one though. I really enjoyed the way that Mouse is constructed as a character. He is very true to himself in every way. There is no time when I wonder if he's going against his character. Especially the part where he leaves Garen on his death bed.
teresab78's review
5.0
4.5 stars
This was a wonderful fantasy romp with action, danger, colourful characters and a daring escape. I liked the romance that evolved and didn’t even mind it was fade to black on the sexy times. This felt like the fantasy I read as a teen with strong characters that had honour while perhaps not being clearly good. Highly recommend
This was a wonderful fantasy romp with action, danger, colourful characters and a daring escape. I liked the romance that evolved and didn’t even mind it was fade to black on the sexy times. This felt like the fantasy I read as a teen with strong characters that had honour while perhaps not being clearly good. Highly recommend