Pretty good, but with reservations

This is a compilation of 3 stories. Here is my breakdown..

The first story is from the Iron Druid series. If you haven't read the Series do not start with this as you will have no idea what is going on. This story is very good as I would expect from Kevin Hearne but with one major issue. The problem is that this is not really a novella as advertised. It is more like the first few chapters of the next novel. It's still really good but not a complete story by a longshot.

It takes off from the end of the last book and stops abruptly with no closure whatsoever. Unlike Two Ravens and One crow which had a distinct beginning, middle and end this is just a beginning and middle with a brief pause and no closure. That is very frustrating since you really wind up wanting to know what happens next. It is still worth the credit, though.

Good news is Luke Daniels did the narration so the voices are the same we are used to hearing. The last novella (in Carnie punk .. don't bother with) had a different person reading and it messed the whole thing up for me. Also, the author's Granuiale POV is much better than in previous books. I think he is starting to figure out how to write from her point of view. Other than that it is great to hear from Kevin Hearne. I hope he doesn't spend too much time writing Star Wars books and stays with this series.

The second was about a character named Criminy Stain. It seems to be from an ongoing series as well. The story was good and while quite a different world had a writing style that is very reminiscent of Anne Rice. The only real drawback was that if you haven't read the series this is based on there is a lot unexplained. Still I could follow it and it kept my interest. The main character is a bit of a douche which made it less enjoyable but still not too bad. The narrator did a good job and definitely added to the quality of the story.

The third story by Chuck Wendig really did not capture my interest. The narrator did a decent job but the story didn't pull me in me at all. I am glad I heard this story as I almost bought a book in this series a few weeks ago. Hearing this one saved me from wasting a credit.

So, 2 out of 3 stories were good. That's better than what most anthologies manage and if you are an Iron Druid fan you will want this one just to get a head start on the next book. The 3rd story combined with the lack of a strong finish to the Iron Druid story lead to the lower scores for story. All 3 had good narration in my opinion. If you follow any of these series this is worth a credit. If you are new to all 3 I'd pass as you will just be confused.

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33 people found this helpful

2 Out of 3 the Redux

Like most reviewers, I found the first 2 stories to be enjoyable, but could not maintain interest in the third story for very long. The problem isn't the writing, it's more that the third story doesn't seem to fit with the other two in terms of ethos. It could be argued that the Kevin Hearne and Delilah Dawson stories are also very different in character, but somehow the feel is the same. All the stories are good, I think. If the last story had been a part of a different grouping, it might have been easier to connect. I just haven't made myself go back to listen to the third to verify if my hypothesis is true. Anyway, love both Kevin Hearne and Luke Daniels (and Oberon, of course).

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8 people found this helpful

Loved the Druid; couldn't stand the others

I know the iron Druid series is quirky and eclectic and that's why love it... But the other two stories in this series of short books were unnecessarily dark, lacking any of the humor of the Druid series... and I wonder why they were bundled together. I thoroughly enjoyed the first one and couldn't stand the other two

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7 people found this helpful

so close, yet...

The first story was excellent, the second one was good, but the third was hideous!

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5 people found this helpful

Another IDC novella - Yay!

So, this review is only for the first novella, "A prelude to War" by Kevin Hearne. The others will surely be equally spiffy, but since I haven't read any of their previous works I'm a bit gun shy to try them on right away. Later I will use my google powers to find out if they contain spoilers etc.

Anyway A Prelude to War which I guess would make for book seven and a third of the IDC series is awesome and well worth the price of admission. Luke Daniels does a kick ass job as usual and there's lots of Oberon goodness in it.

To Kevin: Moar please. No more dilly-dallying with Starwars and such. :D

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5 people found this helpful

Nice nibble

Excellent nibble of cheesy bits. Haven't heard of the other two others, I was here for the iron Druid and Oberon! Found out I may like a full wheel of Dawson and or Wendig. Great listen, great narrators!

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4 people found this helpful

2 out of 3 were great

Any additional comments?

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly
NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4
REVIEW:
I listened to this one on audio and loved every minute of two out of three of these stories.
A Prelude to War: Read by Luke Daniels
As always the combination of Kevin’s words and Luke’s voice takes me right into the IDC world. Love love love hanging with Atticus. Love Oberon (and yes Oberon I know you did it!!!). And of Granuaile is on her own journey at the present time. But I love that A Prelude to War sets up for the next book in the IDC. I for one can not wait.
Off to Toronto we go......

Not My Circle, Not my Monkeys: Read by Alex Wyndham
This was my first read of Delilah S Dawson and my first listen to Alex Wyndham. The combination of these two make for an awesome story that I didn’t want to end. I loved Criminy Stain I can’t wait to read more of Mr. Stain.

Interlude; Swallow: Read by Julia Whelan
Interlude: Swallow I just could not get into. I am not sure if it was the writing, the narrator or the point of view. But it just didn’t grab me.

Disclaimer:
I purchased this audiobook from Audible.com and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

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3 people found this helpful

IDC Meets Blub Series meets Miriam Black.

Three Slices Contains three all new novellas By Kevin Hearne (IDC) Delilah S. Dawson (Blud) & Chuck Wendig (Miriam Black) All three stories have a cross typic

Three Slices starts off with Narration by Luke Daniels who helps brings the voices to life of Atticus O'Sullivan, Fan Fave Oberon along with Granuaile MacTiernan and her hound (it's like a Party on your ear drums through out. He is so good!) The story of A PRELUDE TO WAR (IDC 7.5) picks up hours after SHATTERED, book 7 ends tying up loose ends where IDC 7 leaves off.

Second, Delilah S. Dawson's Blud series piece which I enjoyed very much. Follows the story of Criminy Stain, A young Vampire (Voiced by Alex Wyndham) is on the run in the forest. Delilah's writing is superb. I strongly recommend you pick up book one of Blud series. I know I did after listening to Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys.

Thirdly a short story by Chuck Windig, Interlude: Swallow is set between The Cormorant and Thunderbird of the Miriam Black series. Not for the faint of hearts. Let's just say Miriam see death and uses the FBomb a lot. Which is why I recommend this Scifi tale of great building of descriptive worlds you can taste, smell and feel.

Three Slices is a collaboration of 3 stories from 3 different sub genres with in the SCIFI Housing. Hands down 6 hours 7 minutes Pure entertainment to the ears.

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3 people found this helpful

Wonderful

Great stories. I purchased it originally for the Iron Druid novella but the other two were quite good!
Highly recommended.

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3 people found this helpful

So good you don't want it to end

I got this book for the IDC story but the others were very good! And the shared topics are so cool.

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3 people found this helpful