View from Valhalla

Category: Podcast Reviews

  • Podcast Review #2: Tumbler

    Title: Tumbler
    Author: Brand Gamblin
    Read by: S.V. Allie
    Genre: Science Fiction
    Released: May 31 (in progress)
    Located: Podiobooks, Author’s Site, iTunes
    Formats available: podcast only

    I’ll begin this review by stating I’m all ready breaking my own rules. As I stated in the previous post, “And Now for Something Completely Different” I will be focusing my reviews on podcasts that are complete. So, why am I all ready going against the stated intent? Meh, because  I want to. And because Tumbler’s author, Brand Gamblin (@brandg on Twitter), asked earlier this week (late last week?) if anyone would be interested in reviewing his podcast in return for a free .pdf of the story.

    A good virtual friend of mine Richard Asplund Jr. (@rasplundjr), and a wonderful blogger, all ready presented his take on the story over at Random Pimpage. He does a nice comparison with another podcast that will eventually end up here as well, namely, The Gearheart. (Apples and forks.. LOL)

    Back in May of this year, another good friend of mine on Twitter (Tee Morris – @teemonster) recommended a podcast to everyone: Tumbler. Trusting Tee, I decided to give it a shot. At the time there was only one episode out so I downloaded it and gave it a shot. Ever since I’ve been waiting anxiously for my regular dose of Libby & Co.

    So, on to the review.

    Synopsis: I don’t do synopses, they feel to0 much like a sixth grade book report, but I understand that if you’re not currently listening to the podcast, you might need a little background. With that in mind, here is what the author has to say about his story: Libby Carter wanted to get away from it all, so she took a job mining asteroids as far out into the inky blackness as possible. However, her escape turned into a trap, leaving her stuck in indentured servitude, living on a tiny rock in space. As she tries to dig herself out, she gains friends and finds adventure. (BTW, I personally like Richard Asplund Jr’s synopsis from Random Pimpage just as well: Tumbler is a gripping tale of a young woman trying to make it on her own in space after she’s lost everything.)

    Production: You know, I have listened to podcasts where the cast was simply stunning and the story was top notch only to be ruined by the production. That always kills me because when the story is good, I am FORCED to listen regardless of anything else, and when either the production or the cast are subpar, it makes it extremely painful. Thankfully, that is NOT the case with Tumbler.

    Tumbler is a straight forward affair with little in the way of sound effects or music. And that suits me just fine. As this series of Podcast Reviews continues, this is something that will be continually brought up. I would MUCH rather have a straight forward reading by a competent reader then to be annoyed by over the top but interfering production. All the audio is at an appropriate level and each episode can be heard above the sounds of my cars engine. That is all I ask for.

    The only issue I have with Tumbler’s production is one I have with many podcast novels. The Story So Far. I’ve always hated them. Always will. For a long time I believed they were a necessary evil. Lately though, I’ve listened to a few podcasts that are NOT providing a TSSF intro. I much prefer option B. It is the author’s choice of course, and one I’ll respect as it doesn’t annoy me for long before the story begins. (Additional note, as long as we’re on my preferences if you must include a TSSF, I much prefer the author doing it themselves or editing a compilation of previous scenes.)

    Cast: This one is easy. There is only one member, and her name is S.V. Allie (@svallie on Twitter). I don’t know if you’ll ever read this Ms. Allie, but kudos. You are awesome. Your voice embodies Libby Carter for me.

    When I first listened to episode one, I was unsure whether this pairing was going to work. It does. Finer than frog hair.

    Again, I love a straight forward reading with a single voice when done right. Tumbler is that, done very right.

    Story: Mr. Gamblin has done his job well (to this point). I have never found him predictable. Rather he has thrown a curve or two taking the story in a direction I would have never anticipated while remaining true to the character and her motivations. Excellent job.

    Verdict: with the story being unfinished, I cannot give it an unqualified “Must Listen”, but I can say that even if ends terribly (which I doubt) I can say that I have greatly enjoyed it to this point and that I am comfortable with: Give it a shot, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

    I have never met Mr. Gamblin, nor Ms. Allie. I just recently started following them on Twitter. I plan on not excepting the proffered .pdf as I prefer to wait to find out what is happening to Libby by hearing Ms. Allie inform me. I will buy the book when it is published.

    NEXT REVIEW: Antithesis Book One: Predestination and Other Games of Chance, by J.D. Sawyer — Just a note: I started this week with two Podcast Reviews, I anticipate that schedule will greatly slow down to maybe one a week. Look for Antithesis early next week.

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  • Podcast Review #1: Billibub Baddings and the Case of the Singing Sword

    Billibub Baddings and the Case of the Singing Sword Title: Billibub Baddings and the Case of the Singing Sword
    Author: Tee Morris
    Genre: Fantasy/Detective Noir
    Released: February 13, 2007 – June 29, 2007
    Located: Podiobooks, iTunes, Author’s site
    Tagline: “Chicago, 1929. There are a thousand stories in the naked city; and when you’re a dwarf at four-foot-one, they all look that much taller.”
    A.K.A. : The Case of the Singing Sword: A Billibub Baddings Mystery
    Formats available: iPhone App, Traditional Print, Podcast
    AWARDS: WINNER 2008 Parsec Award for Best Speculative Fiction Audio Drama (Long Form including Independents)

    Back in late 2006, early 2007 I was personally in a very bad place and had LOTS of time on my hands. I had been listening to podcasts since late 2005, but had limited myself to educational, mac and old time radio. By March, I had exhausted all of my backlogue and needed more entertainment. At the time, I retrieved all of my podcasts through iTunes store and began looking for new content there first. That is when I stumbled upon Billibub Baddings and the Case of the Singing Sword.

    My life will never be the same.

    I now search out and listen to many podcast novels. And it is all Tee Morris’ fault.

    So, on to the review.

    Production: Having listened to other podcasts, I was pleasently surprised at how beautiful the production quality of The Case of the Singing Sword was. Having never listened to any other serialized podcast, I was unaware of how unusually good it was. All audio levels were quite nicely balanced, the base level of all audio was sufficient without being too “hot”. The sound effects and music added to, and never interfered, with the story.

    I especially liked the recap of each episode being done in the style of a period radio newscap.

    Cast: I have a preference for minimal casting. I don’t know why. Maybe it is due to the poor mixing most authors achieve. I realize this is only my preference, but this is my review. However, when the production is of such a high quality, multiple cast members often provide a quite enjoyable experience. Such was the case with The Case of the Singing Sword. Each member of the cast did a simply stellar job. While not a huge cast, there were still enough members that coordinating the parts and mixing it down would have required talent and time. Mr. Morris has plenty of the former and must have set aside sufficient amounts of the latter. The cast and the casting were excellent.

    Story: Regardless of how strong the production and cast of a podcast might be, if the story doesn’t interest me, I will either not finish the story, or will quickly forget it once it has been completed. Simply put, The Case of the Singing Sword was excellent. As soon as I read the above tagline, I  knew the story had potential. In these reviews I am going to keep the reprise to a minimum. I will also say that for me, characters make or break a story. Action is fine. Descriptive passages are wonderful. However, without great characters I quickly become bored and lose interest. Billibub Baddings is a character that I could read about for a very long time and never become bored. Tee has an amazing way with banter and this is one of the things that endears all of his characters to me.

    Billibub Baddings and the Case of the Singing Sword set the bar very high for all future podcast fiction that I’ve listened to. I honestly cannot in good faith say that I would change a single thing about it. Whenever I am asked for recommendations concerning podcasts, I always ask if the questioner enjoys either fantasy or noir fiction. If they say yes to either, I am confident they will enjoy Billi. And to this date, I’ve never had anyone I’ve recommended it to report differently.

    VERDICT: Must listen, unequivocally

    For those of you that follow me (@odin1eye) on Twitter, you know that I converse regularly with Tee Morris (@teemonster and @itstudios). This is due solely to Billibub Baddings and the Case of the Singing Sword (later retitled The Case of the Singing Sword: A Billibub Baddings Mystery). This story is also responsible for me venturing onto Twitter in the first place. The reason was to see if Tee really would respond to the random fan (he does). I say this because I don’t want to be accused of “sucking up”. As I stated at the outset, this story is responsible for my love of podcast fiction. Of course it is going to be extremely positive. Not all reviews will be this positive, but I am also not out to flame any author. As I stated in the previous post, I will be (at least at the beginning) reviewing podcasts that I personally listen to. If you agree or disagree, I would love to hear what you think by posting in the comments below.

    At this point I would like to state that on all reviews, feel free to flame me if you disagree. I will post those. However, don’t flame the author of the podcast. I will not post those. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

    *updated to include 2008 Parsec Award information… Don’t know how I forgot that.. Thanks Philippa Ballantine for the heads up!

    NEXT REVIEW: Tumber by Brand Gamblin

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  • And now for something completely different…

    Last night, as I was thinking about all the excellent podcasts I listen to, a tweet came across my Tweetdeck reminding me that one of the authors I follow on Twitter, Brand Gamblin – @brandg, was offering a free .pdf copy of his novel Tumber to anyone that would review it.

    As I thought about this, I decided to start a new category on View from Valhalla. In a nutshell, I will start discussing/reviewing podcasts, and perhaps other social media, that I enjoy. Generally, I will be discussing fiction podcasts (although I all ready know of a few nonfiction that will be included) and most of the time, I will try to limit myself to those that are complete. However, as Tee Morris from the Birdhouse Rules podcast (one of the nonfiction podcasts we’ll eventually get to) is fond of reminding us, it’s my house, they’re my rules. And in my case, I’ll break them when I want to.

    I might as well state now that most of the reviews, at least to being with, are probably going to be pretty positive, because they’re ones I personally listen to and do recommend to others. However, I will also be giving my honest opinion.

    I hope you enjoy some of the podcasts we’ll be looking at and I’m definitely looking for discussion, so feel free to post contradicting view points. (No flaming of the authors or the podcasts however please.)

    The fun will begin (very) soon! If you have a podcast you would like to see reviewed (whether your the author, a fan, or just would rather someone else listen to it first), let me know.

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