Gary Taaffe – The Orphanage (Urban Hunters #6)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

THE ORPHANAGE (book 6)

Billy and Amber must save Larry from the dog catcher, with a shocking twist for Billy. A pursuit leads them into a creepy, rundown orphanage where they find themselves under attack by a savage pack. They fight to save the lives of many only to fall victim down the bowels of hell itself.

“Way beyond wonderful. A spine-tingling experience of anticipation. Fear and terror a plenty. I think it is the best so far.” Anne, Australia

“Plenty of laughs, as usual, love it. Great dialogue. The Bullie’s antics are hilarious.” Jack S, Australia

“Great ending.” Hermione, Australia

URBAN HUNTERS is laugh–out–loud, gut–churning, heart–wrenching storytelling at its best. Unlike anything you’ve ever read, in typical Taaffe fashion. Hilarious as usual. Always surprising. Wonderful!

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Bunya Publishing

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

E-grāmatas kopija no autora apmaiņā pret recenziju

Vērtējums/Rating: 3.25/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Kā jau aprakstā minēts Ambera un Billijs knapi izglābj Lariju no suņu ķērājas, kam seko abu pakaļdzīšanās visiem trim suņiem. Noskrietais gabals kopā šķiet vismaz vairāki kilometri, un tāds skrējiens aizved viņus pilsētas nomalē.

Tur piecinieks sastop bāreņu bērnu bariņu(kopumā deviņi), un Billija un Amberas uzrašanās šiem bērniem nāk kā dzīvības glābiņš. Nedaudz esmu pārsteigts, ka neviens no bērniem, par spīti dabā esošajam, neatpazina vismaz kaut ko no dabā esamā, un aiz bailēm saindēties iztikuši no kukaiņiem. Tā nu Ambera un īpaši Billijs ņem gādību pār bērniem, un pie viena arī apmācot, lai viņi spētu iztikt arī paši.

Cik noprotams stāstā varētu virzīt fakts, ka Billijam jau apnikusi pilsētas dzīve un rosība. Pāris minējumu ir arī par citiem aspektiem turpinājumos. : )

                                                                                                                                                

As the synopsis mentions Amber and Billy barely saves Larry from the dog catcher. This event is followed by a chase after all three dogs. The distance is surely few kilometers and such a run leads them outside of the city.

There they discover a bunch of orphan kids (overall nine) and the appearance of Billy and Amber is like a life saver for them. I’m a bit surprised as none of the kids didn’t recognize that there a plenty to eat and fearing that they would get poisoned ate just cockroaches and other insects. So Amber and Bill takes care of them but also teaching them how to survive.

If I understand correctly the story could advance thanks to the fact that Billy is tired from the city and its noises. I have also few more guesses about other things. : )

Gary Taaffe – Bullies (Urban Hunters #5)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

BULLIES (book 5)

The son of the mongrel old man who Billy speared wants revenge. Billy could lose the pups. A bloody battle ensues but Diesel doesn’t count on Amber; or Larry, Curly and Moe for that matter. Billy leaves Turbo and Amber gobsmacked with a lesson in respect for Diesel. And with a little help from a hobo, Amber shows Billy how street kids hunt pigeons for brunch.

“Mad writing skills you’ve got :)” Jessica B, USA

“So many good characters in this book. You just have to wonder what Billy will get up to next.” Ann C, UK

“Another brilliant adventure from Billy. The fight is fantastic. Loved it. Making his first phone call – hilarious! Great storytelling.” Jack S, Australia

URBAN HUNTERS is laugh–out–loud, gut–churning, heart–wrenching storytelling at its best. Unlike anything you’ve ever read, in typical Taaffe fashion. Hilarious as usual. Always surprising. Wonderful!

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Bunya Publishing

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

E-grāmatas kopija no autora apmaiņā pret recenziju

Vērtējums/Rating: 4/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Piektajā Urban Hunters sērijas grāmatā Billijam kopā ar Amberu, kā arī izglābtajiem kucēniem jauni piedzīvojumi.

Pēc saprašanas, kas ir telefons un pirmā zvana draugam Turbo, Billijam jāaizstāvas no Turbo drauga, muskuļkalna Dīzela, kurš pārpratis ar kucēniem notikušo. Uz momentu notikumi priekš šīs humoristiskās un viegla rakstura sērijas kļūst visai asiņaini un grafiski, bet kā jau pienākas pārpratums noskaidrojas, visi var pasmaidīt un būt draugi.

Nedaudz paskaidrojoši arī par suņu nonākšanu izgāztuvē pirms Billijs viņus izglābj.

                                                                                                                                                

In the fifth Urban Hunters series book there are new adventures for Billy, Amber and the three saved puppies.

After getting to know what is phone and making his first call ever to his friend Turbo, Billy has to defend himself from Turbo’s muscle mountain friend Diesel who misunderstood what had happened with the puppies. For a moment it gets quite graphic for such a humoristic series but as it should be the misunderstanding is resolved and everyone can smile and be friends.

Some explanation about how and why Larry, Moe and Curly (puppies) got to the dump before Billy saved them.

Tess Gerritsen – The Keepsake (Rizzoli & Isles #7)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen knows how to expertly dissect a brilliantly suspenseful story, all the while keeping fascinated readers riveted to her side. By turns darkly enthralling and relentlessly surprising, The Keepsake showcases an author at the peak of her storytelling powers.

For untold years, the perfectly preserved mummy had lain forgotten in the dusty basement of Boston’s Crispin Museum. Now its sudden rediscovery by museum staff is both a major coup and an attention-grabbing mystery. Dubbed “Madam X,” the mummy–to all appearances, an ancient Egyptian artifact– seems a ghoulish godsend for the financially struggling institution. But medical examiner Maura Isles soon discovers a macabre message hidden within the corpse–horrifying proof that this “centuries-old” relic is instead a modern-day murder victim.

To Maura and Boston homicide detective Jane Rizzoli, the forensic evidence is unmistakable, its implications terrifying. And when the grisly remains of yet another woman are found in the hidden recesses of the museum, it becomes chillingly clear that a maniac is at large–and is now taunting them.
Archaeologist Josephine Pulcillo’s blood runs cold when the killer’s cryptic missives are discovered, and her darkest dread becomes real when the carefully preserved corpse of yet a third victim is left in her car like a gruesome offering–or perhaps a ghastly promise of what’s to come.

The twisted killer’s familiarity with post-mortem rituals suggests to Maura and Jane that he may have scientific expertise in common with Josephine. Only Josephine knows that her stalker shares a knowledge even more personally terrifying: details of a dark secret she had thought forever buried.

Now Maura must summon her own dusty knowledge of ancient death traditions to unravel his twisted endgame. And when Josephine vanishes, Maura and Jane have precious little time to derail the Archaeology Killer before he adds another chilling piece to his monstrous collection.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Ballantine Books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no www

Vērtējums/Rating: 2.75/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Mūmija Madam X no Krispinu muzeja ceļo uz slimnīcu, uz CT izmeklējumu, cerībā uzzināt vairāk par to, kas Madāma X bijusi agrāk. Šāds notikums sacēlis nelielu vētru presē, paceļot muzeja atpazīstamību augstākā līmenī; klāt kā papildus eksperte ir arī Maura. Bet jaunumi, ko mūmija atklāj ir šokējoši, un skaidrs ir tas, ka tā nav radīta pirms mūsu ēras.

Viens no dotajiem skatpunktiem ir arheoloģes un ēģiptoloģes Džozefīnes Pulcillo. Kopš agra vecuma bijusi spiesta atskatīties pār plecu un vajadzības gadījumā nekavējoties pārcelties, sākumā ar māti, bet vēlāk jau vienatnē. Šāds dzīvesveids padarījis grūtu uzticēšanos citiem, kā arī reizēm jāpapūlas atcerēties, kas ir patiesība.

Kamēr Ridzoli partneris detektīvs Frosts tiek apburts ar Džozefīnes šarmu un skaistumu, Ridzoli jau no sākuma kaut kas viņā nepatīk un šķiet aizdomīgs, un ne bez pamata. Rokoties dziļāk viņas pagātnē, atrodas ne viens vien pārsteigums; gan par māti un tēvu, gan par šo to citu.

Joprojām fonā norit Mauras un mācītāja Daniela attiecību drāma, lai arī atrādās viņš epizodiski. Līdzīgi var minēt arī par Ridzoli ģimeni. Savs mirklis dots arī Mefisto klubam Entonija Sansona personāžā. Iespējams, pie vainas iepriekšējā lasītā grāmata, bet Rizzoli & Isles septītā sērijas grāmata kopumā ne ar ko nešokēja, nepārsteidza.

Alternatīvais grāmatas nosaukums Keeping the Dead.

                                                                                                                                                

The mummy Madam X from Crispin museum travels to hospital to have CT scan; the experts are hoping that it might reveal more about who she was. This event has raised a big interest in the press and that has helped to boost the museum’s recognition in the public. Maura Isles is also there to assist interpreting pictures. But what the scan reveals is more shocking than anyone expected and it’s clear that this mummy is from our era.

One of the POV is from archaeologist and Egyptologist Josephine Pulcillo. From early age she has been forced to always look over her shoulder and run away immediately if necessary, at the beginning with her mother but now alone. That sort of lifestyle has made hard for her to trust anyone and also to sometimes remember the truth.

While Jane’s partner detective Barry Frost is charmed by Josephine’s charm and beauty Rizzoli herself isn’t fooled and Josephine from the start has been suspicious to her. Digging deeper into her past they find more than one surprise, starting with her parents.

In the background Maura still tries to figure out her relationship with Father Daniel Brophy who shows himself very briefly. The same you could tell about Jane’s family. Few episodes are also given to the Mephisto club in Anthony Sansone’s person. Maybe I should blame the previous book I read but the seventh book in Rizzoli & Isles series wasn’t that exciting or thrilling.

The alternative title for this book is Keeping the Dead.

H. G. Wells – The War of the Worlds (audiobook)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

Man had not yet learned to fly when H.G. Wells conceived this story of a Martian attack on England. Giant cylinders crash to Earth, disgorging huge, unearthly creatures armed with heat-rays and fighting machines. Amid the boundless destruction they cause, it looks as if the end of the world has come.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Blackstone Audio

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no www. Izvēlējos no Top 100 Sci-Fi Books grāmatu listes.

Vērtējums/Rating: 3.5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Citplanētiešu, ja konkrētāk marsiešu, uzbrukums neaizsargātajai Zemei. Sākums nedaudz palēns un nesteidzīgs, un no cilindru parādīšanās līdz haosam un iznīcībai paiet kāds brīdis. Ir ne tikai patīkams trijkāju ierīču apraksts un to neapskaužamā spēka izrādīšana, bet arī detalizētāks paša marsieša fiziskais apraksts. Pateicoties atšķirīgajiem apstākļiem, viņu attīstība bijusi krasi atšķirīga, lielāku vērību atvēlot galvai, bet tieši šo atšķirību marsiešu likteni izšķir pavisam sīki, sīki organismi.

Varētu domāt, ka pat tagad citplanētiešiem, kas būtu spējīgi starpzvaigžņu sistēmu ceļojumiem, ja viņi tā vēlētos, varētu mierīgi pārņemt varu pār Zemi, kur nu vēl 19.gs beigās, kad risinās stāsta notikumi. Šajā ziņā izpaužas attiecīgais laiks, kad, mūsu galvenajam varonim bēgot no marsiešiem, daļa sabiedrības ir joprojām dzīvo laimīgā neziņā. Gan jau arī tagad pat pie visas televīzijas un interneta atrastos tādi, kas uzreiz par tādu lietu nedzirdētu, bet apzināt vienam otru noteikti vieglāk. Protams, atliek tikai izsist no ierindas pāris satelītu.

No Velsa vēl lasīts/klausīts Neredzamais cilvēks un Laika mašīna, un šī, War of the Words diemžēl nestāv klāt abām minētajām. Biju iepriekš dzirdējis par radio adaptācijas izraisīto masu paniku, bet, ja var ticēt Vikipēdijas rakstam, tad attiecīgā laika avīzes kārtīgi pārspīlējušas sekojošos notikumus.

Nevarēju (drusku) nesalīdzināt, atceroties 2005.gada filmu ar Tomu Krūzu. Pirmās atšķirības bez šaubām jau atšķirīgo darbības laiku dēļ.

                                                                                                                                                

The alien attack to the unprotected Earth, and if we want to be precise it’s Martians and not the Marvin (Looney Tunes). The beginning is a bit slow and unhurried, it takes some time from the moment the cylinders appear and the destruction begins. The reader is given not only good description of the tripod and about its unenviable power and heat lasers, but also detailed description of the Martians themselves. Thanks to different environment on their planet, their evolution has been much different where the biggest attention has been given to head. These differences on both planets are the reason why very small and tiny life forms have a big role in this story.

You might think that even today it wouldn’t be much work for aliens that are capable of interstellar travel to conquer Earth if they would like to, and in the end of 19th it should be even easier. As there is no TV or internet many are still living in a bliss while our main character and others are desperately trying to escape. Of course even today there would some that wouldn’t get the news immediately but to inform each other has to be easier and faster. Also if aliens would take out satellites things right away are different.

From Wells I have read/listened The Invisible Man and The Time Machine, unfortunately this book isn’t even close to them. I had heard previously about the mass panic that the radio play created once but if you can believe Wikipedia the press at the time exaggerated it.

I couldn’t resist comparing this story remembering the movie with Tom Cruise.

Stephen King – Doctor Sleep (The Shining #2)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

Stephen King returns to the characters and territory of one of his most popular novels ever, The Shining, in this instantly riveting novel about the now middle-aged Dan Torrance (the boy protagonist of The Shining) and the very special twelve-year-old girl he must save from a tribe of murderous paranormals.

On highways across America, a tribe of people called The True Knot travel in search of sustenance. They look harmless—mostly old, lots of polyester, and married to their RVs. But as Dan Torrance knows, and spunky twelve-year-old Abra Stone learns, The True Knot are quasi-immortal, living off the “steam” that children with the “shining” produce when they are slowly tortured to death.

Haunted by the inhabitants of the Overlook Hotel where he spent one horrific childhood year, Dan has been drifting for decades, desperate to shed his father’s legacy of despair, alcoholism, and violence. Finally, he settles in a New Hampshire town, an AA community that sustains him, and a job at a nursing home where his remnant “shining” power provides the crucial final comfort to the dying. Aided by a prescient cat, he becomes “Doctor Sleep.”

Then Dan meets the evanescent Abra Stone, and it is her spectacular gift, the brightest shining ever seen, that reignites Dan’s own demons and summons him to a battle for Abra’s soul and survival. This is an epic war between good and evil, a gory, glorious story that will thrill the millions of devoted readers of The Shining and satisfy anyone new to the territory of this icon in the King canon.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Nopirku to!

Vērtējums/Rating: 5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Ja pirms lasīšanas māc šaubas vai Doktors Miegs būs līdzvērtīgs Mirdzumam, tad jau ar pirmajām lappusēm šaubu vairs nav un vari priecāties par atkalredzēšanos ar Deniju, tagad jau Dens, bet man tik un tā Denijs vai nu jau Doktors Miegs.

Diemžēl mirdzums Denijam nevis dod labākas iespējas dzīvē, bet tieši noved depresīvā noskaņojumā, un par spīti pieredzei, kā alkohols ietekmēja tēvu, tā ir viņa izvēle, lai apspiestu savas spējas. Bez tā šķiet Denijs, pārmantojis arī aizkaitināmības vieglumu.

Viss sāk izmainīties uz labo pusi, kad Denijs savos klejojumos nonāk mazā pilsētiņā, kur arī iegūst labu un svarīgu draugu kā Billiju, kā arī pievienojas AA. Grāmatas notikumi no sākuma līdz beigām aptver 15 gadu periodu. Kā jau aprakstā minēts Denijs sastop Abru, kuras Mirdzums, salīdzinot pat ar Deniju, ir daudzkārt lielāks. Abu pirmā saskarsme ir jau viņas zīdaiņa vecumā, un gadu gaitā attīstās līdz ar spējām. Viegla dzīve tādējādi nav arī Abras vecākiem un viņas pediatram Džonam Daltonam.

Bet asumiņu piedod vampīriem pielīdzināmi radījumi, kuri pārtiek no Mirdzuma jeb kā paši sauc Tvaika, un nodēvējuši sevi par True Knot. Patiesā Mezgla līdere Roze Ohāra ir spēcīgākā no visiem, un dažs labs no viņiem ir gandrīz tikpat vecs kā cilvēce; agrāk bijuši lielā skaitā, bet tagad palikusi tikai viņas grupa. Kad Patiesā Mezgla beigu gals ir gandrīz saskatāms, Abra kļūst par Rozes apsēstību. Bet lielākā viņas nelaime rodas no pretinieka pienācīgas nenovērtēšanas.

Abras sastapšana klātienē un tālākie notikumi, rezultātā nonākšana arī agrākās Overlook viesnīcas atrašanās vietā, ir pamatīgs pārbaudījums Denijam, viņa kārdinājumiem un saprātam.

Ne vienmēr vajadzīga asins pirts, lai radītu šaušalīgas izjūtas!

                                                                                                                                                

If before reading this book I had some worries that Doctor Sleep might not be as good as The Shining then already in the first few chapters they are far gone and you can just be happy meeting  again Danny, know Dan, but for me still Danny or later in the book Doctor Sleep.

Unfortunately the shining doesn’t make Danny’s life easy but depressive and despite his experience as how alcohol affected his father that is his exact choice as how to suppress his skill. And it seems that drinking wasn’t the only thing that he inherited from his dad, it’s also the temper and how easy he can get angry.

Everything starts to change for good when Danny in his wandering arrives in small town in which he will find a good and important friend, Billy. Also it helps when he joins AA. The events in Doctor Sleep happen in 15 year time span. As it is mentioned in the synopsis Danny meets Abra who’s shining is much greater than even his. Their first interaction is already when Abra is just a baby. It’s not very easy for Abra’s parents and her pediatrician John Dalton.

Some excitement is added thanks to creatures that could be compared to vampires; they live off the shining or as they call it steam. Their name for themselves is True Knot. Rose O’Hara or Rose the Hat is their leader, she and some other members are old as humanity itself; once they were many but nowadays it’s only her group. When the end for True Knot is almost tangible, Abra becomes Rose’s obsession. But the biggest problems come from underestimating the opponent.

Meeting Abra face to face and the coming events, including eventual visit to a camp ground which once was the place for Overlook hotel, is a major test for Danny’s sanity and temptations.

Not always there has to be a blood bath for good horror and creepiness!

Kathleen Irene-Paterka – Secrets Of The Royal Wedding Chapel

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Grāmatas apraksts no Amazon/Synopsis from Amazon

Immersed in the world of weddings and romance, Lily Lavender grew up believing in brides, grooms and happily-ever-afters. A direct descendent of the British royals, it seemed her destiny and royal birthright to someday assume a position as wedding coordinator in their family-owned wedding chapel business. But when her mother Mimi’s third marriage eventually fails, Lily’s dreams of her own happily-ever-after quickly fade. She’s no longer interested in a life of assisting brides walk down the aisle into a life of disillusionment and possible divorce. Lily turns her back on The Royal Wedding Chapel and leaves Las Vegas to fashion a life of her own. Years later, Lily—now a single mom—discovers her teenage daughter has run off to Las Vegas, lured by Mimi to help run the chapel. Determined to save her daughter from the broken dreams of Sin City and the nonsensical world of which family fairy tales are made, Lily returns to Las Vegas. But nothing prepares Lily for the royal drama which awaits her… or the sins and secrets she stumbles across that threaten to close the chapel and ruin her family forever.

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

E-grāmatas kopija apmaiņā pret recenziju

Vērtējums/Rating: 3.25/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Lilijas meita Viktorija jeb vienkārši Tori(17g) vienudien iziet no klases(vasarā pēc pašas un mātes izvēles), un ar mašīnu viena pati aizbraukusi uz Lasvegasu. Pilsēta, no kuras Lilija centusies izvairīties un aizmirst.

Tur Tori vecmamma Elizabete jeb Mimi vada Royal Wedding Chapel. Mimī(tas pats par Tori) kapela nozīmē visu, kaut gan pati precējusies vairāk par vienu reizi. Tajā pašā pilsētā mitinās Tori tēvs Džeks, arī ar viņu Lilijai nav tās pašas siltākās attiecības. Situācija kļūst vēl piņķerētāka, kad uzzinām, ka Džeka tēvs Eds un Mimi agrāk bijuši precēti.

Bet visas nesaskaņas jāaizmirst, jo Elizabeti ķer trieka un attiecīgajā stāvoklī nespējīga vadīt biznesu. Lilija var paļauties uz viņas mūžīgo partneri Frančesku, kura bērnībā bijusi gandrīz vai vairāk kā mamma nekā Elizabete. Ģimenes saitēm liela izturības pārbaude.

Pašai īsti negribot, Lilija tiek ielikta kapelas vadīšanas postenī. Vienlaikus viņa mēģina saprast savu meitu, viņas tēvu un visu kopumā. Kapelai radīta burvīga, karaliska leģenda, bet tas un vēl šis tas stāsta laikā atklājas citādāk. Kamēr Lilija bijusi prom, kapelai nav klājies īpaši spoži. Ir ļauts tai novecot un iestrēgt pagātnē; jāiegulda pūliņi, lai tā atkal spīdētu kā agrāk.

Drusku nepatika frāžu atkārtošanās vai to versija nedaudz pārfrāzēta. Un vispār! Kur tik daudz jūtelības!? Noslēgums tīri tā neko, kaut arī varēja just moralizēšanu.

                                                                                                                                                

Lily’s teenage daughter Victoria or just Tori goes out of her class (on summer) and drives by herself to Las Vegas. To the city from which Lily has tried to avoid and forget.

There lives Tori’s grandmother Elizabeth or just Mimi and she is managing the Royal Wedding Chapel. For her (and also for Tori) the chapel means everything, although she has been married more than once. At the same time Las Vegas is home for Tori’s dad Jack, and with him too Lily doesn’t have the best relationship possible. The situation gets even more complex when the reader finds out that Jack’s father Ed once was married to Mimi.

But they have to put everything aside when Mimi suffers a stroke and is no longer able to work at chapel. Lily can rely on Francesca, Mimi’s partner since forever. She sometimes has been more like a mom for Lily in childhood than Mimi. Family’s strength has to endure a lot.

Not really wanting it Lily finds herself leading the daily life of the chapel. And in the meanwhile she’s trying to understand Tori, her father and everything overall. There’s a wonderful and royal legend for the chapel, but the truth about that and few more things reveal itself during the story. While Lily has been away the Royal Wedding Chapel has lost its charm and elegance, and is in desperate need for refurbishing so it would be like earlier and even better; and not just visually.

A bit too much repetition in phrases or similar version of it slightly different. And anyways, who needs so much feelings! More than enough sentimentality. Still, the ending was ok, with some morality.

Douglas Adams – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy #1) (audiobook)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

Seconds before the Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last fifteen years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor.

Together this dynamic pair begin a journey through space aided by quotes from The Hitchhiker’s Guide (“A towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have”) and a galaxy-full of fellow travelers: Zaphod Beeblebrox–the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out-to-lunch president of the galaxy; Trillian, Zaphod’s girlfriend (formally Tricia McMillan), whom Arthur tried to pick up at a cocktail party once upon a time zone; Marvin, a paranoid, brilliant, and chronically depressed robot; Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student who is obsessed with the disappearance of all the ballpoint pens he bought over the years.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: New Millenium Audio

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no www. Izvēlējos no Top 100 Sci-Fi Books

Vērtējums/Rating: 3.75/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Burtiski mirkli pirms Zemes iznīcināšanas Artūrs Dents un Fords Prefekts tiek paglābti no pašu iznīcības, dodot otro iespēju. Planētas Zeme beigu iemesls – peles pārstājušas par to maksāt, kā galaktiskas maģistrāles tapšana. Vienīgais, cik liels un plašs ir Visums, grūti iedomāties, vai planētas iznīcināšana tiešām vajadzīga, turklāt šīs pasaules kuģiem ir hiperdzinēji (hyperdrive)

Stāstam mēģināts pieiet ar humoru un jokiem. Varēja pasmiet un drusku amizanti, bet kārtīgu ROFL momentu nebija. Fords pēdējos 15 gadus piespiedu kārtā dzīvojis uz Zemes, atjauninot Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy grāmatu, kas arī ir par nosaukumu šai grāmatai un visai sērijai.

Kā izrādās cilvēks uz Zemes nebija tas pats gudrākais radījums un visu radību kronis kā dažkārt gribētos kādam domāt. Pirmkārt jau minētās peles, kuras patiesībā eksperimentē ar mums, kā arī delfīni. Viņi saņēma un saprata signālu par gaidāmo jau 50 gadus agrāk un paspēja laicīgi aizmukt.

Papildus tam uzzinām par kādreiz eksistējušu civilizāciju, bet ne pilnībā zudušu, kura sen, sen atpakaļ ražojusi planētas (tai skaitā Zemi), bet pie sliktiem ekonomiskiem apstākļiem izvēlējusies ieiet ziemas guļas stāvoklī.

Protams, biju jau iepriekš dzirdējis par atbildi uz vissvarīgāko jautājumu par dzīvi, Visumu un visu pārējo. Šajā ziņā interesants video no Numberphile puses par attiecīgo jautājumu un atbildi.

No tēliem un balsīm patika Artūrs Dents, īpaši dusmu brīžos, un depresīvais un paranoiskais robots Mārvins. Audiogrāmatu, kuru klausījos, ierunāja pats autors, tad jau droši vien arī balsis kā pats iztēlojās. : )

                                                                                                                                                

Just a mere moment before destruction of Earth Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect are saved giving their lives a second chance to do everything they can and want in the Universe. The main reason for the end of planet Earth is galactic freeway. Although knowing how big and vast the Universe is I’m not sure is that really necessary, plus the spaceship’s have hyperdrives. And secondly mice have stopped paying for the planet.

The story tries to be humoristic and funny. There were some laughable and amusing moments but no really good ROFL places. Ford for the last 15 years has been forced to live on Earth revising edition of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy which also is the title for this book and series overall.

It turns out that human wasn’t the smartest creature on Earth as some would like to think. Firstly those are already mentioned mice, also dolphins. They received and understood the message about what is going to happen 50 years before and were unsuccessful trying to warn us.

Additionally to that the reader finds out about ancient race which long ago were making planets (including Earth) but because of bad economical circumstances choose to go into hibernation.

Of course I had heard about the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything. Correspondingly an interesting video from Numberphile about the answer and question.

From characters and voices I liked Arthur Dent in his angry moments and Marvin, the chronically depressed and paranoid robot. I listened to an audiobook editon  voiced by the author by himself so the voices probably are correct and as he imagined. : )