Enjoyable/creative. Not a grand historical vista.

Different and enjoyable.

Not particularly complex. I.e. this is more about the idea, and the people executing it than any grand historical perspective on a group of people tweaking history.

6 people found this helpful

I Wanted More "Meddling"

The Incrementalists authors had a great concept but I would have liked more "meddling' (changing the feelings & beliefs of one person at a time). Sadly the book spent more time on a mystery surrounding a member and a love story instead of what drew me in to purchasing the book: "They cheat death, share lives and memories, and communicate with one another across nations, races, and time. They have an epic history, an almost magical memory, and a very modest mission: to make the world better, just a little bit at a time"

The descriptions of the very individualized storage area where each keeps their memories & reasonings was fascinating and you did get some insight into the owner's personality and thought patterns but I would have liked them to take this a bit further with more examples in the present & past.

9 people found this helpful

Excellent Performance of an Excellent Book

What a double pairing with both the writers and the performers. Let's start with the writers. Brust and White play off each other like they'd been writing together for years. I haven't read any of Skyler's other works yet but I will. I've been listening to Steven's Vlad series for a couple of months now so just a few minutes into TI I was thinking "this is really different". I find myself looking at current events and wondering if a group similar to the Incrementalists had a meddle in it.

We've all listened to audio books where the reader is sadly only that. Ray Porter and Mary Robinette Kowal PERFORM this book. The delivery is wonderful and consistent.

There are so many layers to what's going on I know I'm going to listen to this book again.

8 people found this helpful

I understand the mixed reviews...but I ADORED this

What did you love best about The Incrementalists?

Great story..there were times when I felt like I missed an explanation but I still got it

Who was your favorite character and why?

Phil of course...oh and Oscar...Phil should be jaded but he still manages to be
awed a few times.

Which scene was your favorite?

Phil meeting Ren for the first time

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

A few..when Phil was having ephinanies

Any additional comments?

It's a super fun story..a bit of love story and I think thats what throws people off.
But I just spent 20 minutes looking for a part 2. Gutted that there is none.

3 people found this helpful

Neat idea that went nowhere

What disappointed you about The Incrementalists?

This book was recommended based on other reads. The storyline was intriguing, but instead of focusing on the title idea- that the characters were capable of making incremental changes in the world around them through the years- the story focused on an unlikely, trite, contrived romantic relationship. Boooring.

What aspect of Ray Porter and Mary Robinette Kowal ’s performance would you have changed?

I do not care for dual narrators. It takes you out of the story too much.

10 people found this helpful

Wow. I couldn't put this book down.

Ok, I couldn't stop listening. lol. You understand my point. I was very surprised that the premise in this book could be taken so far. I was taken aback at first, at the idea that the protagonists in this story were so long-lived and almost immortal and the fact that having the power they do, most people I know would abuse the heck out of it. As the story developed I just couldn't stop listening. I'd stay up late an hour or two just to get farther into the story.The imagination of this author amazes me and his talent in writing kept me interested throughout.
I was also amazed at how richly the author developed the world and the Incrementalist's power or magic, however you look at it. Some authors have trouble detailing such things in a series but this author handled it quite marvelously in just this one book.

I'm not familiar with this author but I think that very soon I will be.

I highly recommend this book, even if you aren't often interested in fantasy or sci-fi stories. I think almost anyone can enjoy this story. It was well worth the time spent.

6 people found this helpful

Harlequin Romance

Barbara wrote in her review, "... maybe I'm showing my ignorance, but I just didn't get it at all."
I don't think so Barbara. I think you didn't get it because there's nothing to get. This is a case of the Emperor's new clothes.

I've never read a Harlequin Romance, but I think it's a pretty widespread cliché. Well, this, to me, is like that image I have of a Harlequin Romance... pretty empty, melodramatic emotions for (apparently) no good reason, all set on a somewhat science fiction background that never is well developed. And for people whose personalities have been around for hundreds or thousands of years, they are an amazingly banal bunch.

Kept hoping it would get better. Never did. Finally just stopped listening.

The narrators were acceptable. Not astounding, but decent. Wouldn't avoid a book read by either. Will avoid books by both authors.

8 people found this helpful

Does a great book justice

Would you listen to The Incrementalists again? Why?

Yes. I thought both performers did a magnificent job embodying the characters.

Which character – as performed by Ray Porter and Mary Robinette Kowal – was your favorite?

I have to say, I thought Mary Robinette Kowal did a wonderful job with her male voices, especially Phil. Ray Porter was a phenomenal Phil, but Mary managed to capture some of Ray's cadences for Phil with nothing but technique and talent.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The Tag Line would be: "Saving the world a little bit at a time."

5 people found this helpful

Loved the characters, but still lost me.

I am always searching for inspiring woman characters. Ren did not disappoint. She was lively, smart and skeptical. Just like me! The story was enticing when the boy and girl meet under contrived, yet creative circumstances and love followed. Once that was set up, the other characters were introduced and the hating started. That was ok, but after the femme-drugging, I was lost. I was distracted. I have good focus for audible books and even I stopped listening. I may start up again -- perhaps I will find myself in a mood for caricatures instead of characters.

I loved the concept of this book. I hope I can put up with the dull members of the secret society of incrementals when I decide to pick it up again.

7 people found this helpful

Just not my thing.

Would you ever listen to anything by Steven Brust and Skyler White again?

Probably not.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Ray Porter and Mary Robinette Kowal ?

Sure. I don't think they saved the book, but they were better than the story.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I liked the female character's obsession with good design, but the author's kind of let it fall by the wayside once they had used it to establish her.

Any additional comments?

This book just kind of bored me. I didn't hate it, but I stopped listening with only an hour or so to go and I never missed it. I didn't really care what happened to anyone and don't have any interest in finding out.

7 people found this helpful