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Wild Cards II: Aces High  By  cover art

Wild Cards II: Aces High

By: George R. R. Martin - editor
Narrated by: Luke Daniels
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Publisher's summary

After the alien virus struck humanity in the wake of World War II, a handful of the survivors found they possessed superhuman powers. The Wild Cards shared-world volumes tell their story. Here in book two, we trace these heroes and villains through the tumultuous 1980s, in stories from SF and fantasy giants such as George R. R. Martin, Roger Zelazny, Pat Cadigan, Lewis Shiner, Walter Jon Williams, and others.

©2011 George R. R. Martin (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about Wild Cards II: Aces High

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Great performance with a classic

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I read these when they first came out in the 80's, I was so happy to listen to the audiobook and to be to enjoy these classics all over again. Here to all 15 - 16 novels guys!!! Lets hear them all!

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Fun - Better than the book.

I read the entire Wild Cards series back in the 90s, and was excited to see two titles on Audible.com. Luke Daniels narration was masterful. It was great to associate a "voice" with Dr. Tachyon and other characters, and the story lines were engrossing. Even those aspects of the books that might have been a bit dense in text add color to the audio book version. I had a hard time putting down either of the books, which unfortunately meant that they didn't last long enough for me. Bravo!!

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Not bad, not great - but still a good story

I really like Luke Daniels - I first heard him in The Iron Druid series and got hooked there. This book doesn't give him the same opportunities for great voices, but he still does a credible job. The story is OK - not great, but good. Overall a nice finish to the series.

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3 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Stopped at the first 3 minutes

I really loved reading the first book, so I tried to listening to the second. Couldn't take Luke Daniel's work. It feels like someone typed the whole book in Google Translate and pressed the "Listen" button. Felt so mechanic and robotic. Maybe it's because I grew fond of Roy Dotrice's and Neil Gaiman's narration style, maybe it's a good narration but it didn't quite get me, I don't know.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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first book was great, this one's even better

I really enjoyed the first wildcards book, and absolutely loved this one. Luke Daniel's was an excellent narrator, wish they had kept him on

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyable experience.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The problem I had with this book revolved around the buildup to a less than stellar ending. Villians are built up and then never actually dealt with, which left me unsatisfied. Plots felt connected more so than the first book, but the common goal was underwhelming in the end.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Fascinating Collection and Great Narration

NOTE - Before you start this, the first Wild Cards book is a must read! I was amazed at how seamlessly multiple writers were able to create individual stories that not only built on everything created in Wild Cards 1, but enhanced and carried on the plot and characters. I started the first book because I liked Luke Daniel's work in the Iron Druid Chronicles. He does his usual fine job here, despite the wide variety of characters. I could recognize the individuals through his consistent 'voices'. Sometimes dark, sometimes humorous, this collection of science fiction stories often paints an unpleasant portrait of humanity that is sadly realistic. Yet they also provide moments of inspiration and herosim. Highly recommended.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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What A Wild Ride!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! I found myself absolutely fascinated by the characters and their interweaving stories. I would love to know others who have read it to talk about it.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the way all the connected plot lines each had their own feel and context since they were by different authors that seems logical, but I'd be interested to know how on earth (or not!) the collaborated to have the overall story move so smoothly.

Which character – as performed by Luke Daniels – was your favorite?

I think I liked the Turtle best - he had such a rough time finding his true power, but when he found it he found a way to become more of a person too.

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

I think the moments when the Turtle and the Doctor confronted each other, both in the first book and in this one were great moments to explore what it means to be a human and to live one's life authentically.

Any additional comments?

Read them both - Wild Cards and Wild Cards II:Aces High. They're wonderful books that I can see as a superhero-type movie or even a tv series. I can totally picture Robin Williams as the doctor.

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2 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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A bunch of disjointed short stories

These two books of disjointed short stories follow a rather stupid theme that changes as the years advance. There are a few good short stories but most are a bit strange. I tried to go the end, but gave up.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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robbinhood

Great overall story, with different characters imagined and developed by some of the greatest sci-fi writers of the time.

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1 person found this helpful