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Top Hat Express
- A LitRPG Adventure (Vaudevillain, Book 1)
- Narrated by: Austin Rising
- Series: Vaudevillain, Book 1
- Length: 14 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction
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What listeners say about Top Hat Express
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Nathan Parker
- 28-06-22
Just fun, with no serious, overarching plot
Excellent narrator and engaging characters. The only thing that annoyed me is the writer's avoidance of gendered pronouns: everyone, male and female, was referred to as "they". This was a bit jarring on the ear, and intellectually jarring because it makes the author look like "they" are pushing a woke agenda, with its hostility towards gender distinctions. I'm docking "them" a star for that.
3 people found this helpful
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- Jacob
- 10-08-22
Promising premise, but disappointing execution
I wanted to like it; really, I did. I enjoy stories that focus around the villain character type, and the classical gentleman villain archetype is one of my favorites. That’s where this story excels.
It, however, falls short nearly everywhere else. There really is no overarching story and goal, and the plot feels haphazardly thrown together. It is very easy to become bored during the filler between missions.
The characters are absolutely unlikeable or exceedingly boring. Everyone is a one-dimensional trope and can be defined entirely by a single personality trait.
The protagonist himself has his moments, but overall I found him to be monotonously basic. He utilizes his power extremely poorly. What could be a game-breaking monster of a superpower is relegated to, what is essentially, a crafting job. “Mad Science” has the capability to alter the game on a fundamental level, and instead he uses it to make chocolate shooting water-guns.
The narrator is amazing. Really, this is some of the best narration I have ever heard.
Overall, if I had to sum up the entire book in one word, it would be disappointing.
1 person found this helpful
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- Tim
- 10-07-22
great story
really fun, funny story. please get an editor. there were name fuck ups all over the place.
1 person found this helpful
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- A Murphy
- 02-06-22
All aboard!
Top Hat Express
Dylan has been a comic book/gaming guy for his entire life. When the press conference for World of Supers shows the demo, Dylan picks it up immediately. An open sandbox game where you can play as a hero or a villain? Absolutely perfect for Dylan! He decides to play the classic, mustache twirling mad scientist. There is a contest to work for the company, but Dylan would rather just play his character for fun. Dr Zlo will soon conquer the city, then, the world!
This is a really fun series! It’s great to see the different heroes and villains interact and how the game is set to operate. The very nature of the game sets PvP up as a forefront of the story. I am loving this story and really looking forward to book 2! Austin Rising does a great job with the narration!
Content warning: language
1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 12-08-22
villainous fun
this book is full of villainous hilarity. well written and hit all the right tropes for this genre ......amazing
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- Alex
- 05-08-22
Hilarious fun
I'm only an hour in, but this is great fun! I'm finding myself laughing at my desk every few minutes.
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- Henery
- 23-07-22
A truly interesting story
I enjoyed this book except for twice the actor used the wrong voice other than that I love this book!
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- Kindle Customer
- 23-07-22
A Love Letter to the Superhero Genre
This was an awesome book! I loved Dr. Zlo and his antics in particular, but the whole thing read as a love letter to the entirety of the superhero genre, but especially to the outright camp of older material - the outright camp of characters like Zlo, and Wonderman was awesome. There was even a reference to the old bat shark repellent! It will be interesting to see where the series goes from here.
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- oceans11
- 22-07-22
Clever
A very clever take on the whole supervillain shtick. Had as much fun listening to it as the MC did in the story. Will check out the next one soon.
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- KWolf
- 02-07-22
A Villain to Love
Enjoyable story that developed nicely and had a good mixture of humor and intrigue. Very good performance that made the characters come to life.