Discover Most Popular Audiobooks in Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi: Contemporary

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Title: Time Folds

Author: Michael W. Miller

Narrator: Ron Phillips

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-07-14

Publisher: Michael Miller Books LLC

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Imagine a middle-age, extraordinary engineer working for a private space company. After years of preparation, he's selected as the sole passenger for a new spacecraft that will study the heavens like none other. Then after years of travel, in another galaxy no less, communication with home is no longer possible.

As time passes, the Company gives up declaring their investment is lost, much less that his wife and son must move on alone. Then one day decades later, a deep-space probe appears from outside the Milky Way into Earth's high orbit with capabilities beyond anything known. The information delivered by the advanced device is so valuable that top scientists and engineers are sequestered at Area 51 in order to implement science breakthroughs.

Dramatic events reshape the environment for Dr. Bruce Thompson as his return is blocked by Messier 104 inhabitants.

Members Reviews:

TERRIBLE narration; fairly good story

Would you try another book from Michael W. Miller and/or Ron Phillips?

NOT RON PHILLIPS!!

The rampant mispronunciations, the nonsense inflections which alter the meaning of a phrase or sentence - both make me want to scream!! I am left wondering... who would hire this guy?!?! I am gobsmacked at the sloppy job he did and wonder ifhe has EVER heard of that new thing called a "dictionary."

The author can tell an interesting story, that's for sure... but his writing mechanics are clumsy. He makes errors I learned about in the 7th grade. Word usage, sentence structure, and grammar suffer. Much of the writing is juvenile and awkward. Rather disappointing. He has good ideas, but he needs a strong editor. It reads like the first draft of a gifted middle schooler. I'm serious about that.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I like the premise - very creative. The poor writing and awful narration are ruining it for me.

Would you be willing to try another one of Ron Phillipss performances?

NEVER!! He mispronounces so many words and uses such bad inflection so much of the time, I really can't take it. He ruined the book for me.

You didnt love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I already explained this.

Any additional comments?

Yes!! Writers need to use editors... or at least seek the opinions of friends who are strong readers with superior English skills. Narrators should be chosen for their ABILITY. I'm sorry, but this narrator is the worst I have ever heard. Quick!! Someone should get him a dictionary! Make sure he reads it - and focuses on pronunciation. Seriously... has this person never heard educated people simply talking??

Succinct is NOT suss-INKT! Not even as a secondary pronunciation. It is correctly pronounced suck-SINKT.

How can he possibly not know this? Simple, common words mispronounced sound like nails on a chalkboard. And his inflection... well, it's ghastly. A dictionary won't help that. Inflection comes from listening to people talk. I am absolutely baffled by this narration. Even his science terms are not reliably pronounced correctly... in a science fiction novel! He didn't bother to find out how to pronounce them??

I know this sounds mean-spirited, but I bought this book and the narration is so terrible, I may just stop listening now...

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Title: The Methuselarity Transformation

Author: Rick Moskovitz

Narrator: Adrian Rosen

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-27-14

Publisher: Richard Moskovitz

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Imagine a future in which consciousness can be exchanged between bodies and the wealthy old can pay the young to die for them. Raymond Mettler, a man whose unrelenting terror of dying prevents him from living, is given just such a shot at immortality. Marcus Takana, a desperately poor young man accepts a future contract for Ray's mind to take over his body upon Ray's death in exchange for fabulous wealth, enduring youth, and unprecedented knowledge. Both men guard the secret of their grim pact in a world at the brink of environmental catastrophe because of a genetics experiment gone horribly wrong.

Critic Reviews:

"Full of twists and turns and packed with action from beginning to end, the book is a fresh and innovative offering in the science fiction genre... The Methuselarity Transformation is an engaging story that is a great deal of fun to read. The writing is intelligent and creative, the story is new and different, and the characters are complex. Science fiction enthusiasts will find much to be excited about in the pages of this book." (ForeWord Clarion Reviews)

"The Methuselarity Transformation is a riveting read and establishes Rick Moskovitz as a master of the science fiction genre. Deftly crafted characters woven into a truly imaginative and complex story, The Methuselarity Transformation is solidly entertaining and is very highly recommended for personal reading lists and community library collections." (Midwest Book Review)

"The Methuselarity Transformation feels like vintage sci-fi, tackling hard questions like social equality, economic disparity, and the consequences of genetic tinkering by crafting a human narrative around them...Moskovitz's social commentary and scientific insight add a timeless quality to the book...The Methuselarity Transformation is socially conscious sci-fi, something we could use more of these days." (San Francisco Book Review)

Members Reviews:

A Fun Read If You Suspend Belief Completely

The book was enjoyable and it fleshed out the characters pretty well. It's a sort of Faustian bargain set in a sci-fi framework. I think the ethical issues and philosophical debates were well done. The future is set not so far from now and I am intrigued by the vision of the world with the complexities that could be.

My main issues are twofold. I don't think that the antagonists are fleshed out well enough and are brought in too late in the story. I also found the main characters to have too much coincidence. It may have been intentional, but it just read for me in very contrived manner.

However, overall, I enjoyed the reading the book and suspended my belief for a worthwhile investment in entertainment. Anyone who likes a fast-paced action, sci-fi, or just a pleasure read is likely to be pleased. Happy Reading to all!

eventually become intertwined as the characters struggle to keep their terrible secrets from those who love them

The Methuselarity Transformation is a Faustian tale with a futuristic twist. The protagonist sells his body, not his soul, to be swapped with the buyerâs upon the latterâs death. The story follows both menâs lives from the time of their anonymous bargain to the inevitable payoff of the contract.

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Title: IQ 83

Author: Arthur Herzog III

Narrator: Charles Henderson Norman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 57 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-18-14

Publisher: Leslie Mandel Enterprises, Inc

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 14 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

You are Dr. James Healey and last week you were a genius that was before the DNA experiments. Before the accident you said could never happen since then you have felt your mind decaying a little more each day. You have watched your wife slip into imbecility. You have seen the crowds growing murderous with animal terror, the president of the United States babbling and drooling on tv only one thing separates you from them. You, at least, know what is happening as you search for the cure for the horror you have unleashed upon the world as each day the dimming of your mind lowers your chance of finding it!

Members Reviews:

Written In The 70s. I Would Never Have Guessed!

Any additional comments?

I had no idea this book was from the 70s, until it was over and the copyright year was stated. I had wondered why there was no mention of cell phones or the internet. But there were several references to "war gaming" which I assumed was like Call Of Duty on the Xbox with internet friends. Hmm, now I'm curious what exactly the kids were doing during their gaming. Oh, and I thought it was SUPER weird that the parents were ok with their 16 year old son chugging a beer, openly in front of them, in their kitchen. I guess that was acceptable back then???

This was a funny and entertaining book. Everyone catches the "stupid sickness" and they become stupid. But where they're stupid, a lot don't realize they're becoming stupid. I had thought too much emphasis was given on the importance of IQs and knowing what your IQ was. Now that I see this was written in the 70s, I guess knowing your IQ back then was some kind of fad.

I LOVED the narrator! Without him, this book wouldn't have been half as good. He's got the voice of your awkward humorous uncle who knows a little about everything. Great voice!!! His female voices were off a little, but easily overlooked.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.

The dumbing down of America

Would you listen to IQ 83 again? Why?

Listening to the book makes you feel like your own IQ is lowering, Brilliant book.

What did you like best about this story?

The Characters.

What about Charles Henderson Normans performance did you like?

Charles Henderson Norman has the very BEST VOICE.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

IQ 83, now has a star attached, and may soon be a movie.

We've come a long way in DNA research.

Where does IQ 83 rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

Although the story is a bit depressing it is an interesting theoretical concept on what could go wrong in scientific research. It's funny to hear such dated material compared to how far we've progressed in social attitudes from racism and sexism to real science since the 1970's.

Would you be willing to try another book from Arthur Herzog III? Why or why not?

I did. I bought The Swarm, I hope it's better.

What about Charles Henderson Normans performance did you like?

I loved Charles Norman's performance. His character voices and tone throughout are why I kept listening.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

A surprising gem of a classic!

Dr.

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Title: Vitalis: Resurrection (Book 2)

Author: Jason Halstead

Narrator: James Killavey

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 47 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-19-14

Publisher: Novel Concept Publishing

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 32 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Resurrection is Book 2 in the Vitalis series.

Vitalis is more than just a new world outside the fringes of Terran space, Vitalis is greater than anything humanity has ever encountered. And it's getting fed up.

The time has come for humans living on the world to be judged. What better way to understand the colonists than to become one of them and see how they live, fight, and love?

Members Reviews:

Poor Value for the cost

I recently purchased the Vitalis ressurection book and I was totally disappointed. THE STORY LINE IS GREAT but i feel as thought i have read an exerpt from a real book.

I probably will not finish the series because I feel I was kinda ripped on the price of the so called book.. 25 little chapters and it is called a book.

Thanks

Ron W.

Thank you for Vitalis

I go to the book store every day Jason Halstead is one of the best story teller I read. Thank you Mr. Halstead for a very enjoyable read. I am very happy that he decided to continue this series. The people are all bad but they always run into something badder

Vitalis: Resurrection

I liked it ok as I'd loved this series of books by this author. This one has several misspellings and grammatical errors, even so they only give a little bump in the reading experience, compared to smoothly reading. I didn't care for the beginning. I read it mostly as a bridge from the Omnibus (collection) to the last book of the series.

Four Stars

great series, always looking forward to the next volume

Five Stars

I love sci fi books and this series is not disapointing

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Title: Ordinary World

Author: D. J. Mitchell

Narrator: Scott R. Pollak

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-12-14

Publisher: Jackrabbit Prose Inc

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 17 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

As the financial system crumbles around them, a family learns how to survive the challenges of an unfamiliar new world. Bill, Gracie, and their son Joe learn new ways to live as their reality changes. Bread, gasoline, and even toilet paper all become scarce when the trucks stop rolling. When a ghost from the past threatens their lives, there are no police to call. And even greater, unexpected trials lie ahead. Faced with a new and unfamiliar economy, they find new friends and learn to cherish the community around them. From food to self defense, there is no one to rely on but their neighbors and themselves.

Members Reviews:

great and realistic story

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

Yes

What did you like best about this story?

Unlike many 'survivalist' books, this is a realistic look at survival in the US if our culture were to fall apart. This book is a combination of survival logistics, realistic scenarios, and good entertainment. I found it thought provoking, educational and entertaining all at the same time. There was also a very good spiritual element that would make sense to many.

What does Scott R. Pollak bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

Great narration, good clarity, the right amount of emotion. Very believable.

Not what I was wanting at all.

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

After 16 chapters I could not go any more. Story was boring.

What was most disappointing about D. J. Mitchells story?

Slow, slow, slow...

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator did a very good job. The story just did not hold my interest.

You didnt love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The Narrator has a great voice and is easy to listen too.

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Title: Under the Eye of God

Subtitle: Trackers, Book One

Author: David Gerrold

Narrator: Basil Sands

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 13 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-22-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

David Gerrolds classic space opera Under the Eye of God tells the story of a group of unlikely rebels on a mission to reclaim the galaxy from ruthless vampire overlords known as the Phaestor.

The dark, burnt world of Thoska-Roole, infamous for its harsh climate and equally callous inhabitants, might be the last place in the galaxy anyone would turn for aid in times of crisis. But the small, orange planet is home to the band of rebels who hold the fate of the entire galaxy in their hands.

The Phaestor were once humanitys last hope, but these genetically engineered predators and their deadly army of Moktar Dragons have since seized control of the galaxy and subjugated all lesser species to feed their appetite for chaos and blood. Standing in their way is the ragtag alliance of malcontents from Thoska-Roole, including two bounty hunters, a mercenary ship captain, and a disgraced reptilian warrior. Together, they make a last desperate stand against the Phaestor and their reign of unprecedented terror.

Members Reviews:

okay

I enjoyed the reading more than the listening on this one. worth the time tho.

No... Just no

What would have made Under the Eye of God better?

Interesting characters, a plot

Has Under the Eye of God put you off other books in this genre?

Yes

How could the performance have been better?

Undoubtedly

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Under the Eye of God?

The dogbaby scenes.. Which is about a third of the book.

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Title: Hollow World

Author: Michael J. Sullivan

Narrator: Jonathan Davis

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 29 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-15-14

Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 14 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Ellis Rogers is an ordinary man, about to embark on an extraordinary journey. All his life he has played it safe, but faced with a terminal illness hes willing to take an insane gamble.

Hes built a time machine in his garage. If it works, he could find more than a cure for his illness; he might find what everyone has been searching for since time began...

Members Reviews:

Started great but...

I am sorry - I loved The Ryria series but this book whilst it showed great promise - interesting ideas etc etc....the second half and it's tunnel into gender wars, discrimmination, bullying etc was just tiresome - I am fully aware of such things in the world but really I dont need to hear it rammed down my throat in escapism...

Imaginative Futuristic Utopia

I really enjoyed immersing myself into this future world born out of our very current global predicaments.

If I had had a time machine it would be interesting to go forward in time and see if this book turns out to be a classic of its period.

For me this book had the feel of a modern HG Wells time machine tale of sorts and a touch of the William Dufris readings of the classic Asimov robot books.

This book is a good yarn and I look forward to listening to it again in the not too distant future!

Hollow World by Michael J Sullivan

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

I already have. It is a great book that tackles many contemporary issues and questions - such as religion (and violence in the name of religion), love,homophobia, indiviualism - and many more. It tackles them with compassion, tasteful humour and without over-indulgent sentimentality or preaching.

What other book might you compare Hollow World to, and why?

I suppose the obvious comparison would be H G Wells' 'The Time Machine', although the subject of the future of humanity and the planet is handled differently. Both are thought provoking, 'Hollow World' is not afraid to make the reader smile - or even laugh.

Have you listened to any of Jonathan Daviss other performances? How does this one compare?

No

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

The reveal about why Ellis Rogers carries so much guilt about his son's suicide.

Any additional comments?

I will be listening to and reading this again. It was a very enjoyable book.

WOW, A must Read/Listen

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

Yes, one of the best books I have listened to

What did you like best about this story?

Everything. Love the way it addresses so many issues and keeps you gripped throughout

Which character as performed by Jonathan Davis was your favourite?

Ellis rogers is great but I think Pax takes it for me

Brilliant new SF on old but fascinating themes

This came as a real surprise to me - I love proper sci fi but detest its modern corruption by fantasy. Despite a foreword by the author where he suggests that sci fi is largely fantasy anyway, I found this to be a great traditional time travel story full of engrossing speculation about the development of human beings, their motives and culture, as well as the earth and all its problems, while never losing sight of the central, flawed character and his personal story and reactions to the world in which he finds himself.

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Title: Z-Boat

Subtitle: Z-Boat, Book 1

Author: Suzanne Robb

Narrator: Kevin Stillwell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-25-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 15 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Ally Lane is the pilot and navigator of the The Betty Loo, a search and rescue submarine. She took refuge from her demons on the sub a decade ago.

Brian Kingston, a captain with good intentions but a heavy drinking problem, jumps at the opportunity to make more money than he can imagine on a deep-sea dive aboard the search and rescue submarine, The Betty Loo. He quickly discovers just what hes gotten himself, and his crew, into. The Betty Loo will be going to suicidal depths on a mission to rescue The Peacemaker, a sub once thought to be unsinkable. After receiving an anonymous threat on the day of departure, Brian is left with no choice but to continue on the mission.

But the depths of the sea arent the only problems ahead. New crewmembers arrive, and seeds of distrust are sown within hours. And, upon arrival to The Peacemaker, he realizes that though not all the bodies are dead, there is no one to rescue.

The crewmembers, both old and new, have to trust one another and fight for their lives against the adapting undead or join them in the floating graveyard that is The Peacemaker.

Members Reviews:

A fresh look at zombies in a unique setting

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

Very much so. The zombie genre needs fresh settings and stories. The thrown-together, multi-cultie crew of opposites fighting off hordes of zombies after the collapse of the world has been done to death. THIS story take the genre up a couple of notches.

What did you like best about this story?

Since 2006, the zombie genre has caught fire among horror readers. Unfortunately, a hot genre tends to gather quite a bit of the same kindling, so to speak, and many of the offerings are merely carbon copies of one another. Not so Robb's Z-Boat. Here we have a dystopic, rather than apocalyptic, entry into the zombie horror arena. The world isn't overrun with the living dead, it merely sucks. A makeshift crew is thrown together to investigate an SOS from a research vessel deep in the ocean and we're off to the races.

Robb manages a hefty cast with ease, making each one real rather than cookie-cutter. Each member of the crew is pursuing their own ends with their own agenda and each event sets off ripples among these competing interests, something that kept the pages turning from start to end.

The story unfolds quickly and logically, sending the crew careening from conflict to conflict, crisis to crisis, building to a cacophony of action and viscera that you won't soon be able to forget. Let's face it...this is a smart horror novel, but it's horror novel and you'll not lack for bits and pieces being outside bodies when they shouldn't be :) Robb handles physical descriptions with exceptional skill, not dwelling on the gore and cracking bones for their own sake, as too many crappy zombie novels tend to, but rather making those awful instances relate directly to the characters involved and how they experience what's going on around, and to, them.

I'm definitely picking up the next in this series.

What three words best describe Kevin Stillwells performance?

Able, great voices, poorly edited.

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

Help Isn't Coming.

Any additional comments?

Whoever edited this audiobook should get a serious dressing down.

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Title: The Unwaba Revelations

Subtitle: Gameworld, Book 3

Author: Samit Basu

Narrator: Ramon Tikaram

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 41 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-13-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Under the all-seeing eyes of the assembled gods, armies are on the move. The Game has begun. And when it ends, the world will end, too.... In The Unwaba Revelations, the third and concluding part of the GameWorld trilogy, a way must be found to save the world; to defeat the gods at their own game.

A daunting prospect under any circumstances, made worse by the fact that the gods, who control all the heroes, are blatantly cheating by following only one rule - that they cannot be defeated by their own creations. As epic battles ravage the earth, Kirin and Maya, guided only by an old, eccentric and extremely unreliable chameleon, and egged on by the usual rag-tag gang, carry out their secret plan; a plan so secret that, in fact, no one involved has any idea what they are doing!

Monsters, mayhem, mud-swamps; conspiracies, catastrophes, chimeras; betrayals, buccaneers, bloodshed - The Unwaba Revelations continues the roller-coaster journey that began with The Simoqin Prophecies and gathered momentum with The Manticore's Secret. Traversing earth, sea, and sky, realms both infernal and celestial, worlds both imagined and material, this book will draw you irresistibly into a tantalizing, action-packed, epic race to reclaim the flawed, magical world of its heroes.

Critic Reviews:

"Wildly imaginative, thoroughly enjoyable." (TimeOut)

Members Reviews:

A fine close

The final book in the Game World trilogy.

It's a mixed back. The ending is perhaps the best part with the preceding chapters ranging from strong hit to just missed it. This however is a series you can't space out to or get distracted by something else. My review my have differed if I hadn't done either of those things.

There's a few chapters that present themselves as journal entries hardening back to Stoker, a few long chapters dealing with the war but they fall a bit flat.

Ramon tikaram once again gives a great read making those chapters better than they would have been had you been reading it.

A fine close to a fun trilogy.

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Title: The Jester at Scar

Subtitle: Dumarest of Terra, #5

Author: E. C. Tubb

Narrator: Rish Outfield

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-07-14

Publisher: Wildside Press LLC

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi: Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Dumarest came to the world called Scar with nothing but the skills of his hardened body and a blood-red ring on his finger. Deadly fungus-covered Scar, where drifting spore made every breath a wager from death - but among them are the Golden Spore that give eternal life, and are the most sought-after treasure in the galaxy. Earl Dumarest sought that treasure to gain the wealth he needed to continue his search for the world of his birth, a forgotten planet called Earth.

But another stranger had come to Scar, seeking a treasure - the ring that Dumarest cherished, unaware of the secret hidden in its ruby depths.

Members Reviews:

Read the book if you want a kind of man's man adventure. If you are looking for "literature," search elsewhere.

This is the fifth instalment of the lengthy Dumarest saga. Most of the pieces of the series are in place: Dumarest has a ring which the conspiratorial Cyclan are after; the universe is a nightmare of class exploitation; the Universal Brotherhood is there to provide plot support; and Dumarest is the nihilistic man of honor who knows that the only meaning that life has is the meaning that a man makes for himself.

The story opens on the fungus-planet of Scar. Like all of Tubb's planet, this world is one-dimensional. It is lawless and exists only to exploit the seasonal fungus eruptions that provide biochemical marvels for a needy or jaded universe. Dumarest is renting space from a blind women when he is attacked because of the ring he picked up in an earlier book. Having resolved that issue, Dumarest goes on a fungus-hunting expedition with a partner and discovers - surprise! - the mother lode of fungus for which the unscrupulous, i.e., everyone on this exploited and backwards planet, will kill.

Tubb introduces the character of the Jester, who is the ruler of the planet Jest. The Jester has made a bad marriage to a shrewish, narcissist for the sake of his planet. The Jester is a departure from Tubb's normal aristocratic character in not being jaded and corrupt; in fact, this character actually seems decent and compassionate, except for his insistence on determining life and death decisions by chance.

Meanwhile, Dumarest and his partner are bushwhacked, only to be rescued by the Jester. leading up to the traditional confrontation with..... well, if you've read the series you know who already, and if you don't, then I don't want to spoil your surprise.

These stories are the pulpiest of pulp, but they are fun for being solid pulp. Tubb delivers the goods with the same cliches and tropes, with the soupcon of variation here and there. The reader can start anywhere, but I think it is fun to see the story develop from the beginning. For example, Tubb planted the ring several books ago, and this story is all about someone wanting Dumarest's ring, but Dumarest doesn't seem to have any interest in knowing why this ring is so blasted important. Of course, if you've read ahead, you know why, but at this point, as a new reader to the series, I might have some curiosity, but, maybe not.

The writing is decently pulpy, and Tubb will pull out the purple ink for descriptions of fungus growths.

Read the book if you want a kind of man's man adventure. If you are looking for "literature," search elsewhere.

Mr.