Download Most Popular Audiobooks in Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi: Contemporary New Releases

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Title: Death Wave

Subtitle: The Star Quest Trilogy, Book 2

Author: Ben Bova

Narrator: Stefan Rudnicki

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-17-15

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 71 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

Six-time Hugo Award-winner Ben Bova chronicles the saga of humankind's expansion beyond the solar system.

In Ben Bova's previous novel, New Earth, Jordan Kell led the first human mission beyond the solar system, where they discovered the ruins of an ancient alien civilization. But one alien AI survived, and it revealed to Jordan Kell that an explosion in the black hole at the heart of the Milky Way galaxy has created a wave of deadly radiation, expanding out from the core toward Earth. Unless the human race acts to save itself, all life on Earth will be wiped out.

When Kell and his team return to Earth many years after their departure, they find that their world has changed almost beyond recognition. Not only has a second wave of greenhouse flooding caused sea levels to rise, but society has been changed by the consequences of the climate shift. Few people want to face Jordan Kell's news. He must convince Earth's new rulers that the human race is in danger of extinction unless it acts to forestall the death wave coming from the galaxy's heart.

Members Reviews:

A must for every one .

I've been a long time fan of Ben Bova since my high school days . I've enjoyed all of his books and this was no exception .

Repetitive problems lead to predictable conclusion

One long series of dumb actions by smart people. Didn't seem to move any of the characters forward. A rare disappointment that I felt I needed to complete in order to move on to the trilogy finale.

complete let down don't waste a credit! !

complete let down, the first book was so so. interesting enough to give you hopes of the second book being an ok listen. unfortunately this book is full of improbable drama making you spend the entire book asking yourself how can these people be so stupid, and saying things like ya right. not only that but it's completely predictable. very hard to finish...

Another Ben Bova Classic

If you could sum up Death Wave in three words, what would they be?

Another great book in the ongoing colonization of space by man, reaching out to the starsand that is why I like Bens books because they interlink the whole picture.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jordan Kell and his New Wife trying to bring the earth inhabitants to help by saving the other intelligent's in this galaxy before the death wave hits.

Which character as performed by Stefan Rudnicki was your favourite?

Doug Stavenger the Old Man in the moon even though he didn't have a big part in the whole storey.

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

Yes the way it left me hanging after the abrupt end of the book and for the rest of the storey.

Any additional comments?

Yes Hurry up Ben and write the next installment of the Saga and keep the person who in my eyes makes your stories come alive, Stefan Rudniki.

Death wave

When ever I read or listen to a book buy Ben Bova, Im always transported into a fantastic world that I love.

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Title: The Book of Phoenix

Author: Nnedi Okorafor

Narrator: Robin Miles

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 50 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-22-15

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 203 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

A fiery spirit dances from the pages of the Great Book. She brings the aroma of scorched sand and ozone. She has a story to tell....

The Book of Phoenix is a unique work of magical futurism. A prequel to the highly acclaimed, World Fantasy Award-winning novel Who Fears Death, it features the rise of another of Nnedi Okorafor's powerful, memorable, superhuman women.

Phoenix was grown and raised among other genetic experiments in New York's Tower 7. She is an "accelerated woman" - only two years old but with the body and mind of an adult, Phoenix's abilities far exceed those of a normal human. Still innocent and inexperienced in the ways of the world, she is content living in her room speed reading ebooks, running on her treadmill, and basking in the love of Saeed, another biologically altered human of Tower 7. Then one evening Saeed witnesses something so terrible that he takes his own life.

Devastated by his death and Tower 7's refusal to answer her questions, Phoenix finally begins to realize that her home is really her prison, and she becomes desperate to escape. But Phoenix's escape, and her destruction of Tower 7, is just the beginning of her story. Before her story ends, Phoenix will travel from the United States to Africa and back, changing the entire course of humanity's future.

Members Reviews:

Wonderful, Fresh, Different

Where does The Book of Phoenix rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

Among the best of the audiobooks I've listened to so far.

What did you like best about this story?

The fresh point of view - not your conquering European grandfather's take on life in the world and the main character is a strong female. Loved that.

What about Robin Miless performance did you like?

She really knows how to make each character come alive in the mind's eye with tone of voice, accents, etc. Also, there is no clear break from recording to recording as some audiobooks have.

Stunningly unique and beautiful story

The Book of Phoenix by Nnedi Okorafor took me completely by surprise in the best possible way. I went in really not having any idea what to expect, and what I got was a near future sci-fi wrapped in a post-apocalyptic sci-fi starring a Nigerian anti-heroine who I grew to love in the way only fictional characters can make us love. I also was surprised that my new favorite narrator, Robin Miles, performed this audiobook and (not surprising) she was absolutely perfect. I am now completely hooked on this author and will be promptly diving in to the companion book!

I didn't understand this book

I enjoyed it right up to until the end and then the end confused me. I don't like this "let's just start over attitude" because humanity will always have good and evil and degrees in between no matter how often we are wiped out and we start over again. I prefer that good fight evil and for a while wins even if it can't last. However this book was beautifully written and performed and perhaps others will be able to see the hope in it that I couldn't find.

I listened till the end but somehow missed it(?)

The ending seemed abrupt. Otherwise 5 stars.

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Title: Alice

Subtitle: Alice Series #1

Author: Charles Lamb

Narrator: David Drummond

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-16-15

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 953 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

Captain Jacob Thomas, USMC, is a divorced combat veteran just trying to get his life back on track. Returning to the marine corps after a failed attempt at reconciliation with his estranged wife, Jake volunteers for a DARPA experiment that catapults him into a future where humanity has been stripped of 200 years of technological advancements and more than half its population. With the help of a faceless benefactor named Alice, he escapes the confines of an abandoned lab facility and starts a journey to put Earth back on a path to recovery. Jake's path begins in the rich farmlands of central California and eventually places him in orbit and face to face with the very evil that started it all.

Members Reviews:

5 star sci-fi, 1 star lame romance novel

Narrator sounds like he should stick to reading to his grandkids. NO character differentiation. There is gender distinction, but everyone sounds the same, and the women are whiny and pouty trying to be sexy.

Absolutely hooked by the opening plot. Great sci-fi. Love Jake, love Alice, love the premise. I listened to the end just for that. I also love how it turned out and can't wait to read another.

That said, the conversion into a worse-than-B-grade romance novel destroys the quality of the story. It's like a 12-year-old trying to write porn. At this time in American history, there are more women than men so they are used to sharing. For some reason it is deemed necessary for Jake to reproduce, so he takes up with 5 or more women. They all handle it very well, they are not jealous (except when they are), rather they are supportive of each other (except when they feel they aren't getting enough of Jake). They cease being intelligent women and turn into sex kittens. All the women are beautiful and have perfect bodies with large busts, and no thigh lumps. It's okay for there to be love relations in sci-fi stories, but I didn't come here for Danielle Steel, and this stuff is so juvenile and over-written that you will roll your eyes, shake your head, and sigh.

I don't know who would enjoy this kind of stuff; it's not imaginative, not titillating, not grown up. For example:

* Jake (despairing of his responsibilities managing several computer sites): If we open more alien facilities, I'm screwed!

Female: Oh, I'm pretty sure that happened last night. [and the author can't leave it alone], and I was hoping it would happen tonight too! [still can't leave it alone] she said with a wicked wink. [sigh, shake my head]

*trite "sexy" lines like "I resemble that remark!" and "I barely rate "saucy wench"!

And. I get so tired of doing the editor's job. I get tired of talking to the recording, correcting grammar, tired of making word changes. E.g. He lay her on the couch. This writer uses only about 1/4 the past perfect tense and he should, even after allowing for individual choice. One of the worst examples: "Jake wore his flight suit that morning, and had not changed it all day." Any high school English teacher would change this to, "Jake HAD PUT ON his flight suit that morning, and had not changed it all day."

Anyway, I guess I have to accept that there are no editors anymore and that whatever sorry excuse for grammar the writer delivers is what gets published.

I really don't know how to rate this story.

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Title: Black Tuesday

Author: Bob Mayer

Narrator: Eric G. Dove

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-25-15

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 69 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

When a mysterious force known only as the Shadow infiltrates history, it has a suspicious target: the date October 29 in six different years spanning 999 to 1980. The Time Patrol must send its highly skilled members into the past with only twenty-four hours to stop the destruction each time.

Each targeted date features a significant event, including Sir Walter Raleigh's beheading in 1618, the American stock market crash of 1929, and the first Internet message sent in 1969. But the missions are never as clear-cut as they seem, leading the team straight into the dangerous paths of extraordinary adversaries, such as yetis, krakens, and Vikings.

As time grows short, the Time Patrol learns that no amount of training and experience can prepare them for the enemies they battle and the alternate realities they face. And now, six changes to history could lead to the ultimate catastrophe: the end of existence.

Members Reviews:

Awesome

I liked this book because it was very good because of the preforming and story

this story could not hold my attention long enough

within the first hour, I had to back up the times. this story quickly became a chore to listen to.

I can't ever relate the story fairly due to the layout of the plot

great book love it

Was like taking a stroll through history .

Will read the next book in the series

Amazing!

If you love science fiction, you'll love these books. I'm totally hooked! If you love military dramas this will also appeal to you. It has made me want to learn more about the events in the stories.

Boring

Either very boring or I am just not the right target for this .... but do enjoy time travel and sci-fi in general.

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Title: A New World: Storm

Subtitle: Volume 10

Author: John O'Brien

Narrator: Mark Gagliardi

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-16-15

Publisher: John O'Brien

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 370 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

A vengeful darkness....

Gathers in the night....

One threat has been destroyed - another grows stronger. Even though Jack and the teams have won a major confrontation, their lives still hang by a thread. There are decisions to be made, and ones that have never been more critical.

Leonard continues to try to keep his crew together after being hit by another soul-shattering blow. They've only recently become aware of this new world, and it doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon as they silently plunge through the Pacific, looking for answers Leonard knows they may never find.

Michael knows he can no longer stand idle and wait as he feels thousands of his kind disappear from his mind night after night. The weight of the survival of his kind weighs heavily on his shoulders and he pushes forward to end the threats to their existence.

The new world must find its balance....

And the scales are about to tip....

Members Reviews:

GOOD BYE JACK!!!

What made the experience of listening to A New World: Storm the most enjoyable?

The Narration was flawless, and I really love Jack Walker!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jack Walker!

What about Mark Gagliardis performance did you like?

I liked everything about Marks performance, he was great!

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

This series would be a great movie opportunity...

Any additional comments?

Oh Wow...I dont even know what to say...I am kind of heart broken...But nothing was written in stone...and I still have ASW...and I kind of think that is where Jack is now...with Michael Talbot in ASW...lol Jack was tough and honorable and did what he had to do to save his family and friends and even the rest of the world...His bravery will stay with me for a long time, and I really enjoyed my journey I took with Jack and the crew..I recommend this series to anyone who likes the post apocalyptic zombie genre....well worth your time...well written and Jack as a main character is a complete winner...also the narration is incredible....Good Bye Jack!

Awesome series! But why....

Why does this have to be the last book?

I sure hope he can resurrect the series using "A shrouded world" series.

Amazing work of fiction

More!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Soon I hope we will get more and the tie into whistlers world

Mark and John great works yet to tie together

great story John O'Brien does it again

great story John O'Brien does it again. the readers voice is a little too raspy at some points but it's more than tolerable and he does a great job selling the story. John does a great job creating immersion and the reader and John together hit the high notes and low notes simultaneously bring you the ups and downs required for great story.

What happens next???....

Really loved the book, awsome, just like the others in the series.....BUT, the ending seemed to be a little hastely written(?) just like a bad b-movie where the producers run out of money for the special effects at the end, and had to improvise.

Hope to see one more book.

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Title: Time Salvager

Author: Wesley Chu

Narrator: Kevin T. Collins

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 37 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-07-15

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 472 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

Time Salvager: a fast-paced time travel adventure from Wesley Chu, the award-winning author of The Lives of Tao.

Convicted criminal James Griffin-Mars is no one's hero. In his time, Earth is a toxic, abandoned world, and humans have fled into the outer solar system to survive, eking out a fragile, doomed existence among the other planets and their moons. Those responsible for delaying humanity's demise believe time travel holds the key, and they have identified James, troubled though he is, as one of a select and expendable few ideally suited for the most dangerous job in history.

James is a chronman, undertaking missions into Earth's past to recover resources and treasure without altering the timeline. The laws governing use of time travel are absolute; break any one of them and, one way or another, your life is over. Most chronmen never reach old age; the stress of each jump through time, compounded by the risk to themselves and to the future, means that many chronmen rapidly reach their breaking points, and James Griffin-Mars is nearing his.

On a final mission that is to secure his retirement, James meets Elise Kim, an intriguing scientist from a previous century who is fated to die during the destruction of an oceanic rig. Against his training and his common sense, and in violation of the chronmen's highest law, James brings Elise back to the future with him, saving her life but turning them both into fugitives. Remaining free means losing themselves in the wild and poisonous wastes of Earth, somehow finding allies, and perhaps discovering what hope may yet remain for humanity's home world.

Members Reviews:

Good story almost ruined by narration

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

For the most part a good story that ends on a cliffhanger. Most of the characters were good, unfortunately one of the main characters was a little on the lame side. When I got immersed in the story ---which was easy to do in many parts, I could ignore the narrator.

I realize everybody has different tastes about narration, but for me he detracted from the story.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Kevin T. Collins?

Anyone who did not use the fake, forced, breathless style for the narrative parts in main character.

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

I cannot say that I wanted to listen to it in all one sitting because of the narrator. However I listen to these books while I commute, and admit there were a few times when I continued to listen to the story when I got home because the story at that point was that good.

Any additional comments?

Chu has potential, and I look forward do the rest of the books in the series. I wish he had gotten a head start on them.

Grew on me like a beard.

Didn't much like the narrator at first but would not like to hear anyone else to finish out the series. .. only complaint is the constant misuse of the phrase couldn't care less.

Rushed delivery

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I don't often complain about the readers, but I find myself getting tense listening to the rushed delivery of Kevin Collins. Mostly it is in the prose sections as he rushes from one sentence to another with desperate sounding gasps for breath as he barrels on to the next line. Augh. Makes me clench my jaws. I tried slowing it down to 75%, but that was painfully slow.

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Title: The Evan Gabriel Omnibus

Subtitle: Books 1-3

Author: Steve Umstead

Narrator: Ray Chase

Format: Unabridged

Length: 25 hrs and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-07-15

Publisher: Podium Publishing

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 228 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

Books 1-3 of the Evan Gabriel trilogy. Follow North American Federation Navy Commander Evan Gabriel as he crosses the galaxy searching for redemption, returns to where it all began, then finally seeks revenge on those responsible. Military science-fiction adventure at its best.

Members Reviews:

The first book is ok. The other two are weak.

The first book had a couple of plot twists that made the book. Unfortunately the lack of character development made for a long series. The main character was supposed to be this awesome guy who just can't catch a break. Yet everything goes easy for him and his crew and when it does not a piece of tech that he did not know about magically shows up to help him take over control of the "bad guys" brains and body's.

Throght the story the protagonist has it out for him yet is scarred of him. The reasons are a joke and make no sense because they continue put him in the exact situation they do not want. Even to the point of bringing him out of retirement from the army. He of course keeps breaking up all there evil plans yet they keep taking steps so he will be against them. It reminds me of Austin Powers when the son says "let's just shoot him, I have a gun we can do it together ". Of course they have to make an elaborate trap that puts him in the best possible position.

This does not even get into all the other characters. Good or bad there was no development. I had to rewind a few times just to even remember who died and I couldn't care less who got killed and who did not. The closest it came was for one character to mention that he used to be a fun practical joker before. Wow, super endearing.

Plot was weak, characters were no more than names on a page. Quite a let down.

Spaghetti Western meets solid sci-fi

The story is cliché and cheesy and all of those things that you love about a spaghetti western set in space. Yes the good guys win, yes the bad guys are just greedy and evil and have no real justification behind their motives, and yes the good guys come up with some unbelievable luck.

But it is entertaining and that's what these kind of stories are all about.

There are also some very solid sci-fi aspects of the series that I enjoyed.

time filler

it was OK but more of a time filler while waiting for something better to be released

A good space opera.

For the most part a good story and characters. Not great but worth listening to.

A great sci-fi action story!

After listening to Zero Point, a prequel to the Evan Gabriel Trilogy I knew that I would listen to the entire series. The Omnibus is a great way to get all three books in one package! Ray Chase is a great narrator and does an excellent job with this series. very entertaining!

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Title: Barbarians at the Gates

Subtitle: The Decline and Fall of the Galactic Empire, Book 1

Author: Christopher G. Nuttall

Narrator: Tim Gerard Reynolds

Format: Unabridged

Length: 16 hrs and 56 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-30-15

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 666 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

The Federation has endured for hundreds of years, but now it is dying, killed by the corruption and decadence of the Senate and the rising power of military warlords. The shipping lanes are coming apart, the colonists are revolting, and outside forces are pressing against undefended borders. Now, as one warlord makes a bid for supreme power, the entire edifice is on the verge of falling apart. Two officers, bearers of a proud military tradition, may be all that stands between the Federation and total destruction.

For Admiral Marius Drake, there is no greater cause than the survival of humanity's prized unity. For the young and ambitious Roman Garibaldi, the growing civil war offers a chance of promotion far beyond the usual boundaries. Together they will save the Federation or die trying. But with the Senate suspicious of any competent commanding officers, their success may condemn them to an inglorious death.

Members Reviews:

the best way to become king is to not want to!

This is an interesting world Nuttal has created. There are some freaky aliens mentioned but they do not really enter into the story. This is all about internal affairs, corruption at the core. And the straight firm bold ones who take it on. This may be the prequel or setup to The Empire's Corps, but maybe not, although it seems there is about 2,500 years from here to there, so it could be. But, maybe they are not related.

The first part of the story is a bit like so many others in that our young graduate is prematurely thrust into captaincy due to the death of all 19 above him. They have gone out to deal with a rebellion in the ranks. The second part of the story is about them coming back to deal with corruption at home, and the focus switches to an admiral. In summary, like this, it sounds like Campbell's Lost Fleet, but it is worked differently. It's okay. There is side-switching, treachery, surprising alliances, sudden betrayals. The morality play condemnation of current society, politics, and education is visible, but not so blatant as in Reality Check (the one Empire's Corps book to skip).

The story line is pretty good; the core of the tale is interesting. The characters are a little thin, and the point of view suddenly changes to that of other characters you've never heard of. And then they die. There is also a lot of author talk that gets dull. And Nuttal uses pithy quotes from "history books" to preface each chapter as he does in his Empire's Corps books (which are much better than this).

The narration is okay, the Scottish and Hindi accents being the best. It doesn't match up to the works of the best narrators, but it was not confusing or maddening.

This is an acceptable book, but doesn't seem as good as Nuttal's other things. Nevertheless, seeing as how there is a second installment, I am going for it.

Enjoyable

This is a new series based on the same basic idea as the other series that of a collapsing Empire. In this book the Federation is collapsing and warlords are staking out their territories. Our protagonists are Admiral Marius drake and Lt. Roman Garibaldi.

The book has more naval action than most of the other series by Nuttall. I have read enough of Nuttalls books now to be amazed at his imagination.

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Title: The Long Utopia

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Terry Pratchett, Stephen Baxter

Narrator: Michael Fenton Stevens

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 4 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-23-15

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 539 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

The fourth novel in Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter's internationally best-selling Long Earth series, hailed as "a brilliant science fiction collaboration...a love letter to all Pratchett fans, readers, and lovers of wonder everywhere" (Io9).

It's 2045-2059. Human society continues to evolve on Datum Earth, its battered and weary origin planet, as the spread of humanity progresses throughout the many Earths beyond.

Lobsang, now an elderly and complex AI, suffers a breakdown and, disguised as a human, attempts to live a "normal" life on one of the millions of Long Earth worlds. His old friend, Joshua, now in his 50s, searches for his father and discovers a heretofore unknown family history. And the superintelligent posthumans known as "the Next" continue to adapt to life among "lesser" humans.

But an alarming new challenge looms. An alien planet has somehow become "entangled" with one of the Long Earth worlds, and, as Lobsang and Joshua learn, its voracious denizens intend to capture, conquer, and colonize the new universe - the Long Earth - they have inadvertently discovered.

World building, the intersection of universes, the coexistence of diverse species, and the cosmic meaning of the Long Earth itself are among the mind-expanding themes explored in this exciting new installment of Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter's extraordinary Long Earth series.

Members Reviews:

The series is losing its way

I really enjoyed the earlier books in the series, but the plot (and worse, the constant exposition) is really getting pompous. The original stories looked at a million ways society would change given the sudden ability to "step." But as the series progresses, it becomes less of the interesting "what if" and more outlandish and self-important. The performance is excellent, as usual, but by halfway through, I couldn't stop rolling my eyes at the storyline.

An interesting addition to the series.

Well performed. Mostly satisfying.There are avenues that could still be explored in the world. I hope Stephen Baxter explores them.

R.I.P TP

Comfort Food

People are strange creatures. Often we do things that defy explanation. We might ignore money or choose the wrong girl. Maybe we develop a love of Jazz. No one really gets it, but it just strikes a chord with some people.

I'm joking.

The Long Earth was a great book. I read that one in print. A really intelligent idea that was well executed. My mind wandered for days. What would I do? Where would I go? What if I couldn't step? I've read more Baxter than Pratchett over the years, but this didn't matter.

Then I was introduced to The Long War and Michael Fenton Stevens. I didn't enjoy the War nearly as much but it didn't matter. The narration just felt right.

The same goes for The Long Mars and The Long Utopia.

Not as good as the first in the series, but it doesn't matter. Great narration, check. Intelligent ideas and storytelling, check. All the great characters, check. Though I have to admit, I'm no fan of Miss Linsay. Talk about a chip fit for a Long Earth! But I digress.....

I like the Long Earth world and am quite happy to spend time there. Even though the story doesn't hold me like it used to it is still strangely satisfying.

It might not make sense in a spreadsheet.

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Title: Blood of the Cosmos

Subtitle: The Saga of Shadows, Book Two

Author: Kevin J. Anderson

Narrator: Mark Boyett

Format: Unabridged

Length: 21 hrs and 38 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-02-15

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 825 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

Blood of the Cosmos: the second book in Kevin J. Anderson's Saga of Shadows trilogy.

An epic space opera of the titanic conflict of several galactic civilizations against a life-destroying force of shadows, a dark, cosmic force that has swept through the undercurrents of the human interstellar empire. The intertwined plots, overflowing with colorful ideas, a large cast of characters, and complex storylines span dozens of solar systems, alien races, and strange creatures.

As the second book of the trilogy opens, the humans and Ildirans, having narrowly escaped annihilation at the hands of the Shana Rei and their robot allies in book one, are desperate to find a way to combat the black cloud of antimatter of the Shana Rei. The mysterious alien Gardeners, who had helped them previously, turn out to be a disaster in disguise and because of them the world tree forests are again in danger. The allies believing they have found a way to stop their dreaded enemies, a new weapon is tested, but it's a horrible failure, throwing the human race and its allies to the brink of extinction.

Members Reviews:

Very entertaining! !!

I absolutely loved this book! I can't wait until the next one comes out!! It amazed me that it was not hard for me to follow the storyline because I have not listened to the first set of books (Saga of the Seven Sons).

Argh!

Story is an engaging continuation of the Saga Of the Seven Suns. It follows the same narrative format, bouncing from character to character without having a single main character. That's fine for those used to it from previous books. Anderson hasn't lost the ability to keep me interested and wanting more. My only problem is that it ends in a very unsatisfying place. I want more! Sigh. I'll just have to wait.

Like meeting up with a long missed friend

Kevin J. Anderson created an 7 volume epic fantasy, The Saga of Seven Suns, that spans the universe and contains many wonderful species, fantastical powerful elemental creatures and even an evil robotic race within a backdrop of war, strife and intrigue throughout. The seven volumes transcend a couple of human generations, all the while seeding previous volumes with new and interesting next children. I mention this, while not necessary for this follow-on series, it adds a richness to the current saga that one won't regret for a more in-depth understand of his universe.

I'll try not to outline the story in any significant detail since it really should be experienced without too much interpretation from myself. Suffice it to say, both Kevin and Mark Boyett combine to deliver an enjoyable epic fantasy. I particularly liked Anderson's decision to prelude what had occurred in the previous book so as to get the listener up to speed smoothly. This is important since the cast of characters are so large, each having their own storied past, that it helps fire off the synapses for quick recollection, allowing a smooth transition to the next part of the saga.

For anyone who enjoys epic fantasies told well, you'll not be disappointed with Book 1 and this, Book 2, of The Saga of Shadows.

Anderson always delivers

Story development is great, the mix of stories keeps it interesting, and as usual, KJA is not afraid to kill off well established characters as the story progresses .