Get Popular Authors Audiobooks in Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi: Contemporary

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Title: Guardian of the Freedom

Author: Irene Radford

Narrator: Rebecca Rogers

Format: Unabridged

Length: 21 hrs and 29 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-17-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

1763: All of Europe is at war with each other and the Turks are storming toward Vienna. The magical protection of Britain requires that Georgina Kirkwood, a potential Merlin, leave the secret Pendragon Society and disguise herself as man to fight for England.

Wounded and no longer able to carry a sword, Georgina is recruited by the King as a spy in the American Colonies. Transplanted to a land and people vibrant with life and ideas, she begins to question her loyalties. Only her love for Major Roderick Wythe gives her the love and partnership she needs to work with Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Sam Adams, and many other notable leaders to discover what being the Merlin truly means and to determine who she is protecting from whom.

Members Reviews:

Good books... For adults

I bought this series hoping to allow my tween daughter to read them. These books were great, good story that follows a family through several generations from the time of Arthur and Merlin up to the time of this book during the American revolution. However, I'm glad I read these books first. This would be a good YA series but for the random scenes of rape and sexual sadism the author feels compelled to throw in. Not really in this book but in all the other books in the series. So be warned and otherwise enjoy.

Historical Fantasy in the era of the American struggle for indipendence

165 years have passed since the adventures of Dee Kirkwood in Guardian of the Promise. A lot has happened since then, the role of Pendragon has further lost influence and is no longer recognized at court. In this setting Georgie, a spirited girl is born who doesn't want to follow conventions, flees from home and, disguised as a man, joins a group of mercenaries. But when she is badly wounded she returns to her family which faces intrigues by a distant cousin. The story takes Georgie to the American Colonies which are struggling with taxes burdened by the British Government. Once she settles in however, she has to decide where her true loyalties lie, with the government or with the people of the colonies?

This book can be read independently of the others, because there are no recurring characters and the important background is revealed where it applies. I enjoyed the story, even though at times I was bewildered how much time passed without much happening, leaving me with the feeling, that the author wanted to include key historical events in her tale, but had to bridge the time between them. If you are interested in sword and sorcery meets historical events story, than this book is worth a look.

I have received this book as part of LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program.

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Title: Driving Towards Disaster

Subtitle: Survival of the Best Prepared

Author: Ron Foster

Narrator: Phil Williams

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-05-13

Publisher: PAL Productions

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 6 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

How could this post apocalyptic tale of driving to a disaster get any worse? After a mega hurricane impact and an existing major pandemic threatens the Gulf States, it looks like it will shut humanity down in the good old U.S.A. The author adds the impending doom of governmental martial law imposed, societal collapse based on economic and food riots and the hero is not home yet as an oil spill makes its presence known. Book two of this trilogy paints a foreboding fictional picture of a possible and all too likely true scenario of a "what if" Armageddon. Do what? Do more Preps? Maybe we don't and die.

Members Reviews:

Apocalyptic Landscape

Would you listen to Driving Towards Disaster again? Why?

This post apocalyptic adventure was good because it gave you a behind the scenes look at how a first responder views such an event. There were lots of little tid bits of information and subtle warnings about just what might be planned by government to control the population. I like to visualize once again how I would handle such an event.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The hero of the story of course. His devil may care attitude of going once again into the breach with humor and compassion was inspiring.

What does Phil Williams bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

Every narrator brings a bit of himself to a story and if they like the material they can bring in thier own excitement which guides the reader.

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

Oh yes, I didnt want it to end. I hope the author carries on with more insight into what happens to the United States and himself after all this chaos.

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Title: We Robots

Author: Sue Lange

Narrator: Katina Kalin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-25-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 4 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

A poignant tale of humans and robots and the meaning of life.

©2007 Sue Lange (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Editorial Reviews:

Sue Lange's We, Robots envisions a future where household robots are available at the local Wal-Mart. Unfortunately for humanity, robots have reached the singularity, the point at which their intelligence has surpassed their creators'. Told through the eyes of AV-1 - a domestic robot charged with a young girl's care - this short tale explores the robots' attempts to cope with new feelings of pain, as well as humans' efforts to become more like the very robots they fear, a process which threatens to destroy humankind. In her silky contralto, actress Katalina Kalin deftly captures the pain and beauty of this sci-fi parable. Kalin imbues the artificial protagonist with innocence and curiosity as she follows his struggle to cope with newfound feelings of joy, anger, and passion.

Members Reviews:

A funny thing happened on the way to the singularity

Like myThe Face in the Mirror: a transhuman identity crisis (Reflections)this is a story that subverts some of the ideas of the singularity/transhuman sub-genre. It raises an interesting question too. If we create truly self aware AI, what are they going to want? Will an AI be content to just be discarded and replaced by the newer better model? Or as Sue Lange proposes will they refuse to take part in creating their successors? It also raises the question of whether the singularity (the point of creation of an AI that's smarter than us, where technological advancement comes so fast we can't predict the other side) is inevitable? Can we avoid it? Should we? Or as I have suspected (looking at things from the perspective of the last few thousand years) are we already in the early stages of the singularity. We may not have true AI yet, but with how computers expand what we can do, it's already getting hard to guess where technology is going to go.

A good story if not for the heavy handed ending

It starts out cute and funny but, especially toward the end, the story becomes bogged down with the author's personal beliefs about what makes us human. She asserts that the ability to feel pain is the cornerstone of all human emotion, including love, curiosity, and the will to live. The lack of reasoning to support this position only adds to the preachy note. Overall, this book might be worth reading for the clever humor, but don't expect any deep insights into the human condition.

Waiting for the Singularity -- has it happened yet???

I enjoyed the story, only wish it had been a bit longer. It reminded me a little bit of Millenium Man, where Robin Williams played a household robot who kept getting upgrades to become more "human" including getting feelings. He almost outlived all the family that he loved, but that is another story. In this one, Avey (nickname for AVI which stands for artificial something intelligence) is a household drone, going about its duties for the family who bought it from Walmart in New Jersey (I liked that touch). Eventually, all the AVIs are recalled for a so-called upgrade to add a pain-sensing function, with the belief that the fear of pain will keep these machines subservient to humans, as the balance of intelligence on the planet shifts from human to artificial.

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Title: Once Humans

Subtitle: Daimones Trilogy, Book 2

Author: Massimo Marino

Narrator: Jeff Hays

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-22-13

Publisher: Massimo Marino

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 6 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

Mankind is undergoing rebirth, the new arrivals closely watched by the Selected: the transgenic beings created by the Moirai. The new communities thrive with the aliens' support and peace and security reign on Eridu, as the planet Earth is known by the Moirai and in the galaxy.

But peace and security of the cradle are suddenly shattered by acts of sabotage set to disrupt the fragile balance of the fledgling communities.

From the coldest climes to the deepest ocean floors, a cosmic conspiracy full of betrayal and fear is being hatched with the hope of pushing the world perilously close to the brink of self-destruction.

It is up to Dan Amenta to journey through dark and deadly alleys - even into the depths of the planet - to unlock the shadowy logic of alien minds.

Members Reviews:

Rebirth of the Human Race!

Another great story by Massimo Marino! This is the second story in Daimones Trilogy and it's another 5 star story. I won't be giving away any details about this story, I'm sorry for that but you MUST read/listen to this story to learn what an incredible story it truly is and I'm afraid of giving details away. This story starts with action right from the start, you feel a sense of loss, the fight for survival, and many twists and turns throughout the story. I highly recommend this story to everyone!

Jeff Hays is brilliant with his performance of Once Humans. He has become my favorite male narrator now. He is extremely gifted and his talent shows in every story you hear Jeff narrate. Trust me when i mention how great Jeff is, if you don't believe me about how good this narrator is then just listen to this story or another one that he's narrated. His female voices and accents are superb. Jeff breaths life into this story and I feel as if I'm there watching the story as it plays out. I have no trouble identifying each character throughout this story. A must listen to story! Overall, another 5 star rating!

Good book for scifi fans

I received a free audiobook for an honest review.

I listened to the first book in the Daimones trilogy and found it intriguing so I was looking forward to listening to Once Humans to see how things turned out in this new world run by the Selected and the Moîrai.

Unfortunately, for the most part, I was disappointed (not in the author but in the Selected and the remaining humans). I didnt like how the first book ended and I was hoping the humans would rebel in the second book. Instead, they allowed themselves to be directed by the Moîrai almost completely. There were times when Dan stood up to them and he was respected for that but the other Selected just rolled over and then complained when the Moîrai werent around.

I am not a die-hard science fiction fan but I think die-hard fans would get more out of this book because there are detailed descriptions of some of the aliens technology.

Although this isnt my favorite book Ive read this year, I think it is well written and that its more of a personal preference.

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Title: Einstein's Cosmic Journey

Subtitle: A Biographical Fantasy of Quantum Proportions

Author: Walter E. Jacobson, M.D.

Narrator: Jon Huffman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 25 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-22-13

Publisher: Walter E Jacobson, MD

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

Albert Einstein, 76 years old, frustrated and near death, having obsessively attempted and failed for 40 years to discover a Unified Field Theory, and filled with guilt and remorse over personal choices he made in his life, invents a device which folds time and space, bringing him face to face with his 40 year old self, who, along with psychoanalyst Carl Jung and quantum physicist Wolfgang Pauli, helps him to resolve his conflicts and solve the mathematical puzzle that has been plaguing him for decades.

Members Reviews:

This is a very interesting book

This fictional account Einstein's life allows an author to say things that can't ordinarily be said in nonfiction books. I enjoyed those things.

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Title: Cave & Julia

Author: M. John Harrison

Narrator: Jonathan Davis

Format: Unabridged

Length: 37 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-18-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

When the English journalist named Cave visits the island of Autotelia, he finds the dockyards of the old harbor gentrified and the islands famous ruins a tourist attraction. When he gets to know the alluring Julia Vicente, a former film actress, he discovers that her life has been marked by the childhood disappearance of her brother. Was she guilty of his death, or was it an accident after all? As Caves life grows entwined with hers, he tries to answer these questions, while his new lover seems determined to perpetuate the mystery.

M. John Harrison is an English-born writer with an international reputation as a writer of modern fantasy and science fiction. The winner of both the Arthur C. Clarke and Philip K. Dick awards, he is the author of the Viriconium sequence of novels and the Kefahuchi Tract trilogy. His novel, Climbers (1989), was the first novel to win the Boardman Tasker Prize for Mountain Literature.

Editorial Reviews:

At turns dark and harrowing, at turns deeply funny, Arthur C. Clarke and Philip K. Dick award-winning author M. John Harrison's Cave and Julia is the story of Cave, journalist sent to write on the island of Autotelia, only to become embroiled in a romance with a former film actress with a tragic past. Jonathan Davis once again hits the mark with his spooky, musical reading of the haunting tale. From gorgeous descriptions of the fantastical island of Autotelia, to conversations filled with mystery, listeners will appreciate Davis' nuanced performance of this fascinating story.

Members Reviews:

"People left her alone."

This is a small strange town on "what we once called the Mediterranean. The precursors are not genetic, and they have left archeological evidence all over the continent. Cave has come to the town to write about something else, but has become enmeshed in the mysterious Julia. Julia had gone to the heart of the sites at the age of 14 with her brother and returned alone. Since then her life has been one long chaos.

I have to say I am still not sure what any of this means. I don't think we are meant to know in any final way, this is not the nature of Autotelian. But I have spent a decent amount of time mulling it. Certainly we all live on the cusp of the unknown, which we choose to ignore. This book kind of nudges you back into those nooks

Dense, Difficult, Great

Harrison is a brilliant writer, but not always easy to understand, especially for those of us brought up on a diet of mass market paperbacks and ebooks. A good choice for people who like literary works.

Cave & Julia comments

This story is very unusual and requires an open mind to appreciate it. After a slow start and a bit of apprehension I became engrossed with this story and found it quite unique and demanding of further attention. I recommend it highly!

A small work of exquisite beauty

M John Harrison is one of the finest stylists working in literature today. His short fiction is often overlooked when compared to his brilliant novels but this perfectly formed gem of fiction should counter that perception. Highly recommended.

Character focused story, very mildly genre

M John Harrison, far better known for novels and stories such as his Viriconium sequence, here turns to a not-quite-contemporary Earth story in "Cave and Julia".

Like some of his other stories, it is set in and around the land of Autotelia.

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Title: Walpurgis III

Author: Mike Resnick

Narrator: Tom Weiner

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-12-13

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

He killed 11 million men in the death camps of Pilor IX during the brief reign of the mad Emperor Justacious. He killed 17 million men on Boriga II in a manner that made the gas ovens of ancient Earth and its Reich seem compassionate. He killed 5 million women and children on New Rhodesia. He killed 3,017 men on Cambria III, each in a different way. He invented torture devices that even Spica VI, which was in revolt against the Republic, would not use.

No photograph, holograph, or videodisc of him is known to exist. He has never been fingerprinted. There is no voice or retina identification pattern on him in any computer. He has no bank account on any world, no financial or property holdings that anyone has been able to trace. His planet of origin is unknown. Many men have served him; all but seven are dead, and none of those seven have ever seen him.

He is a fugitive.

His name is Conrad Bland and he is, for the moment, safe. But someone has sent an assassin to find him - and end him.

Chief Detective John Sable is caught between his badge and his conscience as the two most famous executioners of all time prepare to do battle in his territory.

Members Reviews:

Fantastic Book

I love, love, love this book. I've read it over a dozen times. It's a fast read with a very straightforward plot. I like the idea of the ultimate evil being defeated by a worse evil.

Richard Lowe Jr is the author of over 20 books, includingFocus on LinkedIn: Create a Personal Brand on LinkedInTM to Make More Money, Generate Leads and Find Employment (Business Professional Series Book 7)

Finally Found It!

This an out-of-print book that was hard to find for my husband! He loved reading it and lost his copy in a move. He re-read it all in one day!

What is EVIL?

Who is more evil. A man who kills because he's great at it? Or a man who kills because he must? Resnick is the BOMB in a book you WILL read again!

The fun things in life: Torture, Murder & Assassination

Conrad Bland has finally found a world that accepts him. Bland is a man so evil that evil needs to be redefined to describe him. Having perpetrated atrocities on several worlds, he finally comes to Walpurgis III. There, where Satanism, witchcraft, and black magic are the norm, many hail him as a hero, and he revels in his freedom to torture and murder. But, not everyone is so enamored of him, and they have dispatched the galaxy's best assassin to terminate Bland. Detective John Sable picks up the trail of the assassin, and must decide whether to stop him, or let him continue with his mission. He will be forced to face his own inner fears and demons, and make an irrevocable choice, for good or evil.

Pretty much an aweful book

Mike Resnick is a really good author, but you wouldn't know it by this book. Poorly thought out characters act out their conflict on a planet that in concept is cool, but in practice is dull and depressive. In a nutshell, bad people do bad things to each other in uninspired ways.

If you have an interest is Resnick, check out his book Santiago instead. It's fun and interesting to the point where it is hard to believe they are written by the same man.

Santiago: A Myth of the Far Future

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Title: Division of the Spoils

Subtitle: Starcruiser Shenandoah, Book 2

Author: Roland J. Green

Narrator: Traber Burns

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 10 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-26-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 8 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

The Shenandoah is sent out to investigate the explosion of a ship, but then a rebel army stages the first devastating attack in a campaign to overthrow the Republic's government, and suddenly a world at peace was transformed into a planet on the brink of destruction.

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Title: Secrets

Subtitle: Saga of the Spheres, Book 2

Author: Mary E. Twomey

Narrator: Jason Lovett

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-21-13

Publisher: Mary Elizabeth Twomey

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

An earthquake caused by Wren and Satchel's ill-fated tryst brings forth a prophecy that sends the Unrest and the Delegation into a tailspin. Immortals on the Earth must be abducted and hidden from the North Star's greedy grasp.

Vespera's fury erupts as the Unrest begins to splinter off from the Moon behind her back. Attacks that should be used on the enemy target her supposed allies. Seeds of doubt, betrayal and rebellion begin to sprout in the Realm of the Sun and the Moon, causing division, subterfuge, and deadly attacks.

An evil that was locked up centuries ago is unleashed and let loose on the Earth. There are those who fight for unity, those who struggle just to stay alive, those who battle for control, but a few begin their secret plans for a revolt.

Members Reviews:

Great Book!

Loved this book. The Saga of the Spheres series were really great. I enjoyed each one of the books in this series.

Incredible!!

In the second installment of Saga of the Spheres, Secrets takes you even deeper into the battle that the keepers have embarked on. Getting to know more about the characters and how they are responding to the war was very interesting, and I felt like I was becoming part of their world. I could feel their emotions coming through, and I felt that the new challenges they are being faced with are quite inventive. The perpetual battles of good vs evil and life vs love are very prominent, and kept me wanting more!

Keep these books coming!

What a fantastic continuation of the first book!

The deeper detail and character development feels like I'm really in the story and getting to know each keeper on a personal basis. So realistic and engaging. Just like the first, I could not put this book down. The twists and turns had me gasping out loud (at the coffee shop). Love this book and this series. Purchasing the next oneThe Sword (Saga of the Spheres)tomorrow! So excited to read!

Who's your keeper?

Interesting characters.

The story really takes off as our friends go outside what they're supposed to do and do what they want. There are consequences for them, and us, as we find we care what happens and root for their safety. Hard to put down.

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Title: No Shelter Trilogy

Subtitle: Books 1, 2, and 3: No Shelter, Left Behind, and Buried Alive

Author: T. S. Welti

Narrator: Alexandra Haag

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-14-13

Publisher: Tania Welti

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 3 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

The No Shelter Trilogy is a postapocalyptic love story.

No Shelter, Book One

When the environment is ravaged by rising sea levels and monstrous storms, America is divided and survival becomes more precious than love. When 17-year-old Nada and Isaac stumble upon a handsome stranger in the woods, their cozy alliance and romance begin to unravel. This stranger promises Nada the impossible, in exchange for helping him rescue his sister from a prison in the last corner of civilization in the western United States. But this rescue operation is wrought with complications, including the fact that the girl they are supposed to save is the ex-President's daughter. This mission puts everyone's life at risk, especially Isaac - the one person who has always been there for Nada. Now Nada and her small tribe must choose between a somewhat comfortable existence in the mountains and the chance at a life free of fear and starvation.

Left Behind, Book Two

After a harrowing rescue and escape, Nada sets off to rescue Isaac from the prison where she was forced to abandon him. During this long journey, Nada's feelings for Daedric intensify... until they discover Isaac roaming the mountains north of the Salton Sea - and he's not alone. Isaac is accompanied by a mysterious and beautiful girl, a fellow prisoner who was also set free by the Guardians. Nada is conflicted about how she will fit into their tribe, and how she factors into Isaac's past. Meanwhile, Isaac must decide whether to ditch everyone for their own good or stay true to his promise to Nada to "never give up".

Buried Alive, Book Three

After their haven in the woods is compromised, Nada and her tribe must decide whether they want to hike all the way from California to Washington, D.C., in the dead of winter with the Guardians on their tail. Nada isn't certain she wants to spend the rest of her life living in an underground shelter with Isaac, even if it means living comfortably and free of fear. Nada thinks this is the most difficult decision she has ever had to make until an even more difficult decision presents itself. Will love or shelter conquer all?

Members Reviews:

So disappointing, the ending is very abrupt

What a horrible story... Not redeeming in any way. Nothing to learn here either. Very disappointed