How To Listen to Full Audiobook in Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi: Contemporary Popular Authors

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Title: Worldwar

Subtitle: Upsetting the Balance

Author: Harry Turtledove

Narrator: Todd McLaren

Format: Unabridged

Length: 25 hrs and 26 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-11-11

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 251 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

Communist China, Japan, Nazi Germany, the United States: they began World War II as mortal enemies. But suddenly their only hope for survival---never mind victory---was to unite to stop a mighty foe: one whose frightening technology appeared invincible.

Far worse beings than the Nazis were loose. From Warsaw to Moscow to China's enemy-occupied Forbidden City, the nations of the world had been forced into an uneasy alliance since humanity began its struggle against overwhelming odds. In Britain and Germany, where the banshee wail of hostile jets screamed across the land, caches of once-forbidden weapons were unearthed, and unthinkable tactics were employed against the enemy. Brilliantly innovative military strategists confronted challenges unprecedented in the history of warfare.

Even as lack of fuel forced people back to horse and carriage, physicists worked feverishly to create the first atomic bombs - with horrifying results. City after city joined the radioactive pyre as the planet erupted in fiery ruins. Yet the crisis continued - on land, sea, and in the air - as humanity writhed in global combat. The tactics of daredevil guerrillas everywhere became increasingly ingenious against a superior foe whose desperate retaliation would grow ever more fearsome.

No one had ever put the United States, or the world, in such deadly danger. But if the carnage and annihilation ever stopped, would there be any pieces to pick up?

Critic Reviews:

"Turtledove exhibits his genuine feel for crafting believable answers to historical 'what ifs.'" (Library Journal)

Members Reviews:

Liked it!

I loved it but I'm a sucker for humanity kicking an unrealistic amount of alien ass.

More a soap opera than a war story

It's so unfortunate because the performance is so great and some of the stories are really good and interesting. Unfortunately you have to stomach the other stories to get to them, and they're hardly worth the time.

Whilst certainly a step up from the previous novel, it leaves the listener impatiently waiting to get back to the better characters and stories instead of enjoying all of them

Won't work with Apple CarPlay

Won't work with Apple CarPlay. Also, I listen to books on my long commute and the APP is always asking me to rate it and thus I cannot listen to my book till I dismiss it. As I am driving, means I cannot dismiss it. Love audio books but the APP stinks.

Could not take it after a while

What disappointed you about Worldwar?

I got hooked on reading the first in the series and I (reluctantly) pushed on to the end. I enjoy apocalyptic and sci-fi military themes so this seemed like a good choice. What hooked me was the idea that an alien invasion had badly miscalculated how quickly humanity could advance and when it arrived it ran into real resistance. Good stuff! However just about everything else became tedious. Honestly this idea is probably a two book idea at max - it sure feels like it was padded out big time to the current length. Dull human interest stories, stereotypical characters, sardonic commentary ALL the time (how many times does Atvar have to complain about humanities rapid advancement - apparently every time he opens his mouth), tedious explication of Nazis and the Jews etc etc Predictable. One dimensional. I made it to the end and refuse to follow up on the Colonization series. I refuse.

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Title: Consider Phlebas

Subtitle: Culture Series, Book 1

Author: Iain M. Banks

Narrator: Peter Kenny

Format: Unabridged

Length: 16 hrs and 29 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-05-10

Publisher: Hachette Audio UK

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 277 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

The first Culture novel, now available as an unabridged audio download.

The war raged across the galaxy. Billions had died, billions more were doomed. Moons, planets, the very stars themselves, faced destruction - cold-blooded, brutal, and worse, random. The Idirans fought for their Faith; the Culture for its moral right to exist. Principles were at stake. There could be no surrender.

Within the cosmic conflict, an individual crusade. Deep within a fabled labyrinth on a barren world, a Planet of the Dead proscribed to mortals, lay a fugitive Mind. Both the Culture and the Idirans sought it. It was the fate of Horza, the Changer, and his motley crew of unpredictable mercenaries, human and machine, actually to find it, and with it their own destruction.

Consider Phlebas is a space opera of stunning power and awesome imagination.

Members Reviews:

Peter Kenny makes the book worthwhile

I enjoyed Iain M. Banks' book because of an excellent narrator. I am not sure that the story itself is so great... although it falls probably in the genre of tragedy.

This is the first book in Banks' Culture series and is a must to read or listen to should you be interested into being initiated into his universe where man and machine have become equals in the sphere of existence. Set against the background of the Culture (humans and machines) and Iderian war, Horsa, the main character, must find his own way through the maze of loyalties. Horsa chooses against artificial life, just to... well read or listen the book to find out.

Routes of The Culture

A good listen. All the technological depth and character development you could want in a sci-fi novel. If you like "Ring World" or "The Mote In God's Eye", you'll probably like this more.

Only four stars out of five because it mainly lacks the humour of his later books. "Matter" (by the same author) was just brilliant!

Though this is Iain M Banks' first sci-fi novel, it is a 2010 audio production.

Once again, Peter Kenny excels as narrator.

Classic, intelligent sciFi

Read this years ago: an absolute classic of sciFi. The novel works on many levels - as a story line, as a set of believable characters, and as a created world of its own. The sciFi environment which envelops the characters is convincing and deeply thought through - right down to the subtlety of the relationship between humans and the highly evolved AI computer systems who jointly form the 'Culture'. The novel is told through the character of an enemy of the Culture, again a thoroughly thought through interpretation of how a genetically modified species might interact with other species and cultures. Mostly though, the sciFi world created is convincing enough to allow the reader just to enjoy the battle of wits between the two principal characters.

Some of the scenes in the book are reflective of the extremities of behaviour which might be expected by extrapolating extreme character traits over immense populations, and I must confess I found them a bit strong - but they do contribute to the depth of characterisation and the sense of urgency in the story line.

The performance from Peter Kenny is well paced and compelling - to quote Jerry Pournelle in the golden days of Byte magazine - 'recommended'.

Banks is a master

If you like Banks, you'll like this. If you like cerebral sci fi, you'll love this.

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Title: Worldwar: Tilting the Balance

Author: Harry Turtledove

Narrator: Todd McLaren

Format: Unabridged

Length: 25 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-18-10

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 307 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

No one could stop them - not Stalin, not Togo, not Churchill, not Roosevelt....

The invaders had cut the United States virtually in half at the Mississippi, vaporized Washington, D.C., devastated much of Europe, and held large parts of the Soviet Union under their thumb. But humanity would not give up so easily. The new world allies were ruthless at finding their foe's weaknesses and exploiting them. Whether delivering supplies in tiny biplanes to partisans across the vast steppes of Russia, working furiously to understand the enemy's captured radar in England, or battling house to house on the streets of Chicago, humankind would never give up.

Yet no one could say when the hellish inferno of death would stop being a war of conquest and turn into a war of survival - the very survival of the planet....

Critic Reviews:

"Turtledove's thorough command of storytelling and historiography...assure us that this is an irresistibl[e] book." (Booklist)

Members Reviews:

Easy to tell if you will like this book

This is the second book in the World War series. In the Balance is the first and you need to read that first.

So, if the first one gets you hooked and you understand that this has same type of non-ending; by all means go ahead and get this.

The order of the books are.

World War Books

In the Balance

Tilting the Balance

Upsetting the Balance

Sticking the Balance not on Audible yet

Colonization series Post War books can be read independently if you are not interested in the World War books.

Second Contact

Down to Earth

Aftershocks not on Audible yet

Typical Harry Turtledove

First let me say, the performance of the reader is good, though I think his accents are sometimes a bit off.

The story itself is passable. This is what I consider to be Turtledove's middle phase, where his books start to get more pulpy, but haven't quite achieved the canned--dialed in--quality of his later works (yes I get it, ww2 where the fought battle for battle, but in the US with Confederate Nazis. Great job!)

If you liked the first book in the series, which you should have read before you get to reading this review, you will enjoy this most likely.

The story is read.

In this sequel to the first book, the narrator reads the story as it was written, using his voice to delineate the different characters and even articulate onomatopoeias and certain sound effects. The sex scenes are... Well they could be shorter. Anyway sweet scifi novel, hopefully Will Smith's son will be given a chance to ruin it if it becomes a miniseries or movie in the future.

Great alternate history

Very well done science fiction with enough history and historical references to be interesting. Great for work listening because the plot is simple.

I'm hooked and want more

Would you listen to Worldwar: Tilting the Balance again? Why?

It is a exciting story but I'm not sure if I would listen again. I admit picturing lizards in the main roles are challenging but as it is sci fi it doesn't matter. Listening to book 1 and now through 2 is however extremely addictive and really almost like ginger!

What did you like best about this story?

Battlefields throughout the world and skirmishes where Allies and Axis turn their backs together in the attempt to stop common enemy. Love Scenes are few and far between but put a little extra to the the plot.

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Title: Water Sleeps

Subtitle: Chronicles of the Black Company, Book 9

Author: Glen Cook

Narrator: MacLeod Andrews

Format: Unabridged

Length: 18 hrs and 10 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-31-10

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 382 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

For years, Glen Cook's Black Company series has built a major audience among fantasy fans. Told from the "worm's-eye" view of the soldiers and functionaries who fight in the trenches of vast sorceress wars, this epic has riveted a generation of readers. If the Joseph Heller of Catch-22 were to tell the story of The Lord of the Rings, it might read like the Black Company books. There is nothing else in fantasy like them. Now Cook brings the latest cycle of the Black Company saga to a major climax, as the survivors of the disaster at the end of She is Darkness regroup in Taglios. Determined to free their fellow warriors held in stasis beneath the glittering plain, they journey there under terrible conditions, arriving just in time for a magical conflagration in which the bones of the world will be revealed, the history of the Company unveiled, and new worlds gained and lost...all at a major price. Wry, tough-minded, brilliantly imagined, and told with enormous flair, Water Sleeps is Glen Cook at the top of his game.

Members Reviews:

Fantastically Narrated

It had been a while since I had read the Black Company series, and this audible re-introduction was a pure delight. McLeod Andrews is one of the best narrators I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. The sheer dexterity of his voice allowed the diverse characters to fully come to life in this tale.

entertaining

little drawn out but i still love the characters. was interesting to see how the group stays the same even when there is only one original member from the first story.

Best so far.

I think this was my favorite Black Company book so far. Very enjoyable - and the narrator was excellent. I love the layers these books have - and this one was no exception.

But your enemies don't.

What made the experience of listening to Water Sleeps the most enjoyable?

Water Sleeps is an excellent addition to my library. Although it is not one of my favorite books it is an excellent addition to the series.

What other book might you compare Water Sleeps to and why?

Goblin. This character has been key through the entire series but had mostly been used satirically. Now the character is given depth which made me fall in love with him anew.

Have you listened to any of MacLeod Andrewss other performances before? How does this one compare?

Should be female. I know this seems a little unfair but his voice made it hard to imagine the character.

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

Yes. Of all of the series the suspense of this title held me throughout the story.

Any additional comments?

MacLeod did a great job narrating but being male and narrating a female characters perspective. Previously, when narrating The Lady's perspective a female voice had been added which added to the overall experience.

If you are a fan of mouth noises, listen here!

Every swallow, smack, and mouth opening can be heard.

The book itself was great, and so was the reader's ability to make multiple voices and carry the story. However, the audio itself was almost unbearable from chapters 23-99. I dont know if the microphone was too close or the reader was eating literal slime, but I could hear every sound his mouth made and it was so distracting I couldn't focus on the story. I had to lower the volume to almost inaudible levels to complete the book.

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Title: The Great War: Breakthroughs

Author: Harry Turtledove

Narrator: George Guidall

Format: Unabridged

Length: 23 hrs and 39 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-04-10

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 149 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

A Main Selection of the Science Fiction Book Club, Breakthroughs is the third installment of best-selling author Harry Turtledoves The Great War series of remarkable alternate histories.

Is it the war to end all wars - or war without end? What began as a conflict in Europe, when Germany unleashed a lightning assault on its enemies, soon spreads to North America, as a long-simmering hatred between two independent nations explodes in bloody combat. Twice in 50 years the Confederate States of America had humiliated their northern neighbor. Now revenge may at last be at hand.

Into this vast, seething cauldron plunges a new generation of weaponry changing the shape of war and the balance of power. While the Confederate States are distracted by an insurgency of African Americans who dream of establishing their own socialist republic, the United States are free to bring their military and industrial might directly to bear - and to unleash the most horrific armored assault the world has ever seen. Victory is at hand. But at a price that may be worse than war itself.

Critic Reviews:

"Alternate history's grand master displays his acute knowledge of American history as well as his keen imagination as he paints a vivid portrait of a past that could have been." (Library Journal)

Members Reviews:

Turtledove does it again.

Where does The Great War: Breakthroughs rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

One of the best alternate history books I've read.

What did you like best about this story?

The narration and plotline.

What about George Guidalls performance did you like?

Everything. He's excellent with accents.

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

Afraid I can't think of one at the moment.

Any additional comments?

A must-have for any Harry Turtledove fans.

The Alternate American Saga Continues

The author is a master of alternate reality with a military twist. This novel continues the US beat down of the CSA. If you happen to be a confederate sympathizer, this novel and the entire three book series will leave you disappointed.

My two criticisms of Mr. Turtledove are that there are just way too many characters to follow and he should leave the sex scenes out because.... well, they are kind of creepy, like reading about your grandma or something.

I have gone through 4 straight novels in the series (thats over 100 hours of Turtledove) so I am going to take a break and move to the 5th book in the excellent Destroyermen series.

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Title: A Mighty Fortress

Subtitle: Safehold Series, Book 4

Author: David Weber

Narrator: Jason Culp

Format: Unabridged

Length: 35 hrs and 35 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-13-10

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1411 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

Young Cayleb Ahrmahk has accomplished things few people could even dream of. Not yet even thirty years old, hes won the most crushing naval victories in human history. Hes smashed a hostile alliance of no less than five princedoms and won the hand of the beautiful young Queen Sharleyan of Chisholm. Cayleb and Sharleyan have created the Charisian Empire, the greatest naval power in the history of Safehold, and theyve turned Charis into a place of refuge for all who treasure freedom.

Their success may prove short-lived. The Church of God Awaiting, which controls most of Safehold, has decreed their destruction. Mother Churchs entire purpose is to prevent the very things to which Charis is committed. Since the first attempt to crush the heretics failed, the Church has no choice but to adopt some of the hated Charisian innovations for themselves. Soon a mighty fleet will sail against Cayleb, destroying everything in its path.But there are still matters about which the Church knows nothing, including Cayleb and Sharleyans adviser, friend, and guardian the mystic warrior-monk named Merlin Athrawes. Merlin knows all about battles against impossible odds, because he is in fact the cybernetic avatar of a young woman named Nimue Alban, who died a thousand years before. As Nimue, Merlin saw the entire Terran Federation go down in fire and slaughter at the hands of a foe it could not defeat. He knows that Safehold is the last human planet in existence, and that the stasis the Church was created to enforce will be the human races death sentence if it is allowed to stand.The juggernaut is rumbling down on Charis, but Merlin Athrawes and a handful of extraordinary human beings stand in its path. The Church is about to discover just how potent the power of human freedom truly is.

Members Reviews:

Very Drawn Out

I got this becasue I thought it was worth continuing the series, just to see what happens. But not much happens.

If the parts of the earlier books that really interested you were:

1) The bad guys talking

2) The fact that the bad guys can't see the snarks

3) Recieving reports of the bad guys talking

4) What each individual good character thought of the bad guys talking

5) What the good guys say to each other about what they already thought about what the bad guys said

6) What they all think about what each other said

7) Discussing the most obvious response

8) Finally doing what they already discussed ad nausium

9) "To be honest"

10) What adversaries are standing around thinking just before the moment they die

11) The details of artillery

12) The details of sails, riggings and hulls

13) The 6-8 hour naval battles

... Well, if those are the parts you like, you'll like this. If you like the other parts of the actual story, you'll find bits and pieces scattered around occasionally.

Sorry I can't reccomend it more highly. It was tough to get through, yet, I suppose it was interesting as a whole.

Not Weber's Best Work

I don't customarily write reviews, but I feel compelled to do so this time. This is far, far below Weber's normally outstanding work.

The characters spend way more time thinking, and far less time doing. The action scenes are pretty much non-existent. I'm not drawn in by the political side of Weber's works, but they are usually well balanced by scenes that move the plot forward or provide for some intense action.

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Title: Starcraft II: Heaven's Devils

Author: William C. Dietz

Narrator: Neil Kaplan

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-06-10

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 517 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

For the poor, hardworking citizens of the Confederacy's fringe worlds, the Guild Wars have exacted a huge toll. Swayed by the promise of financial rewards, a new batch of recruits joins the fight alongside a slew of mysteriously docile criminals -- and a few dubious military leaders. Eighteen-year-old Jim Raynor, full of testosterone and eager to make things right at home, ships off to boot camp and finds his footing on the battlefield, but he soon discovers that the official mission is not what he's really fighting for.

For the first time ever, StarCraft enthusiasts will learn the origins of the enduring friendship between the young upstart Jim Raynor and the streetwise soldier Tychus Findlay. Watch as they battle on the front lines of a fierce interplanetary war and bear witness to the Confederacy's rank corruption - corruption so reprehensible that it rains immeasurable death and destruction upon the government's own people.

Members Reviews:

Starcraft lovers rejoice

I have read many of the current Starcraft books out there today, but none of them compare to this. It has action, love, Marnies, and able to follow the beginnings of Jim Raynor. Whats better is that the store talks about the Trade Guild wars that has been talked about and how some of the beginnings of the units that we love in the game. The voice acting is pretty good I was able to tell how was talking and even the actor Neil Kaplan plays the voice of Tychus Findlay in Starcraft 2 so that it me makes the book even better is hearing the real voice of the main character speaking. As a last note if you want a good solid backstory to the game you love the get this book asap. Do you scan me.

P.S.(you'll get that later)

Competent, but Pedestrian

The title of this review kind of says it all. The narrative moves at a decent pace and the story itself is a decent story. And like any good product based on existing product, there are plenty of references to the source material that are inserted tastefully.

The problem is that it's all kind of your standard stuff. The various initial stories eventually cross with one another. There are main plots and subplots and it all wraps up nicely in the end. And it even explains a lot when you return to the original game that it's based off of.

Basically, it begins, it chugs along, and 12 hours later it ends.

I would say the best part of the entire package was the voice actor, who was great.

Good origins of SCII characters

Narrator was spot on, voice in brings life to the story itself. The best for last, I'm still sobbing. Overall satisfying.

Awsome

If you love Starcraft You will love this book. Its well written and fun to read. I love that the voice artist is actually from Starcraft 2. About half way done with the book now and cant wait till I finish the other one. I just wish this web sigh could get more Starcraft books.

Fun to see character's from game I grew up playing

Enjoyed learning more about the characters from a game I grew up playing online with friends. This story was difficult to follow and cuts from one place and time didn't flow well. But if you started playing StarCraft with the missions, because the missions carried the story line, then this is a must read.

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Title: Colonization: Second Contact

Subtitle: Colonization, Book 1

Author: Harry Turtledove

Narrator: Patrick Lawlor

Format: Unabridged

Length: 28 hrs and 7 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-18-10

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 212 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

In the extraordinary World War tetralogy, set against the backdrop of World War II, Harry Turtledove, whom Publishers Weekly has called the "Hugo-winning master of alternate SF," wove an explosive saga of world powers locked in conflict against an enemy from the stars. Now he expands his magnificent epic into the volatile 1960s, when the space race is in its infancy and humanity must face its greatest challenge: alien colonization of planet Earth.

Yet even in the shadow of this inexorable foe, the United States, the Soviet Union, and Nazi Germany are unable to relinquish their hostilities and unite against a massive new wave of extraterrestrials. For all the countries of the world, this is the greatest threat of all. This time, the terrible price of defeat will be the conquest of our world and perhaps the extinction of the human race itself.

Critic Reviews:

[Turtledove] develops an exciting, often surprising, story that will not only delight his fans but will probably send newcomers back to the Worldwar saga to fill in the backstory. (Publishers Weekly, Starred Review)

Members Reviews:

I was so excited

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I think I would recommend this only because you'll want to continue thru the story. I was so looking forward to a greater amount of new content. I have to say that I was disappointed by the lack of any "moving along". I felt just about like we left off about where we wound up at the end of the first series of books. I didn't hate it. I just felt a little cheated. I also didn't like the narration nearly as well as Todd McLaren's. When you pick up where another narrator leaves off you really ought to work on the pronunciations of the names of major characters. For instance if you were familiar with a lizard named Strayhaw you may need a couple of chapters to figure out that Strawhaw is the same lizard. Also the hissing speak the narrator added was less than necessary. I'll be continuing on with the series because 1. I'm dying of curiosity and 2. I've already purchased the rest of the books. Ha. I sure hope Harry doesn't let me down. He had all my confidence going in.

If youve listened to books by Harry Turtledove before, how does this one compare?

Usually the story get's told a little more completely than in this particular novel.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Patrick Lawlor?

Todd McLaren

A great title poorly presented

Having already read this the entire worldwar and colonization series some years back, I have really enjoyed listening to them again in audiobook form up to this point. The narrator of the worldwar tetralogy, Todd McLaren, was an excellent narrator who really brought the books to life. I was therefore bitterly disappointed when I was met with the lackluster narrating of Patrick Lawlor.

On the one hand I had gotten used to Todd McLaren, but sometimes narrators change and if they are good you can get used to them. This was certainly not the case here. Not only was the pronunciation different in many cases, but the narrator simply does not have the skill Todd McLaren possesses in speaking different dialects and making characters feel individual. More annoying still however is the way it feels as if he is forcing the words out, too slowly and too weighted. There is little dynamic and this is at times quite off-putting.

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Title: Galactic North

Author: Alastair Reynolds

Narrator: John Lee

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 55 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-29-09

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 607 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

The rich get richer. And everyone tries not to think about the worrying number of extinct alien civilizations turning up on the outer reaches of settled space...because who's to say that humanity won't be next?

Set in the Revelation Space universe, this is the first short story collection by the author who has been called "one of SF's best and most ambitious novelists". The eight stories included in Galactic North are "Great Wall of Mars", "Glacial", "A Spy in Europa", "Weather", "Dilation Sleep", "Grafenwalder's Bestiary", "Nightingale", and "Galactic North".

Critic Reviews:

"Reynolds is one of sci-fi's brightest stars. [He] writes Big Science Fiction. Enormous spaceships travel though space that feels galactic in scale, a feat of depiction that is still noteworthy in the genre." (The Guardian, London)

Members Reviews:

Great background for Revelation Space novels

What made the experience of listening to Galactic North the most enjoyable?

I found the first stories (Great Wall of Mars, etc) to be the most enjoyable, because they present you with the events mentioned in passing in several of the Revelation Space stories. So it was nice to read how the events unfolded.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Galactic North?

Other than the last story (which I found very weak & shallow, with the weakest characterizations), all of them had many memorable moments that will stick with you. Reynolds universe is a fascinating place - almost all of these stories visit places we've seen before in his novels, and they do lean on you having that background.

Any additional comments?

If you've got the background of the worlds Reynolds has invented, these are very enjoyable. If you don't, then you might be a bit lost as some of these can not stand fully on their own.

Retribution Space

I loved each of these eight short stories set in the world of Revelation Space and roughly organized in chronological order from 2200 AD to 40,000 AD. A couple of the stories, most especially Grafenwalder's Bestiary, could stand alone, but this collection will be most appreciated by those who already know the major players and events of Reynold's signature universe. There is a sort of unifying theme to these stories that extends beyond the RS setting; they all show some aspect of retribution. This isn't slash and burn vengeance; it is more the creepy, sometimes horrifying, and always satisfying comeuppance for someone (or many people) who have perpetuated a great evil on innocents.

Thumbnails:

1. Great Wall of Mars: The beginning of the "family" of Clavain, Galiana, and Felka - often referenced in Redemption Ark, but not detailed in the trilogy. This story leads directly into the next, Glacial.

2. Glacial: My favorite RS protagonist, Clavain, as sci-fi amateur detective solves a murder mystery.

3. A Spy in Europa: Early Demarchist tale of bio-engineering gone badly wrong. This story is tied to another short in this book, Grafenwalder's Bestiary.

4. Weather: This is an ultra/conjoiner tale that is a bit of an exception to the Retribution Theme in the collection. The characters in this story have some reason to be looking for vengeance, but sidestep their opportunities.

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Title: Treason

Author: Orson Scott Card

Narrator: Stefan Rudnicki

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 24 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-23-09

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1479 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

But it is a promise which may never be fulfilled, as Lanik uncovers a treacherous conspiracy beyond his imagination. Now charged with a mission of conquest - and exile - Lanik devises a bold and dangerous plan to finally break the vicious chain of rivalry and bloodshed that enslaves the people of the planet Treason.

Critic Reviews:

"Card provides a colorful dramatization of ethical issues and questions of identity against a backdrop of bizarrely fascinating races." (Publishers Weekly)

"Exemplifies Card's talent for creating disturbingly compelling, beautifully written stories." (Library Journal)

Members Reviews:

Entirely enjoyable

First off, I am not a huge science fiction buff, but I like to read some scifi once in a while, just for a change of pace.

I loved Ender's Game when I read it years ago, but found that the sequels were a little slow and boring. I'm referring to Speaker for the Dead and Xenophobe.

"Treason" is the best Orson Scott Card scifi book I've read since Ender's Game. It is actually a story he wrote long ago, but is distinctly in Card's excellent storytelling style.

The book moves along well from the beginning, with fascinating places and characters, and has a thought-provoking theme. It was utterly enjoyable, an easy, yet intelligent, read (listen), and I didn't put it down until it was finished.

Oh yes, and the narration of Stefan Rudnicki is excellent as always.

Better than Ender

This is probably one of the best audio books I've listened to in the science fiction genre. I listened to Ender's Game & Shadow before this one and really enjoyed both of those two. But this book combines science (fiction), space/time, metaphysics, and a bunch of other concepts fairly neatly into one story. The story starts out a little slow for me but it may be that I'm less interested in genetics than in other areas covered in the book. It picks up nicely after that.

Definite 5 stars...

Huge fan!!

I am a huge fan of Orson Scott Card, and have passed this book to many of my friends, so I was excited to find it was released on audible.

Card is an amazing story teller and I love how they read like a movie and there is no unnecessary descriptions. He has an amazing imagination and I have read everything of his that I could get my hands on in the past 10 years.

This book in particular is one of my favorites because I enjoyed learning about each community and wondered what the next unique developed talent would be!

The reader, Stefan Rudnicki, sometimes annoys me because his voice is so deep that the resonance literally hurts my ears. He narrates most of Card's books, so I have had to just deal with it and I didn't think it was so bad in this book. In fact, I thought he did probably his best job with this book so far.

I couldn't figure out which cameo was Card because I have only listed to it once... Next time I will definitely listen closer to try to pick him out!! If anyone figures out which character he is, do tell!

Lastly, I just love Card's support of audio books and enjoy listening to his background on the books. I am always left wanting to know more about him and how he thinks.