Listen to Your Favorite Audiobooks in Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi: Contemporary Online

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Title: Beggars Ride

Author: Nancy Kress

Narrator: Judy Young

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 35 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-06-09

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 59 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

In this final installment of Nancy Kress's award-winning Beggars trilogy, it is now 200 years in the future. Regular human beings hate and fear the Sleepless and the SuperSleepless, genetically-modified humans who are immune to disease and hunger and who do not need to sleep. When the Sleepless plot to take over the world and leave regular humans powerless, civilization and the very meaning of the word "human" hang in the balance.

©1996 Nancy Kress; (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews:

"Highly recommended for sf collections." (Library Journal)

"It should by now be clear to all that Nancy Kress is a dominant figure in modern science fiction." (Analog)

"Masterful....Kress continues in the same tradition of terrific storytelling." (School Library Journal)

Members Reviews:

Wheels come off the cart

I really wanted to like this book more than I did, because I admire and respect Kress's work tremendously. Unfortunately this is a very disappointing resolution of the Beggar's trilogy. The optimism tempered with realism that characterized the first book has completely dissipated by the time one reaches book three. Instead one is left with a view of humanity that is at best discouraging and at worst downright depressing. Perhaps this reflects the current cultural malaise, but I always liked science fiction best when it was aspirational and heroic rather than defeatist.

Poorly ended

This series is a good one. The characters are likeable and real. Kress drops them off way too often in situations where it seems like she had problems continuing their stories. It makes me wonder if she would ever write a fourth book.

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Title: Rollback

Author: Robert J. Sawyer

Narrator: George Wilson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-03-09

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 199 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

Thirty-eight years ago, Dr. Sarah Halifax earned worldwide fame by deciphering a radio transmission from an unknown intelligence reaching out from deep space. Now 87, Sarah receives news that, at long last, a new signal has been received, and her services are desperately needed once again.

But Sarah needs to stay alive long enough to decode the message. With the aid of corporate backers, she and her husband undertake an incredibly costly medical process called a Rollback, in which decades may be added to their lives - but only if it's successful.

Members Reviews:

He's Been Better- Characters Good

I liked where the story was going, the characters and the plot...and then he rushed the ending. What I really was interested in was only a few pages in the prologue rather than what I expected to be the thrust of the novel.

And way too easy to plot guess.

Wanna no brainer for a long car trip, this is it.

Want to read good Robert J. Sawyer? Don't read this.

Main plot - Tiresome; Subplot - Cool!

I haven't been up to doing any reviews for awhile, but this one warrants some comment. I know it's name "Rollback", and the medical process that refers to accounts for 85% of the story. The 'rollback" is an super-expensive, complicated treatment to reverse the aging process back to 25 years old. I'm not giving away anything by explaining that the reason the "rollback" drives the story is because there's a really intriguiing subplot about alien contact from far away and - because of the elapsed time between messages and replies - they decide they need to keep one of the five main characters alive long enough to be able to continue deciphering and replying. The really great story line (well, up to the disappointing ending) comes from the alien contact narrative and the intriguiing and insightful conversations driven by the wife, who works for SETI and is a delightful character. The husband is a turd who, once regressed, can't keep it in his pants and cheats on his wife. Excruciating and unbelievably boring chapters are wasted as we are, basically, intended to believe that, well, of course anyone "rolled back" from 84 to 25 just couldn't help but need sex really, really bad and about how much he has fallen for another 25 year old girl at the university where the wife was once a household name. I think you can see where this is going. The fourth main character is the moneybags who pays for the procedures, a rather Trump-like and unappealing person. And the fifth is "Gunter", an absolutely delightful robot bought by moneybags to care for the wife. The conversations about alien life, intentions, evolution and such are the only thing that kept me listening. From those insights I feel like I learned some things - the rest was just awful.

A look into the future

Sawyer spins a tale that feels like an accurate depiction of the future of life extension and the human conditions faced. Laughed and cried and wondered.

A good story

It's good sci-fi. Seems to go back to that old Twilight Zone episode about getting a younger body and the wife doesn't get one. But this story revolves around health being the deciding factor. This story continues where the TZ story left off.

It was ok

This was ok for me. Not great, not bad, right in the middle. I'd say it was worth a listen.

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Title: K-Pax

Author: Gene Brewer

Narrator: Tom Casaletto

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-21-08

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 43 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

Prot seems to know more than he should about faster-than-the-speed-of-light-travel. And besides drawing constellations as viewed from K-PAX, the name of his home planet, "prot" can describe its orbit around double suns in unpublished detail. Who is "prot" and where did he really come from? Why does he have the ability to cure severe mental cases? And to disappear at will? And to charm everyone he comes into contact with?

Bizarre delusion or reality? Listen in as a psychiatrist who specializes in delusional behavior documents his sessions with the man from K-PAX.

Members Reviews:

Good for Multiple Audiences

Take the book whatever way you want, many different audiences should be able to find something they like about this book. You can look at it as the story of a psychotic or as the story of an alien from another world. The author leaves this very much open to interpretation by the reader. The narrator does a good job of sounding very much like the psychologist he is supposed to be.

loved it! ive listened to it 3 times!

this is such a great story and the performance is amazing. i have to look for more audio books by the author and performer. wonderful!

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Title: Doomed Planet

Subtitle: Mission Earth, Volume 10

Author: L. Ron Hubbard

Narrator: L. Ron Hubbard

Format: Abridged

Length: 3 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 04-11-05

Publisher: Galaxy Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 67 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

Fasten your seatbelts. Mission Earth is approaching climax. And it will rock your world! Powerful forces are on the move. Entire planets hang in the balance. The moment of truth is at handand its a blast! In the middle of it all stands Royal Officer Jettero Heller, a man out to save both Voltar and Earth from extinction. All he has to do is defy the laws of physics. Experience the unfolding mysteries, the violent pleasures and the biting truths of the final reckoning.

Editorial Reviews:

Marvelous satire by a master of adventure. -Anne McCaffrey

Members Reviews:

And amazing satire of current day earth

I would highly recommend this audio book to anyone who enjoys political and cultural satire. I would rank this right up there with Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift (although many people mistake it for a children's story rather than cultural satire - the same will likely be true with this book).

I found myself often laughing out loud and nodding my head sadly as Hubbard pokes fun at many of our strange foibles. It is rather remarkable that this book was written so many years ago, as many of the tendencies he points out still manifest themselves today. Most notably, the use of PR and the press have become, if anything, more outrageous than they were 30 years ago. Years after this book made that clear, I watched Michael Jackson hounded literally to death by those very tools.

This is the book for anyone who wants to learn what is really going on in our culture today and can enjoy laughing about it at the same time. If you don't have a good sense of humor, don't bother - you won't get it.

Books better

After reading the books, listening to this abridged version, they don't compare . Too much left out to get the full feel of the story. Read the books see the difference.

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Title: Voyage of Vengeance

Subtitle: Mission Earth, Volume 7

Author: L. Ron Hubbard

Format: Abridged

Length: 2 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-19-05

Publisher: Galaxy Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 69 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

The end is near! The Voltarian terrorists have won! Earth is history! But dont believe everything you read. Or hear. Or see. Because the road to victory is paved with lies, betrayal and deception. Between the kidnappers, assassins, drug dealers and teeny popper temptresses, life on Earth is spinning out of control. But who is really running the show? And is there any hope for the planet? The truth is about to come out - with a vengeance.

Critic Reviews:

"Wildly wicked, deliciously cynicalhilariously satirical." (Kansas City Star)

Members Reviews:

lots of fun

Personally, I loved the whole series.

Another poor hubbard book.

Terrible.

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Title: The Enemy Within

Subtitle: Mission Earth, Volume 3

Author: L. Ron Hubbard

Narrator: uncredited

Format: Abridged

Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-22-04

Publisher: Galaxy Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 88 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

Do you know who your enemies are? Your neighbor? Your boss? Your butcher? Your wife? Only the Voltarians know for sure. Theyve infiltrated our worldand theyre prepping it for a power play unlike any youve ever seen. Even Jettero Heller, a leading Voltarian, doesnt know whom he can trust. Beset by double-crossing body doubles and backstabbing identity shifters, he discovers that the most dangerous battle of all is about to beginagainst a most surprising enemy.

Critic Reviews:

Superbly imaginative, intricately plotted. (Chicago Tribune)

Members Reviews:

The soul of wit

Being somewhat dated (written in the mid-1980s, I believe) this satire of modern day America lacks cell phones, the Internet, and even any significant mention of computers! Despite all of that, the reader will see clear parallels between this story and many very current events. If anything, the technological changes that have occurred in the last 30 years have exacerbated these phenomena. If you enjoy a wild ride performed brilliantly with a great sense of humor, these books are for you.

Perfect for Audible listening

Would you consider the audio edition of The Enemy Within to be better than the print version?

This L. Ron Hubbard's series is immense and many cannot take the time to read the entire ten volume Mission Earth saga. The audio edition is very entertaining and captures the complete story line. Very well performed. I truly believe this is the best way to experience this story.

What did you like best about this story?

Each area of the audio experience adds to the story. The sound effects, multiple speakers playing various roles, and the interpretation from book to audio, all extremely well done.

Have you listened to any of the narrators other performances before? How does this one compare?

The narrator is consistent throughout the audio series. I don't know if the narrator has performed for other authors.

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

Right at the beginning. I've read many of Hubbard's books and I was pleased that this effort captured all of the characters personalities that go along with printed version.

Any additional comments?

Truly the best way to enjoy this wonderful sci-fi work. The price for each volume is very reasonable and, I think, it's one of the best values on Audible (shhh, don't tell them).

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Title: Callahan's Key

Author: Spider Robinson

Narrator: Barrett Whitener

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 36 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-09-04

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 306 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

The universe is in desperate peril. Due to a cluster of freakish phenomena, the United States' own defense system has become a doomsday machine, threatening the entire universe. Only one man can save everything-as-we-know-it from annihilation. Unfortunately, he's not available. So the job falls instead to bar owner Jake Stonebender, his wife Zoey, and their superintelligent toddler, Erin, not to mention two dozen busloads of ex-hippies and freaks, Robert Heinlein's wandering cat, a whorehouse parrot, and misunderstood genius-inventor, Nikola Tesla, who is in fact alive and well.

Critic Reviews:

"Fans and the uninitiated alike will devour this intoxicating blend of character comedy and hard sci-fi, for [Spider] Robinson's writing remains as potentially addictive and as full of earthy delight as [Jake] Stonebender's famed Irish coffee." (Publishers Weekly)

"[Spider] Robinson resembles [Robert] Heinlein in his mild anarchism; oft-cited, never described sex; and characters that think they're smarter than the rest of us, and are." (Booklist)

"I'd nominate Spider Robinson as the new Robert Heinlein." (The New York Times)

Members Reviews:

Purchase Callahan's Chronicles First!

I really enjoyed this book, but would suggest to anyone to purchase Callahan's Chronicles first, without that you miss out on a lot of background, as well as some of the spirit of the novel. This one doesn't have the heart of the Callahan's Place, but, none the less, it still holds its own, with a great fun story that keeps you wrapped up. Audible - More Spider Please!!

Another journey to Callahan's Place

A great book and the narrator is wonderful, but this book is one of many by Robinson about Callahan. It might be hard to jump into if you haven't read _Time Travelers Strictly Cash_ and _Callahan's Secret_. (There are more Callahan books, but those two are most important to understanding _Callahan's Key_.)

Didn't want to stop listening.

This is one book I never wanted to stop listening to during my day at work. It was really well read.

Thoroughly Amusing !

Not my first Spider Robinson experience, and even better than I expected. The story is saturated with colorful characters in one amusing situation after another. Never a dull moment.

I had no idea this title is one of the latest in a "Callahan" series, it is a complete and independent story. I would recommend starting at the beginning, which is where I'll be going next, but it isn't necessary.

I think it's worth mentioning that the author is not subtle in his tribute to Robert A. Heinlein, as well as John D. MacDonald and possibly Robert Asprin. Which is a good thing!

Callahan's Key (Unabridged)

Very Funny, Loved all the stupid Dam Quail quotes and phunny word play

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Title: Soldier of the Legion

Author: Marshall S. Thomas

Narrator: Bill Sebastian

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-24-03

Publisher: Timberwolf Press

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 173 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

He and the rest of the fearless Legion will soon discover that giant exosegs, slavers, and systies are just the beginning. Once before, the Legion faced the godlike, utterly alien and evil, Omnis, and drove them back at the cost of billions of lives. The future of humanity, all humanity, even the corrupt and decaying System empire, will soon be in the hands of soldiers of the Legion.

Thinker is only just beginning to comprehend the depth of his insanity.

Read by Bill Sebastian and a full cast.

For Mature Audiences Only: Explicit language and situational violence. Must be 18 years of age to purchase.

Critic Reviews:

"Heart pounding action. Mind blowing battles...adrenalin pumping...futuristic sci-fi masterpiece." (Midwest Book Review)

"An exciting tale....This is a great first novel, with a well-thought-out background and neat technological war toys." (Philadelphia Weekly)

Members Reviews:

adolescent enhanced narration, not audiodrama

PRODUCTION :

This Audiobook is an "enhanced" reading/narration (main narrator with supplemental character qyotes supplied by other voice talent as opposed to an actual Audio "play" (much like Simon&Schuster StarTrek books)

The main narrator is OK a little dry, the others are wooden or play character voices "over the top" and silly.

STORY :

The story is a butch homage to Starship Troopers

in fatuated with military technology, but little of the political theory of it's conceptual godparent.

The piece also has an adolscent sexual fixation on female chacters...obsessing about their legs or undergarments for no story purpose

While not terrbile (I was looking for bubblegum, not literature), in the end I found it directionless and somewhat dissatisfying

I liked it

From looking at the other reviews, it's apparent this book isn't for everyone. Granted, it lacks the political depth of Starship Troopers but I don't think the comparison is fair. This book has you tagging along with a group of soldiers, day in and day out, and it's not much more than that. I found the battle descriptions quite exciting and vivid. This doesn't make it a bad book, but it may not be your cup of tea. There are not many deep discussions on any topic because the solders are there to fight not talk. If you're a fan of sci-fi action-war novels you'll probably enjoy this book, as I did. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

Great space cowboy/war story adventure!

No, it's not the "great American novel," but it does what it intends to do. Tell a war story in space. Some have compared it to Starship Trooper without political depth. I don't think that's what the author had in mind. I listen to Audible books during my commute and I love SciFi/Fantasy BECAUSE I don't have to concentrate on the "political" issues or the story's socially redeaming qualities. It's FANTASY....it's imagination... it's fun!!

Great Escape...

From other reviews, it's obvious that some people have drastically different tastes... Perhaps they'd prefer something along the lines of "Bridges of Madison County" and leave the Sci Fi Action adventure to those of us who enjoy it... This story rocks from one end to the other. Great sound effects, great imagry, great action.

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Title: Wingman Collection I

Subtitle: Books 1-4

Author: Mack Maloney

Narrator: Terence Aselford

Format: Abridged

Length: 2 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-01-02

Publisher: Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 20 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

Included in this colleciton are Books 1-4: Wingman, The Circle War, The Lucifer Crusade, and Thunder in the East.

Critic Reviews:

"The stuff of pulp paperbacks has been getting new life and new brawn on audio." (Philadelphia Inquirer)

"Good listening for the long drives across our country." (rpm Magazine)

Members Reviews:

WINGMAN SERIES

I HAVE READ THE PAPERBACKS A FEW TIMES AND I JUMP AT THE CHANCE TO HAVE THEM ON AUDIO. THIS IS A GREAT COPY OF THE FIRST 4 BOOKS OF THE SERIES, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO PURCHASING THE REST OF THE SERIES. OFCOURSE I ALSO HAVE THE WINGMAN COLLECTION II, WHICH HAS THE NUMBER 5-8 BOOKS.

Can't read just one

You will know very quickly if you like this series or hate it! If you enjoyed it as much as I did then you won't stop until the end. Sadly (or with great anticipation) there is at least one episode; #9 that hasn't been recorded yet. Hawk Hunter lives on only to fight a never ending battle.(or does he?) Must be read in series to enjoy it fully.

Drivel...

I was hopeful that this series might prove exciting and interesting, however, it proved irritating and dull. Where to start, it is clear that the author understands as much about military hardware, tactics, and aviation as he understands about characterisation, plot and suspense.

It is bad enough that the lead ?caricature? is a psychic, MIT graduate, fighter pilot, who seems to have forgotten the first rule of air combat? ?Never, ever leave your wingman?? who loads so much ordinance on to his F16, as to not actually be able to take off, but the plot is so full of far right wing 70?s-80?s rhetoric as to be nearly funny.

Leave the Wingman to himself? he seems happier that way.

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Title: Ender's Shadow

Author: Orson Scott Card

Narrator: Michael Gross

Format: Abridged

Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-16-99

Publisher: Phoenix Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 432 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

From the author of Ender's Game, the Hugo and Nebula award-winning international best seller, comes the parallel novel, Ender's Shadow. In the first book, child-hero Ender Wiggin battles a deadly alien race and wins. But Ender wasn't the only child in his Battle School. There was also Bean, the one who became Ender's right hand, his strategist and his friend, the only one who was with him in the final battle. Now Card tells Bean's whole story, while expanding and complementing the earlier tale.

Browse more titles in the

series.

Copyright ©1999 by Orson Scott Card; Copyright (P)1999 NewStar Media Inc.

Members Reviews:

Excellent book, poor production

I won't rehash what's been said about the book itself already; if you liked Ender's Game, you MUST read Ender's Shadow. And I do mean read, not listen. This was the first audiobook I ever stopped listening to halfway through because it was so aggravating.

First off, the narrator seems to be whispering most of the time, and turning up the volume might cause your speakers to blow or eardrums to bleed when he does speak loudly. Also featured in the production is a fellow with such a deep voice he puts James Earl Jones to shame. I believe he narrated Ender's Game as well, and I didn't like him then either.

Secondly, having read the actual book before, I can say without any doubt that this abridged version is a real hatchet job. Authors normally abridge their own works, so I can't imagine why Card would cut out so many key scenes of his story. Without giving anything away, gone is Bean living with Sister Carlotta, gone is Bean's first meeting with Petra, gone is the whole initial exploration of the air vent along with the explanation as to why Bean is doing unusual excercises...

It was at this point that I gave up out of sheer frustration. Read the book!

poor abridgement

I've actually read this book before. It is an awesome book and the audio is okay but the abridgement cuts out segments about some subjects while leaving them in later. Certain sections of the bookmake no sense because they randomly drop parts of conversations between people or events but not the thought process afterwards.

the listen is still pretty good. The book itself is great

If you hunger for more of Ender's Game

Ender's Shadow is a nice companion book to Ender's Game. If after reading Ender's Game you hunger for more of the same "like I did" Ender's Shadow will do. Although, I was disappointed that it wasn't unabridge, I felt the need to go out and buy the book to fill in the obvious gaps. The next book in the Shadow series is Shadow of the Hedgemon, and It is excellent! The weakest and latest book in the series is Shadow Puppet, But you get so attached to the characters that you just have to buy it. I suggest reading the shadow series before buying Speaker for the Dead, if you have a hard time with Ender's character aging significantly by the time Speaker for the Dead takes place. The Enderverse book also helps to bridge the age gap.

Flows poorly

If you have listened to the other Ender books then you might find this one a little disappointing.