Simply The Best Audiobooks in Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi: Contemporary Popular Titles

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Title: The Breath of Heaven

Subtitle: Stories from Distant Worlds

Author: Nancy Fulda

Narrator: Marguerite Kenner

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 8 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-18-14

Publisher: Nancy Fulda

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

Publisher's Summary:

This sampler pack brings together three stories by Hugo and Nebula nominee Nancy Fulda. From an isolated telepath who flees her destiny to a sentient computer struggling to behave ethically, this collection revisits questions initially posed by Asimov and Clarke, and casts the HAL 9000 story in an intriguing new light.

Members Reviews:

Breath Taking and Heart Breaking

I love book samplers and anthologies, they give you a small (and hopefully sweet taste) of the writers abilities. This 3 story sampler was PERFECT! I'm reviewing the stories in the order that I loved them.

In the Halls of the Sky-Palace: You find out what happens when you let yourdreams and hopes for the future die; and the heart-breaking price that has to be made to bring those hopes and dreams alive again. Beautifuly told -- in happier times I'd love to visit the breath-taking beauty of the Sky-Palace.

Knowing Neither Kin nor Foe: Being the child of destiny is a heavy burden, especially when you don't have kin to share it with. Reading the prophecy of your destiny doesn't mean you'll understand it. Meeting your destiny and finding that your weakness is actually your strength can be very bitter. What will you decide to do with the knowledge you gain? This gem introduces you to the 'flawed' hero, who'd like nothing more than to be like everyone else. You'll feel with the hero and question her final decision -- what would YOU do?

The Breath of Heaven: I had trouble relating to the character; both human and robotic and really couldn't get into the story. It's very well told, it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Download the book, put your feet up and enjoy the three vastly different worlds you'll visit -- then go back and vist them again.

Three Strong Stories

This ebook on Kindle features three stories by Fulda, the titular work and two more.

In "Knowing Neither Kin Nor Foe," the story follows an alien being named Kitjaya. Kitjaya has the onerous burden of being born as the chosen one of her people. This follows many of the familiar paths of the hero narrative: the pain of predestination, the reluctance, the eventual rise to face the challenge. However, the take here feels fresh because there's not a single human character in the cast. It's alien and unique, yet completely relate-able.

"The Breath of Heaven" also takes an unusual vantage point: that of a human colony's computer system, immediately after the other computers have rebelled. The thought processes of a computer are clear; this means that the decisions she and the others make, however horrible, make perfect sense. However, there is also a certain humanity that comes with Sacia's newfound sentience and her appreciation of beauty.

The final story is in the fantasy genre. "In the Halls of the Sky-Palace" the child Aesva is the only one who can see that her mother and the other dancers are gradually being consumed by a being that stalks the palace halls at night. As much as I love fantasy, that wasn't the element that made me love this story so much--it was the deep take of the story on the powers of regret, memory, and letting go.

I can't say that I had any favorites. Each of the stories is strong and beautiful in its own right.

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Title: Child Champs

Subtitle: Babymaking in the Year 2112

Author: Roger Bourke White Jr.

Narrator: Roger Bourke White Jr.

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-17-14

Publisher: Roger Bourke White Jr.

Ratings: 1 of 5 out of 1 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

Welcome to life in the world of 2112 Mankind has won: The population bomb is defused and the population is down to 7 billion from a peak of 9 billion in 2050. People can have their cake - thanks to nanotechnology and advanced manufacturing, Earth's resources are not going to run out. Humans and robots are in peaceful coexistence. Dahlia Rose is a very human being with very human desires. She wants a baby. But this is New York City in 2112 and baby making isn't birds and bees simple - there are dozens of ways to do it now. And the world around her is . . . complicated. How is she going to "stay on target" and make her dream come true? The world is prosperous, but that doesn't mean there aren't problems and heartbreaks. Hard choices still have to be made, people can still make tragic mistakes, and unfeeling bureaucracy can still grind people up and spit them out. Journey with Dahlia and the other students of Child Champs as they experience triumph and tragedy, heroism and heartbreak, outrage and oppression the 22nd century way.

Members Reviews:

Technofiction Review of Child Champs

Child Champs is about our future here on Earth. Unlike "1984" or "Hunger Games", it is not dystopian, this is "anti-Hunger Games". This story takes place in a prosperous world, and one that is not running out of resources. This happens because population growth keeps declining dramatically (as it is doing these days) and after 2050 total population peaks and then declines steadily. By the time of this story, 2112, the population is down from 9 billion to 7 billion.

And the robots are getting more numerous and more capable, which means that making stuff takes a lot less resources. By 2112 humans can manage their resources quite nicely, thank you.

But this rosy future doesn't mean there are no problems, no challenges to face. There are plenty! This story is about an ensemble of people living in New York City who are facing lots of challenges in their day-to-day lives. The one they all have in common is they want to make babies.

In 2112 that isn't "birds and bees" simple anymore -- there are lots of choices, so these people are attending class so they can make the best choices. That school is Child Champs.

The first part of the story is about triumphs and the wondrous things going on in 2112. It's about how people live their lives using sims and avatars and advanced biology. For instance, there's an avatar cruise ship. It has thousands of people on board, but not a living soul. All of the people experience the cruise in their avatars that are on board.

The second part of the story is about how even with all this wonder, society can still grind people up and spit them out. The Child Champs people find themselves out of work because of scary stuff like technology changing jobs, crazy politics, and witch hunts. The world is prosperous, but it's also running scared.

The final part of the story is about when these people cut bait on Earth and decide their future is being pioneers on Mars. And there they are happy because it is an environment where they can be truly human, and truly make a difference to their world.

All-in-all, it's a real different kind of story. But it's a good one and very stimulating.

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Title: The Crucible III

Author: Robert Stetson

Narrator: Lynn Benson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 52 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-12-14

Publisher: Robert Stetson

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

Publisher's Summary:

Engage the ruling fist of the Galactic Empire in a fierce battle alongside the Spencer Family. This final epic battle among the stars engages the Fog Pirates and the Council of 12. Share with us, the surprising secret of how the Spencer family sets themselves free in this epic adventure. Blast your way through the cannibal Fog Pirates into the valley of stars known as the Crucible and clash with the evil Council of 12. Please, keep this surprising and most secret ending close to your vest.

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Title: Tales From the Big City

Subtitle: Jerica's Tale

Author: Scott Reeves

Narrator: Scott Reeves

Format: Unabridged

Length: 55 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-10-14

Publisher: Aether Wind

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

When her mother's head is pulped to mush by a coin carelessly dropped from higher up in the mega-city, sixteen-year-old Jerica makes a difficult trek up through a miles-high skyscraper, determined to find out who dropped the coin and avenge her mother.

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Title: Bane

Author: Steven Atwood

Narrator: Jason Law

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 27 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-03-14

Publisher: Steven Atwood

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

Bane was created by an Ecran scientist to travel to distant stars. But, the Ecran military quickly realized how a wormhole generator could be used as a weapon against their only enemy, Meran. After a successful test, a Marine detachment led by Bassar Raad is transferring the weapon of mass destruction to a secret lab. This was Meran's only chance to seize this terrible weapon and save their planet.

Rick Marion Lewis was a privateer for the Meranian government with a special knack for stealing ships. His handler in the Meran Intelligence Directorate (MID) assigned Rick to steal Bane and return it to the MID. With Tessa Staffa at his side, Rick chases down Bane to save his planet from certain destruction.

Members Reviews:

Captivating Sci-fi thriller

Bane is the kind of story that pulls you i and keeps you in its grip. The premise that the characters are descendants of a environmentally exhausted planet earth, now inhabiting a pair of opposing planets, gives the story a close to home flavor. the idea that a brilliant scientific discovery that is coveted by the government/military for less sinister purposes truly reflects on our present day society. Although this is a short story, Mr .Atwood could justifiably turn this into a full novel with room to spare for a series. The writing is top-notch and well crafted. Very pleased with my decision to buy this story.

Atwood does a good job of presenting his story and keeping your attention

Weapons of Mass Destruction is a term used far too often by politicians but when applied towards a wormhole generator, the possibilities become quite endless. Bane by Steven Atwood gives us a look into a futuristic sc-fi universe where war is very different from what we know it as today. I suppose when war is pushed to the point of wiping out planets it truly becomes something that is far too immense to imagine. Atwood does a good job of presenting his story and keeping your attention. The story captures you early on with great characters that do not fit into the usual mold we have come to expect from sci-fi books. Then the plot begins to develop and you are hooked. If there was any flaw to the story it would be its length. I wanted more.

I felt the story was encapsulated quite nicely and when you get to the end you cannot help but smile or maybe even shout with joy. I rarely have read stories that made me truly feel good when the plot came to its conclusion. I do however feel that this story could be a great launching point into a much more complex series of adventure.The character Rick Lewis is a fun character with elements of Han Solo. He is a pirate or privateer depending on how PC you want to be. On top of that he is believable and the kind of character that you want to see developed further. Hell he could be the focus of an entire series. When the action finally begins it is intense but not too over the top. The story has some violence, some romance, and maybe even a few curves that were not telegraphed throughout. Ultimately Bane is a social commentary that is very relevant with the headlines we see in our news today. I truly enjoyed Bane and think that you may too. If I had not received this story as a gift, I might never have picked it up and that would have been a true shame because the story is up there with Robert Heinlein and Jerry Pournelle.

Bane

(short story)

This story has a lot of potential and characters that I would like to know more about.

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Title: The Agenda

Author: Anthony Antolic

Narrator: Ron Herczig

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 10 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-28-14

Publisher: Anthony Antolic

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

Publisher's Summary:

When Hitler finds that he is not winning the war in the European theater, he has his research arm develop a means of traveling to the future to secure futuristic weapons, to gain the advantage over the allied forces. But Hitler's door swings both ways and while playing in the basement on the building in which they live, John, Carlos, Cheeno, Mike, and Angel, find and go through Hitler's porthole. Mike goes back home before Hitler's experiment is over, which traps the others behind. Now it is up to his four friends to stop Hitler and get home before time runs out.

Members Reviews:

Some lesons are hard learned but worth it.

John nash was bullied as a child and had more than his share of problems in school. But the world would soon learn that John is a dimond in the rough. Now the victum is asked to become the herro after learning that Hitler is taking weapons from the future, John and his friends must save the world from Hitlers grasp.

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Title: The List

Author: John Mierau

Narrator: Brian J. Gill

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 15 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-12-14

Publisher: John Mierau

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

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

Publisher's Summary:

In which we meet Miles Bell, His Majesty's spy in post-WW1 Europe, as he faces Proto-nazi's, murder, betrayal...and dark creatures waiting to swallow England.

Members Reviews:

Builds to an intense finish!

Would you listen to The List again? Why?

I don't typically relisten to stories, but I listened to this twice already. The reading was very, very good and enhanced the story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I'm torn. I like Miles Bell, the protagonist, but I also liked Duul. The former because Mierau did a good job making him an even character. The latter because, DEMON!

Which scene was your favorite?

The fight between Miles and Kenna. Very intense.

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

No.

Any additional comments?

The writing could have been tightened up a little. The beginning was slow, but about a third of the way through everything picked up.

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Title: Hargood and the End

Author: Kevan P. Chandler

Narrator: David Wimbish

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-08-14

Publisher: Kevan P. Chandler

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

Publisher's Summary:

It's the end of an age, and just in time for the end of everything else too. In suburban South Florida, Warnie Hargood is walking his mail route for the last time before retirement when his customers suddenly start trying to eat him. With nothing to lose, the 85 year old mailman decides retirement can wait. He has a calling, a duty that will go unfulfilled if it's not done by him. At the end of the world as we know it, there is still mail to be delivered, and Warnie swore long ago that nothing would stay him... ever.

Members Reviews:

Won over

Never having been the type who enjoys zombie stories, I was skeptical of this Hargood. I only gave it a chance because Kevan's Riverward Dialogues proved such a delightful read; I didn't want the story to end. Now in Hargood and the End, I observed a character brilliant in his ordinariness; who could reasonably be any number of older men in my neighborhood, puttering away in their garages. Yet this codger battles a zombie hoard, driven by the belief that his particular circumstance, age, and occupation do not matter as much as living up to his purpose at any cost. This is a story I did not expect to engage in and come to identify with. Touché zombie story, touché.

The Purpose Driven Zombie Apocalypse

I picked up Hargood and the End from the author at the Nashville Comic Con. Zombies have been done to ... um ... death, but Hargood offered an interesting twist by casting an elderly postman in the starring role. When the zombie apocalypse begins the surprisingly spritely postman determines to deliver the last of his letters. It begins an action packed journey of often-comedic vignettes. The writing is delightfully absurd and the action is absorbing. The only time the novella missteps is its handling of the underlying message about holding on to a calling in life. It was a hollow end to an otherwise engaging story.

Not only is this a fun romp, it is also very clever allegory

Not only is this a fun romp, it is also very clever allegory. A messenger delivers amidst a sea of death. What sort of message? How do the recipients respond? What does it cost the messenger? (I'm not going to spoil it for you!)

Cheering on the Elderly!

An elderly man as the main character, you had me at Hargood! This fun capturing story is perfect for Saturday morning coffee.

Short and sweet, who knew you could uncover that in the zombie apocalypse?!

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Title: Kewu Renegade Alien

Author: Karl Kelly

Narrator: Edoardo Camponeschi

Format: Unabridged

Length: 54 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-07-14

Publisher: Karl Kelly

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

Publisher's Summary:

A fantastic story of alien, magic and mythical creatures that takes place in a far universe, Dakto Sector. Join us as we unravel the dramatic events between the Varks, Cateens and the irenic race called the Audurians.

Members Reviews:

Original Story With Golden Age Essence

This story has a smooth pace with interesting cultures from intergalactic species. The writer does a great job at painting the environment, metaphorically as well as literal. Speaking of which, the artwork is vivid. Karl Kelly has signature style, where the paint still appears wet.

I enjoy his combination of futuristic aliens and primitive way of life, though the story also includes advanced technology. A great beginning to a new Sci Fi series, I look forward to future endeavors.

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Title: The Forever Watch

Author: David Ramirez

Narrator: Helen Johns

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 hrs and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-01-14

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

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

Publisher's Summary:

The Noah: a city-sized ship, half-way through an 800-year voyage to another planet. In a world where deeds, and even thoughts, cannot be kept secret, a man is murdered; his body so ruined that his identity must be established from DNA evidence. Within hours, all trace of the crime is swept away, hidden as though it never happened.

Hana Dempsey, a mid-level bureaucrat genetically modified to use the Noah's telepathic internet, begins to investigate. Her search for the truth will uncover the impossible: a serial killer who has been operating on board for a lifetime...if not longer. And behind the killer lies a conspiracy centuries in the making.

Critic Reviews:

"Vivid, action-packed, and yet filled with scientific plausibility, The Forever Watch propels you on a tense voyage of mystery, surprise and discovery." (David Brin)

"A dark sci-fi fable set aboard a multigenerational spaceship that holds humanity's only hope for survival... Intriguing and powerfully disruptive." (Kirkus)

"Superior, psychologically plausible characterizations are combined with sophisticated worldbuilding, clever trope inversion and original plotting to create a powerful story that will amply reward rereading." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

The Average Watch

This was one of those impulse buys from Audible. It was advertised on the homepage banner and the synopsis sounded interesting. Unfortunately the book did not live up to the synopsis. The story plodded on and I had little attachment to the characters. Some plot points just didn't make much sense - and others your could see a mile off.

I forced myself to plough through the book so at least I could rate in with full knowledge of the story.

This is a standalone novel, but if there is ever a squeal I will pass on it.

The audio book itself was well produced. The narrator did an acceptable job, but it was nothing special.

A very enjoyable audiobook that I would recommend

I thought that this book had a strong storyline with a number of interrelated themes. I enjoy Si-Fi in general but often lament the lack of a well thought out plot that leads to a conclusion that does not disappoint. This book does not suffer from those shortfalls and leads the reader (or listener) through a believable future world. Narration was excellent.

Just listen to it.

This is a great story and delivery. No terrible accents like many audiobooks just a well delivered performance of an interesting book.

Too many concepts, too inplausible; dull narrating

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

The story itself I didnt like. It started out very promising with some twists and turns but ended in so many concepts being mixed together that the whole thing seemed too implausible and didnt really work together.

As for the narrating, it was very bland, I didnt end up liking the main character and I think this is more due to the narrating rather than the writing so I didnt really care what happened to anyone in the story.

So, better story and better narrating needed!

What will your next listen be?

Something a little lighter and with much better narrating (i.e.