New Reviews: Science Fiction

Three narrators guide listeners through a story that intertwines family drama, spiritual mystery, and scientific inquiry. In 2068 AD, another pandemic has Earth's inhabitants worried about the future of humanity. In response, the Centauri Project sends a scientist into the future, where he searches an empty wilderness for evidence of Earth's former population. Bradford... Read More

The full cast does a great job delivering this Grant Morrison-written comic series, but be warned: It's complicated stuff. The actors channel the comic characters, even down to voicing differences between Superman and Clark Kent, though the performer doesn't do justice to Jimmy Olsen. Veteran narrator Scott Brick stands out among the rest, thanks to his unique style. This... Read More

Narrator Lee Osorio interweaves stories from different eras and countries in this science fiction audiobook. In 2018, Salvadoran American student Ana uses a device to view glimpses of alternate universes. She's also exploring her mysterious family history and her conflicting desires for her future. In the 1970s, revolutionaries Rafael and Neto, who is the uncle of Ana's... Read More

S.M. McVicar narrates his novel, a mélange of science fiction, dystopian adventure, and political commentary. In the future, Cal Shook, an outcast in the highly controlled and environmentally ruined society in which he exists, tries to take down "The 31" a secret group of billionaire oligarchs who rule the world. McVicar's narration is breathlessly rapid-fire. He is clearly... Read More

Narrator Sarah Slimani's stellar characterizations enliven the third installment of the White Space series. Dr. Sunya Song embarks on a deep-space mission to study data from the Baomind, an ancient artificially intelligent construct. It's the opportunity of a lifetime, complete with a scheming ex-girlfriend who is a competing researcher, a surprise visit from her alien wife and... Read More

What a treat for Godzilla fans--and isn't that just about everyone--a production beautifully performed by Kaipo Schwab. The two stories in this audiobook conjure up unforgettable images of the rampaging monster through the eyes of his victims. The novellas were written by Shigeru Kayama, who wrote the original 1954 Godzilla movie. Schwab flawlessly imbues the characters with... Read More

Ray Bradbury's collection of 18 interconnected stories is a beloved classic. In "The Long Rain," Prentice Onayemi captures the brooding madness of a group of astronauts who are stranded in the terminal storms of Venus. In "The Rocket," Ari Fliakos delivers the absurd humor of a destitute father who decides that it's better for his children to watch a "simulated illusion" than... Read More

Jamie Renell's narration of this science fiction is primarily told from the points of view of two characters: Christer Johannsen, a UN data analysis specialist, and Dr. Rachel Fereira, a linguist. On Earth a solar flare takes out the power everywhere but in Jakara, and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter starts transmitting images of Mars. NASA heads an international task force to... Read More

Benjamin Fife narrates this first installment of the Turrim Archive. Two friends, Grayden and Wynn, have won scholarships to a prestigious military academy. A mysterious old man, Dalmir, comes down from his tower to accompany them to the academy. When Marik, a pirate, attacks their airship, the adventure begins. Fife does an expert job delivering the distinct personalities of... Read More

The dark, intense cold of space is warmed by the emotional connections in this novel and by Lindsey Dorcus's expert narration. Courier Tova Lir, captain of the NEEDLE and loving foster parent of a juvenile AI, is on a routine mission when a lunar disaster upends everything. Suddenly, she's got an assassin onboard, and not one, but two, of her bot children are in lethal danger.... Read More

Tim Ratliff outdoes himself with his narration of this mystery/sci-fi/comedy mash-up. Because of his love of Agatha Christie and Rex Stout mysteries, appealing and relatable detective Gabriel Lake is approached by an extraterrestrial to find an abducted 20-foot-tall princess named Ralph. Lake blasts into space for his assignment. Ratliff delivers laugh-out-loud wordplay, jokes,... Read More

Zara Ramm narrates this space opera, which has two very different primary characters. Faven Sythe is a crystborn, a species that is a blend of alien tech and a human. She has special powers as a navigator. Bitter Amandine is a pirate extraordinaire. Faven seeks Amandine's help when her mentor goes missing. A prison break later, they're on their way, and a deep conspiracy... Read More

Many times, a single talented narrator capably brings to life all the characters in an audiobook. But, occasionally, multiple narrators work better. An example is this intriguing ensemble production set in the near future. It's more family drama than sci-fi--hence, its success with multiple narrators. The gripping story is told by four women who were connected to an odd teenage... Read More

Narrator Emily Gibbons Bouchard demonstrates that queer love knows no bounds in this amped-up sci-fi romance. Called to a nearby planet by a mysterious beacon, scavenger Wylla goes on the hunt for what she hopes is a valuable find. What she discovers is something even greater: A mask imbued with the power of its last wearer, a hawk. Donning the mask, Wylla gains the hawk's... Read More