A COLDER WAR

[Editor's Note: The following is a combined review with ANTIBODIES and LOBSTERS.]--Charles Stross uniquely blends elements of cyberpunk and science fiction in his stories of diverting Armageddon, confronting social infection, and providing high-end, though highly illegal, services for a virtual reality program. Shandra Marie and Jared Doreck provide engaging performances for "Antibodies"; however, the accent of the first-person narrator changes distinctly in the shifts from internal narration to actual voice, a problem that can be confusing or even distracting. "A Colder War" proves trickier because Pat Bottino reads each sentence as individual sentences, rather than parts of a unified piece. "Lobsters" proves rewarding on all fronts, with the narrators executing voices and narration at a smooth and rapid pace that fits the story. L.E. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 06]