Dead Mech by Jake Bible

Official Blurb

After the zombie apocalypse decimates the world, human civilization tries to put itself back together again. Their secret weapon: the Mechs. But what happens when a mech pilot dies in his mech and becomes a zombie? Hell on earth is unleashed...

My Review

This book was not what I expected. It's been hanging around at podiobooks for a while and I've been avoiding it. Why? Because it looked like (and the blurb made it sound like) literary trash. I don't mean literary from some high-falootin intellectual position but rather it looked like a kids book, that is, written by kids.

BOY! WAS I WRONG! What you have here is a rather good military sci fi story with an after-the-bomb-type background, and the horror that is zombies entwined to make a great story.

The author has created a rich and interesting future for the human race and populated it with some great characters that he's put through a great story. In the future of "Dead Mech", humanity has fallen back to small pockets of humanity. Humans survive in the few city states or scrape a living out in the blasted wastelands. Protecting humanity are the few and the special, highly trained Mech pilots. These men and women pilot massive metal robots, and use them to protect people from hordes of zombies.

In this future a virus has caused everyone who dies to rise again and become flesh hungry zombies, so there is never a shortage of new zombies.

The story follows these few heros as they're world is rocked by events that threaten the survival of humanity itself. It's a story of high tech and horror (and the zombies aren't the worst of the horror).

So as you can tell, I really enjoyed this book, but there are a couple of things that might put you off. The book was written as a series of "drabbles" meaning that it was written in one hundred word segments. Although this hasn't effected the writing in any way that I noticed, it has effected the audio presentation. As you listen you'll notice a second or so silence between each "drabble". I admit this did bug me during the first couple of chapters, but after that I was so additcted to the story that I didn't notice it.

The second thing to be aware of, is that this is a horror novel aimed at adults with all that means. Not for those with a weak tummy, or those easily offended by sexual/horror/language issues.

The author is reading his own work and does a pretty good job. However there is music behind a couple of the chapters and this was off putting.

Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3

Total Score 7/9

Download it from the Podiobooks

Listen to the first part.

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The Planet Strappers by Raymond Z. Gallun

Official Blurb

The Planet Strappers started out as The Bunch, a group of student-astronauts in the back room of a store in Jarviston, Minnesota. They wanted off Earth, and they begged, borrowed and built what they needed to make it. They got what they wanted--a start on the road to the stars--but no one brought up on Earth could have imagined what was waiting for them Out There!

My Review

As the blurb suggests this is a story of settlers struggling to get off planet and then continuing the struggle out in space. There are a bunch of problems, ranging from trying to get money at the start through to xenomorphs trying to eat people.

It's not a single story throughout, the story arc as such is the disparate group of people all trying to make their way out into space and getting by. As such its made up of a series of mini adventures linked together. I particularly liked the beasties on mars.

It's not a great story, but by no means is it a slouch either. If your looking for an amusing story to keep you interested then this meets that goal but no more.

The reader has done a reasonable job and slips smoothly down the ear canal :)

Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 6/9

Download it from the Librivox

Listen to the first part

Ravenwood by Nathan Lowell

Official Blurb

A Tanyth Fairport Adventure.

After twenty winters on the road, Tanyth makes one last pilgrimage in her quest to learn all she can about the herbs and medicinal plants of Korlay before settling down to write her magnum opus. Her journey is interrupted when she stops to help a small village and learns that much of what she knows of the world may not be quite as it seems.

In this work, Nathan Lowell blends wiccan tradition and shamanistic lore into a fantasy quest and creates a world for a new - if unlikely - heroine to explore. She learns that the familiar sometimes hides the fantastical and that, even when you think you’ve made your decisions, life doesn’t always agree.

My Review

This book was written by the same author who wrote "Quarter Share", "Half Share", "Full Share", "Double Share" and "Captains Share", Nathan Lowell.

I can confirm that he has brought the same easy writing style to this book but with a twist. This tale also makes a change for him with regards to genre, rather than Sci fi, this tale is pure fantasy.

The protagonist is an older woman wandering the world leaning herb lore and finds herself in a tiny new village where she is needed, and for a time at least stops her wandering. Unlike the "Share" series that were great despite nothing seeming to happen(!), this book is full of adventure. It's not a classic trek across the world as so many fantasy books do, but rather a challenge to make the vilage succeed against adversity. Problems arise, including enemies that challenge the village and Tanith.

I love the way Mr Lowell builds the tension in this book. You know something bad is coming and it's just over the horizon but Nathan draws this out so that when it arrives it really delivers.

Do not expect a clash of armies or evil super villains, expect a good story with well made characters, and an excellent reader and you wont be disapointed.

Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 6/9

Download it from the Podiobooks

Listen to the first part

The Return of Fu-Manchu by Sax Rohmer

Official Blurb

Burmese Commisioner Nayland Smith and his faithful friend Dr Petrie continue their fight against the evil genius of Dr Fu-Manchu when they seek to save the good doctor’s lost love and protect the British Empire from disaster when their malignant enemy returns to England.

My Review

I'be looking forwards to hearing this one for a while. I actually recorded the first Fu-Manchu story for Librivox a while ago, and have only just got round to this sequel.

In case you dont know. Fu-Manchu is an evil genious who is working to bring down the British Empire by murdering scientists and leaders. The book puts the chinese forwards as "the yellow peril" to be battled at every level but open warfare.

This book, like the original that preceeds it, is very episodic. I believe they were written to appear in magazines hence the cliff hangers at the end of every chapter. These stories are not to be taken too seriously, the hero's are overly heroic the villains extreme and the characters single minded in everything they do. You should have the mindset of - I'm going to listen to a light hearted adventure serial.

This book has all of the characters from the first book return to do much the same in new ways in new locales. The heros chase, get trapped, escape, defeat thugs, discover clues and all the usual tropes, and all great fun to listen to. I don't mean to say it's a comedy, but rather just fun adventuring.

In summary, it's worth a listen if you want some classic style adventures, with a reader that does some cool voices.

Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 6/9

Download it from the Librivox

Listen to the first part

Tripping Astral by Brian Smith

Official Blurb

When a matter transfer experiment goes wrong, a scientist find himself stranded on a alien planet.

My Review

Well, that Official Blurb doesn't say a lot does it! I'll add a little something to give you a better idea.

As the blurb says, he wakes up on an alien world with no idea of where why or how. He finds himself on a beach with friends and enemies to be discovered.

The title sounds a bit trippy and hints at drug induced hallucination. It's an apt title that fits the style of the story. At times you're not sure if the protaginist is flipping his lid or just experiencing really odd things.

The story sunk its claws into me and wouldn't let go. If nothing else I found myself wanting to reach the conclusion to see if he was nuts! All told the seven parts add up to about an hour and a half so even it turns out to not be your sort of thing you'll be through it before you know. It seemed to me to be an "Astounding Stories" type short story, something with aliensbut not straight sci fi. Very interesting if not absorbing.

The audio is a full cast audio drama presented by the "Seeing Ear Theatre" and worth a download. Let's face it, at a price of "Free", you can't complain too much.

Reading 2/3
Production 3/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 7/9

Download it from the Internet Archive

Listen to the first part

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Librivox hits 4000 books

I just thought I'd mention that Librivox has just added its 4000th audio book to their catalogue. That's a fantastic acheivement bearing in mind that every minute of that has been read by volunteers. Not only read, but proof listened and uploaded and a web page created.

Well done Librivox!

The Aliens by Murray-Leinster

Official Blurb

The human race was expanding through the galaxy … and so, they knew, were the Aliens. When two expanding empires meet … war is inevitable. Or is it …?

My Review

This short sci fi book , which is only an hour and twenty minutes long, hits all my favourite buttons in sci fi. It's set in space, it has space battles, it has aliens and it has tension and mystery. Hit hit hit hit Ding!

It's a typical pulp era sci fi story in all of the best ways. mankind is spreading across the galaxy and keeps coming across evidence of another space going race but they have never met... until now, so that makes this a first-contact story.

The author has handled the situation well, and the aliens have a different tech and mind set that make the situation that the story is centered around all the more interesting.

Even in so short a time the story introduce an array of character all with different motivations which dont fit into the "star trek" mold of all being good guys, which it a nice change.

I don't really want to say too much, the story is so short that if I go on I'll end up giving the plot away. That would be a shame as the book is a treat for sci fi fans. Download it.

Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 6/9

Download it from the Librivox

Listen to the first part

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Leviathan Chronicles

Official Blurb

A hidden city called Leviathan lies deep within the dark trenches of the Pacific Ocean. The city is home to a community of immortals that sought to create a utopia over 1,000 years ago. For a millennia, they lived in peace and secrecy, gently influencing world events to aid the advancement of mankind. But a terrible secret has been kept deep within the catacombs of Leviathan that threatens the existence of the immortals, and quite possibly the entire world.

One woman named Macallan Orsel, a young genetic scientist in New York, discovers she is descended from a group of immortals that rebelled against Leviathan and are now waging a civil war around the globe. As the immortal war spills into the realm of mortal man, Macallan realizes that she holds the key to stopping the battle and bringing peace to Leviathan. But a clandestine government agency called The Blackdoor Group is trying to exterminate the immortal population and has identified Macallan as their critical target.

The Leviathan Chronicles is a revolutionary science fiction audio drama podcast featuring the voices of over 60 actors, professional sound effects and an original music soundtrack.

My Review

This is a sci fi story set on modern day earth. Is reveals all of the tropes of a sci fi novel but as a hidden world in and under the world as we know it. As the blurb says the story is presented as a full cast audio drama, and it’s done quite well. The music, sound effects and acting is pretty good. At times you can sense the actors struggling with the text which was written as for a book rather than for audio presentation, but that is something you get used to as the story draws you in.

The characters are well put together and having a separate actor for each really makes the plot easy to follow, which is a blessing when you consider the story jumps from one party to another and even occasionally through time. The voices keep it all straight.

It is exciting, it’s an audio experience, it’s fun. It’s all good stuff. I love the full-on audio movie style of presentation, especially the fight scenes you hear the crunches the cracks and the punches all with a simultaneous narration that makes it all very visceral and attention grabbing.

So having said how great this book is, what’s wrong with it? Only two things as far as I’m concerned. Firstly the narrator seems to have taken breath breaks mid paragraph and then come back. It means the audio doesn’t quite flow as well as it should but after the first half hour you won’t even notice that. The real bugbear is that this is part 1 and ends with me wanting more. I had the same feeling you got at the end of “The Empire Strikes Back.” It’s the “What? You’re stopping there?” feeling.

A quick look at the home page for the book doesn’t reveal any current activity on the next part which I found a disappointment, especially as the first part is so well done. The story does work standalone, only I wish they hadn’t stuck me with the hooks for the next part!!

Reading 2/3
Production 3/3
Story 3/3

Total Score 8/9

Download it from Podiobooks

Listen to the first part

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Gallipoli Diary by John Graham Gillam

Official Blurb

Major John Graham Gillam, British Supply Officer, wrote in his World War I "Gallipoli Diary" that when he sailed from England for the Dardanelles in March, 1915, he had visions of “trekking up the Gallipoli Peninsula with the Navy bombarding a way for us up the Straits and along the coast-line of the Sea of Marmora, until after a brief campaign we entered triumphantly Constantinople, there to meet the Russian Army, which would link up with ourselves to form part of a great chain encircling and throttling the Central Empires. . . We little appreciated the difficulties of the task,” he continues, in potent understatement.

Gillam’s charge was shepherding supplies--food and munitions--from beach depots to the trenches for a brigade of 4000 men. Since it was his first experience with “real war,” he decided to keep a diary, which he did from the day he landed at Gallipoli (April 25, 1915) until he was evacuated at the end of the campaign in January 1916. He aptly states in the preface to the published version of his diary: “those who desire to survey the whole amazing Gallipoli campaign in perspective must look elsewhere than in these pages. Their sole object was to record the personal impressions, feeling, and doings from day to day of one supply officer to a Division whose gallantry in that campaign well earned for it the epithet “Immortal.”

As the campaign intensifies, Gillam’s entries mature. Early on (May 30), a sample entry: “This afternoon I ride . . . to Morto Bay, and on the way have a delightful cross-country canter. I have difficulty, though, in making my mare jump trenches. She jumped hurdles at Warwick race-course like a bird.” A month later, on June 30,“The smell of dead bodies is at times almost unbearable in the trenches, and chloride of lime is thrown over them. I know of no more sickly smell than chloride of lime with the smell of a dead body blended in.” Another month, and respect for the Turks, and also for the rugged terrain of the peninsula is evident (August 29): “Behind me, purple Turkish hills, every point of which is held by the enemy. Then in between our line and the hills the scrubby low-lying country. . . I look at it hopelessly--for I know now, as we all do, that the conquest of the Peninsula is more than we can hope for. All that is left to us is to hang on day by day. . . Death in various forms walks with us always . . .”

Today, the Turkish Government maintains a war memorial and cemeteries at the Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park. Memories are very much alive there. Preserved trenches and the sad graves of many, many soldiers from both sides of the conflict are made especially poignant by the beauty of the setting-- the sea and high hills beyond.

My Review

This book caught my interest in history. I had a vague idea that the WW1 Gallipoli campaign was unsuccessful but that was about it, so I downloaded this book and gave it a listen.

The joy of this kind of history is that it's personal. It's not some high minded historian presenting his interpretation of historical facts with the benefit of hindsight. Instead you get the facts from the horses mouth as such, and even better from my point of view, its not some grand strategical overview it's through the eyes of someone who was there, first hand, literally in the trenches.

When you get personal viewpoints you really get a better idea of what it felt like to be there. You get to know what matters to the men on the ground. You get to hear about how much pleasure could be gained from managing to light even a small fire while snow lies all around, or how getting a simple drink of water can be a genuine risk to life! How reaching a treeline is a massive achievement, even though its just a few yards away.

The author in this book, is a supply officer who finds himself constantly under fire and struggling to get the food and ammunition through. You get a real feel for the difficulties suffered by the men on the ground.

As well as the difficulties the author suffers in doing his job you get a feel for his hope and high expectations during the opening of the campaign. Then you can feel that change to unbelief as he slowly comes to realise that things are not going well.

All in all I found this a terrificly interesting listen, a genuine history lesson from someone "who was there". The reader was excellent, having a pacing and tone that suited the tone of the text very well.

Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 6/9

Download it from Librivox

Listen to the first part

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Fractured Horizons by H.E. Roulo

Official Blurb

Katherine Downs sets off to find her mysterious father—and awakens hundreds of years later into a world guided by visionary Royals. But Kay inadvertently blinds their power.

Hunted, she joins the rebel Adams, bioengineered warriors who rely on banned technology for a precarious foothold on the fading world. Will they destroy Kay for being only human, or will revelations about her own unnatural origins cause Kay to help them in their ongoing war?

Greeted by a high-tech horde, courted by visionary royalty, and always steps away from her goals, Kay must master her own abilities before humanity is destroyed on Earth and the colonies in space.

Envision a world ready to collapse-- and then watch it tip over the edge.

My Review

This is an exciting novel and sci fi in every sense. The story has bio engineering, time travel (sort of), battles, duels, royals, murders, grand balls and plots. In fact the plot twists and changes direction a number of times that keeps the whole thing exciting.

The story leads the listener through a number of competing and facinating societies that the protagonist has to live in and assimilate. The author has come up with some great ideas and has written them very well into a narrative that bowls you along both introducing the strange worlds and keeping you hooked to the plot at the same time.

The author has devised a plot that weaves the fate of the protagonist in with the doom and fate of the entire world, when one threat wanes the other waxes so thing sdon't get boring for a second.

The author is also the reader, and she has a terrific voice for it.

Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 7/9

Download it from Podiobooks

Listen to the first part

Aliens in the Mind by Robert Holmes(?)

Official Blurb

None! ( well, none I could find. )

My Review

This is a radio drama, that I think was made for the BBC way back when. It stars Vincent Price. It's what you might call speculative fiction, rather than true science fiction, as its set in our world and time but with some interesting things going on.

Vincents character is called to a remote scottish island to attend the funeral of a friend, but arrives just too late. However he finds something much more upsetting.

There is another breed of near-humans moving amoungst us! Not only are they all around but they have mutant powers.

I don't really want to say much more as I'll end up giving away the plot and spoiling the whole thing. It's a bit of an mystery adventure and really enjoyable, I got through it in one day ( today! ) I recommend you download it and give it a try.

Reading 3/3
Production 3/3
Story 3/3

Total Score 9/9

Download it from the Vincent Price Audio page

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The Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov

Official Blurb

The Foundation Trilogy concists of:
1. Foundations
2. Foundation and Empire
3. Second Foundation

The Foundation Trilogy is an epic science fiction series written over a span of forty-four years by Isaac Asimov. It consists of seven volumes that are closely linked to each other, although they can be read separately. The series is highly acclaimed, winning the one-time Hugo Award for "Best All-Time Series" in 1966.

The premise of the series is that mathematician Hari Seldon spent his life developing a branch of mathematics known as psychohistory, a concept devised by Asimov and his editor John W. Campbell. Using the law of mass action, it can predict the future, but only on a large scale; it is error-prone for anything smaller than a planet or an empire. It works on the principle that the behavior of a mass of people is predictable if the quantity of this mass is very large (equal to the population of the galaxy). The larger the mass, the more predictable is the future. Using these techniques, Seldon foresees the fall of the Galactic Empire, which encompasses the entire Milky Way, and a dark age lasting thirty thousand years before a second great empire arises. To shorten the period of barbarism, he creates two Foundations, small, secluded havens of art, science, and other advanced knowledge, on opposite ends of the galaxy.

The focus of the trilogy is on the Foundation of the planet Terminus. The people living there are working on an all-encompassing Encyclopedia, and are unaware of Seldon's real intentions (for if they were, the variables would become too uncontrolled). The Encyclopedia serves to preserve knowledge of the physical sciences after the collapse. The Foundation's location is chosen so that it acts as the focal point for the next empire in another thousand years (rather than the projected thirty thousand).

My Review

First up, this is not a traditional audio book, it is an audio dramatisation of three books rolled up into an 8 hour serial. This series was produced by the BBC back in 1966 and sounds like it! The sounds effects at times sound like the BBC engineers had a new toy and were going to use it!. The high pitched beeps an whines can occasionally be painful. The recordings are pretty good although I did detect a slight muddiness in the last episode

As to the story, the blurb pretty much gives away the "plot". The story spans hundreds of years, dropping in on particular events and following people caught up in those events, and developing an overarching plot.

I read the Foundation trilogy many years ago and remembered it with affection, so downloaded this as soon as I found it. Personally I really enjoyed this serial but I'm aware that the series does have its pitfalls. I fear that anyone who is not an Asimov fan may find a little disconnect from the story when it leaps from one era to another. Also the sound effects I've already mentioned may put off some listeners.

Reading 3/3
Production 1/3 (The sound effects might surprise the unwary!)
Story 2/3

Total Score 6/9

Download it from the Internet Archive

Listen to the first part

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One Fall by Spencer Baum

Official Blurb

With one kick, Joey Hamilton has sent the world of professional wrestling into chaos. In his first World Title match, on national television, Joey botched a simple maneuver, turning a scripted wrestling match into a nightmarish reality.

Now the World Champion is injured and the locker room is in tatters. With the top spot open, veteran wrestlers are jockeying for position, hoping to become the next megastar, and Joey is their target.

With a unique look behind the scenes at America's most violent dramatic art, One Fall shows the world of professional wrestling in its rawest form.

My Review

A couple of days ago I decided that I'd heard enough sci fi and fantasy and wanted to try something else, and so a search for "thrillers" turned up "One Fall" over at Podiobooks.

So what did I find? I found an excellent novel that went way beyond my expectations and cought me up in an unexpected manner. the blurb doesn't tell the whole story. You don't have to be a Wrestling fan to enjoy this book. It's as much about the Business aspects and machinations as about the wrestling.

The wrestling is treated well, this book does not pretend the on screen wrestling stories are real and shows how the business really works, how fights are planned how the on screen wrestling stories are created and shows the business world to be the real back biting place it is.

The characters are also really well portrayed. Not just the wrestlers themselves but also the fans the organisers and owners. All of them come across as real people with real feelings and problems. I had expected some cardboard cut out characters but this was not the case. I couple of times the lead character was faced with situation where I just knew he was going to turn out to be a heel, but the writer surprised me!

To summarise, I was exceptionaly pleased to find this novel, it was a great story, with great characters and terrific reading. Worth a listen!

Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3

Total Score 8/9

Download it from Podiobooks

Listen to the first chapter

Eastern Standard Tribe by Cory Doctorow

Official Blurb

Art is an up-and-coming interface designer, working on the management of data flow along the Massachusetts Turnpike. He's doing the best work of his career and can guarantee that the system will be, without question, the most counterintuitive, user-hostile piece of software ever pushed forth into the world.

Why? Because Art is an industrial saboteur. He may live in London and work for an EU telecommunications megacorp, but Art's real home is the Eastern Standard Tribe.

The comm -- instant wireless communication -- puts everyone in touch with everyone else, twenty-four hours a day. But one thing hasn't changed: the need for sleep. The world is slowly splintering into Tribes held together by common time zones, less than families and more than nations. And Art is working to humiliate the Greenwich Mean Tribe to the benefit of his own people.

The world of next week is overflowing with ubiquitous computing, where an idea scribbled onto one's comm can revolutionize an industry. But in a world without boundaries, nothing can be taken for granted -- not happiness, not money, and, most certainly, not love.

Which might explain why Art finds himself stranded on the roof of an insane asylum outside Boston, debating whether to push a pencil into his brain. Happiness or smarts? What's it going to be, Art?

My Review

This book is by Cory Doctorow and was first released as part of his ongoing podcast which incidentally is where I first heard it a year or two ago. I remembered the title but not much else so when I spotted it on podiobooks I downloaded it straight away to get a fresh listen.

The story is set in the not too distant future where technology is powerful and common place, but people are still the same old people with hope, desires... and machinations. That's what the plot revolves around, with characters who belong to modern "tribes".

The book uses the clever mix of alternating chapters one in the present one in the past, and slowly as the book progress' the stories come together to what I thought was a great conclusion.

Cory is reading his own work here and has a loverly clear diction I like to listen to. He doesn't "do voices" yet I never have any difficulty telling who's talking, perhaps that comes from reading his own work.

I was thinking about who would like this book and it's a difficult question. The story is more "Speculative Fiction" than classic science fiction and includes some Instant messenger type conversations, which might well put off anyone who likes standard writing. In the end, I've settled on recommending this book for Gadget freaks who enjoy good and well written characters.

Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3

Total Score 8/9

Download it from Podiobooks

Listen to the first chapter

Legacy by James Schmitz

Official Blurb

Ancient living machines that after millennia of stillness suddenly begin to move under their own power, for reasons that remain a mystery to men. Holati Tate discovered them—then disappeared. Trigger Argee was his closest associate—she means to find him. She's brilliant, beautiful, and skilled in every known martial art. She's worth plenty—dead or alive—to more than one faction in this obscure battle. And she's beginning to have a chilling notion that the long-vanished Masters of the Old Galaxy were wise when they exiled the plasmoids to the most distant and isolated world they knew....

My Review

This is a fun sci fi yarn tat will keep you on your toes, much like the lead character! The plot has lots of action and twists, and the lead character is quite literally a kick ass heroine.

The universe that's built up in this story is really classic sci fi, inter-stella travel is faster than light, people with the money can travel between planets and stars and humans are everywhere. Pretty typical sci fi backdrop. Now add in the mysterious missing acient race and the relics they left behind and you have what is now considered a cliched backdrop. Yet, I expect that was not so much the case back in '62 when this was written. Never the less, despite the familiar in this story it is never dull or predictable.

It's a true yomp round the future with the hero being a girl and the enemies plentiful. Cahses, fights, monsters, space ships, what more could you want?

This book is read by "peac", a voice new to me. I really hope he keeps recording because he's done an outstanding job on this reading!

Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 7/9

Download it from Librivox

Listen to the first chapter

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Collapse at Hidden Verse Three Three Two by Brian Holtz

Official Blurb

The Multiverse Generator is failing. Dimensions threaten to collapse and entire populations will cease to exist unless it is reset. One being from each of more than five thousand verses has been acquired, and their DNA verified. Only one remains. His name is Timothy Rayburn and he is a resident of Earth. The Consolidation of Organized Systems has sent a ship to retrieve him.

Timothy is a teenager failing speech class due to a paralyzing fear of public speaking. He soon learns that his problems are quite small compared to the impending collapse of all existence. He must overcome his fear if he is to survive not only the dangers of space travel and multiversal war, but himself.

My Review

This is an excellent Sci Fi story, it doesn't take itself too seriously but at the same time has moments of high tension and excitement.

The official blurb really doesn't give you a clue as to what this story is about, so at the risk of a minor spoiler or two...

The Timothy mentioned is a normal kid, dragged across time and dimensions into a place where his DNA is needed to save the multiverse. Unfortunately the place they have to go to is at war with an alien race who want nothing more than the destruction and subugation of everyone! They are going to have to fight to save the multiverse.

This simple plot outline is only half the story. It leads us through dramatic and heroic actions, huge space battles, the great unknown and alien creatures that are really strange.

The lead character is believable but the author has had some fun with the aliens and they are a bit... star trekkie... but not in a bad way.

If you like sci fi, this is a rec' download.

Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3

Total Score 7/9

Find it at Podiobooks

Listen to the first chapter.

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The Thing in the Attic by James Blish

Official Blurb

Honath the Pursemaker is a heretic. He doesn’t believe the stories in the Book of Laws which claims giants created his tree-dwelling race. He makes his opinion known and is banished with his infidel friends to the floor of the jungle where dangers abound. Perhaps he’ll find some truth down there. – The Thing in the Attic is one of Blish’s Pantropy tales and was first published in the July, 1954 edition of If, Worlds of Science Fiction magazine.

My Review

This is a fun Sci Fi story. It features members of an alien race who live in the tree tops of the jungle. They are not technologically advanced, and I had the impression they were fairly monkey like.

It gets off to a good start that leads you into revealing parts of their culture through the viewpoint of a few rebels. Rebels are always good for the story!

So there we are, the tree dwelling race have a religion, as mentioned in the blurb, and those who don't believe are punished by being lowered to the jungle floor. This is where the real story begins. Adapted to the tree top the "monkey people" as I thought of them, have to struggle to survive in a strange environment.

The story has a neat twist to round it off, which is a real treat that surprised me.

The reader Gregg Margarite who has avery good voice for this type of work.

Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3

Total Score 7/9

Find it at Librivox

Listen to the first chapter.

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The Intrusion of Jimmy by PG Wodehouse

Official Blurb

The action begins with playboy bachelor Jimmy Pitt in New York; having fallen in love on a transatlantic liner, he befriends a small-time burglar and breaks into a police captain's house as a result of a bet. The cast of characters head to England, and from there on it is a typically Wodehousian romantic farce, set at the stately Dreever Castle, overflowing with imposters, detectives, crooks, scheming lovers and conniving aunts.

My Review

As the blurb says this story is typically Wodehousian. It's a light comedic farce, where everything can and will go wrong, people will make bad decisions and everyone is a stereotype!

I'm a fan of P.G. Wodehouse's work, its just so typically silly upper class twittery that it always makes me smirk and makes them a delight to listen to. This one is no different. As the blurb says an upper crust twit takes part in a crime to win a bet. Of course he's going to get caught and have to use some fast talking to stay out of trouble, oh and of course he'll find a girl and fall in love and not know how to talk to her.

That's it really, I cant say much more about the story, its simple light silly faire and fun to listen to.

It's read by the excellent Mark Nelson who proves here that he's not limited to just Sci Fi readings!

Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3

Total Score 7/9

Find it at Librivox

Listen to the first chapter.

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The Highest Treason by Randal Garrett

Official Blurb

Set in a future in which humanity’s dream of total equality is fully realized and poverty in terms of material wealth has been eliminated, humanity has straight-jacketed itself into the only social system which could make this possible. Class differentiation is entirely horizontal rather than vertical and no matter what one’s chosen field, all advancement is based solely on seniority rather than ability. What is an intelligent and ambitious man to do when enslaved by a culture that forbids him from utilizing his God-given talents? If he’s a military officer in time of war, he might just decide to switch sides. If said officer is a true believer in the principles that enslave him and every bit as loyal as he is ambitious, that’s tantamount to breaking a universal law of physics, but Colonel Sebastian MacMaine has what it takes to meet the challenge.

My Review

This sci fi story is set far in the future during a time when the human empire is at war with an alien race, fighting to avoid enslavement, and losing.

Enter our hero, a talented military officer who is talented enough to see the problem, but trapped in a society that doesn't want to hear.

Like all good sci fi, we have space battles, alien races interstella travel and a talented protagonist. So its got elements of what I really like. Also like good sci fi it has a couple of twists to keep things interesting.

It's also got a message. I didn't really like that too much. In one place the author rattles on about the nightmare of a universal society based on equality. This small section actually brought me out of the listening experience. But it's not too long and soon behind you.

The reading is good Lee Elliot does a sterling job with what I think is her first foray into a Sci Fi reading.

To sum up, not the best story, but better than some.

Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 6/9

Find it at Librivox

Listen to the first chapter.

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Not an audio review

I just finished reading Scott Sigler's "Ancestor" novel. I originally listened to this a few years back when Scott first published it for free as a podcast novel.

I really enjoyed it in that format. I really enjoyed it in this new book format too!

The blurb from the back of the book says...

"On a remote island in the Great Lakes, an Unusual group of scientists are using extinct DNA to create the perfect organ donor. it could save millions of lives and win dr Claus Rhumkorrf the Nobel Prize he craves.

The Donor animal is genetically the ancestor of all species on the planet - but Nature wiped it out two hundred million years ago.

Rhumkorrf and his team are about to find out why."

Thats a pretty good blurb, Scott writes great monster/horror stories and this is one of his best.

This book is different from the originally broadcast audio novel. It's been edited and tweaked. It's also picked up a couple of "Easter eggs" for long time fans, little hints that refer to others of his novels. That just adds to the enjoyment for his fans without taking anything from those who don't even realise they're there.

Scott has also re-recorded this new version of the novel and is podcasting it for free, and I'm listening again even though I've just read the book!

In summary, its a great book worth your investment in money and time. I managed to pick this up from my local superstore (ASDA) so you should be able to find it pretty much anywhere.

http://www.scottsigler.com

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The Colorado Sequence by Stacey Cochran

Official Blurb

Physicist Dr. Amy Levine has discovered a mathematical sequence--the Colorado Sequence--that describes an underlying pattern and a guiding force within the very fabric of reality. Now she's on the verge of an astonishing breakthrough, and the U.S. government wants to know how she has done it. How has Dr. Levine learned to accurately predict the future? And they're willing to kill her to find out. Levine and a group of friends escape to Colorado to unravel the mystery of the sequence, but there they become snowbound. They must locate a secret treasure room, find a hidden key, and answer an ancient riddle before a devastating eruption destroys them all ... and the power of the Colorado Sequence is lost forever.

My Review

This sci-fantasy novel is amkind of sequel to "Amber Page and the Coral Stone". The story doesn't star Amber Page, but Amber does appear in this novel and it is set after that other novel.

There is a new reader for this novel who does an outstanding job. However I did notice a couple of second takes that havn't been edited out.

The story is full of the bizarre, the strange, the sci fi, the fantasy and all of it revealed amongst our own modern world. The story has a rip roaring start and it doesn't really settle down after that, action followed by more action with a side order of action.

Let's see if any of the following appeal to your taste. Cliff hanging, actually hanging off a cliff. Beatutiful and mysterious glowing girls. Martial Arts. Alternate realities. Huge fantasy battle. Riddle. Machines of Super Science. Man versus Nature.

Any of that appeal? This a great audio novel that will make the time fly by. I wish it would be made into a hard hitting mini series!

This is a great story.

Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3

Total Score 7/9

Find it at Podiobooks.

Listen to the first chapter.

Out of Times Abyss by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Official Blurb

Out of Time’s Abyss is a science fiction novel, the third of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ “Caspak” trilogy. In this conclusion, the mysteries of the lost world’s unique biological systems are revealed.

My Review

I've reviewed the previous two books in this series, which I thoughly enjoyed. This one is no different. Its a pulp style adventure set in Caspak a lost island in the middle of the ocean, that is populated with dinosaurs giant bears and men of all kinds, from cave men right through modern man and up the evolutionary scale to the winged men.

The previous two books followed the adventures of people as they travelled across this land or became marooned there, each being a travalogue of sorts. This one is similar but a lot of time is spent in the city of the winged men. It's full of action and our hero is just that, a hero. Strong, clever and morally sound, this man has hero running through him like a stick of rock.

So our hero to kidnapped by the flying men and it looks like he's going to be bird food... but you know... he's the hero! So he's going to be heroic :)

If you liked the others in the series then you will not be disapointed by this final episode. Adventure fans, start downloading now.

Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3

Total Score 7/9

Download it from Librivox

Listen to the first chapter

A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Official Blurb

John Carter, an American Civil War veteran, goes prospecting in Arizona and, when set upon by Indians, is mysteriously transported to Mars, called “Barsoom” by its inhabitants. Carter finds that he has great strength on this planet, due to its lesser gravity. Carter soon falls in among the Tharks, a nomadic tribe of the planet’s warlike, four-armed, green inhabitants. Thanks to his strength and combat abilities he rises in position in the tribe and earns the respect eventually the friendship of Tars Tarkas one of the Thark chiefs.

The Tharks subsequently capture Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, a member of the humanoid red Martian race. The red Martians inhabit a loose network of city states and control the desert planet’s canals, along which its agriculture is concentrated. Carter rescues her from the green men to return her to her people.

My Review

When I saw the new version of this audio book popup at librivox I was astounded to see I hadn't reviewed the original version.

I promptly downloaded this recording from Mark Nelson and set to!

This is the first book in a series by Edgar Rice Burroughs starring John Carter, of Mars. As the blurb suggests the story is a real pulp style story with swords and science intimately mixed. The story is riddled with constant action, mostly combat, that keeps everything interesting. The story may be a bit far-fetched to modern ears but lets face it, were talking about a man on mars battling aliens with a sword so we have to accept that sometimes things might sound a bit that way.

The book is clearly written, constantly exciting and boldly heroic. So if you like science fiction and don't object to hig action and daring do, then this is a great audio book to download.

It's read by the marvelous Mark Nelson so there is of course a perfect reading to be heard.

Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3

Total Score 8/9

Download it from Librivox

Listen to the first chapter

Murder at Avedon Hill by P.G. Holyfield

Official Blurb

Lord Avedon has a problem. Generations of Avedons have watched over Avedon Hill and controlled the only pass through the Lantis Mountains. Traditions are important to the Avedon family, but one tradition has tragically come to an end. Gretta Platt, Housemistress of Avedon Manor, has been murdered. A member of the Platt family has always served the Avedons as Housemistress. until now. Only a handful of people live at Avedon Hill, and most are suspects. Arames Kragen, retired Aarronic Advisor and scholar of prophecy, arrives at the gates of Avedon Hill, hoping to gain access to the mountain pass. Lord Avedon is not in a giving mood, however.

This is the story of Arames Kragen and his attempt not only to discover who killed Gretta Platt, but also to uncover the truth about a town that apparently has more secrets than inhabitants.

The Land of Caern: It is a world where the gods, the Children of Az, can choose to be born as mortals to directly affect events in the world, and often do. It is a world where the Priests of Caern frantically search for the mortal incarnations of any of the Children, in order prevent the Prophecies of Iberian from coming to pass.

Welcome to The Land of Caern. Welcome. to Murder at Avedon Hill, the podcast novel by P.G. Holyfield

My Review

I first heard about this (nearly) full cast dramatisation back when it was originally being released. Many of the podcasters I was listening to kept mentioning that they were appearing on it.

Well I rolled over to the site and even subscribed but when there were big long gaps between the episodes coming out I decided to to give it a miss.

A year later I re-discovered the book and checked it out, it still wasn't finished! So once again I decided to give it a miss.

Well here it is a couple more years later and on checking it out I find that its been completed in my absence!

Was it worth the wait? Yes. I don't mean to say it was worth putting you life on hold or anything, just that it's okay, and not a disapointment.

As the blurb hints, a couple of traveling chaps from a religious order find themselves in Avedon Hill a walled town in a high fantasy land. They want to simply pass through the town and use the mountain pass beyond, but the way is closed. The Master of Avedon Hill has closed the pass because he's a bit miffed by the murder that just took place. Our hero offers to solve the murder if he'll be let through to the pass.

And on that premise the story rolls. The majority of the story is set in the town of Avedon Hill and follows the investigation through every step. I realise that I've made it sound like a rehash of "The Name of the Rose" but it's not. That book didn't have monsters and gods walking amongst the living, that book didn't have spell casters and half breed monsters working in the smithy!

As the investigator moves through this wild and crazy town we get to meet all of the characters in the town as they are interviewed and they are a real weird bunch! The fact that most of the cast are voiced by a different people really helps you to follow the plot.

I really enjoyed this story, the characters were original and developed through the plot in unexpected ways and the magic was both unexpected and exciting, we learnt how things worked as the story progressed which means there are a lot of surprises along the way.

Who should listen to this? Fantasy fans obviously, but keep in mind this is not a straight reading, most characters are played by different voices and with a narrator in between. If you don't mind that sort of thing, dig in!

Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 6/9

Download it from Podiobooks

Listen to the first chapter

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On War by Carl von Clausewitz

Official Blurb

A classic work on military strategy by a veteran of the Napoleonic Wars. The author's style is dialectical: he makes two strong but opposing statements and then draws them together to describe many facets of war. Free of technical jargon, and suitable for modern readers. This audiobook is based on a 1909 English translation.

My Review

I've known about this classic book ever since I became interested in wargaming. It's a military history classic that every officer in a modern army will have read ( OR I'LL WANT TO KNOW WHY NOT SOLDIER! )

It's similar to Sun Tzu's Art of War in that it is an anilitical study of the War and how to carry it out. It was written in the aftermath of the Napoleonic wars so the examples of battlefield situations have that slant on them. That said, everything here is still applicable to modern wars. From the study on the military cults of personality, onto how to carry out a follow up after the enemy routs this book covers all of the important aspects of war.

It's not a light book, I would also reccomend that you don't listen to it on one sitting, it's a book that needs to be studied and digested. If you're a military historian or wargamer who has always meant to read this book, but haven't found the time, well, the time is now. The reader gives us an excellent presentation thats easy on the ear and clear in diction, both of which this text absolutely requires.

Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3 ( Not really applicable!)

Total Score 7/9

Download it from Librivox

Listen to the first chapter

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King Arthur and His knights and Maude L Radford

Official Blurb

A collection of King Arthur’s adventures, from his ascent to King of Britain to his death. This book includes some of the crucial Arthurian legends about Sir Lancelot, the Knights of the Round Table, Queen Guinevere, and the search for the Holy Grail.

My Review

This book has been written in an old style of english> For instance instead of saying "Knight of the round table", it's phrased, "knight of the table round". It's a quaint way of putting the text together and I feel it invokes the mood of the work very well. I'm not sure when this was written so it may be real old-english or a modern fake, but either way, it works very well.

So, as the blurb says, it covers all of the usual Arthur legends and even a few I've never heard of, and makes a fun listen if the legends of Arthur are your thing.

It's not a light-listen, as I sometimes found I had to re-listen to an episode having missed something that explains when knights were fighting. This however is probably just down to me not being attentive enough.

I really enjoyed the reading and it simply made-the-book.

Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 7/9

Download it from Librivox

Listen to the first chapter

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Captains Share by Nathan Lowell

Official Blurb

A shuffling of cabins puts Ishmael Horatio Wang in command of the worst ship in the fleet. He learns that being Captain doesn't make you infallible and that life in the Captain's Cabin is filled with new kinds of challenge as he tries to keep the ship moving, the crew out of trouble, and turn a profit to earn his Captain's Share. In a ship where the officers outnumber the crew, how can he manage to keep everybody happy? Welcome to the SC Agamemnon.

My Review

This is the fifth book in the series, and follows on from where Double Share left off. The protagonist becomes a Captain, but as the blurb says he unfortunately finds himself Captain of the worst ship in the fleet. It's quite a cast of characters on his new ship it's a small crew where nearly all of them are officers of their division with only a few crew hands to fill up the numbers.

Captain Wang take his usual approach to these things dealing out respect and understanding in equal doses as he wrestles the crew into shape.

Like the previous book, this one does have things happening which makes it even more appealing.

I have a strange relationship with this series. As I've mentioned in my previous reviews of these audio books, the author/reader is so good that he doesn't actually need events in his stories! So I go into the stories not expecting anything to happen, so when they do I'm somewhat amazed and pleased.

As well as wrestling with his crew problems, Wang has to turn the ship around from a profit point of view, and on top of that there are double jumps which we've not been introduced to before, and rescues, muggings and relationship problems. This book is a delight!

The reader has such a smooth voice that listening to this book is a real pleasure. If you've listened to the others in the series, you will not be disapointed with this one, in fact you'll love it.

Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3

Total Score 8/9

Download it from Podiobooks

Listen to the first chapter

Planet Savers by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Official Blurb

The Terran colony on the planet Darkover faces imminent destruction by a plague of the deadly Trailmen's Fever. The only hope is to develop a serum in time, but this requires the cooperation of the elusive native Trailmen, the brilliant parasitologist Dr. Jay Allison, and his split personality.

My Review

This is a great short book. Mark Nelson provides another great reading of a classic sci fi story. The story is pretty straight forward, as the blurb says the Trailmen carry a deadly fever that does not effect them but causes death in humans. But the trailmen are not human, they have different beliefs they behave "strangely", and many humans think them nothing more than animals. Yet the only chance for a cure means that a racist doctor needs to win the help of these elusive violent trailmen.

The story starts out setting the plot and then becomes a journey as the heros of the peice have to win their way to the trailmen, and then win their help and friendship, in order to save the humans on the planet. Along the way will be many trials and tribulations, all of them fun and exciting.

It's good, it's sci fi, download it NOW fool!

Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3

Total Score 8/9

Download it from Librivox

Listen to the first chapter

Double Share by Nathan Lowell

Official Blurb

When he graduates from the Academy at Port Newmar, Ishmael Horatio Wang reports for duty in his first assignment as an officer. When he gets to his new ship, he finds things are not exactly the way he'd learned in school. The coffee tastes like used engine oil, the ship has no heart, and the nearest decent tailor is two quadrants away. What's a new Third Mate to do? Will he be able to trust Billy?

My Review

This is the fourth book in the series, I really loved the first one, was terribly disapointed in the second, thought the third was ok and have been once again terrifically pleased with this the fourth.

I noted in my review of the first book that, well, nothing happened, and that despite that, it was a terrific audio book. This book diverges from that and has a real plot!

I know what I've written sounds like a downer for the series, and though it's true that I've been unimpressed with one of the books, and I've said nothing happens, never the less the books are a fantastic listen. The author is reading his own work here and has such a haunting delightful voice that it brings the characters to life and makes the whole experience sparkle.

Anyway, onto the story. In this book, the hero becomes Third Mate on a trade ship that has trouble. The ship is nothing like his previous ship where everyone looked out for each other and formed one big happy family. Here, everything is dark and brooding, menace is in the air, and danger is stalking the decks. Officers aren't all you might expect and crew really are not your friends. It's almost a coming of age story, except the hero is not becoming an adult, he's an Officer instead.

It's a bit of a turn from the earlier books, and I was drawn in but the crouching danger element. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

One question that's been bothering me about this, is the idea of the hero being a "Third Mate", I would have expected "Third Lieutenant", which is more in keeping with naval tradition. Ho Hum.

Seriously, if you haven't tried this series, give it a go.

Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 7/9

Download it from Podiobooks

Listen to the first chapter

Notes on Nursing by Florence Nightingale

Official Blurb

Notes on Nursing was published in 1859 and is a fascinating view into the theories underpinning the early development of modern nursing and public health reform by "the Lady with the Lamp", Florence Nightingale. Emphasising common sense and thought for the patient's care in many more ways than just administering physician-prescribed medicines, this is still a very relevant book for those interested in health or caring for the sick and infirm today.

My Review

This was a facinating book to listen to. As you listen to the excellent reading the forthrightness and character of the author comes through. After listening to this no nonsence guide to basic nursing you really get the idea of how insistant and demanding this woman must have been. I was left wondering if she was always like that, or her war time experience made her that way.

Florence tells us through this book, how to care for the sick, how a nurse must pay attention to the patients condition, what they eat, how they eat, how rooms should be aired. She repeats lessons that are both basic and neccesary, but apparently so often overlooked by nurses of the time. I particularly liked her attitude to taking direction from Doctors.

The lessons are presented in an easy to listen to style, full of anecdotes and plain speaking that never bores the listener.

If you have any interest in the authors position in history, or simply in nursing, then I think you'll find this as facinating as I.

The reader was perfect for the book, you can easily believe that Florence is speaking to you!

Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 7/9

Download it from Librivox

Listen to the first chapter

The Lost Continent by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Official Blurb

Originally published under the title Beyond Thirty.

The novel, set in the year 2137, was heavily influenced by the events of World War I. In the future world depicted in the novel, Europe has descended into barbarism while an isolationist Western Hemisphere remains sheltered from the destruction. The title Beyond Thirty refers to the degree of longitude that inhabitants of the Western Hemisphere are forbidden to pass.

My Review

This is a Edgar Burroughs story but is a little different from his usual fair. How is it different, well, I'm not sure I can tell you, I can't put my finger on it.

It does follow the usual heroic focus, such as found in the Carter or Tarzan books but I guess this is it, the Hero starts off quite heroic but does not seem to live up to that title. Yep, thats it.

When the hero starts investigating the world "beyond thirty" he seems to become more passive, more of a passenger than a driver.

The world beyond the 30 is a land of barbarians, who seems to have lost the technology they used to have. It's not quite a fall back to the world of dinosaurs but wild animals have bred!

Overall it's an interesting story, but not quite up to the action and adventure of his other works. Certainly worth a listen if you like this kind of adventure, but I fear you might be disapointed if you've listened to his other books.

Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 6/9

Download it from Librivox

Listen to the first chapter

Undertakers Moon ( Excerpt)

Official Blurb

Croatoan Publishing has released the limited edition hardcover of Ron Kelly's Irish-Werewolf novel, "Undertaker's Moon". Here's a free download of the Audio excerpt produced and narrated by Wayne June.

My Review

I was pointed to this short little story by a podcasting friend who had interviewed the reader. It's a self contained excerpt from the book that forms a little short story all of it own. Its presented here as a promo for the book. The story is split into four, five minute sections. Really(!) the reader has a voice made for horror and fits this bloody "tail" perfectly.

So, this is a dark horror tale with a ton of blood that you can listen to in under half an hour. I'm not going to rate it, only because it's an excerpt, and I don't want anyone to mix up my rating of this excerpt with a rating for an audio book. I can tell you that I love the readers voice and the story was good too.

If your not adverse to a bit of horror, dig in!

Download from here.

Listen to the first five minute segment

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Conquest Over Time by Michael Shaara

Official Blurb

Pat Travis, a spacer renowned for his luck, is suddenly quite out of it. His job is to beat his competitors to sign newly-Contacted human races to commercial contracts...

But what can he do when he finds he's on a planet that consults astrology for literally every major decision - and he has arrived on one of the worst-aspected days in history?

My Review

Here's a short novel in the classic sci fi tradition. Set in a future where new "human" races are discovered almost daily as the terran empire spreads, where everyone speaks english and most worlds are even earth like in their development.

It's not serious sci fi, as you may have gathered, but a light hearted short story that uses sci fi as an excuse to explore the plot.

The characters are charming and the problems presented to the protagonists are far from lethal and dramatic, but yet the story still caught my attention and I was intrigued to see where it would lead.

The whole things runs for about an hour and a half, so if your looking for some "pop-corn" in sci fi form this is the story for you, and when its read by the excellent Mark F. Smith how can you go wrong?

Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 7/9

Download it from Librivox

Listen to the first chapter

South Coast by Nathan Lowell

Official Blurb

A Shaman's Tale from the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper : Volume 1

Otto is Richard Krugg's only son and heir to the Shaman's gift. The only problem is Otto doesn't want it. He wants to be a fisherman. When company policies force unwelcome changes onto his life and threaten even the security of the village, Otto discovers that being a shaman isn't optional.Jimmy Pirano is caught between the devil and the deep green sea when new production quotas are handed down from corporate headquarters. Locked into a century of existing practice, Jimmy is forced to find new ways to fish and new places to do it in or face the very real possibility that Pirano Fisheries will lose the St. Cloud franchise.Join Otto, Richard, and Rachel Krugg as they struggle with what it means to be the son of a shaman. Cast off with Jimmy, Tony, and Casey as they navigate the shoals and shallows of corporate fishery along the South Coast.

My Review

Another good story from Nathan Lowell. I reviewed another book of his a while back called Quarter Share. In that review I mentioned how good a reader Nathan is and how real he makes the characters. Well he's done it again here in South Coast. This novel is set in the same universe as Quarter Share but does not share any characters. that novel was set on a solar clipper travelling the stars, but this one is planet bound and mostly set in a single village.

This novel tells the story of simple fisher folk living on another world in the far future. There are not any "alien fiends" to be disposed of, no battles, none of the usual tropes of sci fi in fact. Yet, it is still a sci fi novel, but grounded in common place things that help make this a story that is easy to relate to.

As with Nathans other books he's created characters that are appealing and easy to like, and placed them in situations that even though they are not perilous are compelling.

I got through this audio book in a couple of days. It would have been one day, but I literally did not have enough hours in the day! Its a long novel, and I loved every minute. If you liked any of his other books, then this is a natural download.

After finishing this novel I looked to see if there is a sequel available, alas, alas, not yet. Nathans published schedule has the sequel, "Cape Grace" planned for November this year.

Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 7/9

Download it from Podiobooks

Listen to the first chapter

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Spacehounds of IPC by E E Smith

Official Blurb

When the Inter-Planetary Corporation's (IPC) crack liner “IPV Arcturus” took off on a routine flight to Mars, it turned out to be the beginning of a unexpected and long voyage. There had been too many reports of errors in ship's flight positions from the Check Stations and brilliant physicist Dr. Percival (“Steve”) Stevens is aboard the Arcturus on a fact-finding mission to find out what's really happening, and hopefully save the honor of the brave pilots of the space-liner Arcturus from the desk-jockeys' in the Check Stations implications of imprecision - the nastiest insult you could cast at a ships pilot. He and the pilots are right, it was the Check Stations that were out of position, not the ships. But that's cold consolation because before the Arcturus reaches Mars it's attacked by a small, mysterious, globe shaped spaceship.

My Review

Pulpy Sci Fi at its best! This is an excellent classic sci fi story written when men were men and women were beautiful ( and darn good with a bow and arrow ).

The story introduces our heros and almost immediately throws them into challenging scenarios and conflict. Of course being heros they are not easily killed and able to rise to pretty much any challenge.

The bad guys in this story are totally bad, in fact single minded and unthinking in regards to anything but "attack". It makes them rather two dimensional. Although the story presents them as highly technical and advanced, they are not fleshed out. This left them as a rather card board cut-out enemy, who although "bad" didn't really evoke a feeling of menace. I might also mention that in a couple of places the author has indulged in a paragraph techno-bable. These faults are however very small problems.

This is a fun adventure in space with aliens, spaceships, space-battles and heros. It's read by the impecable Mark Nelson who gives us an outstanding performance.

Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total Score 7/9

Download it from Librivox

Listen to the first chapter

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The God Conspiracy by Derek Gilbert

Official Blurb

One e-mail. Five lines. 4,000 dead.

And it is only just beginning…

When a small boy in Iowa forwards a mysterious email from ‘God’ to a small group of friends, he unwittingly releases a trigger that sends blood pouring throughout his farming community.

Thousands more are dead across the country in dozens of simultaneous terror attacks and the government blames fundamentalists who want to trigger the Apocalypse.

FBI Agent Joe Unes reluctantly teams with reclusive Internet radio host Barney Ison (from Sharon K. Gilbert’s The Armageddon Strain) to expose the plot -- and discovers that he's not contending against flesh and blood.

My Review

I came across this book by accident. It was referenced in a blog or news report somewhere and that led me to go searching for it on Podiobooks. I've reviewed another book by the same author, a fantasy book called Iron Dragons, that I really enjoyed.. After listening to Iron Dragons I discovered the author runs a couple of podcasts over at PID Radio which I instantly became a fan of. Oddly, despite listening to those shows I hadn't picked up on the existance this book!

Anyway, onto the book itself. The official blurb gives you a good overview that doesn't spoil too much. The story follows the view points of various characters until they merge into a single narrative. This works really well as it gives you the chance to get to know all of the players in this game, both the good guys AND the bad guys.

The story investigates a number of political angles as the terror spreads. This terror is rather close to home. Ordinary people, people from happy families suddenly turn into raving killers for no apparent reason. The political side of it is likewise close to home. The author has woven current real world political moves and activities through his story. This tends to make the events of the novel feel more real.

So with common everyday locations, events all too close to reality and the threads of real-world policies, and of course a fine fine cast of believable characters we have the makings of a very good novel.

I found I was drawn in to keep listening, and the excitement level was very high meaning that I found this book ending far too soon!

The reader has done a splendid job. As I said with Iron Dragons, the pace of the reading is very fast, but that adds to the excitment generated by the story.

Reading 2/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3

Total Score 7/9

Download it from Podiobooks

Listen to the prologue

BONUS :

I asked the author of "The God Conspiracy", Derek Gilbert, to answer a few questions which he has kindly done.

Q : What was you inspiration for this book, at first listen you seem to have drawn on the themes covered in your podcasts?

A : Exactly right. Sharon and I have always been conspiracy theorists at heart. It struck us that The X-Files was a lot closer to reality than most people realized, except that it didn't present an accurate--by which I mean Christian--worldview.

Q : How long did it take to write?

A : The novel took me about six months to write and another four months to rewrite. And then another couple of months to editing.

Q : How long did it take to record?

A : The recording took about an hour a week over a period of about six months.

Q : What's your recording set up?

A : The recording setup I used was a consumer-grade Plantronics USB headset mic and a G5 iMac. We've since upgraded to a quad-core Windows 7 machine with a Behringer mixer and mics. I'm looking forward to recording our next audio novel, which will be Sharon's Signs and Wonders.

Q : Why release it as a free audio book?

A : Marketing on a budget. People who've never heard of Derek P. Gilbert aren't very likely to spend $15 on the novel.

Q : Have you considered selling the audio book?

A : Not seriously. Same reason as above--nobody knows who I am, so why would they spend $10 or $20 to listen to something they might hate?

Q : What other audio projects have you done or got in mind?

A : My first novel, Iron Dragons, is also available as a free audio novel at PodioBooks.com. As I mentioned, I look forward to recording my wife's novels, which are far better than mine. Of course, Sharon and I produce the weekly podcasts P.I.D. Radio and A View From the Bunker, which I may turn into a live show soon.

Q : Do you have any other projects you'd like to mention?

A : I write weekly for the website HearkenTheWatchmen.com, and I'm toying with a non-fiction writing project to add to several unfinished novels languishing on my laptop.

Thanks for your time and consideration.

It's been my honor!

The Moon Pool by Abraham Merritt

Official Blurb

Dr. David Throckmartin’s scientific expedition to the South Sea Islands discovers among ancient ruins a portal into Muria, an unknown underground world. After the disappearance of Throckmartin, his wife and two companions, his old friend Dr. Walter Goodwin enters Muria with a rescue party, only to confront an fantastic world filled with incredible beings, astounding scientific advances, and the worship of the most evil of all creatures, The Dweller.

My Review

What we have here is a classical pulp style adventure. Look at the elements involved, an entire underground world containing multiple cultures, civilisations, evil religions and cults, mad dwarves and monsters!

You want it, then this story has it.

Personally I found it a little slow in the beginning but it soon moved up to a better pace. There are the usual investigating-the-strange-worlds chapters. The chase-across-the-landscape chapters. The love chapters! Of course we can't do without the huge final confrontation.

The reader is Mark Nelson who does a loverly job in creating voices for most of the characters and bringing the story to life in his well paced cadence. He's brought the skill with which he reads Sci Fi into this fantasy story with aplomb.

If you enjoyed Vernes "Journey" story I think you'll find this one very much to your taste.

Reading 3
Production 2
Story 2

Total 7/9

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Listen to the first chapter

The Variable Man by Philip K Dick

Offical Blurb

Predictability has come a long way. The computers of the future can tell you if you’re going to win a war before you fire a shot. Unfortunately they’re predicting perpetual standoff between the Terran and Centaurian Empires. What they need is something unpredictable, what they get is Thomas Cole, a man from the past accidently dragged forward in time. Will he fit their calculations, or is he the random variable that can break the stalemate?

My Review

An odd book, in its structure at least. About two and a half hours long in only three parts with the first and last parts being an hour each. I guess that comes down to how the author chapterized his work.

The story however is pretty good. As the blurb says, we find our future driven by computers calculating the odds of every action before we take it. This authoritarian culture is at war, or at least, wants to be at war with an alien race. They are constantly striving to change the odds in Earths favour so that a real winnable war can take place.

I was confused a little by the characters interpretation of odds. At one point the odds become 7-6 in Earths favour and they declare its time for war. Those odds look a little slim to me! I'd want 100-1 or better before I'd risk all.

Anyway, odds aside, this is a good little book, with some twists in it to keep you interested and listening. The variable man of the title is our hero, a man out of his time and totally unpredictable.

Of course and as usual Gregg Margarite's reading is outstanding and sugar for your ears.

If your a sci fi fan, download it!

Reading 3
Production 2
Story 3

Total 8/9

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Listen to the first chapter

Beneath by Jeremy Robinson

Official Blurb

Three thousand years after a chunk of iron the size of Khufu’s pyramid collides with Europa, Jupiter’s sixth moon, an asteroid borne of the collision crashes into Earth’s Arctic ice shelf carrying extraterrestrial microbial life. The first man to come into contact with the microbes hears voices—and then dies.

After determining the meteorite originated from Europa, the Global Exploratory Corporation sends oceanographer and biologist, Kathy Connelly, and her crew to the moon aboard the Surveyor, an experimental spacecraft. They are charged with the task of melting through miles of ice to the hidden ocean beneath, where the search for alien microorganisms begins. But a startling discovery awaits them on the surface of Europa.

Life.

Vast fields of red, plant-like organisms fill the cracks crisscrossing the moon’s surface, surviving on nutrients welling up from the waters below. Intoxicated by thoughts of what might lie beneath, Connelly and her crew activate the Thermal Exploratory System and melt through the ice—toward a world that does not want to be found, toward a force that will do anything to make sure they never leave.

They search for life. They find death.

My Review

This is a very fine sci fi audio book. It's by the same author who wrote "Kronos" which I've previously reviewed, and by the same reader. They make a good pairing.

The story is vibrant and the characters come across as real people in a strange situation, and that situation is thrilling, exciting and demanding.

From the outset with the first interaction with the asteroid which kicks everything off, the mystery hooks you, and you're caught on that line for the rest of the story!

It's a classic technique to present the reader/listener with a mystery at the outset and slowly reveal the truth behind that mystery. This is done in an outstanding manner in this book, and even as facts start to reveal the truth, it keeps revealing more mysteries and exapanding, so you are constantly left with a sence of wonder.

Add to this, dramatic use of the environment to enhance the danger and present strange situations, and then combine with a cinematic descriptive prose that is totally engrossing.

All in all an excellent audio book, and all for free and legal download.

Reading 3
Production 2
Story 3

Total 8/9

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Listen to the first chapter

Spherical Tomi by Jack Mangan

Official Blurb

A deadly power struggle between warlords.

Tomi was once lead combat programmer for the Shogun Ryogi, on the front lines of his conflict against President William the Black of Cerberus. When she failed to prevent William from killing the samurai she loved, she abandoned all sides, all loyalties, all hope. In her fury, Tomi destroyed the Greatship, Hades IV, and almost everyone onboard. Almost everyone. . .

My Review

I chopped down the official blurb because I think it gave way too much away! I am way way overdue in reviewing this audio book. I've listened through twice now and apparently never put my review in writing, a terrible oversight.

I'll put that right now. This is a hard sci fi novel with a core of crunchy technology and the excellent flavour of samurai warrior codex.

The Spherical of the title refers to the programming technology in use within the story. Combat coders float within a sphere of computer code and fight with thier coding skills. Clone bodies are used as weapons, with the combatants leaping from body to body. Over that tastey mix you also have the honour and warrior spirit of the Samurai era and the end result is delightful tech thriller.

The lead character is not all she seems. Her past is about to catch up in the most explosive dynamic way, you'll be hooked and drawn in.

If you enjoyed the beauty of "The Last Samurai" and the tenseness of "Wargames" you'll fall in love with this story too.

As you've probably guessed I loved the story.

The production on the audio book is a little scratchy, some of it being quite harsh. Yet that does not take away from this novel. The harshness of the soundscape and music help to express the feel of the story.

Reading 2
Production 2
Story 3

Total : 7/9

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Listen to the first chapter

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The Outlaw of Torn by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Official Blurb

WARNING! THIS OFFICIAL BLURB GIVES IT ALL AWAY!

The story is set in 13th century England and concerns the fictitious outlaw Norman of Torn, who purportedly harried the country during the power struggle between King Henry III and Simon de Montfort. Norman is the supposed son of the Frenchman de Vac, once the king's fencing master, who has a grudge against his former employer and raises the boy to be a simple, brutal killing machine with a hatred of all things English. His intentions are partially subverted by a priest who befriends Norman and teaches him his letters and chivalry towards women.

Otherwise, all goes according to plan. By 17, Norman is the best swordsman in all of England; by the age of 18, he has a large bounty on his head, and by the age of 19, he leads the largest band of thieves in all of England. None can catch or best him. In his hatred for the king he even becomes involved in the civil war, which turns the tide in favor of de Montfort. In another guise, that of Roger de Conde, he becomes involved with de Montfort's daughter Bertrade, defending her against her and her father's enemies. She notes in him a curious resemblance to the king's son and heir Prince Edward.

Finally brought to bay in a confrontation with both King Henry and de Montfort, Norman is brought down by the treachery of de Vac, who appears to kill him, though at the cost of his own life. As de Vac dies, he reveals that Norman is in fact Richard, long-lost son of King Henry and Queen Eleanor and brother to Prince Edward. The fencing master had kidnapped the prince as a child to serve as the vehicle of his vengeance against the king. Luckily, Norman/Richard turns out not to be truly dead, surviving to be reconciled to his true father and attain the hand of Bertrade

My Review

Gulp! Rarely does a blurb give away the whole story but in this case... there you go.

Well, onto review details. This story is a seven hour audio book with a medievil theme including and driven by all the great classic motivations. We have anger, revenge, greed, disguise, mystery and of course love, it all adds up into a great story.

The story follow the life of the "outlaw of Torn" from a young lad right up to becoming a major player, able to take on the Barrons of olde England. Although an outlaw our hero is in every way a nobel knight. I'm a sucker for nobel knights and so this story was like an addiction, and I had to keep coming back for more.

At times it reminded me of the Cadfael audio books ( narrated by Derek Jacobi ) that I really love, this was because the language used was of "olde" style. Thee and thy appear throughout. If you've not listened to that kind of language before you might find the first couple of episodes/chapters a bit of a struggle, but stick with it, the story and beatiful prose is worth the effort.

There are two readers in this book, one for the first half and another for the second and both are jolly spiffin. All in All, a good book and well worth downloading!

Reading 3
Production 2
Story 3

Total : 8/9

Download from Librivox

Listen to the first chapter

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The People that Time Forgot by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Official Blurb

The People that Time Forgot is a science fiction novel, the second of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ “Caspak” trilogy. The first novel ended with the hero writing a manuscript of his adventures and casting it out to sea in his thermos bottle. The second novel begins with the finding of the manuscript and the organization of a rescue expedition.

My Review

This story is really more of the same, and that's not a bad thing. "The Land that Time Forgot" was a grand pulp classic and this sequel follows in the same vein.

Our hero this time ventures to the land of Caspak in search of the hero from the previous book. Once again the machines of man are laid low by the beasts of the island, as our hero flys a boat-plane over the cliffs and into adventure.

As the story of the search and survival continues we learn a little more about the strange pattern of life Caspak, the mysteries are explained a little more.

This adventure is jolly good in a classic style and the pace does not let up, it moves from danger to danger and fight to fight.

If you've listened to the prequel and enjoyed it, you should most definitely download and listen to this sequel. I did and enjoyed it, and now I'm looking forward to listening to the third part of this trilogy.

The reader Ralph Snelson gives us a great gift with his narration. He narrated the first in the series and the continuity into this sequel is a welcome happenstance.

Reading 3
Production 2
Story 2

Total : 7/9

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Listen to the first chapter

Short Science Fiction Collection 23

Official Blurb

Science Fiction is speculative literature that generally explores the consequences of ideas which are roughly consistent with nature and scientific method, but are not facts of the author’s contemporary world. The stories often represent philosophical thought experiments presented in entertaining ways. Protagonists typically “think” rather than “shoot” their way out of problems, but the definition is flexible because there are no limits on an author’s imagination. The reader-selected stories presented here were written prior to 1962 and became US public domain texts when their copyrights expired.

My Review

Simply put this is a very good collection of short sci fi stories. Theres no theme to this collection its a random mix.

I rated three of the stories as OK, and the rest as GOOD which is the best hit rate I've had with these collections.

A Filbert Is A Nut by Rick Raphael gave me a laugh, as did The Success Machine by Henry Slesar. The Hated by Frederik Pohl was a good crunchy story with a twist and The Plattner Story by H. G. Wells pricked my interest intensely with its scientific investigative vent.

I've just mentioned a few here, but this is a really good collection and very worth your attention. If that's not enough, I'll point out that three of the stories have been read by Gregg Margarite, who's voice can make anything into candy for the ears.

Reading 2
Production 2
Story 2

Total : 6/9

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Listen to the Pohl story

Heirs of the New Earth by David Lee Summers

Official Blurb

The Earth has gone silent. John Mark Ellis and the crew of the Sanson are sent to investigate. When they arrive, they find vast alien machines known as Clusters in orbit. Fearing the worst, they land and discover that the once overcrowded, polluted Earth has become a paradise of sorts. The problem is over half the population is dead or missing and the planet's leaders don't seem to care. As Ellis works to unravel the mystery, sudden gravitational shifts from the galaxy's center indicate something even worse is in the offing. Can Ellis save the galaxy from the heirs of the new Earth?

My Review

This is a sequel. Its the third in a series. I actually joined the series with the second book ( I reviewed it here ) which I was able to do without any problem. I think this book is different. I believe that this book does not stand alone as well as the other. All of the characters were introduced in the previous book and I suspect that not knowing any of their history would prove a difficult mire to negotiate.

Anyway, onto this book! In summary, I kind of liked it. I like the world and the characters the author has created. The plot too, is also very good and kept me listening. So what didn't I like? Simply it got a bit smutty on a couple of occasions. Yeah, I'm a prude, I wish that sort of thing was left behind a closed door.

This is a driving story that develops its plot quickly and every chapter seems to drag you onwards to the goal of solving the mystery which means you might well find yourself listening to chapter after chapter all in one sitting!

Reading 2
Production 2
Story 2

Total : 6/9

Download from Podiobooks

Listen to the first chapter