Infinite

Author: Jeremy Robinson;
Genre: Science fiction;
Format: Audiobook;
Narrator: R.C. Bray;
Publisher: Breakneck Media (2017);
Rating: (4 / 5).

An intriguing sci-fi story set in deep space and touching on themes of loneliness, time, and the meaning of reality. I really felt the vastness of space and the drag of endless time. Plot twists abound—expect some head games.

R.C. Bray did his usual spectacular job with the narration; even his female voices are good. He’s definitely in my top 5 list of narrators.

Very little foul language, applicable violence, some sexual references but nothing graphic.

Artificial Condition (The Murderbot Diaries #2)

Author: Martha Wells;
Genre: Science Fiction;
Format: Audiobook;
Narrator: Kevin R. Free;
Publisher: Recorded Books (2018);
Rating: (3 / 5).

This is the second in a series of award-winning sci-fi novellas from master storyteller Martha Wells. This one, like the first, “All Systems Red,” is relatively short, only 3 hours and 21 minutes long (the paperback is 160 pages). But the strong themes are wonderfully intertwined with the action.

“Murderbot” is a rogue security unit—a SecUnit, half android/half human—who was manufactured by and works for The Company, the megacorporation that more-or-less runs the galaxy. He has modified his own programming after a mistake caused the deaths of previous clients, and he’s now trying to find the cause of the tragedy.

That’s the plot, but the theme is Identity, with a capital I.

Murderbot knows what he is. He has a strong urge to kill humans, but he knows he’s not supposed to. For that reason, he doesn’t interact with people well, and we can all relate to that. The character is not exactly likable, but his sense of morality keeps him from being an antagonist. The addition of an AI shipboard computer in this book is enjoyable and serves as a balance to the human characters.

Free does a fine, if a bit bland, job with the narration; his pacing, accents, and inflections are very good.

Highly recommended (in any format) to sci-fi readers. I can’t wait for the next adventure of Murderbot.

Amazon Kindle links: Condition Red, Artificial Condition

© Copyright 2018 Jan McClintock

Sea of Rust: A Novel

Author: C. Robert Cargill;
Genre: Science Fiction;
Format: Audiobook;
Narrator: Eva Kaminsky;
Publisher: HarperAudio;
Rating:   (4 / 5).

I really liked this sci-fi tale, written from the point of view of a robot who hunts other robots. On post-apocalyptic Earth, robots have taken control and have destroyed humans. Now they are becoming obsolete themselves, and some of them scour the wastelands, tracking older bots for parts to trade.

Meanwhile, the mainframes who control the processors of the majority of other robots (like the Borg on Star Trek) have been fighting each other for dominance, too, and their minions are terrorizing the free bots.

There was certainly enough tension to go around, and danger was everywhere; lots of chasing, firefights, and hiding throughout.

In addition to the action, however, death was a huge theme in this book. The prevalence of the characters’ thoughts about their “lives” ending was almost overwhelming. They also felt guilt over their actions against humans in the war, and that was a brilliant addition to the story, in my opinion.

Cargill infuses the bots with personalities and foibles, so readers might forget at times that they’re not reading about humans after all. Each major character had their own personality and was unique in some way, as ironic as that may seem. Great characterization throughout. I hope there’s a sequel (or two).

Lots of robot violence (mostly with guns), no sex, some foul language. Ms. Kaminsky did a very good job with the voices of the many characters and I enjoyed her narration.

Phule’s Company (Phule’s Company #1);
Author: Robert Lynn Asprin;
Genre: Military Sci-Fi;
Format: Audiobook;
My rating: 3 of 5 stars.

The plot is a futuristic military unit of misfits and the officer who tries to whip them into shape. The different personalities were enjoyable and some were well-developed. The pacing was good and the story moved along well.

However, my reservations are these: 1) the plot device of the officer’s butler introducing the chapters was unnecessary; the POV could have been third-party and just as good, and 2) the constant use of wealth to solve problems was a cop out. I think that the legion commander was too much of a wise-acre and I began to dislike him. He never had a problem he couldn’t buy his way out of. That was unrealistic and disappointing.

The book includes very little violence or foul language, no sex.

I listened to the audiobook and the narration by Noah Michael Levine was very good. There are a lot of characters in this story and the group was multinational (and multi-species), and most of the voices were quite distinct.

The Sands of Mars

Author: Arthur C. Clarke;
Genre: Science-fiction;
Format: Audiobook;
Publisher: Audible Studios (2012).
Rating:   (3 / 5)

This 1950s sci-fi was quite entertaining after a slow start. Obviously, the societal norms are a little aged but the concepts are fascinating. I listened to the audiobook and narrator Traber Burns did a fine job; fortunately (for me as a listener), there were very few women’s parts to voice. The story is that of a famous writer who is sent to a human colony on Mars, at least partly for publicity. Mixed with the travel and his adaptation to the red planet is a personal quandary and new friends and challenges. A satisfactory ending was a bonus.