Audible Book Review: Forward, Stories of Tomorrow by Veronica Roth, Blake Crouch, N. K. Jemisin, Amor Towles, Paul Tremblay, Andy Weir

This collection of futuristic sci fis was entertaining if not particularly memorable.
Forward
Stories of Tomorrow
By: Veronica Roth, Blake Crouch, N. K. Jemisin, Amor Towles, Paul Tremblay, Andy Weir
Narrated by: Evan Rachel Wood, Rosa Salazar, Jason Isaacs, David Harbour, Steven Strait, Janina Gavankar

Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins
Release date: 10-08-19
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories
Genre: Anthologies, Futuristic, Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.

I listened to this on and off for a month when other audios wouldn't play in the car.
These are all good sci fis.
Publisher's Summary
For some, it’s the end of the world. For others, it’s just the beginning. With brilliant imagination, today’s most visionary writers point to the future in a collection curated by bestselling author Blake Crouch. These stories range from darkly comic to deeply chilling, but they all look forward. Featuring stories by Andy Weir, Amor Towles, Veronica Roth, N. K. Jemisin, Paul Tremblay, and Blake Crouch; with narration by Evan Rachel Wood, David Harbour, Jason Isaacs, Rosa Salazar, Steven Strait, and Janina Gavankar.

ARK, by Veronica Roth, read by Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld)
On the eve of Earth’s destruction, a young scientist discovers something too precious to lose, in a story of cataclysm and hope by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Divergent trilogy.
It’s only two weeks before an asteroid turns home to dust. Though most of Earth has already been evacuated, it’s Samantha’s job to catalog plant samples for the survivors’ unknowable journey beyond. Preparing to stay behind and watch the world end, she makes a final human connection.

SUMMER FROST, by Blake Crouch, read by Rosa Salazar (Alita: Battle Angel)
A video game developer becomes obsessed with a willful character in her new project, in a mind-bending exploration of what it means to be human by the New York Times bestselling author of Recursion.
Maxine was made to do one thing: die. Except the minor non-player character in the world Riley is building makes her own impossible decision - veering wildly off course and exploring the boundaries of the map. Soon Riley has all new plans for her spontaneous AI, including bringing Max into the real world. But what if Max has real-world plans of her own?

EMERGENCY SKIN, by N. K. Jemisin, read by Jason Isaacs (Star Trek: Discovery)
What will become of our self-destructed planet? The answer shatters all expectations in this subversive speculation from the Hugo Award-winning author of the Broken Earth trilogy.
An explorer returns to gather information from a climate-ravaged Earth that his ancestors, and others among the planet’s finest, fled centuries ago. The mission comes with a warning: a graveyard world awaits him. But so do those left behind - hopeless and unbeautiful wastes of humanity who should have died out ages ago. Get in. Get out. And try not to stare.

YOU HAVE ARRIVED AT YOUR DESTINATION, by Amor Towles, read by David Harbour (Stranger Things)
Nature or nurture? Neither. Discover a bold new way to raise a child in this unsettling story of the near future by the New York Times bestselling author of A Gentleman in Moscow.
When Sam’s wife first tells him about Vitek, a twenty-first-century fertility lab, he sees it as the natural next step in trying to help their future child get a “leg up” in a competitive world. But the more Sam considers the lives that his child could lead, the more he begins to question the choices he has made in his life.

THE LAST CONVERSATION, by Paul Tremblay, read by Steven Strait (The Expanse)
What’s more frightening: Not knowing who you are? Or finding out? A Bram Stoker Award-winning author explores the answer in a chilling story about human consciousness.

Imagine you’ve woken up in an unfamiliar room with no memory of who you are, how you got there, or where you were before. All you have is the disconnected voice of an attentive caretaker. Dr. Kuhn is there to help you - physically, emotionally, and psychologically. She’ll make sure you reclaim your lost identity. Now answer one question: Are you sure you want to?

RANDOMIZE, by Andy Weir, read by Janina Gavankar (True Blood)
In the near future, if Vegas games are ingeniously scam-proof, then the heists have to be too, in this imaginative and whip-smart story by the New York Times bestselling author of The Martian.
An IT whiz at the Babylon Casino is enlisted to upgrade security for the game of keno and its random-number generator. The new quantum computer system is foolproof. But someone on the inside is no fool. For once the odds may not favor the house.
©2019 Ark © 2019 by Veronica Roth. Summer Frost © 2019 by Blake Crouch. Emergency Skin © 2019 by N. K. Jemisin. You Have Arrived at Your Destination © 2019 by Amor Towles. The Last Conversation © 2019 by Paul Tremblay. Randomize © 2019 by Andy Weir. (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Review:
These are short stories that have the wonderful ironic twist that can be found in science fiction. They can each be read (listened to) at separate settings. Unfortunately, that resulted in reading over a month and then having to try to remember each of the earlier stories.

Ark - I was satisfied reading this (and thought it began a series). But a month later I couldn’t recall the ending.

Summer Frost – I couldn’t remember this one either and re-listened at the end because I remembered liking a character that closes with a twist. And yes, that was my reaction the second time too. A clever progression that might make the reader wince.

Emergency Skin – This comes with a wide sense of humor. It takes a bit into the story to realize what is happening and has an ending that might catch the reader up.

You Have Arrived At Your Destination - Viewing possible destinies for your child can be disheartening. I’m not crazy about the idea of selecting the character of your child by genetic engineering. This story gives support for my concerns. As the story makes the father look at his own choices, I did wonder how the husband and wife were going to reconcile their differences.

The Last Conversation – There is some sadness revealed in this story. But I enjoyed its sense of mystery and clearly ironic conclusion.

Randomize – I enjoyed the tech element of this story and the ingenuity. However, I was so disappointed by the greed.

This type of anthology gives the reader a chance to meet new authors. I had only read Roth and Weir. I think my favorites in this collection are Summer Frost and The Last Conversation. I recommend this to fans of sci fi who like to read short stories.

Audio Notes: The narrators were: Evan Rachel Wood, Rosa Salazar, Jason Isaacs, David Harbour, Steven Strait, Janina Gavankar. I should have made notes when I was listening to this, but I listened in the car. I don’t recall any problems with the narrations. I am glad I had this on audio so I could listen in the car.

Source: 3/14/2020 Audible Deal $2.95. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Allegiant: Divergent Trilogy, Book 3 by Veronica Roth

I found this to be a satisfactory conclusion to this trilogy. 
Allegiant: Divergent Trilogy, Book 3
Written by: Veronica Roth
Narrated by: Emma Galvin, Aaron Stanford

• Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins 
• • Series: Divergent, Book 3
• Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:10-22-13



Publisher: Harper Audio

Genre: Dystopian
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation - like a single choice - changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?
The explosive conclusion to Veronica Roth's #1 New York Times best-selling Divergent trilogy reveals the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of listeners in Divergent and Insurgent.
©2013 Veronica Roth (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

Review:
This is the concluding book in the Divergent trilogy. Tris, Four and some of their Dauntless friends have survived the civil war that erupted during book two, Insurgent. Tris had managed to release a secret video tape that revealed some mysteries about the cities past and a directive that the Divergents were to help those outside of the city walls.

Now in book three, the Factionless, led by Four’s mother. face a new battle with the Allegiant, a group comprised from the old factions who want to restore the previous order of the factions. Four rescues Tris’ brother Caleb, even though he had betrayed her and they flee beyond the walls to escape the Factionless and Allegiant pursurers,

Outside they find a government compound, the Bureau of Genetic Welfare. Here they learn that Purity Wars destroyed much of the past civilization and genetic manipulation is being used to try to rebuild a sound society. Divergents are prized as pure bloods and all others are genetically impure and expendable. Although Tris is safe as a true Divergent, Four, or Tobias, is at risk. He soon aligns with others who are plotting against the government powers who not only control the genetically rascist compound but also exercise control over the affairs of the “experimental” cities like Chicago.

Tobias’ participation in a failed raid results in a life-threatening injury to Uriah. Tobias feels responsible and guilty while Tris is angry because she thinks he acted rashly and he went against her warnings. There is estrangment and tension among the friends as they try to sort out how to cope with their new surroundings and then discover they have to find a way to protect their old city home from the destructive plans of the Bureau.

I enjoyed how the story is told in alternating views by Tris and Tobias. This dual voice gives a broader scope portraying events from two different viewpoints and emotions. There is danger, angst, conspiracy, a little romance and a bit more tragedy. I liked the conflicts and the dilemmas posed in this book. The author seems to be making a statement about the devastating consequences of pitting different races and/or different classes against each other instead of accepting each others strengths and working and growing together.

I enjoyed this book significantly more than book two which seemed full of disjointedness. There were flaws in this book too as there seemed to be a section of “telling” of back history which can bog down the reading. What bothered me more though was the implausibility that Tris and her friends were a) given free roam in the compound without being assigned particular tasks and b) could plot so “openly” with existing dissenters. This made the story a bit of an “eye-roller” at times. It is not a big secret that one of the main characters dies which is a difficult, sad feature but actually added an acceptable bit of reality.

I am not sure the title Allegiant is appropriate to where this final book goes but it fits with the prior titles and there could be a case made that it has a dual meaning. Perhaps my expectations were not as high as many who were disappointed by this book. Although I didn’t like everything about this conclusion it wrapped things up satisfactorily for me as an adult reader.

AUDIO NOTES: Emma Galvin and Aaron Stanford did a very fine job of portraying the characters of Tris and Tobias. The alternating voices (as well as the alternating views) added to my enjoyment of the story which may have dragged more without that feature to break the flow and add interest. I would recommend listening to this title on audio.

This title is from my own Audible Library.

Audible Book Review: Insurgent: Divergent, Book 2 by Veronica Roth

This is an engaging story with strong emotions, good action and surprising twists. The audio is well done if you prefer listening to reading.

Insurgent: Divergent, Book 2

• UNABRIDGED
• by Veronica Roth
• Narrated by Emma Galvin
•   Series: Divergent, Book 2

Genre: Dystopian
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0
 

Publisher's Summary

One choice can transform you - or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves - and herself - while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.

Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable - and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.

Review:
This story picks up after the initial battle between the Dauntless and Erudite that closed out the first book, Divergent. Tris and Tobias (Four) are on the run with others of the Dauntless who survived the attack. They must seek ‘asylum in either Amity or Candor.  But the peace loving Amity faction doesn’t want to get involved or take sides.  They might provide shelter but they will not provide protection.  When conflict breaks out they learn some unpleasant control systems are activated.

Pushed on to Candor, Tris and Tobias are challenged as traitors based on a negative interpretation of  the images of them from the battle. When forced to respond under truth serum they reveal secrets they have held from each other. Can they truly love each other if they have not been able to trust fully?

They are threatened at Candor too when the Erudite use more Dauntless ‘drones’ under simulation serum to attack in order to weed out all the people who are Divergent.  The Erudite leader is set on experimenting on the Divergent until she can develop a serum that will control them. The only other alternative is to eliminate the Divergent. Tris is a primary candidate for the testing.

As Tobias chooses to work with the Factionless, Tris secretly works with a leader from her parents’ home, the Abnegation.  Although Tris knows that Tobias will see this as a betrayal, she is convinced that certain truths must be revealed at whatever cost.

I really loved the underlying messages regarding human diversity that Ms. Roth portrays.  Although the factions have specific strengths it is interesting to see individuals with mixed traits cross the boundaries of the groups.  Tris has to deal with the guilt and grief of killing one of her good friends in the first book.  She struggles with this and, although a bit harsh, I liked the strength of one of her new friends who pushes her out of her depression saying “You are Dauntless. It’s time you acted like it! People die. That’s what happens in war.”  Tris has to make hard choices and these added to the intensity of the book.

There was a section in the middle that dragged a bit for me. I had to recall that Tris is only 15 or 16 trying to cope with her family loss, her guilt and the war surrounding her. Also, I recognize that for teenagers first love can be a consuming thing.

The action picked up for the ending confrontations. There are twists and secrets that leave a stunned group of combatants at the close of this book. I can think there are a wide variety of choices for the characters to face in taking their next steps.

This series is really good entertainment with some interesting observations of social behavior underlying the governmental system set up.  I bet this would make good discussion material for classes in high school and college. I look forward to learning where the author takes the characters in the final book.

I enjoyed Ms.Galvin's narration which is steady and strong. She provides good character inflection and emotional intensity for this engaging story. 

This is from my own Audible Library.

Audible Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

This is a dynamic dystopia- don't miss it. I wish the second book was here already!
Divergent

• UNABRIDGED
• by Veronica Roth
• Narrated by Emma Galvin 

• LENGTH
  11 hrs and 11 mins
• AUDIBLE RELEASE DATE
  05-03-11
  Genre:  Dystopia
  My Rating: 4.5

Publisher's Summary

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue - Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is - she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are - and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves.... or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series - dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

Review:

Beatrice lives in a time when there are five factions or communities that work together... or are meant to work together. Beatrice and her brother have been raised in Abnegation where they have been taught to be selfless. They don’t look at mirrors, they dress plainly and their focus is to care for others. When they reach the age of 16 they have to choose either their home faction or they can choose another. Each teen goes through an aptitude test to determine their best match.  Beatrice is told by her tester that she is “Divergent.” She doesn’t fit any one group profile. But she is to keep this fact secret as it puts her in danger.

Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles through the initiation program with the others to determine if they will remain and what their rank or position will for job placement/priority.
Tris makes friends and enemies complete with jealousies, betrayal and loss.  She begins a secret romance with one of her trainers but with all the secrets floating it isn’t clear who can be trusted. There is clear trouble coming when Tris learns that some of the leaders are not who they appear to be but are working towards controlling all the factions. Since the enemy has found a way to manipulate the people of the community Tris and a small band are facing an army.

This story takes a bit of attention initially to keep straight the factions and characters. This might have been more difficult because I listened to the Audible and didn’t have a book to refer back to. The relationships between Tris and the other characters, the inductees, trainees, her family and her new boyfriend, are well developed and realistic.  The narrator does a great job with the numerous characters, the various emotions and with the intensity of the suspense. The story closes at a major turn of events and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

A phrase I liked - stated after one of the other inductees dies.
“...Let the guilt remind us to do better next time.... a tool instead of a weapon...”

I picked this Audible up with my subscription and I am very glad I did.