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Thursday, December 15, 2022

Audible Book Review: Last Stand: The Complete Box Set by William Weber

This four book box set presents a solid Post-Apocalyptic survival and military story.
Last Stand: The Complete Box Set
By: William Weber
Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell


Series: Last Stand (Weber), Book 1-4
Length: 24 hrs and 50 mins
Release date: 09-20-17
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Dystopia, Military, Post-Apocalyptic, War
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.


Publisher's Summary
Last Stand: Surviving America's Collapse: John Mack, a prepper and former soldier, struggles to save his family and community after an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) takes out the country's electrical grid. With most electronics, communications, and transportation destroyed in a matter of seconds, the nation quickly collapses into anarchy.
For John and the other residents of Willow Creek Drive, the breakdown of social order throws them back to the 1800s. As the community tries to come together, a powerful outside force appears that threatens their survival. Will John's years of military and prepping experience be enough to keep them safe?
Mixing tons of useful prepping tips into an action-packed story, Last Stand: Surviving America's Collapse is a must-listen for any fans of survival fiction.
Last Stand: Patriots: Three months after the EMP cripples the United States, John Mack and his family find their peaceful new existence shattered when a tyrant seizes control of the nearby town of Oneida. Soon John encounters a group of patriots who've sworn to stand against the growing despotism. But John will learn that nothing in this new post-EMP America is what it seems - and that the deadliest threats are often the ones you didn't see coming.
Last Stand: Warlords: Tormented by a past he can't forget, John Mack is about to face the toughest fight of his life. The tiny town of Oneida, Tennessee, stands in the crosshairs of Russian and Chinese armies threatening to push across the Mississippi river. With the United States fragmented and on the brink of military collapse, John will need to dig deeper than ever to defend his loved ones from enemies both foreign and domestic.
Last Stand: Turning the Tide: Foreign armies are poised along the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains preparing for the final assault and America's inevitable defeat. For John, turning back the tide will mean going deep behind enemy lines and organizing the very insurgency he fought so hard against in Iraq. But more than that, it'll mean coming to terms with the brutality of war and the realization that sometimes the deepest scars are the ones that can't be seen.
©2017 William Weber (P)2017 Audible, Inc.


Review:

Last Stand: Surviving America's Collapse: John Mack is a retired soldier. His experience has made him cautious enough to be a ‘prepper’, planning for a day of disaster. He has set up a bunker with supplies at home and has arranged a safe location to take his family when things get too rough at home. When the power goes down after an EMP strike, making computers, phones, and modern vehicles obsolete, John and his family hesitate to leave their home. Instead, John steps up to lead his neighbors at Willow Creek Drive, to gather to try to survive the immediate danger. Unfortunately, an outside mass of evil comes to take their supplies. John may be able to provide weapons and lead the community in a battle but at what cost?

Last Stand: Patriots: John and a group of survivors from Willow Creek are working to survive on the outskirts of a larger town, Oneida, Tennessee. John and his scouts are concerned that the nearby town has been taken over by enemies posing as US government who ask the people to turn in their arms on the pretext of safety. John has no choice but to take action when his wife and daughter are kidnapped by the enemy. In the process of gaining more information, a group of dedicated patriots align with John to expose the treachery and save the town… at least from the immediate enemy. They soon learn that the US is battling Russian and Chinese forces threatening along the Mississippi River.

Last Stand: Warlords: The town of Oneida is a point for supply movement and the Chinese don’t want to give it up. Most towns have allowed the enemy to infiltrate and take over from within. John and his patriots in Oneida are one of the few American strong holds, which brings them to the attention of a struggling US military. John is brought back into military service and tasked to take volunteers and conscripted men to the front line while also continuing to protect the town. The task isn’t easy especially when it is clear there is a mole in their midst. John’s job becomes more stressful when his 16 year old son and another young teen run off to fight at the front of the line.

Last Stand: Turning the Tide: John fought insurgents in Iraq. Although his memories are difficult, he has learned military strategies that he thinks will help in the extreme situation the US military finds itself in. John is bucking heads with a superior officer who is threatened by John’s successful plans. Fortunately, some of the higher leadership is willing to listen to John’s strategic suggestions. John and a small team reach out to other communities to set up pockets of resistance. Slowly John and the military begin to experience wins that give them hope.

I did enjoy this series and I think it was good that I listened to all four books during a couple of weeks rather than over months (or years). I mostly liked the main character, John, although he was a bit too much of being right. I didn’t think his flashbacks to Iraq added that much to the story as the impact of his past military service could be added in a quicker way. I do think the family, neighbors, and later, team warriors, added to the action of the story. There was good prepper information mixed in well with the military. The series is entertaining, and I would recommend it to fans of post-apocalyptic stories with military elements.

Audio Notes:
Kevin Stillwell does a good job with the narration. He provided distinct character voices and did well with the foreign accents. The narration made this an easier listen.

Source: 11/3/17 Audible Purchase for $1.95. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

MBS November 2022 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2022 Reading List - NOVEMBER

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABB = Audiobook Boom
e = eBook; eA = eBook from Author; eT = eBook from Tour
NG = NetGalley
P = Print; PT = Print from Tour
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2022
Favorites for the month:

5 Stars = The Clause in Christmas, The Christmas Heirloom
4.75 Stars =
4.5 Stars = Beauty and the Clockwork Beast
  1. ATBR: Audible Book Review: White Wasteland by Jeff Kirkham, Jason Ross; Genre: Military, Post-Apocalyptic; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
  2. ATBR: Audio Book Review: The Clause in Christmas by Rachael Bloome; Genre: Christmas, Contemporary, Romance; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.
  3. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Space Knight by Michael-Scott Earle; Genre: Fantasy, LitRpg, Magic, Sci Fi, Space Opera; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
  4. ATBR: Audio Book Review: The Christmas Heirloom: Four Holiday Novellas of Love Through the Generations; Genre: Christmas, Collection, Historical, Inspirational, Religious, Romance; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.
  5. ATBR: Audio Book Review: Murder in Her Stocking by G. A. McKevett; Genre: Christmas, Contemporary, Romance; My Rating: 3.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.5; Narration 3.25.
  6. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen; Genre: Paranormal, Steampunk, Victorian Romance; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.
  7. ATBR: Audio Book Review: It Can't Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis; Genre: Classics, Dystopian, Science Fiction; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
  8. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Forward, Stories of Tomorrow by Veronica Roth, Blake Crouch, N. K. Jemisin, Amor Towles, Paul Tremblay, Andy Weir; Genre: Anthologies, Futuristic, Science Fiction; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.
  9. ATBR: Audible Book Review: You Can Thank Me Later by Kelly Harms; Genre: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Grief; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
  10. ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Cowboys of Copper Mountain: A Christmas Collection by Katherine Garbera, Jane Porter, Melissa McClone; Genre: Anthology, Christmas, Contemporary, Holidays, Romance; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5.
Total read = 10
TBR = 9
New Authors = 16
Audio/Audible = 10 (9 TBRs)
NetGalley = 0 (0 audio) (0 TBRs)
Author Review books (other than NG) = 0 (0 TBR)
Nonfiction = 0
eBook = 0 (0 TBR)
Print = 0 (0 TBR)

Goal Progress (to Date meaning through the end of the given month):
(COMPLETE) Goodreads Goal Read to Date: 128 of 125
(COMPLETE) TBR to Date: 100 of 90 total
(COMPLETE) Audio to Date: 114 of 100
(COMPLETE) NetGalley to Date: 14 of 10
Author Reviews: 3 of 12
Nonfiction: 9 of 12
TBR ebooks or Print: 9 of 12

• Series: 87 of 75 (31 continuing, 56 new)
• New to me Series: 56 (19 Yes to continue; 17 likely to continue, 16 maybe, 4 unlikely)
• Finished for me Series: 3


Special Goals
• (COMPLETE)Seasonal title: 4 of 4: Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn

• Alphabet letters covered: AUDIO SERIES: 4 Jan, 3 Feb, 7 March, 3 April, 4 May, 2 June, 0 July, 1 August, 1 September, 0 October, 1 November (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, Y, Z) (25 of 26)   
Remaining: X
• Alphabet letters covered: MIXED MEDIA (focus on stand alones but can be series): 2 Jan, 6 Feb, 3 March, 7 April, 3 May, 2 June; 1 July, 0 August, 0 September, 0 October, 0 November (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, W, Y, Z) (24 of 26)
Remaining: V, X

Sunday, December 11, 2022

Sunday Post December 11, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday December 12, 2022

Sunday Post #318 Chairs, Compliance, and Storms
I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? now at The Book Date (at Wordpress)
What Are You Reading? is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.


I spent Monday in Panama City Beach taking Heather to the emergency room. She had fever spikes of 104 and 105 over the weekend and a sharp pain along her left arm. They tested her for Covid, Flu, and Strep and she was positive for Strep. They gave her a shot and sent us home with prescriptions. As of Wednesday she was no better and had broken out in hives. She got a telahealth visit with her doctor on Thursday who determined she may have reacted to the penicillin in the prescription. (My eldest brother and I are both allergic to penicillin so it seems to have a genetic reaction.) They ordered a different antibiotic and she was doing better by Saturday.

Needless to say, I had to pick up on her work for the closings and fundings during the week. That put my work behind another several days. *Sigh.*

Our Marianna Woman's Club (MWC)  Bids, Bows and Mistletoe Auction on Tuesday was great fun and a successful fund raiser! We were very pleased.

Here is the girls' (daughter and granddaughters) shopping picture
from Saturday a week ago.

My prayers include prayers for more unity in all nations. I am enjoying the advent season and keeping in mind the "reason for the season".

Most of the weather this past week was nice but we had a terrible blanket of fog on Thursday night. My distance contact eye was being blurry as well as the inside of the car being fogged. I could barely drive home and almost called my assistant to drive me.

This coming week our day temps will be a little cooler - 57 to 72 - with rain several days.

This week I enjoyed two (almost three) more audios. I posted three reviews and my regular Memes.

I visited 17 blogs last week.
Shout out this week to BOOK DEN. Interesting that Jennifer lists Horror first in her reading genres.  But she includes "fantasy, science fiction, and more"! Check out some of her choices.

Audible offerings for free children's titles ended June 30, 2021.
Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

These were the posts last week:
  • ATBR: Audible Book Review: You Can Thank Me Later by Kelly Harms; Genre: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Grief; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
  • ATBR: Audible Book Review: Venus Plus X by Theodore Sturgeon; Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.
Finished Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (A2022)


'Twas the Knife Before Christmas: A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery, Book 2
By: Jacqueline Frost
Narrated by: Allyson Ryan
Series: A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery Series, Book 2
Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins
Although this is a nice cozy, I had some issues with the primary heroine.
Source: 11/7/22 Audible Plus.

Click on book title for full description.



2. Audible Smartphone (A2022)
Icequake  By  cover art


Icequake
By: Crawford Kilian
Narrated by: Tim Campbell
Series: Icequake, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins
This is a story of survival against the ice and cold.
I saw this was only available free through 12/20/2022 so I chose to read it.
Source: 11/5 Audible Plus Catalog.

Publisher's Summary
A group of 27 scientists and explorers are stranded in Antarctica.
Residing in a station known as Shackleton, they are studying the seismic activity of the region. An eruption of the nearby volcano, Mount Erebus, soon sends quakes throughout the continent with devastating results.
All radio communication has been disabled by the breakdown of the magnetic field. Evacuation is unlikely. No one knows whether they survived the icequake, and their station is now moving two kilometres north each day with the strong aftershocks. They are on their own, with limited food and resources.
Do they stay put and risk being caught in the next series of icequakes and avalanches? Or do they pack up and trek over dangerous territories to the neighbouring station?
Icequake is a gripping prophetic sci-fi disaster novel, full of excitement and danger in every chapter.
©2017 Crawford Kilian (P)2018 Podium Publishing



Currently Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (A2022)
This Fallen World  By  cover art


This Fallen World
By: Christopher Woods
Narrated by: Mark Boyett
Series: The Fallen World, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
I am liking the action in this story. I have finished the first two novellas and will likely finish on Monday.
This title also is only available free only through 12/20/2022.
Source: 11/5 Audible Plus Catalog.

Publisher's Summary
The world has Fallen, but life goes on....
Matthew Kade was a corporate assassin - one of the best agents Obsidian Corporation had. But then the bombs began falling, and the old world ended. Now he must navigate the new world he finds himself in, a world where the strongest survive, and the weaker do their bidding...or die. 
Kade was always one of the strongest, though, so when a rich man’s daughter goes missing, he turns to Kade to find her and bring her back. But she has already been gone three days, and in the Fallen World, that is an eternity in which any number of things could have happened to her. 
Can Kade - a man with a price on his head - pick up the trail of the young woman and navigate the streets of the city to find her, or will the city’s denizens be the end of him? It will take all of Kade’s abilities to find her and save her life...if he doesn’t lose his first. 
This Fallen World includes three novellas in an exciting new universe by best-selling author Christopher Woods. You’ll want to get it - right now!
©2018 Blood Moon Press (P)2019 Podium Publishing.



2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)
Don't Call Me Ishmael  By  cover art


Don't Call Me Ishmael
By: Chris Kennedy
Narrated by: Mark Boyett
Series: The Fallen World, Book 2
Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins
This is another story in The Fallen World series and it expires 12/20/22 so I am listening this week.
Source: 11/5 Audible Plus Catalog.

Publisher's Summary
Don’t call him Ishmael. Or do; he really doesn’t care. Just don’t call him Fred.
No matter what you call him, though, he has a problem. Well, several of them. Ishmael - for want of a better name - woke up in a world that had changed. The Corporations - the wielders of power in a society not long from now - brought about the end of civilization as we know it, nuking each other to the point where it collapsed. 
Ishmael doesn’t know any of this, though; in fact, he doesn’t know anything about himself when he wakes up in this shattered world. All of his autobiographical and episodic memories are gone, and along with them, any knowledge of who he was or anything in his past. 
Worse, he has made enemies of some very important people, and they are after him. They are armed and he is alone and in...well, he doesn’t know where he is, either. 
Can Ishmael stay alive long enough to recover his memories - to find out who he is and how he fits - or will he be just another casualty of This Fallen World?
©2019 Blood Moon Press (P)2019 Podium Publishing.



I just found several other titles in my library (and not) that are only available until 12/20/22. They appear to be in the sci fi genres I like. I am likely to fit in another of those rather than a Christmas title this week.

December 11, 2022 -  I continue up to date and love that I learn new things each time I read/listen to the scriptures. I get excited watching the devotion videos. The Bible Reading Plan is: BibleProject | One Story that Leads to Jesus. It really soothes me to read/listen to the pieces each day.
I enjoyed and finished the study: 10 Days of Christmas Truths to Live All Year.


I read two audio titles and reviewed three. So I now have 3 (one book is a 4 book boxed set so it either counts for 4 or 1) books to review (plus 7 children's books). I keep working on these. :-)

NETGALLEY STATUS--
Back to the three old ebook titles. I will probably end up letting A Place Called Armageddon go as DNF.
I have one author review in my queue that I need to start reading on my computer.
(Plus a few that I received from Facebook links and newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
Still many titles through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.


Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, me and new to the team, Velvet at vvb32reads. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I tend to fill up on titles in December so they will qualify for TBRs in 2023.
No new review titles this week although I plan to go look at NetGalley this week.
Two for one credit audios from Audiobooks.com.
I selected my December VIP pick at Audiobooks. com.
I found 7 more plus titles from Audible - 4 Christmas and 3 Season titles.
I also got three free Kindle titles this week.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles
NONE

Won
NONE

Purchased
12/9/2022 I used a credit for 2 for 1 Holiday Romance titles at Audiobooks.com. They have a wonderful selection, and I may use another credit before the year is over. I chose these two as they are no available at Audible.
A Winter Wedding at Willow Tree Hall
A Winter Wedding at Willow Tree Hall
Series: #3 of The Willow Tree Hall Series
Written by: Alison Sherlock
Narrated by: Penny Andrews

Duration: 9 hours 10 minutes


A Christmas Wish and a Cranberry Kiss at the Cosy Kettle
A Christmas Wish and a Cranberry Kiss at the Cosy Kettle
Series: #3 of The Cosy Kettle Series
Written by: Liz Eeles
Narrated by: Jessica Preddy

Duration: 8 hours 26 minutes


Free
12/7/2022 This was my December VIP pick at Audiobooks.com.
Wolf of Wessex
Wolf of Wessex
Written by: Matthew Harffy
Narrated by: Barnaby Edwards
Duration: 10 hours 43 minutes



12/9/2022 These are more titles from Audible Plus Catalog. Some for Christmas and some for other seasons.
Bright Winter Lights Audiobook By Liz Maverick cover art
Bright Winter Lights
By: Liz Maverick
Narrated by: Andrew Eiden, Emily Lawrence
Length: 3 hrs and 33 mins


Once Upon a Christmas Carol Audiobook By Karen Schaler cover art
Once Upon a Christmas Carol
By: Karen Schaler
Narrated by: Brittany Pressley, Ryan Paevey, full cast
Length: 2 hrs and 17 mins


The Kidnapped Christmas Bride
By: Jane Porter
Narrated by: Loretta Rawlins
Series: The Taming of the Sheenans, Book 3
Length: 4 hrs and 55 mins

Snow Day Audiobook By Julie Lipson cover art
Snow Day
By: Julie Lipson
Narrated by: Amanda Ronconi, Victor Bevine, Fred Berman, Elizabeth Jasicki, Eliza Foss, Kevin Pariseau, Angelo Di Loreto, Clara Francesca, Fulvio Della Volta
Length: 1 hr and 11 mins
A Springtime to Remember
By: Lucy Coleman
Narrated by: Lucy Scott
Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins


Summer of Secrets
Seasons of the Heart, Book 1
By: Charlotte Hubbard
Narrated by: Susan Boyce
Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins

Autumn Winds
Seasons of the Heart, Book 2
By: Charlotte Hubbard
Narrated by: Susan Boyce
Series: Seasons of the Heart (Hubbard), Book 2
Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins


KINDLE TITLES:
12/5/2022 Three Kindle titles:
Last Chance Ranch (Last Chance Ranch Romance Book 1)
Liz Isaacson
(I have further books in this series on my Audio TBR.)


The Day He Drove By: Sweet Contemporary Romance (Hawthorne Harbor Romance Book 1)
Elana Johnson

Murder at the Snowed Inn: A Cozy Winter Murder Mystery
(Claire Andersen Murder for All Seasons Cozy Mystery Series Book 1)
Imogen Plimp

(I love the dog on this cover- he is so cute!)


Three new title added to Kindle library. Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement Sunday December 11, 2022 - Glorious Joy!

Our Sunday School teacher shared on Revelation 21:9-22 which includes the description of the beautiful, beyond our imagination, New Jerusalem.

Sunday Service shared the Advent Shepherd's candle – the candle of Joy. A church mother who is an elementary school teacher (for many years) shared how she was raised not in wealth but with a spirit of Joy. She noted that Christians should rejoice in their lives in Christ and the continual joy will set us apart.

We then enjoyed a Children's Program of song and expression. Pastor shared a message in between the songs. Luke 2:8-10 tells us that the Glory of the Lord shone around the shepherds as the angels brought them good news that is cause for great joy!
Today we continue to exalt the miracle of Christ. Isaiah exclaimed that this is the Lord's doing – bringing joy, glee, singing, and worship. Isaiah 9:2-3.

Having joy is a choice. The good news brings great joy. We should assemble to worship. Psalm 102.
“ For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,” Romans 14:17.
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalm 51:12.
If a gift is offered to you, it doesn’t mean anything until you receive it.
Sometimes we lose our joy because we lose our focus. Like peace (last week’s message), joy is not based on our circumstances, but based on God's gift and presence within our lives.

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 ESV.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” Galatians 5:22.
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12.

Let God work in your life.
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,” 1 Peter 1:8.

When you have joy, you smile more, laugh more, complain less, and have more strength.
“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10.


This is one of the songs the children sang.
They had very quiet finger snapping but liked the shout out joy part!
Verses for Today:
Luke 2:8-10 NIV
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.



Lord, help me be thankful daily for the joy you give me!

Luke 2:8-20 | Good News of Great Joy | Matthew Dodd - YouTube
 
May be an image of text that says 'ruah YOUHAVE YOU HAVE Enlarged the nation AND increased THEIR JOY 9:3 ISAIAH JOY Y JOY JOY Y JOY JOY #pp ப KapoHoH +'

Saturday, December 10, 2022

Audible Book Review: Venus Plus X by Theodore Sturgeon

This was an interesting science fiction focused on a genderless society.
Venus Plus X
By: Theodore Sturgeon
Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki


Length: 6 hrs and 26 mins
Release date: 02-24-09
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.


Source: 12/2020 Audible Plus Catalog. Publisher's Summary
Charlie Johns has been snatched from his home and delivered to the future world of Ledom, where violence is a vague, improbable notion and technology has triumphed over hunger, overpopulation, pollution, and even time and space. But there is a change Charlie finds even more shocking: gender is a thing of the past. This is a civilization in which tensions between male and female and the human preoccupation with sex no longer exist.
Charlie finds that the human precepts he holds dear are profane in this new world. But has Charlie learned all there is to know about this advanced society? And why are the Ledom people so intent on gaining Charlie's approval?
Unsettling, compelling, and no less than visionary, Venus Plus X is Theodore Sturgeon's brilliant, original, and insightful speculation on gender and civilization.
©1988 The Theodore Sturgeon Literary Trust (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.


Review:
Charlie has woken up some place strange. He is continually reminding himself who he is. He soon learns he is in a futuristic world known as Ledom. Initially they won’t tell him where he is or if he has traveled through time.

This new world is different from the one Charlie remembers. Charlie wants to go home to Laura, but the leaders here ask him first to learn all about them. Technology has resulted in a civilization with no hunger, no overpopulation, no pollution, no violence, and more. One of the changes is in the people of the community.

The people are human like, but not quite. Gender no longer exists although pairings are present, and children are raised by a family unit as well as in a full community setting. Education is not as Charlie knows it but is done by technological input for each member of the society.

There are parts of the society that are beautiful. Charlie is awed at the use of music and the group relationship with music. If it weren’t for his longing for Laura, Charlie might be willing to stay in this utopian society. It seems right and possible until his guide takes him to the edge of the protected development and shows him the truth.

I enjoyed the world building of the setting. I always love the irony of true science fiction. The irony of this story is fitting today as much, if not more than, when published in 1960. The concept and discourse on the genderless nature of the people will make the reader/listener ponder the vision, implications, and reactions. The writing does include a lot of ‘lecturing’ by the characters rather than active showing. This made it a little less engaging. Still, I recommend this as a vintage, classic science fiction for serious readers of the genre.

Audio Notes: Stefan Rudnicki’s deep, direct narration fit the story. It just put me in the mood for the science fiction irony. Rudnicki provided distinct voices and captured the characters. The narration enhanced my listening experience for this work.

Source: 12/2020 Audible Plus Catalog This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet (V title) goals.

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