Audiofile Magazine named these some of their favorite sff audiobooks to come out this fall.
NAVOLA
- by Paolo Bacigalupi | Read by Marc Vietor (AudioFile Earphones Award)
- [Audible, Inc. | 20.5 hrs.]
Marc Vietor narrates a dark fantasy epic about a family of merchant bankers and the prince who is poised to take over the kingdom. Davico di Regulai, armed with an ancient dragon eye and his own wits, steps up to control a vast banking empire. He soon learns that kindness is a weakness that will get him killed. A slow build follows Davico from childhood to adulthood. As Vietor smoothly shifts from accented dialogue to intense narrative, he imbues Davico with earnestness, deep empathy, and a lack of ambition, despite his political position. Vietor maintains the dramatic irony as Davico heads blindly into complications the listener can see coming. Vietor’s narration illuminates an epic story of power and wealth in a dynamic world.
ALIEN CLAY
- by Adrian Tchaikovsky | Read by Ben Allen (AudioFile Earphones Award)
- [Hachette Audio | 14 hrs.]
Ben Allen performs a thought-provoking science fiction story about a political dissident who is trying to survive on an alien planet that serves as a tyrannical empire’s prison. Anton arrives on the planet nicknamed Kiln to discover humanity was not the first sentient lifeform to visit. Kiln’s ecosystem is chaotic, hungry, and hiding several enticing secrets. Allen makes the immersive and imaginative story one to get lost in.
THE STARS TOO FONDLY
- by Emily Hamilton | Read by Vico Ortiz (AudioFile Earphones Award)
- [Harper Audio | 11.5 hrs.]
Vico Ortiz narrates a raucous space adventure rom-com with infectious energy. It’s 2061, and Cleo and her three best friends—all scientists—sneak aboard to explore the neglected rocket PROVIDENCE I. The friends grew up fascinated with the story of its failed launch 20 years earlier. But when Cleo inadvertently starts the dark matter engine, they’re launched into a seven-year mission with only Billie, the prickly holographic computer, to guide them. This lively story of friendship and queer romance is full of interdimensional danger and is heaps of fun on audio.
SOMEWHERE BEYOND THE SEA: Cerulean Chronicles, Book 2
- by TJ Klune | Read by Daniel Henning (AudioFile Earphones Award)
- [Macmillan Audio | 15.75 hrs.]
Narrator Daniel Henning brings his signature versatility, emotional connection, and perfect comedic timing to the latest in the acclaimed Cerulean Chronicles series. The magical children cared for by Arthur and Linus on Marsyas Island are joined by a new child, the yeti David, who is voiced with a nasally growl. A new social worker is determined to find a reason that Arthur cannot safely care for his children, and he will need the help of his entire family, along with his community, to resist her.
JUMPNAUTS
- by Hao Jingfang, Ken Liu [Translator] | Read by Catherine Ho (AudioFile Earphones Award)
- [Simon & Schuster Audio | 15 hrs.]
Catherine Ho is an excellent storyteller for this first installment in the Folding Universe series. Set in 2080, this space thriller is steeped in Chinese philosophy. Archaeologist Yun Fan, military researcher Qi Fei, and astronomer Jiang Liu realize an alien race is returning to Earth. The trio join forces to meet the aliens in space before the organized governments of Earth can complicate matters. Ho creates complex personas for the three young people and conveys the tension in their relationships with each other and their families.
“AudioFile Magazine New Favorite SF and Fantasy Audiobooks” was curated by AudioFile. To subscribe to the AudioFile Magazine newsletter subscription click here.
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Alien Clay is very good. Not heard any of the others, but I’ll keep an eye on the library lists
I’m unfamiliar with these (well, I’ve heard of Klune’s series), and they all sound intriguing! 🙂 I’ll try the audio samples and read e-excerpts.
Not that I NEED more things to pile on Mount Tsundoku, mind you. 😉