Jennifer Hale's narration of this sci-fi novel is exemplary work. Her variety of voices and characterizations, as well as her grasp of the intense drama, is stunning. And just when you think she can't get better, she sings in character, and it transforms her entire performance into art. Hale is known best for her work in video game franchises such as Carmen Sandiego, Metroid Prime, Halo, and Baldur's Gate, as well as her prolific work in animation. This addition to her repertoire brings her talent to new audiences. The combination of Paolini's gripping drama and Hale's voice acting should not be missed. Since this is the second in the series, the listener may wish to catch the first: TO SLEEP IN A SEA OF STARS.
Pub Date: May 16, 2023
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781250870995
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Careful listening will be rewarded when all questions are eventually answered.
Narrator Tim Treloar does an excellent job juggling a variety of accents, including Russian, in this somewhat dizzying story about murder onboard a starship. The main character is a dogged Russian private investigator named Yuri Gagarin (yes, the first Soviet cosmonaut) in some distant future who is tasked with solving murders in space and discovering the connections to Earth. The story takes place in the author's "Revelation Space universe," which is crucial to understanding what's going on. In spite of Treloar’s skills, listeners initially may be confused about when, where, and why it's happening.
Careful listening will be rewarded when all questions are eventually answered.Pub Date: Jan. 27, 2026
Duration: 12 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668657980
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: March 3, 2026
Kay’s emotional delivery provides essential characterization in this too-short novella.
This space-opera novella, narrated by Cindy Kay, finds four members of rival navigator clans working together to capture a deadly Tangler, the first ever creature of its kind to have escaped. The politics surrounding the mission, along with its expendable crew of navigators, may be the most dangerous part of all. Kay uses consistent pacing and pronounces names and honorifics with ease. She easily differentiates character voices and adds a layer of intrigue, keeping listeners hooked into a world woefully low on descriptive detail. As two characters slowly come to realize they have feelings for each other despite their clan differences, Kay imbues scenes of Sapphic romance with warmth.
Kay’s emotional delivery provides essential characterization in this too-short novella.Pub Date: Jan. 6, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798765056325
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2026
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