Scalzi’s metafictional science fiction novel gains one more level of self-reflection by using actor Wil Wheaton as its narrator. As a secondary cast member on the TV show “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” Wheaton is perfect to narrate an audiobook about secondary members of a frontier spaceship who realize they’re part of some larger fictional narrative wherein they inevitably die whenever they go on missions with the ship’s leaders. However, beyond that, his narration is not particularly outstanding since he lacks much character range. Though some characters are distinguishable, few sound unique. His nuance and emphasis also need more development. Yet he does grow on the listener and manages an enjoyable listen for the full duration of the production.
Pub Date: June 11, 2013
Duration: 7 hrs, 27 mins
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Multiple award winner Card is one of the greatest practitioners of science fiction; here he delivers a history fantasy of the Wabash Valley circa 1800, a world of hexes and folk magic. This is the first book about Alvin Maker, the seventh son of a seventh son, who has remarkable psychic powers. Card is a very good narrator, expressive and well paced. One can hear the excitement of an author as he brings his own well described characters to life. There is one momentary technical glitch, the only slip up in an exemplary presentation. Highly recommended for fiction collections everywhere.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 7 hrs
Publisher: The Literate Ear
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Asimov's sweeping tale of the disintegration and fall of the Galactic Empire has never been more relevant or poignant. In the third book of the original trilogy, Dan Lazar handles the material adequately. He uses his limited range of voices nicely, if sometimes amusingly--he sometimes sounds like a foreigner attempting to mimic American accents. Varying pitch and pacing make for a lively narration, and his reading of a precocious young woman, who is ultimately an important figure, is delightful. Technical and editorial problems plague the title. Hearing Lazar repeatedly mispronounce a word that the text itself explains how to pronounce is very frustrating. Intermittent fade-outs on one channel; inconsistencies when switching sides; and low, rumbling background noise mar the sound quality.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 8 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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