When the crew aboard a newly designed spacecraft goes missing on its maiden voyage to the outer solar system, mechanically inclined June Reed is determined to find answers. Rebecca Lowman's thoughtful first-person narration threads June's indelible bond with her esteemed late uncle into her actions following his death. Lowman's even-keeled tone reflects June's pragmatic, driven personality. As she establishes herself, first at school and then professionally, June's continued assertions that the lost crew members are alive elicit both passionate and indifferent responses. Family, classmates, and colleagues, whom Lowman portrays in distinct voices, intrude upon and challenge June's singular focus. While a handful of charged scenes toward the end seem somewhat muted, overall Lowman delivers a solid performance that is attuned to the story's emotional arc.
Pub Date: March 2, 2021
Duration: 8 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593394281
Publisher: Random House Audio
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
Asimov's sweeping tale of the disintegration and fall of the Galactic Empire has never been more relevant or poignant. McKeever reads rapidly, but he also manages to identify individuals, if minimally, and the main characters are voiced consistently. His voice for the aging professor, in fact, is quite charming. Narrative passages are read competently with appropriate emotional expression. Technical and editorial problems plague the title. Intermittent fade-outs on one channel; inconsistencies when switching sides; and low, rumbling background noise mar the sound quality.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 13 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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