Scott Brick narrates a fantastical adventure that blends science fiction and cosmic horror. Cammie, an astrophysicist, is part of the first team sent to study the Nether anomaly. Researchers believe the anomaly might be a means to travel deeper into the universe, but there are signs that ancient beings have already explored it. Brick plays with rhythm and cadence to build tension wonderfully by stressing certain words or pausing for a beat before quietly emitting a whisper. The unsettling premise that humanity isn't alone builds amid Brick's narration as Anderson's eerie science fiction adventure brims with shocks and horrors. The well-rounded characters and plausible science seem even more realistic as Brick patiently lures listeners deeper and deeper into this cosmic story.
Pub Date: Oct. 29, 2024
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9798200688142
Publisher: Blackstone 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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