Listeners will become immersed in Mammay's space odyssey, thanks to expert narration by Natalie Naudus. Her vocal acuity gives each character a unique sound, and her acting brings the story to life. This stand-alone space opera with contemporary political sensibilities and intriguing scientific ideas features a diverse space crew. Having traveled 250 years and 27 light years from Earth, the crew must now explore and colonize their target planet, but the scientists are saying that may not be the best or safest move. The tension Naudus conveys will keep listeners on the edge of their seats.
Pub Date: Oct. 17, 2023
Duration: 16 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063253001
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Emotion check: Long live Murderbot.
Kevin R. Free drops listeners into the middle of a rescue mission aboard an enormous space station. In a defining performance, Free masterfully conveys Murderbot’s sardonic running commentary, deadpan and endearingly world-weary. Murderbot has installed a mental health module since its last adventure, so there are frequent “emotion checks.” The mission, of course, runs into several complications, and Murderbot finds itself with a growing party of humans to keep safe. As the sometimes perilous, sometimes zany rescue operation progresses, Free employs subtle accents to distinguish the human characters; Nanna Naja especially is a hoot. But it’s his Murderbot, who has grown and changed over eight installments, that will have listeners rapt.
Emotion check: Long live Murderbot.Pub Date: May 5, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781705041031
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: April 27, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2026
Zeller skillfully enhances this already riveting space odyssey.
There's a lot happening in this rollicking space opera. It's a good thing that narrator Emily Woo Zeller is around to serve as tour guide as the captain and crew of the starship Horizon find themselves stuck between a civil war and a rescue mission. After spending a decade caught in a gravity well, the Horizon has collected an eclectic cast of exotic passengers. But the talented Zeller is up to the challenge of imbuing each with a distinctive, engaging personality. This book reads like a sequel, with liberal use of flashbacks, but Zeller skillfully keeps the listener from getting lost during the journey. She turns what could have been a bumpy ride into smooth sailing.
Zeller skillfully enhances this already riveting space odyssey.Pub Date: April 21, 2026
Duration: 15 hrs, 38 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668163573
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: June 9, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
