In a nineteenth-century England where steam power has been harnessed to drive two “engines” (actually, computers), paleontologist Edward Mallory is drawn into a mystery involving Ada Byron, the prime minister's daughter, who is the "Queen of Engines." Ada is revered by scientists because of her intelligence but scorned by others because of her gambling and liberal attitude towards sex. Mallory is drawn into an underworld that may ruin not only Ada’s reputation but also his own life. Simon Vance uses his talents to portray an entire cast of British characters—London dandies, stout Sussex-men, shy lower-class tarts, and stuffy, proper servants. His narration is rich and rolling, carrying listeners along sure-footedly through mystifying terminology, startlingly frank sex scenes, and tension-filled chases. Vance is a wonderful guide to a complex story set in a steampunk London.
Pub Date: Nov. 6, 2010
Duration: 14 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781441890771
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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