Probably Not the Best Introduction to Tchaikovsky

There are some interesting premises and decent writing here, but the narrative arc is rather anemic and spending the bulk of the book with the sci-fi sigma incel community (regardless of them being the 'baddies') was just unpleasant, as is the fridge-tastic trope of the threat of abuse being aimed at a femme the protagonist has an emotional connection with being the catalyst for change.

I think this is ultimately a case of not the best book and not necessarily being my cup of tea, despite being so on paper, so your mileage may vary. There are definitely seeds of something intriguing here in the relationship and understanding of technology and software that reminds me a little of Horizon Zero Dawn. As an opener to a series though, this hasn't been enough for me to continue. I am still interested in checking out more of Tchaikovsky's work.

The curse of checking out respected authors through the Audible Included library strikes again!

Narration is decent.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Interesting approach to a dystopian alien world adventure

I enjoyed the premise of the book, the world building is interesting and it presents a pragmatic illustration of humanity that serves as an interesting meditation on our approach to our own natural world, and the tension between that and progress. This story stands well on its own but also could be a good fountation to further stories. It even potentially ties in with some of the authors other works, though I appreciate it being being given its own space without being needlessly/prematurely tied in.

The performance sadly really bothers me, I have come accross this narration style in a few places recently. Every sentance ending in a sweep downward which has this sea-saw repetititveness that can be really grating if you are sensitive to patterns in audio. This seems to have been a choice made for the main character, as the other voices do not have the same lilt. As such I would more suggest it is a production/direction issue than a voice actor performance issue.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 minutes in and struggling with poor narration.

I love Adrian's books but the intonation of the reader's voice is really grating on me so far. trying to persist and hoping I get used to it.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Simply incredible. Tchaikovsky is almost unmatched in world building.

Adore the rich yet ambiguous world building. Just like Cage of Souls, he has eluded to a much bigger universe behind the scenes but creates a gorgeous rich story inside the ambiguity. His character building is amazing. I think I will go through every single one of his books because…. WOW!

Recommended thoroughly if you love uncovering mysteries, sci-fi and unusual dystopian worlds.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Decent story TERRIBLE narration

I've listened to lots of AT's work now and I really enjoy the author's style and humour. This story could have been another enjoyable experience but it was utterly wrecked for me by the extremely stilted narration, to the point where I struggled to complete it and I will not get the next one as an audio book.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Good story, painfully stilted narration

The story itself is interesting and has once again Adrian’s trademark insect themes and big questions about what humanity’s future in space could look like and how unintended consequences can shape an entire world. So that’s that bit. The NARRATION, it’s so stilted and torturous to listen to that his style of reading could be used as a form of torture. Yet, bafflingly, the dialogue was ok! All in all, I couldn’t wait to finish this and wish I’d got it as an ebook instead.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

A great story

Not too long and doesn't outstay it's welcome. It is a tale which has a lot in common with other stories by the author. Incorporating many base ideas for some of AT's longer novels and series. well worth a look.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Good story poorly narrated

Narrated by Shaun Grindell.
Handry is severed from his village and his twin sister by an unfortunate incident and forced to wander from village to village as a starving outcast, suddenly unable to stomach most of his world’s regular food. Eventually he stumbles across a village willing to offer food in return for work, and there he meets another outcast, but one who seems to know what’s going on. The world is not what it seems. Their origins are far stranger, almost unbelievable, except there is proof. Things come to head when Hendry’s sister follows him. The story is interesting, though it’s a bit of a slow starter, revelations not coming until well into the book. When they do come, it all makes sense. However, what makes it difficult to like is the narrator, Shaun Grindell. Sorry to say I found his reading lifeless to the extent that, had it not been a short book, I might have given up, or at least found a written version instead of an audio one.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

interesting story and idea

The story was original and had very reasonable pace. Events and conversations were all necessary for the story and kept me engaged.
I'm afraid I didn't like the narration.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Odd performance makes it a struggle

The story was great, just my sort of thing, full of clever inventiveness and considerations of humanity. Unfortunately, the narrator has this one vocal pattern, a sort of musicality to his speech that makes every sentence come out the same (excepting dialogue). And it's an annoying one! The closest I can think of is the way a news reader infects sentences which are meant to be much more bitesize than the paragraphs and pages of a book. It drove me mad for the first half of the performance, though by the end I had managed to get past it. Have a listen to the clip before buying, you'll see what I mean. (or maybe it won't trouble you!) The story is worth the listen though, if you can press on!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

8 people found this helpful