Here are the New Releases for December!
AUDIO RENAISSANCE
The Dragon Reborn, Book Three of The Wheel of Time
By Robert Jordan, Read by Kate Reading and Michael Kramer
Unabridged
The Shadow Rising, Book Four of The Wheel of Time
By Robert Jordan, Read by Kate Reading and Michael Kramer
Unabridged
I’ve listened to Book 2 of this massive (and massively popular) epic fantasy. I enjoyed it, but not so much that I would be eager for all ten (currently) volumes. I do know that Kate Reading and Michael Kramer did a wonderful job with the material, and can be expected to do so again.
Jesse:
Absolutely, Michael Kramer is a truly excellent reader.
Crystal City, Book Six of Alvin Maker
By Orson Scott Card, Read by Stefan Rudnicki, M.E. Willis, and cast
Unabridged
Ender’s Game: Special 20th Anniversary Edition
By Orson Scott Card, Read by Stefan Rudnicki, Harlan Ellison, and cast
Unabridged
Ah, Orson Scott Card. Audio Renaissance is re-releasing some of Fantastic Audio’s old titles, and this version of Ender’s Game is one of the most heard in my collection. I read Crystal City in print and enjoyed it, so the place your bets that the audio is going to be good too, since it’s in the safe hands of Stefan Rudnicki and cast.
Jesse:
That 20th anniversary one may actually make me read an Orson Scott Card novel. I like his short stories but I somehow never read Ender’s Game back in the 1980s.
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BLACKSTONE AUDIO
Citizen of the Galaxy
By Robert A. Heinlein, Read by Lloyd James
Click here for a sample
Unabridged
Who is this Heinlein guy, anyway? :)
Jesse:
Blackstone has made my wish come true! Lloyd James is the definitive voice of Heinlein on Audio and Citizen of the Galaxy is one of Heinlein’s best juvenile novels (juvenile as in starring a teenager not juvenile as in peurile)and the story concept is so fresh and new as to be singularily unreproduced to this day. I remember enjoying the heck out of it when I read it in paperback I expect it will be as good if not better on audio. The original cover art on this one looks amazing too by the way. This will surely be among the best audiobooks released in 2005. Thanks so much Blackstone!
Magic Time: Angelfire
By Marc Scott Zicree and Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff, Read by a full cast
Click here for a sample
Unabridged
This is volume 2 of a new fantasy series that I don’t have a full grasp on yet. I just starting listening to this volume last night, and am hoping it makes sense without hearing volume one, which is also available from Blackstone Audio.
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BOOKS ON TAPE
Fahrenheit 451
By Ray Bradbury, Read by Scott Brick
Unabridged
Fahrenheit 451 read by Scott Brick? Gotta get my hands on a copy of that. Books on Tape is still going through come changes over there – their website says that they won’t be resuming comsumer sales until January 3rd, 2005. I checked Audible.com for this title and it wasn’t there.
Jesse:
I believe BOT has released this title previously with a different narrator but I copuld be wrong. I think this Scott Brick version probably become the definitive edition. I thought that Harper Audio’s version from a couple of years ago, with Ray Bradbury narrating would be it, but I was disappointed in Bradbury’s reading. He’s an excellent author, and 451 is his most enduring novel but his performance didnt
enhance it at all. Scott Brick may bring a freshness that Bradbury couldnt muster.
The Runes of the Earth
By Stephen R. Donaldson, Read by Scott Brick
Unabridged
The return of Thomas Covenant! I have not read any of Stephen Donaldson’s books, so I can’t say anything there, but Scott Brick is a top narrator.
Jesse:
Nice title! Donaldson is almost as merciless with his tortured characters as is George R.R. Martin but I wish they’d release the original novel in the series first. I hate starting in the middle.
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CRAZY DOG AUDIO THEATRE
Diabolic Playhouse
By Roger Gregg, Performed by a full cast
Audio Drama
Roger Gregg and all the lunatics at Crazy Dog Audio Theatre have released a very nice looking MP3-CD containing all 6 episodes of their Diabolic Playhouse drama series, which broadcast on Ireland’s RTE Radio 1 earlier this year. The product is available at their site (based in Ireland) or at the ZBS website if you’re in the USA.
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HARPER AUDIO
The Wee Free Men
By Terry Pratchett, Read by Stephen Briggs
Unabridged
Another Discworld novel from Terry Pratchett!
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PAPERBACK DIGITAL
Reflex
By Steven Gould, Read by Christine Marshall and William Dufris
Unabridged
Nightmares on Congress Street – Part 4
By Rocky Coast Radio Theatre
Audio drama
Paperback Digital cruises along, with two more new releases. Their products are available for download on their own site or on Fictionwise. Hardcopies are available at Amazon.com or at Paperback Digital itself.
Jesse:
I’ve never heard of Gould nor his novel but with the Marshall and Dufris team working together it might be worth a blind buy.
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RECORDED BOOKS
State of Fear
By Michael Crichton, Read by George Wilson
Unabridged
Michael Crichton has stirring up some scientific controversy with this one. If I understand correctly, the environmentalists in this one are the bad guys.
Jesse:
I’ve liked Crichton’s early work, but have been tuning out since Jurassic Park.
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Happy Holidays, everyone! And thanks for reading SFFAudio.
