Recent Arrivals

SFFaudio Recent Arrivals

Melting Stones by Tamora PierceFull Cast Audio releases an audiobook original! Yup, Melting Stones isn’t available in any format other than this audiobook. In fact, the novel was created “with specific voices in mind”, and directed for audio by Pierce herself. The novel’s description from the website:

This time the focus is on Evvy, the young stone mage Briar and Rosethorn befriended in Street Magic. She’s accompanied Rosethorn to Starns Island, where Rosethorn is to investigate a plant die-off. What they find is vastly worse, and leads Evvy into a wild adventure that features some of Tammy’s most fantastic characters ever.

Dreamsongs Volume 1 by George R.R. MartinFrom Random House, we’ve got Dreamsongs, the first of three volumes of audio containing a whole bunch of George R.R. Martin’s short fiction, arranged in sections corresponding to periods of his career. Each section is introduced by Martin himself, in his own voice, and the stories are read by an all-star cast of narrators. Definitely a must-have. I’m not sure why the powers behind great audio like this won’t list a Table of Contents anywhere on the inside or the outside of the packaging. It must be the same reasoning that prevents them for including maps in epic fantasy audiobooks.

L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol. 23And here’s an Audible exclusive audiobook – L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future, Vol 23. These new writers must be thrilled to have an audiobook made of their work – and one of high quality to boot, judging from the list of narrators. The Writers of the Future is on it’s 23rd volume, and is still going strong. This audiobook is an unabridged reading of all the stories included in the print version. And Audible didn’t forget the Illustrators of the Future, either – after you purchase the audiobook, download the illustrations for the stories in PDF format. Bravo, Audible!

Posted by Scott D. Danielson

You say you want Brade Runna?

SFFaudio News

“A new life awaits you in the Off-World Colonies. The chance to begin again in a golden land of opportunity and adventure. Lets go to the Colonies!”

A line not from the book. But worthy to get you into the spirit of the thing nonetheless. Look for this title on audiobook shelves late next month!

Random House Audio - Blade Runner by Philip K. DickBlade Runner (Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?)
By Philip K. Dick; Read by Scott Brick
CDs – [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Random House Audio
Published: November 27, 2007
ISBN: 9780739342756
It was January 2021, and Rick Deckard had a license to kill. Somewhere among the hordes of humans out there, lurked several rogue androids. Deckard’s assignmet–find them and then…”retire” them. Trouble was, the androids all looked exactly like humans, and they didn’t want to be found!

Dick Dynamo Episode 3: bizzare fun

Online Audio

Dick DynamoDick Dynamo: The 5th Dimensional Man podcast is just about the wackiest show I’ve ever heard. I love it’s unpredictable plotting, hilarious dialogue and awesome production values. Episode two, which recently aired on the Sonic Society podcast, was knee-slappingly funny. Check out the all new Dick Dynamo website and the latest installment of Dick’s manly 5th dimensional adventures:

Dick Dynamo Episode 3

Dick’s podcast feed is here:

http://dickdynamo.libsyn.com/rss

|MP3| Episode 3: “The Unfortunate Heir”

Posted by Jesse Willis

William Gibson’s Burning Chrome to air on BBC7

Online Audio

BBC 7's The 7th DimensionBBC7‘s Yes it is a re-run, but what a re-run it is! The 7th Dimension slot has aired Burning Chrome at least a couple times previously. The first time was way back in 2003. I’ve heard this Gibson story more than once now, and it is a terrific listen. First published in Omni magazine back in 1982 it tells the story of professional hackers trying to pull off a big heist. One line from this story — “…the street finds its own uses for things” — has become a widely-quoted aphorism.

BBC7 The 7th Dimension - Burning Chrome by William GibsonBurning Chrome
By William Gibson; Read by Adam Sims
2 Parts – [UNABRIDGED]
BROADCASTER: BBC 7 / The 7th Dimension
BROADCAST: Oct. 18th & 19th (Thursday and Friday) @ 6.30pm and 12.30am (UK Time)
Set in the world of cyberspace and computer hacking. Bobby Quine and Automatic Jack are trying to figure out a way of pulling off the one big score that will make them rich. But industrial espionage is a dangerous business, especially when they decide to rip off Chrome, the most ruthless figure in the local mob subsidiary.

Beam Me Up podcasts a Jack Mangan tale

SFFaudio Online Audio

Podcast - Beam Me UpFirst published in Interzone #202, The Unsolvable Death Trap was nominated for a British Fantasy Award. It is an existential action story with an SF environment and a musical bent. Written by the persiflagerate variety show host, Jack Mangan, who is also responsible for the popular Spherical Tomi podiobook, it is narrated by Beam Me Up‘s own Paul Cole.


The Unsolvable Death Trap by Jack ManganThe Unsolvable Death Trap
By Jack Mangan; Read by Paul Cole
|MP3| – [UNABRIDGED]*
Podcaster: Beam Me Up
Podcast: October 6th 2007

*One minor irritation, as this was originally broadcast on American radio there is a bleep-out over some execrative dialogue. Stupid FCC.

Review of A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

SFFaudio Review

A Clockwork Orange
By Anthony Burgess; Read by Tom Hollander
7 CDs – 8 hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Caedmon /Harper Audio
Published: 2007
ISBN: 9780061170621
Themes: / Science Fiction / Dystopia / Youth Violence / Mind Control /

Anthony Burgess’ classic novel A Clockwork Orange is likely familiar to most science fiction fans through Stanley Kubrick’s film version. But the book is itself arguably the best post-Orwell dystopia novel. This new audiobook version, the first unabridged commercial release, captures every enthralling and disturbing word.

Set in a not too distant future the story centers around an anti-hero Alex, a fifteen year old juvenile delinquent, and his rather violent life. Alex and his three droogs (friends) are a small gang, one of many that preys upon this future society. These youth gangs are a very well developed subculture with their own slang called “Nadsat.” Alex enjoys his life of cruelty and commits several horrendous crimes early in the story (this is not for the squeamish). Eventually Alex becomes the subject of a government mind-control experiment which raises many questions about the value of free will.

Although the story fails to predict technological advances (word processors, CDs, etc) other parts, such as the “Ludovico Technique” seem even more plausible now. It is a fascinating world due in part to the wonderfully imagined Nadsat. Here the audiobook really impresses. Tom Hollander’s thoroughly professional reading of the story brings out the richness of the language and the setting. His performance helps make this one of the best single narrator audiobooks that I have ever heard!

It is an amazing story that both fascinates and repels. One of the best novels of the twentieth century has been given a worthy audiobook translation. It is not quite perfect for those new to the story, however. Anyone who has not read the full version, including the controversial twenty-first chapter, is advised to skip the first two tracks of the audiobook until after they have finished the story. These tracks are the spoiler filled introduction. I am very ambivalent about the inclusion of the twenty-first chapter. I feel the same about this chapter as most Alien/Aliens fans feel about Alien 3, but the inclusion does allow listeners to make up their own minds. Overall this is an A+ production of a great story. And I’m proud to have proved that it is possible to review A Clockwork Orange without overusing Nadsat to prove one’s coolness, O my little brothers.

Posted by Dave Tackett