Too many science fiction books/stories are either based solely in space, far from our earth, thousands of years from now or in galaxy similar but not having any basis in our existence. I am a science fiction believer – but not of the type above. SciFi ought to have its roots on earth and or with human influence or involvement in order for people to connect and enjoy the story. If not then it’s science fantasy, not fiction, for those that do not want to have a connection to our reality – they want to be far from it, and that’s fine, but that’s not science fiction. That is Fantasy, more recently VR is now making the same distinction. Do the masses want to escape it all and go to Mos Eisley Cantina or maybe use the veracity of our reality but make it better, broader and expansive – this is What the The Signal is…. Our present, with potential alien influence using, AI and VR but rooted in the human struggle or existence. It is a unique story that once it starts unraveling …we’ll, it was a lightbulb moment for me. I look forward to more of the story….
Thron is a good solid narrator and I hate critiquing performers as it’s so subjective rather than a book itself – it needs a more prolific performer. I say this because after 400+ audio books when I am picturing Phil Thron rather than the character that becomes a problem. We never want to see The great Oz, or even the director of a movie in the scene, it just doesn’t work. I had trouble knowing who was who, was that Bill or Steve or was it the sister?…
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying Scott Brick should do every book…it would be nice to here Wayne June; He seems to have disappeared. Porter or Bray yes, but also Berman,Hempel, Skelley, etc.