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Axiom's End cover art

Axiom's End

Written by: Lindsay Ellis
Narrated by: Abigail Thorn, Stephanie Willis
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Publisher's Summary

The instant New York Times best seller

The alternate-history first-contact adventure Axiom's End is an extraordinary debut from Hugo finalist and video essayist Lindsay Ellis. Truth is a human right.

It's fall 2007. A well-timed leak has revealed that the US government might have engaged in first contact. Cora Sabino is doing everything she can to avoid the whole mess, since the force driving the controversy is her whistleblower father. Even though Cora hasn't spoken to him in years, his celebrity has caught the attention of the press, the internet, the paparazzi, and the government - and with him in hiding, that attention is on her. She neither knows nor cares whether her father's leaks are a hoax and wants nothing to do with him - until she learns just how deeply entrenched her family is in the cover-up and that an extraterrestrial presence has been on Earth for decades.

Realizing the extent to which both she and the public have been lied to, she sets out to gather as much information as she can and finds that the best way for her to uncover the truth is not as a whistleblower, but as an intermediary. The alien presence has been completely uncommunicative until she convinces one of them that she can act as their interpreter, becoming the first and only human vessel of communication. Their otherworldly connection will change everything she thought she knew about being human - and could unleash a force more sinister than she ever imagined.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press 

"Axiom’s End is one of the most unique science fiction novels in years. It’s a heartfelt story of alien first contact, but, luckily, unlike so many 'big idea' sci-fi books, it’s utterly unpretentious." (SYFY.com)

©2020 Lindsay Ellis (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

What listeners say about Axiom's End

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    3 out of 5 stars

Pulpy and silly, but worth your time.

I am a big fan of Ellis's other works, and I went into this with no expectations...and, well. I sorta wish someone had prepared me for what I was getting into. It's a Saturday Morning Cartoon version of ARRIVAL, or ALIEN meets a magical girl anime. It's fun, but deep sci-fi it ain't.

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2 people found this helpful

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Couldn't stop listening

I loved this book. I finished The Carls Series by Hank Green recently and enjoyed it immensely, so I was a little worried about reading another first contact book so little apart because I didn't want to draw comparisons. I eventually did, though. but they were different enough that it wasn't the first thing to come to mind. I liked how the characters were written, even at their least likable points. I was invested in their destiny. Even with characters that we didn't spend a lot of time with (genome) or characters we weren't supposed to like. I saw a lot of the twists and reveals coming but I was still a little surprised by a few. Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience for me and I am looking forward for part 2.

Note: I admit I bought this book because I like Lindsay's content and expected her book to be good, but I have to say it's not why I liked the book. If anything, it set my expectations higher. I did hear some of the lines in her voice, especially the really sarcastic ones, which I enjoyed as a little inside joke of sorts. I almost felt like maybe she should've voiced the whole thing herself but I do get why she didn't.

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Couldn’t put it down

So happy I spotted the unique looking cover and gave the synopsis a read. I downloaded it the next day and CONSUMED this book is a matter of three days, having to pace myself so I didn’t rip through it in one go.
What an incredible first contact telling. I almost don’t want to write a review so I can just get onto the next one. Narrator did great. Managed to put fear and terror into her voice without sounding over the top but believable. Check it out! You won’t be disappointed.

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Highly entertaining

Ellis has written a simply wonderful story that will keep you glued to what comes next. The production is excellent and I can’t recommend this enough.

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Thrilling!

Lots of suspense and some really fun in-jokes if you are a fan of Lindsay Ellis' videos.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good but didn't get me invested

let me first state that I did enjoy the book, right to the end. it lags a little at a couple points but is consistently enjoyable and the narrator was wonderful to listen to. Sadly, I never felt invested until a couple of last chapter reveals that, had they been dropped earlier in the book, could have gone a long way to helping.

Totally worth the read, though. get on it.

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Slow start, well worth the wait!

I found the first few chapters really lagged and I left the book for awhile... but I’m here to say it’s well worth hanging in there! The story itself has great moments of action and suspense, combined with a genuinely fascinating plot. This the alien contact and tech is handled really well, with a fully realized world and culture. The central character at times seemed a bit too much like Bella from twilight but the relationship she has is far from it, keeping you guessing and invested til the last sentence.

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  • Overall
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An excellent story,

Lindsay has crafted an excellent story with one of the most thoughtfully constructed alien species I have seen in a long time. Coupled with a solid narration this is well worth it. I am really looking forward to the sequel coming this fall. Pre-order placed.

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Wonderful story

This book started off a bit slow, but then omg was it a fun ride once it took off. I love this story so much and I hope there’ll be more books in the future.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good SciFy from a new author.

Lindsay has crafted a very interesting sci-fi story containing believable human characters and very alien ETs.
I hope she continues to hone her craft of story telling.
My major complaint: The voice actor did a poor job at making the characters feel/sound different enough for it to not be confusing at times. Also, I don't recall too many happy moments, tones, or inflections. Looking back, this gives the overall emotional outlook a negative one.
Lindsay, please allow your characters time for happiness, triumph, jubilation etc in your next book. I spent many hours just feeling pitty for your characters. You have that skill mastered. keep up the good work.

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