Listen free for 30 days
-
Earthside
- Quantum Earth, Book 2
- Narrated by: Ray Porter
- Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $37.53
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Buy it with
-
Outland
- Quantum Earth, Book 1
- Written by: Dennis E. Taylor
- Narrated by: Ray Porter
- Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When an experiment to study quantum uncertainty goes spectacularly wrong, physics student Bill Rustad and his friends find that they have accidentally created an inter-dimensional portal. They connect to Outland - an alternate Earth with identical geology, but where humans never evolved. The group races to establish control of the portal before the government, the military, or evildoers can take it away. Then everything changes when the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts in an explosion large enough to destroy civilization and kill half the planet.
-
-
Excellent!
- By Maggie Reid on 2019-05-28
Written by: Dennis E. Taylor
-
Roadkill
- Written by: Dennis E. Taylor
- Narrated by: Ray Porter
- Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jack Kernigan is having a bad day...a bad year...a bad life. After being booted out of MIT, he’s back in his Ohio hometown, working for the family business, facing a life of mediocrity. Then one day, out on a delivery, his truck hits...something. Something big...something furry...something invisible. And, it turns out, something not of this Earth. Fate can play funny tricks. Which is why Jack suddenly finds himself the planet’s best hope to unravel a conspiracy of galactic proportions that could spell the end of the human race.
-
-
Entertaining, but Dennis E Taylor formulaic
- By H. Scott Elliott on 2022-08-06
Written by: Dennis E. Taylor
-
The Singularity Trap
- Written by: Dennis E. Taylor
- Narrated by: Ray Porter
- Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dennis E. Taylor, author of the best-selling Bobiverse trilogy, explores a whole different, darker world in this sci-fi stand-alone. Determined to give his wife and children a better life back home, Ivan Pritchard ventures to the edge of known space to join the crew of the Mad Astra as an asteroid miner. He's prepared for hard work and loneliness—but not the unthinkable. After coming into contact with a mysterious alien substance, Pritchard finds an unwelcome entity sharing his mind, and a disturbing physical transformation taking place.
-
-
Ray Porter is quickly becoming a favourite.
- By Schills on 2018-06-20
Written by: Dennis E. Taylor
-
From Beyond
- From Beyond, Book 1
- Written by: Jasper T. Scott, Nathan Hystad
- Narrated by: Ray Porter
- Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Commander David Bryce is scheduled to lead a routine re-supply run for the Orbital Development Group (ORB) to the fledgling colony on Mars. Without warning, he’s taken away by government agents and told the mission parameters have changed. They’ve discovered something. And it’s drifting closer to Earth. Atlas Donovan tirelessly hunts for an artifact, and tracks the piece to Lake Como, Italy. After the recent news from ORB, Atlas is more drawn to the trail than ever.
-
-
Great performance, ok story
- By Leif on 2023-02-14
Written by: Jasper T. Scott, and others
-
Columbus Day
- Expeditionary Force, Book 1
- Written by: Craig Alanson
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 16 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
We were fighting on the wrong side of a war we couldn't win. And that was the good news. The Ruhar hit us on Columbus Day. There we were, innocently drifting along the cosmos on our little blue marble, like the native Americans in 1492. Over the horizon come ships of a technologically advanced, aggressive culture, and BAM! There go the good old days, when humans only got killed by each other. So, Columbus Day. It fits. When the morning sky twinkled again, this time with Kristang starships jumping in to hammer the Ruhar, we thought we were saved.
-
-
Easily one of the better books I've read..
- By jesse cornelious on 2018-10-31
Written by: Craig Alanson
-
Forgotten Ruin
- An Epic Military Fantasy Thriller
- Written by: Jason Anspach, Nick Cole
- Narrated by: Christopher Ryan Grant
- Length: 18 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Orcs. Trolls. Wraith riders. Dark wizards. Together, they form an unstoppable force. Or so they thought. Dark Army...meet the US Army Rangers. When a Joint Task Force of elite Rangers are transported to a strange and fantastic future where science and evolution have incarnated the evils of myth and legend, they find themselves surrounded, pinned down, and in a desperate fight for their very survival - against nightmares of flesh and blood made real. Which means only one thing. It’s time to Ranger up and stack bodies.
-
-
A good listen, but...
- By Anonymous User on 2021-08-28
Written by: Jason Anspach, and others
-
Outland
- Quantum Earth, Book 1
- Written by: Dennis E. Taylor
- Narrated by: Ray Porter
- Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When an experiment to study quantum uncertainty goes spectacularly wrong, physics student Bill Rustad and his friends find that they have accidentally created an inter-dimensional portal. They connect to Outland - an alternate Earth with identical geology, but where humans never evolved. The group races to establish control of the portal before the government, the military, or evildoers can take it away. Then everything changes when the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts in an explosion large enough to destroy civilization and kill half the planet.
-
-
Excellent!
- By Maggie Reid on 2019-05-28
Written by: Dennis E. Taylor
-
Roadkill
- Written by: Dennis E. Taylor
- Narrated by: Ray Porter
- Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jack Kernigan is having a bad day...a bad year...a bad life. After being booted out of MIT, he’s back in his Ohio hometown, working for the family business, facing a life of mediocrity. Then one day, out on a delivery, his truck hits...something. Something big...something furry...something invisible. And, it turns out, something not of this Earth. Fate can play funny tricks. Which is why Jack suddenly finds himself the planet’s best hope to unravel a conspiracy of galactic proportions that could spell the end of the human race.
-
-
Entertaining, but Dennis E Taylor formulaic
- By H. Scott Elliott on 2022-08-06
Written by: Dennis E. Taylor
-
The Singularity Trap
- Written by: Dennis E. Taylor
- Narrated by: Ray Porter
- Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dennis E. Taylor, author of the best-selling Bobiverse trilogy, explores a whole different, darker world in this sci-fi stand-alone. Determined to give his wife and children a better life back home, Ivan Pritchard ventures to the edge of known space to join the crew of the Mad Astra as an asteroid miner. He's prepared for hard work and loneliness—but not the unthinkable. After coming into contact with a mysterious alien substance, Pritchard finds an unwelcome entity sharing his mind, and a disturbing physical transformation taking place.
-
-
Ray Porter is quickly becoming a favourite.
- By Schills on 2018-06-20
Written by: Dennis E. Taylor
-
From Beyond
- From Beyond, Book 1
- Written by: Jasper T. Scott, Nathan Hystad
- Narrated by: Ray Porter
- Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Commander David Bryce is scheduled to lead a routine re-supply run for the Orbital Development Group (ORB) to the fledgling colony on Mars. Without warning, he’s taken away by government agents and told the mission parameters have changed. They’ve discovered something. And it’s drifting closer to Earth. Atlas Donovan tirelessly hunts for an artifact, and tracks the piece to Lake Como, Italy. After the recent news from ORB, Atlas is more drawn to the trail than ever.
-
-
Great performance, ok story
- By Leif on 2023-02-14
Written by: Jasper T. Scott, and others
-
Columbus Day
- Expeditionary Force, Book 1
- Written by: Craig Alanson
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 16 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
We were fighting on the wrong side of a war we couldn't win. And that was the good news. The Ruhar hit us on Columbus Day. There we were, innocently drifting along the cosmos on our little blue marble, like the native Americans in 1492. Over the horizon come ships of a technologically advanced, aggressive culture, and BAM! There go the good old days, when humans only got killed by each other. So, Columbus Day. It fits. When the morning sky twinkled again, this time with Kristang starships jumping in to hammer the Ruhar, we thought we were saved.
-
-
Easily one of the better books I've read..
- By jesse cornelious on 2018-10-31
Written by: Craig Alanson
-
Forgotten Ruin
- An Epic Military Fantasy Thriller
- Written by: Jason Anspach, Nick Cole
- Narrated by: Christopher Ryan Grant
- Length: 18 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Orcs. Trolls. Wraith riders. Dark wizards. Together, they form an unstoppable force. Or so they thought. Dark Army...meet the US Army Rangers. When a Joint Task Force of elite Rangers are transported to a strange and fantastic future where science and evolution have incarnated the evils of myth and legend, they find themselves surrounded, pinned down, and in a desperate fight for their very survival - against nightmares of flesh and blood made real. Which means only one thing. It’s time to Ranger up and stack bodies.
-
-
A good listen, but...
- By Anonymous User on 2021-08-28
Written by: Jason Anspach, and others
-
The Other Place
- The Glass, Book 1
- Written by: Nathan Hystad
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 12 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Drake, a retired police detective, receives a call in the dead of night from an alien-obsessed podcaster. He hastily departs for Montana the following morning. The phenomenon continues all over the globe. What are they? What do they mean? Britt is on assignment for a digital magazine when she encounters one of the Glass in a tragic boating accident, leaving her no choice but to follow the lead. Panic ensues as mysterious creatures are sighted.
-
-
Amazing story telling
- By mike ertl on 2022-09-20
Written by: Nathan Hystad
-
Quantum Radio
- Written by: A.G. Riddle
- Narrated by: Ray Porter
- Length: 14 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dr. Tyson Klein is a quantum physicist who has dedicated his entire life to his research. At CERN, he analyses data generated by the Large Hadron Collider, the world's biggest and most powerful particle accelerator. Now, Ty believes he's found a pattern in its output. It looks like an organised data stream, being broadcast over what he calls a quantum radio. Could it be a signal from another universe? A message sent from the future? Or something else entirely?
-
-
Steven Hawking as a Historian. The best!
- By SoulFood Wanderer on 2023-03-23
Written by: A.G. Riddle
-
Dragonslayer
- Convergence, Book 2
- Written by: Craig Alanson
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 16 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The enemy unknowingly opened a portal to the Netherworld, and our world’s only wizard somehow managed to close it. Unfortunately, something got through. Something big. A dragon. Now Kaz Wolfe, with help from his dog Duke who is channeling the spirit of a wizard from ancient Babylon, and with no help from Azib the Cowardly Genie, must find the dragon before someone gets a cellphone video of the thing, and the world learns that magic is real. Or, you know, before the dragon eats someone.
Written by: Craig Alanson
-
We Are Legion (We Are Bob)
- Bobiverse, Book 1
- Written by: Dennis E. Taylor
- Narrated by: Ray Porter
- Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
There's a reason We Are Legion was named Audible's Best Science Fiction Book of 2016: Its irresistibly irreverent wit! Bob Johansson has just sold his software company for a small fortune and is looking forward to a life of leisure. The first item on his to-do list: Spending his newfound windfall. On an urge to splurge, he signs up to have his head cryogenically preserved in case of death. Then he gets himself killed crossing the street. Waking up 117 years later, Bob discovers his mind has been uploaded into a sentient space probe with the ability to replicate itself.
-
-
Didn't think I'd like it, but I loved it
- By Eli on 2018-01-11
Written by: Dennis E. Taylor
-
Wayward Galaxy
- Written by: Jason Anspach, J. N. Chaney
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 12 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A company of Army Rangers is sent on an interstellar colony ship to secure a foothold on a dangerous, alien planet through violence of action. Leaving behind a warring Earth flung headfirst into a conflict of mutual assured destruction, the Rangers and the accompanying crew of first colonists are guided on a 40-year journey by an unprecedented artificial intelligence. But when they emerge from the frigid embrace of cryosleep, they awake to a nightmare, finding themselves greeted by the same ruthless enemy that brought about the ruin of Earth.
-
-
strong start!!
- By Blake on 2020-10-20
Written by: Jason Anspach, and others
-
Infinite
- Written by: Jeremy Robinson
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Galahad, a faster-than-light spacecraft, carries 50 scientists and engineers on a mission to prepare Kepler 452b, Earth's nearest habitable neighbor at 1400 light years away. With Earth no longer habitable and the Mars colony slowly failing, they are humanity's best hope. After 10 years in a failed cryogenic bed - body asleep, mind awake - William Chanokh's torture comes to an end as the fog clears, the hatch opens, and his friend and fellow hacker, Tom, greets him...by stabbing a screwdriver into his heart. This is the first time William dies.
-
-
Excellent Excellent Excellent
- By daniel on 2018-05-14
Written by: Jeremy Robinson
-
Convergence
- Convergence, Book 1
- Written by: Craig Alanson
- Narrated by: R.C. Bray
- Length: 16 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
My name is Kazimir Wolfe. People call me "Kaz", except they don’t. I never use my real name; it’s too dangerous, for me and for anyone I meet. I’m on the run from the law, who think I killed my aunt, and from whoever did kill her, because they want to finish the job. So, I move around a lot, working construction or whatever job I can find. It’s a lonely life. I don’t let anyone get close...people who get close to me end up dead. Why? I’m a wizard. The world’s only wizard, as far as I know.
-
-
I wanted to like this book.
- By Anonymous User on 2022-09-24
Written by: Craig Alanson
-
Alexander X
- Battle for Forever, Book 1
- Written by: Edward Savio
- Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
- Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Alexander Grant is a little too good at a few too many things. Two dozen martial arts. Twice that many languages. Chess, the piano, sports, forging excused absences, you name it. He graduated high school top of his class 17 times. Of course, no one knows any of this. Not that he wants to go unnoticed. It’s just safer that way.
-
-
Wil Wheaton
- By Meredith on 2020-10-11
Written by: Edward Savio
-
Mickey7
- A Novel
- Written by: Edward Ashton
- Narrated by: John Pirhalla, Katharine Chin
- Length: 9 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Mickey7 is an Expendable: a disposable employee on a human expedition sent to colonize the ice world Niflheim. Whenever there’s a mission that’s too dangerous—even suicidal—the crew turns to Mickey. After one iteration dies, a new body is regenerated with most of his memories intact. After six deaths, Mickey7 understands the terms of his deal…and why it was the only colonial position unfilled when he took it.
-
-
An easy listen, and very well written
- By Jpow on 2023-03-04
Written by: Edward Ashton
-
Lost in Time
- Written by: A.G. Riddle
- Narrated by: John Skelley
- Length: 11 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dr. Sam Anderson is one of the most celebrated scientists in history. Ten years ago, he invented a device that changed the world forever. Now his life is about to be ripped apart—and his own creation may be to blame. One fateful morning, Sam discovers that his girlfriend has been murdered and that his daughter is accused of the crime. Sam believes she's innocent, but he can't prove it. There's only one thing he can do to save his daughter: confess to the crime. And so he does. But in the future, murderers aren't sent to prison. They're sent to the past.
-
-
Excellent book
- By Linda on 2022-10-25
Written by: A.G. Riddle
-
Intra Mundum: Reforged
- A LitRPG Adventure (The Tower Series, Book 2)
- Written by: Seth Ring
- Length: 16 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Cursed and dying, Thorn has landed at a crossroad. He can either give up and die, or walk a path he never wanted to touch. Reluctantly accepting that his only chance at life rests in corrupt magic, Thorn soon finds himself exploring a world of ancient mysteries, all while trying to hide his tracks from those who want to hunt him down. Pursued by bounty hunters intent on dragging him back in chains, Thorn soon discovers the plot is deeper than he thought. Even the Tardoff clan, one of the powerful challenger families, is intent on capturing him and extracting his knowledge of ancient runes.
Written by: Seth Ring
-
The Two Week Curse: A LitRPG Fantasy Series
- The Ten Realms, Book 1
- Written by: Michael Chatfield
- Narrated by: Neil Hellegers
- Length: 17 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Erik West is an ex-combat medic. He and his best friend, marine recon sniper Jimmy "Rugrat" Rodriguez, have been thrown into another world. They've become one of the "cursed". Now they have to figure out this fantasy world, where cultivation, skills, and abilities must be grown...or death awaits.
-
-
Great performance but writing has issues
- By Jimmer on 2022-10-24
Written by: Michael Chatfield
Publisher's Summary
The fate of mankind is in the hands of a group of 20-something science nerds in the sequel to Outland, by the Audible #1 best-selling author of the “Bobiverse” series.
The Yellowstone super-eruption has put an end to modern civilization. As cities and countries continue to fall, the colony of Rivendell in the alternate Earth known as Outland looks more and more like the only real hope for humanity. But life in Rivendell isn’t getting any simpler, either. Bill and Kevin continue to discover new worlds; the population continues to rise; winter is approaching; and everyone has their own opinion about how things should be run.
Then, a garbled plea for help from Omaha sends most of the security forces back Earthside to investigate, leaving Monica’s police force understaffed just as a large group of refugees arrive with its own ideas and power structure. With threats from both inside and outside, will the colony even survive until spring?
What listeners say about Earthside
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Angelina Jalbert
- 2023-02-10
WOW
Great Listen!! I listened to both books in 3 days. Ray Porter is an amazing narrator!! Keep them coming Dennis!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jeffrey Mossop
- 2023-02-07
Amazing Follow-up!
It's rare for a post apocalyptic book to trump it's originator but this one does.
can't wait for part 3
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 2023-02-07
Worth the wait
Over a year since I read Outland, and since the first book I have been wondering how the story would continue. Without giving away anything I can say you will not be disappointed.
I especially liked the snippets of old earth, and the authors interpretation of how the world moves on after the Yellowstone eruption. Clearly a large amount of research and thought was taken to determine a different countries way ahead, both with the countries current social norms and specific geographical environmental collapse/change due to the eruption taken into account.
Many different people create many different views, I am happy that the author could cram as many as he could into this novel.
We’ll done
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Chad
- 2023-02-07
Another Hit from Dennis E Taylor
I can’t get enough of this series, and got this sequel on release day! I want to continue exploring this world with the Outland crew and hope Dennis continues this series, like he has with Bobiverse. These books are witty, creative, intelligent and sci-fi gold. Ray Porter brings this book to life, even as a solo narrator performing multiple people. I could listen to Ray Porter all day long. I can get lost in some of the quantum-science jargon, but that’s ok. I’m there for the visual, characters, sarcasm and wit. Give us more!!!!!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 2023-01-30
I will grasp onto every word this man writes.
Ray porter & Dennis E. Taylor are powerhouses of content. I’ve listened to most everything that they have created. I highly recommend this and the other series that Taylor has created.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Meredith
- 2023-01-29
yes!
When I looked at the player and saw only 5 minutes remaining in the book, I actually groaned in dismay. This book 2 has turned this universe(s) even better than the first. Narration was better also. I look forward to book 3... (and 4-17).
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Dachsiemom
- 2023-01-29
Loved this
An absolutely amazing book with the continuing story of Outland. Oh I won’t give the book away but if you loved book one then this book is awesome. Follow our heroes as they navigate this new world and also try to adapt to a new form of government whilst trying to keep their humanity intact.
The narrator is fantastic and of his sense of humour is infectious. Ray Porter is absolutely fantastic. Looking forward to when book 3 comes out.&@
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Allen
- 2023-01-29
Great story, well read
Interesting medium for providing a dissertation on the negative aspects of American politics and culture
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- William
- 2023-01-28
love these guys
I never get tired of listening to Ray narrate Dennis's writing. I bought this without hesitation and will continue to do so with any of Dennis's future work. I've been hoping for this sequel
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- ZaL
- 2023-01-28
Got it yesterday and could not stop.
Great second chapter to the saga with some great ideas. Hopefully more to come soon.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Tom Scharf
- 2023-01-28
Good, but let down by angry politics
I get all the angry self righteous political lectures I can take from just turning on the TV, I don’t want more in my chosen entertainment, especially if they are presented in a cartoonish way. A 14 year old can give a better defense of liberty and capitalism and trade offs between economic systems. Authors channeling their personal political anger never works for their full audience and it is best to leave that stone unturned in my opinion.
I finished the book in two days and it was very entertaining. There were some plot holes but they were minor in the grand scheme. I look forward to the next book but hope it has less brain dead partisans all around.
62 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Leisa
- 2023-01-29
Why all the politics?
Why take a fun story and make the second half about politics? Noble liberal/socialists versus the negative stereotype conservative and religious people? Nearly ruined this more me. That is not why I listen to light sci-fi.
I don’t think I’ll be looking for the third book.
Very disappointing! 3 stars overall for the memory of what the first book was like.
58 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Mindy
- 2023-02-01
Do you read these comments, Mr. Taylor?
I do not like having to write this, but I feel it has to be done. I was pretty excited about this story, as I am for all of your stories. I pre-ordered it, re-listened to Outland, and even set a date in my calendar to remind me when I can start to listen. This book really missed the mark for me though. It is understood by most, that we live in a hyper-politicized world. That is something that I cannot change, and me, not being a terribly political person, have found day to day life more stressful in recent years. I read and listen to books in order to escape that and dive into a great story. The political settings in stories like Bobiverse were well thought out and well written hilarity. This political setting was the antithesis of that. This book was just more of the same day to day reality. It came across to me as a political rant that lasted hours, sprinkled with reused phrases from the fantastic Bobiverse series (something that comes across as either laziness or just unoriginal) and so many f-bombs that just came across like the venting of personal frustrations. I have enjoyed every one of your books to this point and will be buying many of your future books I am sure. The change is that I will not pre-order them. I will wait a while after new releases to see the comments to be sure that I don't end up with another political... whatever this was.. I hope this helps fellow listeners and yourself Dennis, assuming you read any of these. Ray Porter, you were fantastic as always!
52 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- DCGrits
- 2023-01-31
Got bad with this second book
Went from mostly about finding and exploring escaping to a parallel in time during a Yellowstone eruption apocalypse, to a more political story. Young college educated know it alls who are better and smarter than all others. It progresses to a book on establishing a government in this new time line which would be better done by these young college kids. Became an unbearable listen. Should have kept to the exploring the escape and survival aspects in parallel time.
42 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- CMFarmer
- 2023-01-31
Too political
Was unnecessarily political.
I loved the Bobverse series and was very excited for a sequel to Outland. But Earthside seems to be Taylor's attempt to be voted "prom queen."
I wanted a good story like all Taylor's books before, but instead got a book that seems to be more about Taylor wanting to be part of media's current trend of the self-perceived "popular crowd." Earthside insults everyone over 50, anyone with common sense, and everyone left of the left.... so yeah... pretty much over 50% of the population.
And the saddest part is, the political preaching was unnecessary. Sad, very sad.
36 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- James Phieffer
- 2023-01-31
Politics ruins everything...
This has the potential to be an interesting series, hence my decision to buy book 2.
But the amount of political bashing, as well as introducing age biases and straw man characters almost made this unfinishable.
There could be lots of discussion about potential political designs for the colony and such without the "older, conservatives are racist idiots who ruined the world" trope the book descended into. Frankly, Greta Thunberg deployed more nuance than was used in writing most of the characters in this book.
I'm curious about where the universe this book creates is going, but after this book it's clear that the 1632-Ring of Fire universe and others written with intelligence have nothing to fear.
This is a really poorly written follow-up to Outland, and one which may - deservedly, even - kill off a series that could have been really good.
35 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Mariana Padilla
- 2023-01-29
Disappointing follow up
Almost no character development. The story just ping pongs from conflict to conflict. A let down after such a long wait. I’d rather the author spent his time on the next Bobiverse book rather than this one.
29 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- justin
- 2023-02-02
Too much politics
Way way too much current politics for a fictional story. I read/listen to fictional books to escape real life not have it thrown back in my face!!!
25 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Radish Bliss
- 2023-02-01
trope
Good read if you feel like being stereotyped by yet another author. However, read Stephen King instead, at least you'll get a good story after being stereotyped and the ending won't revolve around how much half the people in the country (you!) suck. Someone should remind Dennis that Nazi planet could also be called national SOCIALIST planet.
23 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Nathanael
- 2023-01-29
Vignettes, NOT a story...Kluge & Tubers!
I enjoy Taylor's creative ideas, Porter's voice is pleasant to listen to, and I will buy further books with either. However, flaws in Taylor's writing is starting to show.
The Quantum Earth series is a nifty idea. This book is vignettes of things that happen after the first book. There's no over arching story or character development. Villains? Yeah, 3ish. What's the saying? “A story is only as good as its villain.” -Luke Taylor(?)
The villain are cardboard stereotypes. They serve no purpose but present temporary conflicts that interrupt the main character's being nerds and bemoaning politics and social commentary.
Taylor's writing ability doesn't perform well here. As mentioned, the story structure was lacking.
-Writing/Narrative 'voice' shifts from declarative conveyances of information to semi-1st/3rd person perspective of things.
-Characters are poor in this book. Taylor has a tendencies to use "feisty female" as a catch all for female characters. Heinlein had a similar problem.
-Author's personal lexicon hasn't improved. It has shown up in nearly all his books. "Kluge" & "Tubers" one is over used by multiple characters, the other is a term Americans rarely use. Also, shared idioms among characters flattens their depth.
-Potential author-bias seems to leaching into all his characters. Quick example is religion, author seems to put Christians in one category of "fundamentalists". It's a boring overused stereotype in media. More time is wasted making that "group" look bad than writers actually researching the topic. Richard Dawkins takes the gold metal in that competition. Point being: Copy/pasting gross generalizations over used by other media is lazy and is about as creative as "zombies".
There's some praise to go around. An unexpected age-based social conflict develops. That is creative and the author develops a context that is well placed for the scenario of this story. It does seem explored fairly well and, given the author's age, presented from college kids viewpoints. Also, the perceived demeanor of the military is greatly improved in contrast to the author's prior depictions of military.
Again, I like Taylor and Porter. I would love the opportunity to buy them and drink and chat about many things. Despite my criticism and low ranking, I'm interested in seeing where this series goes.
21 people found this helpful