Enjoyable Space Action-Adventure

No, you don't need to read this book first in order to immerse yourself in the 'Outworld Ranger' series (in fact, I started with 'Rogue Starship' without issues).
David Alistair Hayden envisions an imaginative distant future where humanity has spread throughout the galaxy - encountering numerous intelligent species - and the entire interstellar community is governed by a quasi-divine AI entity known as "The Benevolence". Humans are enhanced with implantable Artificial Intelligence modular plug-and-play microchips ("Chippies"); a mysterious long-dead culture ("The Ancients") played some role in the histories of every species in the universe; and concepts like telepathy, empathic resonance, and extradimensional existences make the story matrix provocative.
Hayden writes with capable vocabulary/prose, well-scripted action scenes, and commendable description skills - but provides a disappointingly one-dimensional action-adventure plot (wasting the intriguing Space Opera setting somewhat).. and focussing on the transition of a 9th Generation (nearly sentient) chippy named 'Silky' from one human host to another.

Likewise disappointing: Peter Kenny is an inferior Audiobook Reader.
There - I said it.
His diction and tone are professional enough - but he reads too quickly (listen at 0.90X); exhibits poor voice-acting choices (character accents - like the "creepy American infatuant" pre-Gendin Silky interpretation - are often groanworthy); and has an annoying natural sibilance that is straight-up distracting (avoid earbuds unless you can adjust the treble).

Despite the subpar narration and unsophisticated writing, however, this Podium Audio production merits 5.5 stars out of 10. If you can get the recording as a 'Plus' selection (as I did), it's not a crazy time investment.. but if Audible asks for a Credit, spend it on something else.

[N.B. As mentioned, it isn't absolutely necessary that this "Prequel" be consumed first. This book is actually more of a standalone adventure in Hayden's reality. If you're interested in the series, you can either take this one or leave it]

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