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Departure cover art

Departure

By: A.G. Riddle
Narrated by: Nicola Barber,Scott Aiello
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Editor reviews

Editors Select, February 2015 - If you know me, you know I was obsessed with the TV show Lost. I'm talking "hours of theorizing on a whiteboard after each episode" obsessed. So when I heard that A.G. Riddle's new book Departure was drawing comparisons to my favorite show, I knew I had to listen. I was pleased to find that while there are some obvious similarities - a plane crash, a mystery, characters who are not what they seem, etc. - the similarities stop there, and Riddle's story quickly takes on its own identity with a unique, tantalizing mystery and plenty of action. Nicola Barber and Scott Aiello are an amazing cast for this book, which shifts perspectives between a male and female lead. Fast-paced, intriguing, and smart, I encourage all my fellow Lost-ies to check this out. —Sam, Audible Editor

Summary

En route to London from New York, Flight 305 suddenly loses power and crash-lands in the English countryside, plunging a group of strangers into a mysterious adventure that will have repercussions for all of humankind.

Struggling to stay alive, the survivors soon realize that the world they've crashed in is very different from the one they left. But where are they? Why are they here? And how will they get back home?

Five passengers seem to hold clues about what's really going on: writer Harper Lane, venture capitalist Nick Stone, German genetic researcher Sabrina Schröder, computer scientist Yul Tan, and Grayson Shaw - the son of a billionaire philanthropist.

As more facts about the crash emerge, it becomes clear that some in this group know more than they're letting on - answers that will lead Harper and Nick to uncover a far-reaching conspiracy involving their own lives. As they begin to piece together the truth, they discover they have the power to change the future and the past - to save our world...or end it.

To read an epilogue to Departure and access other bonus material, go to agriddle.com/departure/extras

©2014 A.G. Riddle (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Critic reviews

"Well-constructed and tightly-wound as a fine Swiss watch, Departure has non-stop action, an engaging plot and, of course, wheels within wheels." (Diana Gabaldon, author of the Outlander series)

What listeners say about Departure

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very good story!

Very good story it helps relax, keeps you focused on the story and set your mind just in the right mood. I've enjoyed this book but still I prefer 1 narrator rather than 2 - although it's justified in this case and I believe many people will like it . Characters are better than in the Atlantis trilogy but for me still a little bit "paper". Overall: Credit well spend :) And I'm looking forward for the next book by A. G. Riddle.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Starts Well, Ends Late

Departure has one of the best beginnings of any book I've ever listened to. The pacing it great, the mystery is intriguing and it's just generally engaging and interesting. Unfortunately that was it for me, once the questions started getting answered and the answers were underwhelming then the book lost a lot of it's luster.

The book slows down, becomes kind of muddled and then it ends. Except it doesn't end, for some strange reason the book continues on past what you'd imagine the natural ending to be and just lingers on a few chapters longer. It doesn't really add anything, you know how it's going to end, and it's just a case of waiting.

Ultimately the things the book teases are infinitely more interesting than what it delivers.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not for adults

I am afraid I gave up half way through this. The most irritating thing was, I am afraid, the performances. I have just checked the review and it doesn't mention anything about it being for children, but the narration sounds as if it is aimed at 8-year-olds. Even my 11-year-old daughter listened to a bit and found it patronising.
The story starts quite well, but then it becomes increasingly fantastical. The descriptions are really not great and I didn't warm to any of the characters.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

engaging all the way

I really enjoyed this book, sci fi, a hint of a love story, im off to check out what else the author has on offer

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Didn't Quite Deliver, prepared to listen again

What made the experience of listening to Departure the most enjoyable?

Excellent narration, brought depth to the characters

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Everything up to the encounter with their virtual others. Got a bit silly then, particularly has the 'OK Coral' shoot out involved so few people

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The rescue mission on the aircraft, very dramatic.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

It might be your thing, sc-fi normally works for me, but I was a tad disappointed at the conclusion.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Very average story.

I found it really difficult to keep going with it up until about the last 2 hours or so. I'd find it difficult to recommend.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Started well

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This could have been such a good book and started so well. The first half of the book is exciting and engaging I couldn't wait for the story to unfold. Sadly the second half is very disappointing and so full of holes it just became annoying and irritating!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Needs something more

I love time travel novels and stories which make me think of new possibilities, this book provided both excellently. I just felt that the ending was a bit of an anti-climax, the story was compelling up until the main action sequence in the future. After this it tapered off and reached a slow predictable ending, shame but still entertaining.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Sublimely subpar. So boring can't finish.

Everything about this book feels like regurgitated subpar content from more glorious and exciting stories. I am returning this one. Reason? Painful way to spend your time.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it.

Loved it. The narrators did a good job and the story is very engaging and entertaining.

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2 people found this helpful