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Century Rain

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Century Rain

By: Alastair Reynolds
Narrated by: John Lee
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About this listen

Three hundred years from now, Earth has been rendered uninhabitable due to the technological catastrophe known as the Nanocaust. Archaeologist Verity Auger specializes in the exploration of its surviving landscape. Now, her expertise is required for a far greater purpose. Something astonishing has been discovered at the far end of a wormhole: mid-20th-century Earth, preserved like a fly in amber.

Somewhere on this alternate planet is a device capable of destroying both worlds at either end of the wormhole. And Verity must find the device, and the man who plans to activate it, before it's too late - for the past and the future of two worlds.

©2008 Alastair Reynolds (P)2010 Tantor Fiction Science Fiction Space Opera

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Critic reviews

“ Century Rain fuses time travel, hard SF, alternate history, interstellar adventure, and noir romance to create a novel of blistering powers and style.” ( SFRevu)
All stars
Most relevant
A well written story with engaging characters. As always very well narrated by John Lee. I found the ending left me wanting more, probably needs a sequel.

Fascinating but there must be a sequel

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Great characters and loving the gumshoe / alternate history/ hard(ish) Sci-Fi!
John Lee is excellent as always and I love the depth and detail. Many reviewers seem to think this is a disappointment but I love it!

Intriguing start and it’s warming up nicely

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Brilliant didn’t want it to end 😰
Great story
Twists and turns
Well played out
Great read

Great story line

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a good listen. Alastair Reynolds writes fast moving SF with good plot lines. The tributes to Chandler and 1960's French film noire is an additional bonus. Plenty of "how will they get out of this" moments. John Lee give his customary solid performance, although his German pronunciation falters at times.

Any additional comments?

OK, it's SF, but as an astronomer Mr Reynolds conveniently glosses over the advances in Physics and Astronomy prior to 1936. I think the E2 versions of Hubble and Zwicky would have twigged what was going on.

Raymond Chandler does Space Opera

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I can tick the boxes for a clever story, well told and interesting interplay of characters. But it still lacks punch, like a meal without a main course. The story is set into a troubled peace set within a mystery, but very little is explored and the closing part is a promise of more to come. But the scenario is basically another Star Gate situation, I am starting to think I am too generous with 4 stars. Nice parts of the story though so I will leave it at that.

Like a meal that doesn’t satisfy

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