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  • Stealing Light: Shoal, Book 1

  • By: Gary Gibson
  • Narrated by: Charlie Norfolk
  • Length: 14 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (180 ratings)
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Stealing Light: Shoal, Book 1 cover art

Stealing Light: Shoal, Book 1

By: Gary Gibson
Narrated by: Charlie Norfolk
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Summary

In the 25th century, only the Shoal possess the secret of faster-than-light travel (FTL), giving them absolute control over all trade and exploration throughout the galaxy. Mankind has operated within their influence for two centuries, establishing a dozen human colony worlds scattered along Shoal trade routes.

Dakota Merrick, while serving as a military pilot, has witnessed atrocities for which this alien race is responsible. Now piloting a civilian cargo ship, she is currently ferrying an exploration team to a star system containing a derelict star ship. From its wreckage, her passengers hope to salvage a functioning FTL drive of mysteriously non-Shoal origin. But the Shoal are not yet ready to relinquish their monopoly over a technology they acquired through ancient genocide.

©2012 Gary Gibson (P)2012 Audible Ltd

What listeners say about Stealing Light: Shoal, Book 1

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

Excellent New Sci Fi

As a huge fan of Peter Hamilton and Alastair Reynolds I am always on the search for quality "reads" - I think that Gibson has really got something in these novels.

When I first started I found references that would have been very at home in a Niven Universe (not a bad thing in itself). However, as the story progressed it was obvious that this is anything but the formulaic space opera based on other work.

The main plot is both grand and intricate, the background that is created feels unique and central characters are very good and well rounded. I did find some of the "baddies" a little one dimensional in that they seemed bad / stupid to the bone which I never like. However, that is actually a minor point. This is an excellent story well written, exciting and captivating.

Performance was good and very easy to listen too which is very important in a story is to flow nicely.

Highly recommended.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book from Shoal Series

Love the way book changed timeline and the different dimensions of the characters, looking forward to audible adding Nova War and Empire of Light soon

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Stealing Light maybe, earning a fan, definitely

I was absolutely sucked into the characters and universe of this novel. The hours flew by and I was looking forward to every car journey for the 10 days the story lasted me. The narration I found very natural and the challenge of a reasonably large character list including voicing an alien's speech was professionally met. Seeing this narrator's name on an audio's details would always be a welcome sign for me now. The novel itself had a number of original ideas plus a few classic Sci Fi concepts and at times reminded me as much of Altered Carbon as The Mote in God's Eye without being at all derivative. I see that the next book is now available and I will without a doubt be treating myself to it next month. I wholeheartedly recommend this one, go on, give it a go!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Likeable Listen

While I was not exactly enthralled by this listen, it was quite inventive and sufficently interesting and well read to want to buy the next one.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • M
  • 07-01-13

Very enjoyable.

This was a wonderful 15 hours of pure audiobook escapism, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There's plenty of action, and the twists and turns in the plot keep the characters on their toes. The writing is fairly straight forward but Charlie Norfolk narrates it wonderfully and got me totally hooked so I'll definitely be carrying on with the trilogy. Great stuff!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Very Enjoyable

This is the first time i have listened to a female narrator, her voice for the main character is great however i wasn't so sure about her other voices. Though after the first hour I was immersed in the story and started enjoying the narration style. Now I can't imagine anyone else narrating. Stealing Light is a rip-roaring good space opera and thouroghly enjoyable. I was going on longer walks and couldn't wait to do some ironing just to continue listening! I am so pleased to have the second installment of the series to listen to whilst doing all the Christmas baking!

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1 person found this helpful

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

surprisingly good

I loved this book, took a little bit to get going but ended up with the same galaxy spanning space opera as you expect from the heavy hitters of this genre. Now to get the next!

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

Great space opera

Galaxy spanning civilizations, super science, vast conspiracies and god-like aliens, what's not to like, highly recommended.

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

Well read space opera

I am come late to Gary Gibson. Having tried one of his books before, I wasn't grabbed by it. However as an audio book this tale of high intrugue and lost super technology was quite entertaining. The supercilious intelligent fish with a Japanese accent was a novel and effective touch.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • EK
  • 24-07-15

Good collection of Sci-fi ideas, nicely executed

Would you consider the audio edition of Stealing Light: Shoal, Book 1 to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version, however found the manner and character distinction of the narrator (Charlie) very engaging.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The lead character Dakota is thoroughly likeable and the narrative delves into the human psyche, taps our self loathing nature, our insignificance and inability to deal with past failings.

What does Charlie Norfolk bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Found the manner and character distinction of the narrator (Charlie) very engaging.

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

Not initially, however very quickly the story unfolded leaving me feeling like I needed more. Put it this way, I didn't hesitate in purchasing the second (and third!) in the series.

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