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Axiom's End cover art

Axiom's End

By: Lindsay Ellis
Narrated by: Abigail Thorn, Stephanie Willis
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Summary

The instant New York Times best seller

The alternate-history first-contact adventure Axiom's End is an extraordinary debut from Hugo finalist and video essayist Lindsay Ellis. Truth is a human right.

It's fall 2007. A well-timed leak has revealed that the US government might have engaged in first contact. Cora Sabino is doing everything she can to avoid the whole mess, since the force driving the controversy is her whistleblower father. Even though Cora hasn't spoken to him in years, his celebrity has caught the attention of the press, the internet, the paparazzi, and the government - and with him in hiding, that attention is on her. She neither knows nor cares whether her father's leaks are a hoax and wants nothing to do with him - until she learns just how deeply entrenched her family is in the cover-up and that an extraterrestrial presence has been on Earth for decades.

Realizing the extent to which both she and the public have been lied to, she sets out to gather as much information as she can and finds that the best way for her to uncover the truth is not as a whistleblower, but as an intermediary. The alien presence has been completely uncommunicative until she convinces one of them that she can act as their interpreter, becoming the first and only human vessel of communication. Their otherworldly connection will change everything she thought she knew about being human - and could unleash a force more sinister than she ever imagined.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press 

"Axiom’s End is one of the most unique science fiction novels in years. It’s a heartfelt story of alien first contact, but, luckily, unlike so many 'big idea' sci-fi books, it’s utterly unpretentious." (SYFY.com)

©2020 Lindsay Ellis (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A curate's egg

The good points: quite an original take on First Contact, some strong characters, excellent storytelling. Gripping to the end.

The bad points: too much hyperbole, everyone's emotions go from 0-60 in 4.2 seconds. The narration by Willis is not to my taste, although she gets it right when she isn't trying too hard for dramatic effect.

The meh points: why did the alien refugee group need someone to rescue them? The hyper intelligent alien "&" is pretty dumb as are the entire CIA.

This was recommended by a screen writer who I respect and is getting a lot of plaudits I don't really share. Maybe the OTT narration makes a good novel something less in its audiobook incarnation. Whatever, I was glad when it was over.

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyable science fiction

Good story but found the narration took a bit of getting used to. Overall would recommend.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

couldn't stop listening

struggled to turn this book off each time. really was riveting. from start to finish I was constantly engaged. I've struggled to keep up with reading the last few years so this grabbing me to vigorously is a real eye opener. can't wait for the sequel, looks like it'll be my first preorder :)

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

compelling ya novel

ya novel with more deep thought than i ever expected from this genre. not surprising, given the author.
ya is not my genre of choice, but this book compelled me to finish it. even if the protagonist is an angsty teen making stupid decicions

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Original, well written and gripping throughout

I really loved this story it's a completely fresh angle and a very well crafted story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

First novel I've been able to get into in years

Excellent writing and voice acting for very relatable characters, some interesting themes as well.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

could not stop listening to this book, amazing!

Exciting mysteries, secrets and technologies. Also about relationship between people, human to human, alien to human and alien to alien, and barriers of undetstanding. The rules of technology and language are believable and the chapters about communication is reminiscent to the 2016 film Arrival.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A fascinating take on the first contact story

Interesting, exciting and unique. This story took me by surprise in how captivated I was by the characters.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

bit of a slow start but keep going and you find...

... a really good story! kept me entertained to the end. I hope there is a second book!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great story, terrible narration

This would have been a great audiobook but the delivery was appalling. like a 3rd rate B movie for young teens. Sadly, the narration spoiled the whole experience.

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8 people found this helpful