Edge of Dark

The Glittering Edge, Book One

By: Brenda Cooper

Narrated by: Soneela Nankani

What if a society banished its worst nightmare to the far edge of the solar system, destined to sip dregs of light and struggle for the barest living? What if that life thrived, grew, learned, and became far more than anyone ever expected, yearning to return to the sun? What if it didn't share your moral compass in any way?

The Glittering Edge duology describes the clash of forces when an advanced society that has filled a solar system with flesh-and-blood life meets the near-AIs it banished long ago. This is a story of love for the wild and natural life on a colony planet, a complex adventure set in powerful space stations, and the desire to live completely - whether you are made of flesh and bone or silicon and carbon fiber.

In Edge of Dark, listeners will meet ranger Charlie Windar and his adopted wild predator, who live on a planet that has been raped and restored more than once; Nona Hall, child of power and privilege from the greatest station in the system, the Diamond Deep; and Nona's best friend, a young woman named Chrystal who awakens in a robotic body.

©2015 Brenda Cooper (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Cleverly written and a compelling read. Loved it!

I hadn't heard of the author and was dubious. But the story grabs you and keeps you engaged while a captivating solar system is illustrated. Really neat concepts and provocative situations all with characters I can root for.

I'm excited to read the next one!

Great Conceptual Sci-Fi

Would you listen to Edge of Dark again? Why?

I don't usually re-listen to books - so this is an odd question to answer. There are a number of characters you are introduced to here and this is essentially their origin story, so if the next books take them far from their starting points I could see coming back to listen again. This was a great book to listen to.

Who was your favorite character and why?

This book is about the concept of transferring a human consciousness into machine bodies. The book looks at this from many angles, many of them concerned and frightened with the thought of losing a part of our humanity or our souls. Yi is transferred and is an analytical scientist - and seems to have a much different opinion that resonated with my own initial thought. He was enthusiastic and examined the positives - the knowledge, new capabilities, reduction of limitations, etc.

What does Soneela Nankani bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Soneela fit the main character, Nona exceptionally well. There was a youth and innocence in how she narrated the story. At times it might have leaned too far into whining for my taste, but it was appropriate in how Nona was experiencing the world.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Humanity must face the evolution of their own experimentation.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoy conceptual scifi - stories that take a singular question or idea and build a story around it to examine it from a variety of angles. This is a great example of a solid concept turned into a fascinating story. Much of sci-fi stories may lean towards military and war stories, or be cold and analytical, or go the more thrilling and horror route.
This story stands out as much more about the human experience when faced with a plausible yet fantastic situation of machines coming back from banishment seeking to unbanish themselves. Would you fear them, would you join them, help them, sympathize with them, refuse them? There is a lot of exploration of a variety of feelings around the concept, but not too much that the story loses momentum.
Looking forward to listening to the next book.

I need to get me some more Cooper

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

I have just recommended it to a writing group. While it does journey through some old ground I felt she added small details to make it all work. Some nice touches here and there made the storyline quite wonderful at times. I did wonder at times where the story was taking me and for a change this didn't bother me, as the writing was confident and expert.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Edge of Dark?

There are many moments that stick in my mind, but I am afraid just mentioning them with ruin their epic impacts on you. Just know there are many, and some very, very touching.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Soneela Nankani?

Yes, she has a smooth tone and easy to listen to.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was saddened by the end, not that that is an indication of any event, but more the fact I have to read another if available.

Any additional comments?

If you like space opera then this will be one to entertain you while not boring you with same old, same old, ideas. True, there is nothing fresh in the novel if taken as a whole compared to what is out there, but Brenda does deliver a believable story with heart.