Forward

Stories of Tomorrow

De: Veronica Roth, Blake Crouch, Amor Towles, Paul Tremblay, Andy Weir, N. K. Jemisin

Narrado por: Evan Rachel Wood, Rosa Salazar, Jason Isaacs, David Harbour, Steven Strait, Janina Gavankar

2020 Audie Award Finalist for Best Short Stories/Collection Audiobook

For some, it’s the end of the world. For others, it’s just the beginning. With brilliant imagination, today’s most visionary writers point to the future in a collection curated by bestselling author Blake Crouch. These stories range from darkly comic to deeply chilling, but they all look forward. Featuring stories by Andy Weir, Amor Towles, Veronica Roth, N. K. Jemisin, Paul Tremblay, and Blake Crouch; with narration by Evan Rachel Wood, David Harbour, Jason Isaacs, Rosa Salazar, Steven Strait, and Janina Gavankar.

ARK, by Veronica Roth, read by Evan Rachel Wood (Westworld)

On the eve of Earth’s destruction, a young scientist discovers something too precious to lose, in a story of cataclysm and hope by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Divergent trilogy.

It’s only two weeks before an asteroid turns home to dust. Though most of Earth has already been evacuated, it’s Samantha’s job to catalog plant samples for the survivors’ unknowable journey beyond. Preparing to stay behind and watch the world end, she makes a final human connection.

SUMMER FROST, by Blake Crouch, read by Rosa Salazar (Alita: Battle Angel)

A video game developer becomes obsessed with a willful character in her new project, in a mind-bending exploration of what it means to be human by the New York Times bestselling author of Recursion.

Maxine was made to do one thing: die. Except the minor non-player character in the world Riley is building makes her own impossible decision - veering wildly off course and exploring the boundaries of the map. Soon Riley has all new plans for her spontaneous AI, including bringing Max into the real world. But what if Max has real-world plans of her own?

EMERGENCY SKIN, by N. K. Jemisin, read by Jason Isaacs (Star Trek: Discovery)

What will become of our self-destructed planet? The answer shatters all expectations in this subversive speculation from the Hugo Award-winning author of the Broken Earth trilogy.

An explorer returns to gather information from a climate-ravaged Earth that his ancestors, and others among the planet’s finest, fled centuries ago. The mission comes with a warning: a graveyard world awaits him. But so do those left behind - hopeless and unbeautiful wastes of humanity who should have died out ages ago. Get in. Get out. And try not to stare.

YOU HAVE ARRIVED AT YOUR DESTINATION, by Amor Towles, read by David Harbour (Stranger Things)

Nature or nurture? Neither. Discover a bold new way to raise a child in this unsettling story of the near future by the New York Times bestselling author of A Gentleman in Moscow.

When Sam’s wife first tells him about Vitek, a twenty-first-century fertility lab, he sees it as the natural next step in trying to help their future child get a “leg up” in a competitive world. But the more Sam considers the lives that his child could lead, the more he begins to question the choices he has made in his life.

THE LAST CONVERSATION, by Paul Tremblay, read by Steven Strait (The Expanse)

What’s more frightening: Not knowing who you are? Or finding out? A Bram Stoker Award-winning author explores the answer in a chilling story about human consciousness.

Imagine you’ve woken up in an unfamiliar room with no memory of who you are, how you got there, or where you were before. All you have is the disconnected voice of an attentive caretaker. Dr. Kuhn is there to help you - physically, emotionally, and psychologically. She’ll make sure you reclaim your lost identity. Now answer one question: Are you sure you want to?

RANDOMIZE, by Andy Weir, read by Janina Gavankar (True Blood)

In the near future, if Vegas games are ingeniously scam-proof, then the heists have to be too, in this imaginative and whip-smart story by the New York Times bestselling author of The Martian.

An IT whiz at the Babylon Casino is enlisted to upgrade security for the game of keno and its random-number generator. The new quantum computer system is foolproof. But someone on the inside is no fool. For once the odds may not favor the house.

©2019 Ark © 2019 by Veronica Roth. Summer Frost © 2019 by Blake Crouch. Emergency Skin © 2019 by N. K. Jemisin. You Have Arrived at Your Destination © 2019 by Amor Towles. The Last Conversation © 2019 by Paul Tremblay. Randomize © 2019 by Andy Weir. (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

ok

and just ok. not worth the money I spent on the title.. should have got something else.

very enjoyable

The stories were diverse, eye opening entertainment. I enjoyed each of them. The readers were good as well.

Interesting anthology

Great little collection of sci-fi, like all anthologies you will prefer some stories over others. My favorites were Emergency Skin, Randomize, and Summer Frost.

Another Vain Attempt at Enjoying Sci-Fi

Over the years I have tried to read Science Fiction. So many highly intelligent people seem to like it that I figured there must be something to it. But it’s just not my cup of tea.

I did appreciate the stories of Towles and Tremblay as they dealt with issues very close to our current level of technological development. Once the stories leave Earth’s Orbit, they lose me and I’m just not nerdy enough to get into the illegal manipulations of quantum computing. So I’ll give Forward three stars for the two tales I enjoyed and leave it to the Sci-Fi buffs to give it a fairer evaluation.

Definitely worth a listen

Really some great stories from some great writers. Totally recommend if you are into some new sci-fi tech.

5 out of 6

5 out of the 6 stories are pretty good, with good narration. I won't say which one didn't resonate with me since it is subjective but just 5/6 is my perception of the value you'll get with this collection. Stories are fairly predictable even at that but still a pleasant, distracted listen. Definitely worth it once on sale.

Only 4 'Stories' in, already one of my favorites

YOU HAVE ARRIVED AT YOUR DESTINATION is one of my faves, and really cool take on CRISPR. Fun if you're a Psyche major or a new parent.
The 'Skin' story was excellent, unique storyline and fantastic narration.
Winter was a classic Blake Crouch style Sci Fi, with a believable premise and read with great affect. Highly recommend this book on those alone.

Well written stories. Some grabbed me and some “not so much”

I wish I could give a 4.3, ksome stories piqued my interest and sparked a “what if” response. Others unwound slowly and seemingly low key, such that I became indifferent. I listened to all of them surmising that all authors were talented. Narrations were good. Stories were overall with interesting concepts. Wish some would’ve punched it up more.

Chilling

Amazing authors, chilling stories, and brilliant narration. These aren't horror stories per say, but still have the ability to keep you wife awake long after you've finished them.

Excellent little anthology!

All of the stories really make you think about where technology might take us. Very fun read.