The Scent of Distant Worlds

By: W. D. County

Narrated by: Shannon Marie Cusick

For exobiologist Cassie Clearwater, the chance to explore the planet Obsidian is the opportunity of a lifetime. The austere black world has liquid water and a nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere that might support life. She discovers a mysterious species of plant that emits copious quantities of complex chemicals. Her colleagues on the mission care only about the diamonds they've discovered, but Cassie wonders how these plants, and nothing else, thrive in such a dark and barren environment.

In the society where young sprout Pepper lives, knowledge and memories are preserved in the thick trunks of the Elders, whose growth rings go back thousands of years. The Elders don't appreciate the upstart Pepper, whose new ideas challenge ages-old wisdom, and they communicate their displeasure in a variety of odors. But when members of the grove are mutilated, abducted, and killed by a scentless and undetectable force, Pepper's penchant for original thought becomes their only hope for survival.

©2019 W. D. County (P)2019 W. D. County

Absorbing

As I started listening to the audiobook, the descriptive passages really drew me in. The idea of a billionaire funding a project out to space sounds so in tune with Elon Musk and no doubt Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson’s plans, that it just seemed so plausible and relevant.
Space explorers stumbling on an alien planet. How much more sci-fi can you get? And all with flawed characters. What a combination.

Awesome in its detail and originality.

I’ve read a fair amount of science-fi but never quite seen an alien world described in such a way as in this book. Awesome in its detail and originality, it’s one to remember.
The amount of research and detail is more than admirable and should appeal to hard-core sci-fi and Asimov fans. Heinlein or Geddings fans who prefer more action and stand-out heroes might like it less. I have to admit that I liked it.

Captivating with an important message

It’s true that science-fi novels are as much about the present as they are about possible future worlds, and behind this sci-fi tale is an important message: how far will humans go in destroying nature for the sake of seeking greater wealth?
This might be a book of fiction, but when you think of what we are doing to our planet with tons of plastic thrown into out oceans, one wonders. The world County draws us into is breath-taking, and his message suffocatingly serious.

Slowly draws you in - enjoyable

This is a slow-burner, slowly building up the characters, the new world of Obsidian the main characters travel to, and the general plot. I was stuck in a long journey home so it was ideal to distract me from what otherwise might have been a long travel. Some might give up too early on the book since it takes some time in getting going. But bear with it. It’s detailed and atmospheric and generally a good audiobook to listen to.

A very thrilling, exciting, and technical read.

I loved it. I truly enjoyed the way the story was told. You get multiple viewpoint and makes for a very exciting read or listen. I listened to this at work, and I hated stopping and starting because I always wanted one more chapter. I highly recommend.