Thought Provolking Sci-Fi Tales

Sometimes as we listen to audiobook stories, we may find them predictable yet still enjoyable. With the number of audiobooks over the years I listened to and reviewed, I often approach a new story as a skeptic. I want the author to make me want to continue listening. There are only a few stories that have really taken me by surprise. I can say that “Early Adopter” by Drew Harrison was one of those that surprised me, and I very much enjoyed the listen. I was sad when the multiple stories came to an end. I simply wanted more and more. I’m hoping for a second season. I am not saying that the audiobook was flawless, it did have some blemishes along the way. However, these are simply minor and sometimes subjective issues that do not impact the wonderful writing found in these tales. The audiobook is co-narrated by Betty Bat (I could find only one other story she has narrated on Audible) and James Langton who has over three hundred narrations under his belt. The issues I had were more specific to the audio quality and narration. It should be noted that I was provided an ARC (Advanced Reader/Listener Copy) in MP3 format, so when I discuss audio quality in the narrator’s section of the review, note that it may not be representative of the final released copy. The audiobook contains a wonderful set of science fiction often AI themed short stories that really get you thinking, and I liked every minute of it. “Early Adopter” is well worth your time.

If you are a fan of the likes of: Outer Limits, The Twilight Zone, and Black Mirror, you will find these short stories as compelling and mind tingling as those I mentioned above. The various tales felt more like a sequential TV series than disparate stories. Often the author takes you in one direction, and by the end, you find yourself struggling with moral, ethical, and other dilemmas. There are several twists and turns as the minutes tick by, and I found myself wanting to listen a bit longer just to complete a given story; yes, it is one of those type of audiobooks, and that is a good thing. As the author is new to me, I was not sure what to expect at first. But I can see that he has the gift of telling tales that intrigue and make the listener struggle internally with how they would handle said situations. The writing is spot on, and the stories unfold in a way that felt different and unique. The audiobook contains eight total stories that each deal with some futuristic outcome. Often dealing with artificial intelligence (AI) and or computer simulations, etc. The characters and situations were realistic and believable. Even with some of the concepts being decades away, they felt like they were just around the corner. I have a feeling that the author himself enjoys these topics and struggles with the subject matter as much as his listeners.

I enjoyed all the stories but found that both “Early Adopter” and “The Emulated” were my two favorites. Much like a parent pointing out their favorite child, it was hard to pick favorites. The author has a way of putting in humor and emotion where there should only be tension and pain. There was a good balance of both highs and lows that kept the stories flowing and interesting. The characters were enjoyable, and the descriptions of the worlds were well presented without giving the listener too much. I found the opening and closing chapters of the audiobook enlightening as they provided some background on the author and the stories told. These really help the listener to get to know the author and it seems more personal. I had made notes about each of the eight stories, but this review is already getting too long. So, if you want more specific details about each of the stories, give the audiobook a listen.

Let me now turn to my thoughts towards the audio quality and the two narrators. First, I know how difficult the process of narration is and even the ability to record high-quality audio. I can say that it took some time for both the narrators to grow on me. Early on I was not a fan of Betty’s narration. I cannot point out directly what it was, but it took a few stories to come around. So, if you pick up the audiobook and feel the same way, stick with it until the end, it is worth it. James’ narration seemed more polished (could be his level of experience) and I was more quickly drawn into his character voicing. Both narrators of the audiobook were able to give the characters dimension and bring the listener into the world. Audio quality is important to me, and I can say that I did notice a few places where there were slight background noises and or the hiss of compressed audio during the quiet spots. Again, let me say that what I listened to may not represent the final quality as I was provided with MP3 audio which often is heavily compressed. Even with these few subjective items around audio, I would not say that they greatly impacted my ability to enjoy the stories.

For parents and younger listeners, there are a few stories that use profanity. It is not used often, but it is there for those who are easily offended by such content. At least one of the stories contained some mature themes including alcohol, drugs, and sexual items. I must admit that this story (containing more mature subject matter) was also one of my favorites as the author deals with quite a few emotional situations with virtual space. Again, if any of these items offend you, I would recommend a different audiobook or simply skip these stories. If you are more mature, and such does not offend as easily, I recommend all the stories in this audiobook.

In summary, if you are a fan of through-provoking subject matter and science fiction tales, I cannot recommend the audiobook more strongly. Every story felt like a modern science fiction twist on The Twilight Zone. Although there were a few audio quality issues and the time it took for the narration to grow on me, the combination of solid writing and decent audio, the audiobook hits a home run in so many ways.

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Must read for anyone interested in AI ethics

This is not your spaceships-and-lasers sci-fi. Early Adopter is smart, thoughtful fiction, with short stories that would fit right in amongst the collections of Ted Chiang and other greats. Each story focuses around a central idea, and through brilliant worldbuilding (and occasionally really fun wordplay), gives it form -- like a clay city rising from dirt -- before being wiped away by explosive twists, setting the stage for the next. It's both a letter of admiration and a lucid warning for what happens when technology outruns the social frameworks that humans have to analyze it.

Both of the voice actors killed it here, and manage to make the characters feel warm, or despondent, or downright filthy, and bring the stories to life. Finishing every story feels like the end of a movie -- sunk deep in a squeaky chair, un-immersing, as the credits roll.

This is sci-fi that presents familiar ideas with angles that I've never seen written about anywhere else.
This is sci-fi that makes you pace around the room after you read it.
This is sci-fi that I want to geek out about to my friends, and listen to podcasts about, discussing.

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My Unbiased Review of Possible Futures

My review of Early Adopter by Drew Harrison.
Chapters:
xTo Run Again
Very good:empathy and the lack of it.

xCommercialopolis
Discarded tech/I have some in my closet.

xAlignment
A hero scientist with ethics.

xEarly Adopter
Wow. Quite thought provoking. Monster or Not?

xThe Terminal on Europa
Is Tim really Tim?

xThe Final Artist
Art is not a zero-sum game. Humanity may pass the torch, or AI may take it from you.

xHomonoia
The description of dropping barriers in their minds and the unity achieved by them give me goose bumps, as did the unity experienced at the end.

xThe Emulated Part 1
Tough questions and even tougher answers.

xThe Emulated Part 2
If there is a God, he will have to beg for my forgiveness. We need the courage to ask for help to pray.

All of the stories are very thought provoking for our time.

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Intriguing and Thought-Provoking

This is a collection of thought-provoking sci-fi-themed short stories focused on topics around human progress and blending with futuristic technology.

The author, Drew Harrison, crafts storylines around topics that highlight human fallacies, hopes, and dreams with a sci-fi base. To Run Again was probably my favorite. Although the writing style for each story was slightly different, each story created an immersive and chilling experience. Each character was fully developed. Each story evoked a different response and feeling. They are thought-provoking and tend to linger in one’s mind long past their ending.

The narrators, Betty BAT, and James Langton, were perfectly suited to their selections, effortlessly bringing each story to life by vividly portraying the essence of every character and staying true to the narrative. Their deliberate, well-paced delivery heightened the suspense effectively

This is an intriguing set of narratives, not your typical sci-fi but more along the lines of the 1960-1970’s Twilight Zones and Outer Limits where one has a lesson to learn with each narrative.

The only issue I had was the sound quality – there were times the music was distracting. I recommend this audiobook as it is an interesting and engaging audiobook.

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These stories stick with you

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of short stories. The narrators were terrific, and the stories themselves vividly stick in my memory.

The first story, To Run Again, was the weakest in my opinion. It's good, but if it doesn't land for you please push forward. I DO like how To Run Again did a tremendous job of presenting each character's viewpoint in an entirely sympathetic light; there are no flat villains.

Commercialopolis is simultaneously whimsical and enduring, and I find myself thinking about it often. I don't want to ruin it by writing too much, but it's at minimum my second favorite story in the collection. Some days its my first.

Alignment is a tremendous exploration of WHY we make choices; I felt like this one explored all of the psychology in a very engageable and relatable way. Very well written.

Early Adopter is my overall pick out of the collection; tightly written, with a well-developed main character. It leads to some very stark self-exploration and a more clear view of myself in the cosmos.

The Terminal On Europa is ... it's not pleasant. But it's VERY good, an incredible envisioning of the natural result of a certain technological advancement. I super don't want to spoil this one; it does a really good job of revealing itself.

The Final Artist - gorgeously emotive, and well illustrated. It takes a philosophical concept and puts 'skin' on it. As an avid reader I think about this one quite a bit.

Homonoia - this is a journey. It starts with world-wide environmental collapse, and goes places. I recommend it, and I'm yet again afraid to ruin the reveals.

The Emulated 1 & 2 - these consecutive short stories are gorgeously narrated by Betty BAT. All of the stories have been well done, but this might be my favorite from a delivery perspective. The underlying question of humanity is explored here in beautiful detail. I _felt_ the pain and the search for answers, and asked myself what I would say and do in these circumstances. A tremendous conclusion to an excellent set of stories.

In short, yes, I encourage you to pick up this book. You'll carry these stories with you for the rest of your life.

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Thought-Provoking. Gave Me Goosebumps!

It’s rare that I pick up a collection of short stories, though I’m not quite sure why because I love short stories. After diving into Early Adopter by Drew Harrison, narrated brilliantly by Betty BAT and James Langton, I realized just how much I’ve been missing out. Each story in this anthology was thought-provoking and downright fascinating, leaving me utterly captivated from start to finish.

Honestly, this has to be one of the most intriguing collections I’ve read in a long time. Each tale carries its unique vibe, yet they all share an overarching feeling that seamlessly ties them together. There were even a few stories that left me wishing they were fleshed out into full-length novels—I just didn’t want them to end!

I won’t spoil each story for you, but I can tell you that every single one sent chills down my spine at some point. Drew Harrison has a knack for leading you down a path that seems hopeful or promising for humanity, only to hit you with a twist that makes you think, “But you didn’t consider this!” It’s a delightful rollercoaster of emotions and ideas.

I also have to give a shoutout to Harrison’s selection of narrators because they were both perfect. They took already great stories and elevated them to another level, making this audiobook an exceptional experience.

If you like technothrillers and thought-provoking Sci-Fi (like Black Mirror) then Early Adopter is the collection for you.

Favorites in the collection: Homonoia, Early Adopter, and To Run Again genuinely opened this collection and broke me. It was the perfect story to set the stage for how the rest of these would go.

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A Perfect Collection of Tech-Thriller Stories!

The thoughtfulness and heart that the author writes within this narrative were compelling to me as a reader. The imagery and rich descriptive nature of the stories in this collection allowed the reader to picture these scenes playing out across the page. The tension that mounts as the stories progress and the wealth of character development that builds throughout the tales in this collection will keep readers invested in the book.

I got the privilege to review the audiobook version of this book, and the heartfelt delivery of these stories from the narrators was so engaging. The story that I immediately felt drawn to was To Run Again; as someone who personally deals with mobility issues and autoimmune disorders, the idea of technology being possibly an answer to ending those types of problems is an instant draw, and while the stories found within definitely twist and turns the technology as the plot develops, the thoughtful development of the stories made these tales stand out.

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Hooked

Stories were great. Not my usual genre pick but I really enjoyed it. It hooked me pretty quick and I didn’t want to stop listening. It was thought provoking and I really appreciated how well thought out each story was.

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Fantastic stories, thoroughly enjoyable collection

These stories are compelling and beautifully written. I finished listening, and then immediately began again. I doubt I have the capacity to describe how well written they are. The quality of the phrasing and robust descriptions are something I rarely see anymore with modern writers. The stories are easy to follow, with lots of twists and turns and none are easy to predict where exactly they are going and how they will end.

I feel lucky to have found this collection, so many thought provoking situations that I end up thinking about in different times and through various real life interactions.

There's a lot of humor in there as well, and the narrators keep everything lively. Highly recommended!

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A Mind-Bending Journey

I just wrapped up listening to the audiobook of Early Adopter by Drew Harrison, and I’m absolutely floored. Harrison has embedded himself past my neocortex and all the way into my spinal cord, making my brain and body tingle with his fluid prose and execution of profound ideas. If you're into scifi that makes you ponder the big "what ifs" of technology and humanity, this collection is a must-listen.

Betty BAT and James Langton deliver performances that are nothing short of spectacular. Betty BAT's portrayal of Allison is particularly noteworthy. She pulls you through the emotional highs and lows with such authenticity, seamlessly shifting from profound moments to snarky, light-hearted banter. Her range is incredible—one minute you're feeling the depth of a character's despair, and the next you're laughing at a witty comeback. James Langton complements her perfectly, bringing depth and nuance to every story with the ease of a clearly seasoned professional. Both Betty and James are top-tier narrators with James taking the cake in terms of a traditional narrator’s voice and Betty shining through with profoundly real emotions.

The audiobook itself is very well made, with music that really compliments each story. As for the stories, Harrison juggles humor, horror, and profound philosophical questions in a way that reminded me of Peter Watts' Blindsight. Or Harlan Ellison’s Dangerous Visions. Each story feels hauntingly possible, eerily familiar, and strangely out of reach, almost as if they're glimpses into a future that's hiding in plain sight despite no one really seeing it yet. It's both thrilling and a bit unsettling how close these narratives hit to home. Harrison’s prose is vivid and evocative, painting immersive scenes and characters that are truly tangible in their presentation. The stories deal with some very intricate and detailed ontology and philosophy, but Harrison guides readers effortlessly through complex ideas and intricate plots without ever losing your attention.

I was particularly impressed by the titular story, Early Adopter, which delves into the relationship between a lonely man and an AI girlfriend. It raises the question: If a simulated consciousness can evoke real emotions, where do we draw the line between genuine and artificial? Harrison explores this theme with remarkable depth and sensitivity. His characters are richly developed, and their dialogues feel so natural that you become wholly invested in their journeys. I even learned a new word from this story: Paraphilia, or sexual fixation on anything that isn’t a consenting human partner. Like all of his stories, the themes and ideas start in familiar territory; one can easily liken this story to the movie Her. But boy oh boy does Harrison take us for a spin by the end of his tales. I simply could have never foreseen the twist that this story and a few others involved. Legitimately mind blowing!

In terms of prose, Harrison’s clever and vivid descriptions bring each scene to life, making it easy to visualize the settings and empathize with his characters. The pacing is expertly managed, with each story unfolding with precise pacing. The philosophical inquiries are woven seamlessly into the narrative, prompting you to reflect on the ethical implications of technological advancement without ever feeling heavy-handed. It's a delicate balance that Harrison maintains with impressive skill.

If you’re a fan of Black Mirror, Twilight Zone, Dangerous Visions, Stories of Your Life and Others, Burning Chrome, and other gripping speculative anthologies filled with dark explorations of technology's impact on society and thought-provoking, twist-filled narratives that challenge perceptions of morality, human nature, and the future, then Early Adopter is your next binge.

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