
Wistful Ascending
Hybrid Helix, Book 1
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Narrated by:
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Wayne Farrell
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By:
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JCM Berne
The il’Drach have conquered half a galaxy behind the civilization-ending powers of their mixed-species children.
Half-human Rohan, exhausted by a decade fighting for their Empire, has paid a secret and terrible price for his freedom.
Now retired, he strives to live a quiet life towing starships for the space station Wistful. His most pressing problems are finding the perfect cup of coffee and talking to a gorgeous shuttle tech without tripping over his own tongue.
A nearby, long-dormant wormhole is opened by a ship full of angry refugees, and the many eyes of the Empire focus uncomfortably on Wistful.
As scientists, spies, and assassins converge, reverting to the monster the Empire created is the surest way to protect his friends. And the surest way to lose them.
©2020 Joseph Berne (P)2025 Joseph BerneListeners also enjoyed...




















Editorial reviews
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clear descriptions relatable aliens.
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First, I want to mention the tone and delivery. I think it’s worth noting that the story is delivered via character interactions over various lunches and dinners between Rohan and the friends he meets along the way. If readers were expecting high-octane action the entire time, they might miss it here. However, we get very thoughtful conversations between action that help the characters develop more naturally as the story progresses. It’s also delivered in a way that I somewhat consider “episodic,” where Rohan doesn’t have an overarching problem to solve, but a few problems to solve while dealing with his daily life. I’ll admit, once or twice, I found it a little interrupting to cut away from a scene to a lunch when I was expecting more to happen. Still, the overall story and characters make it work. I only mention this because it’s nice to know it beforehand to set the mood for maximum enjoyment.
The space station Wistful is a wonderful place to hang out. JCM Berne has made an area I felt like I was living in with Rohan, a lot of it due to the slice-of-life moments with Rohan making the whole place feel more natural. I loved hearing about the il’Drach and Rohan’s powers and how he struggles to redefine himself from his past as a super-powered soldier. A true monster lurks behind his gentle, charming exterior, and the fight to remain true to himself is genuine and well-written.
When the action hits, it SLAMS. The juxtaposition between Rohan during lunch and Rohan destroying warships is intense and amazing. It didn’t feel like I was just reading about “superhero but in space.” It felt unique and exciting. (I’ve worked on a few superhero films in my day, and this felt very fresh to me! Bravo!)
Overall, I really enjoyed my time with Wistful Ascending! It was nothing like anything else I had read this year.
Nothing like anything else I've read this year!
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Listener received this title free
This. Story. Is. So. Much. Fun.
Ever wonder what you’d get if you added science fiction with superheroes? Ever wonder what a story would be like if you took out the kind of corny undertones of caped crusaders? Rohan is half human and half il’Drach. The combination gives him superhuman abilities, and responsibilities. After years of fighting, he just wants to retire from it all. Nothing, the universe included, seems to be accepting that.
Sentient space stations and ships, alien races and wormholes, wars being fought by superhuman armies, this novel has some pretty awesome plot points. I really enjoyed the hard science beats in the book, as well as some of the more mysterious things spread throughout. It’s funny that a book about superheroes off of earth could make me want a prequel about them on earth so badly.
I enjoyed that the superhuman power was being pulled from somewhere and it wasn’t entirely bottomless. The main character can be hurt, even killed, and he does have to dig deep each time he faces a fight. Rohan’s home of the space station Wistful feels like a full and fast world, the author has written in multiple alien cultures to give it depth. I’ve never been so immersed while in the dead of space.
For fans of Guardians of the Galaxy with some real grit like Watchmen or The Boys. These ‘superheroes’ will save the galaxy, but they will also snap your neck for looking at them wrong.
Personally a 5/5* for me. I have the ‘prequel’ Zero Twist, but I can’t wait to get into book two as well. Wish the audio was out for it! Wayne Farrell did an amazing job with narration.
Such a fun story and narration!
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Listener received this title free
Deep Space 9 meets Dragon Ball Z
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Amazing Action and Heart
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Regarding the audiobook, the narrator did an excellent job of telling me this epic story. Wonderful all around.
Wonderful in every way
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Just terrific!
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Listener received this title free
Where it goes is a spectacularly built world involving a space station and first contact with a species of sentient bears. Yes, you read that right; a dwarf, and sentient bears. But wait, there's more!
Like the space station the novel centers on, full of disparate alien species, the book itself has a smattering of wildly different literary ideas: clever, futuristic tech; engaging personalities; space super heroes; bad-ass women (and bear women); ancient cultures; a love story; checkered pasts; misunderstood scientists. Seriously, it's all in there, and it's seamless, not so forced you get whiplash.
I only have two minor complaints. A lot of the dialog takes place over meals-not in itself bad, but having the food described as thoroughly and often as it does gets distracting. Every time he ate breakfast I found myself wanting farm-fresh eggs. There is also an overabundance of pop-culture references that seem out of place for something so futuristic (though the one dwarf/Thor reference was superbly dropped). But who knows, maybe comic books will survive the centuries!
The audiobook narrator is superb; one of the best I've heard. He brings the character emotions (or flatness for the AIs) to life with a wide range of accents and voices. Slow and heartbreaking when appropriate, and energized and gripping for the action sequences.
An excellent, highly recommended listen or read.
Spectacular performance of a cheeky space fantasy!
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Listener received this title free
I think the prologue is unnecessary, and makes listening to the story quite difficult since it's a bit chaotic to understand what is happening through audio, but ignore those first few minutes, and the rest of the story is engaging and a must listen. You'll find yourself making time you didn't originally allot to listening to your audiobooks a priority, so you find out what happens next. Love this start to Rohan's journey, and can't wait to listen to more!
If you love sci-fi adventure, superhero stories, and even a bit of romance, then you'll devour this audiobook with pleasure. Absolutely a fun listen!
The narrator did a terrific job with this book! He was enjoyable to listen to.
A Must Listen Sci Fi Galactic Superhero Adventure
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Listener received this title free
Wistful Ascending was a treat to read from start to finish. The book takes its time to establish bonds between its characters but it not afraid to turn to the grimmer implications of power and trying to change. I struggled to get my own feelings on the character straight by the end as well as some of the consequences in the read, but that made it all the more compelling. I wouldn't consider myself well-read in sci-fi, but there were ideas in the book that were novel to me.
You should probably read it if you like: Bearstronauts, The Iron Druid Chronicles, powers
Consider avoiding if you don't like: Amber Ale, characters with high competency and confidence
A Fun Sci-Fi Read with a lot to offer!
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