A superb audio collection of unabridged science fiction short stories by this genre’s contemporary and emerging masters.

 

• “Last Contact” by Stephen Baxter — Alien communications are deciphered as Earth is destroyed.

• “The Something-Dreaming Game” by Elizabeth Bear — A girl auto-asphyxiates to communicate with another world. 

• “Grandma” by Carol Emshwiller — A girl lives in the shadow of her super-hero grandmother.

• “Lambing Season” by Molly Gloss — A sheepherder discovers a space ship wreck. 

• “None So Blind” by Joe Haldeman — The bright and the blind intersect in this Hugo Award winning story, 

• “Kin” by Bruce McAllister — A boy hires an assassin to save his sister.

• “Gene Wars” by Paul J. McAuley — Genetic engineering reaches its ultimate climax. 

• “Bright Red Star” by Bud Sparhawk — Future wars require great sacrifices.

• “Far as You Can Go” by Greg van Eekhout — A robot aids a boy’s search for a better life in.

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REVIEW

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"It's been a long time since I've listened to short stories, but evidently Allan Kaster knew just what I'd like to hear. This collection includes nine selections originally published between 1991 and 2007, offering a variety of topics ranging from an aging superhero grandmother ("Grandma," by Carol Emshwiller) to how a mother and daughter cope with the end of the world ("Last Contact," by Stephen Baxter). Narrators Tom Dheere and Vanessa Hart give fine performances. They handle the reading in a clear, approachable style without being overly dramatic. Both have voices that are easy on the ears. Dheere’s performance of "Kin" by Bruce McAllister, is stunning." - Susan Dunman