Molly Fyde and the Parsona Rescue

The Bern Saga, Book 1

By: Hugh Howey

Narrated by: Jennette Selig

Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

It wasn't easy for Molly being the only girl in Flight Academy, but getting expelled was even worse. Abandoned by her family when she was young and now tossed from the only home she's ever known, her future looks bleak.

But then Molly hears that her father's old starship has turned up halfway across the galaxy. Setting off to retrieve the old craft, she hopes it will hold clues to his disappearance. Accompanying her as a chaperone is Cole, her old flight partner from the Academy.

Molly can't believe it. She's now the proud owner of her own starship. Her spring break is going to be spent traveling across the galaxy with a cute boy. Could things possibly get any better?

Little does Molly know, they are about to get much, much worse....

©2009 Hugh Howey (P)2013 Hugh Howey

I guess it is nice to build a universe

The book was good although a bit to pat just running one direction and uncovering a whole new planet, picking up stray kids along the trail. but on the other hand I am buying the next book right now, so that must tell you Huge Howey is always Huge Howey and he just pulls you I with every writing

Decent story but whispery narration

The story is good, if a little too fiddly with butterflies and teen love angst. Completely forgiveable, because the sci and fi and action are good, even if the disrespect and ignorance of naval command is way over-played.

But the narration is very difficult to accept. Jennette has a beautiful voice that trails off for the second half of so many words. It's as if she is whispering, or struggling with a paralyzed vocal cord. Crank up the bass from -5 to plus 10, and as loud as I can bear, and it still requires focus to make out some of what's being said. Some terms are pronounced as if never heard, but only read. And "enemy" sounds like "eminy".

Well done!

Ali around around great story! I've enjoyed every one of Hugh Howey's stories. Narration was also great.

A good story.

I usually "think" ahead as to where the story is going but the author doesn't take that path..lots of surprises!

Definitely juvenile

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I am used to the quality of David Weber and Clive Cussler. This book is a waste of time. The story is very repetitive.

What was most disappointing about Hugh Howey’s story?

Slow moving and repetitive

What about Jennette Selig’s performance did you like?

Very good reader. Makes the story as interesting as possivle.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Not a chance.

An absolutely wonderful book.

I had just finished listening to the Scorch Trials and I was feeling a bit down emotionally after it had finished. I needed a book with a slightly different and lighter atmosphere. This book was exactly what the doctor ordered to cheer me back up again. It was an absolutely wonderful pleasure to listen to it. Great story line with more than enough mystery to keep me intrigued but not overwhelmed. I am so looking forwards to book two in the series. I really feel for the characters and enjoy the sense of family that the main characters share with a light dash of romance thrown in to top it all off. Simply Brilliant.

poor narration

I disliked the reading a lot. This reader has a screechy and irritating voice. I forced myself to finish it. That involved a lot of skipping to the end of chapters. It took me months, maybe years to finally finish. I didn't care for the MC. She didn't meet an obstacle she couldn't overcome or someone save her. I also hated the attempt to justify genocide of an entire planet. A planet not at war. A plant with inhabitants who want to stay there. Those same inhabitants who aggresdively discourage off worlders. The killer justifies this because the inhabitants MIGHT decide to change this attitude. In doing so, the inhabitants MIGHT and succed in conquoring the universe. A mass murderer is a murderer. They use any reason for this. This same murderer describes his race as being nearly immortal. The only die from outside events. So how is he going to survive on that space station? He's going to run out of supplies. The equipment is going to wear out.

No Wool, but not bad

If I remember correctly, this is Hugh Howey's first book, and it shows. The writing lacks the finesse and style of his later work, yet he still somehow manages to hook me with a compelling story. It reads like a young adult novel, but is not saturated with unrequited teen love angst. Molly is mature, yet naive about the real world, as you would expect a former Naval Academy student to be. He drops in just enough reminders that she's just a teenager without making her seem like a typical teenager. By the end, I was hooked and I have already added the second book to my library.

The narrator leaves much to be desired. As others have mentioned, her voice is breathy and there are awkward pauses and pacing. Her intonation in places makes you question the characters motives. She doesn't create enough of a difference in voices, so it's hard in certain parts to know who is speaking. She pronounces "chaff" incorrectly, which drove me up a wall. I'd forgive one or two occurrences, but the use of chaff and the aftermath comes up throughout the book, and in a battle scene it was distracting enough to ruin the tension for me. Most people probably won't even notice, but it bugged me. I hope the new narrator in the next book is better.

Derivative YA Space Opera

Like others who reviewed this book, I came to Molly Fyde after having read and/or listened to the Wool series and the Sand series. If you’re like me you might end up dissatisfied - it is clear that this was written earlier in Howey’s career.

The core concepts and characters feel largely derivative of other well-known works or use worn tropes. It makes the entire piece come off as a YA novel. This isn’t necessarily bad - my kids might enjoy it - but if you’re already well read then you might find the story disappointing when compared with Hugh Howey’s other works.

If you want something original, exciting and thought provoking, look elsewhere.

good clean, fast book.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes, gave it to the grandsons. thought they would love all the different people in it, and their interaction.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked Walter. He is a fighter. and tries very hard. in a very weird way.

Which character – as performed by Jennette Selig – was your favorite?

Walter

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I could stop and start as needed. it took me 3 days to finish. I enjoyed it.