Impact

By: Douglas Preston

Narrated by: Scott Sowers

Length: 11 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

In Douglas Preston's Impact, Wyman Ford is tapped for a secret expedition to Cambodia... to locate the source of strangely beautiful gemstones that do not appear to be of this world.

A brilliant meteor lights up the Maine coast... and two young women borrow a boat and set out for a distant island to find the impact crater.

A scientist at the National Propulsion Facility discovers an inexplicable source of gamma rays in the outer Solar System. He is found decapitated, the data missing.

High resolution NASA images reveal an unnatural feature hidden in the depths of a crater on Mars... and it appears to have been activated.

Sixty hours and counting.

©2009 Splendide Mendax, Inc. (P)2009 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Scott Sowers's fully voiced reading is perfect...Sowers's accomplished, finely tuned pacing will keep listeners hooked. Great family listening for a long journey.” —SoundCommentary.com

“Be warned, once you start listening to this you'll will not want to switch it off... Definitely recommended!” —SFCrowsnest.com

“I highly recommended Impact on all levels. It is one of the best books I have ‘read' in a long time.” —SF Revu

Meh...

To sum up this book in one word... Meh. The book was fast pasted but did not move me. The language did not bother me. What 18 year old witnissing the event of her lifetime does not drop the F bomb. There was a lot of time spent building up to this final show down and it never happened. It was like he wrote the ending in one afternoon. Be sure to listen to the epilog it adds some much needed answers to the ending and should have been part of the ending. OK book, but not the block buster I had anticipated. Save for a rainy day, or if you have an extra credit you need to use up.

Not quite what you think!

I am a true fan of strange happenings set in our world - scientific mysteries that may be or could be real. This book took me on its twists and turns of scientific observations and deductions while developing the characters into people that you care about. Don't assume that you know what this book covers by the title. And, like good mystery novels, it is fun to see how soon in the story you deduce "who done it!"

Good adventure science story

I didn't like this one quite as much as Preston's other book featuring Wyman Ford, but I still enjoyed it. A lot of seafaring adventure and interesting "science."

Great but watch the language...

I loved this book, and it is exciting. As a teacher, however, it disappoints me that I can't recommend it to my high school students because of the occassional use of the "F" word. I am reminded of the mention of colorful language being "in all the popular novels of the day" (Star Trek IV--movie.) But it makes me sad that so many authors assume that if you are young, you swear. Not all young people swear, and I try to set a good example. Nonetheless, as long as you are aware of the language, I can still recommend this to you as another great Preston book. It is exciting from start to finish.

Exciting and entertaining

I am a longtime fan of Mr Preston and always enjoy his books. This novel was a fast-paced story and I didn't want to stop listening. The performance was great. Finally, the author didn't cop-out on the ending, unlike some of his other novels.

A Great Romp - Loved It!

I enjoyed every minute of this novel. The author weaves a fast-moving suspenseful adventure story. Surprisingly, even in the midst of all the plot and action, Preston also manages to write some very beautiful and soulful sentences. That is a refreshing combination!

Interesting, quirky and and a quick listen

What made the experience of listening to Impact the most enjoyable?

It was fast pace, lots of change of venues and circumstance. A quick and enjoyable read -- not deep.

Very Good

I think this is the best book I have read by this writer. Yes they are some cringe dumb parts but they go by quick.

Adventurer!

Impact is a great title as it certainly made a impact! This is a edge of your seat action read, with a very unlikely team set out to save us all. I loved this book.
Wonderful reader with a great voice!
Thank you for a great book and a great time!
SuZanne

A fantastic adventure!

Would you listen to Impact again? Why?

This book is a fantastic adventure and completely unputdownable. It is fast-paced and intelligent, and won't let Preston/Child fans down. Like always, there is a scientific touch to the books coupled with a bit of mysticism.