Coyote

A Novel of Interstellar Exploration

By: Allen Steele

Narrated by: Peter Ganim, Allen Steele

Length: 17 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Coyote marks a dramatic new turn in the career of Allen Steele, Hugo Award-winning author of Chronospace. Epic in scope, passionate in its conviction, and set against a backdrop of plausible events, it tells the brilliant story of Earth's first interstellar colonists - and the mysterious planet that becomes their home...

The crime of the century begins without a hitch. On July 5th, 2070, as it's about to be launched, the starship Alabama is hijacked - by her captain and crew. In defiance of the repressive government of The United Republic of Earth, they replace her handpicked passengers with political dissidents and their families. These become Earth's first pioneers in the exploration of space...

Captain R. E. Lee, their leader. Colonel Gill Reese, the soldier sent to stop Lee. Les Gilles, the senior communications officer, a victim of a mistake that will threaten the entire mission. Crewman Eric Gunther, who has his own agenda for being aboard. His daughter, Wendy, a teenager who will grow up too quickly. Jorge and Rita Montero, ordinary people caught up in extraordinary circumstances. And their son Carlos, who will become a hero in spite of himself.

After almost two-and-a-half centuries in cold sleep, they will awaken above their destination: a habitable world named Coyote. A planet that will test their strength, their beliefs, and their very humanity...

In Coyote, Allen Steele delivers a grand novel of galactic adventure - a tale of life on the newest of frontiers.

BONUS AUDIO: Includes an exclusive introduction by author Allen Steele

©2003 Allen Steele (P)2008 Audible, Inc.

good story, needs new narrator

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

yes, as long as the audio can be speeded up-narrator reads too slowly

What did you like best about this story?

conquering of a new world

How did the narrator detract from the book?

read too slowly

Good story, poor narration

I enjoyed the book. I love the premise - colonising a new world and everything. However I have to agree with the other reviewers that the narration spoiled it for me. It improved somewhat when I found how to play it double speed on my mp3 player (seriously). I enjoyed it enough to buy the remaining books of the series, but in hard copy, not in audio. Sorry.

Enjoyed in spite of the politics

I thoroughly enjoyed this book in spite of the authors apparent politics. A United Republic of American would be as repugnant to the real people it's places and space shuttles were named after as it is to most readers.

But it's a really fun book, with enough twists and surprises to keep it entertaining. I'll be getting Coyote Rising next month.

Compelling

I am half way through this book and have not noticed any deficiencies by the narrator. The plot is compelling and suspenseful. I like the human element of the characters which is usually a short-coming in most SF.

Ok. story. But not good enough

I liked the story ok, but not enough to buy the next book. You might like it, but buy the books one at a time.

Cliche Political Bias Torpedoes Story Potential

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

It does give you something to listen to while you work.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The most interesting aspect is the idea of colonizing another planet. Least interesting are the obligatory tropes I've just seen too much in science fiction and everywhere else.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Peter Ganim and Allen Steele ?

Depends on the book, but the narrator's nasal yawn does grate.

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

Doubt it. Very few directors out there who wouldn't make it even more annoying.

Any additional comments?

Evidently some other reviewers noticed the subtle (and not-so subtle) left-wing bias of the author. One reviewer basically said that's silly because the captain of the ship is named after Robert E. Lee...therefore it has pro-freedom underpinnings.

Right. About that...

Classic case of leftists projecting and twisting facts/redefining words. I'm sure Lenin and Trotsky convinced people they were pro-freedom, too, when necessary to gather support.Leftists are fine with individual liberty...as long as you think, speak, act and believe as they do. When you exercise your freedom as protected in the Bill of Rights but disagree with them on a significant subject, their inner Gestapo shines right through. They have long had a field day projecting their own tyrannical mindset (and other "liberal" virtues) on right-wing characters to demonize their opposition.

Just when the novel takes the plot in a direction where you get relief from the political undertones, the gender-bending cultural Marxism of the author kicks in.I see this way too often, too, where the author is either female or a gamma male (aspiring to beta male) who wounds suspension of disbelief by building characters to breathe life into their own fantasies and fetishes. Macho women are the level-headed, iron-willed saviors in survival situations. The author takes revenge on the playground bullies who haunt his psyche by writing the alleged alpha males as cowards and sissies deep down inside. The artistic, quiet (how the author no doubt sees himself) passive, uncompetitive beta males are the only men who are not reprehensible in one way or another.

While this is far from the most blatant example, I just wanted to escape this programming entirely for the length of a novel.

Oh yeah, Dr. Osaka is really inconsistent, too. The colony's physician, her decision to tag along on the canoe trip was both unrealistic and monumentally stupid. Yet she is sage-like wise when the plot calls for it. In one scene she submits to Carlos' authority (when it is foolish to do so) but in surrounding scenes she steadfastly asserts her dominance over all the males.

Gil Reese was a touch skitzo too, as written.

Planet colonization has huge story potential. This book didn't live up to it IMO.

Narration Quality Assurance Needed

The series is entertaining enough, though lacking in scientific imagination. They still have hard drives in the 22nd century? Oh well.

However, the narration really annoyed me. Mispronunciation of words beyond a 13-year old's vocabulary are legion by both speakers. UK listeners will love hearing about the "Tames River," End-burg" and "Glow-ster-SHIRE" in the third book. Some review and editing here would have really helped.

You folks complaining about leftist or rightist propaganda didn’t actually read the book

Read this long ago, also own the series on paperback.

My only complaint is the reader kinda sucks. Listening to it at 1.5 speed seems to alleviate that

Needs a good narrator

The story was good overall. But the narrator was awful! I only stuck with the story because I couldn’t return it and I hate wasting money. Seriously? Where did they get this guy? Monotone - little change in his voice, too slow and he pauses at inappropriate times. I found myself repeating his sentences in my head to make them sound right. Awful.

Can't get enoungh

Loved the entire series...
I am getting ready to listen to them all again...
Even my kids can't get enough, it opens their minds to other possibilities and ideas...
Can't wait till Hex is available...