Woken Furies

By: Richard K. Morgan

Narrated by: William Dufris

Length: 22 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Richard K. Morgan has received widespread praise for his astounding 25th-century novels featuring Takeshi Kovacs, and has established a growing legion of fans. Mixing classic noir sensibilities with a searing futuristic vision of an age when death is nearly meaningless, Morgan returns to his saga of betrayal, mystery, and revenge, as Takeshi Kovacs, in one fatal moment, joins forces with a mysterious woman who may have the power to shatter Harlan's World forever.

Once a gang member, then a marine, then a galaxy-hopping Envoy trained to wreak slaughter and suppression across the stars, a bleeding, wounded Kovacs was chilling out in a New Hokkaido bar when some so-called holy men descended on a slim beauty with tangled, hyperwired hair. An act of quixotic chivalry later and Kovacs was in deep: mixed up with a woman with two names, many powers, and one explosive history.

In a world where the real and virtual are one and the same and the dead can come back to life, the damsel in distress may be none other than the infamous Quellcrist Falconer, the vaporized symbol of a freedom now gone from Harlan's World. Kovacs can deal with the madness of AI. He can do his part in a battle against biomachines gone wild, search for a three-centuries-old missing weapons system, and live with a blood feud with the yakuza, and even with the betrayal of people he once trusted. But when his relationship with "the" Falconer brings him an enemy specially designed to destroy him, he knows it's time to be afraid.

After all, the guy sent to kill him is himself: but younger, stronger, and straight out of hell.

Wild, provocative, and riveting, Woken Furies is a full-bore science fiction spectacular of the highest order from one of the most original and spellbinding storytellers at work today.

Woken Furies is the third Takeshi Kovacs novel, following Altered Carbon and Broken Angels.

©2005 Richard K. Morgan (P)2006 Tantor Media, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The author's eye for detail and feel for the atmosphere and nuances of SF noir result in a story packed with action and angst that will also appeal to general suspense readers." (Library Journal)
"Morgan's anxiously awaited third Takeshi Kovacs novel makes a terrific addition to an award-winning series....Highly recommended for followers of the series, cyberpunk devotees, and hard-boiled detective fans not averse to a little genre-bending." (Booklist)

Don't be scared off by the different narrator!

I was shocked and outraged to hear a different narrator after getting used to Todd McLaren’s performance in the first two books, but then I decided to stop being petty and enjoy the remainder of the story, which I liked so much that I would have listened to Donald Duck narrate it.
After just a few minutes I could tell that William Dufris, the new narrator, was capable - and then I learned just how good he is. Dufris expresses the protagonist’s (Kovacs’) depth of emotion exquisitely, particularly his world-weariness after centuries of existence and several lifetimes worth of disappointments. This allows Dufris to present a Kovacs that’s a bit closer to his slum upbringing than McLaren’s version. This is ideal for the final book because it shows that Kovacs hasn’t completely left his past behind him, which I believe is essential to really appreciating this book. I believe Mr. Dufris’ version of Kovacs was the best choice for this book’s up-close-and-personal look at the background that made Kovacs who he is.

Here’s how I suggest you read the series: Enjoy McLaren’s narration of the first two books, then take a moment and prepare yourself for a change in Kovac’s voice and demeanor. His street gang past will be more apparent than before, but you’ll soon see that it allows you to relate to the character much better.

Fantastic

I LOVED THIS BOOK! The story was intelligent and gripping, and the narrator was exceptional. He literally breathed life into the characters in a way that I have seldom heard elsewhere. I was fine with the 'echoey' quality to the recording at various points, as those short sections were obviously altered to reflect either a past episode, or to simulate telecommunications. The overall production value was also superb. Can't wait for the next one!

Cyberpunk and Grit!

I was looking for something that was decidedly sci-fi and cyberpunk and this fits the bill perfectly!

Well written with three books in the series which leaves you wishing there were more to be had.

Action and mystery, there promises to be plenty of audio action and I can only cajole you to take a listen and enjoy.

We need more like this!

Narration was subpar

Couldn't get into the new reader. For starters, he pronounced the name "Kovax" , not "Kovatch", something that was made a point of in the first book. I'm sure William DuFris is a good narrator, he just seems to not pay attention to details, and as such, I felt the book was a waste of a credit. Sorry.

special talent

It takes a while to catch on to some of the out of this world concepts that Morgan puts into his story's. But once ya wrap yer brain around changing bodys, like an old shirt, this tale, and the rest of the adventures of Tokoshi is most captivating. If you like sci-fi this will be a favorite among friends in your library.

Excellent series

This is an excellent, deeply thought through, and highly entertaining series. These books, including this one, are complex, dark, and compelling. And quite satisfying.

If I were to do it again, I would listen to the first two books and then read this one, since the original reader was so much better (and knew how to pronounce Kovacs). The voice effects were cool, but this reader is way too maudlin and whiny.

New Voice New Sleeve No Problem!

I don’t see what problem others have with the reader himself. He does a great job bringing the story to life. There are some interesting sound effects the producers chose to use but I believe they do help solve the issue of confusion with memory and present day that made some of the last book’s reading muddy. A new voice for a new body seems fitting to me.

End of a great series.

The first 25% was so-so but overall it's a great conclusion to the kovac series, and a fantastic performance by the reader.

Enjoyable Series

This was an excellent series, . I highly recommend it, very well written and love his other books, also. I just wish, they would keep the same narrator!!! While I do understand, that this may not always be possible, the narrator could AT LEAST listen to the previous books in series, and pronounce NAMES and PLACES correctly!!! Nothing is more irritating and frustrating!! than having to stop playback, and try to figure out who narrator is talking about!

Story loses its grip

After two great novels this one seems rushed and badly constructed. The idea has merit but more time and rewrite required.