The beauty of science fiction lies in the pure scope of exploration—here, stories are not bound by worlds known or facts verified. Instead, within these listens, we have the capacity to strive further and travel farther than ever before, even if those leaps take us to the end of the Milky Way. Perhaps it's the unknowable expanse of that final frontier, the pull of some mystery beyond the stars. Then again, perhaps it's the promise of other beings out there, extraterrestrial species that may be more like us than we could ever imagine. Whatever draws you to stories of space, its planets, and its inhabitants, there's no shortage of stellar audio storytelling that will take you beyond the stars. Go ahead, space out—we won't judge.
From Andy Weir, author of The Martian, comes Project Hail Mary, the story of a most unlikely hero. Ryland Grace can't even remember who he is at the moment, and yet he is the only one left alive on his ramshackle spaceship who can save planet Earth. Listener-favorite voice actor Ray Porter has been universally acclaimed for his world-class performance of this exciting sci-fi thriller about one man (and, perhaps, a friend he never expected to make) against the cosmos.
In the color-coded society of a dystopian future, a Red is part of the neglected lower class. Darrow, a Red Helldiver in Mars' subterranean mines, works tirelessly under the guise of making the planet livable for future generations, doing what he believes is right for his children and future generations. But before long, he learns that he and his compatriots are nothing but slaves under the thumb of the domineering Gold caste. As Darrow decides to challenge the oppressive status quo, he finds himself on an uphill battle toward justice. There's a reason Pierce Brown's ongoing series is a perennial favorite of editors and listeners alike; Brown's world-building is deft, his prose engrossing, and Tim Gerard Reynolds's performance is nothing short of exceptional.
This continuation of The Space Within picks up right where season 1 left off, delving deeper into the core mysteries of the series—including whether an intelligent life beyond Earth has anything to do with the mysterious disappearance of a child and Maddie Wyle’s murky past. I was reminded at times of the spiritual mysteries of Battlestar Galactica while listening, which is high praise in my book. The sound design is as immersive as ever, and the cast—led by Jessica Chastain—ups the emotional ante along with the stakes of this story.
What if we solved all of our problems via reality shows? Not unlike our human fascination with today’s ever-popular competitive television craze, Space Opera puts the throes of the universe’s problems on stage and over a loudspeaker in a puzzling, elaborate display of entertainment, competition, politics, and war. Earphone Award-winner Heath Miller serves as our host for the event, and Catherynne M. Valente’s entertaining writing and critical perspectives shine through in this tongue-in-cheek examination of human tendencies and the subgenre of space opera itself.
After Earth ceases to be able to sustain human life, the last members of society depart in search of a new home—and discover a completely habitable planet that was terraformed and subsequently abandoned by a previous generation. Though it seems like Eden, this new home has been occupied by a new race in the interim since it was abandoned: a community of huge, hyper-intelligent spiders that have been evolving for thousands of years. Children of Time is ambitious in scope—spanning planets, centuries, and species to grapple with questions about gods, aliens, and what it means to be alive—but excellent writing coupled with out-of-this-world, captivating narration provided by actress Mel Hudson will keep you engrossed throughout.
With an introduction narrated by the author and an audiobook helmed by famed science fiction star Wil Wheaton (that's Wesley Crusher himself!), this reimagining of the 1962 sci-fi classic Little Fuzzy is both an ode to H. Beam Piper’s beloved work and an homage to the entire science fiction genre. Jack Holloway is satisfied working as an independent contractor, prospecting and surveying for the company ZaraCorp and leaving his past in the past. But when Jack must choose between wealth and the fate of an entire species, things get a bit thorny. An examination of human decency and corporate greed, Fuzzy Nation will make you think about our unseeable impacts on those around us.
This Audie Award-winning production of one of the most notable sci-fi/fantasy stories of all time is elevated by a dynamic full cast, led by celebrated performer Scott Brick. Originally published in 1965, Frank Herbert's epic is widely considered one of the best in the science fiction canon, and it does far more than just recount adventures in outer space—Dune is a political examination that still contains fresh insight today. Set 20,000 years in the future, humans have ventured out and colonized various planets. On the inhospitable desert planet of Arrakis, a spice-like drug with the ability to extend and enhance life is obsessively sought after. Otherwise undesirable, Arrakis is the setting for clashes of politics, religion, environmentalism, technology, and the human spirit. Amid growing tension, young protagonist Paul Atreides is faced with the daunting task of leading his family’s stewardship of the planet.
Seveneves is a truly immersive listen. Following a devastating event that left Earth teetering on the edge of survival, leaders and societies must unite to create a plan to move civilization forward. But journeying into the unknown is difficult, especially with the entirety of our species on the line, and the unpredictability and emotionality of humankind further complicates matters. With notes of various genres, this tale of venturing into the unknown—both outer space and culturally—makes this an intriguing work of speculative fiction and a captivating listen, courtesy of narrators Mary Robinette Kowal and Will Damron.
Navigating the universe has long been a topic of great importance—but when you think about it, isn't it just as absurd as it is awe-inspiring? The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is the go-to map to explore the final frontier with a hefty dose of humor. Plus, British cultural icon (and international audio treasure) Stephen Fry brings his acting and comedic experience to this listen, capturing the entertaining radio roots of this modern classic. Down-on-his-luck Arthur Dent and best friend Ford Prefect narrowly avoid the destruction of Earth and are left to wander the universe. Thankfully, Ford is a researcher for the latest edition of The Hitchhiker’s Guide, so he has a good idea of where to go and a copy of the guide for inspiration. (Oh, and he also happens to be an alien.) Listeners are guided through whimsical corners of the cosmos where they’ll encounter plenty of quirky characters—and maybe even the answer to life, the universe, and everything else, too.
Heading off to college is a big transition for anyone, but when your ship to university is hijacked by a group of aliens, the journey quickly becomes more complicated than academic pressure or roommate troubles. Winner of the Hugo and Nebula Awards, Binti is helmed by celebrated performer Robin Miles, who wields a myriad of unique voices and cadences with ease. As Binti faces the challenge of making peace with an alien species that’s been at war with the human race, she discovers abilities all her own.
In this thrilling Audible Original, award-winning author Dennis E. Taylor and frequent audio collaborator Ray Porter explore the lengths to which people will go for their families. In an attempt to finally lift his family out of poverty, Ivan Pritchard finds himself on a mining ship destined to uncover treasures. After he's seemingly possessed by a mysterious entity when he comes in contact with an alien substance, Ivan is trapped between two worlds and two forces—the needs of his family and the demands of the entity now within him. Ray Porter’s tense narration is punctuated by his dramatic performances of Ivan’s communications via phone and radio, making it feel like he is dispatching directly to the listener.
In her debut, author Becky Chambers shines as a master of space opera. When protagonist Rosemary Harper joins a scrappy group on a flimsy spaceship, she doesn’t care that things are a little rough around the edges—she’s just happy to have somewhere to call home and an opportunity to see the galaxy. Narrator Rachel Dulude skillfully performs different characters across various galactic species that are constantly at odds. After all, family squabbles are just as prevalent in outer space; luckily for listeners, Dulude bickers with herself impeccably. When the group is given a lucrative business opportunity (the chance to build a hyperspace tunnel across the galaxy), they have to come together for a cause bigger than their petty spats.
Narrated by Grover Gardner, Falling Free tackles hard questions and highlights how even outer space isn’t free from the ugly underbelly of capitalism. Quaddies have been created to make the workforce even more productive—but at a cost. With a second pair of arms where human legs would be, they’re optimized for working in low gravity environments and can withstand such conditions much better than humans. But their bodies and minds are in the hands of those who created them, and when a more lucrative labor model shows up, the Quaddies face potential extinction. Leo Graf, a human engineer who’s long been a trainer of the Quaddies, decides to intervene and help them break free in a story that quickly evolves into one epic rescue mission.
Orson Scott Card’s award-winning Ender Saga is part space epic, part examination of war. The first installment follows young Ender as he’s tested with simulations and virtual reality to become the next general for Earth in the ongoing war against the Buggers. As he trains, a trio of gifted narrators (Stefan Rudnicki, Harlan Ellison, Gabrielle de Cuir) documents his journey to help the world be reborn—if he can survive the war, that is.
Ursula K. Le Guin is one of the most notable science fiction authors of our time, lauded for using the final frontier to give listeners a critical examination of our society. Narrator Don Leslie transports listeners to a despondent moon settled by utopian anarchists. Overrun by poverty, war, and class clashes with the mother planet, its inhabitants are in a dire state. Shevek is a genius physicist who decides to combat the strife between these two worlds. An outcast from an outcast planet, Shevek finds himself as a bridge between the two societies. Can he mend the rifts that threaten to tear the world apart?
Edward Ashton has the magical ability to combine the science-y smarts and philosophical quandaries of highbrow sci-fi with the irreverent tone of a Simon Pegg buddy comedy. In The Fourth Consort, humans have achieved deep-space travel, but not on their own merits. They've simply allied themselves with one of two rival colonizing entities that are in a race to gather as many “client” civilizations as possible across the universe. A human diplomat is forced into an unlikely alliance with a “stick man” alien who represents the other conglomerate when they find themselves stranded on a planet of enormous, politicking insect-like creatures. Cue the bromance! Narrator Barrie Kreinik somehow manages to embody the voices of a huge swath of aliens of differing tones and perspectives.
In an era dominated by conversations on robotics and artificial intelligence, All Systems Red is as timely as it is downright enjoyable. Narrator Kevin R. Free delivers a mechanical cadence with an undercurrent of wry, crackling wit as he voices the protagonist—a robot that calls itself Murderbot, in reference to a rampage from years ago in which it hacked its own code to gain independence from its programmer. When the grouchy, reclusive Murderbot is sent on an exploratory mission to a new planet, its team stumbles upon the murdered remains of a previous mission and must solve the mystery of what happened, all while fending off a new attack.
The span of Octavia Butler's work is showcased in this strong collection of stories, but it's the title gem that demonstrates her knack for exploring the outskirts of the galaxy. In “Bloodchild,” humans have escaped Earth and settled on a planet inhabited by insect-like creatures called the Tlic. The Tlic and the humans form a unique relationship, with the Tlic protecting the humans in exchange for having the humans act as hosts for their eggs. But as it turns out, the procedure isn't always harmless...
New York Times-bestselling author Yoon Ha Lee brings this blend of military science fiction and space epic to life with the help of Hall of Fame narrator Emily Woo Zeller. In this tale of redemption, Captain Kel Cheris is looking to reclaim her career and regain respect in a high-stakes mission that may well compromise the fate of her world. In order to secure victory, she must recruit the help of a general she despises—and doesn’t trust. This is the launching point of an exhilarating trilogy that explores the fallout of wartime decisions.
The sprawling, listener-adored Expanse series all began with Leviathan Wakes. This vision of the future is science-backed—that is, author James S.A. Corey doesn’t force listeners to suspend their disbelief in order to understand the plot, so you’ll have an easier time being absorbed by the story. Here, humankind is facing numerous challenges 200 years in the future, and many originally innocent parties suddenly find themselves in the throes of the solar system’s struggles. Though it clocks in at nearly 21 hours long, this audiobook never wavers in the skilled hands of narrator Jefferson Mays.
The first title in Ann Leckie’s bestselling Imperial Radch series, this winner of the Hugo, Nebula, and Arthur C. Clarke awards is a joy to listen to. Veteran narrator Adjoa Andoh voices protagonist Breq’s journey after her ship crashes and she’s left to finish her quest alone on an icy, remote planet. As the narrative unfolds, listeners begin to understand how Breq ended up in her current circumstances—and why she’s looking for revenge.
Some Desperate Glory delivers a rich, terrifying vision of post-Earth humanity and a misguided hero whose redemption you can’t help but root for. Sena Bryer delivers such a nuanced and emotionally charged performance of Emily Tesh’s complex characters—human and nonhuman alike.
Just when you think sci-fi can no longer surprise you, a production like this comes along and adds a whole new dimension to the genre. It’s hard to imagine a story like this—told through two astronauts’ dispatches on a mission to a distant moon—could be told in any other way than audio. It’s at turns emotional, harrowing, atmospheric, funny, poignant. Though Jackson Musker’s writing shines on its own, the full cast truly takes this story where none has gone before—with Octavia Chavez-Richmond and James Ludwig brilliantly leading the way as the intrepid explorers.
Throughout history, humans have long been colonizers of other countries, continents, and, in Embassytown, other planets. Seasoned author China Miéville brings a tale of human and alien coexistence on the planet of Arieka to life. The language of the Ariekei beings is unique to the universe, much more than vocals and written words. Human colonist Avice Benner Cho cannot understand the language but she herself is a figure of speech—the physical embodiment of a smile. Susan Duerden’s narration helps listeners understand a language that can’t be comprehended and grasp the struggle faced by the protagonist when she returns home from her adventures: a choice between a family life she no longer identifies with and a community of aliens whose language she cannot understand.
A Memory Called Empire won a huge fan following as well as plenty of acclaim when it was first published in 2019, nabbing the Hugo Award for Best Novel as well as Locus and Nebula nominations. The space opera from debut author Arkady Martine follows Ambassador Mahit Dzmare after she discovers that her predecessor died under mysterious circumstances. Amy Landon skillfully voices each twist and turn as Mahit tries to uncover the truth before she finds herself facing a similar fate. This story has a bit of everything—intrigue, space politics, alien culture—making it perfect for sci-fi fans of all stripes.
Stefan Rudnicki knocks it out of the park narrating this classic first-contact novel from the great Samuel R. Delaney. The tale focuses on a poet tasked with translating the enemy's language to uncover their plans. To do that, she has to travel with a motley crew to the site of the next attack. As the truth behind the enemy reveals itself, their mission turns perilous and the future of humanity hangs in the balance. The experience is only heightened in audio, with listeners praising Rudnicki's deep voice and ability to capture each character.
Space can be scary—but don't take our word for it. Astronaut Chris Hadfield knows the cosmos better than most, a unique lens he turns toward fiction with The Apollo Murders, Set during the Cold War's infamous Space Race, this thriller thrums with the paranoia of espionage, the chilling expanse of space, and higher-than-ever political stakes. Alive with technical know-how and no shortage of suspense, it's made all the more captivating in audio thanks to the one and only Ray Porter.
