A History of What Comes Next

A Take Them to the Stars Novel

By: Sylvain Neuvel

Narrated by: Andrew Byron, Dugald Bruce Lockhart, Imogen Wilde, Jilly Bond, Kevin Shen, Laila Pyne, Richard Trinder, Sylvain Neuvel, Thomas Judd

Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's Summary

This program includes additional material read by Sylvain Neuvel, and a bonus conversation with narrators Jilly Bond and Imogen Wilde.

Showing that truth is stranger than fiction, Sylvain Neuvel weaves a sci-fi thriller reminiscent of Blake Crouch and Andy Weir, blending a fast moving, darkly satirical look at 1940s rocketry with an exploration of the amorality of progress and the nature of violence in A History of What Comes Next.

Always run, never fight.
Preserve the knowledge.
Survive at all costs.
Take them to the stars.

Over 99 identical generations, Mia’s family has shaped human history to push them to the stars, making brutal, wrenching choices and sacrificing countless lives. Her turn comes at the dawn of the age of rocketry. Her mission: to lure Wernher Von Braun away from the Nazi party and into the American rocket program, and secure the future of the space race.

But Mia’s family is not the only group pushing the levers of history: an even more ruthless enemy lurks behind the scenes.

A darkly satirical first contact thriller, as seen through the eyes of the women who make progress possible and the men who are determined to stop them.... 

This program is read by: Jilly Bond, Imogen Wilde, Richard Trinder, Laila Pyne, Andrew Byron, Thomas Judd, Dugald Bruce Lockhart, and Kevin Shen, with additional material read by the author.

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor.com

©2021 Sylvain Neuvel (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Read (Listen to) the Notes at the end first

To be honest, I didn’t really care for this book as the story was a bit confusing to me. Then I listened to Nuevel’s notes at the end and the story made a lot more sense. Do yourself a favor and start there and then read it. Will doing so ruin the ending? Maybe, but I don’t think so. Rather, having an understand where Nuevel gets his inspiration will make his story much more interesting.

Narration, story, and characters all A+

This is a book that should definitely be listened to with the marvelous voice actors assembled for The History of What Comes Next. The story is based on facts, with the addition of the two main characters (and their nemesis bad guys). The author did extensive research and shares it at the end of the audiobook in a delightful half-hour post-book reading. Don't miss it!

Great book!!!

A History of What Comes Next by Sylvain Neuvel was the 5th novel by the author I've read now, and I find I really enjoy his writing style and subject matter.

Without giving away too much of the story, we follow a mother and daughter with a very unique set of skills and knowledge, and a singular life goal to move humanity closer to human space travel by any means necessary. And there is another being that is tracking them to stop them, and kill them at any cost.

This particular novel has to be destined to be another trilogy, or at least it better be, because so much is left undone, and so many questions left to be answered. And the next book should make for an awesome story with this novel setting the stage. I recommend this book, or any of the authors novels, especially The Themis Files trilogy. A 4 out of 5 star read, and I'm looking forward to his 2nd in the series.

stale at best

this book was very stale and pretty cut and paste-like. but good job on the research. it's a lot like more than human from the sleeping giants trilogy.

fantastic

awesome story, wonderful narration, especially the mother daughter team. another hit from a great author.

really cool

enjoy this much more than I thought I would, based on the first quarter so of the book. can't wait to read the next one, and if you do read this, I highly highly highly recommend the companion recordings. they are fascinating.

interesting, convoluted-can't wait for the next!

The narrators were EVERYTHING in this slightly confusing story! they kept me on the edge of my seat even though I wasn't always sure what was going on at all times. Historical fiction-CHECK. SF-CHECK. ALTERNATE REALITY-CHECK. can't wait to get more answers about what's actually going on in this interesting & wholly original story in the next installment!

Surprising story

I liked the story, I really wanted to know more by the end. I wish there was a second book. The interview at the end was great.

Well researched and intriguing

A lovely mix of history, action, mystery, and good old fashion sci-fi. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Must Read!

This is a wonderful book! The narrators are perfection. I couldn’t stop and hated when it ended.