Selected Stories: Science Fiction: Volume 2

By: Kevin J. Anderson

Narrated by: Bryan Anderson, Sonya Anderson

Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Number one international best-selling author Kevin J. Anderson continues to demonstrate his versatility and imagination in his Selected Stories series, with a second full volume of his best science fiction tales.

These 16 stories, ranging from flash fiction to novella length, extend from the far corners of space to the edge of time and back to cutting-edge explorations inspired by today’s headlines. Hear about clones and combat cyborgs, nanotechnology experiments and giant robots, super-sentient lab rats and immortal dogs, alien magicians and altered time lines.

Anderson introduces each story with a brief perspective about the inspiration or writing process as well as a compelling introductory essay about his lifelong close relationship with the science fiction genre.

With these stories, Kevin J. Anderson demonstrates why he has tens of millions of readers worldwide and has won or been nominated for numerous awards.

©2018 WordFire, Incorporated (P)2019 WordFire Press

Two really good Novellas and a bunch of shorts

This being a collection of short stories makes it a bit hard to get drawn into. Therefore, this was not a book that I could not put down.
That being said, these were all quite good stories. Some of them I certainly wished to hear more of. Especially those that stopped suddenly and left you with an incomplete feeling.
There were two stories that were much longer than the others. These two stories alone make this a book worth listening to even without the others in this collection. Just consider them a bonus.

This book is primarily narrated by Bryan with the occasional female part read by Sonya. She only has a large part in the last story. Overall the narration was reasonably done but I think it could have been better.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

A solid sci-fi anthology

I got a free copy of the audiobook from the narrator in return for an honest review.

This is the second audio of the author's short stories that I've listened to in the last couple of months, and I have to be honest, I preferred the first. The one I listened to previously was more diverse, with a mix of different genres, while this was rooted completely in science fiction. Still it was far from bad.

I think what I liked the most about this one (both of them, really) was the author's introductions to each story. They were quite engaging and interesting to hear his creative process. The stories, on the other hand, were a mixed bag, as with most anthologies, and I enjoyed the first couple the most, although Hobson's Choice was great. They're all peppered with the author's sense of humour, and his imaginiation is certainly noteworthy. As for the narrattor (Bryan Anderson), he continues to do a fantastic job, adding to some of the stories that may have been less entertaining as text. I've become so accustomed to his voice, if I actually meet Kevin J Anderson and he sounds any different, I won't believe it's him.

A solid 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Science Fiction Fans Will Find Lots to Enjoy

Disclaimer 1: This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.


Disclaimer 2: Kevin J Anderson tends to keep his writing very PG-13. A few of the stories towards the end include sexual content and situations. Everything is tastefully done and not overly graphic – however I would say review those stories before anyone younger than late teens reads the collection.


I’ve known Kevin J Anderson primarily from his Star Wars novels and more recently his Dan Shamble urban fantasy novels about a zombie, PI. That sentence alone should give you an idea of how diverse his writing can be.
This collection of science fiction stories was full of short stories an even a novella or two. I enjoyed each one for different reasons but the real joy was the sheer spectacle of ideas, tones and sub genres on display.


We have a hilarious mecha piloting as anger management story, a few variations on time travel stories, a dark take on a space marine story, an alien stuck on Earth using advanced technology to pose as a stage magician to a shapeshifting prostitute that accommodates all species and life forms and much, much more. Each story begins with an explanation on where the original idea for the story came from or what Anderson was trying to convey when he wrote the story. The writing stands on it’s own but I appreciated the notes and insight from the author looking back at his work.


The stories vary in length and tone. There is humor mixed with real pathos and Anderson does a great job highlighting the humanity in even the most absurd science fiction situation.


The narrators did a credible job however I have a minor quibble. Bryan Anderson did more than 90% of the narration. He is the default narrator for every single story – including those that are not necessarily male point of view characters. Sonya only reads dialogue from clearly female characters so in many stories she only has 1 or 2 lines and in many she doesn’t have any lines at all.


If you are a fan of science fiction I think you will find something to enjoy. I can’t think of a single story I didn’t like.

Great collection of sci-fi shorts

Here we have a great collection of shorts by an author every Star Wars fan knows well. All
Of the stories come with and introduction about how they came into being which is always fascinating to hear. So why a four. Some stories click with me and some don’t and be aware that there are a couple that get a little sexually graphic so they aren’t friendly for all ages though most are. The ones that aren’t come with a warning to expect it so you can fast forward past those if little ears are present. Enjoy. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher

Imaginative and Entertaining

Most of these stories were imaginative and entertaining, though a couple were early (less polished)works, and a couple seemed to drag. The voice of the male narrator was grating at first, but I got accustomed to the voice after a couple stories. The woman narrator did her voices very well.