Destiny

The New Earth, Book 4

By: Matthew Mather

Narrated by: Keith Szarabajka

Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

After the destruction of the planet by Nomad, the final fight for the future comes to a staggering conclusion as Earth drops toward Saturn, and Jessica Rollins must decide whether to save the ones she loves or save the human race.

Destiny is the fourth and final novel in a four-book saga that follows one family's fight to survive on a new Earth after a whole new category of disaster - all the more frightening as the science behind it was developed by a team of astrophysicists from CERN, SETI, and the Keck Observatory.

©2017 Matthew Mather (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

I'm Torn...

After finishing the fourth book in the series, I don't know whether it's good or bad!
The SF concept is great; a new twist on the 'worlds colliding' idea. The descriptions of a world quickly icing over are interesting, although I don't think any world-wide volcanism would have finished in less than several years, not several weeks.
I'm even willing to endure a lot of hand-waving regarding international cabals of billionaire preppers in their hardened underground shelters.

My issue is with the main character, Jessica. She is supposed to be a US Marine, a combat veteran with a prosthetic leg and a lot of issues with her family. The authors handled her family issues reasonably well. They did an excellent job of portraying the problems of life with (and occasionally without) a prosthesis.
But from the very beginning, Jessica's reflexes and actions when in sudden danger are not those of a fully trained US Marine, much less of a combat veteran. They are those of a civilian prima donna who happens to know how to shoot. She is indecisive at the wrong times, cannot work as part of a team, and surprisingly unfamiliar with unarmed combat.

A great series finale

I enjoyed the many plot turns and unexpected twists. A fast and enjoyable read. Would love to see another trilogy on what will happen with that crew next.

Four 4 the intrigue and excitement returns

this narration brings the level of excitement and complexity of the plot that was somewhat lost in book 3 back into play. With the continually excellent narration make the Nomad series one of the best of Mathew Mather wonderful tales.

Dismayed! Alarming, disturbing, & just plain sad.

Book One revealed some promise, while Book Two was my favorite novel in this four-part series. It could have been a satisfactory stand-alone work. The authorial partnership in Book Three didn't work for me (style shifted, characters lost depth and appeal, and much of the plot could have been contained within a trilogy instead). I do enjoy this narrator, which explains my two stars.

But... SPOILER ALERT...

Book Four was a literal and metaphysical nightmare! I was shocked, even horrified, by the ending. None of the major players were in character, so to speak, and after investing my time and interest in this series, I feel cheated. The events at the very end went beyond a horrific physical and sexual assault to the destruction of at least three characters' lives, putting them in a tragic scenario they did not choose. How could any of these transactions lead to the "freedom of no fear?" This was really too much.

Not his best work

I don't usually write reviews but felt compelled. I binge listened to all of this series and perhaps this contributed to the problem...the female character is so unpleasant it distracts from the story. By book 4 it was definitely a struggle to finish. I am not someone who has a problem with strong female characters either

Unbearable protagonist

There is never an explanation as to why the main character is important to this story. Why all the other characters put up with her self-righteous complaining and constant scorn and distrust is never addressed. No one in there right mind would want her around if they were fighting for survival.

Terrible

This book is just plain terrible!! Terrible characters with children like tendencies very unrealistic terrible listen even for free

Disappointing Series.

I enjoyed the first book of the series so I looked forward to the sequels. However, in the second and third book the storylines dragged on and on, and at times I wished they would just hurry up and finish. Book four was a confusing disaster with a disappointing ending.
My biggest complaint, however, is with the narrator. The voices were confusing and at times I couldn't tell which character was speaking. That is, except for Jess's voice. She didn't sound like a female at all and at times her craggy, ratchety voice yelling at people made me cringe. Her character became totally unlikable by the end due to her constant screaming and yelling at people, her inability to work together as a team, and her constant mistrust of everything and everyone. The fact that she could even have a relationship with anyone amazes me, because no one I know would put up with her for a second!

The series was free..but I want my hours back

Just annoying in every way! Narrator with his annoying voices, that were hard to distinguish, a storyline that could have filled one book instead of several. No empathy for any of the characters..it just went on and on and on. ...should have thrown in the towel at book 1

Stop at the 1st book, Nomad

I listened to all 3 sequels because the 1st book, Nomad was so good, but wished I hadn't invested the time in the rest of the sequels. They were just the same thing over and over for 3 books: trying to survive in apost-apocalyptic world (we have enough of those already), gun fights, trying to get to an underground sanctuary, Hector getting kidnapped, Jess yelling her annoying profanities at everyone, and Ufuk Erdogmus against Dr. Mueller. He FINALLY got to the Earth intercepting Saturn's rings, but not until the last few minutes of this book, and that was almost an after thought (a huge disappointment). The Narrator' voices (especially Jess') got annoying after the 3 sequels. Really, the last 3 books could have been just one, but that one wouldn't have been very good.

A covoluted story, but absolutely gripping.

I've listened to the four books in the series over the course of a few days and enjoyed every minute of it. The plot twists and turns but it all comes together in the end. I will be listening to it all over again with my other half starting tonight!

really good series

really enjoyed these books. even if some of the accents were a bit suspect the narrator was still good. sad to have come to the end

Destiny. …..

Having listened to the book series all the way through, really enjoyed the suspense throughout the series, a great listen if you get the chance. Personal ratings far above what audible can offer

A rollercoaster of a ride

This book is the third in the series. It focusses on the struggles of one group to survive after the earth collides with a black hole. It follows the fortunes of one woman in particular and a billionaire genius. The story is full of action and covers the globe as they adjust to new dangers. A complex story full of unexpected twists. Well narrated and interesting characters. Well worth listening to. A good conclusion.

Mathew Mather

I have listen to the nomad series and other books by this author, he is very well researched, great plots and keeps you guessing till the end! Love it!!

Wow

i loved this. the only thing that i am sad about is if there isn't another one. i have binge liatened to all four. is there a five?

One of the best !!!

Because its a four books series and all my reviews will pretty much the same for each of them, I’ve decided to write one review for all and copy / paste it to all four after I complete listening to the complete series.

One of my favorite ever the Author Matthew Mather is really awesome when it comes to science fiction.
The same talent he used with Nomad that for sure, truly a masterpiece a beautiful series but for an unknown reason it feels like it’s missing one more book to finish the series, its just feels incomplete.
Choosing the Narrator: Keith Szarabajka was without a doubt perfection.

And without a doubt this
Series
Got my full recommendation !

Oded Ostfeld.